The 60s Island: The Daily Life of a Capitalist Young Lady with the Army - Chapter 102: Almost Drove Her Mad with Rage!

Chapter 102: Almost Drove Her Mad with Rage!

She had long noticed Xie Chengjun’s faint, ambiguous interest in her.

But now, this blockhead’s reaction was almost driving her mad with rage!

Just as she was nearly crushing the enamel cup in her hand, that infuriating figure unexpectedly turned back.

Not only that, he was steadily holding an aluminum lunchbox.

The lunchbox was warm, and as he approached, the aroma of food forcefully wafted into Xu Jingjing’s nostrils.

Xie Chengjun handed the lunchbox to her, his tall frame blocking the howling cold wind.

“I just got this from the dining car. Have some while it’s hot.”

Xu Jingjing’s heart leaped violently, almost jumping out of her throat.

Success!

She was overjoyed inside, but on the surface, she put on the appearance of a frightened rabbit, stepping back abruptly and waving her hands repeatedly.

“No, no, I can’t accept it!”

Her voice was low and weak, with a slight tremble, as if she was genuinely startled by his gesture.

Xie Chengjun was taken aback, furrowing his brows in confusion. “Why not? Weren’t you hungry?”

Xu Jingjing quickly lowered her head, biting her lip hard, her eyes reddening instantly.

“Comrade Xie Chengjun, I… how could I possibly accept your things?”

“I came to the countryside in place of my stepsister in such a hurry that I didn’t bring much money or ration coupons with me. I… I have no way to repay you.”

Her words were sincere and heartfelt, perfectly portraying the image of a kind, sensible girl who sacrificed for her family yet possessed strong self-respect.

Sure enough, Xie Chengjun’s admiration for her grew even stronger as he watched her like this.

He had known all along that she wasn’t the type of girl who would take advantage of others.

“What kind of talk is that?” Xie Chengjun’s voice unconsciously softened, carrying a comforting tone. “There’s no need for repayment. We’ll be comrades in the same production team from now on. Shouldn’t we help each other? Consider it my treat.”

Xu Jingjing almost laughed aloud inwardly, but on the surface, she shook her head like a rattle-drum.

“No, that absolutely won’t do!”

She raised her head, her watery almond-shaped eyes staring stubbornly at him, filled with determination and principle.

“We’re not related in any way. I can’t accept favors from others for no reason.”

“Comrade Xie Chengjun, I appreciate your kindness, but I really can’t take this meal.”

Looking at her stubborn, red-rimmed eyes, Xie Chengjun felt his heart overflowing with pity.

As a young master who grew up in a Beijing compound, he had never encountered a girl who was so self-respecting yet in such difficult circumstances.

He scratched his head and suddenly had an idea. “Comrade Xu Jingjing, don’t refuse so quickly.”

Xie Chengjun’s voice became even softer, as if afraid of startling her.

“I heard that when we get to the countryside, we educated youth will have to cook for ourselves at the settlement.”

He smiled somewhat sheepishly, revealing a set of white teeth. “To be honest, I’ve never stepped into a kitchen since I was little. I don’t even know how to start a fire.”

At these words, the calculating flame in Xu Jingjing’s heart instantly shot up high.

This was like receiving a pillow when drowsy—exactly what she needed!

Xie Chengjun looked at her, his expression utterly sincere.

“How about this? Consider this meal as a loan from me. When we arrive, since you’re good at cooking, you can help me prepare a few meals to repay me.”

Afraid she might refuse, he quickly added another sentence.

“So this counts as a fair exchange, right? Not you taking advantage of me for free.”

The little voice in Xu Jingjing’s head was already rolling on the ground with laughter.

This was exactly what she wanted!

This wasn’t just returning a meal – it was giving her a legitimate reason to get close to him!

On the surface, however, she hesitated for a long time, biting her lower lip tightly as if making an extremely difficult decision.

After what seemed like ages, she finally nodded slightly as if having made a tremendous resolution: “Then… then I’ll trouble you, Comrade Xie Chengjun.”

She extended a slightly trembling hand and accepted the still-warm aluminum lunch box.

Seeing her finally accept it, Xie Chengjun let out a long sigh of relief, his face showing undisguised joy.

His tall figure remained standing there, his gaze burning as he looked at her.

Xu Jingjing felt her cheeks grow warm under his stare. Clutching the lunch box, she shrank back further.

“Don’t… don’t keep staring at me,” her voice was as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, her head almost buried in her chest.

Only then did Xie Chengjun realize that staring at a female comrade while she ate was indeed improper.

His ears turned red as he quickly waved his hands.

“Ah, right, right, look at me, so rude.”

“Then you eat quickly. I’ll return to my seat over there.”

He pointed toward the other end of the carriage.

“After you finish, you can return the lunch box directly to the chef in the dining car.”

Having said that, he turned and strode away, his retreating back radiating an embarrassed flee.

Only when his figure completely disappeared at the carriage connection did the shyness and fragility on Xu Jingjing’s face instantly vanish completely.

She quickly opened the lunch box.

A layer of glistening braised pork in brown sauce lay over white rice, accompanied by several green vegetables.

The aroma of meat mixed with rice aggressively invaded her nostrils, making her stomach growl fiercely.

How could she still care about manners?

Grabbing her chopsticks, she devoured the food like someone who had been starving for eight lifetimes, sweeping through the lunch box like a whirlwind.

The large box of food was completely finished in less than five minutes, with even the last drop of oily sauce scraped clean using the remaining rice.

“Burp—”

Xu Jingjing let out a satisfied belch, finally feeling like she had come back to life.

She leisurely wiped her mouth with her sleeve, carefully cleaned the lunch box, and then got up to go to the dining car.

After returning the lunch box, she wandered around the carriage for a while to aid digestion before casually making her way back to her seat as if nothing had happened.

As soon as she sat down, she met Xie Chengjun’s inquiring gaze.

Xu Jingjing immediately lowered her eyelids, casting him a look mingled with gratitude and shyness.

Everything was understood without words.

The train clattered and swayed for another day and night before finally stopping at Qingping County station.

The educated youth poured out of the train with their large and small bags, led by a dark, thin man holding a “Red Star Brigade” sign, and climbed onto a dilapidated Liberation-brand truck.

After a bumpy ride, the truck finally stopped outside a brigade office.

The brigade secretary held a name list and began assigning people.

“Li Weiguo, Wang Xiulan, you’ll go to Red Flag Village.”

“Zhao Tiezhu, you’ll go to Battle Village.”

Xu Jingjing’s heart rose to her throat, her eyes fixed intently on Xie Chengjun, afraid to miss a single word.

“Xie Chengjun,” the secretary called out, “you’ll go to Peaceful Village.”

Xu Jingjing didn’t hesitate for a moment, immediately engraving the words “Peaceful Village” in her heart.

Next, it was her turn.

She clenched her fists tightly, her goal clear—wherever Xie Chengjun went, she would follow!

“Xu Jingjing will also go to Peaceful Village.”

Done!

Xu Jingjing nearly laughed out loud.