Chapter 78 Chapter 78

Gao Wen never thought that when Chen Zhaoyue went up the mountain to collect herbs, she would actually encounter enemy spies!

"But if you want to pretend to be an educated youth, this outfit won't work!" Gao Wen looked Shen Zhaoyue up and down and shook her head.

The sunlight shines through the window, clearly illuminating the fine-textured clothes on Chen Zhaoyue.

Although it is a relatively simple style, it still reveals the sophistication of city dwellers.

Chen Zhaoyue looked down at herself and immediately understood.

The clothes she wore were all left by Shen Qingqing. Although her taste was not very good, each piece was made of good material. When she wore them, she did not look like an educated youth who could endure hardship.

Even the clothes I bought the last time I went to the city didn’t look like something a country girl would wear.

"Dean, can you lend me some old clothes?" She rubbed her fingers embarrassedly, and her voice became smaller and smaller.

Gao Wen stood up without saying a word: "What a coincidence, I just happen to have two sets of old clothes in my yard."

She walked quickly to the wardrobe in the corner of the office and took out a set of blue cloth clothes that were washed so clean that they looked pale.

Chen Zhaoyue took the clothes and looked at Gao Wen gratefully: "Thank you so much!"

"Go change quickly." Gao Wen smiled and pointed to the lounge next door. "Remember to tie your hair up again. Your current hairstyle is too exquisite."

Ten minutes later, when Shen Zhaoyue appeared in the office again, Gao Wen's eyes lit up.

The girl in front of me has completely changed!

With her rough blue cloth clothes and casually tied pigtails, and the fact that Chen Zhaoyue had deliberately darkened the exposed skin, she looked exactly like an educated youth who had been sent to the countryside to work in the fields.

"Very good!" Gao Wen nodded with satisfaction and took out a badly worn green shoulder bag from the drawer. "Take this with you too. Put some medicine in it and you'll look more like a volunteer doctor."

Shen Zhaoyue took the bag, and a warm feeling surged in his heart: “Dean, thank you!”

Gao Wen patted her shoulder, her eyes full of the concern of an elder: "Go, be careful."

Chen Zhaoyue carefully packed some commonly used herbs and a pair of silver needles in his canvas bag and hurried towards the army gate.

She walked quickly through the corridor with her head down, but didn't notice the strange looks from the nurses' station.

"See, she's just a pleasure-seeking young lady!" Lin Xiaomei stared at Chen Zhaoyue's receding figure, her voice deliberately neither too loud nor too soft: "She came here and did nothing, and even changed her clothes. If this isn't going out to play, what else could it be?"

Liu Siyu stood aside, looking at the direction where Chen Zhaoyue disappeared with complicated eyes.

This time, she did not speak up for Shen Zhaoyue.

"They came in at the same time, so why is she so special?" Lin Xiaomei spoke again, with undisguised sourness in her tone.

The other nurses at the nurses' station looked at each other, some lowered their heads and pretended to be busy, while others couldn't help but nod secretly.

"Dean!" Seeing Gao Wen coming out of the office, Lin Xiaomei immediately came forward with a deliberate smile on her face: "Why did Chen Zhaoyue leave just now?"

She deliberately raised her voice, causing the surrounding nurses to pay attention.

A nurse who was provoked by her also agreed: "Yeah, didn't she say yesterday that she was going to the mountains to collect herbs? Why did she come empty-handed today?"

Gao Wen stopped and swept her sharp eyes across the faces of the two men.

"It's none of your business, don't ask too many questions!" Gao Wen's voice was not loud, but it carried unquestionable majesty.

Lin Xiaomei was naturally dissatisfied. She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but was stopped by Gao Wen's look.

"Everyone go and get busy." Gao Wen looked around and waved her hand.

The nurses looked at each other in bewilderment. Lin Xiaomei returned to her job in disappointment, but she could not hide the resentment in her eyes.

Chen Zhaoyue was completely unaware of what happened at the health center. When she arrived at the entrance of the army, Wen Yanxi and the other two were already waiting there.

Although Chen Zhaoyue changed into coarse clothes and tied her hair into a simple pigtail, her delicate facial features could not be concealed.

