Chapter 33: She Wasn’t Interested in You?

Lin Jingyue raced down the road with the large blue-and-white porcelain platter slung over her shoulder, as if she were being chased by a murderer. The old man at the scrap collection station watched her disappear in the blink of an eye, his mouth twitching fiercely.

By the time Lin Jingyue reached the station, she had two cloth bags in her hands, both bulging with goods. She needed to let others see she’d bought plenty in town—otherwise, how could she explain her food?

Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan had already arrived. When she approached, Jiang Xun naturally took one of her bags. Zhou Yan didn’t crowd in; he simply carried what they’d bought. He and Jiang Xun had been classmates in middle school, so he knew Jiang Xun fairly well. This was the first time he’d seen him act this way toward a woman.

“Jingyue, sit here,” Jiang Xun said, spotting a seat despite the bus already being packed. Lin Jingyue didn’t stand on ceremony—standing was unpleasant in the crowded bus, especially for a girl.

She sat down, and within a few minutes, the bus set off. Jiang Xun had bought tickets for the three of them.

It was already afternoon by the time they reached the commune, and the ox cart had long since returned. “Wait a moment,” Jiang Xun said in a low voice, setting his bag beside Lin Jingyue.

They could walk back, but by then it would be dark, and since she was the only girl, people in the brigade would gossip.

“He’s going to find a ride?” Lin Jingyue asked Zhou Yan.

“Yeah. Jiang Xun has a relative here,” Zhou Yan replied. In fact, it was his father’s old army comrade, but calling him a relative wasn’t wrong.

Lin Jingyue nodded and didn’t say more.

Soon, Jiang Xun returned, pushing a sturdy, black bicycle. Zhou Yan stared at him, speechless. “So… I’m walking back?” he asked, his expression unreadable.

“No, we’ll both walk back,” Jiang Xun replied.

Lin Jingyue: “…So you’re just going to let me ride off alone?”

As it turned out, she really could; she mounted the bicycle, tied all three people’s belongings to it, called out a quick farewell, and rode away.

Jiang Xun let out a soft laugh, a trace of helpless indulgence flickering in his eyes, though not obviously. Zhou Yan gave him a look. “Jiang Xun, you really spoil her.”

He’d never seen anyone quite like this. Jiang Xun himself wasn’t sure what had come over him—ever since he first laid eyes on Lin Jingyue, he just wanted to treat her well.

Lin Jingyue soon arrived at the educated youth compound, cycling briskly. The others watched her carry in several large bundles, envy simmering in their hearts. But knowing her temper—quick to use her fists if provoked—even Chen Chunlan kept her mouth shut.

Lin Jingyue greeted Xia Nan, then carried her bundles inside, leaving Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan’s untouched. She started washing the pots, boiling water, and preparing dinner. She scooped out two and a half bowls of rice, took out a cleaned chicken, and planned to make potato-braised chicken for the evening.

She set the rice to steam in a clay pot. As the water in the other pot boiled, she took it to the bathhouse, locked the door, stepped into her space, showered, changed into clean clothes, and wrapped her hair in a towel—knowing it would dry quickly in this weather.

Back in her room, she took out three apples to prepare as a post-dinner fruit plate. Glancing at the time—almost six—she knew Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan would soon return. She chopped the chicken into pieces, blanched it, heated oil in the pan, added spices, ginger, garlic, and two spoonfuls of her homemade chili paste. When the aroma rose, she stir-fried the chicken until it was flavorful, then poured in hot water from a thermos. The water just covered the chicken. She tossed in a knot of scallion, a splash of soy sauce, and a pinch of salt, then covered it to simmer.

She peeled three potatoes, waiting to add them once the chicken was nearly done.

“Wow, what are you making? The smell’s drifting all the way outside!” Zhou Yan rushed in, ignoring the heat and heading straight for the stove.

Lin Jingyue smiled. “Potato-braised chicken. We’ll eat together in a bit.”

“Jiang Xun, your bike and your packages are over there,” she called to Jiang Xun, who was crouched by the well, washing his hands.

The man’s posture was upright, and even crouching, he exuded an air that drew the eye. Some people, you could tell were extraordinary just by the back of their heads.

Jiang Xun turned around, the golden glow of sunset falling across his shoulders, lighting his pupils with a deep, burnished gold, his gaze profound and dazzling.

“Alright, I got it,” he replied.

Lin Jingyue’s eyes flickered; she nodded slightly.

Zhao Hua, who was also washing his hands, gave Lin Jingyue a long look, then lowered his gaze. He hoped Lin Xinrou would keep her promise—otherwise, all his efforts would have been in vain.

“Jingyue, can I trade you a bit of meat? Not much, just half a bowl,” Xia Nan couldn’t resist the tempting aroma and came over to the stove. “I’ll trade you a can of fruit for it,” she offered—canned fruit was the best thing she could put on the table.

Lin Jingyue nodded. “Sure, I’ll give you a bowl.”

She’d cooked plenty—a chicken weighing around four pounds, plus potatoes, filling a big pot. Even with their hearty appetites, the three of them couldn’t finish it all.

“Wonderful, thank you!” Xia Nan clapped, afraid Lin Jingyue would change her mind, and hurried to fetch a can of tangerines from her room. “Here you go,” she said, then stood waiting eagerly.

Lin Jingyue accepted the can. “Just five more minutes.”

Xia Nan nodded eagerly; she was finally getting to eat meat, and it hadn’t been easy. She had the day off and should have gone to town for a treat, but without a meat coupon, she couldn’t buy any. Lin Jingyue was truly generous.

While Xia Nan watched with longing, the potato-braised chicken was finally ready. Lin Jingyue lifted the lid, releasing a rich, mouthwatering aroma.

The other educated youth quickly closed their doors, trying desperately to ignore the delicious scent. It was just too much.

Lin Jingyue ladled out a bowl for Xia Nan, heavy on the meat and with just a few pieces of potato. Xia Nan was nearly moved to tears, grabbing a chunk of chicken and stuffing it into her mouth without caring about the heat. “Oh, it’s so good—the meat is delicious!” she mumbled, already heading back to cook half a bowl of noodles. Tonight, she would eat well!

Lin Jingyue couldn’t help but laugh, then called Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan to eat.

The big bowl of potato-braised chicken was fragrant and plentiful, and before serving, she blanched some greens to add freshness. The white rice was glossy and translucent.

Jiang Xun and Zhou Yan were used to eating good rice, so neither questioned Lin Jingyue’s supply. They had their own channels—why shouldn’t she?

“Lin Jingyue, your cooking is as good as Jiang Xun’s,” Zhou Yan sighed. He felt like the only useless one.

“It’s natural to put in extra effort for a good meal,” Lin Jingyue replied, picking up a piece of chicken—tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked.

“With some broth over rice later, I could have another bowl.”

The three of them ate slowly, which was torture for the others, who suffered under the assault of those delicious smells. Thankfully, the educated youth compound was some distance from the main brigade; otherwise, word that they’d had meat would spread like wildfire.

After dinner, Jiang Xun washed the dishes and tidied the stove. As Lin Jingyue was about to head inside, he stopped her. “Wait a moment,” he said, then disappeared into his room. When he returned, he handed her a package. “Biscuits and chocolate from the capital—imported. Keep them for when you want a snack.”

He’d asked his family to send them. After all, how could a girl go without treats?