Yunting returned to the small courtyard, first cooking the rice in a clay pot and boiling some hot water to clean the rabbit.
“Tonight, we’ll have spicy rabbit!” she thought. If Yin Jiao hadn’t caused a scene earlier, she would have planned to cook it for everyone in the courtyard to share. But now, she didn’t want to give in—she wasn’t about to let anyone guilt-trip her.
Last time, Aunt Meihua had given her a lot of dried chili peppers, which came in handy now.
As she was preparing the spicy rabbit, the others gradually returned, and the rich aroma filled the air.
“Yun Zhiqing’s cooking skills are amazing—every time she cooks, it makes you drool!” Zhou Yang said, practically salivating. Even though they weren’t short on money, Lu Jiayan’s cooking could only be called edible at best.
Unable to resist, Zhou Yang ran to Yunting’s room and shouted, “Yun Zhiqing, I’ll trade you something for some of your rabbit! It smells too good!”
“Sure!”
“Can I trade you a pack of White Rabbit candies?”
“Whatever you want…” She had actually planned to give them a little anyway, since they’d all been living in the same courtyard for a while and occasionally helped out—but Yin Jiao was excluded.
Zhou Yang hurried back to get a pack of candies sent from home, carrying a bowl, and returned.
“Zhou Zhiqing, you don’t need the whole pack—just a handful is fine,” Yunting said, slightly exasperated at the sight of the full pack. She hadn’t planned to give him much rabbit meat.
Zhou Yang insisted, and Yunting had no choice but to give him a little more.
He happily left, immediately picking up a piece of meat and popping it into his mouth. “Mmm… hot… but so delicious.”
Yan Zheng followed suit, bringing a pack of peach cookies to trade. Yunting couldn’t refuse and exchanged some for him as well.
Meanwhile, Wang Xue was in her room, sipping a wild vegetable porridge reflective enough to see herself in. She quietly scolded Yunting—how could she have meat and not share it, and even make people trade for it?
Yunting then carried a small bowl and knocked on Yang Qingqing’s door. Yang Qingqing was surprised to see her; she had never thought of Yunting as someone warm or outgoing.
“Surprised?”
“Yes! Want to come in for a bit?”
“No, I haven’t eaten yet! I have to go…”
“Wait… here, take these,” Yang Qingqing quickly went back in and returned with two apples.
Yunting froze—these apples looked so familiar. Weren’t they the ones she had sold?
“Why, dumbstruck? Haven’t seen such big apples before? They’re really sweet.”
“Well, I won’t refuse then.”
“Consider it my trade for the rabbit meat,” Yang Qingqing said with a wave of her hand.
Yunting, with mixed feelings, returned to her room holding the two apples. Well, the wool comes from the sheep, after all.
Thinking of how Aunt Meihua had always been kind and helpful, Yunting scooped some rabbit meat into a bowl, placed it in a basket, and sent it to her. By then, Caiyun hadn’t returned to school yet.
Wang Xue, listening to the commotion outside, had expected Yunting to bring her some rabbit meat too. She waited and waited, but it never came, and her eyes reddened with anger.
These people all looked down on her. She would make them regret it.
Yunting wasn’t a saint, nor did she play the doormat. Everyone could see Wang Xue’s usual behavior, and the longer they lived together, the more they disliked her—not because she was poor, but because of her character.
Li Hongxia had told her that Wang Xue often casually mentioned how the families in the courtyard were better off than hers, which might explain why some people didn’t get along with her.
Yunting hadn’t interacted much with her from the start. Now, with Yang Qingqing deliberately keeping distance, she might have sensed something too.
“Aunt Meihua, Caiyun,” Yunting knocked on the door.
“Mom, it’s Xiao Yun Zhiqing…” Caiyun quickly went to open the door.
“Caiyun, I caught a big rabbit up the mountain today and brought some for you to try my cooking. Thanks to Aunt Meihua for taking care of me.”
“Xiao Yun Zhiqing, you should keep it for yourself! It’s rare to have meat.”
“It’s getting late, I’ll head back,” Yunting said, turning to leave quickly.
“Hey, Xiao Yun Zhiqing, watch your step…”
“Who’s here, daughter? Why didn’t you come inside?” Aunt Meihua asked, noticing the meat in her hands.
“It’s Xiao Yun Zhiqing. She caught a rabbit on the mountain today and brought us some, saying thanks for how you take care of her.”
Aunt Meihua felt warm inside. She treated Yunting well not for gain, but this child understood gratitude—it felt good.
“Xiao Yun Zhiqing really is a good child…”
“Yes, just keep looking after her. It’s not easy for such a young girl to be so far from home,” the team leader added.
Wang Xue was furious, but no one noticed. Everyone else happily ate the fragrant spicy rabbit. Even Yin Jiao and Li Zhaodi hadn’t returned yet.
After everyone finished eating, they went out to the courtyard to enjoy the cool air and only then realized Yin Jiao and Li Zhaodi still hadn’t come back—it was dark.
“Should we inform the team leader?” Zhou Yang said anxiously.
Their expressions turned serious. Regardless of usual relationships, no one could gloat at a time like this.
“Here’s the plan: we’ll find the team leader. Zhou Yang, go tell Zhang Wei at the Zhiqing station; he’s in charge there.”
“Okay, I’ll go now,” Zhou Yang hurried off.
“Team Leader… Team Leader,”
The team leader, resting in the courtyard after dinner, heard someone calling and felt a jolt of worry.
“I’m here! What’s wrong?” He rushed toward the door.
“After work today, we went up the mountain to gather firewood. Yin Jiao and Li Zhaodi haven’t returned.”
“What? Why didn’t you say earlier?”
“We didn’t notice in time.”
“Never mind, this isn’t the time for that. There are wild animals on the mountain. I’ll notify the villagers to help search. You all come too.” The leader quickly rang the work bell.
The villagers, sensing something serious, gathered quickly.
“Team Leader, what happened?” Villager Li Hongguang asked.
“Two female Zhiqing haven’t returned from the mountain. The able-bodied men will help search; women and children stay behind. Bring weapons for protection.”
“These young women have too much free time—they’re causing trouble. The mountains are dangerous! What if something happens?”
“Exactly, they never do anything good, only create trouble…”
The villagers grumbled, while the Zhiqing remained silent, embarrassed and annoyed.
“What’s wrong with Yin Jiao and Li Zhaodi? They’re troublemakers… and no one in your courtyard keeps an eye on them?” Wang Lijuan complained.
“We’re not their parents. Just because we live in the same courtyard doesn’t mean we’re responsible for them. You’re a Zhiqing too—why didn’t you watch them? You went up the mountain today as well,” Yunting shot back coldly. Wang Lijuan immediately fell silent, no longer daring to provoke her.