Urban Soldier Young Master

Chapter 853 - 852: The Dilapidated Village

Inside the cabin, Chu Ge briefly explained his thoughts. Mu Xiaoting listened in astonishment, realizing some issues she had never considered before. Her gaze towards Chu Ge changed once again.After this tumultuous night, she believed she had some understanding of Chu Ge. Yet at this moment, she suddenly realized it was just her own illusion.

This man, despite narrowly escaping death, could still calmly analyze so many problems, and still consider others in such a way. He was gentle yet wild, gentlemanly yet crude, generous yet petty... What kind of person is he really?

No matter how Mu Xiaoting couldn't see through Chu Ge, she became increasingly certain of one thing: that this contradictory man truly deserved Mu Lingshan's wholehearted affection.

Moreover, she felt an inexplicable joy, because in Chu Ge's plan, he intended to go to the provincial city with her, allowing them to continue their journey together.

After discussing these matters in the cabin, they immediately set off, leaving the small grove and continued along the river.

Chu Ge worried that Li Zheming and others might still search for them nearby. So, while making clothes, he used some branches of suitable size and length to make some simple darts, attaching them to the inside of his shorts for emergencies.

However, they reached a populated area without encountering any unforeseen situations. Chu Ge could temporarily breathe a sigh of relief.

Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting's luck wasn't bad. After walking for over an hour, they met an elderly woman picking wild vegetables. She was in her sixties, looked ordinary, and dressed simply, living in a small village with a few dozen households not far away.

The elderly woman was startled upon seeing Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting, thinking she had encountered wild men. The wild vegetables she had just dug up fell to the ground. But after hearing Chu Ge's explanation and carefully observing them, she quickly calmed down, her eyes filled with kindness and sympathy.

Even though Chu Ge didn't speak the truth, merely concocted an excuse about being robbed.

The elderly woman was kind and after asking a few simple questions, she invited Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting to her home.

It was a very rundown village with few people, mostly elderly and children.

The elders showed little reaction upon seeing them, whereas the children, aged around five or six with wind-scorched red cheeks, looked on with curiosity.

Under the children's gaze, Chu Ge remained unaffected, but Mu Xiaoting felt extremely uncomfortable. A little boy, five or six years old and still running around, tried to touch her grass-skirt, almost scaring her into shouting.

Fortunately, as they walked with the elderly woman, they soon arrived at her place.

The woman's home was very simple, with a heavily peeled iron door, a small courtyard of seven or eight square meters, and a brick house of indeterminate age.

Only she and her husband lived there. The old man was about 1.7 meters tall, with strong features and a muscular build, callused hands showing that he often worked outdoors.

Initially wary when seeing Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting, the old man asked the elderly woman a few questions and exchanged some words with Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting, quickly warming up to them.

Under the couple's hospitality, Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting finally changed into a set of clothing and shoes belonging to their children who worked out of town, and had a decent meal. Though the clothes didn't fit well and the meal was simple, Chu Ge was incredibly grateful.

Chu Ge ate with a big smile, engaging the elderly couple in lively conversation, making them laugh heartily. Mu Xiaoting, meanwhile, ate and shed tears involuntarily. If those nameless fruits were the best-tasting fruits she's ever had, then this simple breakfast of buns and pickles was the best breakfast she's ever had.

The shabby wooden table held steaming buns, fragrant rice porridge, sweet sugar garlic, and extremely salty radish strips.

With Mu Xiaoting's tears, the couple offered comfort, using the most straightforward, and perhaps slightly rustic language, yet to Mu Xiaoting's ears, it was the warmest she'd ever felt. Consequently, she cried even more.

After the meal, Chu Ge asked the old man if he had a phone, not expecting much, but the old man indeed brought out a mobile phone.

Although it was just a cheap elderly phone costing a hundred or so, the old man's face revealed a proud glow, saying his son was successful, working hard to earn money to buy it for him.

Chu Ge smiled and remarked, "Old man, you're fortunate," asking where they were and how to proceed from Lidu, and then took the phone, dialing Chen Jue.

It seemed that all misfortune vanished with the end of that rainstorm. Chu Ge not only managed to dress and eat, borrow a phone, but quickly got through to Chen Jue.

On the phone, Chu Ge didn't say much, merely instructing Chen Jue not to let anyone know about the call and to bring some cash as soon as possible when convenient. Chen Jue promptly agreed.

