CHAPTER 90: CHAPTER 90: SEEKING REFUGE

"You take a break first, I can handle it."

"It’s alright, I can do it." Sun Chan took a deep breath and smiled sweetly. She really didn’t mind doing so much work; it was much easier than her previous life. She picked up his military water bottle, took several large gulps, and then handed it to Gu Junming.

Gu Junming didn’t take it. Instead, he grabbed her hand and said, "Let me do it, you’re not our family laborer. It’s too tiring for you!"

Seeing her bright smile, her cheeks slightly red from the sun, and the beads of sweat on her nose, he couldn’t help but lower his head and kiss her forehead. Sun Chan was stunned, then saw Gu Junming turn around to harvest the rice. Upon closer inspection, his ears were red.

Sun Chan looked at him for a few seconds, then pursed her lips and started to laugh.

After the two finished their work, they went back to eat a simple meal before taking a villager’s bumpy car to leave. Gu Junming’s leave was up, and he had to head back quickly.

Father Wang just said a few words telling him to be a good soldier, standing by the roadside with his hands behind his back, looking very serious. Yet Mrs. Wang seemed a bit reluctant, handing the boiled eggs left over from the morning to Gu Junming. She turned her back to her son, fighting tears. Wang Shufen and Ding Kang also stood at the side to see him off.

Gu Junming shouted loudly, "I’ll be back for the New Year, Mom, don’t worry!"

"Alright, I got it, go back and treat the girl well!" Father Wang waved his hand, watching the vehicle go farther and farther.

Su Miao’s house was at the village entrance, so the vehicle went past the Tian Family first.

There was no need for Gu Junming to find her; Su Miao was waiting at the door herself.

She was wearing a white jacket, woolen pants below, and black leather shoes, the attire only city folks had. Her hair wasn’t braided but tied in a ponytail like Sun Chan’s.

She actually looked down on Sun Chan, but admittedly, tying her hair like that looked quite nice, so she followed suit.

Su Miao was holding a small bundle and, without saying much, threw it onto the bumpy car, then smiled and extended her hand to Gu Junming.

"Big brother. Sorry to trouble you."

Before Gu Junming could say anything, Sun Chan quickly went over, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her up: "Be careful, don’t bump into the car."

Su Miao was unhappy inside. She intended for Gu Junming to hold her onto the car; what are you getting in the way for? So stingy!

Her eyes rolled, and she deliberately scratched her nails against Sun Chan’s wrist with force, planning to scratch her first and say it wasn’t intentional later. They couldn’t possibly argue with her over this matter.

Sun Chan saw her fingers turning a direction and knew she was up to no good. When she exerted force, Sun Chan suddenly pulled her hand back, dodging her nail attack, and in return, grabbed Su Miao’s wrist.

Su Miao’s force missed its target, and her whole shoulder banged against the side of the car, hurting so much she was in tears.

Sun Chan hurriedly said, "What happened? Did you zone out? Be careful, okay? Let’s try again, I’ll grab you up."

Gu Junming said, "Let me help you!"

"No need, it’s just Su Miao’s hand slipping." Sun Chan smiled and said, "Come on, Su Miao. Get up, make sure to hold on tight this time."

Su Miao cursed numerous profanities in her heart, but she dared not act up further and obediently held onto her hand to get on the car.

This girl was not as easy to bully as she appeared on the surface. She looked like a little lamb but could bite you when you’re not expecting it. But she couldn’t mention this to Gu Junming, otherwise, if it made a scene, they would know she started causing trouble first; she could only swallow her pride in silence.

Gu Junming and Sun Chan sat in the corner of the car, whispering and laughing. Su Miao sat to the side, her expression calm, who knows what she was thinking.

Gu Junming glanced at Su Miao and whispered to Sun Chan, "You really surprised me just now. What if something had happened, what would you do?"

"You noticed?" Sun Chan stuck out her tongue.

"With your personality, I’m relieved. Because I’m often at the barracks, sometimes I may not be able to be with you. So you’ll have to handle some things on your own; you’re so smart, I knew you’d never suffer a loss."

Sun Chan laughed, "Although sometimes I can handle things myself, I still hope, at crucial moments, you’ll be by my side."

Gu Junming nodded, "Okay, I promise you."

Su Miao on the side, although she didn’t know what they were saying, seeing the two laughing so happily made her even more annoyed, so she simply turned her head away and ignored it.

The car arrived in the city by dusk. They got off the car, and Su Miao smiled and said, "Are you two staying here?"

"We are going to X City; where are your relatives here? I can take you there."

Su Miao smiled, "Yeah, it’s my aunt’s house; both my aunt and uncle work at the power bureau, they had asked me over before. Could I trouble you to take me to that neighborhood?" She naturally handed her bundle to Gu Junming as she said this, glancing at Sun Chan.

This time I’ll see if you can snatch it away; it’s heavy, you can carry it if you want.

Gu Junming, without saying much, took the bundle: "I’ll take you there."

Holding the bundle in one hand, he took Sun Chan’s hand and walked forward. Although Su Miao successfully got Gu Junming to carry the bundle, she still couldn’t gain any advantage and felt her chest tighten again.

Su Miao’s aunt’s house was nearby, with a large security room. Su Miao stood at the door, somewhat proudly pointing to a lit room not far away: "My aunt’s house is on that second floor."

Back then, living in an apartment building was rare, especially in a good neighborhood like her uncle’s family. When her aunt married into such a family, it caused quite a stir in the village.

That’s why having an aunt as an example made Su Miao even more confident she could stay in the city.

Gu Junming looked at the building, raised an eyebrow without saying much, and put the luggage aside.

"Can you go up by yourself?"

"Aren’t you coming up to have a look? My uncle loves soldiers. He’d be thrilled to see you," Su Miao smiled.

Gu Junming declined, saying to her, "I need to go back. I’ll call someone I know about your job tomorrow, once it’s arranged, I’ll come find you."

"Who are you asking for help? Is it an official? Can I meet them? Don’t worry, I won’t make any unreasonable requests. I’m just purely curious," Su Miao’s eyes sparkled, a look of anticipation on her face.

Gu Junming glanced at her and pretended not to hear, then turned and left.

Su Miao shrugged, scared I’d know your connections, huh? Stingy! She went straight to the security room.

The old guard over there eyed Su Miao, then made a call to her aunt’s house.

Su Miao was initially a bit confident; she thought her clothes were better than Sun Chan’s. But seeing the old guard’s disdainful look, she suddenly felt unsure, wondering if she still looked so rustic?