Transmigration: On the Gossip Front

Moving quilts and padded clothes during the hot summer, it’s really not an easy task. Zhang Yu made three trips back and forth before managing to move all the stuff over.

Previously, everyone was marveling at how little luggage the Zhang Sisters had. But now, seeing the luggage Zhang Yu brought over, they were truly stunned.

"Did you send these by mail? That must have cost quite a lot," a fellow villager looked at the large packages with amazement.

"It’s definitely better than just the two of us carrying it from home. Our family did send us off on the train, but once we got off, transferring from the city to the county, and then to the commune, it was impossible for just the two of us to move them."

Everyone looked at Zhang Yu and her sister’s physique and chose not to speak further. It’s not easy even for two guys, let alone two girls, to bear such a load.

"Regarding the postage, it was a bit expensive. I don’t know exactly how much, but it’s reasonably affordable. If my brother came along too, we would grit our teeth and find a way to carry it."

"Of these three packages, I only have one." Zhang Yu pointed at the smallest package. "The other two belong to my sister."

What? Everyone previously thought it was just their luggage, as even that was already shocking. They brought so much stuff!

Now they realized Zhang Yu only took up the smallest package, and the largest two packages belonged to Zhang Hui.

Earlier, they thought Zhang Hui was quite frail, letting Zhang Yu do most of the work, while she quietly stayed by the side. Now they understood she had the backing for it. How many families prepare so much for their daughter going as intellectual youth?

If it were a son going as intellectual youth, it would be possible a family prepares that much. For a daughter, it’s truly rare.

Those with ulterior motives glanced at Zhang Hui with much enthusiasm, and of course, there were many looking at Zhang Yu, especially those from the same brigade as intellectual youth.

Zhang Yu felt the gaze directed at her, knowing she and her sister were being watched, but she completely disregarded it.

These large bundles weren’t going to escape the eyes of the crowd, not to mention the monthly remittance slips they’d receive. Over time, news would spread; it’s not just intellectual youth who might be intrigued, village folks would certainly be interested too.

The Zhang Family sent Zhang Yu fifteen yuan each month, amounting to at least one hundred and eighty yuan a year. In rural areas, a robust laborer would, after a year, take home one hundred and eighty yuan in cash after deducting shared grain. This still depended on the village’s income and how valuable the work points were.

With the monthly remittance being such an attention grabber, many people would be watching them, but Zhang Yu really didn’t mind.

Zhang Hui noticed the scheming looks people gave her, unhappily glared at Zhang Yu. Seriously, did she really need to explain the packages that clearly?

Couldn’t she just say it was the sisters’ luggage? It’s really too much; no idea where her mind was going.

The singing woman naturally remembered Zhang Yu from yesterday on the truck. Both sisters had water bottles, but wouldn’t share a sip; it was just too over the top.

Arriving at the inn at night, they didn’t even consult others, directly booked a double room. More outrageously, without saying anything, they went straight to the restaurant for a meal. By the time others arrived, the restaurant was closed for business, and no matter how much they pleaded, the restaurant staff remained firm on closing.

Even when they claimed they were newly arrived intellectual youth delayed on their journey, the staff didn’t relent, questioning why two intellectual youth managed to eat there. They asked what the others were doing.

Everyone knew the restaurant staff was referring to the Zhang Sisters, but nobody could make petty demands any longer; they all had arrived together, unable to hide their situation.

It was frustrating; today they managed to catch the restaurant for breakfast, but didn’t buy lunch. They could have reached the commune by noon, but the bus breakdown happened.

By the time they arrived at the first commune, the lunch hours just ended, and her stomach was already growling with hunger.

"You two are more fortunate, able to pick up stuff at the post office. We’re the ones suffering, no lunch!" The singing woman babbled on incessantly.

What? Why did it involve her again? Zhang Yu was dumbfounded, how was their hunger related to her?

Forget it, no need to argue, given they’ve been hungry for so long, it’s understandable they’re in a bad mood. With this thought, Zhang Yu sat by the roadside waiting for the village to send someone to pick them up.

Zhang Yu thought it wise; if you’re hungry, stop talking and save your energy, because they’d have to walk back later, right?

Yet that one kept stirring trouble, even agitating the emotions of those around.

Already directly pointing fingers and cursing, if she didn’t show up now, they’d think she was easy to bully. "When I bought buns in the morning, some asked me why. I said it’s best to prepare. Yesterday, the trip from the city to the county took extra time."

"So I thought preparing ahead wouldn’t hurt; anyway, I had to buy lunch. Buying in the county or commune makes no difference, didn’t I say it?"

Several people nodded, "Yes, you did say that."

"See, I said it plainly, I remember a few others also ended up buying buns."

After hearing Zhang Yu’s words, those who went back to buy buns nodded, "Yes, hearing all that prompted the idea to prepare food."

"You see, I stated that clearly; some bought food, others didn’t, thinking I was overthinking. Is it my fault you didn’t buy food?"

"I also recall when it was announced we’d be driven to the commune, didn’t some say the bus would be fast, we’d arrive soon, mentioning someone missed accounting and didn’t buy fresh food, but rather clinged tightly to it."

Upon hearing about changing transport, the singing woman bragged incessantly about how fortunate not buying lunch was, believing it would taste less at noon. But now, that same group was hungry.

Zhang Yu spoke so logically, those who followed the singing woman had to shut their mouths, knowing if they escalated it, nobody would have a good outcome.

The singing woman didn’t expect what seemed a favorable stance just moments ago to being able to suppress Zhang Yu. Who would have thought this girl cleared up things quickly?

The singing woman realized she couldn’t tackle Zhang Yu this time and would have to find another suitable opportunity.

Zhang Hui initially thought this time Zhang Yu would be unlucky, but who would’ve known, she effortlessly resolved it, sigh, truly a paper tiger.

She thought her fierce demeanor would surely handle Zhang Yu, but who knew, sigh.

Seeing the villagers hadn’t arrived yet, Zhang Yu picked up the kettle to get hot water at the office building of the commune gatehouse. She could have conveniently filled Zhang Hui’s kettle too.

But that dead girl’s gleeful expression from earlier, mixed with disappointment, did not escape her gaze, so she didn’t help.