Brigade Leader Zhao was deeply moved.

Indeed, he should be the one to keep Zhao Hongqiang in check.

This young girl had traveled all the way from the big city to the countryside to take care of her niece. Such a bond was something he couldn’t comment on.

In a way, Zhao Mo was quite fortunate to have an aunt who was willing to sacrifice so much for her.

“Alright then, come to me if you need anything in the future.”

Zhang Yunxi smiled and nodded. “Okay. Thank you.”

Deng Damei, who had been watching from a distance as Brigade Leader Zhao approached Zhang Yunxi, craned her neck to see what was happening. As soon as the brigade leader left, she hurried over. “What did the brigade leader say to you?”

“He told me to come to him if I need anything.”

“That’s really good.”

Compared to many brigade leaders who didn’t care about their duties and even took advantage of the educated youths, their brigade leader was practically a saint.

Deng Damei felt sorry for Zhang Yunxi, a young girl who had suffered so much to take care of her niece. “With the brigade leader backing you, Zhao Hongqiang won’t dare to act too recklessly. You must have been scared today. I’ll make you some noodles.”

“Really? Damei, you’re the best!” Zhang Yunxi clasped her hands together under her chin, looking at her with admiration.

Noodles.

She hadn’t eaten them since she time-traveled.

Nowadays, noodles had to be made with high-quality flour, and the educated youths’ dormitory only had a tiny bit left. It was precious.

Zhang Yunxi thought about the noodles, then about the coarse grains and porridge she’d been eating.

She swallowed.

It would be heavenly!

Deng Damei also felt proud of herself!

She was determined to make the noodles perfectly at noon—chewy and delicious.

“I’ll go back to work now.”

Deng Damei’s work wasn’t like Zhang Yunxi’s, who only earned four work points a day. Like many women in the brigade, she earned seven work points.

During the double rush season.

She even pushed for eight work points!
She was the hardest-working among the male and female educated youths!
Zhang Yunxi often watched Deng Damei’s diligent work with great admiration because she herself was almost exhausted.

After noon, Zhang Yunxi thought about the child’s first day of school and decided to pick her up.

As soon as Zhao Mo stepped out of the school gate, she spotted her aunt.

Her eyes instantly lit up.

Among the many parents who had come to pick up their children for lunch, her aunt stood out—elegant, beautiful, and wearing a hat that, though similar to others’, seemed uniquely stylish to Zhao Mo.

Her aunt was just so pretty!

A smile spread across Zhao Mo’s face as she ran to her aunt and hugged her. “Auntie!”

Zhang Yunxi wrapped her arms around her, gently ruffling her soft hair. “I’ll take you home.”

Zhao Mo’s smile faded slightly.

She nodded.

She tightened her grip on Zhang Yunxi’s hand. If her father tried to hurt her aunt later, she would smash the pot!
Then her father would definitely beat her.

Instead of targeting her aunt.

With a nervous heart, Zhao Mo returned home, where only Yuan Guixiang and Yuan Dabao were present.

Yuan Guixiang said, “Your grandfather is celebrating his 60th birthday today. He’s gone to eat. Come, have your meal.”

“Oh, okay.”

Zhao Mo breathed a sigh of relief and let go of her aunt’s hand, waving to her. “Auntie, you should go eat too.”

“Mm, okay.”

Zhang Yunxi glanced at what Yuan Guixiang was eating.

A bowl of corn porridge.

It wouldn’t fill anyone up, but it was all they had.

She had money now, but only a few ration tickets left. She still needed to treat Zhao Rencheng to a meal later, so she couldn’t exchange for more grain.

She’d have to think of something.

When Zhang Yunxi returned to the female educated youths’ dormitory, He Xiaoxiao was leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed, her bangs falling over her forehead, her long legs looking effortlessly stunning. “Xiaoxiao, you look so cool!”

He Xiaoxiao’s ears turned slightly red.

“Here.”

“What is it?” Zhang Yunxi stepped forward.

He Xiaoxiao handed her a dagger and a small bottle of liquid. “The dagger is for self-defense, and the liquid is for spraying in the eyes. Remember, carry the dagger with you at all times, but make sure it doesn’t get taken away.”

The dagger was less than thirty centimeters long, small and easy to carry. Zhang Yunxi took it, unsheathed it, and revealed its sharp blade. It was clear that it had been carefully crafted.

The liquid was in a small bottle.

The spray nozzle was fine, and even a test spray made Zhang Yunxi feel its pungent smell. If sprayed into someone’s eyes, they wouldn’t be able to handle it.

At that moment, Zhang Yunxi was deeply moved. As she took the dagger and the liquid, a warm feeling spread through her body.

The dagger and liquid were light, but they felt heavy in her heart. “Xiaoxiao, thank you. I don’t know how to repay you. This…”

“No need for money!”

He Xiaoxiao cut her off. “We’re having noodles today. I’ll go help bring them out.”

He Xiaoxiao darted into the kitchen to bring out the food.

Zhang Yunxi’s eyes felt a bit warm. Since coming to this unfamiliar world, she had only considered Zhao Mo as family.

But now she had gained two good friends.

Three bowls of noodles were brought out, each topped with an egg.

Green vegetables were scattered around, and Zhang Yunxi, having composed herself, smiled. “Damei, you’re the chef today!”

“Of course.”

Deng Damei puffed out her chest proudly, then immediately felt shy. “It’s alright. Try it and see how it tastes.”

Zhang Yunxi picked up her chopsticks, blew on the noodles, and took a bite.

When she looked up, she saw two pairs of expectant eyes. At that moment, not only did the noodles taste delicious, but her heart also felt sweet. She gave Deng Damei a thumbs-up and sincerely praised, “It’s really good.”

“That’s great.”

Deng Damei grinned.

He Xiaoxiao also sat down to eat.

The sound of slurping noodles filled the room, and as Zhang Yunxi ate, she continued to look at them with emotion.

He Xiaoxiao couldn’t handle her watery gaze and quickly finished her meal to go work on her woodcarving.

Deng Damei held her forehead. “Yunxi, you need to understand that you’re a beauty. When you look at us like that, even we feel shy, you know?”

“What can I do? I’m just so touched.” Zhang Yunxi propped her chin on her hand, frowning.

Deng Damei clutched her chest.

Oh my.

If she were a man, she would definitely pursue Zhang Yunxi.

How could a girl be so adorable?!
Who could resist her when she acted so cute? Even she, a mere mortal, couldn’t handle it. “You little rascal, always teasing us. Go wash the dishes.”

“Yes, ma’am! Following Damei’s orders!” Zhang Yunxi stood up and saluted.

Deng Damei was amused.

Zhang Yunxi then turned back and winked at her. “Did I charm you?”

Deng Damei’s eyes widened.

“Ahhh, you’re so bold, teasing your elder sister.”

Zhang Yunxi laughed.

He Xiaoxiao’s lips also curled into a smile.

After resting for a while.

The three of them went back to work when the broadcast sounded.

Zhang Yunxi had planned to implement her “fight violence with violence” strategy early, but after some thought, she decided to delay it for a while.

Otherwise, the suspect would be too obvious.

Now that she had weapons, she felt much safer.

Xiaoxiao is so great~
Doo-dah-doo~
Zhang Yunxi felt much happier as she worked, her straw hat swaying with her movements.

Zhao Rencheng, as the captain of the militia, had to work while also patrolling.

When he passed by Zhang Yunxi.

The little girl was humming an unknown tune, her head swaying cutely.

Zhao Rencheng’s mood was lifted just by seeing her.

He even scolded people less loudly.