Chapter 96

The foreman and his workers had spent two days making bricks. If they were to be treated to meals, it would mean two large meals for many people, costing quite a bit and taking a lot of time to prepare. So, Summer and Logan decided to pay them for two days of work instead.

The foreman, covered in clay but with clean hands, took the money and counted it. Summer spoke politely, "Sir, we both work daily and don't have time to cook for so many. It's also the Mid-Autumn Festival, and everyone wants to go home for the holiday. Please don't mind that we're not treating you to a meal."

While Summer spoke, Logan took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He handed one to each of the nine workers and, after the foreman finished counting the money, handed him one too.

In the countryside, people lived frugally and rarely smoked manufactured cigarettes, preferring their homegrown tobacco. 

Receiving cigarettes for their work was a treat for the workers. They appreciated the gesture and the practical consideration of the money over a meal.

The foreman smiled, pocketing the money and accepting the cigarette. "No problem, no problem. Don't worry, teachers. In a few days, we'll flip these bricks over to dry them properly. Once they're ready, we'll bring them to you. We'll start laying the foundation two days before, and the house will go up quickly."

With many hands, they could build the two-room house and the small kitchen in three or four days.

Logan replied, "Thank you all for your hard work."

Summer added, "Thank you, everyone."

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone wanted to return home for the reunion. After a few more words, the foreman and the workers headed home.

Summer and Logan also left the brick-making site, hurrying back to the dormitory to prepare their festival meal.

Henry and his group had started cooking earlier and already had several dishes on the table. However, their dishes looked unappetizing, with some vegetables burnt or overcooked to the point of being mushy. Still, they had meat, making it a feast compared to usual meals.

Summer and Logan quietly made their own meal.

Logan tended the fire while Summer cooked. Seizing the chance to cook more meat, Summer made a large bowl of braised pork. She also made stir-fried beans with pork, half a chicken, a fish, and egg and vegetable pancakes.

Initially, Henry's group was quite pleased with their cooking, given the generous use of oil. But as Summer's dishes came out one by one, their smiles became forced, seeing how much better her food looked and smelled.

By the end of the night, Henry's group had filled two tables with food. Summer and Logan, just the two of them, had four dishes plus a vegetable pancake and a tomato and egg soup, making six dishes in total.

When the last dish, the tomato and egg soup, was placed on the table, it was clear whose meal was more appealing.

Henry's group, though surrounded by numerous dishes, couldn't help but glance at Summer's table.

Summer and Logan didn't eat in the kitchen. They moved their table outside to the courtyard, enjoying their meal under the night sky.

The contrast was stark: Henry's group's noisy reunion in the kitchen, and Summer and Logan's quieter meal under the moon.

While Summer didn't envy Henry's group's raucous gathering, the festival atmosphere and the sight of the full moon made her think of home and family.

Knowing Logan had a strained relationship with his family, she didn't ask if he was homesick. Instead, she asked, "Is this your first Mid-Autumn Festival away from home?"

Logan looked at her for a moment, then asked, "Are you homesick?"

The question brought a lump to Summer's throat and a sting to her eyes. She composed herself and smiled, "Holidays make you think of family."

Logan didn't dismiss her feelings this time. Instead, he asked, "What's your family's Mid-Autumn Festival like?"

With memories flooding back, Summer had plenty to say. "We'd have a family dinner, then mooncakes and moon-gazing. My dad would buy me a bunny lantern and a rabbit figurine. We'd light the lantern at night and play with it."

Logan listened, and Summer continued sharing stories about her family until their meal was finished.

Afterward, they cleaned up and each went to their dorms for a bit. Summer left the table in the courtyard, planning to eat mooncakes and continue the festival tradition.

Sitting at the table with mooncakes, she waited for Logan to join her, but he didn't come out. Feeling a bit lonely and hearing the noise from Henry's group, she finally went to the boys' dormitory door and asked, "Aren't you coming out for mooncakes?"

Logan replied, "In a minute."

Relieved, Summer returned to the table.

The kerosene lamp on the table flickered, casting shadows.

Logan eventually joined her, carrying a few items: white paper, a pen, matches, and a small piece of candle.

Curious, Summer asked, "What are you doing with those? Aren't we having mooncakes?"

Logan rolled up his sleeves and said, "In a minute."

He took the pen and drew on the paper, sketching simple lines. Summer watched as he drew a line down the middle, left two spaces for ears, and drew a rabbit face with simple circles for eyes and a characteristic three-part mouth.

He tore along the lines, forming rabbit ears and a face, and set the paper down with the pen weighing it.

Lighting the candle, he dripped wax onto the table and fixed the candle in place.

Intrigued, Summer watched him closely.

Logan picked up the paper and wrapped it into a cylinder, placing it over the candle.

The candlelight illuminated the paper, making the rabbit face glow.

Summer's eyes widened in delight. "A bunny lantern!"

Logan's makeshift lantern brought a nostalgic smile to her face.