Ruling the Historical Romance Novel as the Female Supporting Character-Chapter 205: If You Make a Move, Don’t Hold Back

"Comrade Su, you’re too kind. It’s just some river snails the children picked. How can we accept your eggs in return?"

"Exactly. That bamboo basket was made by Yaya’s grandfather in one night. Giving her ten eggs is too much."

As Su Yijia finished feeding Qin Kaize porridge and was about to feed him a steamed egg, a few village women arrived at the Educated Youth Center with the eggs, insisting on returning them.

"Aunties, please don’t be so polite. I can’t just take the snails the kids worked hard to collect all night without giving anything in return. If you don’t accept a few eggs, I won’t dare to trade with you in the future." Su Yijia quickly pushed their hands back.

The women exchanged glances. Their men had repeatedly warned them not to take advantage of the inspectors. But they agreed that it wasn’t a problem for the inspector to give a few eggs in exchange for the snails their kids had collected. After all, the inspectors were polite city folks and probably well-versed in manners, unlike their own men who usually didn’t concern themselves with such matters until there was trouble.

"Alright, Comrade Su, we’ll shamelessly accept these eggs. The children are taking you to the river today to collect snails, right? Have them get more for you; our river is full of big snails." The women happily accepted the eggs, smiling broadly.

"Sure! Once I’ve cooked them, I’ll have the kids bring a bowl home for you to try." Su Yijia spoke with a familiar warmth, as if she were one of them.

The women were pleasantly surprised that this delicate-looking young woman, who seemed out of place in their village, was willing to cook for them. They eagerly accepted, feeling even more warmly towards her.

"Great, we’ll look forward to your snails then." The village chief’s wife responded enthusiastically.

Gao Huabin watched as Su Yijia linked arms with the women, chatting and laughing as she escorted them out of the Educated Youth Center. He found it odd. His sister-in-law was not unfriendly, but she certainly wasn’t the type to become so familiar with people so quickly.

The village chief’s wife, having walked a few steps away, turned back and reminded Su Yijia, "Comrade Su, remember not to give the kids eggs for the snails they collect today."

"Got it, I understand." Su Yijia waved, watching the satisfied women leave. When she turned around, she noticed Wu Xuezhen glaring at her with a dark expression, as if Su Yijia had committed some grave offense against her.

Rolling her eyes, Su Yijia ignored her and returned to Qin Kaize. She took the bowl Gao Huabin handed her, broke the steamed egg into pieces, and blew on a spoonful to cool it before feeding it to Qin Kaize. The large bowl of steamed egg, containing at least two eggs, smelled delicious, making the other educated youths secretly swallow their saliva before hurrying away with their water bottles.

Wu Xuezhen, however, stood there staring. Ding Xiaoyu, feeling a headache coming on, tried to drag her away. But Wu Xuezhen’s mouth moved faster than Ding Xiaoyu could act.

"It’s so late already, and you’re still having breakfast? Don’t you plan to go to work?"

??? !!!

Her words hung in the air, causing an awkward silence.

The eight people scattered around the courtyard all turned their shocked gazes towards her.

"If your brain isn’t working right, you should get it checked. We’re here for an inspection, not to earn work points," Gao Huabin said sternly, his face cold.

Wu Xuezhen flinched, but then felt humiliated and raised her chin, hiding disdain in her eyes as she asked, "Are you an inspector?"

"I’m not, are you?" Gao Huabin replied, thinking this woman must have some serious issues.

"Then why did you help Comrade Su with her laundry yesterday afternoon? Even her grandmother’s clothes too? Are you trying to please her? Does her husband know?" Wu Xuezhen’s insinuating gaze kept darting to Qin Kaize.

Qin Kaize’s gentle eyes suddenly turned cold and frightening as he looked at her.

"Wu Xuezhen, you really must be sick. Do whatever you want; I won’t deal with you anymore." Ding Xiaoyu, frustrated after multiple attempts to reason with Wu Xuezhen, angrily shook off her arm and walked out of the Educated Youth Center.

Su Yijia shifted her gaze from Wu Xuezhen to her retreating figure, chuckling lightly. So, this is what it looks like when a friend sees you’ve crossed the line and immediately cuts ties?

Seeing this, Wu Xuezhen’s face showed a mix of panic. Clearly, her companion’s sudden departure left her feeling uneasy.

"It was Jiajia’s husband who asked his friend to help with the laundry. Do you have a problem with that?" Xia Weiguo, looking stern, moved from the doorway to the center of the courtyard, standing behind Su Yijia like a mountain, making it clear he was there to support her.

Wu Xuezhen’s face turned as white as a sheet. Frightened, she shook her head quickly, "I just think it’s not appropriate for men to wash women’s clothes. Isn’t it a bit too intimate?"

"The meals we men eat are all cooked by Jiajia. What’s the problem with helping her with some laundry? Are you saying it’s okay for women to help men, but not the other way around? We live in an era of gender equality. Your mindset is clearly wrong and needs re-education." Xia Weiguo’s tone grew harsher, the last sentence directly labeling Wu Xuezhen’s thinking as problematic.

Wu Xuezhen’s legs buckled, and she looked ready to plead, but Su Yijia chuckled, "I think she’s not unaware of gender equality. She’s just deliberately trying to sabotage our inspection, hinder the village’s development, and delay the release of good medicine, making patients suffer."

Isn’t Wu Xuezhen fond of putting labels on people? Well, let’s give her one.

Wu Xuezhen was bewildered by Su Yijia’s words, standing there in confusion. Realizing what she meant, Wu Xuezhen stumbled back a few steps in fright.

"I didn’t... You’re lying! I didn’t mean that! You’re maliciously attacking me!" Wu Xuezhen shook her head desperately. Suddenly, as if realizing something, she widened her eyes and tried to leave.

"I have to go to work! I need to help build the village; I can’t waste time here."

But as she passed by them, Gao Huabin, already signaled by Qin Kaize and Xia Weiguo, grabbed her.

"What are you doing? This is harassment! Help..." Wu Xuezhen screamed hysterically.

"Slap!"

The heavy sound of a slap silenced her instantly. Seeing the blood splatter on her palm, Su Yijia wiped it disdainfully on Wu Xuezhen.