The stove kicked up dust everywhere.
Shen Zhao stood before the table, exuding an aura of being the sole guardian against an unstoppable force, managing to prevent even a speck of dust from flying over.
The educated youths in the room stared in disbelief.
Educated Youth Shen is too fierce, is she crazy?
"Educated Youth Shen, you..."
Shen Zhao swept her gaze towards the person who wanted to stand up for justice, her eyes calmly interrupting, "I remember, your name is Zhang Chunlan, do you want to speak for her?"
Zhang Chunlan subconsciously took two steps back, "I... I didn't."
She wanted to curry favor with Zhou Xiaoyan, but she didn't want to risk her life for it.
She looked at the educated youths who dared not speak out of anger, and lightly patted her pant legs, "Don't worry, as long as you don't provoke me, I won't hit anyone."
Everyone: ...... We wouldn't dare.
She was simply a living Yama.
Zhou Xiaoyan curled up in pain, unable to get up for a long time.
Shen Zhao held back her strength, knowing that she was just in pain and wouldn't have any major problems.
She turned and sat down, exuding dominance, "Eat."
"Oh! Right, right, eat." The new educated youths seemed to wake up from a dream.
Gu Qiu held her face, full of admiration, "Educated Youth Shen, you're amazing! Are you some kind of martial arts master? Do you know internal energy? Or are you someone who can fly and cultivate? Can I cultivate?"
Cultivate what?
She chose to ignore it and said seriously, "Cultivate what? No, I'm just a bit stronger and a bit quicker."
Gu Qiu looked disappointed and poked at her rice, "Okay, I thought so, cultivating immortality is all a lie."
But she was only disappointed for a moment before she became lively again, channeling her sadness into her appetite.
Shen Zhao looked up and saw Ji Bai opposite her, his gentle eyes full of sparkling, lingering affection.
She shivered all over.
What are you doing?
He wouldn't actually be interested in her, would he? He could still eat even with her figure.
He's really not picky.
Or did he guess she had a secret and had ulterior motives?
She was more willing to believe the latter.
"Educated Youth Shen, eat preserved sausage."
Shen Zhao: ..... Her heart felt heavy.
The five people ate very quickly, and after finishing, they cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks together.
Zhou Xiaoyan had already been helped into her room by her roommates.
She lay on the bed, looking out the window at the people outside, talking and laughing as if nothing had happened.
A deep malice flashed in her eyes.
Shen Zhao, you just wait!
Shen Zhao looked back as if sensing something, then calmly withdrew her gaze.
A mere clown.
After cleaning up, it was just getting dark, and Shen Zhao planned to take her leave.
Ji Bai chased after her, panting slightly, "Educated Youth Shen, it's not safe for you to go back alone, let me escort you."
Shen Zhao: I can take on a group by myself, who is protecting whom?
She was speechless, and Ji Bai clearly realized it too.
"Uh... then be careful."
"See you tomorrow," Shen Zhao quickly said goodbye and ran, as if a ghost was chasing her.
She really wasn't interested in Ji Bai.
Besides, in this place, being able to eat enough was good enough, who had the mood for romance.
He was indeed good-looking. If possible, she wouldn't mind sleeping with him, but dating was out of the question.
But the current situation was turbulent, and she was afraid.
If someone found out and reported her for committing hooliganism, it would be terrible.
Didn't the great man say: dating without the intention of marriage is committing hooliganism.
The crime of hooliganism could lead to being shot.
Back at the He family's house, they were just starting to eat.
Shen Zhao greeted them and went back to her room.
Not long after, there was a sudden knock on the door.
Shen Zhao said impatiently, "What is it?"
Tan Xiuping's greedy eyes looked past her shoulder into the room, but seeing nothing valuable, she pouted in disappointment.
So she was all show and no substance.
"Um, I wanted to say, even though you didn't eat at home today, I'm not refunding the money."
Shen Zhao: ....
"Is this small amount of money worth you coming to find me specifically?"
