Ever since Hu Jiaojiao lashed out at Li Gang, she stopped keeping a low profile. She no longer acted meek or timid. If someone provoked her, she would snap back or curse them out without hesitation.
No one should mess with her—otherwise, they’d regret it. If you didn’t accept it? Then fight. She wasn’t afraid of trouble.
“Jiaojiao, I brought you eggs. I couldn’t get malted milk, so I gave you half a can of my milk powder instead. And I couldn’t buy meat either,” Su Yi called from outside her door.
“Coming! It’s fine, it’s fine—nothing to complain about. Was the money I gave you enough?” Hu Jiaojiao hurried into Su Yi’s room, secretly excited. Were these eggs from the female lead’s special space? They all looked fresh and large.
“It was enough,” Su Yi replied, pouring her a bowl of water.
Quietly, she added a bit of spiritual spring water into it. She felt sorry for Hu Jiaojiao—after spending time together, she knew her situation. Her family favored others, yet she had still gone to the countryside alone despite having a job. And now she was even being targeted. At eighteen, she wasn’t even 1.6 meters tall—pitiful in a way. More importantly, Su Yi liked her personality: she didn’t take advantage of others, had a sense of boundaries, and knew when to advance or retreat.
“So sweet—you even added sugar,” Hu Jiaojiao said after a sip, then gulped it down eagerly. In reality, she transferred the water into a cup in her apartment space.
She smacked her lips afterward. Spiritual spring water really is different… Just one sip made her feel refreshed all over.
Su Yi, worried she might notice something, thought it was fine if she believed it was just sugar water. After all, she herself had secrets. She poured another bowl.
Hu Jiaojiao didn’t refuse. She repeated the same trick, storing it away. Such good stuff—I can’t waste it all at once.
“That matter… was it you?” Su Yi suddenly lowered her voice and leaned closer, startling Hu Jiaojiao.
“Some things are better left unsaid. Got it?” Hu Jiaojiao rolled her eyes.
“So it really was you! I was just guessing!” Su Yi exclaimed.
“You tricked me,” Hu Jiaojiao muttered, touching her nose awkwardly.
Then she told Su Yi everything—how Li Gang had plotted against her, how he got tricked instead, and how she retaliated. Su Yi listened in shock, secretly giving her a thumbs-up. So this is the real Hu Jiaojiao…
“But what if he tries something again? Having someone like that around is unsettling,” Su Yi said worriedly.
“What else can I do? Worst case, I beat him again,” Hu Jiaojiao replied helplessly.
She had thought that coming to the countryside would let her live peacefully. When the college entrance exams resumed, she could rely on her abilities to get into a university. Then the world would be wide open—she could go wherever she wanted and find her place.
Hu Jiaojiao nudged Su Yi teasingly, glancing toward the male youths. “You and Gu Zhiqing… you two…” she gestured with her thumbs.
“We’re just trying it out,” Su Yi said shyly.
“Ohhh…” Hu Jiaojiao dragged out the sound. “Good, get to know each other more.”
Su Yi nodded lightly.
At work that day, Aunt Li was gossiping again. Ever since Hu Jiaojiao dropped her “quiet persona,” she didn’t hold back anymore and quietly joined in to listen.
It turned out they were talking about the accountant’s daughter.
“You don’t know—she’s really shameless,” Aunt Li said.
“What happened?”
“She’s been pestering Cheng Zhiqing lately.”
“The fair and clean-looking one?”
“Exactly. I’ve seen it several times.”
“He’s only got a good face—what else can he do?”
“Still, she likes that face.”
“So what has she been doing?”
Aunt Li was just about to answer when she turned and realized Hu Jiaojiao had already crept up behind her.
“Hu Zhiqing, since when are you this gossipy? Get back to work,” Aunt Li complained.
“I couldn’t help it—you make it sound like a story,” Hu Jiaojiao flattered her.
Aunt Li looked pleased and continued. Hu Jiaojiao listened intently. No wonder Cheng Chen seemed distracted these days…
Why is everyone becoming “hot property” and getting targeted? Hu Jiaojiao thought as she went back to pulling weeds.
