Chapter 43: Unexplained Hostility

Jiang Jinghao could not stand seeing his younger cousin apologize so "subserviently" in front of a female companion. He asked, "Jingtao, you said you had something to do just now. What is it? We already agreed to go see a movie together today; it’s not quite right to change your mind at the last minute.

Is it because of this classmate of yours? How about inviting her to come with us?"

Leng Hui observed the group. There were four men and three women; one look was enough to tell they were either accompanying a partner to a movie or were on a blind date.

She had things to attend to today and had no intention of forcing herself into their group.

Leng Hui refused directly, "No thank you, you guys go ahead and enjoy yourselves. I have things to do. Have fun."

There was no need to beat around the bush with strangers.

"This is my classmate, Leng Hui. I have to accompany her to run some errands later, so I won't be going to the movie with you all," Jiang Jingtao suddenly remembered his purpose.

Jiang Jinghao asked casually, "What errands?"

Jiang Jingtao: "A trip to Longquan'ao."

Longquan'ao was in the outskirts of the city. It was much safer for a young girl to have someone accompanying her, so Jiang Jinghao didn't say anything further after hearing this.

"Brothers, the movie is about to start. Have you finished talking? Should we head inside and wait?"

At that moment, a sweet-looking girl, clutching the two long braids on her chest with both hands, spoke up.

Her eyes curved like crescent moons when she smiled, but Leng Hui felt a trace of imperceptible hostility hidden in her gaze when she looked at her.

Don't ask how she knew.

After surviving in the apocalypse for so many years, if she couldn't distinguish hostility, her years of experience would have been for nothing.

However, Leng Hui didn't know why this girl was hostile toward her. If her memory served her right, this was their first meeting.

Previously, the two had no connection whatsoever.

Jiang Jinghao was gently tugged by his fiancée and smiled, "Alright, we'll head in first then. Jingtao, you and Leng Hui be careful out in the suburbs. Let's meet up next time."

Leng Hui gave a slight curl of her lips and waved to them.

Su Yao's lips curled up slightly as she looked up at Xiao Ye. "Brother Xiao, let's go inside quickly. The movie is about to start."

Leng Hui's gaze swept over Xiao Ye and Su Yao, her brow furrowing slightly.

Logically, she was a classmate of Jiang Jingtao and didn't know the others, yet this girl was hostile toward her. That hostility felt somewhat inexplicable.

Xiao Ye checked the time on his wrist and said with a hint of apology, "Sorry, I have something to take care of, so I won't be joining you for the movie. It's about to start, so please go in without me."

The group: "..."

Jiang Jinghao was puzzled. How did he not know Xiao Ye had something to do today?

The sweet smile on Su Yao's face froze slightly. She confirmed in disbelief, "Brother Xiao, it's rare for everyone to get together for a movie. Don't spoil the mood. How about postponing your business..."

"I really do have something to do, sorry. Oh, by the way, the movie is on me today."

As he spoke, he handed ten yuan to another man behind him and said, "Xiaojun, help me pay for the movie tickets later. Consider it my treat for everyone."

Xiaojun hesitated before taking it. "Okay, Brother... Brother Xiao."

Xiao Ye's sudden change of heart caught Leng Hui's attention. To be able to refuse an invitation from such a great beauty, this man certainly had strong willpower.

Feeling someone staring, Leng Hui turned her head and met Su Yao's aggrieved and annoyed gaze, feeling a bit bewildered.

Truly inexplicable.

What did his decision not to watch a movie have to do with her?

She was standing here behaving perfectly well without causing any trouble.

Leng Hui snorted inwardly and signaled Jiang Jingtao to hurry up and ride away.

However, not long after they started cycling, Leng Hui noticed Xiao Ye catching up from behind.

At first, she thought he was just traveling the same path for a short distance.

But as they approached the edge of the city, he was still trailing them by exactly one bike length. This was a bit suspicious.

Leng Hui patted Jiang Jingtao's back, telling him to pull over to the side of the road to rest for a moment.

To her surprise, Xiao Ye also stopped.

"Brother Xiao, where are you heading?"

Finally, Jiang Jingtao noticed Xiao Ye.

Xiao Ye parked his bicycle, took a sip from the water bottle hanging on it, and said, "I don't like movies; staying inside is stuffy and boring. Instead of wasting time, I'd rather follow you guys to Longquan'ao."

As if trying to demonstrate his value, he added, "With me following, you don't have to worry about safety. I'll definitely ensure it."

Hearing this reason, Jiang Jingtao's mouth twitched. He let out a few dry laughs; the excuse was far too forced.

Leng Hui rolled her eyes inwardly. This was a law-abiding society; who would bother robbing two young people in broad daylight?

Not only were they fast on their feet, but they didn't have much money on them either.

Jiang Jingtao stared at him suspiciously. "Brother Xiao, how come I never knew you had so much free time?"

