Chapter 35 An'an's Departure and Stay Causes Trouble
"Yes, she's just a little girl, raising her six-year-old brother alone in this harsh environment. I really don't know if she can survive."
Xu Zhili not only did not abandon her biological brother, but also stayed by his side. Doesn't such a good comrade deserve our praise?
Lu Yanchen turned to Xu Zhili and said sincerely and directly, "Xu Zhiqing, before your house is built, your younger brother can stay with me at night. Our male educated youth's house has a big kang (heated brick bed), and there's room for a child to squeeze in."
He paused, then turned his gaze to Xu Zhian, who was nestled close to his sister's legs. His tall frame naturally leaned down slightly, and a gentle and encouraging smile spread across his face, even the fine lines at the corners of his eyes radiating warmth.
"An'an, would you like to come and keep your brother company? I'll tell you a story tonight."
Lu Yanchen's idea was quite practical, directly solving An'an's major sleeping problem and avoiding the awkwardness of the girls living together in the dormitory.
Xu Zhili suddenly raised her head, and her eyes, which were usually as calm as a deep pool, occasionally flashing with a hint of stubbornness and madness, now clearly reflected an unexpected light.
“Lu Zhiqing… too…” She took a deep breath, trying to find her voice. That coldness reappeared, but it couldn’t hide the overwhelming gratitude in her eyes.
"Thank you so much, this...this really saved me from a dire situation. An'an, quickly thank Brother Lu. From now on, stay with him at night and be good, okay?"
Xu Zhian looked up at her older sister and then at the warm-smiling older brother in front of her. She nodded timidly and whispered, "Thank you... Brother Lu."
Shen Qingyang quickly stood up and loudly smoothed things over: "Hey! That's more like it! Comrade Lu Yanchen is very conscientious and takes the initiative to share the burden, well done! Li Zhiqing, have you all eaten? Don't let the new comrades listen to our ramblings on an empty stomach!"
Li Chunyan, a gentle-looking 27-year-old former educated youth, immediately smiled and replied, still holding a spatula in her hand: "Alright, alright! The fragrant dumpling soup and cornbread are ready. It's already completely dark. New comrades, you've had a bumpy journey, so hurry up and eat while it's hot. After you finish eating, wash up and get a good night's sleep! If you have anything to say, we can talk about it tomorrow when you're more energetic!"
Shen Qingyang chimed in, "Li Zhiqing is right! New comrades, don't think about anything today, just eat and sleep well! You'll have a day off tomorrow to unpack and get familiar with the environment. We'll officially start work early the day after tomorrow."
He turned to Xu Zhili, as if remembering something, "Oh, Xu Zhiqing, you just asked about the wooden box, right? For storing luggage?"
Xu Zhili nodded, her face showing gratitude followed by calm: "Yes, Shen Zhiqing, leaving things piled up is not a solution."
Shen Qingyang slapped his forehead and laughed heartily, “Look at my memory! I’m so busy I’m dizzy. Tomorrow, when you leave our courtyard, go to the left and walk down the road. Count the seventh house. The one with a lot of wood shavings piled up at the door is Niu the carpenter’s house. He’s very skilled and makes sturdy boxes. If you see one you like, just talk to him and ask to exchange it for grain coupons or work points.”
Xu Zhili: "Okay, I've got it. Thank you, Chen Zhiqing."
After the meal, Xu Zhili took Xu Zhian's hand and walked towards Lu Yanchen, her face filled with relief and gratitude.
Lu Yanchen nodded to her and naturally reached out to touch Xu Zhian's head. The little girl instinctively shrank back, but then slowly relaxed.
Looking at Lu Yanchen's gentle profile, Xu Zhili thought to herself: This Lu Zhiqing has a decent appearance and seems to have a good character. He is indeed worthy of being the male protagonist in the book.
What a pity... Thinking of his complicated love life in the book, Xu Zhili silently drew a line in her heart: Remember the kindness, avoid the trouble.
She absolutely must not wade into this murky water.
Tired of the turmoil in the apocalypse, all I want in this life is to live a peaceful and stable life with my family.
