Chapter 56

Summer quickly set down her enamel mug and stood up with Logan to greet Leonardo.

Leonardo glanced at the children playing in the yard. Hearing Summer and Logan greet him, he walked over with a smile, "Not bad, looks just like a school should."

Logan smiled and asked, "Are you here to inspect our work?"

Leonardo walked into the office and closed the door behind him. "I'm here to give you your wages."

Summer's eyes lit up instantly.

Once inside the office, Leonardo addressed Summer and Logan, "Before I give you the money, there are some things you need to understand."

Summer and Logan nodded in unison, "Go ahead."

Leonardo explained, "This is a village school, so wages here are different from the city. You're registered as rural residents, and your food is provided by the team, so your wages are recorded as work points, just like the other team members."

Summer and Logan nodded again.

Summer thought, Does this mean there's no money for us?

Leonardo continued, "Your work points are calculated at the highest rate, ten points per day, year-round. At the end of the year, the team will settle accounts. Your points will be used to offset the food you've consumed. If your points aren't enough, you'll need to pay the team. If your points exceed the food cost, you'll get the balance in cash."

Summer and Logan nodded once more.

Leonardo added, "It's the same for every household. You won't have to worry; you'll always have a surplus. Families with many members who can't work, like children and the elderly, might have a shortfall. They'll sell a pig or something to make up the difference."

This made sense. Other families had many mouths to feed, but Summer and Logan only had to support themselves, and they earned the highest rate—ten points a day.

Leonardo explained clearly, and Summer and Logan understood well.

Logan then asked, "So what are you giving us today?"

Leonardo smiled, "As teachers, you get a monthly allowance of five dollars. I'm here to give you that."

Summer's eyes lit up again, filled with joy.

With a beaming smile, she said, "Thank you, Captain Leonardo."

Leonardo waved it off, "No need to thank me. Anyone in your position would get this."

He pulled out the money and handed five dollars each to Summer and Logan.

They both accepted the money gratefully and thanked him several more times.

Leonardo didn't stay long. "Alright, I won't keep you. You need to get ready for class."

Summer and Logan saw him out of the office, but Leonardo waved them off at the door.

They watched Leonardo leave and then turned back inside. Summer couldn't contain her excitement as she stepped into the office, her face breaking into a wide smile.

This was the first money she had ever earned, and she was overjoyed.

Sitting at her desk, she immediately counted out a dollar and fifty cents and handed it to Logan. "Here, half for candy."

Logan accepted it without hesitation, even counting it.

Summer returned to her desk, saying, "I wouldn't shortchange you."

Logan, still counting, replied, "We'll see."

Summer rolled her eyes and ignored him.

She put her money back in her bag and went outside to ring the bell for class.

With the teacher's allowance, she felt even more motivated to teach the children.

Her enthusiasm carried through until the end of the school day. After seeing off all the students, she returned to the office, packed her bag, and cheerfully told Logan, "I'm heading to Leonardo's house."

She had borrowed a dollar from Linda and wanted to repay her now that she had the money.

After a quick farewell to Logan, Summer left with her bag.

At Leonardo's house, Linda was cooking lunch. Summer found her in the kitchen, thanked her, and handed over the money.

Linda accepted the money with a smile, not standing on ceremony. They chatted briefly about what Summer had bought at the market.

Linda mentioned she had to go to the commune for a meeting that afternoon. She was the head of the village women's committee and had received a notice about the meeting.

Summer wasn't particularly interested in the meeting, but she listened politely. Then she asked, "Could you do me a favor and bring back some things from the commune?"

Linda readily agreed, "What do you need?"

Summer took out a small cloth pouch from her bag, then handed over some money and ration tickets. "Could you get me half a pound of pork belly and half a pound of flour?"

Linda took the money and tickets. "Sure. I'll bring it back after the meeting. Come by in the evening to pick it up."

Summer thanked her, feeling relieved.

***

Summer had asked Linda to buy flour and pork because she had promised Logan a meal of fried noodles.

Settling debts quickly made her feel at ease, so after school, she hurried to Linda's house to collect the pork and flour.

Since there were no vegetables at the residence, she also borrowed some carrots and cabbage from Linda.

Carrying the pork and flour, Summer headed back to the residence. Halfway there, she caught up with Logan.

She quickened her pace to walk beside him and asked, "Why are you still on the road?"

Logan glanced at her, replying with a question, "Where have you been?"

Summer lifted the pork and flour, explaining, "I asked Linda to bring these from the commune. Now I'm going to make fried noodles for you."

She then eagerly asked, "Are you excited?"

Logan responded nonchalantly, "It's alright."

Summer pouted, "You're just pretending."

Logan kept his indifferent tone, "There's nothing to pretend about. It's just noodles and meat."

Summer rolled her eyes and said nothing more.

Back at the residence, Summer washed her hands and started preparing the meal.

Logan seemed indifferent, lounging lazily at the kitchen table, watching her work.

As she kneaded the dough, Summer asked, "Can you help chop the meat?"

Making noodles was quite a process, involving kneading, rolling, cutting the dough, chopping the meat, and slicing the borrowed vegetables.

Seeing no response from Logan, Summer continued kneading, "Never mind, I won't bother you."

It wasn't right to ask for help while repaying a favor, especially from someone as stingy as Logan.

To her surprise, Logan stood up, took the pork outside to wash it, then brought it back, silently chopping it into fine pieces.

Summer glanced at him, smiling without saying a word.

They worked in silence, Summer rolling and cutting the dough, Logan chopping the pork and vegetables finely.

Admiring his knife skills, Summer couldn't help but say, "You're really good at this."

Logan replied curtly, "Of course."

Summer: "…"

She doubted he knew the meaning of modesty.

With everything prepped, it was time to cook the sauce. Summer asked again, "Can you help me with the fire?"

Logan looked at her, exasperated, "Aren't you asking a bit much?"

Summer, taking the hint, said, "Never mind, I'll do it."

She lit the fire, heated the pan, and began frying the pork. Juggling between tending the fire and cooking, she was back and forth from the stove.

Seeing her struggle, Logan eventually took over the fire, though he wasn't happy about it.

"Thanks," Summer said, smiling.

Logan, expression cold, kept feeding the fire with corn cobs.

Summer focused on frying the pork until it was golden and crispy, then added the sauce to simmer.

Once the sauce was ready, the rest was simple. She cooked the noodles, blanched the vegetables, and mixed everything in bowls.

She served Logan a large bowl and took a smaller one for herself.

Just as they sat down to eat, Henry and the others returned from work.

They washed up and entered the kitchen, immediately smelling the aroma of cooked meat.

Their faces showed confusion as they saw Summer and Logan eating noodles with meat sauce.

Trying to ignore their curiosity, they went about making their own dinner, though the delicious smell made it hard.

Summer and Logan didn't pay attention to them.

After mixing her noodles, Summer waited for Logan to take the first bite.

"How is it?" she asked, eagerly.

Logan took a bite, then dramatically exclaimed, "This is amazing! I've never had such delicious fried noodles! The noodles are perfectly chewy, the meat crispy and flavorful, and the vegetables add a fresh touch. Especially the sauce—it's unique! You must have made it yourself, right?"

Summer had never seen Logan compliment anyone like this.

Hearing several gulps around her, she realized Logan was teasing.

Blushing, she lowered her head, hiding her face with her hand, and replied, "Yes, I made the sauce myself. It took a lot of effort."

Logan's antics likely made Henry and the others furious. Summer feared they might confront Logan and possibly her.

Despite her fear, she also found it amusing and couldn't help but smile, hiding her face to avoid laughing out loud.