Even though she painted her face black, it made her almond-shaped eyes look even brighter and more attractive.

When Sun Xingxing saw her for the first time, she was so stunned that she didn't even notice the kettle in her hand fell to the ground with a bang.

His mouth was open and his eyes were wide open, as if he had seen a fairy descending to earth.

"Cough!" Jia Zheng coughed loudly and poked the useless recruit hard with his elbow.

He stole a glance at his own captain's face, which darkened instantly, and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Comrade Shen...Comrade Shen, this outfit is really suitable!"

Wen Yanxi took a step forward expressionlessly, his tall body just blocking Sun Xingxing's direct line of sight.

"Are there any female comrades joining us on the mission this time?" Sun Xingxing asked excitedly, not noticing that the atmosphere was wrong.

It was his first time to carry out a mission with a female comrade, and he was so excited that his eyes were shining.

As Chen Zhaoyue approached, his eyes moved among the three people and finally landed on the unfamiliar little warrior.

She looked at him twice more out of curiosity - this boy with a childish face seemed to be about the same age as her.

Sun Xingxing picked up the kettle in a hurry, her face as red as a boiled shrimp, and even the tips of her ears were red and hot.

As soon as he stood up straight, he met Chen Zhaoyue's friendly smile, and his mind went blank, and he almost dropped the kettle he had just picked up.

"Hello, comrade!" Sun Xingxing blushed and stammered, "My name is Sun Xingxing. I'm nineteen this year. I'm in the Fourth Regiment... My hometown is..."

Jia Zheng clearly felt that the aura of Captain Wen beside him was getting colder and colder, and quickly grabbed Sun Xingxing by the back of the collar: "Alright, that's enough self-introduction!"

This young man really doesn't know how to read people's expressions!

Sun Xingxing turned around in confusion and met Wen Yanxi's expressionless face.

The sunlight shone on the leader's stern outline, outlining a sharp shadow.

"What about a blind date?" Wen Yanxi's voice was chilly, like the cold wind in December.

Sun Xingxing shuddered and almost jumped up on the spot: "No...no!"

He stammered, "Just... just getting to know some lesbians..."

The voice became smaller and smaller, and finally became almost a breath.

Jia Zheng quickly tried to smooth things over: "Captain, Xingxing just talks a lot, that's all!"

He patted Sun Xingxing's back hard, causing the young soldier to stagger. "The new recruit is ignorant. Don't bother with him!"

Looking at the undercurrent of interaction between the three people, Chen Zhaoyue couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh, her eyes curved into crescents.

So this is what her uncle looks like when he gets jealous!

She rolled her eyes and deliberately moved closer to Wen Yanxi.

Wen Yanxi noticed her little movement, and the tense jaw line softened unconsciously, and the aura of keeping strangers away from him also quietly dissipated a little.

…

"You two go into the village first!" Wen Yanxi ordered in a deep voice, his eyes lingering on Sun Xingxing's face for a moment, frightening the little soldier so much that he immediately straightened his back.

As if he had been pardoned, Jia Zheng grabbed Sun Xingxing's arm and ran towards Kangzhuang Village: "Yes! Captain!"

After the two of them walked away, Wen Yanxi turned around and looked at Chen Zhaoyue.

Chen Zhaoyue immediately came forward like a cunning little fox and looked up at him.

"Is my uncle jealous?" She stood on tiptoe, deliberately making her voice soft and light.

The sunlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, casting tiny golden rays into her eyes, which were filled with a smile that could not be concealed.

Wen Yanxi's breathing paused slightly, and he lowered his eyes to look at the delicate face so close to him.

Her warm breath, with a faint scent of herbs, brushed against his chin subtly, like a light feather, making his heart tremble.

His Adam's apple rolled violently, and his throat became dry and tight.

"Yeah!" Wen Yanxi's voice was muffled, but surprisingly frank.

Chen Zhaoyue was stunned, her almond-shaped eyes widened slightly.

She didn't expect that her usually reserved uncle would admit it so directly, and for a moment she didn't know how to respond.

Before she could come back to her senses, Wen Yanxi had already let go of her hand and instead took her wrist: "Let's go."

