Chapter 340 Zi Shao Is Coveted
Since the Ye family was building houses, they hired more than ten people to help, which significantly reduced the quality of their meals. Although the food was much worse, it was still better than that of many families in the brigade. This allowed Ye Shengge to bring some meals to Chen Tangtang and her brother to slightly improve their diet and visit them.
Chen Tangtang was resting with her eyes closed on the bed. It wasn't her turn to cook today, so she had a little time to rest after work at noon.
Zi Yisheng followed Ye Shengge, but he stopped at the entrance of the educated youth dormitory and waited outside.
This was Ye Shengge's first time entering the educated youth dormitory. Seeing people in the courtyard, she spoke up and asked,
"Hello, I'm looking for Chen Tangtang."
Hearing the soft and sweet voice, even those busy in the kitchen came out. Ye Shengge saw the familiar looks of astonishment, jealousy, and envy in their eyes again. Accustomed to it, Ye Shengge maintained a smile. This was her first visit, so she needed to greet them. Next time, she could just call out to Chen Tangtang from outside; she saw that everyone in the village did that.
It was Liu Dandan who responded first. Although she envied and was jealous of girls who could live more splendidly than them in the countryside, she still had a sense of reason.
"Chen Tangtang is in this room. She might be asleep. You can go in and call her yourself."
"Thank you."
Ye Shengge walked to Chen Tangtang's room door and knocked gently twice. When she received no response, she pushed the door open and went in. The first thing she saw were six single beds placed against the wall. Large wooden chests were placed at the head of each bed, and basins and shoes were under the beds. The overall environment could be described as simple, with the walls full of pits.
Looking at the only lump under a quilt on the six beds, Ye Shengge walked to the bedside and saw Chen Tangtang's clearly exhausted face.
"Tangtang, Tangtang, wake up. I've brought you something delicious."
Chen Tangtang vaguely heard a familiar voice in her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes and saw the face she missed dearly.
"Shengge? Wow~~, Shengge, I'm having such a hard time. I miss you so much. I want to go home. I miss my mom..."
Ye Shengge was tightly hugged by Chen Tangtang, and she listened to Chen Tangtang's aggrieved and venting cries.
At this moment, Ye Shengge felt very lucky to have transmigrated. With a space in her possession, she could avoid being an educated youth and didn't have to endure hard labor even if she was sent to the countryside.
Ye Shengge couldn't say anything comforting because all comfort was empty, and a meal was more practical.
Chen Tangtang stopped crying, her eyes red and swollen. She looked up at Ye Shengge.
"Shengge, I'm fine. I just wanted to cry."
"Mm, cry if you want to. You belong to yourself. You can vent any emotion in your heart willfully."
Chen Tangtang's mouth turned down again. Seeing Shengge made her feel warm inside. Even her elder brother didn't know how to comfort her. Shengge was so much better.
"Why are you here?"
Ye Shengge pointed to the basket placed on the chest and reached out to lift the cloth on top.
"I came to bring you some food. It's not very fancy. When the house is built, I'll invite you to have a good feast."
Chen Tangtang craned her neck to look. Her eyes lit up, and her dimples appeared as she smiled.
"Wow~~, stir-fried pork with chili, and fried eggs."
"Shh, be quiet. Hurry and get your brother's lunchbox and give him some."
"Mm-hmm. Shengge, you have no idea how bad the food in the educated youth dormitory is. It's simply unbearable."
Chen Tangtang mumbled as she got out of bed, put on her shoes, and quickly ran out to find her brother.
Zi Yisheng stood like a guardian at the entrance of the educated youth dormitory, his expressionless face scaring away many educated youth who wanted to strike up a conversation. However, he and Ye Shengge still became the subject of discussion among the educated youth.
"Did you see that? The good ones are paired with each other. When it comes to us, we're nothing."
Liu Dandan had seen Zi Yisheng and the Bai family people from the Ye family several times. It was impossible not to have thoughts, as these people were truly superior to the men in the brigade. However, Liu Dandan was self-aware. Moreover, they dared to directly confront the village chief's family. That scene extinguished all her fantasies.
"Tch, if you say that, does it mean we can only be paired with male educated youth? Then why haven't you found one yet? After all, you're the oldest here. If you wait any longer, you'll be an old maiden."
Wen Mei, being new, feared no one and dared to offend anyone. She herself lacked courage and ability and wanted to drag her down with her. Who said good men belonged to others?
Wen Mei had been very depressed these past few days. She had originally hoped to get by more easily by clinging to Hong Jun, but he disappeared after just one day. She didn't even get a piece of him.
In these few days, Wen Mei had heard many people in the brigade talking about how outstanding the men from the Ye and Bai families were. Not only did they live in big houses, but their living conditions were also the best. Even the village chief and the captain had to give them face.
During work, Wen Mei specifically paid attention to the people from the Ye and Bai families. Although there weren't many people working, they were all people worth clinging to. Especially the one standing outside the door. If she could win him over, she could eat fewer meals.
