Chapter 150: There Is No Time Left, They Are Already Here

Yang Ming did not seem to favor boys over girls; he didn't have much of a preference either way. He had always been quite good to Wang Xueping.

...

After cooking, Lin Jingyue and the others ate first. When it grew late, Jiang Xun carried a basket up the mountain. Lin Jingyue did not wait for him; she went into her room, bolted the door, and entered her space. She still had medicinal herbs to process.

Jiang Xun returned quickly. He had seen Gu Yizhi.

Two days later, while eating breakfast, Lin Jingyue asked Jiang Xun, "Should we send her breakfast again?"

"No need, the cooked food you left is enough," Jiang Xun shook his head. If they went up the mountain too frequently, it might bring danger to Gu Yizhi and easily attract the attention of malicious people.

Very well, Lin Jingyue let it go. "By the way, I’m going up the mountain to pick herbs today. Could you ask the scorekeeper to grant me leave?"

"I'll go with you."

"No need. I’m just replenishing my herb supply; nothing will happen." It would be inconvenient to use her space if someone were around. Hearing her say this, Jiang Xun dropped the matter.

After the meal, Lin Jingyue put on her small basket and took her small hoe up the mountain. Driven by some strange intuition, she took the path by the cowshed. Then, as luck would have it, she ran into an acquaintance.

"Who are you?" Tian Yang, who hadn't expected to encounter anyone, was instantly startled. This path was rarely used. Although he had used some camouflage, Lin Jingyue recognized him at a glance.

"That’s a question I should be asking you," Lin Jingyue said, arching an eyebrow and crossing her arms. A black market boss, what was he doing in the Qingshan Production Brigade? And in this specific place?

She glanced behind Tian Yang and caught sight of Elder Lu, who had come out to see what the commotion was.

"Young comrade," Elder Lu smiled, greeting her in a relaxed manner.

"Good day, Elder," Lin Jingyue nodded. She then withdrew her gaze and looked at Tian Yang, "It's a good thing it was me you ran into."

The brigade leader and the party secretary of the Qingshan Production Brigade each had their own agendas, but they were decent people. While they didn't look after the elderly, they at least ignored them, which was much better than in other brigades. But every place had its bad apples. If it were discovered that someone was secretly bringing supplies to the elderly here, someone with malicious intent would surely get involved, which would then implicate the elderly themselves.

Tian Yang caught her meaning instantly and understood Lin Jingyue’s warning. However, his guard did not drop. He looked at Lin Jingyue deeply, "May I ask how to address you, comrade?" He decided it would be better to come at night in the future.

When Lin Jingyue traded with him, she always used disguises—her figure, her voice, and besides, her gender was different. It would be a miracle if Tian Yang could recognize her.

"Lin Jingyue. I’m an educated youth from the Qingshan Production Brigade." Lin Jingyue’s brows twitched slightly, a flash of deep thought in her eyes.

Tian Yang nodded, "I’m Tian Yang. Regarding today’s matter, I hope you, comrade..." He paused meaningfully, then pivoted. "By the way, if you need help, Lin, I can assist you once within my capabilities." Building a good relationship was wise; it might come in handy in the future.

"Sure, it’s a deal," Lin Jingyue smiled.

Tian Yang looked at her intently, greeted Elder Lu, and turned to head down the mountain. An educated youth... surely she wouldn't do anything reckless.

"Young comrade..." As Lin Jingyue prepared to move forward, she heard the old man call out to her. She paused, turned back, and smiled, "Is there something you need, Elder?"

Elder Lu was slightly taken aback, then laughed, "You are a truly interesting young comrade."

"You are quite interesting yourself, Elder."

"Hahaha," Elder Lu chuckled lightly. "Be careful when you go up the mountain, young comrade. It’s not very peaceful in the mountains these days."

Lin Jingyue’s pupils constricted, though her face remained calm. "Thank you for the reminder; I will be."

She turned and walked steadily up the mountain. Only when the old man’s figure was no longer in sight did she start running through the woods, hoping it wasn't what she thought it was.

*Bang!*

Damn it! A gunshot!

Lin Jingyue’s heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath, and the hoe in her hand transformed into an axe. She moved stealthily toward the direction of the gunshot—the same direction where she had stashed Gu Yizhi.

"Gu Yizhi, you better not die," Lin Jingyue muttered, speeding up like a wild leopard in the forest.

*Bang!*

Another gunshot, closer this time. Lin Jingyue dove into the tall grass. Soon, several figures came running in her direction. Her eyes turned sharp, and she nearly dropped her axe when she recognized who they were.

Li Chengxi and Song Shiwen!

"Who's there?!" Her slightest movement was spotted by Li Chengxi. A dark gun barrel was pointed directly at her.

She stood up. "It's me."

Song Shiwen and Li Chengxi’s brows furrowed in unison. "Why are you here?"

"I'm the one who saved her," Lin Jingyue said, pointing to the pale-faced Gu Yizhi.

Before they could question her, Gu Yizhi nodded, her expression stern. "The two of you, take her and go. I’ll cover the rear. There must be no survivors." She had already handed over the intelligence to Li Chengxi; she had no more attachments.

Before Song Shiwen could react, his gun had already been snatched away by Gu Yizhi. After two days, her injuries hadn't fully healed; she could barely walk.

"Don't waste time! If anything happens to me, you must spare no cost to get Lin Jingyue out of here. Do not let anyone target her," she commanded. Then, she prepared to charge back.

And then...

In the next moment, she suddenly found she couldn't move at all. She turned back sharply to meet Lin Jingyue’s clear, piercing eyes.

*This girl is incredibly strong.* That was the subconscious thought that surfaced in her mind.

"You take her and go," Lin Jingyue said, shoving Gu Yizhi into Song Shiwen’s arms. Forgive her, but at a time like this, one had to prioritize. In a critical moment, she could sacrifice Li Chengxi, but she couldn't bring herself to sacrifice Song Shiwen.

"You're staying to cover the rear with me," she said to Li Chengxi.

Song Shiwen’s brow furrowed deeply. "I don't agree."

Gu Yizhi added, "Neither do I."

"There's no time, they're already here." Lin Jingyue spun the weapon she had taken from Gu Yizhi when she restrained her. "If we hesitate, none of us will make it out."

"You need to stay alive; otherwise, there will be no one to pay me for saving your life. Remember, at least ten thousand," she said, looking deeply at Gu Yizhi.

"..." Is this really the right time to talk about this?

"Go!" Li Chengxi shoved Song Shiwen, then turned to stand with Lin Jingyue.

Song Shiwen took a deep breath and decisively dragged Gu Yizhi away. Gu Yizhi... she couldn't die; otherwise, no one would be at peace. The Gu family had sacrificed enough already. But his sister... Song Shiwen’s eyes turned red for a fleeting moment, and he dragged Gu Yizhi away even faster.

On their side, Li Chengxi and Lin Jingyue hid, quickly wiped away their tracks, and took a detour up the mountain.

"Lin Jingyue, don't be afraid. I will protect you," Li Chengxi said, glancing at the girl beside him. For the first time, he felt the sensation of fear.