His voice returned to its usual calmness, but the warmth of his fingertips revealed the fluctuations in his heart.

Wen Yanxi walked forward, but deliberately slowed down his pace.

Chen Zhaoyue jogged two steps to catch up, and the heat continued to flow through their skin.

She lowered her head and smiled, thinking that her uncle was so cute when he was jealous.

The two did not go directly into the village, but went to the Youth League Office first.

After Wen Yanxi briefly explained his purpose, the team leader issued a certificate without saying a word, and even took out some dried herbs from the drawer and enthusiastically stuffed them into Shen Zhaoyue's hands.

"Comrade, take these and you'll look more presentable!" the captain said with a smile, pointing at the herbs with his rough fingers. "The barefoot doctors in our village all use these folk remedies, which are incomparable to the fine medicines in your health center."

Chen Zhaoyue immediately understood and solemnly took the yellowed herbs: "Thank you!"

She carefully put them into her bag, together with the silver needles.

"You're welcome!" The captain waved his hand.

After leaving the Youth League Office, the two of them soon arrived outside Kangzhuang Village.

Wen Yanxi suddenly stopped and took out a hoe and a straw hat from behind a haystack on the side of the road.

Chen Zhaoyue was wondering when he saw him skillfully smear some mud on his face and body, and then put on the tattered straw hat.

“This…” Shen Zhaoyue raised her eyebrows slightly. She didn’t expect that the villagers’ costumes before were not all disguises.

At this moment, Wen Yanxi was hunched over, looking like a weathered old farmer. Even his hands, which had been holding guns for years, were deliberately dirty. How could he look like a soldier at all?

Seeing her stunned, Wen Yanxi lowered his voice and explained, "My face is too conspicuous at the border."

He raised his hand to straighten his straw hat, the shadow cast by the brim completely obscuring his sharp eyes. "The enemy intelligence contains my portrait."

Chen Zhaoyue suddenly realized, and looking at the "farmer" in front of him, he suddenly felt both strange and novel.

Wen Yanxi lowered his voice even more, and said worriedly, "Now that we're in the village, I can't be by your side all the time. Be careful!"

As he spoke, he pointed to the golden rice fields not far away and said in a deep voice, "We will search from this side towards the center of the village."

He traced a hidden path in the air with his finger: "If you need help, come to us."

Chen Zhaoyue looked in the direction he pointed, and saw rolling waves of rice, shimmering with golden light in the sunlight.

She nodded, then suddenly remembered something and pulled out a small medicine bag from her bag: "It's for mosquito repellent. Uncle has it with him!"

Wen Yanxi held the medicine bag tightly, and finally looked deeply at Chen Zhaoyue, then turned around, bent down, picked up the hoe and walked towards the rice field.

However, he instantly blended into the group of farmers working in the fields, and apart from his tall stature, no other difference could be distinguished.

Chen Zhaoyue took a deep breath, adjusted his shoulder bag, and walked towards the village.

The sunlight shone on her simple blue cloth clothes, giving her a warm glow.

————

"Village chief! Village chief!" A villager rushed into the village chief's yard, panting, and excitedly slapped his thigh: "There's an educated youth in our village. He said he's here for a free clinic. You should go and see him!"

There was an expression of disbelief and joy on his face. He had only heard people from neighboring villages bragging about this good thing about free medical consultations, but he didn't expect that today it would finally be their Kangzhuang Village's turn!

"What? What did you say?" The village chief was holding a bowl of rice. When he heard this, his chopsticks fell to the ground and he rushed out with half a grain of rice hanging from the corner of his mouth.

He wiped his mouth carelessly, his eyes wide open: "Really...really?"

"It's absolutely true!" the villagers gestured excitedly. "It's set up right under the big locust tree at the entrance of the village! And the girl is so pretty!"

The village chief ran out in two steps, shouting, "Quick! Go and inform the villagers! Let the elderly and children come and see first!"

Under the old locust tree at the entrance of the village, Chen Zhaoyue borrowed a few chess tables from old men and set up a simple free medical consultation stall.

