Chapter 16: Constant Companionship

Xiaoyun Su brushed the dirt and sand off her pant leg. "Thank you, but we need to carry this water back first."

"Since we’re here, we have to earn our work points," Congjing Huo replied, a faint curve tugging at the corner of his lips. "You’re quite capable, carrying a load twenty miles back and forth without complaining."

Xiaoyun Su’s mouth twitched downward as she shrugged and turned to lift the water-filled yoke by the pond.

But before she could feel the weight, her shoulder suddenly lightened!

Turning around, she saw Congjing Huo lending her a hand.

The yoke wrapped in tattered cloth had already been shifted onto his broad shoulders. "Let me help you. I’ll lead the team to escort you back."

"Our troops are stationed in Shigang Village; it’s only right we help the villagers with some chores," he added.

"Last time, you organized the supplies so meticulously, preventing many losses. Consider this a return favor."

His low voice was logical and compelling, leaving no room for refusal.

Xiaoyun Su raised her delicate eyebrows, her amber eyes curving into a bright smile. "Thank you, Congjing Huo."

The three words carried a slight upward inflection, laced with an unmistakable warmth.

A flicker passed through the man’s eyes. "It’s nothing."

Nearby, Aunt Wang was still searching for Aunt Wu Guifen. "Xiaoyun, have you seen Aunt Wu?"

The smile on Xiaoyun Su’s face dimmed slightly. "She was worried something might go wrong, so she went back to the village first."

Her words cast a subtle awkwardness over the surrounding women, especially since they spoke in front of the officer.

"Then, we’ll head back too," someone said.

"Thank you, young comrades."

"For the people’s service!"

Under Congjing Huo’s leadership, the group quickly returned to the village.

It was still early, and just these two buckets of water weren’t nearly enough.

The other women, old and feeble, were exhausted after the trip, gasping for breath and refusing to make another journey.

Xiaoyun Su rolled her ankle, feeling fine. The problem was earning only two work points per trip.

If this continued, she’d be exhausted before getting a single bowl of thick rice porridge to drink.

She glanced at the clear sky; the sun had shifted lower since their departure. "Congjing Huo, I plan to make two more trips. I need to earn at least six work points today."

He poured the water into the storage tank at the grain-drying yard. "The journey is long and dangerous. I’ll go with you."

His decisive words left no room for argument.

Xiaoyun Su waved him off. "You’ve already helped enough. I can manage on my own."

"When your troops leave, these chores will still fall on you."

Before she could speak further, Congjing Huo hung empty buckets on the yoke. "Our current station is a ready-made location. We also need to survey the surrounding terrain."

Xiaoyun Su: …Well, with him saying that, refusing would just be fussing.

Meanwhile, the other women had long since gathered under a tree to rest.

Even if asked to cut pig feed or dig ditches, they had no desire to carry water dozens of miles back and forth again.

Before leaving the village entrance, Congjing Huo personally ordered the soldiers to help the villagers carry water.

More hands meant greater strength, and since they were all sturdy young men, the village’s water reservoir could be filled in just a few trips.

Meng Qinian, Congjing Huo’s deputy, was naturally among them.

Leaning against a tree with his long legs slightly bent, he whistled with a roguish air. "I say, Xiaoyun, you really get along well with our commander."

Xiaoyun Su narrowed her eyes. "The commander is kind-hearted and willing to help the villagers, not just me personally."

Meng Qinian snorted, "I hope that’s the case."

It was clear he bore no goodwill toward her.

Suddenly, a shadow fell over Xiaoyun Su’s head, blocking the harsh sunlight.

Turning around, she saw Congjing Huo standing behind her.

Their height difference was quite pronounced.

Congjing Huo glanced at the unfocused Meng Qinian and tossed him the yoke. "The route we took earlier wasn’t a shortcut—it was too far."

"Going back and forth wastes too much effort. Is there a closer path? That way, we can carry more water."

Xiaoyun Su searched her memory intently. "There might be a shortcut, but it’s a mountain trail that saves half the time."

"However, to detour to the Bee Pool, we’d have to pass through the mountain ridge, where there are earthen cliffs and slopes."

That was all she recalled.

After handing over food and money to Zhou Xuejun, she mostly borrowed supplies or went up the mountain to gather wild vegetables and fruits.

She was somewhat familiar with the terrain, though it was winding and uneven.

Congjing Huo’s sharp features remained unchanged. "Perfect for surveying the surrounding terrain. You’ll lead the way."

Xiaoyun Su waved casually. "No trouble at all. I should be thanking you for helping me with water."

After all, the work points were credited to her account.

Meng Qinian stood nearby holding a yoke, followed by a few comrades. "Commander, you two go survey that side; we’ll take the lower path."

"We can meet just before the Bee Pool."

Congjing Huo considered briefly and agreed.

The group split into two.

Minutes later, Xiaoyun Su led Congjing Huo into the mountain ridge.

This was also the necessary route to the Bee Pool.

Earlier, only women had traveled, so they had to detour through several villages.

Though the sun had shifted, it still beat down fiercely.

A layer of fine sweat covered Xiaoyun Su’s pale forehead. She instinctively wiped it with a handkerchief.

A cool scent of pine drifted by—she realized belatedly it was from Congjing Huo.

"Sorry... I think I got this a little dirty. I’ll clean it before returning it," she said, bending forward as she walked, her cheeks tinged with pink.

Congjing Huo’s steady steps continued, his sharp gaze softened with a faint glow. "No rush."

The mountain trail wasn’t difficult, but steep.

Loose earthen cliffs on the slope and stones wrapped in clumps of soil occasionally tumbled down.

Beneath their feet, dry leaves mixed with weeds creaked and slipped.

Xiaoyun Su gripped an empty bucket in one hand, the other occasionally steadying herself on tree trunks. "This moss is so slippery."

A misstep could send her tumbling down the slope.

Hearing this, Congjing Huo immediately pulled a thick branch from the bushes. "Be careful. Take this."

Xiaoyun Su was slightly taken aback by his attentiveness.

She smiled softly. "Thank you."

The sun scorched fiercely, and inside the woods, the heat was damp and stifling.

Suddenly, Congjing Huo asked, "Did the company commander deliberately send you to the Bee Pool to fetch water?"

Xiaoyun Su looked exasperated. "I have a bad reputation, and I caused his daughter to suffer. This kind of hardship was expected."

Congjing Huo frowned after a moment’s silence. "The troops will be stationed here for some time. If there’s more water-fetching work, let me know in advance."