Chapter 22 The old man fainted beside the bush

As Jiang Li was descending the mountain, she saw an elderly man collapsed in the grass.  She immediately went to him. The old man was thin and frail, with gray hair; he looked worse than the villagers. Jiang Li didn’t know him, but she could divine his situation.  She carefully observed his features and quickly performed a divination.

She quickly learned about the old man. He was a demoted official from the Shengli Production Brigade; before his demotion, he was a high-ranking military officer. He and his wife had been demoted to the Shengli Production Brigade two years ago. 

Life was difficult for demoted officials. The old man’s health had deteriorated due to malnutrition and hard labor. He had been ill recently and had collapsed while gathering firewood.  Fortunately, Jiang Li had found him; otherwise, he might have died. Jiang Li admired this veteran soldier who had fought his whole life to protect the people.  If it weren’t for these revolutionary martyrs, they wouldn’t have their current good life.

  Jiang Li wouldn’t ignore him. She took out a Huanyuan Dan (a restorative pill) from her spatial storage and gave it to him.  Soon, the old man woke up.

 The old man, Qin Changfeng, felt his body had changed. Before he collapsed, he had felt terrible. Now, he felt much better; the pain had disappeared. He was puzzled. He saw a young woman standing before him. She was beautiful, with bright eyes.  Though young, he felt a powerful aura emanating from her.

He had been a soldier for decades; people often felt his powerful aura, but this was the first time he felt this way towards someone, especially a young woman. This girl wasn’t simple.  Qin Changfeng asked, “Little girl, did you save me?” Jiang Li didn’t hide anything. “Yes, I saw you collapsed. Your health isn’t good; I gave you a Huanyuan Dan.

Here’s another one; take it tomorrow, and you’ll be completely healed.” She gave him another pill.  She wouldn’t have given him the pills if he weren’t a hero.  She had limited pills. Qin Changfeng understood why his body had changed so dramatically. The girl’s medicine was miraculous.  He didn’t hesitate to accept the pill.

 He didn’t want to die; he had important things to do. “Little girl, thank you for saving me. What’s your name? I’ll repay you.”  Jiang Li said, “Grandpa, I’m Jiang Li, a new educated youth in the Shengli Production Brigade. If you need help, you can find me. 

Take care of your health and eat nutritious food.  Here’s a pheasant and a rabbit to help you recover.” Qin Changfeng felt embarrassed to accept more. “Jiang Zhiqing, I can’t accept this. You’ve already helped me so much.” Jiang Li insisted. “Grandpa, you need to recover to repay me. I have extra game; I can spare some.

I need to go now; be careful.”  She didn’t personally escort him back; it was near the foot of the mountain, and it wasn’t dangerous.  She didn’t want to cause trouble. Qin Changfeng watched Jiang Li leave, realizing she had kindly helped him. He would remember this kindness.  Jiang Li felt a surge of merit as she walked. She was surprised; helping someone had earned her merit.

The more merit she accumulated, the better; it would help her ascend when she faced her tribulation.  She would help Qin Changfeng again.

 As Jiang Li descended the mountain, the villagers were returning from work. Seeing the game she carried, many were shocked.  A young educated youth had hunted game?  This was incredible. Jiang Li ignored them and returned to the educated youth center.  Small game could be kept; she didn’t need to hand over the pheasants and rabbits. 

Wanting to build relationships with the old educated youth, Jiang Li took a pheasant and a rabbit to Peng Zhigang. “Comrade Peng, I hunted some game; let’s have it for dinner.” Peng Zhigang was astonished. “Jiang Zhiqing, you hunted this?” Jiang Li nodded. “Is there a problem?”  A big problem! Peng Zhigang hadn’t expected Jiang Li to hunt.

  Few people in the brigade could hunt. Mu Jingxun and Bai Ziyong heard their conversation and looked at Jiang Li in surprise.

Bai Ziyong whispered to Mu Jingxun, “Brother Xun, Jiang Zhiqing is amazing! She can even hunt! I’ve never seen a woman like her.”