Chapter 30: The Lunchtime Tempest (Part 1)

Cooking is often a skill that, once learned in one area, easily translates to others. Just like in her previous life, Yun Shu initially had no idea what “moderation” or “a little” meant when it came to seasoning. But after some time practicing, she gradually learned to add salt and soy sauce by feel when cooking.

Lin Jingshu was no different, especially since Northeasterners seem naturally gifted in the kitchen. After watching the seasoned youth cook for a few days and using two eggs, she quickly became adept enough to prepare substantial dishes. She dared to try braised pork ribs and red-cooked meat, which, as long as one kept calm and didn’t fumble, wouldn’t turn out too badly—at worst, the presentation might be lacking.

Therefore, Yun Shu and her companions, who returned for lunch, unanimously praised Chef Lin’s cooking.

On the other side, Yang Yue, who had spent the entire morning bent over harvesting potato vines and barely earned four cents, stared at her cornbread, the boiled cabbage, and pickled radish before her. There was no hint of meat, the oil was scant, and it was utterly unappetizing.

Having shamelessly shared in Yun Shu's group’s meat dishes over the past two days, she had grown accustomed to better fare. In truth, this kind of meal was the norm here. Especially the cornbread, which was typically steamed only during busy farming seasons as a staple; on ordinary days, they usually ate corn porridge.

Of course, if everyone ate this way, Yang Yue wouldn’t have minded. To improve her meals, she might have taken a few pennies from her own savings to buy an egg or two.

But now, with the glaring contrast right beside her, not only she but also some of the older youth from the countryside stared hungrily at the pork ribs and stewed green beans on the table of Xie Yun Shu and her group.

They were all youth sent down to the countryside—why should some get two kinds of dishes while others didn’t?

Human nature is complicated. Even though they had enjoyed many dishes from Yun Shu’s group during two celebratory gatherings just days before, at this moment, many shared Yang Yue’s feelings.

Du Yujiao, a female youth who usually put on airs and acted coy, fixed her gaze on the ribs and white steamed buns on the other table, then glanced at the faint marks of a slap still visible on Yang Yue’s cheek. Chewing on her dry, scratchy cornbread, she couldn’t help but provoke.

“Yang Yue, didn’t you come here with Xie and the others? How come five people are eating well together, but you’re left out?”

“If you’re not on good terms, naturally you don’t eat together. What’s the problem?”

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Being repeatedly thwarted by Yun Shu’s group did not mean Yang Yue was a coward who dared not speak up. She even wanted to put down Yun Shu and Lin Jingshu, the two who had slapped her, let alone some old youth who had been here for so long yet never made a splash.

Du Yujiao was filled with resentment and malice, and Yang Yue replied without any hesitation.

Those nearby either felt guilty themselves or thought it none of their business, so none got involved in the quarrel between Yang Yue and Du Yujiao.

The atmosphere in the dining hall, with its dozen or so people, was tense and strange. Meanwhile, at the small table by the window, Yun Shu and her four companions were lively and joyful, a stark contrast. No one knew how it had come to this—just days ago, they had all celebrated the newcomers' awards together in a warm and bustling welcome party.

Perhaps it was because Yun Shu’s group had refused a third gathering invitation.

Yun Shu’s group paid no mind to the tension nearby, engrossed in their meal. Chen Hua, the kind-hearted elder sitting with them, thought of his good friend Chen Ming and felt a pang of sadness.

But Du Yujiao sitting opposite him was not one to swallow her anger quietly. Compared to the sly and jealous Yang Yue, who resorted to underhanded tactics, Du Yujiao was more like a quarrelsome countrywoman who always felt cheated if she didn’t take advantage.

How could she bear such passive-aggressive treatment from a newcomer? She immediately put on a cold expression, slammed down her chopsticks, placed her hands on her hips, and began yelling at Yang Yue.

The older youth nearby, seeing this, looked weary and skillfully began moving dishes and tables to avoid getting caught up in the fight.

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Among this group of “easygoing” older youth, Du Yujiao stood out as an exception.

No one could be so lucky as never to encounter a troublesome character—just as every college dorm inevitably has a troublemaker who stirs up mischief.

The Fengsheng Brigade’s youth station had been here for many years, with about eighty to a hundred youth having passed through. Many had left for various reasons: marriage, punishment through labor at farms, finding better jobs, and even a couple who had died in the line of duty.

But did anyone think the dozen or so left were all saints?

Humans are social creatures, and all are capable of disguise; friction and the need to adjust to each other were inevitable.

Before Yun Shu’s group arrived, Du Yujiao, who had come earlier, had already been battered and bruised, barely managing to remain at the youth station as a “mascot.”

Her reputation had been so poor that no one in Fengsheng Brigade was willing to rent her an empty room. She couldn’t marry or return to the city, having nowhere else to go, so she had to settle down and be a “pleasant” person.

But with the new arrivals, the situation naturally shifted.

The easygoing older youth remained just that—they could see that Yun Shu and the others, who rented private rooms, came from well-off families. Their better food and drink were thanks to money in hand, and they would likely return to the city soon enough, no longer enduring hardship here.

They might even need to ask for favors from them someday, so there was no need to make enemies; it was better to be on good terms.

But what about you, Yang Yue? After several days, it was clear you couldn’t afford a private room.

And you were already at odds with some well-connected newcomers. Unless you were secretly a powerful figure or had been reborn with a golden touch, what difference did you really make?

Two days of pretending to be diligent and sensible hadn’t fooled Du Yujiao, or rather, only fooled the older woman who once rubbed mint oil on Yang Yue’s face.

So Du Yujiao couldn’t wait to pounce, looking for someone of lower status to pick on, while the older youth quietly watched the spectacle unfold.

“Not on good terms? That’s right. As the old saying goes, birds of a feather flock together. Surely Xie and the others wouldn’t slap their own faces for no reason.”

“Look, the marks are even bleeding. I just don’t know what that cursed bug did to our Yang Yue to make her slap herself so hard.”

“Why don’t you go learn from Xie and the others, Yang Yue? See how they live so comfortably. Even if you can’t eat as well as them, you should at least not look so miserable.”

“We all came to Fengsheng Brigade together. I know you don’t have the wealth of Xie and Lin, but didn’t you even try to apologize with an egg the other day? Too bad they didn’t accept it—seems they didn’t eat a single bite.”