Chapter 19: Deciding to Support Zhou Sinian!

After recalling who Zhou Sinian was, a plan gradually took shape in Ming Dai’s mind.

With last night’s and this morning’s interactions, she was able to determine that this plan was feasible.

Others might not understand Zhou Sinian’s condition, but Ming Dai, who came from a family of medical professionals, knew very well.

Through her probing and observations, she confirmed that he was indeed suffering from a neurological disorder—what could be called mania.

Thirty percent of his condition stemmed from post-war trauma, which had not been properly addressed with psychological counseling.

More importantly, it was the result of medication.

In other words, someone had been drugging him, causing his mental instability.

Combined with the fact that the book mentioned someone not wanting him to return to the city, it was almost certain—his existence was obstructing certain people’s plans.

Zhou Sinian’s condition was severe. The medication had already damaged his brain.

His cognitive awareness of common sense was disrupted, and he was barely managing his life based on habit.

If he didn’t receive treatment soon, he might completely lose consciousness and could lose control at any moment.

This could very well be the reason why, in the previous timeline, he had “accidentally” died in the mountains.

At this moment, under the sunlight, Zhou Sinian was licking the candy wrapper, and Ming Dai felt a twinge of sympathy.

She had always had a deep respect for soldiers. No matter how lazy she was, if there was ever a military medical consultation, she would attend.

She always felt that such honorable people deserved respect.

She didn’t know what kind of soldier Zhou Sinian had been, but for him to be called a “king of soldiers” and a “human weapon,” he must have been one of the best—worthy of even greater respect.

Moreover, she valued Zhou Sinian’s identity and needed someone like him to serve as her cover.

To the entire Hongqi Commune, he was an uncontrollable madman, someone who had proven his dangerous nature across multiple brigades.

To others, he was a burden.

But to Ming Dai—he was her personal bodyguard!

She was able to pinpoint Zhou Sinian’s boundaries and coexist peacefully with him.

If Zhou Sinian listened to her, it would be as if she were holding the ring through a bull’s nose—controlling his direction effortlessly.

With that, in the brigade, or even in the entire commune, no one would dare to provoke her.

By then:

If she wanted to eat meat, she could eat meat—after all, it was Zhou Sinian who wanted it and forced her to cook it!

If she didn’t want to work, she wouldn’t have to—after all, it was Zhou Sinian who didn’t want her to labor in the fields!

If she wanted to go to the commune, she could—after all, it was Zhou Sinian’s idea!

If she wanted to dine at a restaurant, she could—after all, it was Zhou Sinian who insisted!

Most importantly, she would have the perfect excuse to occupy the brick house all by herself.

Compared to those scheming, black-hearted people in the front yard, wasn’t the “lunatic” Zhou Sinian much more lovable?

Just thinking about it made her happy!

For all these benefits, Ming Dai was willing to take care of Zhou Sinian and even cure his illness.

A soldier king shouldn’t die here.

Having made up her mind, she stepped forward with a bright smile.

“After we finish eating, let’s go collect firewood, okay?”

Zhou Sinian stared at the candy wrapper with a look of deep resentment, unable to comprehend where that delicious thing—so good it almost made him bite his own tongue—had disappeared to.

Ming Dai patiently repeated herself twice. Sure enough, Zhou Sinian finally lifted his gaze toward her.

“After we finish eating, let’s go collect firewood, okay?”

Slowly, Zhou Sinian gave his first response since they had met.

He didn’t say anything, but he nodded.

Ming Dai was satisfied. It seemed that she needed to find the right time to check his pulse.

If nothing else, she had to at least help him regain his common sense—otherwise, communication would be too difficult.

Yesterday, when she went to the brigade office, the brigade leader had informed her that new educated youths were given three days to rest before being assigned work.

In previous years, they only got one day, but this year, among the newcomers was Ming Dai, who was very much favored by the leadership of Liujiawan.

On top of that, it was winter, and there wasn’t much work to do. So, with a wave of his hand, the brigade leader generously extended their rest period by two extra days.

Ming Dai planned to use all three days to stockpile firewood.

She wasn’t lacking food—she had brought plenty with her.

But what she did lack was firewood that she could openly use.

