Chapter 32

As they sat down for breakfast, Henry's group's alarm clock just went off.

So, while they were having breakfast in the kitchen, they could hear the various groans and complaints from the ten people outside as they got up, accompanied by the sounds of washing up.

The groaning gradually died down, and Henry and the others came in one after another, starting to boil water and prepare food.

Mike, Jack, and two other boys were busy cooking, while Henry, Charlie, Gabe, and Sophia sat down at the table, yawning as soon as they sat.

Summer and Logan, as usual, ignored them.

After finishing their meal and washing the dishes, Summer and Logan headed back to the dorm to grab their bags and head out.

Of course, before leaving, Summer tied some straw to her locker door.

As she was tying the straw, Henry and the others glanced at her actions.

When she finished and left, Gabe muttered, "Is that necessary? Does she think we're thieves?"

They had seen it yesterday, too—Summer's locker was tied with straw and knotted tightly.

Charlie looked at Gabe and replied, "Thieves."

Lily chimed in, "Why use such harsh words? We weren't stealing, just borrowing without asking first. Didn't we return the extra food to her?"

Charlie explained, "I meant that's what she thinks of us."

Grace added, "And we think she's a stingy lunatic, making such a fuss over a few buns yesterday morning. What girl can be that fierce and hideous…"

"Enough," Henry suddenly interrupted Grace.

No matter what, Summer was still his childhood neighbor. They could talk about her faults, but he couldn't stand them badmouthing her.

Everyone understood Henry's attitude and stopped talking about it.

They shifted the topic and sat down to eat once the buns were heated. After breakfast, they went to work in the fields with the villagers.

During work, Sophia was still the laziest, always complaining about some ailment.

Lily used to have an issue with this, but after falling out with Summer and constantly criticizing her for being selfish, she had no problem with Sophia's laziness now.

The ten of them were currently at their most united.

Helping each other out and being considerate was a must now.

They had to stay united, especially if Summer and Logan hadn't regretted their actions yet. If they started quarreling over trivial matters, it would make them a laughingstock.

They couldn't become the petty, selfish people they criticized Summer for being.

People inevitably take some losses when interacting with others. Being generous like Henry, with a broad mind and an easygoing nature, was the way to get along.

Those who only cared about their own interests couldn't walk far in life.

***

That day, Summer and Logan were still busy recruiting students.

They carried "The Three Musketeers" and comic books in their bags, with candies in their pockets. They sat under the big tree by the small pond in District Eight, telling stories to the children.

After half a day yesterday, some of the children had become familiar with Summer and Logan. Today, they began to respond enthusiastically during the stories, making the pondside much livelier than the day before.

The storytelling continued until almost noon, when the morning session ended.

Some children were reluctant to leave, so Summer and Logan had to coax them for a while before they went home.

As the children dispersed, Summer and Logan noticed Leonardo in his dark blue thick coat and matching hat.

Not knowing when he arrived, they quickly stood up and greeted him.

Leonardo smiled and said, "You guys really know how to think outside the box. Those stories are really good; they even made me want to go back to school."

Logan laughed and said, "We had no choice. The kids don't want to go to school, so we have to use this method to get them interested in learning."

Leonardo affirmed, "It's a good idea. These kids in the countryside don't have access to much. The commune's movie screenings happen only a few times a year, and the performance troupe visits just as rarely. They've heard the same stories countless times, so your stories are a novelty."

Summer added, "Once they learn to read, they can read for themselves."

Leonardo nodded, "Once they're literate, they can better respond to the Party and the country's call, leading the villagers to a better life in the future."

Summer and Logan nodded in agreement.

Leonardo, remembering his purpose, said, "By the way, I came to tell you that our team has discussed and asked many members' opinions, and everyone agrees that Billy should go to school."

Summer and Logan were delighted, smiling as they said, "Thank you, Captain Leonardo."

Leonardo continued, "So, it's up to you now. Go and tell Billy to fill out the admission form and focus on his studies. Our team won't hold him back."

Summer and Logan thanked him politely, "Sure, thank you for your help, Captain Leonardo."

After delivering the message, Leonardo turned to leave, reminding them, "It's getting late. Go back to the base for lunch, and then get busy."

Summer and Logan nodded in agreement.

After Leonardo left, they quickly packed up and left.

However, instead of heading back to the base immediately, they decided to visit Billy's house first.

Billy's grandfather used to be a landlord, and they lived in a big house. But after the land reform, the house and land were no longer theirs.

Now, they lived in the poorest straw hut in the village.

When Summer and Logan found his house, they called out from the yard, "Billy, are you home?"

Billy happened to be home.

He responded, "Who is it?" and came out of the kitchen.

Seeing Summer and Logan, he greeted them timidly, "Hello, comrades."

Summer smiled and said, "We managed to get approval for you. The team agrees to let you go to school. If you decide to go, head to the school to register after lunch."

Billy's eyes lit up, though he still looked timid, "Really?"

Logan added, "Of course. But do your family agree to let you go to school?"

Given their condition, it seemed worse off than others. And Billy, at his age, was a good labor force, able to contribute a lot to the family. Going to school would mean losing those work points.

Billy nodded quickly, "They agree."

It made sense. His family, once part of the landlord class and wealthy, understood the benefits and importance of education, unlike those who had been poor for generations. Billy had only been unable to attend school because of their class status.

Since that was settled, Summer and Logan didn't stay long. They delivered the message and left without further delay, heading back to the base.

On the way back, Summer said with relief, "The first student has been recruited."

Logan glanced at Summer, "That doesn't count as you recruiting him. He wanted to come himself."

"...," Summer looked at Logan.

What a killjoy!

***

Because of their detour to Billy's house, Summer and Logan returned to the base just as Henry and the others were coming back from work, washing their hands in the yard.

They washed up and went to the kitchen to cook.

Summer went to the dorm to put her bag away. She moved slowly, and by the time she got to the kitchen, both pots were in use—Henry's group was using one, and Logan was using the other.

Seeing no pots available, Summer turned to leave.

But just as she lifted the curtain, Logan called her, "Summer."

Summer turned back and asked, "What is it?"

Logan, in a neutral tone, said, "Put your buns in the pot to heat."

Summer was momentarily stunned, and so were the others in the kitchen.

Especially Charlie and Gabe, who were sitting next to Logan. They quickly turned to look at him.

If they weren't mistaken, Logan was asking Summer to put her buns in his pot. Was he offering to heat her buns for her?

Was this… the sun rising from the west?

Seeing Summer still stunned, Logan added, "What are you waiting for? Trade me your pickled vegetables."

Summer finally reacted and quickly put down the curtain to get her buns, "Oh, okay."

He probably didn't want her to waste time since they needed to head to school right after lunch to handle the admissions.

The others, hearing Logan's words, were no longer surprised.

After all, he was still interested in Summer's pickled vegetables. He was already heating his buns, so heating a few more wasn't much trouble, but he could get something in return.

A hypocrite wouldn't change his nature.

Others showed clear changes in their expressions, but not Henry.

Henry's face was unusually gloomy, his eyes fixed on Logan, like a clenched fist.

He felt extremely annoyed.

He disliked Logan being nice to Summer, and he disliked Logan being calculative and not nice to Summer.

Seeing Summer and Logan together made him upset.

That girl used to follow him, calling him "brother."

It was like Summer had been brainwashed.

He couldn't do anything about it now, so he could only keep it inside.

But as soon as Summer woke up, he would make Logan understand the consequences.