After hanging up, all that was left was to wait.

Although Chu Ge really wanted to contact Qin Ruojing and Qin Ruoying to let the sisters know he was alright, he held back, deciding to wait a bit longer.

After all, his current identity was that of a "dead man." He felt assured about Qin Ruojing but had no confidence in Qin Ruoying's mouth.

In any case, the fewer people who know he's still safe, the better.

Just as Chu Ge was about to hand the phone back to the old man, footsteps and some muttering came from the small yard outside.

"Huh? Where did all these rotten leaves come from? This old lady... really has nothing better to do."

As soon as the words fell, there was a rustling sound outside, and shortly after, a slightly plump middle-aged woman with small eyes and some freckles on her nose walked in.

"Mom, I'm back..."

The middle-aged woman was halfway through her sentence when she suddenly saw Chu Ge handing the phone to the old man and Mu Xiaoting wiping her tears on a wooden bench. She immediately froze and then frowned, her gaze far from friendly.

She cast a wary glance at Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting, then turned her gaze to the old man, "Dad, who are they? Why are they wearing clothes that belong to my brother and me?"

Chu Ge stood up, "Big sister, we are..."

"I wasn't talking to you," the middle-aged woman snapped at Chu Ge and continued to question the old man with her eyes.

The old man hurriedly explained, "Er Hong, these two kids were mugged, they have nothing left, your mom ran into them while digging for vegetables."

"Mom, I'm just saying, you're really losing your mind. Do you even know who they are, yet you dare to bring them home? What if they are fugitives? Aren't you just asking for trouble?"

Er Hong complained with her arms crossed, casting sidelong glances at Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting, "Go, go, go, hurry up and leave, don't hang around in our house, what are you up to?"

Hearing Er Hong's words, the older couple looked rather embarrassed. The old lady quickly said, "Hong, they aren't bad people; these kids are already down on their luck, you..."

"Down on their luck? Why are you so naive? Just because they say so? Besides, even if they were mugged, what does that have to do with our family?"

Before the old lady could finish, Er Hong interrupted, urging Chu Ge, "What? Didn't you hear me telling you to leave? Can't understand human language? You think my words don't count? Are you trying to take advantage of us?"

The old man frowned, just about to say something, but Chu Ge smiled, glancing at Er Hong and the old couple.

"Alright, big sister, don't be mad. We're leaving now. Sir, ma'am, sorry for bothering you today. Truly, thank you."

With that, Chu Ge turned his gaze to Mu Xiaoting, whose face was quite upset, her eyes still tear-stained, and signaled that it was time to leave.

Mu Xiaoting bit her lip, feeling incredibly uncomfortable, but in the end, she said nothing. She wiped her eyes and stood up from the bench.

The old lady grabbed Mu Xiaoting's wrist, opened her mouth to say something, but her daughter's voice interrupted her.

"Mom!"

The old lady hesitated, released Mu Xiaoting's wrist with a sigh, shook her head apologetically, and didn't say anything more.

Chu Ge remained smiling politely, and once Mu Xiaoting was beside him, he bowed deeply to the old couple and turned to head towards the door with Mu Xiaoting.

However, just as they took a couple of steps, Er Hong's voice rang out again, "Wait!"

Chu Ge stopped and turned back with a smile, "Big sister, what's the matter?"

Er Hong, with arms crossed, gave Chu Ge and Mu Xiaoting a sidelong glance, "I mean, are you two just going to leave like that?"

Before Chu Ge could speak, Mu Xiaoting retorted first, "If not like this, then how should we leave?"

Her voice was filled with suppressed discontent, and her tone carried a hint of anger.

Er Hong was clearly taken aback by Mu Xiaoting's inadvertent display of an aristocratic demeanor, but she snapped out of it in less than a second, scrutinized Mu Xiaoting a few times, and scornfully curled her lips.

"What do you mean? Who are you trying to be tough with? You've been freeloading on our food and clothes, and you have the nerve to argue? Do you know the clothes you're wearing are mine? And you still have the gall to be dissatisfied? Just look at yourself!"

Er Hong spoke rapidly, like a machine gun, and Mu Xiaoting's face grew increasingly grim, for she had realized what Er Hong's "wait" truly meant.