Chapter 26

Song Chunzhi glanced at the unconscious Song Dapo, her almond-shaped eyes filled with disgust. He was a scoundrel who schemed and shirked real work, and came home only to beat his wife and children.

“Mama…”

Daniu looked panicked as she saw Song Dapo lying silently on the ground. Tears streamed down her face as she clung tightly to Li Shanhong, who was also lying on the floor. She sobbed while calling out and turned anxiously to check on Xiaoniu, who sat nearby.

Li Shanhong was still dazed by what had just happened. Her swollen and bruised face stiffened, and Daniu’s crying brought her back to her senses. She reached out to gently wipe the tear-streaked face of her eldest daughter. Enduring the pain in her body, she forced herself to get up from the ground.

Raised by her grandmother since childhood, Li Shanhong had heard many stories of the supernatural. For Song Dapo to be struck down by a door bolt without reason, she was sure something had intervened to help her.

“Thank you… thank you…”

Li Shanhong knelt down and began kowtowing repeatedly in the direction where Song Dapo had fallen, mumbling words of gratitude.

Seeing that Li Shanhong was actually kowtowing to her, Song Chunzhi quickly stepped aside. She had only intervened because she couldn’t stand Song Dapo abusing his wife and wanted to return a favor. She didn’t deserve such a grand gesture.

Thud!

Although Daniu didn’t understand what her mother was doing, she sniffled quietly and obediently sat down. Suddenly, there was a loud noise. She turned and saw Xiaoniu collapse face-first to the ground. Alarmed, she immediately shouted to her mother.

“Mama, it’s my little sister!”

Song Chunzhi noticed something was wrong and quickly walked over. She saw that Xiaoniu’s thin face was flushed red, her eyes tightly shut, and her breathing rapid. The child was clearly sick. Just then, Li Shanhong’s urgent voice rang out.

“Daniu, go get a basin of cold water!”

Li Shanhong rushed over and cradled Xiaoniu’s burning body in her arms, her heart tightening with worry. She had noticed earlier that Xiaoniu was running a fever and had wanted to take her to the village doctor, but Song Dapo had not only stopped her but had also beaten her severely.

Hot tears rolled down her face. She wiped them away carelessly, already making up her mind to head into the mountains again the next day. No matter what, her child couldn’t be allowed to worsen.

Watching Li Shanhong hold her child with a face full of distress, Song Chunzhi felt a sharp pain in her heart. When she had been sick as a child, she could only lie in bed and suffer through it alone. No one cared whether she lived or died. No matter how unfortunate Xiaoniu’s life was, at least she had a mother who loved her.

…

Western Mountain Garrison

A gentle breeze drifted through the room, brushing across Gu Huaishan’s handsome, sleeping face. At that moment, he was deep in a dream. Before him stood a graceful figure, and he was momentarily stunned. Why was she here?

The charming Song Chunzhi wore a sky-blue floral dress and had her hair styled in a side braid. She smiled sweetly at him, her almond eyes filled with shyness as she asked in a soft voice, “Company Commander Gu, do you think I’m pretty?”

Gu Huaishan was momentarily dazed by her coy tone. He quickly looked away and gave a light nod.

“Company Commander Gu, do you like me?”

“Company Commander Gu, will you be my boyfriend?”

Hearing those two questions, a smile spread across Gu Huaishan’s usually cold face, and his features softened. Seeing the bashful young woman gazing at him with eyes full of affection, his heart suddenly felt full. He grabbed Song Chunzhi’s arm and asked solemnly, “Song Chunzhi, are you serious? If you are, then I’ll say yes.”

As he held her arm, a tingling sensation spread through his body. Her radiant face reflected in his deep eyes, and he smiled as he nodded.

“Company Commander Gu, what were you thinking? I would never date you. I don’t even like you.”

In a flash, Song Chunzhi flung his hand off her arm. Confused, Gu Huaishan stared at her cold expression. The affectionate girl from just moments ago was now glaring at him, her words cutting like ice. He froze in disbelief.

What was going on?

Hadn’t she just asked to date him?

“Company Commander Gu, you’re too dangerous. I don’t dare get close to you. I must stay away!”

Song Chunzhi’s almond eyes now brimmed with disdain. As she stepped back slowly, her figure gradually faded from Gu Huaishan’s consciousness.

“Don’t go…”

In his sleep, Gu Huaishan suddenly shouted and then abruptly opened his eyes. His sharp gaze swept the room. Realizing it had all been a dream, he exhaled deeply.

He got out of bed, poured himself a cup of water, and gulped it down. With his brows furrowed, he couldn’t understand why he had dreamed of Song Chunzhi, and in such a strange way.

It had to be because of what she did to him that afternoon. That had to be it!

He drank another large glass of cold water before returning to bed. But when he closed his eyes, all he could see was Song Chunzhi’s flirtatious smile and hear her voice asking, “Will you be my boyfriend?”

What irritated him most was that he had actually taken it seriously. He had nodded! Thinking back on how he had behaved in the dream, Gu Huaishan wanted to slap himself.

Was he the kind of man who took things so lightly?

Who agrees to date someone in a dream?

No, wait… what had Song Chunzhi said at the end?

Oh. She said he was dangerous and had to be avoided.

Gu Huaishan sat up abruptly in bed, his entire body radiating a cold and sharp aura. Dangerous? How was he dangerous? Why should anyone stay away from him?

