"Thanks, but you can have it. Meat buns are too precious," the captain said, refusing.
"Here, have some. I bought an extra one for you, don't be shy."
"Thanks, you're quite the smooth talker, young man," the captain said, munching on a steamed bun.
"Not at all! Just telling the truth. Captain, how many people are there at this educated youth settlement?"
“There are fourteen educated youths in the village. With you, there are eighteen.”
"So many! Is it enough room?"
"There's enough room. Our village has a lot of land, and the educated youth settlement we built has four beds in each room. It's very spacious and can hold a lot of luggage."
"That's good." Lu Xiao said while chatting with the captain, munching on the last steamed bun.
Seeing how much they were enjoying their food, Liu Hongying swallowed hard, her stomach rumbling loudly.
She was so hungry, she really wanted to eat. If her dad hadn't made her come to this godforsaken place, she could have had a full meal at home.
Thinking about this, she felt a deep hatred for her father.
She hoped the spoiled princess could buy her a few meat buns too. She thought Zhou Man was just a little temperamental and spoiled, and liked to boss people around, but otherwise she was fine.
She would give her some money and food from time to time when she helped her with chores, which was much better than what her father gave her.
When he was unhappy at work, he blamed it on his daughter for not being able to please Zhou Man. It was clearly his own fault, but he blamed her.
"I'm exhausted and it's so hot. I'm afraid I won't be able to get back to the village after following you on this trip," Zhou Man complained.
Zhang Shang still didn't say anything, but all along the way he could hear her grumbling and complaining.
He was exhausted and didn't have time to pay attention to her.
"Everyone's here, let's go, you guys keep up." After saying that, the brigade leader drove the oxcart back to the village.
It takes about an hour to get back to Songjia Village from the town, and the same amount of time to walk.
After walking for less than ten minutes, Zhou Man was shouting again: "Why is it so far? It's so hot, my clothes are all wet!"
Liu Hongying held an umbrella over her while fanning her. She hadn't even started complaining of being tired yet, and she was already yelling like a baby.
"Captain, may I sit in the oxcart and rest for a bit?" Zhou Man asked.
Looking at the delicate young girl, the brigade leader also wanted to get back to the village as soon as possible, so he let Zhou Man get on the oxcart.
Everyone else followed the oxcart, and Liu Hongying even had to stay beside it and hold an umbrella for her.
"Here, have a steamed bun. Eat it first, then fan me. Don't say I'm exploiting you."
"If you help me with the work, I'll give you food and money. As long as you work hard for me, you'll definitely get your share," Zhou Man said proudly.
"Okay," Liu Hongying replied, wolfing down her steamed buns; she was just too hungry.
This week, Man is better than her father. Her father hits and scolds people, but this spoiled princess doesn't.
They walked for another ten minutes or so until they reached an uphill section, where the captain urged Zhou Man to come down. The slope was rather steep, and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control her.
After going down the slope, they walked for another ten minutes and reached the village entrance.
"We've reached the village entrance. Another ten minutes and we'll be at the educated youth settlement," the brigade leader said, continuing to drive the oxcart.
Lu Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't even have an umbrella or hat; he just took a piece of clothing from his bag and put it over his head to block the sun.
After walking for an hour, he was thirsty and tired, and all he wanted to do was drink water.
Zhang Shang was in a slightly better situation because he was wearing a hat, and although he was very tired, he was able to keep going.
Liu Hongying walked while panting, constantly encouraging herself. She would stop to drink a few sips of the water she had brought, and then she would manage to walk to the educated youth settlement.
Zhou Man went down the slope and then hitched a ride on the oxcart. She didn't get off until she reached the village entrance, so she was a little hot but not tired.
The brigade leader led them forward until they reached the foot of the mountain at the edge of the village, where the educated youth settlement was right in front of them.
As the person in charge of the educated youth settlement, Zhou Dajun finished work early to wait for the newly arrived educated youth.
The brigade leader pointed to Zhou Dajun, who was standing at the gate of the courtyard: "This is the leader of the educated youth settlement. If you have any problems, go to him. If he can't solve them, you can come to the village to find us."
"Unload your luggage, I need to hurry and get the cattle to drink water."
Lu Xiao and the others took their luggage down, and the captain turned around and drove the cows away.
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