【Dislike Points +1】
"Be careful with that! There are valuable things inside."
Jiang Shuyi was distressed—the bag contained canned goods and malted milk powder. What if they got damaged?
"I'm sorry, Sister Jiang. It's all my fault for being so clumsy. I only made things worse."
Shen Nanchu's beautiful eyes reddened, making her look like a wronged little rabbit.
Many passengers couldn't help but feel sympathetic.
"Comrade, the young lady didn’t mean to."
"Yeah, she was just trying to help."
"Instead of thanking her, you scolded her. That’s really unfair."
...
【Dislike Points +2】
Jiang Shuyi’s expression darkened.
"I never asked her to carry it. She insisted—how is that my fault?"
Daring to talk back?
Shen Nanchu lowered her head, her shoulders trembling slightly as if she were quietly sobbing.
A beautiful woman in tears only made her more pitiable.
The sense of justice among the passengers in this era was strong.
"Comrade, your attitude is the problem here!"
"Exactly, no gratitude at all."
"Looks decent but acts disgracefully."
【Dislike Points +5】
【Dislike Points +10】
【Dislike Points +15】
...
Wang Xiumei shot Jiang Shuyi a glare.
"Let’s go, Sister Shen! We’ll miss the bus back to town."
Shen Nanchu knew when to stop. She obediently followed Wang Xiumei.
Jiang Shuyi ignored the passengers’ murmurs and hurried after them with her luggage.
Behind them, Li Mei, Fang Jie, Song Qingyang, and Su Jianzhou had witnessed the entire scene.
Li Mei’s eyes were full of disdain. If Jiang Shuyi couldn’t even handle one piece of luggage, she’d surely be a burden in the village, earning negative work points.
Song Qingyang, however, was utterly enchanted by Shen Nanchu—every expression of hers was mesmerizing. He had nearly stepped in to defend her.
Fang Jie felt a pang of bitterness seeing the way Song Qingyang gazed at Shen Nanchu.
Su Jianzhou, who had been silent and almost invisible, couldn’t help but click his tongue. He found this female comrade terrifying—wherever she went, conflict followed.
The journey from Yongxiu County to Ning'an Town took about three hours.
The midday bus transfer was tight, but thanks to Wang Xiumei’s quick actions, they managed to snag the last two seated tickets—even if they were in the very back row.
Jiang Shuyi, Song Qingyang, and the others weren’t as lucky—they had to stand the whole way.
As soon as Shen Nanchu settled into her seat, the bus started moving.
Lunch had to be eaten on the road.
Shen Nanchu discreetly retrieved meat buns from her luggage—originally stored in her space. Though cold, the moment she unwrapped the oiled paper, the rich aroma filled the cramped bus.
She handed two buns to Wang Xiumei.
"Sister Wang, let’s have two each to tide us over."
The plump, white buns rested on the yellow paper, their savory scent irresistible even from a distance.
Wang Xiumei swallowed hard—after all the rushing, she was starving.
"Sister Shen, you should eat them. I’m not hungry!"
Gurgle~~~
Her stomach betrayed her with a loud growl.
"Sister Wang, just take them. Otherwise, who’ll help me carry my luggage up the mountain later?"
That settled it. Wang Xiumei’s hesitation vanished.
"Alright! Once we reach town, I’ll keep helping you."
The buns lived up to their reputation as the state-run restaurant’s specialty.
Juicy, meaty, with a soft, slightly sweet dough—Shen Nanchu took a satisfying bite.
Wang Xiumei had never tasted anything so delicious. She savored every morsel, reluctant to swallow.
【Dislike Points +3】
Jiang Shuyi waited... and waited. But Shen Nanchu never offered her a bun.
Infuriating!
Stingy!
【Dislike Points +2】
【Dislike Points +1】
Seeing Jiang Shuyi fuming, Shen Nanchu was thrilled.
She had done it on purpose.
The buns were hefty—each the size of an adult’s fist.
One was enough to fill Shen Nanchu.
"Sister Wang, you can have the last one."
"No, two are plenty."
Wang Xiumei had already eaten two—she couldn’t possibly take another.
"But I’m full."
Shen Nanchu patted her slightly rounded stomach for emphasis.
"These were from the train. If we don’t eat them now, they’ll go bad."
"Alright then."
With that reasoning, Wang Xiumei accepted.
She silently vowed to look after Shen Nanchu once they reached Wang Family Village.
Unbeknownst to Shen Nanchu, her generosity had just secured her a powerful ally.
Full and drowsy, Shen Nanchu dozed off—she always napped after lunch.
The bus’s gentle rocking lulled her to sleep.
Wang Xiumei even offered her shoulder to keep Shen Nanchu from bumping against the window.
Well-fed, well-rested.
The contrast was stark.
Jiang Shuyi, Song Qingyang, and the others burned with envy.
【Dislike Points +5】
【Dislike Points +4】
【Dislike Points +3】
The sweet chime of dislike points in her dreams made Shen Nanchu sleep even more soundly.
...
By the time they reached Ning'an Town, it was past 4 p.m.
Wang Family Village was still two hours away on foot—they had to hurry before dark made the mountain path treacherous.
As soon as Wang Xiumei and Shen Nanchu stepped out of the bus station, they spotted an oxcart by the roadside.
Beside it squatted Wang Mazi, a man in his forties from Wang Family Village.
Originally named Wang Fugui, he’d been left with pockmarked scars from childhood smallpox, earning him the nickname "Wang Mazi."
His job was tending and driving the village oxen.
The village chief had sent him to fetch the returning educated youths.
"Uncle Wang, perfect timing!"
Wang Xiumei happily loaded their luggage onto the cart.
"Xiumei, back from visiting your uncle in the city?"
Wang Mazi took a drag from his pipe and smiled.
A familiar face? Even better.
Shen Nanchu pulled out a handful of White Rabbit candies and offered them.
"Uncle, I’m the new educated youth, Shen Nanchu. These are for you—a little sweetness for your trouble."
"Much obliged!"
Wang Mazi pocketed them without hesitation—his kids had been craving sweets.
"Hop on, you two."
Just as they settled in, Jiang Shuyi, Song Qingyang, and the others emerged.
Li Mei scowled at the small cart.
"How are we all supposed to fit on that?"
Wang Mazi tapped his pipe.
"With all your luggage, you’re lucky the ox can pull it at all. Riding? Forget it."
Li Mei pointed accusingly at Shen Nanchu and Wang Xiumei.
"Then why do they get to sit?"
Wang Mazi barely glanced up.
"There are only two seats available—first come, first served."
……