After dinner, in the small courtyard of the educated youth compound.
The cool moonlight spilled onto the muddy ground, outlining the blurry silhouettes of houses and clotheslines.
The chirping of insects sounded exceptionally clear in the silence.
Only the dim light from the kerosene lamp shone through the windows of the main room, illuminating the figures of two or three people washing up or chatting in the courtyard.
Lu Yanchen was carrying a washbasin back from the washroom when Xu Zhili stood at the entrance of the men's dormitory with Xu Zhian by the hand, seemingly hesitating about how to start the conversation.
Yao Xueru strode out from the shadows and stood directly in front of Lu Yanchen, her voice urgent and trembling slightly.
"Lu Zhiqing! Wait!"
She took a deep breath and tried to make her voice sound "reasonable".
"You...you don't really intend to help Xu Zhiqing take care of her younger brother, do you?"
Yao Xueru glanced quickly at Xu Zhili and her brother, her eyes filled with rejection, before quickly focusing back on Lu Yanchen's handsome face and lowering her voice.
"Take my advice, don't get involved in the siblings' affairs. It's troublesome. With a child in tow, who knows how many problems will come knocking on your door in the future?"
There was no such thing as Xu Zhili taking her six-year-old brother to the countryside in my previous life. Could it be that my rebirth caused a butterfly effect?
Yao Xueru felt a burning sensation on her face from Lu Yanchen's questioning and cold gaze. Her eyes instantly reddened, and tears welled up. She waved her hands frantically, her voice trembling with sobs.
“I…I didn’t. How could I not want to help? I…I was just worried that the child would be noisy at night and keep you from getting a good rest, Lu Zhiqing. You have to go to work tomorrow.”
She tried to use "concern" to mask her true feelings, but it seemed weak and ineffective.
Just then, Bai Linlin, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, suddenly stood up like a firecracker that had been lit.
With her hands on her hips and chin held high, her clear voice rang out loudly in the quiet courtyard, instantly attracting the attention of the educated youth who had not yet returned to their rooms.
Bai Linlin spoke extremely fast, like a machine gun, with undisguised sarcasm and indignation.
"Oh! Comrade Yao Xueru, what you're saying is quite novel. Lu Zhiqing is recognized throughout the village as a warm-hearted person with high awareness. He actively helps comrades in need. This is carrying forward the spirit of Lei Feng and is a good example worthy of everyone's learning. What gives you the right to point fingers and make decisions for Lu Zhiqing?"
She deliberately raised her voice to make sure everyone around her could hear her.
"If you, Comrade Yao Xueru, were to fall into a ditch someday, should I do what you did and stop others from helping you out? Say, 'Don't get involved in her affairs, it's troublesome'?"
Several educated youths watching couldn't help but let out low snickers.
A male educated youth who usually disliked Yao Xueru's spoiled nature leaned against the door frame and delivered a sarcastic remark.
Meng Haozi deliberately dragged out his words: "That's right, Lu Zhiqing already agreed; he was helping Xu Zhiqing solve her difficulties. Yao Zhiqing, what... in what capacity are you refusing on behalf of Lu Zhiqing? A family member?"
These words were clearly sarcastic, which made many people chuckle.
Yao Xueru's face turned bright red, as if it were about to bleed. She was so angry that she was trembling all over, and she pointed wildly at Bai Linlin and the people who were watching the spectacle.
You...you...Bai Linlin! What nonsense are you spouting? What does this have to do with you?!
Bai Linlin pressed her advantage, unleashing her full firepower, her words becoming even more sharp, each sentence accusing the other of being a label.
"How can it not concern us? We are all revolutionary comrades from the same educated youth settlement. Comrade Lu, who is good at helping others, is a shining example that all of us educated youth should learn from."
You, Comrade Yao Xueru, not only don't study, but you're also dragging your feet and pouring cold water on our efforts? Your ideological awareness is seriously problematic; your individualism is severe. This cannot continue. You must conduct a profound self-examination and reform yourself properly.”
She skillfully used the big words of the era to characterize Yao Xueru's behavior as a serious "ideological problem," which was extremely damaging.
The snickers around them grew louder.
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