Chapter 65

The two chatted on their way to school, then let the topic drop upon arrival, focusing on preparing for the day's lessons as the bell signaled the start of morning reading.

Teaching was certainly less physically demanding than manual labor, but it wasn't without its challenges. With twelve youth camp members constantly rubbing shoulders and sixty children crammed into one classroom, conflicts were inevitable. The more people, the more disputes.

Among these sixty children, it seemed everyone had minor frictions or major conflicts, from petty thefts of pencils or erasers to accidental bumps and scrapes. Whenever conflicts arose, Summer and Logan naturally stepped in to resolve them. Fortunately, most issues were minor and easily settled.

In all their time at school, only Billy had managed to avoid any conflicts—not due to maturity, but because he kept his head down, avoiding eye contact and conversation to prevent offending anyone.

He sat quietly in the back corner of the classroom, almost like a ghost.

Apart from teaching and handling these minor conflicts, Summer and Logan also kept busy with their side ventures of raising chickens and gardening. Given their packed schedule, thoughts of moving out of the youth camp were put on hold. Such a decision was significant and not easily resolved.

Summer decided to table the matter for now, letting life continue as usual. They shuttled daily between the youth camp and school, tending to their crops when needed, fertilizing or watering their plot.

Their vegetables grew slower than others due to the poorer quality of their land, but they were patient, awaiting the day they could harvest and savor their efforts.

By mid-May, while others enjoyed fresh vegetables for half a month, Summer and Logan finally harvested their first batch of ripe produce.

As they left school that afternoon, Summer walked beside Logan and said, "I think we can pick the eggplants and bell peppers from our plot now. I'm planning to head there; care to join?"

Logan replied casually, "Sure."

Having spent nearly two months together, Summer and Logan had grown quite familiar. Yet, their dynamic hadn't shifted much—Summer still initiated most activities, mindful of not displeasing Logan, who had a proud and aloof demeanor.

She continued, "I'm thinking of making braised eggplants when we get back. How about you?"

They had already prepared all the necessary ingredients—oil obtained from the commune's soybeans and other seasonings bought from the supply and marketing cooperative using their ration tickets.

Logan shrugged, "We'll see what's there and decide."

Summer then suggested, "Why don't we cook together this time, celebrate finally having some vegetables to eat?"

Logan smiled back at her, "Works for me."

It wasn't a loss for him, and there was a good chance it would annoy Henry, which made it all the more appealing.

Summer simply wanted to celebrate. Finally tasting the fruits of their labor, freshly grown vegetables, brought her genuine happiness. Logan was the only one who understood this joy.

Arriving at their plot, Summer surveyed the crops.

While their vegetables weren't as robust as those in neighboring plots, she was still delighted. The tomato vines and cucumber tendrils were laden with fruit, though not yet ripe enough to pick.

Summer gathered a few peppers, a couple of young eggplants, some spring onions, and a handful of tender greens. Meanwhile, Logan picked two loofahs and cut a bunch of chives.

With their harvest complete, they walked back along the riverbank toward the youth camp, discussing their plans for cooking along the way.

Logan deferred to Summer's expertise in cooking, having little skill in the kitchen himself.

Back at the youth camp, while Summer washed and chopped the vegetables, Logan made a quick trip out.

Upon his return, Henry and his group had also returned, inevitable during meal times since they lived together.

Summer paid them no extra attention, focused on her own tasks.

Because Logan hadn't reported Henry and Sophia's encounter in the woods to the commune leaders, Henry's group hadn't changed their behavior much lately. They continued their routine without complaints about the chickens in the yard or any retaliation.

Under Summer and Logan's careful care, their six chickens had grown significantly, their bodies and wings much larger now. Of course, they weren't yet laying eggs.

Upon entering the kitchen, Henry's group noticed the fresh vegetables in front of Summer, exchanging puzzled glances before continuing with their own tasks.

Some cooked, some rested.

Summer chopped the cleaned peppers, eggplants, and loofahs into chunks.

She minced the chives finely on the cutting board.