Gu Zheng wasn’t much of a cook, so he took charge of cleaning up after meals.
By the time the two of them strolled back to the educated youth compound, Shen An had already finished preparing lunch: a plate of scrambled eggs, a plate of stir-fried green beans, and a tomato soup.
By the standards of the educated youth station, it was already an excellent meal. Among the several tables set up in the main hall, theirs was by far the most lavish.
Yet with chopsticks in hand, Pei Nian found herself unable to work up much enthusiasm.
After a morning of farm work, her stomach felt completely empty, and she found herself desperately craving rich, savory food. Uncontrollably, her mind drifted to the steaming braised pork sitting inside her space.
But she knew full well that under the watchful eyes of everyone at the educated youth station, there was no way she could secretly take out the delicacies from her space.
Unless…
Maybe I could make an excuse to slip away and sneak into my space for a proper meal?
“I really want to eat braised pork…” Pei Nian murmured aloud without realizing it.
Shen An, who was sitting beside her with particularly sharp ears, immediately pulled a miserable face.
“Comrade Pei Nian, please don’t say that! You’re making my mouth water! I’m not picky—even just meat would do. Braised pork, twice-cooked pork… heck, I’d even be happy with a few crispy pork cracklings…”
Sitting across from Pei Nian, Gu Zheng quietly ate his meal without saying a word.
His gaze rested on her listless profile, and something flickered in his eyes.
At lunchtime, after everyone had gone back to their rooms for a nap, Gu Zheng informed Shen An and quietly left the educated youth compound.
After leaving the village, he found a secluded spot. With a thought, a fairly new Flying Pigeon-style twenty-eight-inch bicycle appeared before him.
After disguising himself, he rode under the blazing sun all the way to the commune.
Familiar with the route, he headed straight to the state-owned restaurant.
Luck was on his side.
The serving window happened to have braised pork that day.
Without hesitation, he ordered two portions, watching as the chef scooped glossy, soy-braised pork belly—layers of lean and fat glistening in the rich sauce—into aluminum lunch boxes before snapping the lids tightly shut.
Carrying the lunch boxes, he left the restaurant.
When he was nearly back at Quliu Production Brigade, he detoured to another deserted spot, removed his disguise, and stored both the bicycle and the lunch boxes inside Lanquan Pavilion.
This miniature world within a vessel had accompanied him ever since he arrived in this era.
Aside from gaining a few additional functions, it remained exactly as it had been in his previous life—
His private estate, Lanquan Pavilion.
People often said that gentlemen avoided speaking of ghosts and supernatural phenomena.
Gu Zheng himself had never imagined that after closing his eyes forever in the Sheng Dynasty, he’d open them again as a ten-year-old boy.
At first, he’d assumed he’d simply been reborn in the distant future.
But after reading the history books, he discovered that the Sheng Dynasty had never existed.
He guessed it was what Buddhist teachings described as:
“One flower contains one world; one leaf contains one bodhi.”
He had arrived in an entirely different world.
Gu Zheng found this era to his liking and adapted quickly to both his new identity and his new life.
His trip to the countryside had been his grandfather’s idea.
The old man sensed that Beijing would descend into turmoil within the next year or two, so he simply had Gu Zheng resign from his job and head to the countryside until things settled down.
His grandfather also believed Gu Zheng had plenty of capability but was still somewhat impetuous.
Rather than arranging another position for him, he sent him to become an educated youth, hoping the hard work in the fields would temper his character.
Gu Zheng had thought it unnecessary.
What could possibly change in only a year or two?
After graduating from university, he’d already worked for two years.
Since childhood, he’d also made a tidy fortune dealing in the black market.
He had accumulated plenty of cash, ration coupons, and valuables.
His grandfather and parents had also given him generous financial support.
Combined with the grain, fruits, and vegetables he cultivated inside Lanquan Pavilion, he knew he’d never truly suffer no matter where he went.
Still, he hadn’t objected.
Seeing the countryside wasn’t a bad idea.
Then, the moment he arrived at Xiangyang Commune and caught sight of Pei Nian…
He realized his grandfather had been remarkably farsighted.
Coming to the countryside had been exactly the right decision.
When he’d heard Pei Nian pitifully say at lunch that she wanted meat, he’d instantly regretted not stocking some in Lanquan Pavilion’s kitchen.
There hadn’t been enough time to slaughter livestock on the spot.
Fortunately…
The state-owned restaurant had happened to be selling braised pork that day.
It was a pity Lanquan Pavilion couldn’t preserve food indefinitely.
Otherwise, he’d have stocked up on dozens of portions.
That afternoon, Pei Nian stopped trying to keep up with everyone else.
Instead, she worked at her own pace.
She did as much as she comfortably could.