"Alright, I won't ask for a refund. Help me fill the kettle with hot water and bring in two basins of hot water as compensation."
Tan Xiuping immediately agreed.
It's just two pots of water. She's used to hard work, what is she afraid of? For them, as long as it's physical labor, it's not a problem. They'll be back after a night's sleep.
As long as it doesn't come out of her pocket, she'll do anything.
While Tan Xiuping went to fill the water.
Shen Zhao took her enamel cup and toothpaste and toothbrush to go brush her teeth.
Under the eaves, her clothes were hung separately. A light rain began to fall, and she couldn't help but sigh.
She had been here for two days and had only seen half a day of sunshine.
This place was too damp.
He Jianping sat under the eaves smoking and reminded her, "Educated Youth Shen, you have to go to work at 7:30 tomorrow morning, don't forget."
Shen Zhao rinsed her mouth and replied as she turned back.
Back in the room, the kettle and hot water had been prepared.
She bolted the door, took off her clothes to wash, and then sat by the bed in a cloak, soaking her feet.
After soaking her feet, she poured out the water and then went back to her room to make the bed.
She stored most of her belongings in her space, only taking them out when needed.
That's why Tan Xiuping only saw an empty room earlier.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Shen Zhao woke up a little after six.
She lay in bed in a daze for a while before remembering she had to go to work, and quickly got up to get dressed.
She wore her own good quality clothes underneath, and an old cotton-padded jacket and cotton pants from the original owner on the outside, with green rubber shoes on her feet, which were non-slip and durable.
They were the shoes most favored by locals for working.
Her hair was still tied up with a hairpin.
A long braid... she actually couldn't braid it well.
Even Your Majesty has things she can't do...
Dressed and ready, she went out to wash up. The He family had already eaten breakfast, and they had left an egg and rice for her in the pot.
Shen Zhao finished eating in a few bites.
She felt smug inside, she was really adapting better and better to this place!
Seeing that she had finished eating, He Jianping called her to go out together.
When they arrived at the open space in front of the village production brigade, many people were already waiting.
On the educated youth side, Gu Qiu jumped up and waved at her.
"Over here! Educated Youth Shen!"
Shen Zhao walked over and stood with them, "Good morning."
Ji Bai smiled warmly, "Educated Youth Shen, good morning."
Wen Yixun secretly rolled his eyes—a weasel wishing the New Year to a chicken.
When had Ji Bai ever been so gentle to anyone?
He quietly moved aside, getting closer to Gu Qiu. Educated Youth Gu was still kind and good-hearted.
Shen Zhao also felt awkward and squeezed next to Gu Qiu, who thus became a sandwich.
He Jianping was giving a mobilization speech from above, while they whispered below.
Shen Zhao was a bit bored and scanned the group of old educated youths.
Seeing this, Ji Bai understood what she was looking for, "Educated Youth Zhou is feeling unwell and has taken leave."
Shen Zhao felt weary, "Thank you."
After more than ten minutes, He Jianping finished his speech.
Next was distributing tools and dividing into groups to start work.
Today's task was to weed the rapeseed field. These rapeseed plants would be harvested for seeds to extract oil in the spring.
It would be the village's first income of the year in early spring.
Besides lard, it was also everyone's source of cooking oil for the year.
The tool used for weeding was a sickle, and the cut grass could be taken back to feed the pigs.
There were two rows in the line to get farming tools, and Shen Zhao stood behind Gu Qiu.
Soon, someone stood to her right.
Zhong Zheng greeted her with a gentle expression, "Educated Youth Shen, good morning, did you sleep well last night?"
With such intimate words, the aunties next door immediately showed their gossipy fire, staring intently at the two of them.
Shen Zhao rolled her eyes unceremoniously, "None of your business."
What was Zhou Xiaoyan thinking, to fall for such an extreme quality person?
Shen Zhao didn't know that she herself was also considered an extreme quality person in the eyes of others.
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