For lunch, Lin Xiaoru and Huang Jingli went to the village's large canteen first.

"We were supposed to go first today, but Lin Xiaoru and Huang Jingli left again." Ye Xiaofan threw down the wooden shovel in his hand and said angrily, "Why aren't they as enthusiastic about working? All they know is how to take advantage and bully others!"

Ye Xiaofan has a quick temper and isn't as tactful as Sister Wu, but she's also timid and doesn't dare to argue with Lin Xiaoru and Huang Jingli face-to-face; she only complains about them in private.

"Sister Xiaofan, have some dates." He Tiantian smiled, took out a handful of sour dates, and tried to distract Ye Xiaofan. Instead of complaining, it's better to relax and not bother with such petty people.

These dates are already dried, but they're very sweet and delicious. He Tiantian always grabs a handful to take with her when she goes out to work, and she eats a few whenever she has a spare moment or gets hungry.

Seeing the dates in He Tiantian's hand, Ye Xiaofan smiled sheepishly, took two dates to fill his stomach, and said, "I'm sorry to have made you laugh, but I just can't stand how they are. They eat quickly but shirk their responsibilities when it comes to work."

"Hehe, since you know they're like this, talking to them won't change them, and you'll only make yourself angry. It's not worth it!" He Tiantian said. "The eyes of the masses are discerning. When they don't get enough grain and go hungry, they'll work honestly next year."

Seeing that He Tiantian was so young but more open-minded than her, and realizing that getting angry was pointless, Ye Xiaofan said, "You're right. When we first came to Qijia Village, we didn't work properly. Later, we didn't get enough food and went hungry all winter. We couldn't even get enough to eat from thin porridge. Our stomachs were growling all day long."

When Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru returned, it was already more than an hour later.

He Tiantian and Ye Xiaofan took their lunchboxes and enamel mugs to the cafeteria for lunch.

It's busy farming season now, so we eat dry rice. The women get two ounces of rice, and there are two dishes in a large bowl: one is stewed pork with potatoes, and the other is stewed eggplant. Each person gets a slice of pork, a large spoonful of potatoes, and a large spoonful of eggplant.

Although the dishes were simple, they tasted good because of the oil, at least better than what I make at home. This was so that everyone could have a full stomach and the energy to work.

When He Tiantian and Ye Xiaofan arrived, there were already some people eating.

Zhang Qingshan, Wang Lei, and Sister Wu were also there.

"Xiao Fan, come here." Zhang Qingshan beckoned Ye Xiao Fan and He Tian Tian to come over.

As soon as they sat down, Zhang Qingshan picked up a piece of meat with alternating layers of fat and lean meat from the bottom of his bowl and put it into Ye Xiaofan's bowl, saying, "Eat it while it's hot."

"Oh dear, didn't you say you had already eaten? How come there's still some left?" Wang Lei asked in surprise and curiosity. The head chef in charge of serving the food was very strict and would definitely not give Zhang Qingshan two pieces of meat.

Sister Wu said enviously and sourly, "Zhang Qingshan is so thoughtful, saving food for Xiao Fan. Look at his boyfriend! Isn't that great!"

Seeing that he had eaten most of his food, including all the meat, Wang Lei said with an embarrassed smile, "I'll give you the meat for tomorrow too."

Sister Wu smiled with satisfaction.

Ye Xiaofan's face was flushed. Her sweetheart was so kind, she couldn't let Zhang Qingshan go hungry. Besides, men did physical labor, which was much heavier than hers. How could he not be well-fed?

"You should have some too." Ye Xiaofan picked up his piece of pork and gave it to Zhang Qingshan, along with some rice.

"No need, I have enough, that's enough to eat." Zhang Qingshan refused, insisting on giving the pork to Ye Xiaofan.

Ye Xiaofan was about to return it when Sister Wu said with a smile, "Xiaofan, this is Zhang Qingshan's kind gesture. Just eat it. Don't keep passing it around like that, it's making people drool."

Ye Xiaofan blushed, embarrassed, and lowered her head.

"Sister Wu, Xiao Fan is shy, so please say less." Zhang Qingshan couldn't bear to see his girlfriend embarrassed, so he begged Sister Wu for mercy.

"I'll spare Xiao Fan for your sake," Sister Wu said with a smile. She lived with Ye Xiao Fan and they had a good relationship, often joking around together.

He Tiantian watched the two couples in front of her with envy in her heart. Although life was tough, they cared for and loved each other, protecting their love together through the difficult years.

"Hehehe!" He Tiantian laughed, "Hurry up and eat. Talking about love won't fill your stomach!"

He Tiantian absolutely denies that when she said that, she clearly had the tone of someone who's sour grapes because they can't have them!

She envied such simple and pure love!

Sigh, I wonder what Huo Yingjie is doing now?

Sister Wu reached out and tapped He Tiantian's head, chuckling, "You little brat, what do you know about love!"

"Hmph!" He Tiantian said arrogantly, "I'm not blind. Of course I understand you four!"

He Tiantian's appearance is remarkably similar to that of the Snake King—arrogant, haughty, and with a touch of roguish charm!

"Okay, okay, you get it, you understand, alright?" Sister Wu laughed. "You're so young but so clever, you know everything!"

"Of course," He Tiantian said proudly, her eyebrows dancing with delight.

He Tiantian was a bit older than the others, but they got along well. She respected them and would share any wild jujubes, apples, or pears she picked on the mountain with them. Wang Lei and Sister Wu also liked this sensible and hardworking little sister very much.

Just as He Tiantian swallowed the last bite of her food, she suddenly heard the Snake King's lazy voice say, "There will be heavy rain in two hours!"

"Hiccup, hiccup..." He Tiantian was so startled by the Snake King's words that she kept hiccuping, almost bringing up the food she had just eaten.

Sister Wu quickly poured some hot water for He Tiantian and handed it over.

He Tiantian took a few sips, suppressing the nauseous, convulsive feeling. Having spent time with the Snake King before, He Tiantian knew that although the Snake King had many flaws, he would never lie, so she believed him.

She believed it, but she didn't know how to bring it up!

Before she could even thank Sister Wu, He Tiantian looked up at the sky, speechless!

At this very moment, the sun is shining brightly and the sky is cloudless!

If she says it will rain in two hours, will people think she's still half asleep?

He Tiantian looked up at the sky speechlessly. Even a few dark clouds in the sky would have been fine, so she could have said it was going to rain!

"Sweetie, what's wrong?" Sister Wu patted He Tiantian's shoulder and asked with concern when she saw that He Tiantian had stopped hiccuping.

He Tiantian finally came to her senses and looked at Sister Wu, Brother Wang Lei, and the villagers around her who were busy eating. Half a year's hard work was culminating in the harvest in just a few days. Now that it was harvested, if it got wet and moldy from the rain, all her efforts would be wasted.

"It's nothing, I suddenly couldn't catch my breath and choked." He Tiantian gave an embarrassed laugh, and judging from the expressions of the four people in front of her, this excuse was terrible.

Ye Xiaofan laughed and said, "Others choke on their own saliva, but you choke on the air. You're something else."

This little girl is so interesting!