Chapter 27

Summer hadn't yet fully recovered when Logan had already turned and continued walking ahead. As she gathered herself and looked back, she noticed Logan was already a bit further ahead. She hurried to catch up with him.

Walking alongside Logan, she asked, "What idea did you come up with?"

Logan glanced at her and said, "I thought you'd ask why I turned down that girl."

Summer didn't know what Logan's reasoning was, but she didn't intend to question him further. Regardless of Logan's thoughts, the reality was clear.

She replied, "If we let her attend school for free, it would discourage others from paying tuition, and we wouldn't be able to keep the school running."

Logan gave her another look but didn't pursue the topic further. Instead, he redirected the conversation, "What idea did you have?"

Summer thought for a moment and said, "I was inspired by the kids we saw earlier. Most of them don't like school because they don't want to be restrained, but very few can resist a good story. With so few entertainment options in the countryside, movies and performances are rare treats. If we offer them new stories from books, they'll be interested. By telling stories and subtly promoting the benefits of reading, we can spark their interest in learning. How does that sound?"

Logan nodded, "Pretty similar to what I had in mind."

Summer smiled, "So, we'll start this afternoon? We'll use engaging stories to create a desire for learning while we also persuade their parents. It should be more effective."

Logan added, "We could also offer a little incentive. I have a box of milk candies. We can show the kids the candies during storytime and tell them they'll get one if they register for school."

"Great idea," Summer agreed immediately. In these times, candy was rare, and milk candies were even more precious. No child could resist such a treat.

As they discussed the plan on their way back, Summer said, "Don't worry, I'll split the cost of the candies with you. We'll share the expense."

Logan replied bluntly, "Even if you didn't offer, I'd ask you to."

Summer just nodded in agreement.

Back at the commune, the first thing Summer did in the kitchen was check the straw tied around her cupboard. Seeing it untouched, she breathed a sigh of relief.

She needed to make lunch now, so she broke the straw, opened the cupboard, and turned to Logan, "I'll knead the dough and steam some fresh buns now. I'll return the buns I borrowed this morning once they're ready."

Logan acknowledged with a nod and headed to his dormitory. Since Summer would be returning the buns soon, he saw no need to heat any for himself.

In his dormitory, Logan pulled out his army-green travel bag, unzipped it, and rummaged through its contents until he found a few books with yellowing pages.

These were his mental sustenance brought from the city, all approved literature. Many books had been banned since the Cultural Revolution started in 1966, leaving only revolutionary-themed ones. However, due to a severe book shortage and encouragement for literary creation in recent years, some literary books had been reprinted.

Logan's hand settled on "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," a reprinted classic.

He figured that revolutionary stories were too familiar to everyone; many could recite them by heart. Stories from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," especially classics like "Borrowing Arrows with Straw Boats" and "The Battle of Red Cliffs," would be new and exciting for the children.

With this thought, Logan got engrossed in his book.

When Henry and the others returned from the fields, Logan continued reading, unfazed by their presence, leisurely flipping through the pages.

***

In the kitchen, Summer was kneading dough for buns. She mixed different flours to make a variety of buns. After forming the sorghum flour dough, she started on the cornmeal.

As she poured water into the mixing bowl, the door curtain lifted, and in came John, Rachel, Suzie, and Cindy. Summer glanced up briefly, saw who it was, and continued her work without a word.

After this morning's confrontation, the rift between Summer and them was apparent.

The four ignored Summer and, chatting happily, began preparing sorghum rice and sweet potato porridge for lunch. Since the flour they milled yesterday was too gritty, today's meal would again be porridge.

Summer continued making her buns, unbothered by their presence or conversation.

Once she finished forming the cornmeal buns and sweet potato buns, she neatly placed them in the steamer tray. After washing her hands, she added water to the pot and lit the stove.

With the water boiling, she placed the tray of buns in the pot and covered it with a lid to steam.

When the buns were done, and the porridge was ready, Summer and Rachel worked silently side by side. Summer removed the buns, while Rachel ladled out the porridge.

Cindy and Rachel set the table, and Suzie went to call the others.

Summer placed the buns on the table and left the kitchen just as Henry and the others were entering.

There was no greeting between Summer and them; they simply avoided each other, each going their own way.

Summer fetched a can of beef from her dormitory and called for Logan from the boys' dormitory.

Logan put down his book and came out, joining Summer in the kitchen for lunch.

As they entered, the room, initially filled with chatter, fell silent.

In such a lively atmosphere, Summer and Logan seemed like two isolated outcasts, but neither seemed to mind.

Summer grabbed chopsticks and sat down, opening her can of beef.

Logan retrieved his pickled vegetables and chopsticks before sitting across from Summer.

The other two tables were full, so he had no choice but to sit here.

Without saying a word, Summer opened the can, and as Logan picked up his bun, she placed a fragrant piece of beef in his bowl. "For you."

This single piece of beef more than compensated for the morning's pickled vegetables and radish.

Logan didn't hesitate, taking a bite of the beef.

Given its rarity, he savored it, chewing slowly.

As he took that first bite, the room's lively atmosphere slowly cooled until it fell silent.

Everyone was staring at Summer and Logan, not only envying the food but also bewildered by Summer's actions.

If they weren't mistaken, Summer had steamed the buns and then called Logan to eat with her.