A Swift and Decisive Journey
The others were busy collecting soil and weather data, including Su Yijia's grandparents, who were following Xia Weiguo around. The villagers didn't mind that Su Yijia and her two companions were going to the river to catch snails. After all, the survey team brought their own food and didn't rely on the village's resources. Every household had a few freeloaders who didn't work but still needed to be fed.
However, the educated youths, seeing Su Yijia and her group playing and laughing with the children, felt even more resentful. They knew their jealousy was irrational, but it was hard to accept that, despite all being city dwellers, they had to endure the hardships of the countryside while Su Yijia could play around like a child. They couldn't help but wonder if their siblings back home were living as happily as Su Yijia while they were suffering and barely getting enough to eat.
When they reached the river, the children rolled up their pants and waved at Su Yijia.