BT70sTMUMP Chapter 5

Delivering Meals

Feeling a bit anxious, Su Su pondered that if she were a more capable time-traveling woman, she might have thought about making dinner for the family by now. After all, they would need to eat when they returned. However, she knew nothing about cooking, especially with a traditional earthen stove, which made her dizzy just looking at it.

Moreover, in these times, every household was tight on food, as evidenced by last night’s dinner and this morning’s breakfast. She didn’t want to waste their precious resources by making a mistake. Perhaps it was better to just stay out of the way.

Despite her nerves, she quietly stayed put. If nothing else, she could help sweep the floor, although sweeping the dirt floor just stirred up more dust.

Feeling a bit defeated, she muttered to herself, “I really can’t do anything.”

Lin Chuan, who had just returned, saw the girl in a fashionable sweater, pouting and looking frustrated. He thought she might be complaining about the hardships and poor conditions here, longing to return to the city.

Silently placing the food on the table, he had just picked up a ladle to drink some water when the girl suddenly jumped up and exclaimed, “Oh, it’s you! You scared me!”

Anyone would be startled if someone appeared silently behind them. How did he walk so quietly?

“I brought you some food. Eat it,” Lin Chuan said. He rarely interacted with women alone and, to avoid any misunderstandings, he quickly left after saying this.

Su Su had never met such an honest man. Facing a young woman, he didn’t even say a kind word before turning and leaving. He was so straightforward!

“Is it okay for me to eat this food?” she asked, feeling uneasy about eating the communal meal meant for those working in the team. She was just staying at home and had someone bring her food; it seemed inappropriate.

“You’re here to help the village with literacy, contributing to us. The team decided that your ration will be provided by them, counted as half a person’s work points.”

“And, thank you for saving me yesterday. I was pretty confused after I fell and didn’t know anything.” She hoped he wouldn’t overthink anything she had said.

Lin Chuan nodded coldly and left without another word about where he was going.

How could such a strict and honest man find a girlfriend? No wonder he remained single after being abandoned by the heroine. Without family arrangements, he might never find a wife.

Yet, in these times, a man like him was quite appealing. He would stay loyal to one woman for life. And most importantly, he was handsome.

That evening, everyone returned home after a day’s work.

Su Su didn’t do much besides boiling a pot of hot water for them, but Lin’s mother was still delighted, saying, “We usually come back to a cold stove and cold kang, but today the house is warm.”

Feeling embarrassed, Su Su scratched her head and smiled awkwardly, “I didn’t do much.” She had planned to give them some money, but considering Lin Jiang’s pride, she decided against it.

“Are you hungry? Second son, go make dinner. The team leader will be here soon,” Lin’s mother said. Lin Hai went to prepare the meal, even though they seemed tired, they still took their responsibilities seriously.

Su Su wanted to help, but she realized she couldn’t do much. So she sat inside, looking out the window. It looked like it might snow soon; the sky was gloomy.

After a while, they had dinner, and the male lead, Lin Dong He, arrived. Compared to Lin Chuan, Lin Dong He seemed much more approachable and gentle in his demeanour. He was the son of Lin Chuan’s uncle, and though he was adopted, his family treated him as one of their own. They even supported him through high school, making him the most educated person in the village and thus the team leader.

When he entered the room, his eyes immediately fell on Su Su, who was sitting quietly with her hair in a ponytail and a neat fringe. Her oversized sweater looked new, and her face was smooth and fair, indicating she hadn’t endured much hardship.

The most striking feature was her adorable big eyes, which blinked as she looked at him.

Those eyes could make any man lose his composure.

Fortunately, Lin Dong He had seen enough of the world to remain composed. However, he noted that her outfit was something even the highest officials’ families might not wear.

“Hello, are you Comrade Su? I’m Lin Dong He, the production team leader of this village.”

“Hello, I’m Su Su.” She politely shook his hand and then sat down obediently.

“I’ve reviewed your documents. The commune mentioned we would get a literacy teacher, but we never expected a university student. Our village has a high illiteracy rate, and many people can’t read. With the autumn harvest finished, everyone will have time to attend literacy classes at the commune.”

“I will do my best.”

“Additionally, about your living arrangements, we plan to place you at the educated youth point. It’s a newly built house by the village and quite warm. There are only three other female educated youths there…” Lin Dong He paused slightly at this point.

Lin’s mother interjected, “Donghe, the kangs at the educated youth point are small. I’m afraid our girl here won’t have enough space.”

Lin Dong He considered this and replied, “That’s a valid concern. We could arrange for a separate room if the space is insufficient. We want to ensure Comrade Su Su is comfortable.”

Su Su felt touched by their consideration and said, “I appreciate your concern. Whatever arrangement works best, I am willing to adapt.”

Lin Dong He smiled warmly, “We’ll make sure you’re well settled. Your work here is greatly appreciated.”

With that, the conversation turned to more details about the literacy program, and Su Su felt a mix of relief and determination. She might not be skilled in household chores, but she could contribute through her teaching. And with the Lin family’s support, she felt more at ease about her unexpected journey into this past era.

“Yes, it’s a bit cramped,” Lin Dong He nodded.

“Then, can I stay at Auntie’s house?” Su Su glanced at Lin’s mother, looking a bit pitiful. “I don’t really like staying with people I’m not familiar with. Could I stay at Auntie’s house?”

Lin Dong He looked at Lin’s mother. The Lin family did have space, especially with the warm room at the back, but with so many boys and their poverty, he doubted they would want to take in an outsider.

However, Lin’s mother seemed to like Su Su and believed that a girl alone deserved proper care. Her own adopted daughter, who had married away, rarely visited and wasn’t very close due to not being her biological child. Having a girl willing to stay with them felt heart-warming.

“That’s great! We have a warm room perfect for you,” Lin’s mother immediately agreed.

Lin Chuan frowned but remained silent. However, Lin Dong He said, “Isn’t that a problem? My younger brother returned this time to resolve his personal issues, and the warm room is meant to be his marital room…”

Lin’s mother looked at her son and said, “We plan to buy the old Ning family’s house for him and get him married. It’s nearby, so we can still look after them. Yue Yue, his fiancée, is also from the city and wouldn’t want to stay in the warm room.”

“Mom…” Lin Chuan hadn’t expected his parents to plan on buying a house for him. He knew they had incurred debts to support the children’s education and his grandparents’ medical expenses, which they had just recently paid off. Now, they were planning to buy a house for him.

“Anyway, the money is from your stipends that you sent home. As for furnishing the house… we really can’t afford much, so you’ll have to handle that yourself,” Lin’s mother said decisively.