Chapter 13: The Quarrel at the Educated Youth Commune

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Worried that everyone might not have enough to eat, Su Yao took advantage of the time when the three were washing up to bake a few more pancakes.

“With Su Zhiqing here, the meals just keep getting better. I don’t even want to eat the food I cook myself anymore,” Xu Xingyu said as he ate.

Ye Simin nodded in agreement. “Yes, I’ve never tried anything like this before. Also, your skills have really improved. Knocking out that wild pheasant with your bare hands—such speed and precision! I was thinking of sparring with you earlier, but now I think I’d better keep practicing.”

After dinner, Ye Simin and Xu Xingyu tidied up the kitchen while Mu Xingjue took a knife and basin to the well to slaughter a chicken.

Having just eaten, she didn’t feel like sleeping yet. Seeing nothing to do, she decided to take a stroll outside.

Unconsciously, she wandered toward the Zhiqing dormitory. Before she got close, she heard voices raised in argument. Not wanting to meddle, but unable to resist her curiosity, she stood quietly by the corner of the wall to listen.

She was not very familiar with the people in the dormitory, but the voice of Yu Lu was unmistakable.

“You people just bully us newcomers. In the morning, you said we didn’t cook breakfast, but when we did, you complained about using too much rice and flour. How shameless can you be?” Yu Lu’s voice was sharp and clear.

“Nonsense. We agreed last night that the new ones would cook today. When you didn’t get up, we just said a few words, so what?” Su Yao recognized the voice as Chen Xiuhua—the one who had been bossing them around to wash and chop vegetables. She hadn’t expected her to have such a personality.

“That’s right. Look at the meal you made today. You ate the most at lunch and dinner. If I hadn’t checked everyone’s rice and flour stocks today, I wouldn’t have realized you’re like this. You’ve been eating our food all day, but never touch your own supplies,” said someone named Hui, judging by the voice.

“What's wrong with eating some of your food? I already said my family is poor. You’re the experienced Zhiqing; you should take care of a newcomer like me,” Yu Lu replied with her usual shameless attitude.

There was silence for a moment, and Su Yao thought it might end there, but soon she heard sounds of people trying to break up the fight.

“Zhiqing Yang, stop fighting.”

“Zhiqing Yu, let go now.”

“Everyone, stop fighting and talk it out calmly.”

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“I’ll beat you to death, you shameless wretch! Just because you’re poor you think you have the right to eat more of my rations? Today, you’ll have to spit it all out!” Yang Hui grabbed Yu Lu’s hair and started hitting her.

Yu Lu fought back fiercely, scratching Yang Hui’s face. “You little bitch, so stingy and petty. What’s wrong with me eating some of your food? I’m doing you a favor. Don’t be ungrateful.”

“Ah! My face! I’ll scratch you to death, you little bitch!”

“You dare pull my hair? I’ll tear your face up, you shameless scoundrel!”

Yu Lu’s harsh curses made many around frown. Such language was usually spoken only by married women or older generations. For an unmarried young woman to curse like that showed a serious lack of upbringing.

Su Yao, listening from the corner, shook her head. Yu Lu was truly shameless—clearly the product of her family’s bad influence.

Zeng Yue, watching the scene, had thought Yu Lu was just thick-skinned, but now she saw how fierce and shameless she really was.

She glanced at Tian Zhixue beside her. She liked Tian Zhixue; otherwise, she wouldn’t have followed him here so eagerly.

Though she was also supposed to go to the countryside, it was to her grandmother’s village. But to be with Tian Zhixue, she had her family arrange for her to be transferred to the same place.

She knew Tian Zhixue didn’t like her. Being with her was just so he could live comfortably at home, and she could help support him a little.

On her first night here, wanting to get along with everyone, she shared some of her supplies. Unexpectedly, Tian Zhixue decisively told her to learn from Yu Lu—good things should be kept for your own people; if you can eat others’, don’t touch your own.

At the time, she thought Tian Zhixue was looking out for her, but now she realized he was probably like Yu Lu—just better at pretending.

With this in mind, Zeng Yue suddenly thought Tian Zhixue wasn’t so great after all. She might as well prefer guys like Yang Guohua or Zhu Yongqiang.

Maybe she should talk to the team leader about getting another house so she could rent a place herself.

Soon, Wu Hongtao was called over, and some villagers curious about the commotion gathered around.

Wu Hongtao called two of the stronger village women to separate the two fighters. “Zhiqing Yang, tell me what happened.”

Yang Guohua roughly explained the situation, and Wu Hongtao understood. Yu Lu cooked using others’ grain while leaving her own untouched.

Who would be happy about that? Grain was tight everywhere, especially for these Zhiqing who couldn’t shoulder heavy labor and barely earned enough work points.

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“I think I understand the situation now. Since the new and old Zhiqing don’t get along, why don’t you cook separately?” Wu Hongtao suggested.

Yu Lu glanced at Zeng Yue and agreed without hesitation. “Fine. We newcomers will eat on our own. No mixing with them.”

Tian Zhixue nodded as well. With Zeng Yue around, he definitely wouldn’t miss out on food, and probably would get more than if they ate together.

Seeing the look in their eyes, Zeng Yue suddenly felt as if the scales had fallen from her eyes. Both of them clearly saw her as an easy mark.

She raised her hand. “Team leader, I want to eat with the old Zhiqing.”

Yang Hui immediately showed displeasure. She didn’t want the new Zhiqing involved. Just as she was about to refuse, He Xiangyun stopped her. “This Zhiqing Zeng is a good person. You’ve eaten your share.”

Yang Hui realized that Zeng Yue was indeed reliable. After the welcome feast, she even gave them some extra supplies. If it were her, she wouldn’t mind.

“Alright, Zeng Zhiqing can join, but no one else,” Yang Hui agreed.

Hearing that Zeng Yue wouldn’t eat with them, Yu Lu and Tian Zhixue grew anxious. “Zeng Yue, we’re all together. How can you cause a split?”

Zeng Yue shook off Tian Zhixue’s hand. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’m not causing a split. We’ve always eaten together; it’s you who want to separate. I didn’t agree to it. Besides, I decide my own affairs. What’s it to you?”

“Zeng Zhiqing, if you eat with them, then what about us?” Yu Lu looked at her wide-eyed, speaking without a hint of shame.

Zeng Yue pointed at herself. “So you want to separate just to eat my food? You really are shameless. I’m not going to separate. Do as you please.”

Wu Hongtao shook his head at Yu Lu, thinking she was spoiled by her family and beyond reform. Then he made a final decision: “Since that’s the case, Yu Zhiqing and Tian Zhiqing will eat separately. Zeng Zhiqing will eat with everyone else. That’s settled. Everyone get some rest. We have work tomorrow.”