Sun Linglong did not answer. Wen Ruocheng, acting with a familiar ease, approached and sat down at her right hand.
Seeing this, Ji Wenrou felt her teeth itch with anger, yet she could never allow this little hussy to be alone with Brother Ruocheng.
After sitting down, Ji Wenrou wore a gentle smile on her face. "I am truly sorry about this morning. I hope you don't mind; I get dizzy and lightheaded if I don't eat breakfast, so I came straight to the State-run Restaurant as soon as I got off the bus."
"Comrade Sun, where did you go? Are you feeling alright?"
Wen Ruocheng also turned his gaze toward Sun Linglong, his expression tinged with suspicion and reproach, as if he suspected Sun Linglong had intentionally refused to give up her seat. He even felt that Sun Linglong should not have behaved that way. Ever since he arrived in Taohua Village, he had felt that something was off, and he sensed that this feeling originated from Sun Linglong.
Ignoring the silent exchange of glares from Wen Ruocheng, Sun Linglong curled her lips into a smile. "I had a candy with me. The smell on the bus was just too foul, and I was afraid I’d be sick, so I waited until I got off to eat it."
She deliberately emphasized the words "too foul."
Ji Wenrou gripped her palms tight. *Damn it! That little bitch!*
Sun Linglong observed the fleeting distortion on Ji Wenrou’s face. Ji Wenrou wanted to say more, but the egg noodles Sun Linglong had ordered were ready, and the cashier was calling for her to pick them up. Sun Linglong offered an apologetic smile, stood up, and returned with a bowl filled to the brim. The portions at the State-run Restaurant were truly substantial—the noodles were piled high like a mountain, and the fried egg on top was perfectly cooked.
"Is Comrade Sun only eating a bowl of egg noodles? Why don't you join us? I ordered braised pork and stir-fried meat."
Wen Ruocheng’s mouth curved slightly upward. His eyes held a hint of subtle tenderness, and he looked at Sun Linglong with such focus that it was as if she were the center of his world.
Sun Linglong gripped her chopsticks tightly, digging her other hand into her thigh, and lowered her head to slurp the noodles, trying to hide her hatred. She had seen this look countless times before! In her past life, whenever Wen Ruocheng wanted something from her, he would look at her with this same deep affection. She would fall for it every time, allowing him to take whatever he pleased. But right now, she just wanted to gouge out those disgusting eyes!
Sun Linglong tried to calm herself. She couldn't be rash. Wen Ruocheng hadn't done anything wrong yet, and she had to think of Sun Dawei. She knew how much her father cherished his position as the brigade leader; on the day he was elected, he had knelt before the family graves and wept. She could not bring trouble to her father.
Sun Linglong ate mouthful after mouthful, completely ignoring Wen Ruocheng’s attempts to curry favor. Wen Ruocheng, feeling snubbed, grew increasingly resentful. *Just a little village girl, yet so arrogant?*
"Eat slowly, there’s meat to come later," Ji Wenrou said. Her eyes held disdain and disgust, but her face wore a doting, beautiful smile that stunned the onlookers. She was satisfied with the effect her appearance had, and her smile deepened.
Soon, the dishes for Wen Ruocheng and his cousin were ready. The braised pork, glistening with fat and lean, looked delicious, and the stir-fried meat smelled incredibly savory.
Wen Ruocheng resumed his graceful, gentle persona. "Don't be a stranger, Comrade Sun. Have some with us."
"My cousin and I are new to Taohua Village and unfamiliar with the area. We just want to make a friend."
"Then I’ll take you up on that?" Sun Linglong looked up and asked with a look of pure innocence.
Wen Ruocheng proved his sincerity with action; he pushed the plate of braised pork toward Sun Linglong.
Sun Linglong smiled, a look that was unexpectedly stunning. "Then I won't stand on ceremony." She picked up the plate of braised pork and dumped more than half of it into her own noodle bowl. Realizing she might have gone too far, she quickly apologized, "Oh my, I’m so sorry. I haven't had meat in so long, I just couldn't help myself. Would you like me to give some back?"
As she spoke, she made a gesture as if to pick the pieces out of her bowl to return them.
"No need, my cousin and I are treating you, so just enjoy it," Ji Wenrou said, refusing hastily. She certainly didn't want to eat pork covered in a village girl's saliva. Even Wen Ruocheng, who had some money, felt a pang of heartache. A bowl of braised pork wasn't cheap—it cost two yuan and eighty cents, enough to cover a family's expenses for a whole week.
Sun Linglong cared little for their complex thoughts; she kept her head down and devoured the braised pork. The chef at the State-run Restaurant was truly skilled, and the dish was rich and delicious. When only two pieces of pork remained in her bowl, she stopped, her eyes darting to the plate of stir-fried meat.
*Wait, did she finish it already? Is she a pig?* Even with her good temperament, Ji Wenrou wanted to curse. They had only eaten two pieces of meat each, and looking up, Sun Linglong’s bowl was empty! *Is she a reincarnated glutton? Or does she take us for suckers?* Ji Wenrou was furious, but she pretended not to notice.
Sun Linglong rubbed her belly. "This is the first time I've eaten such delicious braised pork. Just a taste is enough; I'm already very satisfied. I'm not greedy at all. You two go ahead and eat."
Watching Wen Ruocheng pick up a glistening piece of stir-fried meat, Sun Linglong’s eyes tracked it intently, and an audible swallow could be heard.
Wen Ruocheng: ...He could barely keep eating! He regretted his momentary lapse in judgment—why on earth did he invite this village girl to eat?
Receiving Wen Ruocheng’s tacit permission, Sun Linglong dumped more than half of the stir-fried meat into her bowl. After putting the plate down, she gave a simple, honest smile. "I know you city folk are particular, so I won't share the serving dish with you."
Ji Wenrou: *So I'm supposed to thank you?* She frowned, fuming inwardly. Although they had offered, who would have thought this little hussy would be so shameless!
Wen Ruocheng looked at the sulking Ji Wenrou and felt uncomfortable himself. *Why does it feel like I’ve really been played for a fool?*
Before they could ponder it for long, Sun Linglong finished again, and two more pieces of braised pork sat in her bowl. She had even finished the broth from the egg noodles. She was completely full now, but she didn't stop eating; she kept her head down, a glint of cunning in her eyes. The rhythmic clinking of her chopsticks against the bowl drew the attention of nearby tables, who cast curious glances at their strange group.
Wen Ruocheng’s brow furrowed, his heart filled with agitation. *What kind of situation is this?!*
Wen and Ji hadn't had braised pork in days, and they couldn't resist the temptation. They snatched pieces here and there, and the plate was quickly empty.
Watching the final bowl of braised pork vanish, Sun Linglong suddenly looked up, staring at Wen Ruocheng with anticipation.
"Comrade Wen, are you going to finish that braised pork sauce?"
Wen Ruocheng was stunned, unable to react for a moment. Once his brain finally understood her meaning, he shook his head hesitantly. *What is this woman trying to pull now?*
"Wonderful! If you don't want it, may I pack it up to take home?"
"I specifically saved two pieces of meat to bring home for my father and mother to taste. Even though there are seven of us at home, this piece of braised pork is quite large. I can divide it into four portions, and it will be enough for the whole family!"
"Educated Youth Wen, thank you so much for treating me to braised pork. When I get back to the village, I’ll be sure to tell everyone how kind you are."
"Educated Youth Wen, living so frugally yet treating our family to braised pork—you really are a wonderful person."