Chapter 113: Chapter 113: A Hero Saves the Damsel

With only her undergarments left, despair and pain filled her eyes.

She had already steeled herself for a desperate end—if he let go of her hand, she would grab the knife and take both their lives. If she had to die, she’d take him with her.

Just then, the sound of someone running quickly rustled through the woods.

The next second, Zijun saw a man with a thick beard, his face obscured, sprinting toward them.

The man was unarmed, but he rushed over and, with a swift over-the-shoulder throw, took down the brute. It was Ji Linhai.

After finishing work, Ji Linhai had gone up the mountain to collect his traps. Maybe it was fate, but he’d wandered into this area without realizing it.

At first, he heard faint cries for help and didn’t know who it was. Still, someone was calling for help—he had to check it out.

Following the sound, he saw a scene below that made his blood boil.

A big man was tying up a woman and stripping off her clothes.

Anyone would immediately think the worst.

At first, Ji Linhai thought it was just a couple fooling around and was about to leave.

But then the woman started crying out for help again, her voice laced with tears and utter despair.

He hesitated. Given his current status, he shouldn’t meddle—he could get himself in trouble.

But in the end, he couldn’t go against his nature to stand up for the weak.

Even though he was now a prisoner, down on his luck, he couldn’t betray his identity as a former soldier. Otherwise, he’d never forgive himself.

So he dashed down the slope, and only then did he realize—the woman being assaulted was the very one Gu Qinghuan had asked him to look after.

How could he hold back? Ji Linhai practically flew over at a sprinter’s pace.

He took the brute down in one move.

Not wanting to linger, he quickly took off his own coat and covered Zijun’s exposed body, then picked up the knife from the ground and freed her from her restraints.

A woman’s reputation was everything.

What followed was a storm of punches.

The brute had nothing but size and strength—useless otherwise, all brawn and no brains.

Ji Linhai, on the other hand, was a real soldier who’d seen battle. Dealing with this guy was child’s play.

He didn’t know the man was mentally challenged—he only believed what he saw: this man was trying to hurt Zijun.

So he beat him mercilessly, even knocking out one of the brute’s molars, leaving him howling in pain.

Zijun, having narrowly escaped, didn’t care about anything else. She wrapped herself in Ji Linhai’s coat, hurriedly gathered her own clothes from the ground, and went into the woods to get dressed.

After tidying herself up so she wouldn’t look so disheveled, she came back out with Ji Linhai’s coat in hand.

Ji Linhai was still beating up the brute.

He could tell the man wasn’t right in the head—crying like a child, just covering his head and cowering, not even fighting back.

But that didn’t stop Ji Linhai from continuing. Whether he was crazy or stupid, he had no right to bully Zijun.

Watching, Zijun felt deeply satisfied.

That brute had almost succeeded.

What good could come from a man stripping a woman?

“I don’t want the food anymore! I don’t want the food! Please stop hitting me!” the brute cried, covering his head.

Zijun sensed something was off and quickly intervened.

“Mister, could you stop for a moment? I want to ask him a few questions.”

Ji Linhai stopped immediately.

“Brute, what food are you talking about? Who promised you food?” Zijun probed.

The brute sobbed like a coward.

“I don’t want the food anymore, please don’t hit me. It was Wang the Cripple who said he’d give me food.”

At the mention of Wang the Cripple, Zijun instantly understood why the brute had suddenly turned on her.

Ji Linhai also realized—wasn’t Wang the Cripple the very person Gu Qinghuan had warned him about? So today’s incident wasn’t just a random act—someone was pulling strings behind the scenes.

“What did Wang the Cripple tell you to do? Speak, or I’ll hit you again!” Zijun shouted angrily.

The brute, terrified at the threat, blurted out the truth: “Wang the Cripple gave me candy and told me to follow you up the mountain, strip off your clothes, and carry you around. He said he’d give me ten jin of grain.”

Zijun clenched her jaw. Wang the Cripple, that scoundrel, wanted to ruin her!

Only a worm like him could come up with such a vile scheme.

Ji Linhai’s fists tightened in anger. Wang the Cripple, with two crippled legs, still refused to give up and was trying to harm others. Looks like he didn’t want his third leg either.

He’d have to find time to deal with him.

The brute had taken quite a beating. Knowing he was just a pawn, not the mastermind, Zijun didn’t make things harder for him and let him go.

After all, Ji Linhai had already beaten him black and blue—he’d paid some of the price, and there was no need to take his life.

