Actually, Qiao Shaoguo had wanted to say, "You finally wised up, kid," but fearing Yunyi might misunderstand, he held his tongue.
Huo Jingrui knew Qiao Shaoguo was quite busy, so he didn’t stay long. After briefly updating him on the people taken from the mountain, he left with Yunyi.
By the time they reached the small plaza, it was already filled with educated youths. Not far away, on a platform, someone was delivering an impassioned speech at a mobilization meeting.
Once the meeting adjourned, everyone rushed to the registration area.
Huo Jingrui silently rejoiced. Fortunately, the young lady possessed medical skills; otherwise, she might have become one of these fervent youths.
As they walked on, someone called out, "Uncle Huo, is that really you?"
Huo Jingrui turned and saw it was Zheng Xuewen. "What are you doing here?"
Zheng Xuewen pointed to a few machines nearby. "Now that the Agricultural Reclamation Group has electricity, we’re planning to set up a mill. This will save a lot of manpower for hulling rice and grinding flour.
"I learned about electrical circuits with my uncle in Beijing for a while, so the Group asked me to come lend a hand and wire the mill."
At this, Zheng Xuewen sensed something. "You two?"
Huo Jingrui wished everyone knew about his relationship with Yunyi, so he didn’t hide it. "I’m here to see my sweetheart."
He looked at Yunyi with doting affection. "In the future, please help me take good care of her, all of you." The most update n0vels are published on novel⚑fire.net
Zheng Xuewen is much more dependable than that boy Qiao Wenyu, Huo Jingrui thought. Even if this young lady is capable, I can’t always be by her side to protect her, so naturally, I’m still very uneasy.
Although Zheng Xuewen wasn’t as shocked as Qiao Wenyu, he truly hadn’t expected it. "You two are actually seeing each other?"
Once he processed it, he said, "No problem."
Remembering something, he added a reminder, "A while ago, I received a letter from home. I heard that Sister Huixin from the Pan Family has been transferred to the Military District Hospital."
As soon as these words were spoken, Huo Jingrui’s first reaction was to look at Yunyi beside him.
Yunyi, being who she was, understood instantly. Although she knew it was just a classic case of a woman pursuing a man, she still felt a bit uncomfortable.
Huo Jingrui, afraid Yunyi might misunderstand, yet knowing Zheng Xuewen meant well, said, "Alright, go on with your work. Please keep our matter a secret for now."
Then, taking Yunyi’s hand, he walked onward. "Yunyi, that daughter of the Pan Family has nothing to do with me. I have absolutely no interest in her. And about what I just told Xuewen—to keep our relationship secret for now—it’s not that I don’t want the people in the compound to know about us. It’s that I’m afraid some of them might try to cause trouble behind our backs."
Seeing his anxious expression, Yunyi couldn’t help but laugh. "I’m not angry. I just didn’t expect you to be so popular."
Seeing the smile on her lips, Huo Jingrui finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Believe me, everything I said is true."
Yunyi’s demeanor suddenly changed. "What I want, no one has ever been able to snatch from my grasp. And anything that can be snatched away, I wouldn’t want anyway."
Just as Huo Jingrui was about to speak, Yunyi added, "If anyone dares to stretch out their claws, I won’t spare anyone’s feelings or reputation. I have to make this clear to you beforehand."
Far from being angry, Huo Jingrui’s lips curved into a smile. "That’s exactly what I wanted to tell you. If anyone dares to make a move, deal with them as you see fit. I’ll back you up completely."
He then told Yunyi about Pan Huixin. After hearing his explanation, Yunyi finally felt a bit more at ease.
Although they shared a bond from this life and the last, if he couldn’t be devoted to her, body and soul, she wouldn’t compromise herself. After all, life is for living.
They took a tour around the Agricultural Reclamation Group, familiarizing themselves with the various areas, before preparing to head back and make lunch.
Just as they neared the canteen, they heard a familiar voice. Looking up, they were surprised to see Zhong Liyuan, the new educated youth from Songling Village who had taken over Yunyi’s house, standing not far away.
Clearly, Zhong Liyuan had seen them too. After a moment’s surprise, she ran over to Yunyi. "It’s you!"
Yunyi was equally surprised. "What are you doing here?"
Zhong Liyuan looked a bit sheepish. "I came to look for someone."
Seeing her bashful demeanor, Yunyi understood. "Did you find them?"
Zhong Liyuan shook her head. "Not yet. I just arrived myself. I asked a few people up ahead, but they all said they didn’t know the person."