Chapter 7: Coordinating Supplies

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Huo Congjing stared coldly at the crowd while taking the certificate from Su Xiaoyun’s hand.

“This certificate was personally written by the captain last night. If anyone doubts it, you can confront me!”

“My relationship with Comrade Su is pure; we have only met a few times. How can there be any favoritism?”

His voice was icy, each word deep and forceful.

Those hawk-like black eyes swept over the crowd, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.

For a moment, the noisy crowd fell silent as if muted.

Zhou Xuejun began to sweat, his molars grinding loudly as he said, “There must be some misunderstanding here, Captain Huo. Don’t be deceived by this woman’s appearance.”

“She’s lazy and deceitful every day; everyone in the village knows it.”

“Who knows what dirty schemes she’s hiding? Jin Yue was even bullied to tears by her!”

Yang Jin Yue lowered her eyes, tears still staining her cheeks.

Her clothes, dusted by the broom, made her look somewhat pitiful.

But Huo Congjing showed not an ounce of softness, not even a glance at the two. Instead, he asked coldly, “Are you saying this captain is biased and can’t distinguish right from wrong?”

Zhou Xuejun’s heart skipped a beat; when he met those black eyes, his legs went weak!

“N-no, that’s not what I meant. Captain, you are surely reasonable.”

Rank always wins; even if the battalion commander were here, he would have to show Huo Congjing some respect!

Daring to act rashly against a military officer was inviting trouble.

Huo Congjing’s gaze grew colder. “So you mean Su, the educated youth, forged the certificate and I was an accomplice, showing favoritism?”

Hearing this, Zhou Xuejun’s face turned even grimmer than if he were crying. “N-no…”

Before he could speak further, Su Xiaoyun directly pushed the two out the gate.

Her clear eyes were full of sarcasm. “I conduct myself with integrity, which is better than you two who steal and have improper relationships!”

“Get lost quickly, don’t dirty our educated youth’s territory!”

Her sharp words left the two unable to retort.

Yang Jin Yue stared fixedly at Su Xiaoyun, her nails digging into her palms, knuckles whitening with tension!

What kind of poison had this wretched woman taken to act mad in public today and even have her father write a certificate for her?

She was utterly humiliated in front of everyone.

Seeing Yang Jin Yue’s furious face contort, Zhou Xuejun hurriedly coaxed, “Jin Yue, let’s leave first.”

“That captain is always helping Su Xiaoyun, and he has the certificate, which is very unfavorable to us.”

Mentioning the certificate, Yang Jin Yue reacted instinctively, stomping hard on Zhou’s shoe.

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Her once delicate and charming face twisted with fury. “It’s all your fault! You promised me that bracelet, but now it looks like I’m a thief!”

“With this reputation, how can I live in the village in the future? You wouldn’t be colluding with that little vixen to ruin me, would you?”

Hearing this, Zhou Xuejun’s alarm bells rang loudly!

Yang Jin Yue was the battalion commander’s daughter. Offending her could jeopardize his own future.

He quickly put on a smiling face and lowered his posture. “My heart is only for you. Can’t you see my sincerity?”

“Don’t worry. Once this batch of soldiers leaves, I’ll find a way to get money from Su Xiaoyun and buy you a better bracelet!”

“And then I’ll get some new cloth from the supply store to make you a dress.”

With his smooth words, Yang Jin Yue finally relented.

She glared darkly toward the educated youth camp. “This matter definitely won’t end so easily!”

…

Since the situation was unfavorable, they didn’t stay long and immediately left the camp.

Outside, the onlookers, seeing this, didn’t bother to linger and went to the fields carrying hoes and rakes.

Work points were money; the more work points, the more grain and ration coupons they could exchange.

After covering yearly expenses, any surplus could be converted into cash.

Huo Congjing stood tall and imposing in the camp; no one dared provoke him.

As the crowd dispersed, the coldness on Su Xiaoyun’s face softened slightly.

She quickly brought a bowl of water from inside. “Thank you, Captain Huo. If you hadn’t vouched for me just now, those two scoundrels wouldn’t have given up so easily.”

Su Xiaoyun exhaled deeply.

It was time to salvage her reputation in the village.

Continuing like this was untenable.

Huo Congjing pursed his lips. “It was nothing; don’t put it on your mind.”

The slanting sun cast a golden edge on his rugged features, a faint gleam flickering in his deep eyes.

Su Xiaoyun smiled, her eyes narrowed in a crescent. “Still, I have to thank you. If you don’t mind, Wanqing and I will go help you with material coordination.”

“Don’t worry. Though my reputation outside isn’t good, I work efficiently.”

“Consider it an opportunity for me to thank you.”

Her eyes sparkled brighter than the stars Huo Congjing had seen in the military district.

Yet Huo Congjing frowned slightly. “Those people have no insight. You’ve always been good.”

Brief and to the point, his words left Su Xiaoyun momentarily stunned.

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His words sounded as if they had known each other before.

But she had no such memory.

Huo Congjing’s gaze shifted slightly. “The branch secretary specifically named you both to help; your abilities are naturally trusted.”

“And reputation is just hearsay. Su, just be yourself.”

These words struck a chord with Su Xiaoyun’s heart.

She hadn’t expected Huo Congjing, born in this era, to have no trace of chauvinism and to be quite gentlemanly.

He treated women very kindly!

Su Xiaoyun’s eyes twinkled like two crescent moons. “Alright, wait for me a moment!”

She turned and went back inside to fetch paper and pen.

After all, Huo Congjing had helped her quite a bit.

Moreover, now that she had thoroughly offended the Yang family—father and daughter both full of schemes and no chance of a peaceful life—going back to work there might invite more trouble.

So she decided to follow Huo Congjing to the military quarters.

“Xiaoyun, let’s go.”

“Seeing those two scoundrels just now made me feel so much better!”

“You finally see clearly; you’ll surely find a man ten times better than Zhou Xuejun in the future!”

Feng Wanqing had also finished packing, and the two walked arm in arm toward the exit.

Seeing her happy for her, Su Xiaoyun couldn’t help but smile brightly and sincerely.

Huo Congjing led the way ahead, glancing unintentionally at this scene.

His dark eyes seemed to shimmer with scattered light. His fingers, hanging by his side, gently rubbed each other, saying nothing.

The weather was still cool; it wouldn’t get truly scorching until noon.

The three walked toward the military quarters.

On both sides of the road, corn stalks grew half a person’s height, with dew drops clinging to the curled leaves.

Su Xiaoyun held Feng Wanqing’s arm, the two hurrying along behind.

A fine layer of sweat beaded on her fair forehead.