Chapter 37: The Decision to Set Out

While Zhong Xiao was still pondering, another urgent knock sounded at Qin Dezheng’s door. This time, it was someone from Yuecheng Hospital.

“Director Qin, the hospital has received a plea for help from the Taizhou Island Military District General Hospital. They have an overwhelming number of wounded, and their medical staff and supplies are insufficient. They desperately need our support!”

Qin Dezheng’s expression grew grave. He himself could go—aiding the wounded was the duty of every doctor. Though he was now elderly and had retired to a managerial position overseeing pharmaceuticals in Yuecheng Hospital, that didn’t mean he lacked the ability to heal. On the contrary, with his background in the military hospital, he was most adept at emergency care.

Yet the problem lay elsewhere. He could go, but he had no idea where to procure medical supplies. Yuecheng Hospital itself suffered severe shortages; he couldn’t simply disregard the patients here.

As Qin Dezheng stood at a loss, a gentle yet resolute female voice sounded behind him.

“We should go to Taizhou Island.”

Qin Dezheng started and turned back. Zhong Xiao stood in the Qin family’s living room, sunlight streaming through the window and illuminating her. Her demeanor was calm, her lovely features neither sorrowful nor joyful, betraying little emotion. Yet her gaze inspired reassurance.

Zhong Xiao stepped forward and addressed Qin Dezheng.

“Second Granduncle, every moment of hesitation may mean another wounded person left untreated. Let’s prepare and set out as soon as possible.”

Looking at Zhong Xiao, Qin Dezheng said, “Xiao Xiao, actually, you could stay in Yuecheng…”

“My parents are gone, Grandfather is gone, and I’ve severed ties with Du. There’s nothing left in Yuecheng for me,” Zhong Xiao replied. “Besides, I’ve considered it. Even though Du Huacheng and Yang Yuehe have been sent down, should they return someday, they won’t let me go. Rather than spend my life contending with those rotten people, I’d rather go to Taizhou Island.”

Her words were earnest; though they might sound somewhat selfish, they were honest and not at all contemptible. After all, in these times, one who does not look out for oneself is doomed.

Compared to the rumors, Sun Yangzhong found this eldest daughter of the Zhong family far less arrogant and unruly than he’d heard. While it might seem Zhong Xiao was choosing Taizhou Island solely to free herself from worries, Sun Yangzhong sensed she was no ordinary woman.

Qin Dezheng deliberated briefly, then said, “Alright, Xiao Xiao, Deputy Squad Leader Sun and I will go buy tickets. You pack your things—buy as much as you can. The situation on Taizhou Island is dire; they’re short on supplies, so anything we can bring ourselves, we should.”

Zhong Xiao nodded.

Soon, they split into three groups. Sun Yangzhong, using his military status, went to buy train tickets, increasing their chance of securing sleeping berths so the journey wouldn’t be too arduous. Qin Dezheng hurried to the hospital to hand over his duties and see if he could take along any supplies not urgently needed by the hospital but vital to the military—like saline solution and gauze. Anesthetics and painkillers were out of the question, as the hospital was in desperate need; if not for Zhong Xiao bringing some that day, there would have been none at all.

Meanwhile, Zhong Xiao headed swiftly to the underground black market. She bought a large quantity of various crop seeds, especially corn and sweet potatoes, which could be eaten directly, and potatoes, which were easy to store and filling. She’d already bought some chickens, ducks, fish, pigs, cattle, and sheep last time, but seeing a few hens on offer now, she bought them all—more offspring would ensure a steady supply of meat.

Along the way, Zhong Xiao bought whatever she came across. Soon, her backpack was filled with seeds of all kinds—peanuts, sesame, sunflower seeds for oil, as well as scallions, ginger, garlic, cilantro, and other spice seeds. She spotted a vendor selling sweets and purchased several pounds of brown sugar and bags of milk powder. Whether they’d be needed or not, she bought them just in case.

Unexpectedly, luck was on her side today. She came across someone selling eggs! Eggs were solid currency in these times. She’d bought some chicks, but hadn’t managed to get many hens—just two, the rest were roosters. So, seeing eggs now, Zhong Xiao bought out the old man’s entire stock.

Loaded with bulging bags, Zhong Xiao made her way back to the Zhong house, but on the road, she encountered several people.

Three young women, dressed quite differently from everyone else. They were the daughters of the wealthy families that, along with the Zhong family, were famous in Yuecheng—the Liu family, Wang family, and Yan family.

Yuecheng had four major “capitalist” families: these three and the Zhong family. Now, due to the purge, their attire was not as lavish as before, though still far from plain. Years of pampering had spoiled them. Like Zhong Xiao in her previous life, they had no sense of the gravity of the situation.

Zhong Xiao had never gotten along with them; the three constantly competed with her in everything, and they’d long been sworn enemies.

Yet, after ten years, even the deepest grudges had faded for Zhong Xiao. She no longer wished to engage, only to hurry home and pack. But they had no intention of letting her go, especially Yan Dan, the second daughter of the Yan family, with whom she had the worst relationship.

Yan Dan looked at Zhong Xiao with smug satisfaction. “Oh my, who is this country bumpkin with her big bags? Fleeing famine? Tsk tsk, Zhong Xiao, is your Zhong family truly bankrupt? Even my family’s servants dress better than you!”

Foolish girl, Zhong Xiao thought. At such a critical time, still daring to keep servants and flaunt it publicly.

Yan Dan continued, “Hey, did you hear? The Song family is wiped out… Weren’t you engaged to someone from the Song family? Hahaha, does that mean from today, you’re a young widow?”

The group burst into laughter.

Zhong Xiao regarded them coldly. In her previous life, trapped in the countryside, she’d never learned how these girls ended up, nor did she wish to know. She was not so saintly as to warn them of what was to come. Silently, she passed Yan Dan, then lifted her eyelids and gave her a chilling glare.

Yan Dan, still laughing, was startled by Zhong Xiao’s look. It was icy, as if she’d emerged from the underworld.

Word by word, Zhong Xiao said, “Soldiers stand on the frontlines to defend our country, so that war does not reach us, so that smoke rises from kitchen chimneys and lights shine in thousands of homes.”

“They travel far from home, risking dismemberment, all to stop the enemy’s advance.”

“And you, protected by these heroes, stand here mocking others, uttering ‘wiped out’ as if it’s nothing. As I see it, you’ll be the orphan left alone on your family’s registry!”

“You’re not even worthy to polish the soldiers’ boots!”

“Out of my way!” Zhong Xiao barked fiercely. “A good dog doesn’t block the road!”

With that, Zhong Xiao stormed off, leaving Yan Dan dumbfounded. After a long moment, she recovered, pointing at Zhong Xiao’s retreating figure and shouting in anger, “You… what are you acting so high and mighty for! You haven’t even married yet, thinking you’re already the Song family’s daughter-in-law!”

“Even if you marry in, you’ll just be a widow! What’s so great about that!”