…

The next morning, as soon as Song Chunzhi opened her door, she saw Song Xingguo yelling at Zhao Wanmiao, demanding that she buy some medicine for bruises. He was also shouting at Song Chunhua, who shrank in fear and scurried into the kitchen.

“Chun… Chunzhi, I won’t hit you anymore. Just don’t report me to the commune, or else our whole family will be ruined.”

Recalling what had happened the night before, Song Xingguo, who had been mysteriously beaten and scared half to death, immediately tried to appease her when he saw her come out. Her words from last night still echoed in his mind.

Song Chunzhi glanced at Song Xingguo and noticed a large bump on his forehead. It was probably her doing when she struck him in the dark. She raised her brows and sneered inwardly, Serves you right!

She completely ignored Song Xingguo. Reporting him to the commune for abusing women would be letting him off too easily. She had no intention of letting him go that easily.

After breakfast, Song Chunzhi locked her door and went out. She had no choice. Everything she owned was in that room. If the Song family got in and started rummaging through her things, it would be a disaster. Although Zhao Wanmiao and Song Xingguo were being suppressed for now, it wouldn’t last forever.

“Daniu, have you eaten?”

Song Chunzhi headed straight for Li Shanhong’s house. She had seen how sick Xiaoniu had been the night before and was worried. Spotting Daniu standing dumbly at the door, she quickly waved and asked with concern.

“No. Mama went up the mountain to look for fruit, and my little sister still hasn’t woken up…”

Daniu’s eyes darted nervously. She recognized Song Chunzhi, who had given her wild fruits before, and answered softly.

“She went up…”

Hearing that Li Shanhong had gone to the mountains, Song Chunzhi felt like she had been struck by lightning. What else could Li Shanhong be doing up there? It had to be related to the man from yesterday. Thinking back to how Li Shanhong had been beaten by Song Dapo and how Xiaoniu had fallen ill, it all became clear.

“Daniu, here, take this.”

Song Chunzhi pulled two fruit candies from her pocket and placed them in Daniu’s hand. Just as she was about to ask about Xiaoniu’s condition, she heard Li Shanhong’s anxious voice behind her.

“Chunzhi, what’s going on?”

She turned around quickly and saw Li Shanhong’s face etched with worry and anxiety. She smiled and replied, “It’s nothing. I was just playing with Daniu. You’re back, Sister Hong? I need to talk to you.”

“To me?” Li Shanhong blinked in surprise, then quickly looked at Song Chunzhi, her heart filled with unease. Had Chunzhi found out something? As she was pulled aside, her body trembled slightly.

Song Chunzhi noticed how nervous she was, so she softened her voice even more, trying to reassure her as she leaned in and asked quietly. “Sister Hong, do you know when Wang Ergou will be back?”

“Didn’t the Public Security Bureau arrest him? He probably won’t be back for a while.”

Li Shanhong visibly relaxed when she realized the question was about Wang Ergou. She quickly answered, then asked why Chunzhi was asking about him.

“Sister Hong, just help me keep an eye out. If Wang Ergou comes back, let me know right away.”

As she spoke, Song Chunzhi’s heart filled with hatred. She slipped twenty cents into Li Shanhong’s hand and looked at her sincerely with clear almond eyes.

“Chunzhi, what are you doing? If he comes back, I’ll just make a trip over. No need to give me money…”

Li Shanhong stared at the coins in her hand, stunned. She glanced around nervously, then tried to return the money. What was this child doing, giving money for such a small favor, and this much at that?

“I can’t let you go to the trouble for nothing, Sister Hong. Don’t worry, no one will know.” Chunzhi smiled at her and patted her hand, silently insisting she keep the money.

At that moment, Li Shanhong was indeed strapped for cash. Xiaoniu’s fever hadn’t broken all night, and she had gone up the mountain before dawn. After sneaking behind a certain man’s grove and mimicking bird calls several times without getting a response, she had returned empty-handed.

Looking at the twenty cents Song Chunzhi had given her, she realized it wasn’t just about the money; it could be the lifeline Xiaoniu needed.

“Chunzhi, why are you asking about Wang Ergou? Did he hurt you?”

Li Shanhong sniffled and blinked back the soreness in her eyes as she reluctantly accepted the money. Knowing Wang Ergou’s character, she grew concerned for Chunzhi. The girl was known in the village for being honest and timid. For her to ask about Wang Ergou, something must have happened.

“No, I’m just curious what happens to people who get arrested by the police. Don’t worry about it, Sister Hong.”

Chunzhi brushed it off with a fake smile. In this life, she had never even spoken to Wang Ergou more than a few times. What had happened in her past life couldn’t be shared.

“All right then. Don’t worry, Chunzhi. As soon as Wang Ergou returns, I’ll come straight to you.”

Hearing this and seeing Chunzhi smiling, Li Shanhong finally let go of her worries. She sniffled hard and gave a firm promise.

For some reason, Song Chunzhi felt particularly exhausted. Her intuition told her it had something to do with her soul leaving her body the night before. She hurried home to catch up on sleep. Her body couldn’t be taken lightly.

…

“Big sister… Big sister…”

While Song Chunzhi was in a deep sleep, the door was suddenly pounded with loud knocks. Outside, Song Jiawang’s anxious and tearful voice called out urgently.

Annoyed by the noise, Chunzhi woke up with a frown, her delicate brows furrowed. She stared coldly at the panicked face of Song Jiawang and snapped, “What are you yelling for? Do you want a beating?”

Song Jiawang, his beady black eyes staring at her, instinctively took a step back and stammered through sobs, delivering shocking news.

“Dad got arrested…”