Chapter 36: Everything Settled
Wang Mengmeng’s outburst wasn’t just loud — it was ear-splitting. The two people closest to her nearly had their eardrums blown out.
Liu Yao flinched, completely dumbfounded by the yelling, unable to process what was happening.
Ning Xiyue frowned and dug a finger in her ear.
“What are you yelling for? And why are you glaring at me? If you want to talk, then talk — don’t drag me into it. Are you looking to get bricked? Instead of reflecting on what was wrong with your words and tone, all you see is someone else’s success. All you know how to do is push the blame onto others — what’s that supposed to accomplish?”
Ning Xiyue’s sharp words instantly silenced Wang Mengmeng. Only then did she realize how impulsive she’d been — it looked like she’d angered the Big Boss. Was that metaphorical brick going to come crashing down on her now?
She was doomed. Doomed!
Terrified, Wang Mengmeng’s heart trembled. She wanted to apologize but also felt that doing so would hurt her pride. After a fierce internal struggle, her fear of Ning Xiyue finally won out.
Wang Mengmeng shuffled over to Ning Xiyue, head down, and whispered an apology. “I’m sorry.”
“What?”
“I’m sorry!” Wang Mengmeng said louder this time, her tone sincere. “I’m sorry, Comrade Ning Xiyue. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on others, and I shouldn’t have dragged you into it or blamed you.”
Seeing that Wang Mengmeng at least knew how to apologize, Ning Xiyue didn’t press her any further. Since they all had to live in the same compound, there was no need to make things too awkward.
“Alright, I accept your apology.”
Hearing that, Wang Mengmeng finally felt a bit of relief. She told herself she must remember never to provoke Ning Xiyue again — the woman was truly terrifying.
Even the usually carefree Liu Yao had been scared by the confrontation. She no longer cared why Wang Mengmeng had gone crazy, nor did she want to ask Ning Xiyue about the furniture. It was safer to just go find her cousin.
“I just remembered my cousin probably got some furniture and household items. I’ll go ask him for some. Everyone, I’ll be leaving now. Goodbye.”
Ning Xiyue watched her leave but didn’t try to stop her. Honestly, she was too lazy to bother — she had no energy for other people’s business when her own affairs weren’t even settled yet.
After glancing at the neighboring room, she turned to take care of her own matters. She went back inside, checked the time, locked the door, grabbed her small cloth bag, and left the educated youth compound, heading toward the brigade office.
Fortunately, she had good timing — the brigade leader was still there, and so was Comrade Ji. He seemed about to leave, with the brigade leader preparing to walk him and another comrade out.
Ning Xiyue initially planned to wait quietly on the side, but Comrade Ji spotted her immediately and called her over to speak privately.
Ji Yanming looked at her seriously and said, “Comrade Ning, I know you’re smart, but I still need to remind you: in the future, if anyone tries to use this award to provoke you into doing something dangerous, you must refuse firmly. Don’t let yourself be bound by it. Your own will is what matters most.”
“Alright, I understand. Thank you, Comrade Ji,” Ning Xiyue said sincerely. “Don’t worry. As long as it’s not something I want to do, no one can force me. And if things get serious, I can always ask the Public Security Bureau for help.”
“Exactly. Go to the police if you need to.”
“In that case… Comrade Ji, could I ask you for a little help now?” Ning Xiyue looked at him expectantly.
Caught off guard, Ji Yanming blinked, then smiled faintly and nodded. “Sure. Go ahead.”
“Could you help me mail a letter?”
“Alright.”
Upon hearing that, Ning Xiyue immediately took out two stamped letters from her bag, along with three fruit candies pressed underneath them, and handed them to Ji Yanming. “Thank you, Comrade Ji. You’re truly a model comrade of the people.”
Ji glanced at the letters and noticed a familiar address. He already had a good idea of what they were about. Nodding to Ning Xiyue, he said, “It’s getting late. You should get back to your work — I should be going too.”
“Goodbye, Comrade Ji.”
After saying goodbye to the brigade leader, Ji Yanming left with the other comrade.
Ning Xiyue and the brigade leader watched them walk away until they disappeared from sight.
Zhang Dawei turned to her with a kindly smile. “Yuewa, did you need something from me?”
“Yes, Captain, I have a small favor to ask.” Ning Xiyue smiled sweetly. “It’s about meals. I have a heavy palate and like to eat unusual things. To avoid bothering the others in the compound, I’d like to ask if I could pay for and build a small side kitchen in the educated youth courtyard for my own use.”
“Oh, that. I already know — your Aunt Qiuju came to see me earlier.”
The brigade leader paused, deliberately keeping her in suspense before continuing:
“You can build it, as long as you cover all the costs yourself. However, once you’re no longer living in the compound, the kitchen will become collective property. If you agree to that, just sign a statement and you can start hiring people to build it. Any other questions?”
“Just one, Captain,” Ning Xiyue said, raising the most important point. “While I’m living in the compound, will I have absolute usage and decision-making rights over the kitchen? During that time, will it be considered my personal property, under my full control?”
This was the part she needed clarified now to avoid future disputes.
She didn’t want the kitchen to suddenly become a communal facility halfway through, leaving her unable to refuse others from using it. She needed 100% control — during her use period, the kitchen had to be her territory, free from interference.
Zhang Dawei was silent for a while, clearly weighing the matter.
Ning Xiyue didn’t interrupt. Instead, she pulled the award certificate she’d received that morning out of her bag and admired it.
As she looked, she muttered to herself, “Awards from the Public Security Bureau really are beautiful. The red stars in those two bright red seals are the prettiest — they shine so brightly.”
Seeing the certificate made the brigade leader think of many things — Aunt Qiuju’s words, Comrade Ji’s attitude, and most importantly, how Ning Xiyue’s award and honor would greatly help their team compete for the “Advanced Collective” title.
Finally, he’d made up his mind. With a cheerful smile, he said, “Of course, the kitchen you build will be yours to use and manage. No one can use it without your permission, and the team won’t interfere. Any other questions? Feel free to ask.”
Getting the answer she wanted made Ning Xiyue very happy. She smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Captain. No more questions — I appreciate your help.”
“Alright, let’s draft an agreement.” Zhang Dawei gestured for her to follow him into the office.
In the end, thanks to Ning Xiyue’s persistence, the controversial clause she’d proposed was written clearly into the agreement. All the rights, responsibilities, and obligations were laid out in black and white, in duplicate, stamped with the brigade’s official seal, and signed and fingerprinted by both parties.
Once the agreement was set, Ning Xiyue happily read it over several times before tucking it safely into her bag.
With everything settled, she didn’t stay any longer. Carrying the signed agreement, she left the brigade office in high spirits.
As for the construction, Ning Xiyue didn’t need to handle any of it herself. She had already arranged things with Aunt Qiuju — in exchange for a can of milk powder coupons and a two-liang sugar coupon, Aunt Qiuju would hire people to build the kitchen. Ning Xiyue only needed to pay for some materials and a small craftsmanship fee for the stove builder.
Watching Ning Xiyue walk away, Zhang Dawei chuckled and shook his head. “What a clever girl — and one who refuses to suffer losses.”
