Chapter 21.2

With the mastermind dealt with, the thugs who had caused trouble at the military hospital were also apprehended—all of them, without exception. 

Leading the operation was Gu Ci.

Still recovering from his injuries and temporarily unneeded at the front lines, he took leave to personally lead a group of his comrades in rounding them up. 

Gu Ci kicked open a door with a resounding bang. “Damn it! Did you really think the tiger was a sick cat just because it hasn’t roared? Even gutter rats dare crawl to my doorstep and cause trouble! Brothers, it’s time to rid the people of pests. Don’t hold back!” 

“Yes, boss!” 

The group with Gu Ci clearly looked like regular soldiers. But with their uniforms shed, they were no longer acting as such—at least for now. 

“What are you doing? Do you even know who we are? We’re under the Revolutionary Committee!” 

“Fools! You dare smash my house? Let’s see how you’ll kneel and beg for mercy soon enough!” 

Gu Ci’s comrades burst into laughter. “Beg for mercy? I think you don’t know how many eyes the Horse King has!” 

“Brothers, take action!”

---

In the morning, Gu Sui told Guan Yue that his brother had nothing better to do, so he went out to get even for her.

Curious, Guan Yue asked Gu Sui to lead the way, and she went to watch the excitement.

By the time Guan Yue arrived, a crowd of neighbors had already gathered at the scene. Guan Yue squeezed in to listen to what they were saying.

“Good! Beat that little thug to death.”

“Strutting around all the time—didn’t expect his day would come, huh?”

“Must have crossed the wrong person.”

“Who cares who he offended? All he ever does is bully us ordinary folks. Better off dead!”

“Exactly! Just the other day, my house lost a ham, and I bet it was stolen by those thugs.”

Guan Yue glanced at Gu Sui, and he understood—this girl was craving ham.

Gu Sui whispered, “We’ll buy a few before we head back.”

Guan Yue nodded happily.

The people who had cursed at Guan Yue the worst that day were beaten to the point of crying out in pain.

Their exposed skin was covered in bruises—blue and purple, with no unscathed spots.

Guan Yue chuckled, “So, they’re just getting a beating and that’s it?”

Gu Sui smiled faintly, “No, these people are part of criminal gangs. They’ll definitely be sent to the farm for reform.”

Satisfied, Guan Yue said, “Alright, you handled this well!”

Whether it was the Wang family far away in Beijing or this group of thugs, Guan Yue was pleased with how Gu Sui dealt with things.

Gu Sui hesitated for a moment, “Do you know Zhang Yu? He also played a role in this. She was the one who passed on your whereabouts to Wang Lu.”

“And then?”

“Well, her father is an old revolutionary, so he has connections. The day after the incident, Zhang Yu was sent to the countryside to do labor by her father. My brother and the others couldn’t pursue it further.”

“She’s becoming an Educated Youth?”

“Yes. My brother said that, given Zhang Yu’s father’s upright temperament, he definitely wouldn’t support her financially. If she wants to eat, she’ll have to work for it herself.”

Guan Yue shrugged it off. “Going to the countryside as an Educated Youth is tough, especially for someone like her, a pampered young lady. Consider that her punishment. I’m satisfied.” 

After watching the commotion, Guan Yue hummed a little tune and went with Gu Sui to buy some meat. Vegetables weren’t needed—Guan Yue’s homegrown produce was tastier than anything sold outside. 

Gu Sui bought five pounds of meat, using up all his ration tickets. Then, he made a quick detour into an unnamed alley and managed to snag a ham. 

---

That afternoon, Gu Ci was bringing his brothers over for lunch. Knowing their appetites, Gu Sui cooked a massive pot of rice. 

Guan Yue, in a good mood, went to her room and packed up a large supply of a rare hemostatic powder that they all cherished. It was her way of saying thanks and added it to the meal as a gift. 

When Gu Ci and his men arrived at noon, they were thrilled to find a table loaded with meat and vegetables. For once, they could have a proper feast. 

Gu Ci joked, “Kid, I never thought the day would come when I, your big brother, would be eating food you cooked.” 

After spending more than two months on the border, they were all familiar with each other and needed no formalities. Everyone sat down and dug in. 

