Zhu Lili had still been half-asleep, but the moment she heard Li Meiling’s words, she immediately became more alert. A trace of displeasure flashed across her face as she raised her voice.
“Educated youths were sent to the countryside so we could improve and struggle together. What does it mean if everyone starts moving out one after another? If everyone acted like you two, what would happen to the collective?”
Hearing this, Yun Yixuan was both annoyed and amused. She was just about to retort when Wan Lian beat her to it and said sarcastically, “If you’re capable, then move out too. No one’s stopping you. What’s the point of standing here making sarcastic remarks?”
Zhu Lili’s face immediately turned bright red.
She wanted to argue, but after glancing around, she realized that no one else had any intention of speaking up for her. Everyone either continued minding their own business or watched the scene with indifference.
In the end, she could only shut her mouth awkwardly, though she was still unconvinced.
Seeing that Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling had quite a lot of belongings, Cui Yinyin, Wan Lian, and another educated youth named Chang Qian, who usually kept a low profile, came over to help.
Working together, they carried Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling’s belongings out into the courtyard one by one.
Looking at the luggage piled in the courtyard and thinking about the new life they were about to begin, Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling could barely contain their excitement.
“This courtyard is really nice,” Wan Lian said sincerely as she looked around. “You two really found yourselves a good place. It’s nothing like the educated youth compound. There are too many people there, too much gossip, and far too many problems.”
A trace of envy appeared in her eyes as she spoke.
Yun Yixuan smiled. “Once we’ve finished settling in, you should all come over. I’ll cook something delicious for everyone.”
Everyone smiled and nodded.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the courtyard became relaxed and cheerful, as though even the morning breeze carried a touch of warmth.
After Cui Yinyin and the other two left, Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling began unpacking and arranging their belongings.
Li Meiling took the bedroom at the front, while the room at the back naturally went to Yun Yixuan.
The two busied themselves with their respective rooms, and before they realized it, noon had arrived.
Suddenly, Yun Yixuan remembered something.
It seemed they hadn’t bought a cooking pot!
She slapped her forehead.
How could she have completely forgotten something so important?
This was a serious problem because she didn’t seem to have any industrial coupons.
Standing in the still somewhat messy room, Yun Yixuan frowned as she racked her brain for a solution.
By then, Li Meiling had efficiently finished organizing her belongings. She walked over to Yun Yixuan and handed her thirty yuan.
Yun Yixuan stared at the money in confusion, then looked questioningly at Li Meiling, wondering what it was for.
Li Meiling met her gaze calmly and directly stuffed the money into her hand.
“Since we moved out together, we should naturally share the expenses. I can’t let you handle everything by yourself.”
“But isn’t this too much?” Yun Yixuan looked at the thirty yuan in her hand, still carrying the warmth of Li Meiling’s palm, and shook her head. “We don’t have that many expenses. We won’t need this much.”
Li Meiling patiently explained, “Don’t we still need to buy some tables, chairs, and stools? I know five yuan definitely won’t be enough for all that. Take this first. When I have more money, I’ll contribute more.”
After hearing her explanation, Yun Yixuan still felt a little uncomfortable accepting so much, but she knew there was no point continuing to refuse.
She put the money away and said helplessly, “Fine, I’ll listen to you. You really do think of everything.”
Then she stood up and patted Li Meiling on the shoulder. With a troubled expression, she sighed.
“Meiling, what we should really be worrying about right now is what we’re going to eat for lunch.”
“That’s right!”
Li Meiling slapped her forehead as realization suddenly struck her.
“We already separated our grain allowance from the educated youth compound, so we have enough food to last us for a while. But we don’t have a pot! How did I forget about that? What are we supposed to do? We can’t cook without a pot.”
Yun Yixuan and Li Meiling stood inside the house, surrounded by luggage that had yet to be completely unpacked and an empty stove with nothing to cook in.
They were completely at a loss.
The stuffy air seemed to freeze around them.
They looked at each other helplessly, unable to think of a solution.
Just then, the courtyard gate slowly opened with a creak.
Footsteps followed, and the brigade captain’s wife called out in her hearty voice.
“I heard noises coming from the courtyard while I was at home. So you two really have moved in!”
The concern in her voice instantly broke the gloomy atmosphere inside the house.
Hearing her, the two immediately turned around.
When they saw that it was the captain’s wife, warm smiles appeared on their faces.
“Auntie!” they greeted in unison.
Their smiles carried both respect for an elder and genuine warmth toward their visitor.
“Yes!”
The captain’s wife responded cheerfully, looking affectionately at the two young women.
“I just came over to see if you needed any help. You’re away from home, so if you run into any difficulties, don’t try to handle everything yourselves. Just tell Auntie.”
As she spoke, she looked up and noticed several bags scattered around the main room.
“It’s already noon. What are you two planning to do about lunch? You can’t keep working on an empty stomach.”
Yun Yixuan’s face reddened slightly.
She gave an embarrassed chuckle and scratched her head.
“We were so busy moving that we completely exhausted ourselves and forgot we didn’t even have a pot. We were just wondering what we should do.”
When the captain’s wife heard this, her smile grew even warmer.
She waved her hand dismissively.
“Oh, is that all? That’s hardly a problem! I have a large iron wok at home. There’s a big piece chipped off the rim, but it’s still usable. It’ll be more than enough for the two of you. As long as a pot can cook your food properly, that’s all that matters. It may be a little damaged, but it works just fine.”
“Auntie, wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”
Yun Yixuan’s eyes immediately lit up, and inwardly, she was overjoyed.
What kind of incredible luck did she have?
Whatever she lacked seemed to appear right when she needed it!
And Auntie was simply too kind.
Still, out of politeness, Yun Yixuan continued, “We’d feel bad troubling you like that.”
“What trouble? I don’t use it anymore anyway. It’s just taking up space at home, so it’s perfect for you two.”
The captain’s wife smiled sincerely.
Looking at the two young educated youths, she couldn’t help thinking that both girls were pleasant, sensible, and well-behaved.
If only one of them could become her daughter-in-law!
Her home would surely become much livelier and warmer.
“That’s wonderful! Auntie, you’re truly our lifesaver!”
Yun Yixuan beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. Her sweet voice was filled with delight and gratitude as it echoed through the somewhat cluttered room.
Her cheerful smile seemed like a ray of sunlight that instantly swept away all their previous worries.
Even the oppressive heat in the room seemed to lessen.
Hearing her words, the wrinkles around the captain’s wife’s eyes softened as her smile became even more affectionate.
“You little girl, how did you get such a sweet mouth? It’s as if you’ve smeared honey all over it!”
Laughing, she stepped forward and affectionately took Yun Yixuan by the arm. Her movements were so natural and warm that it was almost as though Yun Yixuan were one of her own beloved juniors.
“Come on. Let’s go to my house and get the pot. It’s almost noon already. If you don’t start cooking soon, the two of you are going to go hungry. You’re both still young and growing—you can’t be skipping meals.”