Ji Linhai warned him, “If you ever do this again, I’ll throw you to the wolves on the mountain. Believe it or not?”

At the mention of wolves, the brute ran off in terror.

“I won’t dare! I won’t dare!”

Only then did Zijun have a chance to thank Ji Linhai.

“Mister, may I ask your name? Thank you so much. Here’s your coat.” She handed it to him.

Ji Linhai took it and put it on, suddenly feeling that even his old ragged coat smelled sweet. He felt a little awkward.

Seeing him put it on, Zijun also felt embarrassed. She’d been stripped down to her underwear in front of him—just thinking about it was mortifying.

“I’m Ji Linhai. No need to call me mister, I can’t take that. Just call me Old Ji.”

Ji Linhai wasn’t actually that old—just in his early forties, a year younger than Zijun, but he looked a bit older than his age.

Zijun had many worries. She was afraid he’d gossip about what happened today, or that someone with ill intentions would use it against her. But he had saved her life—she couldn’t be harsh.

So she probed, “Old Ji, your accent doesn’t sound local?”

Ji Linhai looked rough, but he was actually quite perceptive. He probably understood her concerns.

“I’m not from around here. Actually, I’m from Beijing, just like you. I was sent down to Xujiatun for re-education.

Sister, don’t worry. I, Old Ji, saw nothing today and know nothing.”

Hearing this, Zijun felt a bit more at ease.

So he was sent down too—that explained why she hadn’t seen him before.

But how did he know she was from Beijing? She hadn’t said so, and they lived in different villages. How could he know?

She couldn’t help but get suspicious—could he be a spy, deliberately approaching her? But she didn’t have anything worth spying on!

“How did you know I’m from Beijing?” she blurted out.

As soon as she asked, she worried—what if he decided to silence her?

Ji Linhai saw that he had to be honest, seeing how scared she was.

“Haha, your daughter told me! Funny how fate works.

A while back, my father had a high fever that wouldn’t go away. I was broke and couldn’t afford treatment, so I went to your daughter for help. She generously gave us medicine and cured my father.

After that, our families got to know each other. My old man even took Dabao and Beibei as his god-grandchildren.

This time, before Qinghuan and Huaian left, they were worried Wang the Cripple would retaliate against you, so I started coming over the mountain to hunt and keep an eye on your family.

I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I hope you don’t mind my intrusion.”

Ji Linhai spoke sincerely, and everything he said matched up. Zijun believed him.

After all, only their family knew about Wang the Cripple. If Huanhuan trusted him, he must be trustworthy.

Fellow outcasts, Zijun felt a sense of kinship.

“So that’s how it is. I was overthinking.

By the way, those wild chickens and rabbits I’ve been finding lately—was that your doing?”

She suddenly remembered her recent streak of “good luck.”

Ji Linhai scratched his head. “Hehe, you caught me. I thought I’d help you all out with some meat. My hunting skills improved thanks to your son-in-law’s advice. We’re all family—no need to be polite.”

This made Zijun trust him even more. In times like these, who would give away meat unless they were truly close?

He must have a good relationship with her daughter’s family and was a man who repaid kindness.

“Old Ji, you’ve really gone out of your way for us. If you hadn’t shown up today, I don’t know what I would have done. If that brute had succeeded, I wouldn’t have had the face to go on living.”

Zijun spoke from the heart.

Ji Linhai quickly reassured her, “Let me call you sister—don’t think like that. This was someone else’s fault, not yours. Don’t punish yourself for what others did.

If anything had happened, it would only have pleased your enemies and hurt your loved ones.

Let’s put this behind us. That brute doesn’t understand anything, but you must be more careful in the future. Don’t go up the mountain alone, and if you must, stay where there are people.

As for Wang the Cripple, don’t worry. I’ll take care of him and make sure he never bothers you again.”

His words were sincere, and Zijun felt a sense of protection and care from a stranger she’d just met—a rare feeling of safety.

“Old Ji, I really don’t know how to thank you.”

He’d protected them in secret and helped solve their problems. He was as good as family—better, even, considering how many relatives had abandoned them when trouble came.

Kindness from a stranger was precious.

For a long time, she’d closed herself off, afraid of getting hurt, convinced the world was full of filth and malice.

But this incident made her believe in human kindness again.

Her daughter’s good deed had brought blessings to her. Good people really do get rewarded.

“Haha, no need to thank me. If you really want to, just have your daughter cook me a few good meals when she’s back. You sure know how to raise kids—your daughter is beautiful, kind, and a great cook.”

