Chapter 47: Can You Stay Away From Me?

Watching Xu Lin’s perfunctory response, the group of young educated youth were speechless—she couldn’t even be bothered to pretend. Then, seeing Su Liang’s impotent rage, several of the young men felt their faces burn with shame. To be beaten by a woman—how humiliating for a man. Su Liang was seething, yet completely helpless before Xu Lin, which finally let Hu Changming vent his pent-up anger.

Not wanting things to escalate further, Hu Changming hurried forward to mediate. “Comrade Xu, please stop. We’re all comrades in the revolution—violence is not acceptable among us.” He said the words, but if Xu Lin hadn’t caught that sly curve at the corner of his mouth, she might have believed him. It was only her first day at the youth commune; she hadn’t planned to finish anyone off just yet—best to save that for later.

She withdrew her small foot and stepped aside, explaining offhandedly, “It wasn’t my idea to start a fight—Comrade Su was the one looking for trouble. That bench nearly hit me. Am I not allowed to defend myself? How could I know the bench would suddenly grow eyes and hit the one who mistreated it?”

Qin Fang, tears of pain streaming down her cheeks, nearly choked with rage at that explanation. What did she mean, the bench ‘grew eyes and hit the one who abused it’? How could she, a living person, mistreat a bench? Wiping her tears, her eyes red, Qin Fang croaked, “Comrade Xu, I know you have a problem with me.”

“Oh, you know a lot, don’t you? Since you know I don’t like you, why not keep your distance? Don’t hover around me for no reason—I find it disgusting.” Xu Lin fixed her with a serious, unwavering gaze, emphasizing, “Really disgusting. Could you please stay far away from me?”

Xu Lin’s undisguised contempt only fueled the gossip among the other youths, their curiosity prickling like cats’ claws. Hu Changming, who harbored feelings for Qin Fang, darkened at Xu Lin’s blunt words. He said, “Comrade Xu, that was hurtful.”

“Oh? What’s wrong, Captain Hu, do you have an opinion? Even if you do, it’s none of your business. She already has a boyfriend,” Xu Lin gestured to Su Liang, “See, her boyfriend’s still breathing over there. It’s not your place to intervene.”

“Comrade Xu, must you always speak so harshly?” Hu Changming, flustered at having his feelings called out, raised his voice, pointing at Xu Lin. “Comrade Xu, I’m speaking to you seriously. I hope you won’t disrupt the harmony of the youth commune.”

“Oh my, I must be really powerful if I alone can destroy the harmony of the entire youth commune. I had no idea I was so capable.” Xu Lin raised a foot and kicked Hu Changming’s pointing finger aside, her expression cooling as she said mildly, “Don’t try to pin labels on me. I’m not buying it.

“I came to the countryside to support rural development, not to watch you clown around. Whatever you’re thinking is your own business. As long as you keep it away from me, I’ll pretend I don’t see it. But if you bring it before me, don’t blame me for skinning you alive.”

Her eyes, brimming with menace, made cold sweat bead on Hu Changming’s brow, snuffing out his anger in an instant. He suddenly realized Xu Lin was not someone easily controlled. Clutching his nearly dislocated finger, he glared at her, but his look held no threat—after traversing a thousand worlds, Xu Lin had seen her share of people. Someone like Hu Changming wasn’t even worthy of being called cannon fodder; she rolled her eyes at him with theatrical disdain.

Humiliated, Hu Changming ground his teeth, about to retort, but Han Hong stepped in to smooth things over. Placing himself in front of Hu Changming, he said, “All right, Captain, let it go. That’s a matter between those three—doesn’t really concern the commune. Besides, none of us know the details; let them sort it out themselves. It’s our first day here, we haven’t even introduced ourselves. Once we’re done, I’ll add a pound of smoked pork to spice up dinner.”

“I’ll bring a can of pork,” Zhang Qiang chimed in cheerfully, giving Hu Changming no room to object. With promises of pork and canned meat, the young people—starved for a good meal—lit up, caring little for Hu Changming’s simmering anger. They cared even less about Qin Fang’s pain or Su Liang’s swollen face—none of that compared to the aroma of meat.

Xu Lin was grateful for Han Hong and Zhang Qiang’s timely intervention. She smiled and said, “I’ll contribute a piece of ham.”

At the mention of ham, the others’ eyes sparkled even brighter. There was nothing more urgent than getting acquainted and then cooking a hearty meal.

Qian Li stepped forward and addressed the group with a smile, “Allow me to introduce myself first—I’m Qian Li, from Heishi.”

“I’m Wu Siyu, from Lu City.”

“I’m Fu Yaqin, from Huacheng.”

With these three leading the way, the others followed suit, and Xu Lin matched their names and faces as they introduced themselves.

Wu Siyu was a delicate, well-dressed girl, her round face lending her a particular charm.

Fu Yaqin, though short and dark, was still better looking and sturdier than Xu Lin herself, who was both dark and thin by comparison. The other four girls in the dormitory were Zhao Qing, Zhao Nan, Chen Zhaodi, and Liu Pandi. Zhao Qing and Zhao Nan were sisters from the capital, beautiful with double eyelids, though both wore thick bangs and kept their heads lowered, avoiding eye contact, which made them seem withdrawn and hid their looks.

Chen Zhaodi and Liu Pandi were from Xiang Province—just their names revealed their lack of favor at home. Their clothes were patched all over, even more worn than those of local villagers.

Xu Lin didn’t look down on them for their poverty; she treated everyone equally—except her enemies.

The four young men sharing the dormitory were Wu Qi, Zhou Chen, Ning Xiaodong, and Fang Lu. Wu Qi, nearsighted, had a habit of pushing up his glasses when he spoke. Zhou Chen liked to squint and survey his surroundings, especially when looking at the girls, a calculating glint often flashing in his eyes.

Ning Xiaodong was a withdrawn type. After stating his name, he retreated to a corner—if he kept quiet, you’d think he was invisible. Fang Lu was painfully self-conscious, staring at his toes as he spoke; if he didn’t call your name, you’d have no idea who he was addressing.

Du Yong, who shared a room with Hu Changming, was twenty-seven years old and had been in the countryside longer than Hu Changming—eight years now. Years of hard labor had aged him, erasing any trace of the city youth he once was.

Yet after eight years, he still hadn’t married a local woman—something Xu Lin admired, knowing how many young people couldn’t bear the loneliness and ended up marrying villagers or pairing off with fellow educated youth. Few managed to remain single.

The last two young men were Huang Zishu and Lin Zihao, cousins sharing a room. Despite their blood relation, they looked nothing alike and had entirely different personalities.