Chapter 115: Six Groups Sharing Two Stoves

Han Li had overheard their conversation while washing his face. Once finished, he sat down and picked up the thread of the discussion.

Since the construction details were all out in the open, there was no reason for him to hide anything. Besides, it seemed these two had primarily come over to pay their respects and leave a good impression. Consequently, Han Li was quite thorough, and even then, he finished explaining everything quickly.

He then engaged them in conversation about the local customs and the current situation at the educated youth dormitory. Things had become quite lively there; the veteran educated youths had split into two groups for meals. However, the cooking pot had been purchased collectively by the veterans, who had stated from the start that they wouldn't lend it to the newcomers indefinitely. When Mai Weiguo complained about this, the veterans shut him down, going so far as to refuse to lend them the pot or even firewood for more than two days.

This forced the newcomers to discuss buying their own pot and cooking together. Perhaps due to the aggressive behavior of Mai Weiguo and Xiong Xianjin, the group of seven splintered into four factions. Zhang Xiangjun and Wu Lili, planning to build their own house, decided to buy their own pot. Qi Ruying and Yuan Hongying paired up; they couldn't afford an iron pot, so they preferred buying an earthen one over joining Mai Weiguo. The latter two, panicking because they only knew how to make thin gruel and didn't want to live on it forever, scrambled to recruit Zhou Guoan, who was skilled at everything, promising to cover the cost of the pot if he did the cooking. Thus, the seven were successfully divided into four cooking groups.

By the time Han Li finished recounting all this—including details they might not have even wanted to know—the conversation drifted into aimless chatter. He ignored the late hour and pointedly refrained from inviting them to stay for dinner. Zhang Xiangjun, possessing good social awareness, quickly took his leave. Wu Lili seemed somewhat reluctant to go, but with no excuse to linger, she eventually followed. Han Li walked them to the street gate, watching them leave before turning back home.

Through their brief interaction, Han Li felt Zhang Xiangjun was decent enough, but Wu Lili was harder to gauge. There was an indefinable "air" about her that felt strangely familiar, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

Back inside, he found Yun Yingying sitting on a small stool tending the fire, while Yun Jingjing cooked at the stove. The sisters were not only a delight to look at, but they also worked together seamlessly.

"They left?"

"Yes."

"Those two are interesting. They certainly know how to handle themselves better than the others."

Han Li replied, "Zhang Xiangjun seems alright for now, but I can't quite read Wu Lili."

Yun Jingjing rolled her eyes and said, "What's hard to understand? I've seen plenty of women like her, especially in government offices. They're a dime a dozen, though they only manage to fool mindless men like you."

Her comment immediately brought two concepts to Han Li’s mind: one was a classic green tea, and the other was a "white lotus"—pure on the surface but something else entirely underneath. Poor Han Li had only encountered such archetypes in videos; he had never dealt with one in person. No wonder he found her familiar yet couldn't place the feeling.

Either way, both were types Han Li preferred to avoid, as he doubted he was a match for them. He mentally tagged Wu Lili as someone to keep at arm's length. Whether it was due to Yun Jingjing’s upbringing or her sharp insight, Han Li felt a genuine sense of admiration for her. Yet, seeing the slightly oblivious Yun Yingying, he felt a quiet sense of satisfaction. It was better for a wife not to be too cunning, or a husband would have no peace.

Perhaps his protest to Yun Yingying had worked; after dinner that evening, Yun Jingjing left on her own, though she warned, "Little sister, you have ten minutes. If you aren't back, I'm coming to get you."

Han Li thought, *Ten minutes?* But even so, it was a start. Though the moment was fleeting, he walked Yun Yingying home afterward, taking the dogs out for a stroll as well. They kept their distance as usual, though Yun Yingying's blouse looked a little more wrinkled than before.

Once back, Han Li started a fire to heat water. He moved some firewood aside to reveal a small hidden door, then scrubbed his extra-large wooden tub and lit the charcoal stove to warm the room. After filling the tub with hot water and connecting the steam pipe from the stove, he ensured the temperature would hold. He fashioned a tree stump into a table, set out some snacks and a book, and stripped down to hop into the tub. The blissful temperature made him hum with satisfaction. Submerged up to his chin, his muscles finally relaxed. Reading a few pages and taking a sip of water, he felt a surge of happiness.

As he lay on the *kang* later, he noted three flaws in his bathroom: it was a bit small, the tub was slightly too large for one person, and he was still missing someone to scrub his back.

The next morning, before the morning star had even faded, Han Li’s internal clock roused him. He boiled water, practiced boxing, and after the bells rang, he washed and ate. He sat at the door reading, waiting for the Yun sisters; dating required a little extra effort.

Before long, he heard Yun Yingying’s bright, energetic voice: "Han Li, time to go to work!"

"Coming."

As the three reached the gate of the dormitory, they heard Mai Weiguo shouting inside: "What kind of ridiculous rule is this? Back in the city, I slept until broad daylight! It's still dark out, and even if we were working for a slave driver, we wouldn't have to get up this early! They're exploiting us; can you guys just stand for this?"

Xiong Xianjin chimed in, "Exactly, we cannot accept such unreasonable arrangements!"

Then came Sun Yong’s roar: "Shut your mouths! You’re here for re-education by the poor and lower-middle peasants. If you want to act like pampered city brats, submit your resignation and go home! Otherwise, your refusal to follow orders will go into your files, and you'll never return to the city."

"Sun Yong, we give you face because you're the team leader. Don't think you're anything special. Who are you to put things in our files?"

"I don't have that power, but if the organization ever needs testimony, I’ll be the first to stand up and report your behavior today."

"You!"

Then, Wu Lili’s voice intervened: "Everyone, please, stop. Nobody meant for this to happen. Don't blame each other. Let's just hurry to work."

At this, Yun Jingjing pulled her sister along, and Han Li followed. "Let's stay away from Wu Lili from now on," she whispered. "She’s even more annoying than Mai Weiguo." She cast a glance at Han Li, leaving him confused—did she really think he could be fooled by someone like that?

At the threshing floor, Han Li and Yun Yingying were teased by the older women. "Look at the young couple, inseparable even at work!"

"They're young, aren't they? Wait until they're married; they'll be even stickier!"

The ribald jokes sent the younger girls scurrying away, blushing—though Han Li noticed they tilted their heads to listen, their ears perked up.

Once everyone had arrived, the work assignments were made. Mai Weiguo, Xiong Xianjin, and Zhou Guoan were chosen by the First Team; Zhang Xiangjun and Yuan Hongying went to the Second; and Wu Lili and Qi Ruying were assigned to the Third.

Han Li took it easy, filling his canteen with honey water, which he shared with Yun Yingying at the edge of the field. After work, he heard the newcomers complaining, but inside his room, the atmosphere was different—the sisters were delighted to discover his hidden bathroom. After he explained its functions, they were eager to try it themselves.

By the afternoon, the dormitory was quiet; labor had silenced Mai Weiguo and Xiong Xianjin—at least for now. Han Li walked home with a light step, wondering if he might catch a glimpse of a beauty bathing tonight.