The four of them went to the carpenter’s house and each bought a kang cabinet, a chair, a kang table, a washstand, a broom, and a dustpan.
The three girls also each bought a bathing tub.
“You’d better each get a straw mat for the kang too. That way you won’t dirty your bedding,” Nan Mo suggested.
“Right, right, Xiao Mo, how do you know everything!” Lu Yuanyuan said with sparkling eyes. At this point, she would listen to whatever Nan Mo said.
“Heh, every household here has a kang. I did my homework before coming,” Nan Mo replied. She could hardly say she learned it from reading period novels.
In the end, Nan Mo also bought a large wardrobe.
It was only 1975. Unless something unexpected happened, it would be at least two more years before educated youths could return to the city.
The things she would take out in the future would only increase. One kang cabinet definitely would not be enough.
Seeing that they bought so much, Carpenter Gu said he would have his son deliver everything to the educated youth compound after he got off work.
When they stepped out of the carpenter’s yard, they saw Tang Yifan and a few other educated youths coming to buy things as well.
Nan Mo and her group nodded at the others as a greeting and continued on.
On the way back, Nan Mo thought it over and decided to tell Lu Yuanyuan and the others about her plan to give a gift to the brigade leader.
“Later I plan to visit the brigade leader’s house and bring a small gift. We’ll still need him to look after us in the future. Want to come?”
“Yes. My mom prepared something for me too,” Lu Yuanyuan said.
Hu Mingliang and Chen Ruonan nodded as well.
“Then we’ll go together after dark.”
She still did not know the villagers well. Giving gifts should be done quietly. Otherwise, the gift might not even get delivered and she would end up attracting trouble.
As soon as they reached the compound, they heard the loudspeaker signal for the end of work. It seemed the older educated youths would be back soon.
Fang Jian came out of the house when he heard the bell. Seeing them in the yard, he smiled and said, “We’ll eat dinner together in the front yard later. Consider it a welcome meal for you.”
After hearing that, they all went back to their rooms and brought a little food they had brought from home. Grain was precious these days, and they could not just eat other people’s food for free.
Nan Mo brought a ready made sausage from her supermarket stash. Lu Yuanyuan brought half a dried chicken. Hu Mingliang brought meat sauce his mother had made. Chen Ruonan brought peach pastries her eldest sister had bought for her.
When they returned to the front yard, they saw Hua Peng and Yu Aiguo, who had just gotten off work, washing their hands by the well.
Seeing the new arrivals, the two stopped what they were doing and greeted them with smiles.
“Fang said we’d all eat together tonight, so we brought a little something to add a dish,” Nan Mo explained.
Hearing her, Yang Yue’e came out of the kitchen. She saw what they were holding and said while walking over, “Oh my, I have to say, the new educated youths really have money to spare.” She took the items and headed back to the kitchen.
When the others returned from the carpenter’s house and heard that dinner was meant to welcome the new arrivals, they all nodded in agreement.
After eating dry rations on the train for several meals, they truly craved hot food.
At the table, Fang Jian organized introductions between the old and new educated youths.
“I’m Hua Peng, twenty years old, been in the countryside two years.”
“I’m Yu Aiguo, twenty one, been here three years.”
“I’m Yang Yue’e, twenty, been here two years.”
“I’m Mo Meilin, eighteen, been here one year.”
Even without introductions, Nan Mo already knew who was who. Still, hearing the name Mo Meilin made her a little excited.
This one was a ruthless character. In the original novel, if Wu Mingyue had not had her spatial advantage, she would have long since been crushed by Mo Meilin.
That was also why Nan Mo had not taken action against Wu Mingyue. With Mo Meilin around, there was no need for her to stick her neck out. Watching the drama was far more enjoyable.
As for the others, Fang Jian had been in the countryside the longest. He was upright and easygoing. Even without being officially designated, everyone naturally treated him as the leader.
Yu Aiguo had been there three years and was an honest man. According to the timeline, he should already be dating a village girl.