Ever since drinking Su Yi’s water, she felt more energetic—even just one sip a day made a difference. She worked quickly, planning to finish early and head to Dongling River to try fishing.
After finishing her assigned work and recording her work points, she hurried back. At the compound, she saw Su Yi preparing to go out.
“Your foot’s better?” Hu Jiaojiao asked.
“I’ve rested for a few days—it’s fine. I’m going to Dongling.”
“Perfect—I’m going too.”
They headed out together and soon reached halfway up the hill. They found wild grapevines with small green grapes. Hu Jiaojiao tasted one—sour with a hint of sweetness. They picked a few bunches and stopped.
When Hu Jiaojiao wasn’t looking, Su Yi secretly stored two vines in her space. Hu Jiaojiao pretended not to notice.
Suddenly—bang! A gray-yellow rabbit crashed into a tree.
While Hu Jiaojiao was still marveling at Su Yi’s luck, Su Yi had already picked it up.
“Can you cook rabbit?”
“Spicy diced rabbit—how about that?” Hu Jiaojiao replied.
Just hearing the name made Su Yi excited.
On the way back, they found two nests of wild eggs and split them evenly.
Back at the compound, everyone had returned.
“Zhang Yan, here,” Su Yi handed over the rabbit.
“Got it!” Zhang Yan replied happily and went to prepare it. Tonight we’ll have meat again!
“Wow, good stuff. Why only call Zhang Zhiqing? We’re a group—we should help each other,” Tang Ling said sarcastically.
“Yeah, save us a bowl later,” Li Aihua added shamelessly.
Su Yi shot back immediately, “Then why don’t you bring out your grain for everyone to share?”
“My grain is mine—why should I share?” Li Aihua retorted.
“So you understand that your things are yours, but mine belong to everyone?” Su Yi laughed angrily and walked away.
The others fell silent.
Seeing Hu Jiaojiao preparing chili and Sichuan pepper, Zhu Aiguo knew tonight’s food would be flavorful. His cravings stirred.
Soon, both he and Qian Shuangshuang decided to join. Zhu Aiguo brought cured pork and grain, while Qian Shuangshuang brought ten eggs and her share of grain.
“We… want to join for a meal,” Qian Shuangshuang said bluntly.
Hu Jiaojiao glanced at Su Yi, who didn’t object, and agreed.
“Then we’ll make braised rice with cured pork, use six eggs, and cook a spinach egg soup so everyone gets some,” Hu Jiaojiao decided.
Cooking began. The rabbit was stir-fried until fragrant, then chilies and spices were added, releasing a sharp aroma. Potatoes were added to stretch the dish—it wouldn’t be enough otherwise.
The male youths returned with firewood, sniffing the air eagerly. Zhu Aiguo lifted the lid on the rice pot—the aroma of cured pork mixed with grain filled the air.
What kind of heavenly life is this? he thought.
“Wash your hands—time to eat!”
Everyone gathered quickly, bowls in hand, eyes full of anticipation.
Hu Jiaojiao laughed. “What, you want me to serve you too? Help yourselves.”
They ate heartily.
“So good! Hu Zhiqing, you’re amazing!” Qian Shuangshuang praised with shining eyes.
“Eat more,” Hu Jiaojiao replied happily, feeling deeply satisfied.
Soon, everything was wiped clean—even the pot was scraped with bread.
Everyone leaned back in their chairs, full and content, reluctant to move.
Someone started teasing Cheng Chen.
“They say you and Wu Qing are getting together.”
“I’m not,” he said calmly. “I rejected her, but she keeps coming.”
“I even locked my door, and she still came to the compound…”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“You should solve this quickly,” Su Yi said seriously. “Rumors can become reality.”
“Yeah,” Gu Chenye agreed.
Hu Jiaojiao almost spat out her tea when she heard him call her “Xiao Yi.”
Su Yi glared at her.
“Maybe call your family and try to return to the city,” Lin Yang suggested.
“If it were that easy…” Cheng Chen said quietly.
The atmosphere grew quiet.
Everyone silently cleaned up and returned to their rooms.