After three hours of searching for cicada grubs, they had collected a total of twelve pounds—quite a haul.
They returned to get some sleep first. The next day, Gao Le enthusiastically brought his cooking oil.
“Use my oil, don’t hold back. I’ll buy more when it runs out.”
He wasn’t short on money.
Seeing that he had already provided the oil, Zhao Su didn’t take his out. Everyone quickly got to work.
They heated the oil in a wok, and when it was hot enough, they added the prepared cicada grubs.
Sizzle…
Soon, the aroma of fried cicada grubs filled the air.
“Does anyone have chili powder? I want to eat them spicy.”
“Yes, yes, we’ve got some prepared.”
The educated youth compound was bustling with activity. Villagers passing by lingered at the gate, drawn by the enticing smell.
“What are they making that smells so good this time?”
“It’s cicada grubs. My son said they went into the mountains to collect them last night. This smell is incredible. My kid also caught some cicada grubs, but they never turned out like this.”
“Well, that’s because you’re not willing to use enough oil for frying. They’re probably using a ton of oil.”
Though they lingered, no one had the nerve to shamelessly ask for a taste.
However, the other educated youths who hadn’t joined the search the previous night were filled with regret.
Why had they thought it would be too much trouble or assumed it wouldn’t taste good?
Song Wei and the others paid no mind. Once the cicada grubs were fried, they dug right in.
Even the wolves, foxes, and dogs got to try a few cicada grubs as a treat.
They also stir-fried a few dishes and steamed some mixed-grain buns to serve as the main meal.
“This is amazing! I’m going out again tonight to find more cicada grubs.”
They were just too delicious.
Li Juan and the others felt a bit embarrassed. “We can’t keep using your oil like this. I’ll contribute some too, though it might not be much.”
They felt bad about always taking advantage of others.
“What’s the big deal? I’ll provide the oil for frying the cicada grubs, and you can contribute some vegetables, eggs, or rice and flour. We’ll have a few good meals together.”
With that, no one objected.
Song Wei didn’t object either. None of them were the type to take advantage of others, and the fried cicada grubs were truly delicious. She loved them too.
However, when they went into the woods that night to search for cicada grubs, they noticed more people were there!
Apparently, their fried cicada grubs had inspired others to come looking for them.
Fortunately, there were still plenty to go around.
After three consecutive days of eating them, they decided to stop.
“No more, no more. It feels like we’ve pretty much cleared out the area, and we’ve had our fill.”
It was already the tail end of the cicada grub season. Many had already shed their shells and were no longer edible.
Life returned to normal. One day, the postman arrived at their Ping’an production brigade.
“Is Song Wei here?”
“Oho, another letter for Song Wei? It couldn’t be more royalty payments, could it?”
Song Wei happened to be working nearby. Hearing the aunties’ teasing, she smiled.
She had a feeling it probably was.
After the busy farming season ended, she had found time to write more articles.
Song Wei clapped her hands clean and walked over, but someone else moved faster than her.
Zhao Yuyin rushed up to the postman.
“Is there any mail for me? My name is Zhao Yuyin.”
Her tone carried a sense of urgency.
The postman replied, “Let me check.”
A few minutes later, he shook his head. “No, there’s nothing for Zhao Yuyin.”
Zhao Yuyin refused to believe it. “That’s impossible! Look again, carefully!”
How could she possibly be outdone by some local educated youth?
Song Wei walked over, nudged her aside with a slight sway of her slender waist, and said, “Please move. Don’t block others from getting their mail.”
The postman handed Song Wei her mail—it was indeed a remittance slip from the newspaper office, along with a few newspapers.
This time, Song Wei had written separate articles about different animals and incidents encountered during herding. She had submitted three articles to the newspaper office, and all of them had been selected.
Her previous articles had gained quite a wide reach, so she had built some recognition. As long as her writing was decent and accompanied by relevant photos, her submissions were rarely rejected.
Another income source! Though no one saw the exact amount, everyone around was filled with envy.
“See, being educated and literate really pays off. She earns money so easily—it’s like having a job, isn’t it?”
“Well, not necessarily. Look at the other educated youths—they’re literate and can write too, but their articles never get selected.”
“Maybe it’s because their articles don’t have photos?”
“No, Zhao Yuyin borrowed a camera from Gao Le and took photos too, but still no news.”
“So it really comes down to talent and skill.”
Zhao Yuyin listened to their discussions, feeling like her lungs were about to explode from anger.
Song Wei, Song Wei—it was always Song Wei! Ever since she arrived here, everything had gone wrong because of Song Wei!
Before learning she had transmigrated into a book and before coming to the countryside, Zhao Yuyin had always thought her rival would be the female lead.
After all, two tigers cannot share one mountain. If the female lead existed, what was she—a lucky chosen one? A supporting character?
Zhao Yuyin had sworn she wouldn’t play second fiddle to anyone. She wanted to rise up and become the female lead, crushing the original protagonist under her feet!
But to her surprise, after arriving in the countryside, she hadn’t even crossed paths with the female lead. Instead, she was being overshadowed by a minor character who wasn’t even mentioned in the book!
Zhao Yuyin stared at Song Wei with intense resentment.
Song Wei retorted, “Do you not want those eyeballs of yours anymore?”
How dare she glare like that? What was going through her mind? How could someone so brainless and incompetent have transmigrated into a book?
Zhao Yuyin averted her gaze.
“Why are you cursing at me for no reason? I didn’t do anything to you.”
Song Wei rolled her eyes. “Stop flaunting your lack of intelligence. Your eyes were practically popping out, and your gritted teeth made you look hideous. Have you ever looked in a mirror?”
With that, she happily took her remittance slip and headed back, planning to find time to go to the bank with Lin Zhen to deposit the money.
The other aunties huddled together, whispering.
“Did you see the look in Zhao Yuyin’s eyes just now? It was terrifying—like she wanted to devour Song Wei.”
“Well, it’s not like she’s the only one whose articles weren’t selected. Why is she so angry? She’s so petty.”
“Don’t you know? Zhao Yuyin has a crush on Lin Zhen. Of course, she can’t stand Song Wei. They’re love rivals. Seeing your rival do better than you must be eating her up inside.”
The rural women had loud voices, and what they thought were whispers were clearly heard by Zhao Yuyin. Fuming, her eyes red with anger, she abandoned her work and stormed off!
The team leaders shouted, “What’s going on? Get back to work!”
But work had to go on.
On her way back, Zhao Yuyin’s eyes burned with venomous hatred. She couldn’t shake the feeling that Song Wei was her curse.
With Song Wei around, everything she wanted seemed just out of reach.
“This can’t go on,” she muttered to herself.
Driven by extreme jealousy and resentment, a dark thought crossed Zhao Yuyin’s mind—she wanted Song Wei dead.
“If she’s gone, everything will go back to the way it should be.”
“It’s all her fault. She shouldn’t exist. I’ve been given a second chance at life—I can’t end up poorer and more pathetic than my last life.”
“I am the protagonist. I am the chosen one. This is all Song Wei’s fault. Yes, everything is her fault!”
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