Hua Peng was a bookworm. Aside from working in the fields, he just read books and kept out of trouble. He was the least noticeable of them all.
Yang Yue’e was foolish and easily used, basically a weapon in Mo Meilin’s hands, striking wherever she pointed.
As for Mo Meilin, she was sweet on the surface but vicious inside. Her appearance was gentle, sometimes refined, sometimes sweet. In truth she was ruthless. Saying she killed without drawing blood would not be an exaggeration.
After all, the last educated youth who offended her was already dead. As for the truth, the book had not explained it, but it certainly could not have happened without her involvement.
The remaining new arrivals, aside from Tang Yifan’s group, were minor characters in the book. What they were really like would have to be seen over time.
While Nan Mo recalled the plot, the introductions ended.
Fang Jian first thanked Nan Mo’s group on behalf of everyone for adding dishes. Then he raised a cup of tea in place of wine. Only after that did the meal begin.
The way the older educated youths buried their heads in food left several newcomers stunned.
Yang Yue’e’s chopsticks moved so fast they almost left afterimages as she piled meat dishes into her bowl.
The fastest to join the battle, however, was Xu Mei. She had not eaten meat in a long time, and even when there was meat at home, it never went to her.
Nan Mo ate while observing Mo Meilin. By now, Mo Meilin should already have fallen for Tang Yifan at first sight.
After all, the novel had described her inner reaction the first time she saw him in vivid detail, her heart pounding, her thoughts fluttering like startled deer. Nan Mo wondered if that deer had started crashing around yet.
Watching closely, she did indeed catch signs. It seemed Mo Meilin was not the only one feeling something. The subtle glances passing between the two might escape others, but not Nan Mo, who was always ready for gossip.
When Fang Jian saw that everyone had nearly finished eating, he said to the newcomers, “Have you decided about meals? Will you eat with us or cook separately?”
Nan Mo spoke first. “I’ll cook for myself.” She did not bother explaining, too lazy to make excuses.
Lu Yuanyuan immediately followed. “Me too. I’ll cook for myself.” She pointed at Hu Mingliang and Chen Ruonan. “They’ll join me.”
The three of them had already discussed it. Hu Mingliang would fetch water and chop firewood. Chen Ruonan would cook. Lu Yuanyuan would wash dishes and provide a pot.
The pot, of course, came from Nan Mo’s space. Nan Mo had fabricated a story about her father’s comrade in arms, who just happened to be very capable.
After all, many things she would bring out in the future needed a proper explanation, and this “comrade” would serve that purpose.
Tang Yifan also wanted to cook for himself, but he could not cook.
In truth, he wanted to ask Nan Mo whether she would be willing to partner with him, but remembering her attitude that afternoon, he held back.
“I’ll cook separately with Brother Yifan,” Lu Zhihui said as if it were only natural.
“You can cook?” Tang Yifan mocked her overconfidence.
“I… I can learn!”
Wu Mingyue would never miss such a chance to curry favor.
“Brother Tang, if you don’t mind, we could partner up. I’m pretty good at cooking.” After speaking, she lowered her head shyly.
Mo Meilin studied Wu Mingyue carefully, then turned to Tang Yifan and spoke in a gentle voice.
“Educated Youth Tang, unless there’s a special reason, I suggest we educated youths eat together.
You’ve just arrived, so you probably don’t know yet. After working all day, going home to cook is exhausting.
If we cook and work together, everyone shares the tasks, and it’s much easier.
Besides… I can cook a lot of delicious dishes.” She lifted her chin playfully toward him.
“Exactly. Our Meilin is clever and skillful. Others can’t even get a taste of her cooking if they want to,” Yang Yue’e chimed in.
“Yue’e…” Hearing that, Mo Meilin’s face instantly flushed. She even lightly slapped Yang Yue’e’s arm, looking charming and shy.
Nan Mo was completely convinced.
Look at that. This was a seasoned actress indeed.
T/N: Anyone have popcorn? I’m seated and ready for the drama! (ㅅ´ ˘ `)