The most stunned of all was Nima. She had just sneered that even if everyone had bugs on them, Su Mali still invited them to eat, unlike the "picky" Jing Shu. In the very next breath, in front of everyone, Su Mali slapped that take right across her face.
But since it was Su Mali footing the bill, the meal would surely be precious. However awkward it was, no one was going to say they were not eating.
Zhang Lingling, mortified, asked, "Then what do we do? We can't wash all the red nematodes off."
Su Mali lectured gently, "Having bugs on your body is a very unhygienic habit. I hate bugs most of all, so you must soak clean in my saltwater pool before you come out. Alright, let's go. Oh, Jing Shu, don't forget to bring your things."
And just like that, the matter of Zhou Dafu was put aside. Eating came first.
Right then, a fuel-burning Hummer rolled into the community. A man in a sealed raincoat climbed out and told the driver, "Go park." He turned and said to Su Mali, "Hi, dear Miss Mali, I'm here. Oh, and these are…?"
"A Yu, you're here." Su Mali smiled. "These are my high school classmates." Then to the others, "This is my friend, A Yu. Let's go in, it should all be ready."
"Let's," the man said, neither mocking them nor looking disgusted. His tone was flat, the attitude more like ignoring ants.
Jing Shu went home for two potted plants and a change of clothes, then sauntered back to join the crowd. She was curious to see Su Mali's place. In the previous life, for various reasons, she had never gone, and she had not felt she missed anything.
No one spoke as they followed Su Mali. A moment ago they had been giddy at the idea of a free meal. Seen now, they looked like beggars mooching from a landlord, while the landlord's class kept reminding them, with every gesture, how poor and unrefined they were.
Even so, they were better off than the curious crowd clustering at the villa gate. The government had just settled another big wave of residents in Banana Community, but only this section blazed with lights and music. The fanfare drew onlookers from all around.
Even in the apocalypse, Su Mali's front gate was extravagant, imposing and grand. Two neat rows of greeters stood at attention, each holding a tray with a clean bath towel. The onlookers gaped anew.
In front of the door, workers had labored through the night to dig a three-meter-long channel pool. Steam curled up from the water. Compared with the simple basin at Jing Shu's door, this one was clearly top-tier.
Su Mali and A Yu stepped into the pool first and walked through the channel. The raincoats shed all the red nematodes. Greeters hurried to offer towels, wiped them dry, and only then did Su Mali slip off her raincoat, revealing a pink princess dress and glossy princess curls. She looked adorably perfect.
The man's features were finely cut. In a blue suit, he looked every inch the gentleman.
"Everyone, make sure you soak in the pool and rinse all the red nematodes clean before you come up."
The group climbed into the pool. Since Su Mali said so, they scrubbed carefully. From time to time more guests arrived, some in energy cars, others in luxury vehicles, mostly in sealed raincoats. They took one look at the pool full of earnest scrubbers and whispered. For people with layers of bugs upon layers of bugs, it was beyond embarrassing.
"Did she invite these people too? They look so rough."
"Yeah. I heard they're classmates. They do look pitiful."
"Still so naive, that Su Mali. This is an auction and trade meet. She invites all sorts. What can they possibly bring to the table?"
"Fine, just keep your distance later. It's not that I look down on them, but if a bug jumps on me, I'll throw up."
"Shh. If Su Mali hears you, she'll lecture you for half an hour. She's sentimental."
Even Jing Shu shook her head at the snide whispers. Some rich folks had class and said nothing, but most people did not like befriending those with a huge power gap. There was no common language, and habits clashed.
As for the classmates still cleaning private parts under the hot water, the shame burned like fire. It was like being a guest and having the host demand you wash your stinky feet at the door while a whole crowd watched, pinching their noses.
At last they were clean. They climbed out in a hurry, took dry towels, and scrubbed down. After each person announced a name, staff led them inside.
Once past the foyer, they shed raincoats. Jing Shu, in casual clothes and hugging two pots of flowers, followed the group. The whole villa blazed with light. It did not feel like the apocalypse at all. For eyes used to the dark, it was almost blinding.
The grounds were huge, as if several villa yards had been knocked together into a giant U-shaped banquet. Two long rows of tables stretched in parallel, already set with starters and labeled place cards. Every third seat had a server assigned.
Down the center lay an array of goods, and at the far front a massive electronic screen listed the items for sale in the trading auction.
Like an empress, Su Mali sat at the head with a microphone. "Please sit where your name card is. Don't switch seats. The Su Mali housewarming and auction is about to begin." The young lady was thrilled.
"So fancy."
"Wow, so much food. And individually plated too. I thought it would be one big communal table where we used our chopsticks on the same dishes. If it were like that, I'd fill a few bowls first and maybe take some home."
"How tacky. How sanitary is that? You think these people want to share plates with you?"
They gawked like country cousins at a grand estate, overwhelmed. Hard to believe this was the same apocalypse. How did this place not lack food? For the first time, they saw Su Mali with fresh clarity.
Everyone found their spot. The classmates were placed at the very back. Jing Shu, however, was seated at the left front, first seat by the head table, right next to Su Mali. Jing Shu figured it was because the honeysuckle had saved Su Mali's friend's life. Or… maybe not?
She had barely sat when Su Mali covered her mouth, giggling at Jing Shu. Beaming, she said, "Raised him well, you did. Now we get to watch him eat shit on livestream."
…
"You see it, right? Su Mali treats Jing Shu differently."
"Su Mali looks down on the rest of us just like the others do."