Chapter 3

Su Wanwan was too focused on being scared and really didn’t notice that someone else was hiding in the shadows.

She forced herself to stay on high alert. A gust of wind blew through, making her shiver violently, and the creaking sound of branches rubbing against each other—creak, creak—instantly reminded her of those scenes from horror movies.

Would the next second be just like in the films, something appearing that shouldn’t exist?

To give herself courage, she began to sing. She used the tune of Two Tigers, but made up her own lyrics:

“Pitch dark, oh pitch dark—
I’m not afraid, I’m not afraid!
Hungry ghost don’t eat me,
Go eat that guy instead.
Hurry along, hurry along!”

Not far behind her, Xie Beishen suddenly heard her little “song.” A man who rarely smiled, he actually had the urge to laugh. His lips curved against his will, no matter how hard he tried to stop it.

So she was afraid of ghosts? There weren’t any in this world. Even if there were, her ridiculous “divine song” would’ve scared them off.

Su Wanwan sang again and again, and it did help a little—at least her fear lessened. Then she switched to another: Sunshine Rainbow Little White Pony.

“Sunshine rainbow little white pony,
You’re the strongest, the very best,
Nothing can stop you from sprouting…
You are that one, that very one…”

Trailing behind, Xie Beishen listened all the way, and the smile on his lips never faded.

What kind of “little white pony” song was that? Surprisingly catchy.

Just as he was enjoying it, her singing cut off abruptly. Another gust of wind blew, and this time the rustling in the woods was even louder.

Creak… creak…

Su Wanwan’s whole body trembled. Having personally experienced something as outrageous as time-traveling, she was even more frightened than ordinary people.

She didn’t dare to sing anymore. Glancing left and right, she shouted nervously, pretending to be bold:

“I just got here, I’m dirt poor! I don’t have a cent to my name. Fellow travelers, don’t scare your fellow traveler, okay?”

Hearing that, Xie Beishen couldn’t hold back. A soft pfft laugh escaped him.

This time Su Wanwan really heard something behind her. Terrified, she let out a shriek—

“Ahhhhhh!”

And bolted forward blindly. She didn’t even see the ground in front of her. With a stumble, she fell flat with a hard thud.

“Uuuhh—it hurts, it hurts…”

Xie Beishen realized he might have scared her himself. Just as he was about to step forward to help, a beam of light from a flashlight swept across, and anxious voices called out:

“Meimei! Meimei…!”

He froze mid-step and quickly hid behind a tree.

Su Wanwan heard the familiar voice and burst into tears. “Second Brother! I’m here, wu… Second Brother, I’m so scared!”

Her twin brother, Su Heng—born only half an hour before her—ran over.

Beside her, the little black dog wagged its tail, and the next second Su Heng reached her side.

“Are you trying to worry me to death? Running out in the middle of the night! Do you know the whole family was looking for you?”

Hearing his worried voice, Su Wanwan felt a wave of grievance overwhelm her—maybe it was the original host’s emotions too. Her body, which she had been forcing to hold up, collapsed completely.

“Wu… Second Brother, I was framed. I’m so cold… it hurts.”

Su Heng quickly took off his jacket and draped it around her trembling body. Squatting down, he said firmly, “Get on, I’ll carry you back.”

She clung to his back, her voice trembling. “Brother… how did you know I was here? Thank goodness you came. I was terrified.”

Su Heng carried her steadily and quickly. “Little Black brought me. Don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

Su Wanwan turned her head weakly toward the dog at their feet. “Little Black, I’ll give you an extra chicken leg next time.”

“Woof, woof!” Little Black barked twice in answer.

Exhausted, Su Wanwan leaned limply against her brother’s back.

From behind the tree, Xie Beishen stepped out. Since her family had found her, there was no need for him to follow any longer.

He had been in the village for half a year, and in the darkness he hadn’t recognized the man’s voice. If he’d seen his face, he would’ve known which family they belonged to. Either way, it wouldn’t be hard to find out later.

He turned and headed toward the educated youth dormitory.

—

Su Heng carried his sister home, only to find she had fainted.

Their father, Su Jianjun, looked at his daughter burning with fever and unconscious. “Go quickly, fetch Old Doctor Li, the barefoot doctor. Tell him everything and bring medicine!”

“Got it!” Su Heng laid his sister on the bed and dashed out.

Su Jianjun turned to his wife. “Quickly, change her clothes.” Then he hurried away again.

Zhao Hefen’s heart was in chaos as she changed her daughter’s clothes and checked her carefully for any harm. Fortunately, her body was untouched.

But a girl coming back so late at night—how could a mother not think the worst? Such things had happened before in the village.

After dressing her, she dried her daughter’s hair, tears streaming uncontrollably.

—

Meanwhile, Xie Beishen returned to the dormitory. As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, his roommate Lin Yu came out of the next room.

“Why are you back so late? Something happen? In the six months we’ve been here, you’ve never been this late before.”

Only the two of them lived in this compound, over two hundred meters away from the other educated youth, so they could talk freely.

“Nothing. Fell asleep at the bathing spot.” Xie Beishen went back to his room, changed into dry clothes, and lay on the bed.

But his mind replayed the kiss again and again.

And that silly, adorable singing. How could there be such a foolish girl? His lips curved in a barely noticeable smile.

—

The next morning, before work, everyone went to the tool shed to collect their equipment.

For the first time, Xie Beishen found himself scanning the crowd. He never paid attention to the women before, but now he was searching for the culprit who had robbed him of his sleep.

He looked carefully, but didn’t see her. Did she not need to work?

He regretted not paying attention before. Occasionally, he’d hear Lin Yu gossip about who was pretty, but he never cared.

When everyone had taken their tools and headed to the fields, Xie asked, “That girl you said was pretty last time—who was it?”

Lin Yu stopped in his tracks, eyes wide. Could it be that Brother Shen wanted to find a girlfriend?

“Brother Shen, don’t tell me you forgot your grandma’s warning? You’re not allowed to date anyone from the village.”

“Just answer me. Why so much nonsense?” Xie’s tone was curt.

Lin Yu leaned closer and whispered, “Comrade Liu Caixia.”

Xie glanced in that direction, then looked back at Lin Yu. “When we get home, go to the military hospital for an eye exam.” With that, he strode ahead.

“Huh? Eye exam?” Lin Yu scratched his head. Did Brother Shen mean he was blind?

But Brother Shen never spoke nonsense. What exactly did he mean?

He reassured himself—no way would Brother Shen actually look for a girlfriend here. They’d grown up together in the military compound in the capital. He knew him better than anyone: upright, disciplined, restrained, proper.

Plenty of women liked him, but he never spared them a glance.

After all, his grandfather was a retired top commander, his father was the current capital military district commander, his mother a military interpreter, and his grandmother an heiress from a rich family.

As the sole heir of nine generations, Xie Beishen’s grandmother paid extreme attention to his future marriage. She cared about family background and upbringing more than anything. Before he came here, she had warned him countless times not to get involved with a village girl.

Lin Yu used to think she was prejudiced, but after coming here, he understood. Most villagers had little education—rarely more than junior high. Many families didn’t even let their daughters study at all.

This time, the old general had insisted Brother Shen spend a year here as an educated youth, to experience hardship, to train himself, to prepare for military service later.

Lin Yu jogged up to his side. “Brother Shen, I told you about the prettiest among the educated youth, but there’s also someone in the village even prettier—the brigade leader’s daughter, Su Wanwan.”

“Ha. With your eyesight, I think I’ll pass,” Xie Beishen said flatly.