Chapter 33

Chapter 33

"Feng Xia, you home?"

Feng Chun was staring off after Feng Xia as she walked away when she heard someone yelling at the door. They were hollering for Feng Xia, not her. The voices got closer, and then Old Village Chief came into the yard with an old man.

Feng Xia had crazy sharp hearing, so she naturally heard them too. She spun around and came out of the house, looked outside and sure enough, it was Old Village Chief, with someone following behind.

"Grandpa Village Chief, you're here! Come on in, sit down. Here, have some hot water first." Feng Xia invited them to sit down. She was especially warm to this old man who'd helped her out before.

The village chief took the mug and took a sip. The water was sweet—she'd put sugar in it. It reminded him of when he first saw her—skinny as a rail, wearing clothes covered in patches, with big, pitiful eyes. Who'd have thought she'd come this far? Now she was back, a lively young soldier in a green uniform. The old village chief sighed to himself and took another sip of the sweet water.

After hesitating a moment, Old Village Chief spoke up: "Feng Xia, you're serving at the Field Army base, right?"

Feng Xia nodded. Before the village chief could say anything, the old man he'd brought spoke up first: "Feng Xia, I'm the one who lives at the end of the village. I held you when you were little. Your old uncle just wants to ask you for a favor today."

Feng Xia kept a smile on her face, looking like a cute, lively little girl, her voice bright and clear: "Uncle, don't say that. No need to talk about favors. Just tell me what's on your mind, and if I can help, I will."

"Ah, Xia, you're a real go-getter. Your old uncle wants to ask you to help find my son in the army. My boy didn't come back last year, and there's been no word this year either. I just can't rest easy!" The old man spoke, the corners of his eyes turning slightly red. From his worn-out cotton coat, you could tell he didn't have much. Feng Xia vaguely remembered him—a widower who'd raised a son all by himself. Now that his son had joined the army, he was left alone at home.

Feng Xia didn't promise right away: "Uncle, I'll definitely ask around for you. If I find him, I'll get word to you. But first, tell me more about him, so I know who to look for."

Seeing Feng Xia was willing to help, the old man's face lit up, his voice urgent: "My boy's name is Zhang Fusheng. He's 18 this year, a head taller than me. Don't know if he's grown any more since last year. He's stationed near you, too. He's a bit dark-skinned, with a black mole on his neck. He's been away for two years now, and I don't know how he's doing. Ah, Xia, sorry to trouble you. Your old uncle doesn't have much, but take this basket of eggs to eat."

With that, the old man set the basket of eggs on the table, fidgeting nervously. Feng Xia didn't take it. She pushed the eggs back and said, "As a soldier, I can't take a single thing from the people. Uncle, take this basket of eggs back. But since I'm calling you uncle, I'll be bold and take two eggs to eat."

Feng Xia took two eggs from the basket and told the old man to take the rest back. Old Zhang knew she was doing this to save his pride, and he was deeply moved. What a good kid she was! Tears welled up in his eyes, and his heart felt warm.

Old Village Chief smoked his pipe nearby, a hint of pride in his expression. After all, he had watched Feng Xia grow up. Her success was the pride of the whole Daba Village.

The two men didn't want to impose further and prepared to leave after stating their business. But as they were about to step out, they saw Li Meihua. The village chief suddenly remembered what the villagers had said about Li Meihua and her family coming down with a strange illness. He stopped, his face stern, and asked, "Patriotic's wife, how's your hand?"

Li Meihua forced a smile. Her venomous gaze quickly swept over Feng Xia, and seeing the girl's sanctimonious appearance only deepened her hatred. But she still feared the village chief's authority. In those days, anyone who became a village chief had to have some backbone; otherwise, with frequent fights and brawls in the village, chaos would ensue. Old Village Chief might seem kind and gentle in front of Feng Xia, but that was only because she was an outstanding junior. For people like Li Meihua, he was purely intimidating.

Li Meihua stammered back, "My hand is all better. It was just frostbite, nothing serious, no strange illness."