Ji Linhai’s flattery made Zijun laugh.

“Alright, when Huanhuan’s back, I’ll come thank you in person and have her cook us a feast.”

“Sounds great. I’ll be waiting.”

Ji Linhai quietly followed Zijun at a distance, making sure she got home safely before leaving.

He was already thinking about how to deal with Wang the Cripple."

"Chapter 114: A Special Gift in Return

The Great Northwest

As soon as Gu Qinghuan’s package of fifty jin of fine grain arrived, Zhong Ziyan took forty jin to Secretary Li’s house, leaving the remaining ten jin for Bai Jie as a treat. Her throat had always been bad from chronic coughing, and she couldn’t eat anything too hard.

Of the forty jin, thirty-five were exchanged for various coarse grains to serve as rations for the winter. The remaining five jin of fine grain were given as a gift to Secretary Li’s family, to thank them for their ongoing care and help.

He also gave them some wild mountain goods his niece had sent: hazelnuts, pine nuts, wild mushrooms, and hickory nuts.

He couldn’t bear to part with the wild pheasant and rabbit—those were rare delicacies, and he wanted to save them to help Bai Jie recover her health.

Secretary Li was delighted to receive the five jin of fine grain and the mountain goods. Although he had been asked to look after them, it still felt good to be appreciated, and he’d be even happier to help in the future.

Besides, five jin of fine grain could be traded for twenty jin of coarse grain—enough to feed the whole family for more than half a month.

Not to mention the mountain goods. For rural folks in the northwest, these were things they might never see in a lifetime—precious treasures in their eyes.

They didn’t even know how to eat the pine nuts and hazelnuts, and had to ask Zhong Ziyan for advice.

In the past, Zhong Ziyan hadn’t been able to give gifts, not because he didn’t want to, but because he had nothing to offer.

There was never enough grain, and he himself often went hungry—how could he afford to put on a brave front?

But now, with so much grain, military coats from his niece, and plenty of money and medicine, this winter would be much easier. He walked with a spring in his step, full of energy.

Ever since Gu Qinghuan sent the grain and medicine, Bai Jie had been able to eat food she liked and take targeted special medicine.

Her illness had visibly improved. Before, when she coughed, it was as if she’d cough up her whole lung, sometimes even with blood.

Zhong Ziyan had worried she had the tuberculosis the elders always talked about.

But after a period of taking medicine and getting proper nutrition, she miraculously started to get better.

She used to cough all night and get up many times, always worrying about disturbing Zhong Ziyan’s sleep. She’d force herself to hold back, but couldn’t sleep or eat well, and her health was a mess.

But in the past few nights, she’d actually been able to sleep through till morning without coughing.

Now, she only coughed occasionally during the day if she caught a chill.

Her complexion had also visibly improved.

She knew her own body best.

Bai Jie had thought she wouldn’t make it through this winter. She’d even secretly written a will for her husband and daughter.

She never expected the special medicine her niece sent to work so well—almost instantly.

Now she felt light and energetic, no more coughing or chest tightness, and she had the strength to work. She felt like she could live for many more years.

Both of them were in much better spirits.

The only thing was, they hadn’t heard from Zhong Luoning in a long time, and the couple couldn’t help but worry.

—

Meanwhile, Zhong Zijun returned home and told her parents about the dangerous incident on the mountain.

Cheng Shuying kept chanting “Amitabha, Bodhisattva bless us.”

Zhong Weiqian slammed the table in anger. “This is outrageous! I’m going to settle this with him!”

Last time, when Wang the Cripple secretly pushed Zhong Zijun down the slope, Zhong Weiqian hadn’t known who the culprit was. Later, Gu Qinghuan avenged her, and the matter was dropped.

But this time, Wang had tried to utterly ruin Zhong Zijun, even threatening her life. This was beyond tolerable.

The old couple knew their daughter well. She seemed gentle on the outside, but she was stubborn at heart.

If that fool had really succeeded today, Zhong Zijun probably wouldn’t have survived. Even if she did, she’d never be happy again.

She was so proud—how could she bear the humiliation of being stripped and paraded through the streets?

Cheng Shuying quickly pulled him back. “Don’t be rash, sit down! Didn’t you hear what our daughter said? The man who saved her said he’d take care of Wang the Cripple.

Right now, the enemy is in the dark and we’re in the open. Don’t act recklessly, or you’ll give them something to use against us.

Besides, you old man, what could you do anyway? You’re no match for them.”

