The weather this year was terrifyingly cold. There had even been an avalanche in the mountains, completely blocking the intersection. Goods from the outside couldn't get in, and the edible supplies in the village grew even scarcer.
However, Qin Du was always able to catch game. Sometimes it was wild hares or pheasants, other times it was winter fish, and occasionally he would even bring back a roe deer.
When it was getting dark, Ji Zhaoxi would go wait at the foot of the mountain, reciting her books on the side. Once she saw Qin Du coming down with his prey, the two would head home together.
His hands reeked of blood, so Qin Du held the game a bit further away from Ji Zhaoxi. Unaware of what he was thinking, Ji Zhaoxi just chirped away happily, leaning close to him.
Brother Qin Du, eat this.
Ji Zhaoxi stuffed some unknown thing into Qin Du's mouth. He lowered his head and instinctively opened his mouth. As soon as he bit down, a spicy yet sweet, stimulating sensation spread across his tongue.
Seeing him finish it, Ji Zhaoxi lowered her head and snickered. Qin Du felt a bit helpless but swallowed it anyway.
He didn't know where she found these weird-tasting candies.
My sister's colleague came to our house again.
Ji Zhaoxi's face showed a hint of melancholy.
Qin Du had seen that man before too. He wore glasses, and every time he visited, he would bring a huge pile of things for Ji Zhuxin and Ji Zhaoxi. He always followed closely beside Ji Zhuxin, and last time, he even brought Ji Zhaoxi a red envelope.
Hearing that Qin Du and Ji Zhaoxi were preparing for the college entrance examination, he had also gifted them quite a few books and stationery.
Qin Du looked down at her. You don't like him?
Ji Zhaoxi didn't really know either. It was just that every time the villagers said her sister was going to climb the social ladder, it made her uncomfortable.
Her sister was clearly so capable, so why were they saying she was the one climbing the social ladder?
Qin Du didn't quite understand these things, but he didn't like seeing her look sad. He silently brushed the snow off her hair. Let's stir-fry this later. Do you want to add chili peppers?
Ji Zhaoxi's attention was instantly diverted. Yes!
The people standing at the entrance of the educated youth compound had been watching this scene all along.
That Qin Du has such a bad class background, yet he's always sticking so close to Zhaoxi. He's not even afraid of people gossiping.
Educated Youth Xie's expression was extremely ugly.
Lin Yitang glanced at him. Didn't you hate Ji Zhaoxi before?
Educated Youth Xie's face immediately flushed red. I... that was... when did I ever hate Zhaoxi? It was just because you all kept talking and talking about her that I said those things against my true feelings.
His biggest regret now was hurting Zhaoxi's feelings back then just to curry favor with them.
After this period of time, he had finally seen through these educated youths in the compound.
His conditions were somewhat poorer compared to theirs, and he couldn't buy many books. Yet, when he tried to borrow books from them, they always looked impatient.
Now that food was scarce, he asked to borrow some meat from them, but they refused.
The thought of Qin Du being able to catch game from time to time made him extremely sour. Besides hunting, what other skills does he have?
Lin Yitang didn't say anything, merely watching the two people walking side by side in the distance.
Qin Du still rarely spoke, and his expression was as calm as ever, but his gaze lingered on Ji Zhaoxi, a trace of a smile in his eyes.
Lin Yitang couldn't articulate her own feelings. She was both surprised and irritable.
Weren't the two of them on bad terms? Previously, everyone had told her that their two families had a terrible relationship.
Was it just because he saved her? Just because of such a cliché reason, all their previous estrangement suddenly vanished?
She had seen the way Ji Zhaoxi followed Chen Yiping to scold Qin Du, and she had also seen Qin Du and Ji Zhaoxi run into each other, looking at one another with mutual disgust. These scenes were so deeply etched in her memory.
Early the next morning, Ji Zhaoxi followed Ji Zhuxin to deliver pickled vegetables to the village chief's house.
Zhaoxi, go play with Yiping for a while, I'll come over in a bit.
