Zhou Yuting looked at Su Li in disbelief; "I know you hate Meilan, but she's really not as bad as you think. I bet she's probably crying because she can't find me right now."

Su Li; "..."

I've seen people obsessed with love, but I've never seen someone obsessed with friendship.

"In short, let me give you one last piece of advice: Zhao Meilan is no good person. She's after your money. If you don't want to lose both your money and your love, stay away from her."

"Su Li, I'm very grateful for your help. But if you say anything bad about Mei Lan again, I'll really get angry."

"Fine! I'm not saying anything more, do whatever you want."

The two were lucky; although they arrived a little late, Old Li was still there.

Zhao Meilan, who was in the car, was stunned to see Zhou Yuting unharmed. Then she got out of the car crying and hugged Zhou Yuting.

"Tingting, where did you go? I looked for you for ages by the bathroom, you scared me to death!"

"I'm fine. I just ran into a kidnapper, but luckily Su Li saw me and saved me."

Zhao Meilan thought that after today, she would never see this annoying young lady again.

Unexpectedly, she was saved by the meddlesome Su Li.

This person really loves to meddle in other people's business.

It seems that next time I need to do something, I'll have to make sure she's not around.

On the way back, after learning what had happened, the educated youth and the aunts were all shaken. Those with daughters thought about reminding them to be more careful when going out. The female educated youth thought that from now on, they should always do things in pairs.

After getting off the oxcart, Su Li didn't even have time to go home. She ran straight up the mountain and, halfway up, took out six apples from her spatial storage.

Thinking about how she had promised to bring Gu Huanian a thank-you gift, and how she had been late again today, she felt she should at least give some compensation to her aunts and Chen Shengnan, who were still quite a bit involved in their relationship.

When they arrived at the mountain, Aunt Li and the others had already prepared the meal.

Upon seeing her arrive, they quickly invited her to eat.

Su Li said apologetically, "I'm sorry, aunties, I ran into Comrade Zhou in town and he was almost kidnapped, so I came back late. These are the apples I bought today, please try them."

He then took out the apples and gave one to each of Aunt Li, Aunt Zhang, and Chen Shengnan.

Aunt Li waved her hand dismissively, saying, "You encountered kidnappers, were you alright? These apples don't look cheap, you can keep them for yourself."

Aunt Zhang also said, "Yes! You've been through something today, it's no big deal for us to cook you a meal, especially since you saved someone. Keep this apple for yourself."

"Aunt Li, Aunt Zhang, I bought a lot of these apples, so please take them."

Su Li insisted on giving them the apples, and Chen Shengnan didn't stand on ceremony. She knew Su Li's personality all too well; she didn't like any of those superficial gestures, and if she offered something, it meant she genuinely wanted to give it.

She wouldn't take it out when she didn't want to give it, so she accepted it without any burden.

Su Li gave the apple away and then picked up her meal to eat.

After the meal, Su Li went to find Gu Huanian.

When they arrived at his tent, they worried about encountering the same embarrassing situation as last time.

This time, she stood outside and called out twice, "Commander Gu, are you there?"

"Come in"

Su Li went inside. The man was sitting in a chair, presumably reading a letter.

He put the letter down only after she came in; "What did you want to see me about?"

Su Li took out two apples and placed them on the table; "This is a thank-you gift for you."

"Such big and juicy apples are rare. Did you buy them at the supply and marketing cooperative?"

He had bought apples from supply and marketing cooperatives before, but none of them were of such good quality. He had never even seen anything like them in Kyoto.

Su Li felt uneasy under his gaze. "It wasn't bought from the supply and marketing cooperative."

"Well, it's been hard to buy meat at the supply and marketing cooperative these past few days. How about we go hunting together? It'll be a good meal."

"It's not appropriate for me to come along when you go hunting!"

"There's nothing wrong with it. You might even find something good in the future."

Su Li figured she had nothing better to do, so she nodded and said, "Then I'll go and call Sheng Nan."

When Gu Huanian heard that Chen Shengnan would be invited, his brows furrowed. He tentatively asked, "Too many people will scare away the prey. Let's all go together."

Seeing that Su Li did not answer, Gu Huanian coughed and said, "I know a place where there are many of those mushrooms you picked last time."

"real?"

"Um"

"Okay, let's go now."

Gu Huanian washed the two apples that Su Li had brought and handed one to her.

"Eat together"

Gu Huanian took a bite of the apple, looked at Su Li, and said, "It's pretty good."

Su Li smiled. She didn't even look who brought it out; it was from her spatial storage, nourished by spiritual spring water—of course it tasted good!

"Su Li, aren't you uncomfortable wearing that scarf all the time? There's no one else around now, you should take it off! It's really uncomfortable."

Su Li took the scarf off her head and tied it around her neck.

Gu Huanian looked at the face that often appeared in his dreams, and his thin lips slightly curved upwards.

Soon Gu Huanian brought Su Li to the patch of morel mushrooms he had mentioned. There were indeed many, and not only that, there were also some matsutake mushrooms.

Su Li was overjoyed; this was truly a treasure trove!

She quickly squatted down to pick mushrooms, and Gu Huanian joined her.

While picking, I would glance at her every now and then; her face was even paler than the last time I saw her.

Her skin looks so bouncy; how can someone have such good skin? I really want to touch it.

And her little mouth, he kissed it countless times in his dreams.

It was soft and sweet, making him unable to resist.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!