Chapter 325: Double Contrasts
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Sun Meimei’s face. One hand pressed against her stomach, she pursed her lips and leaned close to Ning Xiyue’s ear, whispering: “I… I think my period has started. Could you tell me where the restroom is? I need to go.”
Her voice, however, was an unmistakably childish, pure, doll-like tone—sounding much younger than her appearance.
This… this contrast was shocking.
Could this be the legendary “cool, aloof big-sister type with a loli voice”?
Suddenly, Ning Xiyue understood why Sun Meimei had kept a stiff, expressionless face and refused to speak at all until now.
It wasn’t rudeness—she was self-conscious about the tone of her voice.
And the way she had initially blocked Ning Xiyue, as if ready to start a fight, was completely at odds with the pitifully cute and timid way she actually asked about the restroom.
A true double contrast!
Ning Xiyue noticed her nervous expression, her hands clasped tightly over her stomach, her slightly bent legs betraying her current state and inner thoughts.
Ning Xiyue didn’t show the slightest surprise. She simply gave Sun Meimei a friendly smile and pointed to the far corner of the youth hostel.
“See that corner over there? That’s the women’s restroom. But when you go, you’ll need to place a piece of wheat straw inside first.”
Sun Meimei noticed Ning Xiyue showed no mockery or strange expression. A small smile appeared on her previously tense face.
She wanted to rush immediately to the restroom but didn’t understand why the straw was needed. She restrained herself, looked at Ning Xiyue with curiosity, and opened her mouth to ask.
Before she could speak, Ning Xiyue kindly explained: “The bathing shed is nearby. The water from our showers flows into the pit beneath the restroom. When there’s water in it, it doesn’t smell terrible. But with too much water inside—and with the heavy rain from two nights ago—the pit is filled even more. When you go, placing some wheat straw on top keeps the waste water from splashing on you.”
As she spoke, Ning Xiyue picked up a small stone from the ground and tossed it into a large stone jar nearby, intended for planting lotus roots. The jar, made by the brigade’s stonemason, was big and deep. Rain had already filled it, and the stone created a small splash.
This vivid demonstration made Sun Meimei immediately understand why she needed the straw. Her face flushed bright red.
Awkwardly, she bowed to Ning Xiyue in thanks, then stepped aside to give way.
Ning Xiyue laughed happily: “Go ahead and use the restroom. Can’t hold it, right? I’ll be around later, so come find me if you need anything.”
“Thank you,” Sun Meimei said, sensing the kindness in Ning Xiyue’s expression and tone.
“Actually, your voice is quite special and pleasant. Some people wish they had a voice like that—it’s a gift you should speak more often.” Ning Xiyue offered her sincere advice.
Others might have to forcefully create a cute voice, but Meimei’s was natural. There was no need for her to feel self-conscious or hide it.
Sun Meimei’s eyes shone with shyness, gratitude, and a hint of happiness, and she nodded lightly. “Thank you.”
Ning Xiyue’s first impression of Sun Meimei after interacting with her was positive.
Her inner personality did not match her outward demeanor. The aloof, cool facade seemed to be a protective mask. Experiencing her real side was actually quite interesting.
After finishing, Ning Xiyue nodded to her and pushed her bicycle toward the back kitchen.
Sun Meimei quickly squatted, took something from her bag, and ran toward the restroom, leaving her belongings behind. Tang Xiaohu, finishing packing her things, went back inside and helped carry her luggage.
Ning Xiyue, heading to the kitchen, had no intention of worrying about the new arrivals in the front yard.
Once in the kitchen, she laid out the meat she had bought, sprinkled it with salt, spread out the wild vegetables, cut some for the chickens, and retrieved the dough that had already risen, placing it on the stove.
Thinking of what she had said to the captain earlier, Ning Xiyue paused, tidied up a bit, and closed the kitchen door.
Seeing Little Gray sitting by the door, she crouched down seriously and said: “Same as usual—watch the house. I’ll treat you to a big bun at noon.”
“Aw~”
Little Gray whimpered softly, wagging his tail obediently in response.