So, when Ming Dai and Zhou Sinian appeared together, the educated youths in the front yard were utterly shocked.

Fang Mingyang’s prized enamel mug slipped from his hands, hitting the ground and cracking.

He didn’t even have time to pick it up—he just stood up in disbelief, staring at the two people walking toward them.

Zhou Sinian was in the front, now dressed in a new set of clothes.

It was clearly the attire of an old man in his fifties or sixties, complete with black cotton shoes.

Though rustic, it was still far better than his previous outfit, which had been full of holes, leaking cotton, and soaked through.

Ming Dai followed behind him, her expression blank, her eyes lifeless—looking as though she had suffered a great shock.

As they passed by the entrance of the educated youths’ quarters, she suddenly seemed to remember something and said to Fang Mingyang, “Captain, let them take their luggage while we’re away. I finally managed to coax him out.”

Fang Mingyang looked at Zhou Sinian, who had also stopped and was staring at them coldly.

A shiver ran down his spine.

Suppressing his fear, he forced himself to speak. “Why didn’t he hit you?”

The moment the words left his mouth, Fang Mingyang knew he had made a mistake.

Before Fang Mingyang could explain himself, Ming Dai’s expression turned into one of righteous indignation, as if she had just confirmed her suspicions.

“Captain! So you were hiding things from us!” she accused.

Fang Mingyang felt irritated at being called out so directly, but he was indeed at fault. He could only brace himself and explain.

“Ming Zhiqing, I didn’t mean to keep it from you all. It was just… hard to explain.

Zhou Sinian only attacks people when they touch his things. I figured that, given your high moral standards, none of you would stoop so low as to mess with his belongings. That’s why I didn’t warn you.”

Ming Dai’s expression softened slightly, though she still looked doubtful. “Really?”

Seeing that she was somewhat convinced, Fang Mingyang quickly nodded, thinking to himself that young people were so easy to fool.

Ming Dai finally let out a sigh. “Alright, I knew you were a good person, Captain Fang.”

The so-called “good person” continued his questioning. “But why does he listen to you?”

Ming Dai looked troubled as she replied, “I don’t know. I was really tired last night. After receiving my supplies, I ate a sponge cake and went straight to sleep. The next thing I knew, I was woken up by all the noise.

After he finished beating up Comrades Zhang and Liu, he barged into our room.

Luckily, we hadn’t heated the kang bed, so we were still sleeping in our clothes. Otherwise, Comrade Liu would’ve been utterly humiliated—she was dragged straight out of her blankets.

Comrade Liu got beaten up, and I was scared out of my wits. I huddled in the corner, too afraid to move.

Then he walked in and stared at me for a long time.

In the end, I gave him half of my leftover sponge cake, and he left.

Then this morning, when I was cooking, he showed up again and ate my breakfast.”

Finishing her story, she looked genuinely distressed. “You know, Captain, I was only given twenty jin of fine grain. That’s nowhere near enough for two people! Can you help me? Stop him from taking my food?”

Fang Mingyang actually started feeling a little sorry for her. “That… that’s really beyond my ability.”

Ming Dai seemed anxious at first, then suddenly her eyes lit up. “Then can I join your communal meals? That way, I won’t have to worry about him eating all my food!”

“No way!”

A chorus of seven or eight voices rang out in unison.

The educated youths who had been eavesdropping all shouted their rejection.

What kind of joke was this?!

Zhou Sinian had clearly latched onto her. If she joined their communal meals, wouldn’t he follow as well?!

Absolutely not—even if they died!

Hearing such a firm rejection, Ming Dai’s eyes reddened slightly. Still unwilling to give up, she turned to Fang Mingyang once more.

“Really? There’s no way?” she asked again, her voice carrying a hint of desperation.

Fang Mingyang shook his head firmly.

The young girl looked completely heartbroken.

With red-rimmed eyes, she turned and left, glancing back three times with every step, looking utterly devastated.

Following behind the tall and imposing Zhou Sinian, she appeared even more pitiful.

Fang Mingyang barely had time to sigh before crouching down to mourn his broken enamel mug.

Meanwhile, Ming Dai discreetly wiped at her eyes, the corners of her lips curling up ever so slightly.

Oscar really owes me a little golden statue!