“Wow, Doctor Gu has this skill too?” 

“Doctor Gu’s cooking is no worse than his surgery!” 

“Smells amazing!” 

“Hurry up with the bowls and chopsticks! I haven’t had meat in ages—dibs on the ham!” 

Gu Sui chuckled, “The ham’s over thirty pounds. I cooked it all, so eat as much as you want.” 

Worried Guan Yue wouldn’t get her share, Gu Sui served her a separate bowl of ham soup, filled with the ham’s most tender, flavorful parts. 

Guan Yue was long accustomed to Gu Sui’s care for her in everyday life and didn’t think much of it. 

But the other single men at the table exchanged knowing glances, their expressions a mix of amusement and envy. 

Well, well, Major Gu’s little brother knows how to treat a lady.

Take notes, boys.

Time to find a girlfriend and start dreaming about the wife, kids, and a warm hearth back home.

Gu Ci gave Gu Sui a teasing look, but Gu Sui stayed calm, pretending not to notice. 

Even without alcohol, the lively atmosphere at the table didn’t falter. Guan Yue listened to their banter and stories, giving her a deeper understanding of this era and the people living in it. 

One couldn’t help but sigh—people nowadays have closer relationships and a livelier sense of community than those living a hundred years later.

A century from now, even neighbors who’ve lived next to each other for decades would barely greet each other, not even knowing how many people lived in each other’s households. 

Take Guan Yue as an example. Before the apocalypse hit, she had no idea that the villa behind her house was home to a family of eight. 

When the apocalypse began, fear kept everyone inside their homes. But what happens when the food runs out? The safest option was to ask neighbors for supplies. If that didn’t work, some resorted to outright robbery. 

If it hadn’t been for her early awakening of wood-based powers and their robust security system, her family of three wouldn’t have stood a chance against a family of eight. 

While Guan Yue’s wood-based powers and the supplies stored in her mother’s bracelet ensured they never lacked food or clothing, they couldn’t guarantee their safety. 

It was because of this incident that her parents decided to leave their home and head for a survival base. 

On the way to the base, Guan Yue witnessed the brutal realities of the apocalypse. Fear gripped her, but she forced herself to be brave and grow up quickly. 

In the end, despite her best efforts, she was the only one left alive. 

Guan Yue thought to herself: I hope everyone here can live peacefully to old age. Let’s not fall here and leave our families behind to grieve.

She turned to Gu Sui. “Go get the stuff I prepared.” 

Gu Ci caught on quickly and chimed in, “What goodies have you prepared for us?” 

What good things could Guan Yue possibly have? Everyone’s minds instantly jumped to one answer: Immortal Healing Powder.

Gu Sui brought out a large bundle—nearly half a sack—of powder. Gu Ci was so excited he practically jumped out of his seat. 

“Immortal Healing Powder?” 

“Yup!” Guan Yue nodded proudly. 

She casually laid the groundwork for her explanation. “Since Gu Sui has been busy helping me get even with people lately, I had some free time to gather herbs in the mountains. I used the ingredients to make this hemostatic powder, and here’s the whole batch.” 

The group went wild. They didn’t care how Guan Yue had managed to make the powder—all that mattered was that she had it.

Gu Ci pushed Gu Sui aside and clung to the sack without letting go. “It’s all mine!”

“Captain, don’t be so greedy. We helped beat up those punks today, too. You can’t hog it all for yourself!” 

“Yeah, we won’t agree to that!” 

Gu Ci looked like a fool who had just seen the most stunning beauty, completely entranced, ignoring everything they said. 

Gu Ci: “Get lost. I can carry it myself. I don’t need you.” 

“Major Gu, your body isn’t fully recovered. How can you handle heavy work? Let me do it.” 

“I’ll do it! I’m the strongest!” 

“No, I’ll do it!” 

“I will!” 

A moment ago, these brothers had walked in arm in arm to eat together, and now they were turning on each other. Tsk tsk! 

A bunch of grown men were bickering and making a fuss, all over the rare divine medicine powder. However, they knew deep down that such a precious thing couldn’t be kept for themselves. It had to be sent to the front lines, where it would be most needed.