Feng Chun, seeing her mother standing outside, also came out to see what was happening. She saw Old Village Chief sternly questioning her mother, with Feng Xia standing nearby as if watching the show. A surge of anger flared up in Feng Chun's heart, and she immediately spoke sharply, half-demanding: "Village Chief, has my mother committed some crime that you need to come all the way here in this freezing weather to interrogate her?"

Old Village Chief fixed his sharp gaze on Feng Chun. He knew she was Feng Aiguo's eldest daughter, working at the town's supply and marketing cooperative. She had some reputation in Daba Village too—every family with a daughter had suitors coming to ask. The old village chief understood that, but this girl was too arrogant, her eyes practically raised to the sky.

Li Meihua tugged at her daughter's hand. She didn't understand how Da Chun dared to question the village chief like that. How could she be so bold?

Old Village Chief took a puff of his pipe, his voice slow and deep: "Chun girl, I came with Old Zhang to find Feng Xia. I just asked your mother how her hand was healing. If this illness could spread to others, I'd have to step in. You being able to work at the supply cooperative is your own skill, but as a person, you must never forget your roots."

With that, he didn't even glance at Li Meihua and her daughter. The two men left the yard one after the other. Feng Xia watched them go before closing the gate and heading back inside. Feng Chun was still standing on the porch, her eyes mirroring Li Meihua's exactly—full of venom as she glared at Feng Xia.

Feng Xia walked through the snow, flakes drifting down onto her shoulders. She casually brushed them off, paying no attention to Feng Chun beside her.

"What are you pretending for? What do you have to be proud of, Feng Xia? You're just a fool with a short life." Feng Chun's voice was filled with anger and jealousy as she watched Feng Xia's fair face, her features already hinting at the stunning beauty she would become. Why? Why, when they came from the same womb, was she so much prettier? Why did she get to connect with the military? Why? She was just meant to die young.

Feng Xia ignored her completely, continuing to brush off the snow. Even though Feng Chun wanted to rush up and tear Feng Xia's face apart, she held herself back. She knew she couldn't beat Feng Xia. Feng Chun clenched her fists, veins bulging on the backs of her hands, her sharp nails digging into her palms. She felt no pain. Why, when she had come back, did this fool stop being foolish? She should have stayed stupid forever. She was nothing but a slut, meant to grovel at her feet and wait for her charity.

Feng Xia finished brushing off the snow, turned around indifferently, and walked into the house, a single sentence fading into the cold air.

"Feng Chun, I never owed you anything."

The next morning, Feng Jingui, Feng Jinlian, and Zhang Ling and her children got up early. Zhang Ling steamed a large pot of mixed-grain steamed buns and prepared a big jar of pickled vegetables with lard cracklings, which smelled delicious. Feng Jinlian and Feng Jingui packed the buns and placed a newly made set of undergarments at the bottom of the bundle. Both had slightly reddened eyes. Feng Xia was leaving today, and they couldn't bear it.

Seeing the buns, Feng Xia was in a good mood, eating one after another with relish. Her two sisters watched her gently, occasionally saying a word or two. The atmosphere among the three was warm and cozy—until the Feng family got up for breakfast.

No one dared to question Feng Xia's food. They ate sweet potato noodle soup and pickled vegetables. Feng Chengzong's eyes kept drifting toward Feng Xia, but he was truly afraid of this sister. He only dared to look, not to ask for food.

Feng Xia finished the bun in her hand, took a sip of warm water, and then said with a smile to the Feng family: "Grandpa, Grandma, Dad, Mom, Uncle, I'm leaving soon. But I've left some nourishing things for Sister Jinlian and the others. I'm someone who really doesn't like others touching my things. You understand, right?"

Not a single person in the Feng family spoke. Each one buried their head deeply in their noodle soup. Feng Chun wanted to say something, but Li Meihua held her back tightly. The one in front of them was a demon. If you messed with her, she'd take your life.

The Feng family was thoroughly terrified. Even if Feng Jinlian offered them the Malted Milk, they wouldn't dare drink it.

Feng Xia nodded in satisfaction: "Looks like everyone is willing to go along with this younger generation. You're kind and caring elders. I'm very pleased. I'll come back to visit you when I have time! Don't miss me too much."

The Feng family's faces turned green. Who would miss her? They wished she would die out there. A heartless Demon Star—she should just get out of here as soon as possible!