Xiao Ye rested one hand on his bicycle seat. "If I hadn't come back, I truly wouldn't have."

The sunlight, like scattered gold, filtered through the branches above and fell upon Xiao Ye. His white shirt paired with army-green trousers was a classic look that wouldn't go out of style even in later generations.

Combined with his handsome features and upright posture, he was quite captivating.

Leng Hui hadn't attended much school during the apocalypse, but she loved reading.

In this scene, looking at the man before her, a line of poetry involuntarily came to mind: *In years past, the youth wore thin spring garments, leaning against a bridge on horseback, amidst a room full of red sleeves...*

Leng Hui looked at both sides of the road. Unfortunately, as they approached the outskirts, there were fewer young women to admire him.

Noticing Leng Hui's slight frown, Xiao Ye said, "I'm just following to clear my head. I won't interfere with your business."

The phrasing was ambiguous, causing Leng Hui to cast another glance at him.

Perhaps because people in this era were simple, Jiang Jingtao didn't think much of it. Seeing that Leng Hui didn't object, he clamored to continue the journey once they had rested enough.

The two bicycles traveled one after the other toward Longquan'ao. The path grew increasingly remote until the roads were flanked entirely by mountain forests.

After rounding a mountain, the view suddenly opened up to a scene of bustling activity. Smoke rose from the chimneys of a brick and tile kiln, and vehicles transporting bricks and tiles moved in and out.

Of course, most of those transporting the materials used ox or donkey carts, with an occasional car or tractor mixed in.

Auntie Qin's second son was commonly known as Qin Lao'er.

It was easy to find him at the brick factory. Upon learning they were the people Auntie Qin had introduced, he readily led them to the factory management.

"Bricks and tiles aren't scarce supplies, but normally you need a certificate from the neighborhood committee or the factory office to purchase them. Since my mother introduced you, I'll vouch for you, so the certificate can be waived. When you meet the manager, just say you are my neighbors."

Qin Lao'er was in his thirties. Because he had worked at the brick factory for many years, his skin was dark, and he had a weathered, mature appearance.

At first glance, Leng Hui thought he was in his forties or fifties.

"Alright, thank you, Uncle Qin."

The honest man gave a shy smile and walked over to a man who was directing workers to move bricks, saying a few words. The man nodded.

Qin Lao'er returned with a smile and said to Leng Hui, "The manager has agreed. He's sent me to take you to the finance office to issue the invoice and pay. Once you've paid, you can have them load the vehicle."

Leng Hui thanked him happily, "Thank you, Uncle Qin. Where is the finance office? We'll head there now."

Before yesterday, she thought buying bricks and tiles would be as troublesome as buying things at a supply and marketing cooperative; she hadn't expected that bricks and tiles didn't require coupons.

Qin Lao'er pointed to a row of single-story houses at the far end. "It's in that row of houses. Come, I'll lead you there."

Issuing the invoice and paying went smoothly.

Ordinary red bricks were 1.5 cents each, green bricks were 3 cents each, and the tiles were small blue tiles at 1 cent per piece.

Because red bricks were affordable, people in this era preferred using them.

Leng Hui didn't want to be eccentric, so she chose red bricks.

Three thousand red bricks and six thousand tiles cost a total of 105 yuan.

Adding the transportation fee—it cost 3 yuan for a tractor to haul one load, and since her order required two trips, the transport cost was 6 yuan.

The money she had taken from Leng Yongkang recently, plus the advance on Tang Lin's wages, plus the 60 yuan from selling the second-hand radio, totaled over 100 yuan.

After buying the bricks and tiles today, she only had 12 yuan left.

Money really didn't go far, whether in the apocalypse or now.

Once the payment was made, all that remained was loading. Since there were no loaders, they had to load the vehicle themselves.

It was during the loading process that Leng Hui felt fortunate that Jiang Jingtao and Xiao Ye had followed.

If she had been loading alone, there was no telling how long it would have taken. If it took too long, the tractor driver wouldn't want to wait, and she would have had to pay someone else to help.

Having acquaintances made things easier. Qin Lao'er called for two tractors, and with their help, the goods were loaded in less than an hour. When they arrived in the city, they helped unload as well.

After unloading, Leng Hui helped sweep out the tractor beds. After a round of thanks, she saw the two tractors off before returning to the courtyard.

Looking at the pile of red bricks and tiles, she felt full of energy, wanting to start working immediately to finish the house as soon as possible.

Jiang Jingtao surveyed the weed-choked courtyard and asked, "This is the house your unit exchanged for you? This is too much. This isn't a house; it's practically a pile of ruins. Calling this 'renovation,' I think rebuilding would be faster."

Xiao Ye looked up at the nearly completed tiling and shook his head at Jiang Jingtao's words. "Rebuilding from scratch is more troublesome. If we redo the roof, patch the walls, and build the courtyard wall now, this courtyard will be more convenient to live in than a dormitory building."

