CHAPTER 179: CHAPTER 177: FLAMES

Xie Liangchen listened to the government officials speak, and the lantern in the darkness seemed to shine much brighter.

The government official continued, "When the food was delivered outside, I even saw General Song standing outside the shed, looking towards us. Who would dare to slack off even a bit?"

Xie Liangchen nodded at the government officials, feeling that this change made everyone in the epidemic prevention station more at ease.

In the past, nine out of ten people who entered the epidemic prevention station couldn’t leave, but now things were different. The government office and doctors were trying their best to cure the patients, and many doctors dared to come and help at the epidemic prevention station because of Song Xian.

If it were Song Min... or even Song Qizheng, many of them would rather flee.

After standing for a while, Xie Liangchen looked at the shed not far away and realized another lantern was lit, as if someone was carrying it towards her.

Step by step, getting closer, but ultimately having to stop.

Though she couldn’t see the person’s features, Xie Liangchen felt that it must be Song Xian.

Not knowing why, she gently shook the lantern in her hand.

Soon, the lantern in the distance also began to sway.

Once, twice, thrice.

When that lantern stopped, Xie Liangchen raised her lantern to sway again.

The other side responded the same way, once, twice...

It seemed the rhythm hadn’t changed.

Xie Liangchen couldn’t help but smile, finding it both strange and amusing.

Standing like this for a while, the person holding the lantern still showed no intention of leaving.

Xie Liangchen stepped back slowly, shielding the lantern behind her.

In the distance, Song Xian noticed the lantern at the epidemic prevention station suddenly dimmed and quickly took a few steps forward.

"Sir," Chang An whispered a reminder, "You can’t go any further; you need to meet with the government office people tomorrow."

Song Xian then halted his steps; that was likely Xie Liangchen, right? Did she realize he was here and used the lantern to test him?

Having not seen each other for so long, his heart was full of worry for her.

After finishing his daily tasks, he’d come out of the shed to gaze at the epidemic prevention station, and tonight it was rare to see that flicker of light.

As Song Xian was thinking, the lantern at the epidemic prevention station lit up again, like a mischievous maiden intentionally hiding it before.

Without much thought, Song Xian hid the lantern behind him as well, plunging into darkness in front of him.

Just like that, the young General Song stood tall there, quietly watching the lantern at the epidemic prevention station’s entrance, retreating step by step until he could no longer see it.

Perhaps it was her, or maybe it was just his imagination.

Yet that fragile flame lingered in his heart, wondering if she might feel differently tonight.

...

Chen Family Village.

Hei Dan put down his bowls and chopsticks, "I’m full."

Mrs. Gao noticed Hei Dan ate less than usual, "Eat some more. Now there’s mixed grain, enough food to eat."

Hei Dan shook his head, "I heard from the patrolling villagers that in the city they’ve started distributing relief grain, many families have nothing to eat."

Mrs. Gao couldn’t help but sigh, "We don’t know how your sister is doing."

Hei Dan said, "The government office people said, no matter what, the charcoal and food at the epidemic prevention station must not be missing."

Yesterday, Chen Yongsheng went to the government office hoping to send something to Mr. Xu and Xie Liangchen. County Magistrate Qu didn’t accept it, only saying the epidemic prevention station has everything, so they can rest assured.

Mrs. Gao said, "They work so hard at the epidemic prevention station; when Mr. Xu and Miss Chen return, they’re sure to be even thinner again."

Beside him, Gouzi was eating a bowl full of rice, Mrs. Gao added some vegetables to his bowl, "Eat more vegetables, the weather’s bad to prevent disease."

Gouzi nodded.

After eating, Gouzi followed Hei Dan to the Familiar Medicine Institute to sort medicinal herbs. Hei Dan said if the Official Medicine Bureau runs out of herbs, all the herbs there need to be sent over.

Gouzi kept busy with the people of Chen Family Village every day, sometimes forgetting his troubles. He liked Chen Lizheng, Mrs. Gao, Hei Dan’s family, and admired Chen Zigeng.

Though young, Chen Zigeng always spoke and acted clearly; the village kids listened to him for what to do every day.

But Gouzi deliberately avoided Chen Zigeng, just like he’d feel nervous in front of Xie Liangchen, afraid his thoughts would be seen through by Chen Zigeng. He was getting more and more restless, afraid he might one day lose control.

With manpower lacking in Zhenzhou City, Chen Yongsheng led more villagers out on patrol.

The whole village felt empty, as if only the elderly and young remained.

A few of Hei Dan went to help Old Mrs. Chen prepare meals, while Gouzi sat alone in a corner, subconsciously fumbling with the herbs in his hand. Suddenly, he heard a sound behind him.

"Do you remember what we talked about? Complete the task and we’ll release your father, sister, and brother-in-law."

Gouzi’s hand began to tremble, tightly grasping what was in his hand, cold sweat breaking out over his body, it’s happening, what he feared finally arrived.

"You," Gouzi spoke in a lowered voice, "What do you want me to find out? I... I... I’ll tell you what I know."

They said, as long as he acted as a spy in Chen Family Village, his father and the others would be safe. At first, he refused, but the screams of his father and sister were too painful.

Gouzi now held a porcelain bottle, and the person continued, "You just need to pour these things into their food or water, act early while the village is empty over these two days."

Gouzi wanted to say something, but heard footsteps approaching.

"Gouzi," Hei Dan’s voice came, "Dinner will be ready."

Gouzi didn’t speak, his legs felt weak, for a long time he couldn’t stand up.

Hei Dan walked over to Gouzi, "What’s wrong with you? Your face is covered in sweat."

"Want to go to the washroom," Gouzi said.

Hei Dan laughed, not noticing anything unusual about Gouzi, "I’ll take you."

Gouzi hid the porcelain bottle, hearing Hei Dan’s voice but his mind filled with the screams of his father and sister.

That day, Gouzi felt the village meals tasted bad, salty and bitter in his mouth. Finally, it was evening, and those who went out to patrol were about to return.

Old Mrs. Chen started busying in the kitchen, Gouzi listened attentively, when Chen Zigeng and Hei Dan went to greet Chen Yongsheng, Old Mrs. Chen happened to be called out by Mrs. Gao to speak, crouching in the corner of the stove, Gouzi stood up and pulled out the porcelain bottle from his clothes.

The steaming water from the large pot made Gouzi feel suffocated, he opened the porcelain bottle and raised his hand...

His fingers trembled, tears starting to well up.

In that instant, many people flashed through his mind.

Ultimately, he recalled his days recovering in Chen Family Village, bowls of medicine, rice water, and Hei Dan’s words...

Gouzi’s hand fell, just as he was about to put away the porcelain bottle, a hand reached over and tightly grasped his wrist.

The hand wasn’t large, but its strength was ample.

In panic, Gouzi dropped the porcelain bottle.

"Gouzi," Chen Zigeng’s voice sounded, "Who was it that instructed you to do this?"

Gouzi’s lips trembled, his whole being seemingly drained of energy, becoming smaller.

"Speak out," Chen Zigeng urged, "We will help you."