Wen Mei's impolite retort made Liu Dandan furious. Seeing Wen Mei continuously peeking outside, she let out a scoff.
"I'm not afraid of being an old maiden, but I'm afraid of some people being shameless. The person outside is the fiancé of the girl who just went in. If you have ideas, you should look at your own face. You're not only ugly but also thick-skinned. Don't make a joke of yourself and embarrass everyone in the educated youth dormitory."
Wen Mei disdainfully sized up Liu Dandan, her disgust evident.
"Ugly is still better than you. Some people should just hide. If you have no ability, just talk less."
This time, Cai Zhiyi did not retort to Wen Mei, but the excitement in her eyes was impossible to hide. She was waiting for Wen Mei to dig her own grave.
Chen Tonghua was also asleep. Although he could still endure the work in the fields, he was unaccustomed to so many people in one room at night. He listened to teeth grinding, snoring, and farting all night, and had to sleep with his head covered by the quilt.
Hearing his sister's voice, he immediately turned over and jumped out of bed, thinking something had happened because her voice was so urgent. When he opened the door, he saw a lunchbox full of fragrant rice and dishes.
"Brother, Shengge brought us food. Hurry and find a secluded place to eat it."
"Ah, oh, oh, I, I'll eat outside?"
"Go ahead. I'm not afraid of the smell leaking into the dormitory and making them jealous."
Chen Tonghua was a bit speechless. The conflicts between men and women were different. Even if they disliked and were jealous of each other, they wouldn't be as direct as girls. At most, they would fight when it accumulated to a certain point.
Indeed, as soon as Chen Tonghua left the educated youth dormitory, he squatted next to Zi Yisheng and ate, not forgetting to thank Zi Yisheng.
"Wow~~, who stir-fried this dish? It's so delicious."
Ye Shengge smiled as she emptied the basket. There were also pastries made by Aunt Zhen, which could be eaten as a snack when hungry.
"Aunt Zhen made them. If you want to eat them in the future, come to our house. We won't lack food for the two of you."
Chen Tangtang shook her head, her expression serious.
"Shengge, we can't come too often. Everyone's food is earned through hard work. If we come, we'll bring our own rations, of course, we won't bring dishes."
Ye Shengge understood the unspoken rule of bringing one's own food when invited for a meal during that era, so she could only smile and nod.
"By the way, Shengge, I'll tell you, my brother and I have decided to find the village chief to rent a house in a few days. If there are no vacant houses, we'll build a small courtyard, so I can cook for myself. Those people are wasting their food."
"That's great. If you decide, ask quickly. Our family is building houses, and if you decide, you can even use the people helping us build houses."
With the support of her good friend, Chen Tangtang immediately made up her mind. She would go to the village chief's house after lunch, no matter if he was angry or not; solving her own problems was more important.
At this moment, Chen Tonghua was staring at Wen Mei's performance in astonishment. He had only been eating for a moment when a figure pounced at him. It was Zi Yisheng who pulled him back, otherwise, he would have been pinned down with the food.
As a result, a heavy thud was heard, followed by cries of pain and later laughter.
Zi Yisheng had been vigilant from the moment he saw an indistinct figure running towards him rapidly. After seeing the person fall, he walked into the educated youth dormitory.
"Don't go. I'm injured. Shouldn't you help me?"
Zi Yisheng completely ignored her, but his speed was not as fast as Liu Dandan's message. Ye Shengge had already come out with the basket.
"I heard you were coveted?"
Zi Yisheng helplessly took the basket. His little girl was perfect in every way, except that she liked to watch his "excitement" and didn't know jealousy.
"Are you angry?"
"Do you like to see me angry?"
Zi Yisheng quickly shook his head. He didn't like the little girl to be angry; it was bad for her health.
"Then that's settled. Stay away from women in the future, and never make me angry. Let's go, I'll go see who dares to covet my girlfriend."
Chen Tangtang, upon hearing the news, didn't even eat. Bullying her Shengge was bullying her. Let's see how she would beat them.
When Ye Shengge walked out, the person was still sitting on the ground. The only visible injury was a scrape on her palm.
"I moved away and ignored her."
"Very good."
Wen Mei heard their unreserved conversation, which made her feel very embarrassed. But there was only one chance. Without trying, how would she know if there was a chance? Men were the best at pretending, especially in front of their wives. They might be itching for it inwardly but act righteous on the outside. Who knew what they were like in private?
"Comrade, I just fell accidentally. Your fiancé is so ungracious, not even bothering to help someone. I really don't understand what you see in him?"
Ye Shengge was about to leave directly, but she didn't expect there to be a follow-up, so she had to respond.
"But there are many other people around you. They didn't help you, does that mean they're also ungracious? Or is it that your character is so bad that everyone avoids you?"
"Hahahaha, well said! Finally, someone sees through Wen Mei's true colors. Alright, get up quickly. They've ignored you, so how can the play continue?"