From the initial probing to the current acceptance, Jiang Xile could clearly sense a slight change in Zhang the hunter's attitude.

The two got along quite well, talking about everything under the sun.

However, Jiang Xile also knew that her journey for the day would end here.

With Zhang Zhenghao watching over things, he naturally wouldn't let Jiang Xile go any further into the deep mountains, since there were still many places he hadn't set foot in yet!

It is said that Zhang Zhenghao has been lying low here for three or four months. The previous hunter, Zhang, had already fallen seriously ill and passed away in the spring.

Zhang the hunter was an old bachelor with no children and an eccentric temperament, so he didn't like to associate with other people.

Therefore, no one discovered that Zhang the Hunter had died of illness at home. It was only when Zhang Zhenghao was ordered by his superiors to come and investigate the situation inside Phoenix Mountain that he discovered that Zhang the Hunter had died at home.

After preliminary investigation, it was determined that this mission would take a considerable amount of time, so Zhang Zhenghao took the opportunity to impersonate Zhang the Hunter.

Of course, he also helped Zhang the hunter to be laid to rest.

The reason Zhang Zhenghao was sent here was twofold: firstly, to allow him to escape the turmoil of factional infighting, and secondly, because the secret hidden in Phoenix Mountain was quite important.

Intelligence indicates that when the Japanese annexed the country, some of its members took a large quantity of weapons and research equipment and hid in Phoenix Mountain.

Zhang Zhenghao's mission is to find the whereabouts of these people and weapons!

If those bastards are really doing some shady experiments behind the scenes, then they must all be wiped out, so that no hidden dangers are left for the motherland and the people.

While chatting with Jiang Xile, Zhang Zhenghao kept an eye on the wild rabbit roasting over the fire. Seeing that it was almost done, he took out a packet of fine salt from his pocket and sprinkled it on top.

"Little girl, try my cooking!"

"That's great! This roasted rabbit smells delicious!"

Zheng Zheng broke off a rabbit leg and handed it to Jiang Xile.

"Watch out, it's hot!"

"Okay, thank you!"

Seeing that Zhang Zhenghao had already started eating, Jiang Xile also joined in.

"Ouch...it's so hot! But it has a unique flavor; this roasted rabbit is even better than the roasted pheasant!"

"Each has its own unique flavor!"

"That's really true!"

Before long, the two of them had completely wiped out the wild rabbit.

After extinguishing the campfire, Zhang Zhenghao looked at Jiang Xile and said:

"Come on, little girl, I'm going down the mountain anyway, let's go together!"

Jiang Xile rolled her eyes; she had already guessed this would happen.

"Alright, then I'll trouble you, Uncle Zhang!"

"You're welcome!"

Zhang Zhenghao led the way, with Jiang Xile following behind; the two were essentially traveling together.

As they approached the foot of the mountain, Jiang Xile spotted Su Jinxiu, Ren Qi, and the others digging for wild vegetables and mushrooms in the distance. She then looked at Zhang Zheng and said:

"Those women ahead are the older ladies from our educated youth settlement. I'm going to meet them, so I won't trouble Uncle Zhang to take me home!"

"That's perfect, you go ahead, I have something else to do and we're not going the same way!"

"Goodbye then, Uncle Zhang!"

Goodbye, little girl!

After saying goodbye, the two went their separate ways. When Jiang Xile turned back, Zhang Zhenghao was no longer in sight.

"What a mysterious and eccentric person! But curiosity killed the cat; it's best not to overthink things that don't concern me!"

Just as Jiang Xile was about to meet up with Su Jinxiu and the others, she was unaware that she was being secretly investigated.

Although Jiang Xile's status as an educated youth has been confirmed, this matter concerns the country and requires careful consideration. It just so happens that today is the day Zhang Zhenghao has arranged to report to his superiors.

So Zhang Zhenghao asked his superiors to investigate Jiang Xile's background and see if there was anything unusual about the girl.

When Jiang Xile's basic information was presented to the leaders, they were unaware that her photo would stir up a considerable storm in the military compound!

"Sister Jinxiu, Sister Renqi!"

"Xile! What are you doing up the mountain? I thought you went to the commune!"

"I got up early this morning thinking I'd go hiking and get some exercise. I just happened to be back and ran into you guys, so I came over to say hello!"

"We're heading back anyway, let's go together!"

"OK!"

Jiang Xile didn't have much contact with the people in the educated youth settlement, but their relationship was fairly good. The people she could talk to were Su Jinxiu, Ren Qi, Qiu Wenbin, and Guo Dongxu.

Guo Dongxu is the branch manager, that goes without saying, so naturally we'll have to deal with him.

Su Jinxiu was Jiang Xile's mentor when she worked in the fields, Ren Qi was Jiang Xile's partner when she was on duty cooking, and Qiu Wenbin could also be considered Jiang Xile's half-apprentice.

As for the others, Jiang Xile might greet those with good personalities, but she generally ignored those who were less likable.

"Xile, have Zhao Dagou and his mother come looking for you recently?"

"No, what's wrong, Sister Jinxiu?"

"That's good. I was just asking. But I heard from Aunt Guihua that the mother and son suddenly turned over a new leaf, I don't know what evil spirit they were under."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I don't know the specifics, but from what Aunt Guihua said, it means that she and her son returned all the things they had extorted from the villagers."

It seems many families received it; besides this, they also made a special trip to apologize to the recipients.

"Well, this can be considered a good thing!"

"Well, I hope it's a good thing. It would be even better if the mother and son didn't turn back into their original forms!"

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