Leng Hui strongly agreed. "Brother Xiao is right. Once I finish repairing this courtyard, you'll see how useful it is. When that time comes, come over to visit, and I'll treat you to good wine and food."

"You said it! I'm holding you to that," Jiang Jingtao immediately sealed the deal, fearing Leng Hui might go back on her word.

Xiao Ye opened his water bottle and gulped down all the water before hanging it back on his bicycle. "What work needs to be done? Now that the tiles have arrived, how about we help you lay the roof tiles?"

Leng Hui waved her hand. "It's almost noon. Let's all go to the state-run restaurant for a meal."

Even an emperor wouldn't let his soldiers starve; she couldn't let them help her all morning and not provide a single meal.

"Now that you mention it, I feel like my stomach could fit an entire cow."

Jiang Jingtao rubbed his stomach. He had done nothing but physical labor all morning; normally, he wouldn't exert this much energy in an entire year.

Leng Hui clapped her hands. "Then let's go."

There was no water in the courtyard, so she couldn't even wash her hands.

Xiao Ye patted the neatly stacked tiles and instructed Jiang Jingtao, "Little Brother Jiang, go to the state-run restaurant and buy some buns and steamed bread. The work isn't finished yet; there's no time to sit in a restaurant, it'll just delay things."

"We've been doing physical labor all morning, how can we eat just buns and bread..."

"I think you've been eating too well lately. Next time, I'll mention it to Auntie Li and ask her to cut back on your meals, lest you forget your roots from living too comfortably."

Meeting Xiao Ye's eyes, which were as sharp as a hawk's, Jiang Jingtao swallowed his protest.

"Fine, you have the final say!"

Jiang Jingtao yielded, gritted his teeth, and turned to walk out.

Sensing the confrontation between the two men, Leng Hui didn't dare object. Seeing Jiang Jingtao turn to leave, she hurriedly pulled money and food coupons from her pocket, but the boy refused to take them.

Watching his stubborn figure depart, Leng Hui walked into the courtyard.

Xiao Ye was already moving tiles toward the roof.

"Thank you. Actually, I do have enough money and food to treat you to a meal; you don't need to save for my sake."

Jiang Jingtao had never experienced hardship since childhood. Having done physical labor all morning and being told to eat only steamed buns for lunch was definitely a first in his life.

Leng Hui felt that seeking out hardship was unnecessary.

As long as one is alive, one should try to live as well as possible within the limits of their conditions.

Treat yourself well, every single second.

"No need for thanks. Everyone has difficult times. Since we are friends, we should help where we can."

Having said that, Xiao Ye had already climbed onto the roof via a wooden ladder.

Noticing his empty water bottle, Leng Hui picked it up and went to Auntie Qin to ask for a pitcher of boiled water to refill it for him.

Returning to the courtyard, Leng Hui immediately began tossing tiles toward the roof. Xiao Ye stood on the roof to catch them; their coordination in tossing and catching was quite seamless.

When two-thirds of the tiles had been tossed, Xiao Ye stopped her. "Lay these tiles first before continuing."

"Alright then, I'll come up and lay them with you."

With those words, Leng Hui stepped on the red bricks, used her hands to brace herself, and climbed up the roof, which was still one person's height above the ground.

Xiao Ye, who had intended to pull her up, couldn't help but praise her upon seeing this: "Great agility!"

"You flatter me. I was just too naughty as a child; I did plenty of climbing walls, trees, and roofs, so my body is just a bit more flexible than average."

"That's still very impressive."

Leng Hui smiled and crouched down to begin laying the tiles.

By the time Jiang Jingtao returned with the oil-paper package, nearly half of the empty roof was already covered.

"Wow, you guys are fast! You've already done half of it."

Leng Hui glanced at the package in Jiang Jingtao's hand and told Xiao Ye to stop working for a moment so they could eat first.

After the meal, they climbed back onto the roof, and the three of them finished laying the remaining tiles in less than half an hour.

"Leng Hui, what else needs doing? Do you need to build the courtyard wall?"

Jiang Jingtao climbed down from the roof and entered the house, looking up to inspect the solid roof with a massive sense of achievement.

In the future, they wouldn't have to worry about leaks when it rained.

Leng Hui said, "Building a courtyard wall isn't as simple as laying tiles. First, you have to fetch yellow earth and water, then mix them into mud, and only then can you build the wall."

Furthermore, building a wall requires leveling lines; otherwise, the finished wall might end up slanted or crooked.

Besides, even with yellow earth and water, the work couldn't be done without tools.

Her Space had tools, but since there were two other people in the courtyard, it was impossible for Leng Hui to manifest things out of thin air.

"That much trouble?" Jiang Jingtao was stunned. He had just found a bit of joy in building the house, only to find it so complicated. "Do you have tools here?"

Small blisters had formed on his hands, and they were getting itchier and itchier—it was killing him~

(End of Chapter)