But Chen Jianguo just wanted to say it out loud, so they would know what was going on.
Lin Dongfang's expression didn't change much, but Wang Jiancheng, who looked like the older brother, seemed a little embarrassed, though he didn't say anything.
Li Jianye was still smoothing his hair, his eyes occasionally glancing towards the kitchen.
Upon hearing this, the female educated youth over there were displeased, and the first to explode was Wang Hongmei, who had just finished a fight.
"Chen Zhiqing, what do you mean by that?"
Wasn't this meal a treat for us new educated youth from the old days? We've come all this way to support rural development; isn't this what we should do?
Chen Jianguo frowned, but before he could say anything, Lin Dongfang scoffed.
"You're really shameless. You're here to support the construction, but aren't the old educated youth here too?"
Aside from your parents, what else is there that's supposed to be your obligation? Who has a duty to support you?
Or are you saying you came to the countryside not prepared for hard work, but rather intend to enjoy yourself?
Wang Hongmei's face turned pale.
"You're lying, I didn't,"
"Heh, then why do you expect people to do this and that for you?"
"Making demands without putting in any effort—isn't that just indulging in pleasure?"
Chen Jianguo gave Lin Dongfang a strange look. This mouth double was quite skilled, catching one every time.
Wang Hongmei's face flushed, and she opened her mouth several times, but couldn't say anything.
Tang Cui's gaze shifted between Chen Jianguo and Lin Dongfang, her expression ambiguous.
"If we're talking about what should be done, you're here to develop the countryside, so you should go to the county, the commune, and the village head, and ask them what should be done."
It's quite a coincidence.
As soon as he finished speaking, a small figure appeared at the entrance of the educated youth compound, looking at Lin Dongfang who was speaking, and scratching his head in confusion.
Chen Jianguo pursed his lips, almost bursting into laughter, and greeted them.
"Black Egg, come in quickly, come in quickly."
Why did you come here? Are you looking for us, or for your sister Jian?
Everyone in the village knows that Jian Dan's closest relationships are with the village chief's family and Uncle Liu's family. Compared to Uncle Liu's family, Jian Dan only visits the village chief's family a limited number of times. However, he is still very close to Hei Dan and can be considered Jian Dan's little friend and loyal younger brother.
Six-year-old Heidan, whose speech was already quite clear, handed the basket he was carrying to Chen Jianguo.
"Grandma said there are a lot of people here today, and she was worried there wouldn't be enough food. This is some wild garlic that Grandma dug up, for you to have as a side dish."
Hearing the noise, the people in the kitchen poked their heads out. Compared to the two chefs who were busy, Jian Dan, who was just there for show, simply came out.
"Black Egg, what brings you here? Did you bring me something delicious?"
When Lin Dongfang and the other new educated youths heard this, the familiar tone and the sense of closeness were too obvious. After seeing Jian Dan, the child's smile became much more genuine.
He immediately grabbed the basket and ran to Jian Dan.
“Sister Jane, look, Grandma dug up some wild garlic. Grandma said you like to eat it.”
Of all the wild vegetables from the mountain, Jian Dan really likes this the most. It's flavorful and goes well with rice. In such a short time, she has already learned to cook it in several ways.
Tan Yajun poured boiling water onto the pheasant, and Chen Jianguo started plucking its feathers, even teasing the child with a sarcastic tone.
"Oh, so it's for your sister Jane?"
Black Egg nodded without hesitation.
"Sister Jane likes to eat it."
Li Yan reached out her lecherous hand and pinched the little face.
"Your sister Jane really did love you well."
"Wait a minute, didn't Sister Lin go to your house just now?"
Lin Dongfang also squatted down. The two men, with their large hands, quickly turned the skinny little wild chicken into a featherless, white-cut chicken.
Black Egg nodded.
"Sister Lin, I'm behind you, hehe, I run fast."
Don't make your pleading expression too obvious. Simply pour out the small garlic cloves, and while putting the lid back on, put in a small plate of leftover flatbread from lunch, then hand it to Blackie to carry.
"Shh! Let's go, let's go straight home. Did your grandma cook dinner?"
Blackie didn't understand yet. He took the basket, and its weight—not empty—made the young man's eyes light up.
"Okay, sister, I'm going home now. I'll come find you to dig for vegetables again tomorrow."
He knew that Sister Jane would never let him leave empty-handed.
Lin Zhaodi also returned carrying a basket, glancing back over her shoulder.
"What's Black Egg doing here? I just came out of his house, and he was right in front of me. Oh dear, I couldn't catch up with a single kid."
Tanya Jun took the mushroom, teasingly saying...
"Of course, we're adding more food for his sister Jian! Haha!"
Lin Zhaodi nodded as if it were a common occurrence.
"Oh, I see. His mom is still calling him home for dinner."
It's unclear what the female educated youth were thinking, but Lin Dongfang and the others lent a hand to them to some extent. After watching the commotion, the three female educated youth went back to their rooms in peace.
The chicks were almost cooked, but there was still no sign of anyone. Li Yan muttered to herself.
"What's going on? Are some big shots here? Do we have to treat them to a meal too?"
Since we won't be together in the future, simplicity doesn't matter, but being purely gossipy is just...
"Are you guys going to cook together?"
Li Yan looked disgusted, and Tan Yajun sighed.
"When they first came in, Chen, the educated youth, told them that it hadn't been decided yet, but they would probably have to say something after they finished eating."
To be honest, my first impression of this meal wasn't very good.
Lin Zhaodi poured the mushrooms into the pot and let them simmer. Then she tightly closed the two halves of the wooden pot lid. The aroma of chicken mixed with the fragrance of cornmeal made everyone's stomachs rumble, and the people in the kitchen unconsciously gasped.
"Meat is the best!"
Chen Jianguo outside also smelled it, and got up to set up the table and chairs. Lin Dongfang, being perceptive, came over to help, then went back inside to get his own tableware, washed it clean, and handed over two cans of food.
"Chen, we are new to this place and don't know anyone. Thank you for your warm hospitality. I'll just have this as an extra dish."
Chen Jianguo glanced at it; it was canned meat. At this time, unless it came through special channels, canned meat was a perk only given out by the military. He silently accepted it. Wang Jiancheng and Li Jianye stared blankly for a moment, then hurriedly returned to their rooms. A little while later, one of them took out a piece of cured meat, and the other took out a jar of pickled vegetables. Chen Jianguo accepted them without saying a word and turned to take them into the kitchen.
The people in the kitchen looked at each other, not bothering with the small amount of food, and simply took their plates to the outside table to pour out the canned goods.
"The food is almost ready. We can't make the cured meat today; we'll make it tomorrow."
This canned food will be added to our dishes tonight. The pickled vegetables taste great, crisp and refreshing, much better than the ones we make ourselves.
The expressions of the male educated youths softened considerably.
As Lin Zhaodi lifted the pot lid, a rich aroma immediately filled the educated youth compound, even the three female educated youths hiding inside couldn't sit still.
Su Hong took a can of yellow peaches, Wang Hongmei took a few pastries, and Tang Cui's eyes flashed with a gloomy look before she went back into the house and took out three peach shortbreads.
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