Seeing this, the villagers gathered in twos and threes, looking curiously at the educated youth girl who had suddenly appeared.

"This girl is so pretty, and her skin is as white as a peeled egg!" An auntie wearing a headscarf whispered, causing several women around her to nod repeatedly.

"What's in her small cloth bag? Why is there a needle?" Another old man squinted his eyes, trying hard to see the objects in the medicine box clearly.

Several children hid behind the adults and peeked out timidly.

A brave little boy suddenly took a step forward, then quickly retracted it, causing the adults to burst into laughter.

"Everyone, don't be anxious. Line up." Chen Zhaoyue spoke softly, with a soft and sticky southern accent, like a spring breeze blowing past everyone's ears.

The sound stunned the villagers for a moment, and even the noisiest women fell silent.

She arranged the herbs skillfully, but her eyes glanced casually at the crowd.

"Girl, is your medical treatment really free?" The old man who borrowed the table finally couldn't help it and stood up with a cane to ask.

Chen Zhaoyue raised his head and gave the old man a warm smile: "Uncle, I am an educated youth who went to the countryside. I came here today specifically for a free medical consultation. Don't worry, I don't charge for my medical treatment or medicine!"

"I've heard of free clinics!" A woman wearing a blue headscarf suddenly slapped her thigh. "Some time ago, educated youth from the next village held a free clinic. I heard two girls came together!"

As she spoke, she looked at Shen Zhaoyue curiously: “Miss, your companion didn’t come with you this time?”

…

Chen Zhaoyue paused slightly. After hearing what she said, he thought of two people: Lin Xiaomei and Liu Siyu!

They just came to the health center and may have participated in this free clinic for the purpose of taking an exam.

But now, it has given her convenience.

"She went to the city to take the exam, and I'm the only one here!" Chen Zhaoyue said calmly.

At this moment, almost all the villagers believed it. The old men in the front looked at each other, wanting to see it first.

"Make way, everyone make way!" Just then, the village chief finally arrived.

He squeezed to the front, his voice trembling with excitement: "Comrade... Comrade, thank you so much! Our village hasn't had a doctor in many years..."

As he spoke, his eyes became red.

Seeing the village chief so excited that he was at a loss, Shen Zhaoyue was a little amused.

The surrounding villagers automatically made way for her. She considered for a moment and then said gently, "How about you come and take a look first?"

In order to convince the villagers, and more importantly, to convince the hidden enemy spies of her identity, today's "free clinic" must be carried out in earnest.

"No hurry, no hurry." The village chief waved his hands repeatedly: "Comrade, I am the village chief of Kangzhuang Village. I just want to ask, how many days can this free clinic be run?"

Chen Zhaoyue thought for a moment and said, “It may take a few days. It depends on the situation in your village.”

She had to stay hidden at least until she discovered the enemy spies, which might be a few days or even half a month.

"That's great, that's great!" The village chief rubbed his hands with joy upon hearing this, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out. "Comrade, stay in our village for the next few days! It saves you the trouble of running back and forth!"

Chen Zhaoyue's eyes lit up when he heard this; this suggestion was exactly what he wanted.

Living in the village not only allows for deeper contact with the villagers, but also provides an opportunity to detect the whereabouts of enemy spies.

She pursed her lips and smiled, two shallow dimples appearing on her cheeks: "Then I'll trouble you, village chief."

The village chief turned cheerfully and waved to the gathered villagers: "Did you hear that? This comrade will be staying in our village for a few days!"

His resonant voice echoed at the entrance of the village: "Everyone, please disperse first. Let the comrades go have a meal first!"

Chen Zhaoyue then noticed that the sun had risen to noon, and the sunlight was shining directly on the crown of the old locust tree, casting mottled light and shadows on the ground.

The village chief rubbed his hands together, a smile on his face: "Comrade, you have come such a long way, you must be hungry."

"Yes, yes, it's important to eat first!" An auntie wearing a headscarf immediately agreed. She enthusiastically took Shen Zhaoyue's hand and said, "My husband just hunted a pheasant yesterday. Come to my house for dinner tonight, little comrade!"

Just as Chen Zhaoyue was about to decline, several villagers rushed to invite him:

"My freshly ground tofu!"

