Chapter 20: Stirring Up Trouble? Let’s Go!

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A faint curve tugged at Huo Congjing’s lips, but he said nothing, merely tossing a few more dry twigs onto the campfire. The forest was silent. The cave they had found was quite dry, and the occasional crackle of sparks breaking free was the only sound. The two sat quietly through the night until dawn broke.

Time passed quickly; after only a brief moment spent poring over the maps, the horizon began to lighten with the pale glow of early morning. Su Xiaoyun’s waist ached, so she massaged it before standing up.

“Looks like it’ll be daylight in about half an hour.”

“The mountain paths are treacherous. Will your comrades be able to find this place?”

She scanned their surroundings: dense branches and thick underbrush encircled them. A thin mist rose through the woods, and the scent of moist earth filled her nostrils. The situation on the mountain was better than the drought-stricken village below.

Huo Congjing narrowed his eyes, focusing on a spot ahead. “They’re here.”

Startled, Su Xiaoyun blinked. “Who?”

Before she finished, the trees ahead rustled suddenly. The mist mixed with dust stirred as footsteps pressed down, sending up faint puffs like smoke. Leaves, dried and yellowed by the sun, trembled endlessly.

Looking toward the noise, Su Xiaoyun saw Meng Qinian leading a few men, their strides steady and swift.

“Captain! Comrade Su, we finally found you two.”

“All along, I couldn’t relax. So, how was the night alone?”

Meng Qinian exhaled in relief upon seeing them safe, though his usual roguish smirk quickly returned.

Su Xiaoyun twitched the corner of her mouth. How was it that Meng Qinian remained such a carefree playboy even after all these years in the army? It was truly remarkable.

Huo Congjing’s dark eyes slitted slightly. “Feeling itchy?”

Meng Qinian’s smile faded a bit but he couldn’t help muttering gossip, “Your little two-person world got interrupted. Lucky for us, our captain is a rare bloom…”

Before he finished, a cold glare shot at him like an arrow, silencing him instantly.

Huo Congjing’s sharp gaze was unreadable. “You marked the fire signal and spent the entire night searching? Efficiency down, action lacking. More training when we return.”

“Please, Captain!” Meng Qinian’s cheer disappeared. “At least consider that we helped Comrade Su fetch water.”

Huo Congjing was unmoved. “Serving the people is your duty. You dare ask for credit? Double training when we get back.”

Meng Qinian surrendered completely.

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Nearby, Su Xiaoyun fought back laughter, clutching her stomach. “Alright, let’s hurry down the mountain.”

“The mountain’s conditions change in an instant. We’ll talk once we’re back in the village.”

She hadn’t returned to the Youth Point all night; she wondered how late Qing might have worried. Fortunately, she was with Huo Congjing and his men. Otherwise, in these times, mere spit could drown a person.

Accused of staying out all night or having improper relations with men, she’d instantly face punishment. Yang Hongfu, that old tyrant, would undoubtedly make things difficult.

Su Xiaoyun exhaled softly and followed the group down the mountain.

An hour later, the sky was fully bright. The sunlight pierced through the clouds; the morning sun was not harsh but oppressively warm. The dry air stung her nostrils, making her capillaries ache.

She rubbed her nose, silently hoping she wouldn’t bleed.

When would she be able to draw some medicine from the system? Both iodine and antibiotics were scarce and classified as military supplies, sold at exorbitant prices in hospitals. Sometimes, even money couldn’t secure them during shortages.

As she pondered this, Huo Congjing stopped abruptly. “The village entrance is just ahead. Let’s return to the base first.”

“If needed, have the village chief contact me anytime. I will vouch for you,” he added.

Su Xiaoyun smiled faintly. “Thank you, Huo Congjing.”

“This water solves an urgent problem.”

His last words lifted her spirits immensely—this was the right ally, incredibly reliable! Even if Yang Hongfu wanted to cause trouble, with a military commander and so many soldiers as witnesses, who’d dare question her?

Meng Qinian whistled leisurely. “Comrade Su, I had a couple of brothers fill these water barrels for you. Just carry one; don’t break your small frame. Then our captain won’t have to worry.”

Su Xiaoyun coughed awkwardly, glancing at Huo Congjing’s darkening expression, hastily accepting the yoke. “Thank you so much.”

“I’ll leave first. Call on me anytime if you need help.”

With that, Su Xiaoyun steadily carried the yoke and returned to the village.

It was morning work time.

Along the dirt road, villagers wearing straw hats and carrying hoes were beginning their day in the fields.

Su Xiaoyun planned to carry the water to the drying yard.

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But as she walked forward, people kept pausing their work to shoot her strange, unfriendly looks.

Compared to their previous disdain for the original occupant of her body, now there was a thicker layer of contempt.

Su Xiaoyun furrowed her brow. What nonsense was stirring up trouble in the village now?

Since no one spoke up, she had no intention of asking either. After all, worry was as futile as swallowing filth.

No more than a hundred meters ahead, a sneering voice rang out from behind her.

“Oh, where were you gallivanting all night?”

“Only just back at dawn? You’re really making an effort just to earn a few work points fetching water.”

“If you get pregnant, don’t say we didn’t warn you.”

Wu Guifen stood by a patch of corn stalks with drooping leaves. Her dark, weathered face was lined with wrinkles.

She and a few middle-aged women whispered together, their eyes flickering repeatedly toward Su Xiaoyun, sizing her up.

Clang!

Su Xiaoyun stopped abruptly, dropping the yoke, letting the two wooden water barrels thud onto the earth.

“Sounds like some old gossipmonger’s been chewing the fat again—must have eaten rotten scraps this morning, it smells so foul!”

Retreating to avoid conflict was not in her nature.

If she had a grudge, she’d settle it then and there; if she was angry, she’d vent immediately!

Those gossipy women never ceased their chatter.

Wu Guifen’s throat tightened, and she yelled hoarsely, “Bah! So you’re the city-born youth? I say you’re no better than a shrew!”

“No wonder you’re close to that widow—birds of a feather!”

“Staying out all night, mingling with men—you deserve to be punished by the brigade leader. It’s outrageous!”

The other women joined in with their jeers and finger-pointing.

All manner of strange looks were cast at Su Xiaoyun.

In just a few words, they had condemned her.

“Hmph.” Su Xiaoyun’s smile was frosty. “I just came back from the Beetanzi area. On the mountain ridge, there was a landslide that destroyed the path. I barely escaped with my life and brought back water for everyone. And this is the thanks I get—rumors and trouble?”

“It truly is disheartening.”