Free Web NovelChapter 461: Chapter 461: A Bowl of Green Tea
"I am Zhang Mengdi." Zhang Mengdi didn’t elaborate much on her introduction. She was now aware that Jing City was not comparable to her hometown. The most immediate and clear realization came from witnessing a girl being bullied.
Jing City, even though it can’t be compared to her hometown, still has similar women who can curse out any filth, but they are even more cunning.
In her hometown, except for using a few straightforward terms that could apply to anyone, ordinary women didn’t have stronger words. But Jing City was different. People here would not only hurt you with their words but also make it sting emotionally, stabbing right at the heart.
After all, Zhang Mengdi had been married, had a child, and even remarried and lost a child. She wasn’t a good woman; she didn’t feel much before, but now she had a goal. She wanted to stay in Jing City, work here, and she also had someone she cared about.
Zhang Mengdi hardly talked with the male classmates from the Foreign Language University’s language department. Sometimes she would exchange a few words to keep the atmosphere from going cold and did so with considerable grace and tact. Zhang Yaen was somewhat surprised by her but more pleased. Zhang Mengdi was indeed becoming better; in front of her partner, her roommates and classmates had shown great support, which made her very proud.
Of course, there were also those who found mutual attraction. Yu Jianfeng constantly followed Wang Ruohua around. When she washed vegetables, he followed; when she added coal, he helped carry the pot. Whenever the dishes were ready, Yu Jianfeng would sneakily push them toward Wang Ruohua. Serving food right at the first meeting seemed a bit frivolous, but this approach not only expressed his interest but also made him appear gentlemanly.
Yu Jianfeng was good-looking and spoke humorously, and Wang Ruohua blushingly reciprocated. People of this era were still innocent and simple, not boisterous, rather providing reasonable personal space.
After lunch, those who came looking for relationships had already arranged to go hiking. Yi Roujing and the other married folks sat under the shade, eating fruit and exchanging opinions.
"I think that Shen Xunteng is not bad," Yu Cuiyu, as the eldest sister, was the first to voice her opinion, "He seems very attentive to Yaen. I noticed that it was Shen Xunteng who washed Yaen’s lunch box after the meal. Not only that, but he also brought dried apricots."
As she spoke, Yu Cuiyu casually took one and stuffed it into her mouth, "Yaen’s favorite snack is dried apricots."
"Yeah, I think so too," Ren Xuejuan nodded in agreement after swallowing an apple in her mouth, "And he seems quite simple. His ears were red today. My mom always said that guys like that are the ones who cherish people."
"Pfft—" Gong Jue’e sprayed the water in her mouth, "Xuejuan, where did you hear that from?"
"By the way, what’s up with you? Someone invited you, and you refused," Ren Xuejuan looked at Gong Jue’e with disapproval.
"I find any of them suitable," Gong Jue’e replied straightforwardly. "From what I could see, Shen Xunteng’s classmates probably come from families with good conditions. They might not have cooked before, judging by their approach. Today might have been their first encounter. Kids raised like that won’t fancy a country girl like me, will they?"
"Ruohua matches well with them," Gong Jue’e continued. "Someone like me should look for someone whose family’s conditions are similar but is ambitious. Given that I study at Jing University, I should be able to find a college student as a match. Together we’ll strive forward and hope our kids won’t have to worry about daily necessities."
"Ju’e, your thoughts are really convincing," Ren Xuejuan was persuaded.
Yi Roujing also showed approval.
Even Zhang Mengdi watched Gong Jue’e seriously, pondering her words. Perhaps she should also find a well-matched partner.
"Meijuan, some people, relying on their appearance, like to put on airs. Unlike you, who looks good and is still approachable."
"Hui, don’t say that. Maybe they just didn’t see anyone they were interested in."
The two women walked together to where Yi Roujing and the others were sitting. If these words were said while walking, they wouldn’t mean much. But these two stopped right beside them and said it, their eyes shifting toward Yi Roujing.
"Who does she think she is, not being interested in anyone? Why even come? Should have stayed at school studying. I heard medical students have to dissect small animals and later human bodies, which is so scary. Medical girls will have a hard time finding partners; they might end up as old maids."
"Hui, stop it, we..."
"Hey, Xing Yazhong, you all came back so soon. We have some mung bean cakes Meijuan made this morning. Want to come over and try?" The woman who spoke harshly immediately changed her tone upon seeing Xing Yazhong and the group coming down.
"No, we have some mung bean cakes here too," Xing Yazhong declined without hesitation. They had also been lucky to try the lunchboxes and cakes Li Hongying made for Yi Roujing, and Xing Yazhong could say it was the best mung bean cake he’d ever tasted. He didn’t believe Shao Meijuan could do better.
"So annoying," Liu Aihui glared at Yi Roujing and muttered.
"She’s beautiful and kind-hearted," Yu Jianfeng immediately echoed Xing Yazhong. His loud voice effectively covered Liu Aihui’s.
"Can we sit here for a while?" Liu Aihui asked Xing Yazhong. "We want to chat with the Jing University Medical Department students."
"You’ll have to ask Yi Roujing and her friends. We’re just here enjoying their hospitality. All these were brought from her home," Xing Yazhong, being polite, didn’t presume to decide.
"I don’t mind, I’m just afraid you might feel embarrassed, especially those who only care about appearances. Sitting next to me might leave you overshadowed, and you might feel upset in your heart," Yi Roujing replied with a serious and earnest look.
Hearing Yi Roujing’s words made Yu Cuiyu and the others snicker quietly, while Xing Yazhong’s group looked a bit surprised. However, Shao Meijuan and Liu Aihui’s faces immediately changed, with the former turning pale and the latter turning red with anger.
"You, you... you’re shameless."
"How could I not want a face as pretty as this?" Yi Roujing retorted smoothly, "Who would want a face like yours full of pockmarks?"
Liu Aihui had some childhood scars from measles, and even though she covered them with powder, they were still noticeable upon closer inspection. Yi Roujing’s words hit her deeply.
"You’re, you’re so mean," Liu Aihui, on the verge of tears from anger, turned and ran away.
Shao Meijuan looked disappointedly at Yi Roujing, "How could you salt someone’s wound? Such a waste of your good looks."
"Speaking the truth is better than some people making baseless assumptions and talking nonsense," Yi Roujing thought between Liu Aihui and Shao Meijuan, the latter was more annoying, a classic case of a green tea girl.
