Zhou He carried a large iron pot, while the other three returned to the educated youth settlement with large and small bags.
Fortunately, everyone was still at work at that time, and no one saw them.
"You guys go back and rest for a bit. We'll wash the pots and pans, then you can come back and cook."
Zhou He looked at Fang Yuan and Zhou Jiahui, who were covered in sweat, and said.
"Okay, then we'll head back first."
Zhou Jiahui wiped the sweat from her brow; she needed to go back and wash up.
Summer in Northeast China is just as scorching as summer in Beijing; it's incredibly hot today.
"Thank you for your hard work. We'll come back after we've put our things away." Fang Yuan nodded.
It's so hot here, she wants to go into her personal space. It's like spring all year round there, she loves it.
Fang Yuan and Zhou Jiahui returned to the female educated youth's place, only to find that Liu Chunfang was still at home.
When she saw what Fang Yuan and the other person were holding, her expression changed.
Then, feigning nonchalance, she greeted them, "You're back? Why did you buy so much stuff? What is it all?"
She was incredibly jealous as she brought back all those bags and packages.
"Don't even mention it, this place is too remote, the supply and marketing cooperative doesn't have many things, we didn't buy anything good."
Zhou Jiahui didn't notice Liu Chunfang's sourness at all, and instead complained to her non-stop.
"Really? You must have spent a lot of money buying all this stuff. Your family is so good to you."
That resentful tone made Fang Yuan sneer inwardly.
"No, these things aren't expensive. Oh, by the way, I'll treat you to some pastries."
As Zhou Jiahui spoke, she went into the room, put the things on the kang (a heated brick bed), picked out a piece of steamed rice cake, and handed it to her.
"Try it, the locals call it 'caozi gao' (槽子糕), but it looks just like a sponge cake to me."
"Thank you! Jia Hui, you're so kind!"
Liu Chunfang's expression changed quickly, then she smiled and accepted the steamed rice cake.
He thought to himself that she had so many but only gave her one; this woman was really stingy.
Fang Yuan remained silent and simply put all his food into the kang cabinet.
She knew Liu Chunfang's personality very well.
She can take advantage of you while simultaneously badmouthing you; she's the epitome of two-faced.
And then there's Wang Zhaodi.
This woman not only likes to make a big deal out of things, but she also habitually serves more men than women when cooking and dividing the food.
She was harsh on herself and devoted herself to others, but no one cared. This woman was determined to brainwash others and wanted other women to be like her.
I just felt that this person was mentally ill, and seriously so.
Fortunately, neither of the two women lived in the same room as them; otherwise, she would never have so openly bought these things.
Seeing Fang Yuan put the things directly into the cabinet, Liu Chunfang deliberately asked:
"Fang Yuan, what did you buy? Why won't you let me see it?"
"It's just those things, nothing interesting," Fang Yuan replied casually.
After saying that, he turned to Zhou Jiahui and asked, "Jiahui, did you give Comrade Liu Chunfang the needle and thread she asked you to bring? How much was it again?"
"Oh, I've brought back the needles, thread, and buttons you wanted. They're only a few cents, so you don't need to pay for them. I need them too, so you can choose first."
Zhou Jiahui slapped her forehead and rummaged through a pile of things to find needles, thread and buttons for her to take herself.
"Thank you, Jia Hui, you're so kind. I'll take it then."
Liu Chunfang thanked him and then put all the needles, thread and buttons into her pocket.
"Hey, wait a minute, why did you take it all? Couldn't you at least leave some for me?"
Seeing that Liu Chunfang had taken all the needles, thread, and buttons she had bought, Zhou Jiahui realized that something was wrong.
I already said she needed it too, did you not hear me?
"Didn't you tell me to take them? I thought you bought them all for me."
Liu Chunfang looked at Zhou Jiahui with feigned ignorance, pretending to be completely innocent.
Seeing her innocent expression, Zhou Jiahui thought she hadn't understood, so she kindly explained again:
"I told you to choose, not to take everything! I need the needles and thread, otherwise why would I buy so much?"
She bought a whole bag of needles containing twenty-five needles, two rolls of thread in each color, and twenty buttons.
"Then could you please go and buy another one? This one is just enough for me."
Upon hearing Zhou Jiahui's words, Liu Chunfang directly urged him to buy more.
He packed his things, turned around, and walked out the door.
Zhou Jiahui then realized that the person had heard her clearly, but simply wanted to take everything away.
Zhou Jiahui, who had been quite polite, suddenly became angry. "Give it back to me! I'm not giving it to you anymore!"
He rushed forward and pulled all the needles, thread, and buttons out of her pocket.
That woman is shameless; she's no better than Wang Zhaodi.
She stopped giving them anything.
"Hey, what are you doing? Didn't you say it was for me? What do you mean by taking it back now?"
Liu Chunfang became unhappy and reached out to take the needle and thread back from Zhou Jiahui's hand.
Fang Yuan stepped forward and reached out to stop her:
"Comrade Liu Chunfang, Jia Hui paid for these needles and thread. If you really want them, then pay the difference. Oh, and don't forget the one-cent carriage fare for the round trip."
Looking at Fang Yuan's indifferent expression, Liu Chunfang felt a little scared for some reason and didn't dare to make another move.
"We're all comrades who came together. You have the nerve to ask me for travel expenses with just a little needle and thread? Humph, I don't want the needle and thread anymore." After saying that, he turned around and went back to the room across the street, closing the door behind him.
Zhou Jiahui shouted at the closed door, "Pah! I'd rather lose it than give it to you!"
"······"
Fang Yuan shook his head speechlessly and softened his voice: "You must have suffered a lot because of your temper, right? Don't be so kind in the future, after all, there are all kinds of people in this world."
"I'm really speechless. Do you think this place is just bad luck for me? I just had to run into people like this."
Zhou Jiahui felt extremely unlucky; there were only twelve people in the educated youth settlement, and two of them were shameless oddballs.
"What nonsense are you talking about? You can't spout nonsense these days," Fang Yuan said with amusement.
These two aren't the only oddballs around here; there are men too, so it's best to move out sooner rather than later.
Zhou He, standing outside the door, chuckled upon hearing Zhou Jiahui's words.
He arrived before the three started arguing, but he didn't go inside.
He heard everything that was happening inside clearly.
My cousin is such an innocent girl. It's all because her family protected her too much. She learned her lesson and forgot it as soon as she got away with it. Now she's doing it again.
Fortunately, I met this Comrade Fang Yuan. This girl is courageous and kind-hearted.
With her by her cousin's side, at least he doesn't have to keep an eye on her all the time.
However, the people in this educated youth settlement are really hard to describe; he needs to move out as soon as possible.
"Jiahui, we're done," Zhou He called out to the two people inside the room.
"Okay, we're coming!"
Zhou Jiahui quickly replied, then tidied up the things in the room and locked them in the kang cabinet.
She decided that from now on, she would lock up all her valuable possessions so that those scoundrels wouldn't be able to take advantage of them.
"Come on, let me show you my cooking."
Fang Yuan also packed his things and followed Fang Yuan out of the house.
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