Zhong Weiqian huffed in protest—he wasn’t that old, still young at heart.

But his wife had a point. If this matter came to light, they’d only suffer. Better to handle it quietly, like Huanhuan did before.

People like that didn’t deserve honorable treatment.

After calming him down, Cheng Shuying turned to her daughter for more details.

“We really owe that man. Even if he doesn’t expect anything in return, we can’t just do nothing—that wouldn’t be right.

Besides, he even gave us some wild game for free. That was very generous,” Cheng Shuying said thoughtfully.

“Your mother’s right. He’s a gentleman, not expecting repayment, but we can’t be petty. We have to return the favor. We can’t always rely on Huanhuan to handle everything,” Zhong Weiqian agreed, stroking his beard.

Zhong Zijun thought for a moment, then her eyes lit up as she came up with an idea.

“I could make him a set of winter clothes as a thank-you. His cotton-padded jacket is all tattered, full of holes, and you can see the cotton inside.

He’s a man—probably doesn’t know how to sew. I bet he hasn’t had new clothes in ages.

It’s just a bit embarrassing…”

Making clothes was a personal thing, and making them for a strange man was even more awkward.

Cheng Shuying, though older, was open-minded and made the decision right away. “That’s settled! What’s there to be embarrassed about? Not having food or clothes is embarrassing. He saved your life—what’s there to be shy about?

Didn’t you say his father was sent down with him? Just make a set for each of them. You can’t let the old man go cold while his son wears new clothes. He wouldn’t feel right about it.

The only things we have to give are those few wild animals—and those were from him anyway—and a bit of grain. With his skills, he probably doesn’t lack those.

Clothes are what he needs. That’s what we’ll give.”

Zhong Weiqian agreed with his wife.

“Your mother’s right.”

With both parents in agreement, Zhong Zijun stopped hesitating and got to work.

It would take some time to make two sets of clothes, but hopefully she could finish before winter set in.

She’d need to take measurements, though. She could estimate Ji Linhai’s size by eye, but she’d never met his father, so she had no idea.

Luckily, Gu Qinghuan had sent plenty of fabric and cotton, so she didn’t need to buy anything extra.

The fabric was a bit dull in color, but you could tell by touch that it was high quality.

That night, after dinner and once the village lights were mostly out, Zhong Zijun took the flashlight her daughter had given her and her measuring tools, and quietly slipped out.

Zhong Weiqian wanted to go with her, but the livestock in the cowshed suddenly got restless, so he had to stay behind.

Zhong Zijun had to go alone, but it was only about a ten-minute walk. She hadn’t realized before, but the man lived in the cowshed near Huanhuan’s house.

After what happened that afternoon, Zhong Zijun was nervous all the way there. When she finally arrived, she almost wanted to turn back.

It was late at night, and she was about to ask a man if she could make him clothes and take his measurements. It was embarrassing—she wasn’t some bold village auntie.

She paced nervously at the door, unable to summon the courage to knock.

Inside, Ji Linhai heard something and shouted, “Who’s there?”

Zhong Zijun was startled by his booming voice and almost ran away.

The next moment, the door opened.

Zhong Zijun stood there awkwardly, fidgeting with her hands.

Ji Linhai, seeing her in the moonlight, realized who it was.

“Oh, it’s you, miss! What brings you here? Come in and talk,” Ji Linhai said, opening the door wider.

Zhong Zijun forced herself to go in, mumbling, “Sorry to bother you so late.”

She added, “It’s just that coming during the day would attract too much attention…”

Ji Linhai, understanding, said, “I get it, I get it. Come in and sit. The place is a mess, don’t mind it.”

Zhong Zijun glanced around. Actually, it wasn’t that bad. The outside looked shabby, but inside it was tidy and everything was in its place.

Given the rural conditions, and with two men living here, they were doing pretty well.

“Linhai, who is it?” came the old man’s voice from the back room.

Ji Linhai called out, “It’s the little girl’s mother.”

They referred to Gu Qinghuan as “the little girl.”

“Come in, miss, have a seat,” Ji Linhai said, pulling out a small stool he’d made himself and dusting it off with his sleeve before offering it to her.

After a bit of rustling, the old man came out, neatly dressed and smiling.

“Oh my, what an honored guest! Please, have a seat. You rascal, go pour our guest some water,” he said.

Ji Linhai scowled at being called a rascal in front of company, but went to pour water anyway."

"Chapter 115: Taking Measurements, Quarreling Sweethearts