"My mother-in-law's pickled cabbage is delicious with rice!"

"Comrade, try my bacon..."

For a moment, the village entrance was as lively as New Year's Day.

Chen Zhaoyue was a little overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the villagers, and her cheeks flushed slightly.

At this moment, the village chief clapped his hands and said, "Stop arguing! Let's have lunch at my house today, and you can take turns treating me over the next few days!"

The villagers then reluctantly dispersed, and before leaving, they did not forget to remind Chen Zhaoyue to visit their home.

"Of course!" Chen Zhaoyue nodded while packing her bag.

I thought to myself: Maybe I can find out more information by taking the opportunity of eating.

Chen Zhaoyue was enthusiastically taken home by the village chief and had a hearty lunch first.

After dinner, the village chief took her to a freshly cleaned courtyard at the east end of the village.

"I originally wanted to let you stay at home, but I thought you educated youth might like quiet..." The village chief was worried that Shen Zhaoyue would not like it, and rubbed his hands nervously: "So I specially found an empty room."

Although the courtyard is simple, it is very clean.

The villagers in charge of cleaning were still busy at this moment, and even Shen Zhaoyue was among them and saw Jia Zheng's figure.

He hid quite well. If you didn't know him, you wouldn't be able to detect him among the villagers.

"This house has a large yard and there are trees planted there." The village chief pointed to the spacious courtyard and said, "We can hold the free clinic here in the future. This will save you from having to carry things around. It will be more convenient, right?"

Chen Zhaoyue looked around in surprise - this place was simply ideal!

A low wall made of blue bricks encloses a piece of space. In the center of the yard stands an old pear tree with tender green buds sprouting on its branches.

The sunlight shines through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

Not only is this place quiet and conducive to covert operations, but the spacious yard can also accommodate more villagers, making it easier for her to observe everyone who comes.

"Thank you so much!" she said sincerely, her eyes sparkling. "This place couldn't be better."

Seeing that she was satisfied, the village chief finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out: "Then comrade, you rest first. I will go and inform the villagers to come here for treatment tomorrow."

After saying that, he walked away happily with his hands behind his back.

Chen Zhaoyue first went into the house and took a look around. The bedding inside was all new, and there was water and food on the table. It was obvious that the village chief valued her very much.

"Girl, if you need anything, just come to the village chief or us, don't be polite!" The villager in charge of cleaning finished cleaning the house, rubbed his hands and stood at the door with a simple smile.

"Okay, thank you!" Chen Zhaoyue stood under the pear tree, smiled and nodded in thanks.

The villagers left one after another, their footsteps fading away. Only Jia Zheng remained, lingering at the end.

After everyone had gone far away, he quickly walked over to Shen Zhaoyue.

"Doctor Shen, if you discover enemy spies, you must not act impulsively." Jia Zheng hesitated for a long time, but still lowered his voice and warned.

Chen Zhaoyue raised her head upon hearing this, her almond-shaped eyes slightly widening in the moonlight: "Do I look that stupid?"

Jia Zheng opened his mouth, but hesitated to speak.

He was a witness on the train and knew very well that this man, who looked quiet, was more ruthless than anyone else when he started fighting!

Thinking of this, a thin layer of sweat broke out on his forehead, for he was afraid that Chen Zhaoyue would really confront the enemy spies head-on without any hesitation.

"Anyway...if anything happens, just call me." Jia Zheng scratched his head. "Xingxing and I live in the house three yards away."

He pointed to a row of small mud houses to the east and added, "It was specially arranged by the regiment commander."

They had originally planned to stay in the village for this mission, and since the three of them were villagers, they were naturally arranged with accommodation.

As for Chen Zhaoyue, Wen Yanxi originally wanted to invite him as a villager, but he didn't expect that the village chief had already made arrangements.

Jia Zheng grinned, revealing two rows of white teeth. "To the west of the village, there's a family surnamed Wang. He's now pretending to be the grandson of the Wang family and is called Wang Dazhi!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but laugh: "Originally, we arranged one east and one west to facilitate investigation, but now the leader is separated by a long distance."