Chapter 42 Did You Trip Me on Purpose?

A young girl carrying so much money on her person was far from normal; what was even stranger was that her hands were rough, her figure thin and frail, bearing all the signs of malnutrition. No matter how you looked at her, she did not seem like someone from a wealthy family. And yet, here she was, arriving in the countryside with a few thousand yuan—something that puzzled him the entire trip, no matter how much he thought about it.

"My name is Lin Xu. I come from the capital, and I am sixteen years old," Lin Xu said, then turned to Hu Changming and asked, "Where will we be staying?"

"You’ll all be in the Youth Residence. The houses you’ll stay in are the row of single rooms—men on the left, women on the right. Let me take you to see the women’s side first." As Hu Changming spoke, he picked up one of Qin Fang’s bundles and led the way toward the row of single rooms for the girls.

The Youth Residence was large, divided into three sections: a communal dormitory area with three big rooms, a kitchen, and a firewood shed; then the men’s and women’s single rooms. The three areas were separated by fences, with a path down the middle, the boundaries clearly marked.

There were two single rooms left in the women’s section, just enough for Lin Xu and Qin Fang to have one each. Had they arrived before the New Year, there wouldn’t have been so many available. Hu Changming explained that a girl who’d been short on money had recently moved from a single room into the communal dormitory. If they too found themselves strapped for cash, they could also move into the dormitory—it cost nothing, though the living conditions were poor. Crammed together, it was tolerable in winter, but suffocating in summer. Especially the men’s dormitory—the smell was indescribable.

Through Hu Changming’s explanations, Lin Xu learned there were five single rooms for women, three of which were rented out to Qian Li, Wu Siyu, and Fu Yaqin. Each lived alone and cooked for herself. If Lin Xu and her group didn’t want to share meals, they could cook on their own. The team leader had considered this when building the houses, so each single room was spacious enough to partition off a front area for resting, cooking, eating, and entertaining guests.

On the men’s side, two single rooms had been rented, each shared by two. Hu Changming’s roommate was his fellow townsman, Du Yong. The other room was rented by Huang Zishu and Lin Zihao, who were cousins. They kept to themselves, rarely interacting with the other youths, living quietly as their own little unit.

Hu Changming also suggested that if Han Hong and his companion were short on money, they could share a room—halving the rent and firewood needed. In winter, collecting firewood was no small matter.

Each single room had a small shed next to it, built by the team as a firewood shelter. The latrine was in the northwest corner of the compound, a little way from the living quarters, but at least the smell was less pungent—a blessing in itself.

Though Hu Changming had been embarrassed by Su Liang earlier, he bore no grudge and explained everything thoroughly.

"Pick whichever of these two rooms you like. They’re the same layout and size," Hu Changming said, pointing at one. "This one was previously lived in, so it’s relatively cleaner."

Qin Fang, upon hearing it was somewhat cleaner, immediately said, "Then I'll take this one," and, in a syrupy tone, turned to Lin Xu, "Sister—no, Comrade Xu, you don't mind, do you?"

Before Lin Xu could reply, Su Liang cut in, "It’s not like she owns the place. Why ask her? Even if she minded, she'd have to hold it in." His domineering declaration made Lin Xu raise her brow. Well now, it seemed they took her for a toothless tiger.

Hold it in? That was like a toad opening its mouth too wide. Not a chance. Lin Xu glanced lazily at Su Liang, her tone mocking: "If you can’t speak properly, just keep quiet. The more you say, the more you reveal the alarming lack of capacity in your brain. What if people start thinking you’re an idiot? You’re already plain-looking—throw in a fool’s brain, and only a simpleton would fancy you. Tsk tsk, if you can’t find a wife, your parents will be so regretful, and won't they just hate those zombies that ate your brain? Poor zombies can’t even defend themselves, can they? Can they say, ‘We looked inside your skull and left, disappointed’?"

At this last line, her eyes were so earnest that Su Liang began doubting himself, feeling a trace of guilt toward the zombies—had he let them down?

Pfft! Han Hong and Zhang Qiang turned away, desperately stifling their laughter but unable to hold back. It really was too funny, especially with Su Liang’s dumbfounded expression—he couldn’t have looked more comical.

Qin Fang’s eyes reddened with anger. She’d always thought Su Liang seemed imposing, but now he really did look a bit dim. Had someone just lowered his IQ?

"You—!" Su Liang finally snapped out of it, pointing at Lin Xu, about to retort, but she didn’t give him the chance. She turned away, presenting him with the back of her head and, carrying her two large bags, entered the empty room by the corner—the one that had never been lived in.

As if she’d want to stay where someone else had been. An unused room was better, even if it meant a bit of cleaning—no trouble at all.

With a crisp bang, Lin Xu shut the door, stowed her luggage in her space, and took out paper and brush to draw a charm. She didn’t draw in the air because it consumed too much energy; unless necessary, she preferred to save her strength. Once she cast the cleansing charm, the room became spotless.

Only then did Lin Xu take out her bundles, place them on the floor, and, with a porcelain basin and hemp cloth, made a show of cleaning.

Meanwhile, Qin Fang entered her own room. Luck was not on her side—she tripped over the threshold and fell flat on her face. Su Liang, seeing this, rushed to help, only to trip as well, landing directly on top of Qin Fang and banging his mouth against the back of her head. The pain needed no description; Qin Fang’s eyes streamed with tears, and Han Hong and Zhang Qiang were stunned.

They had already witnessed Su Liang and Qin Fang’s tendency to fall over nothing, and here they were, tripping again as soon as they arrived. Best to keep their distance in the future—who knew if they’d get blamed next time? As long as they stayed far enough away, they couldn’t get dragged into it.

Just as this thought crossed their minds, Su Liang abruptly glared at Hu Changming, baring his teeth like an angry little leopard, and demanded, "Did you trip me on purpose?"

Hu Changming: …ヽ(≧□≦)ノ

"I didn’t! It wasn’t me! Don’t accuse me," Hu Changming protested, waving his hands in innocence, further convinced that Su Liang had it in for him. This guy had connections—he’d have to be on guard and not let himself get dragged down.

To prove his innocence, Hu Changming quickly pulled Han Hong and Zhang Qiang over as witnesses.