Whenever she got tired, she’d straighten her back, take a short break, and secretly sip a mouthful of spiritual spring water from her canteen.
Just as promised, Gu Zheng kept his word.
He worked with astonishing efficiency.
Every movement was precise and economical.
Before long, he’d finished weeding his own section.
Without saying a word, he came over to Pei Nian’s plot, took the hoe from her hands, and quietly continued working.
Watching his capable figure moving steadily through the field, Pei Nian suddenly thought…
Whatever his former identity had been…
Whatever strange world he might have come from…
At least right now…
He was an incredibly reliable teammate.
Besides…
If he even possessed something as miraculous as spiritual spring water…
What could he possibly want from her?
The instant the thought crossed her mind, Gu Zheng happened to glance back.
Their eyes met.
His gaze was deep, carrying an indescribable intensity.
Pei Nian suddenly had an epiphany.
Oh.
He’s shallow.
He’s after my looks.
Fortunately…
She was pretty shallow herself.
The realization somehow made her relax.
She even wanted to laugh.
Smiling at him, she pointed toward the area he’d just been working on.
“Comrade Gu Zheng, focus on your work. No slacking off.”
Her smile caught Gu Zheng slightly off guard.
For a brief moment, he froze before awkwardly looking away.
The tips of his ears seemed to flush with the faintest hint of red.
By dinnertime, Pei Nian was standing by the stove, preparing to reheat the leftover cornmeal buns from breakfast while wondering how she could improve tomorrow’s meals.
Just then, Gu Zheng walked over.
Looking perfectly composed, he set two aluminum lunch boxes onto the small wooden table beside her.
“What’s this?”
Pei Nian curiously lifted the lid.
A rich, mouthwatering aroma of meat burst into the air.
Inside…
Was the very braised pork she’d been craving all day.
The glossy, soy-braised cubes of pork belly alternated between lean and fat, glistening with rendered oil.
Beside them were chunks of potato that had soaked up every drop of the savory sauce.
Pei Nian’s eyes instantly lit up.
“Braised pork?! Where did you conjure this from?”
A glimmer flashed through Gu Zheng’s eyes, but his expression remained calm.
“I went to the commune at noon. Happened to come across it.”
“Gu Zheng! You’re amazing!”
Watching Pei Nian beam at Gu Zheng with completely undisguised delight…
Then glancing at Brother Zheng’s outwardly composed but obviously pleased expression…
Shen An silently complained to himself.
I can’t watch this.
I seriously can’t.
The Brother Zheng who’d ruled the courtyards of Beijing, whose smile alone could intimidate an entire crowd…
Had fallen completely.
As happy as she was, Pei Nian also knew Gu Zheng had his own capabilities.
Still, she smiled and said,
“When we get a day off, I’ll treat you to a good meal at the state-owned restaurant too!”
The corners of Gu Zheng’s lips curved upward.
“Deal.”
The exhaustion from their first day of fieldwork gradually faded amid the warmth and delicious aromas of that hearty evening meal.
After dinner, Pei Nian returned to her dormitory and retrieved a small oil-paper packet before walking over to where Gu Zheng was washing dishes by the well.
“Gu Zheng.”
He turned at the sound of her voice, water still dripping from his hands.
Pei Nian held out the small packet.
Speaking clearly—loud enough for several nearby educated youths to hear—she said,
“Thank you for helping me in the fields today. This is for you.”
Inside the oil-paper packet were several fruit hard candies.
Gu Zheng looked at the candies before lifting his eyes to meet hers.
Her expression was open and natural.
There wasn’t the slightest trace of ambiguity.
It was the textbook image of one comrade thanking another.
He accepted them.
He understood.
Relations between men and women in this era weren’t as restrictive as they had been in his previous life, but clear boundaries still mattered.
Besides…
The two of them didn’t have that kind of relationship yet.
If people with malicious intentions saw him helping Pei Nian in the fields, who knew what ugly rumors they might spread?
By openly framing it as a gesture of gratitude, she’d made everything transparent.
Her straightforward attitude would silence at least some gossip.
Not far away, Zhou Jin witnessed the entire exchange.
Immediately, she understood.
Having just finished eating herself, she wiped her mouth, took out several candies wrapped in an identical oil-paper packet, and walked over to Jiang Xu, who was helping clean up the dishes.
Imitating Pei Nian exactly, she said,
“Comrade Jiang Xu, thank you for helping today. These are for you.”
Jiang Xu froze for a moment.
He looked at Zhou Jin’s expressionless face, then at the candies in her hand.
The tips of his ears turned slightly red.
“M-My pleasure,” he muttered before accepting them.
Zhou Jin quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
Whenever in doubt, copy what the locals do.
Absolutely don’t stand out in front of everyone.
Be cautious.