Chapter 81

Summer and Logan walked side by side toward their private garden, discussing their plan. They decided to prepare for the following Sunday by inviting a few key community leaders to a meal cooked by Summer. Depending on their reaction to her cooking, they would decide the next steps.

The preparations mostly involved gathering vegetables, meat, and flour. There was no need to prepare the sauce since Summer had brought a large jar from home when she first arrived in the countryside. The sauce could last a long time without spoiling, and they had only used it twice, so there was still more than half a jar left.

As they finished their discussion, they arrived at the edge of their garden plot. It was around three or four in the afternoon, and while the sun wasn't as intense as at noon, it still felt quite warm. The riverside was no longer as quiet as before because Henry and his group of ten were busy digging holes and planting vegetables in their freshly prepared plot. More accurately, nine people were working while Sophia sat resting by the riverbank. The chatter and occasional playful banter made the riverside lively.

Hearing the noise, Summer and Logan glanced over at them before turning their attention back to their plot to pick vegetables. Summer checked the cucumber trellis and noticed that two cucumbers had grown quite large over the past few days. She quickly picked them without hesitation.

After gathering a few vegetables, Summer and Logan left the garden. As they walked along the riverbank, Summer spoke up, "They sure are tolerant. Sophia slacks off every day, and they still put up with it without any complaints."

Logan scoffed, "They're just putting on a show. They haven't gone hungry yet. Once they do, we'll see how united they really are. Let's see how long Henry can defend his pampered girlfriend."

Summer instinctively looked back at Sophia, who happened to be staring at her. Their eyes met across the distance, and Summer saw a hint of resentment in Sophia's gaze. Turning back, Summer muttered, "Why is she looking at me like that?"

Logan glanced back at Sophia, who was still staring, and said, "Maybe it's because you became a teacher, and she didn't."

Summer replied, "It's not like I took her opportunity. It was always mine."

Logan looked at Summer for a moment before saying, "If you hadn't suddenly regained your senses, Henry might have convinced you to give up the opportunity to Sophia. She probably thought she was going to be the teacher, but you didn't back down."

Summer thought of the plot of the original novel and couldn't help but wonder if Sophia knew about it too. But she shook her head. Even if Sophia knew the plot, it wouldn't change the fact that the opportunity was rightfully hers. She had earned it through her hard work.

Looking at Logan, Summer said, "I worked hard for this opportunity. It's mine to give or not to give. If she's unhappy about it, she'll just have to deal with it. Does she think the world revolves around her just because she's pretty and Henry likes her?"

In the original novel, maybe. But in this reality, things had changed. No matter how much resentment or dissatisfaction she had, Sophia had to accept it.

As Summer and Logan walked away, Sophia turned back to her group. The others continued planting vegetables. Gabe dug a hole, looked in the direction Summer and Logan had gone, and said, "What's the big deal? We're planting vegetables too. Soon, we'll have plenty. We'll cook a feast with plenty of oil and show them what real enjoyment is."

Grace, covering the seedlings with soil behind him, chimed in, "Exactly. Summer always uses so little oil. How can the food taste good without enough oil? We still have our soybeans, peanuts, and rapeseed. We can take them to the oil mill and get plenty of oil."

Gabe imagined the dishes and said, "Oil-fried garlic greens... just thinking about it makes my mouth water." He swallowed a big gulp of saliva, and the others laughed.

Lily and Cecilia were watering plants a bit farther away. Lily, still smiling, muttered, "Annoying."

Cecilia asked, "What's bothering you? We're about to have vegetables too."

Lily replied quietly, "Keep your voice down. It's not about the vegetables. It's Sophia."

Cecilia glanced at the riverbank where Sophia was resting, then back at Lily. "What about her?"

Lily continued, "I can't stand her anymore. She acts so delicate all the time. We've been here long enough, but she still hasn't adapted. She sits around doing nothing while we work hard. She doesn't even earn as many points as the local kids. Why does she get special treatment?"

Cecilia whispered, "Henry protects her."

Lily sighed, looking at Henry, then back at the plants. "She has no self-awareness. Doesn't she realize how inappropriate her behavior is? Henry can only do so much for her."

Cecilia, wanting to avoid conflict, said, "Let's just endure it. It's not a big deal. If we make a fuss, the others will think we're petty. We don't want to cause unnecessary tension and give Summer and Logan a show."

Lily agreed, knowing she wouldn't confront Sophia directly. Complaining quietly was enough to vent her frustration. They continued watering the plants, with Lily speaking to the seedlings, "Grow well, little plants. Drink up and grow big and strong. Show those other plants what real growth looks like."

As the wind rustled the plants, their shadows danced on the ground, growing longer as the sun set and eventually merging into the night.

After school, Summer sat at her desk, finishing up her work. Stretching, she noticed Amy standing outside the door. Seeing Logan in the room, Amy hesitated to knock or enter.

Summer called out, "Come in if you need something."

Amy, looking nervous, stepped in quickly and placed a couple of comic books on Summer's desk. "Ms. Summer, I finished these. Here to return them."

Summer smiled, "Did you understand them?"

Amy nodded shyly, "Yes, but it took me a while."

Summer reassured her, "You're not slow at all."

She put the returned comics in her drawer and handed Amy two new ones. "Here, try these."

Amy hesitated briefly before accepting them. "Thank you, Ms. Summer. I'll try to read them faster."

Summer replied, "Take your time. It's okay."

After Amy left, Summer tidied her desk and turned to Logan, "Are you done with your work?"