Whenever this happened, Ji Zhaoxi knew her sister was going to talk about those secrets with the village chief's wife again.
Chen Yiping was bundled up tightly. He had a large fur collar around his neck, looking very warm and cozy.
He glanced at her, his voice a bit hoarse. You're taking the college entrance exam too?
Ji Zhaoxi nodded.
Chen Yiping gave a sound of acknowledgment and said no more.
He had changed a lot from before. His desk was covered with papers full of his calculations, his textbooks were all newly printed, and there were old teaching plans from who-knows-where sitting next to them.
After a long time, the cheerful laughter of Ji Zhuxin and the village chief's wife finally rang out outside. Ji Zhaoxi knew she would be leaving soon.
Just as she stood up, Chen Yiping suddenly spoke up. If you need any study materials in the future, you can come get them from me.
He looked at Ji Zhaoxi. Also, Li Ergou and Lin Jun, ask them if they're taking the exam. If they are, I can lend materials to them too.
Ji Zhaoxi looked at him in surprise. Does your dad agree?
Chen Yiping rolled his eyes at her. Nonsense, I'll just give them to you secretly, won't I?
Why did he ever take such a stupid girl as his underling in the first place?
Sure enough, a short while later, Ji Zhuxin called for Ji Zhaoxi from outside to go home.
As soon as Ji Zhaoxi went out, the village chief's wife happily stuffed a few fruits into her arms. Have a taste. Yiping's older brother brought these back from outside.
Ji Zhuxin repeatedly tried to stop her. No, no, you give her so many things every time we come over.
Oh my, she's just a child. We don't really like eating these anyway, let the little sister have them.
When leaving the village chief's house, Ji Zhaoxi glanced back. There was a storm lantern on Chen Yiping's desk, much brighter than the kerosene lamp at her house. In the future, when she had money, she also wanted to use a storm lantern to read.
Ji Zhuxin parted ways with Ji Zhaoxi halfway home. Ji Zhuxin had to go lend money to people in the village.
After the restoration of the college entrance examination was announced, even more people sought her out.
On the way, Ji Zhaoxi also ran into Educated Youth Xie.
Saying she ran into him might not be entirely accurate, because Educated Youth Xie was specifically waiting for her here, holding a few books in his hands.
He stood stammering in front of Ji Zhaoxi, Zhaoxi, I heard you're preparing for the college entrance exam. Do you want some books?
Ji Zhaoxi took a look at the books in his hands. She already had them at home, so she shook her head.
Educated Youth Xie rubbed his hands together and smiled at her. We have a study group in the educated youth compound. How about you study together with us? We can all teach you.
This actually caught Ji Zhaoxi's interest.
Then can Brother Qin Du go together with me?
Educated Youth Xie's expression stiffened for a moment. That wouldn't be good, would it? His class background...
Oh. Ji Zhaoxi lowered her head. Then I won't go either.
Educated Youth Xie gritted his teeth. It's not entirely impossible. If he really wants to go, he can come too.
Studying together is more efficient. If you want to learn English, my English is decent, and Lin Yitang's English is very good too. We can both teach you.
Ji Zhaoxi listened earnestly, somewhat tempted.
Educated Youth Xie looked at Ji Zhaoxi nervously.
She seemed to have matured a bit more. Her face was as small as a palm, her eyes clear and always seeming to shimmer with moisture, making her look even more radiant than before.
Ji Zhaoxi thought for a moment. Then I'll go ask him right now. If he goes, I'll go.
Educated Youth Xie choked on his words, feeling somewhat indignant. Zhaoxi, why do you have to listen to him? If you want to go, just go. You can't let yourself be controlled by him.
Just then, a voice suddenly drifted over.
Xixi, come home for dinner.
Educated Youth Xie looked over. Qin Du was standing at the doorway, his expression serene yet aloof, his gaze quietly sweeping over the people beside Ji Zhaoxi.
Educated Youth Xie clenched his fists tightly.
Just what kind of look was that?