“Good boy. Sister’s leaving now.”
Ning Xiyue picked two cherries from the cherry tree she had grown in her space and tossed them to Little Gray, keeping one for herself.
How nice—other people’s cherries were still flowering, but with her black-soil land’s accelerated growth, she could already eat cherries, even ones from the mountain wild cherries.
Unfortunately, she couldn’t share these cherries with her second brother yet; the mountain cherries weren’t ripe.
But today, she could add cherry jam to the buns. Once cooked, it wouldn’t be noticeable, and she could claim she’d used red sugar and vegetable juice to sweeten them.
Thinking of this, Ning Xiyue commanded her robotic steward in the space to harvest cherries and send them to the kitchen to make jam.
She had never tasted cherry jam buns before.
Meanwhile, Li Dadan was carrying a basin of dirty water out. Seeing Ning Xiyue heading out of the hostel, seemingly about to leave, he hesitated, realizing they hadn’t sorted out lunch yet. Embarrassed, he scratched his head and politely asked: “Sister Xiyue, can we use the kitchen here? And regarding the captain’s instructions about borrowing rations from the brigade—who should I ask? I really don’t know anything yet, so please advise me.”
“That large kitchen is public—you can use it, but don’t touch other people’s things; they have owners. The two kitchens behind the house are private. Don’t worry about rations; the hostel managers will explain once they return. As for lunch today, that’s easy.”
Because he had previously given her two dough twists in exchange for information, Ning Xiyue explained everything in full, especially regarding lunch.
“You’ve come at the right time. The new coal-mining team’s canteen has been open a few days. You can get lunch there by exchanging meal tickets. The food is good and cheap—you won’t lose out. Almost all hostel youth eat there.”
Ning Xiyue stepped forward, realizing she hadn’t given the location. She turned back: “It’s near the row of buildings you saw when you arrived—different from the brigade’s houses. Once you’ve settled in, check it out. If you get lost, ask someone; the aunts here are friendly. That’s it. If anything comes up, I’ll explain when I return. I’m rushing to work now.”
She heard the clatter inside and didn’t want to linger, so she left.
Helping with the newcomers was really not suitable for someone like her, who disliked taking on too many responsibilities. Hostel management should be handled by the diligent Guifang.
“Sister Xiyue is so hardworking—running to work without wasting even a bit of time despite asking for leave,” thought the naive Li Dadan, scratching his head in admiration as he watched her hurried figure disappear. He resolved to emulate Ning Xiyue and work hard to support himself.
Later, he would learn that the one with the most free time and fun in the hostel was Ning Xiyue. Reflecting on his thoughts today, he silently chided his own naivety.
For now, however, he happily shared the information with the other newcomers: “Sister Xiyue told me that after we clean up, we can go to the canteen for lunch. She said it’s cheap, and all the youth in the hostel eat there.”
The other three readily agreed.
Tang Xiaohu asked: “Where did Xiyue go?”
“To work. Sister Xiyue is really hardworking—she won’t waste time even after taking leave.”
Li Dadan looked at her with eyes full of admiration: “I thought she was going to the market this morning, but she’s actually rushing to work without wasting a second.”
Tang Xiaohu couldn’t help but exclaim: “Wow, Xiyue is so diligent. I heard work is exhausting. Looks like everyone works hard just to get enough to eat. I need to clean up the room quickly, so I have a place to sleep tonight. Only by sleeping well can I earn enough rations. I eat a lot, so I must work extra hard to support myself.”
Li Dadan’s eyes teared up, feeling an instant kinship: “I eat a lot too. My dad sent me away to fend for myself because I was eating too much at home. I must work hard too. I’m hungry now. Let’s go—work, clean up, then eat.”
The others, already hungry from the journey, nodded in agreement.
The four newcomers busily did their tasks—carrying water, tidying rooms—while the subject of their admiration, Ning Xiyue, now sat leisurely at the clinic, sipping tea and eating cherries.
After resting enough, she slowly took out medicinal herbs to dry in the sun, entirely unconcerned about the hostel happenings.
