Chapter 335 Sheng Tang Meet
Chen Tangtang's attention had long been captured by the scenery of Bai Rong Brigade. As a northerner, and a young girl who had never left home, everything she saw was captivating. Even her apprehension about going to the countryside vanished instantly.
"Big Brother, look, look, the grass here hasn't withered yet. It's not cold either, thankfully I didn't bring a thick padded jacket."
Chen Tonghua was also in a good mood. Someone was there to pick them up when they got off the bus, and they even got to ride bicycles. This was much better than for other educated youths.
A Can scoffed inwardly. The climate here was good, but the planting season was longer than in northern cities, with almost no rest time throughout the year. Moreover, the hot season was long, and working in the fields was truly arduous. Anyway, anyone who worked in the fields would know.
"A Can, is Sheng Ge adapting well here? She always says she's doing well in her letters, but I don't know if it's true. Does she still have to work in the fields?"
A Can smiled. It was indeed quite good. The family had many people, and in just half a year, they were the family with the highest work points in the entire Bai Rong Brigade. There was no need for a young girl like Sheng Ge to work in the fields.
"She's actually doing quite well. Her health has improved a lot since coming here. With so many people in the family, Sheng Ge doesn't need to go to work at all."
"Hehe, that's good. Actually, coming to the countryside is quite good. You don't know how tight food is in the city, we can only eat half-full. Fine grain in the black market has even risen to three yuan, and still no grain."
A Can could only smile. They basically ate at the Ye family's place, so they never worried about food, let alone that Zi Shao managed so many black markets and couldn't feed his family?
In fact, since arriving at Bai Rong Brigade, the family's food had all been provided by Ye Shengge, but each time they had to let Ye Mu'en go out for a stroll to make it seem legitimate.
Soon, A Can stopped at the entrance of the Ye family's house. Chen Tangtang, ignoring her sore backside, jumped off the bicycle and rushed into the courtyard.
"Sheng Ge, I'm here!"
Ye Shengge was just about to stand up when she was hit by a little cannonball. If Zi Yisheng hadn't been there to support her from behind, Ye Shengge would have been pushed down by Chen Tangtang.
"Welcome, are you tired?"
Chen Tangtang, knowing she had been too excited, quickly let go. She was still a bit afraid of Zi Yisheng; she still thought Zi Yisheng was Sheng Ge's brother.
Ye Shengge pulled Chen Tangtang to sit down. Chen Tonghua stayed at the doorway, not daring to enter.
"Sit down and have some water first, then have some snacks to fill your stomach. I don't know if you'll be able to get a meal at the educated youth point for lunch."
Chen Tangtang was not polite; she had already eaten so many good things from Sheng Ge.
"Where's your big brother? Didn't he come with you?"
Chen Tangtang only then realized her big brother hadn't followed her in. She shook her head helplessly, stood up, and walked out of the courtyard, only to see her big brother sitting at the door resting.
"Big Brother, why aren't you coming in?"
"Is it convenient? Your classmate is a girl after all, it's more appropriate if there are other people in the house."
Chen Tangtang looked around but couldn't find A Can.
"Where's A Can?"
"He said he had something to do and left first."
"Oh, then you can come in. Sheng Ge's older brother is at home."
Chen Tonghua followed in bashfully. When he saw the girl sitting in the courtyard, he quickly shifted his gaze, but his heart began to pound intensely.
Zi Yisheng was quite pleased with Chen Tangtang's elder brother's reaction. He disliked men being constantly attracted to young girls' faces.
"Come and sit, everyone rest for a while. I'll say a few words to you before sending you to the educated youth point."
Chen Tonghua sat on the chair awkwardly, holding a teacup and drinking constantly.
Ye Shengge looked at Chen Tangtang, sighing a little when she thought about how the educated youths would change drastically soon.
"Tangtang, I won't ask you to stay for dinner at my house today. You can't be too unconventional, or you'll be envied by other educated youths, and you might even be isolated and troubled. Once you've settled down at the educated youth point, come to my house for a meal."
Chen Tangtang hadn't thought that deeply, and hadn't even considered how to get along with other educated youths. However, Chen Tonghua thought a bit more than his younger sister and nodded in agreement.
"Comrade Ye is right, we'll head back to the educated youth point immediately."
"Oh, okay, Sheng Ge, can I come see you when I'm free?"
Ye Shengge looked at Chen Tangtang's slightly wronged chubby face and felt it was quite cheerful. She pushed the pastries closer to her.
"Of course, it's the slack farming season now. Although we still have to work every day, the work isn't as tiring. You should all do what you can. If you really can't bear it, go find the village chief and the brigade leader. Giving them some gifts can arrange lighter work."
Chen Tangtang wasn't stupid. She knew these arrangements must have been pre-arranged by Sheng Ge for her. She was so touched that she couldn't even eat the delicious pastries.
"Thank you, Sheng Ge. It's great to have you. I definitely won't be a burden and won't make things difficult for you because of me."
Ye Shengge suddenly felt like an elder in front of Chen Tangtang. It was hard to resist a child with such a simple heart.
