Chapter 8: Why Does This Look Familiar?

Huo Congjing, a former soldier with a robust physique, took long, steady strides, almost leaving the two women struggling to keep up.

Su Xiaoyun panted softly, gritting her teeth as she pulled Feng Wanqing along to quicken their pace.

After only a few hundred meters, their cotton shirts were already damp with sweat.

Noticing this, Huo Congjing subtly slowed his pace to ease their burden.

Su Xiaoyun raised a delicate eyebrow; this man was surprisingly considerate.

Soon, they arrived at the military encampment—a clearing nestled at the foot of the mountain.

The army-green tents were topped with leafy branches, effectively shielding them from the sun.

Su Xiaoyun surveyed the scene and saw rows of tall, muscular soldiers standing at attention.

Well, at last, we get to be served by the best!

What a sight to behold.

“We’ve requisitioned some supplies from the village—grains, oils, rice, flour, and a few seeds. The village clinic also provided some basic medicines, though not many,” Huo Congjing explained simply.

“As long as you help us inventory and categorize them properly, just give me a list.”

With that, he led the two women to a tent at the far edge, piled high with supplies.

Sacks were stacked haphazardly everywhere, and several ox carts had yet to be unloaded—truly a chaotic and abundant stockpile.

This spot was shaded, making it ideal for storage.

Su Xiaoyun gave a quick glance. “Got it. I’ll make sure everything is properly logged.”

Just as she and Feng Wanqing prepared to start, someone suddenly entered the tent.

“Commander, all supplies have been received!” the voice was clear and organized.

“Once the inventory is recorded, they can be distributed to the storage anytime.”

Feng Wanqing was standing right beside the newcomer, flipping through the ledger and nearly bumping into him.

Their eyes met for a moment, and Feng Wanqing’s cheeks flushed. “Sorry, I didn’t realize you were behind me. Are you okay?”

She received no reply.

Looking up, she found the man staring at her intently, his brows knitting. “You…”

An awkward silence fell within the tent.

Su Xiaoyun sensed the tension and hurried over, pulling Feng Wanqing beside her.

Her gaze toward the man carried a hint of caution. “Wanqing didn’t bump into you; if anything, you startled her.”

Huo Congjing set down two buckets of rapeseed oil and walked over. “A-Nian, these are Comrade Su and Comrade Feng.”

Meng Qinian blinked in surprise and quickly waved his hand. “No, I didn’t mean anything else, it’s just that you look a bit familiar.”

His words only made the atmosphere more awkward.

Su Xiaoyun’s lips twitched slightly—what a cliché way to start a conversation.

Still, the man had thick brows and sharp eyes, a righteous bearing, and a handsome, proper face.

Feng Wanqing chuckled. “No worries. If the supplies are all here, let’s get started on the inventory.”

Meanwhile, Huo Congjing and Su Xiaoyun stepped outside the tent.

But Meng Qinian hesitated, glancing back repeatedly. This female comrade seemed so familiar—where had he seen her before?

And the feeling was unusually strong!

Ten minutes later.

Su Xiaoyun had divided the tasks; each would log different types of supplies. “I’ll handle the grains and flours—they’re a bit mixed.”

“Wanqing, you take care of the medicines and anything that needs special storage conditions.”

Feng Wanqing stood beside the medicine boxes and several oil cans.

These items had to be kept away from light and in a dry environment.

She smiled. “You’re surprisingly diligent today. Working hard and looking the part.”

Su Xiaoyun winked slyly. “Underestimate me at your own peril.”

They rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

Squatting down, Su Xiaoyun immediately began cross-checking the supplies.

“There are ten sacks of cornmeal, fifty jin each of grits and sorghum rice, and forty jin of fine grains…”

“All must be neatly arranged in ventilated areas. Otherwise, they’ll spoil in the damp, which would be both inedible and wasteful.”

She quickly sorted through everything and then found two buckets of rapeseed oil in a corner.

Handing them over to Feng Wanqing’s side, her brows furrowed slightly. “These can’t be stored long. I believe these wheat sacks are from the latest harvest.”

“The others are old stock from the granary; it’s best to mark their dates clearly…”

Her meticulous work caught the attention of the men outside the tent.

Huo Congjing stood under a patch of shade, watching Su Xiaoyun busily moving about.

Though slender and petite, she seemed to possess boundless energy.

It was clear why the party secretary had recommended her and Feng Wanqing.

His dark eyes reflected the figure squatting on the ground, her thick, black braided hair falling to her knees.

A dusting of flour on her nose made her look playful and spirited.

Suddenly, a pair of hands waved in front of him.

Huo Congjing squinted. “What are you doing?”

Meng Qinian grinned mischievously. “Commander, I know Su Xiaoyun, but who’s the woman beside her?”

“She looks very familiar. Maybe I can remember.”

As Huo Congjing’s deputy and close comrade, he felt compelled to answer.

Huo Congjing thought for a moment. “The party secretary says her name is Feng Wanqing.”

“Feng Wanqing?”

Meng Qinian’s brow furrowed even tighter, as if trying to crush a fly.

That name sounded familiar too.

Damn it, why can’t I recall?

The gnawing frustration made him uneasy.

Huo Congjing glanced at him. “Stop standing around. Go call some brothers to help the young intellectuals move the supplies.”

As the sun climbed higher toward noon, Su Xiaoyun finally stood and stretched.

Her flushed cheeks glistened with a fine sheen of sweat.

Wiping her face with her sleeve, she said, “Commander Huo, I’ve noted all the important details and potential issues.”

“A few jin of millet have gone moldy and are unfit for consumption.”

“These grains were bought with money. I recommend negotiating with the team leader to exchange them for fresh stock, or people might get sick.”

Su Xiaoyun spoke tactfully.

In truth, she was well aware of the scheming in Yang Hongfu’s mind.

That old miser even dared to withhold the army’s food and funds!

The wretched man was truly blinded by greed.

Huo Congjing’s dark eyes narrowed slightly. “Good. Thank you. You’re very thorough.”

“Take a break with Comrade Feng.”

He then instructed the cook to bring two enamel mugs.

Su Xiaoyun accepted them graciously, without any hesitation. “After working so hard, I’m really thirsty.”

Her bright smile faltered as she tasted the water—there was a subtle sweetness.

What?!

Huo Congjing had put sugar in the water?

Sugar in the countryside was reserved for honored guests.

Whether white or brown, it was precious and could only be obtained through ration coupons at the supply and marketing cooperative.

Without coupons, not even half a catty could be bought.

She took a couple more sips. “Thank you, Commander Huo. The water is cool and sweet—perfectly refreshing.”

A faint smile curved at the corner of Huo Congjing’s lips. “Call me Huo Congjing.”

Hissing softly, Meng Qinian, who had just entered the tent, drew in a sharp breath.

What’s going on? Has the sun started rising from the west?