"Just live the life you want to live. Get along with the people at the educated youth point if you can, and ignore them if you can't."
Ye Shengge didn't mention moving out. Decisions had to be made after trying things out. She couldn't worry about everything for them.
"Mm, I know. I'll ignore what I don't like. Besides, I have my big brother. Won't he watch over me if I get bullied?"
Chen Tonghua scratched his head foolishly, still not daring to look up, only listening with his ears.
"Mm-hmm, I'll protect you."
Four other people came with Chen Tangtang and her brother. When the two returned to the educated youth point, their luggage was piled up in the courtyard. The other four were sitting in the courtyard because the other educated youths were at work and no one was around until it was time.
"Hey, do you know anyone in the village?"
A girl in a slightly worn green military uniform approached Chen Tangtang and asked. The others also looked at Chen Tangtang and her brother.
Chen Tangtang smiled foolishly. How should she explain?
"Mm, I know a friend who happens to be here."
"Then why didn't you invite us for a meal? That's too stingy."
Chen Tangtang's face immediately fell. Was her good friend someone others could talk about?
"What's it to you? If you have so much free time, you'd be better off minding your own business."
"Exactly, Wen Mei, you're interfering too much. What does it matter to you who they know."
"Cai Zhiyi, what are you chiming in for again."
"Um, everyone, please don't argue. How about we introduce ourselves first so we can get to know each other."
At this moment, Hong Jun stepped in front of the two arguing girls, smiling gently.
Chen Tangtang and her elder brother exchanged a look, annoyance in their eyes. It was like this right after they arrived.
"I'll start. My name is Hong Jun, and I'm 20 years old."
"Chen Tangtang, 16 years old."
"Chen Tonghua, 20 years old, Tangtang's brother."
"Cai Zhiyi, 18 years old."
"Wen Mei, 18 years old."
"Wang Qing, 19 years old."
Chen Tangtang's originally outgoing personality had been suppressed. She and her brother tidied their luggage. Most of their luggage had been sent ahead, and Sheng Ge would have someone pick it up from the county tomorrow. The luggage they carried with them, besides what they needed immediately, was all special local produce from Qi City for Sheng Ge.
"Big Brother, it's still early. Why don't you take these two packages to Sheng Ge first."
"Okay."
Chen Tonghua always doted on his only sister at home, and now he did whatever she said.
Hong Jun sat aside, watching the siblings chew their fingernails, his eyes full of contemplation. After Chen Tonghua left, he spoke.
"Comrade Chen, have you thought about whether you want to eat with everyone or cook for yourselves?"
Chen Tangtang frowned. Why would a grown man actively ask about this?
Wen Mei had been paying attention to Hong Jun because, despite his shabby clothes, he had brought a lot of luggage, and his demeanor and appearance were very attractive.
"Comrade Hong, are you planning to eat with others?"
Chen Tangtang quickly lowered her head and minimized her presence when someone else chimed in. She didn't want to get involved. Her Sheng Ge was much better.
Hong Jun, despite being interrupted, maintained his gentle tone.
"Yes, I wonder how the communal meals are. If they're not good, I'd like to team up with someone."
"Then how about teaming up with me? I can cook."
"Heh, you call that cooking."
Wen Mei and Cai Zhiyi were from the same place and were classmates. They knew each other very well, but they were like sworn enemies. So, seeing Wen Mei's shameless and despicable behavior now was disgusting.
Wen Mei glared fiercely at Cai Zhiyi and continued to persuade Hong Jun. If she could exchange a little effort for a better life, why not.
Hong Jun looked at Chen Tangtang, who was pretending to be a quail to the side. It seemed she was timid.
"Comrade Chen, please don't misunderstand. I asked you first because you and your brother are a male and female pair. This way, even if we team up, there won't be any ill rumors."
This was also a subtle rejection of Wen Mei, but she didn't seem to notice.
"We can do it together, then we can take turns cooking."
"Heh, didn't you hear that he doesn't welcome you?"
"Why is everything your business?"
The two of them started arguing immediately. Chen Tangtang disliked this place even more. It seemed she would have to ask the village chief if she could rent a place to live outside. She didn't want to come back exhausted every day only to listen to them bicker.
"I don't think I ever said I could cook."
Oh, a feisty one. Hong Jun lowered his attitude even further.
"It's my fault, I should have asked clearly first. So, can you cook?"
"No, I can't. My big brother can't either, so I won't team up."
Well, a complete refusal.
Hong Jun's expression didn't change. He looked at Chen Tangtang with a smile.
But Chen Tangtang felt his smile was somewhat fake, she couldn't explain why she felt that way.
Ye Shengge was in the courtyard helping Xiao Tiantian recognize medicinal herbs, with Zi Yisheng guarding her. When Chen Tonghua entered with two bundles, he stepped forward first.
"Hello, Brother Ye Shengge, these are gifts from my family for Ye Shengge. I hope she likes them."
Zi Yisheng's ears twitched. This was a misidentification that needed to be corrected immediately.
"Ahem, I am Ye Shengge's fiancé. Her brother isn't here today."
"Ah~~, oh, congratulations, congratulations to you both."