Under the fist

Chapter 36 Remember to come find me

"How about it?"

As soon as Lian Youming returned home, Qin Yuhu was already sitting in the living room waiting for him. Seeing that he seemed a little absent-minded, he couldn't help but ask, assuming that his nephew had suffered a loss.

"No, I'll go find someone up there. That's a Japanese underground fortress, full of good stuff. How can they not even give away a little something?"

Lian Youming quickly replied, "It's alright, I'm fine."

The reason he was distracted was because he was still thinking about Li Da's amazing skill of making birds unable to fly away.

This person wasn't just leaving a memento for himself; he was clearly drugging him, bewitching him.

Hearing this, Qin Yuhu didn't ask any more questions. After having breakfast, he gave a few more instructions and then hurriedly left the house.

With yesterday's events and the two children still needing to be dealt with, plus the numerous matters at the forest farm, this man was, as usual, extremely busy.

Shen Qinghong rested at home for a day, talked a lot with Yan Lingyun, and the two of them played with the baby in the swaddling clothes, chatting and laughing, and also cooked a table of Northeastern dishes for the little girl.

Enough of the small talk. After resting until noon, Lian Youming rode his bicycle with Yan Lingyun on the back and headed out.

In the middle of the day, Yan Lingyun had already taken out the wild ginseng. She was also carrying a pound of red sausage that Shen Qinghong had given her. She sat sideways, full and happy, as if all her worries had disappeared. She was humming a little tune and swinging her legs, looking as content as a landlord.

Under the warm sunshine, amidst the lush grass and fluttering birds, Lian Youming rode his bicycle through the sunlight, along the green waters, and through the fields and plains, accompanied by the creaking sound of the axle turning.

Behind him, Yan Lingyun's cheeks flushed red again, burning red, as red as the clouds on the horizon.

For some unknown reason, she suddenly mustered her courage, pursed her lips, and wrapped her right arm around the boy's waist. During this period of arduous struggle, so much joy and happiness had been brought to her by the person before her. Though shy, she would never back down from what she wanted.

Although this person is usually a bit unreliable and likes to tease and joke with her, he always steps forward to protect her when it comes to important matters. He is persevering, courageous, responsible, and hates evil as if it were his enemy...

In the little girl's heart, this figure was just like the one described in those books; he was her hero.

Just as Yan Lingyun was blushing, she heard a complaint coming from in front of her, "Hey, don't touch my ticklish spot."

"Pooh!"

Yan Lingyun instantly lost all her emotions.

However, Lian Youming changed the subject again and said gently, "Remember to let me know when you return to the city, and I will definitely see you off."

Yan Lingyun, who was still angry, had tears welling up in her eyes again when she heard this. "I don't want you to see me off. You live so far away. I want my brother to pick me up. I already sent a letter home half a month ago. Besides, what if I lose all the things I'm carrying on the train by myself?"

"Too."

Lian Youming didn't say anything more after hearing this.

Unexpectedly, the girl suddenly pinched his soft waist hard, "If I don't let you deliver it, you really won't?"

"Ouch, why are you pinching me? Ouch!!!"

Lian Youming was in so much pain that he was grimacing and hissing. He had not only learned the Northeastern dialect, but he had also picked up the old woman's tricks.

Before Lian Youming could respond, Yan Lingyun said softly, "I don't want you to see me off. I want you to come to the South to find me."

Lian Youming chuckled and said, "Heh, I'm not going. I'll make you angry."

Yan Lingyun, however, seemed confident and said with a sly smile, "You'll come. With your restless nature and martial arts skills, you're bound to cause a ruckus. Besides, don't you want that old medicine anymore? These old medicines have different properties and effects. Some treat external injuries, some heal bones and tendons, and some treat internal injuries. There are even rumors that some can prolong life. The one I'm making was passed down from a martial arts master among the 'Ten Tigers of Guangdong' back in the day."

Lian Youming raised an eyebrow; it turned out this girl was waiting for him here.

"If I come to you, will you give it to me?"

Yan Lingyun smiled and snorted, "That depends on your sincerity."

Lian Youming rolled his eyes. "Then forget it."

"Lian Youming, you worthless bastard."

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a curse behind him, followed by a barrage of punches.

The two chatted and laughed, playfully teasing each other, and soon returned to the village where Yan Lingyun lived.

As they parted, Lian Youming felt a pang of sadness, knowing that they probably wouldn't have the chance to meet again for some time after this trip.

Both of them were to return to their respective forest farms, and Yan Lingyun would certainly return to the city soon as well.

Regarding the map incident, this young girl has rendered meritorious service by delivering the message. Even if there isn't a huge reward, she might at least earn a spot to return to the city.

Yan Lingyun jumped out of the car and glanced around furtively. "Lian Youming, I have something to tell you. Come closer."

"What?" Lian Youming tilted his ear.

The little girl, her cheeks flushed, leaned closer and whispered, "I love it so much!"

After saying that, he turned around and ran away.

Lian Youming was taken aback at first, then chuckled, and then shouted at the little girl's back, "What are you talking about? Little sister, speak Mandarin!"

Watching Yan Lingyun's departing figure, he was stunned for a moment before riding his bicycle back.

The very next afternoon, Yang Dapao led the educated youth from the forest farm, and then called on Lian Youming, who was drying herbs in Kaoshantun, and another female educated youth. The group carried their bags and headed up the mountain again.

Lian Youming took the opportunity to count the number of people in the group. Apart from two female educated youths and one male educated youth who had returned to the city, almost everyone else was there, but one of the female educated youths was missing.

It seems I was right after all.

The White Lotus Sect master who was hiding in the group was with the female educated youth, but he was later killed by Yang Shuang.

In the dormitory, the Yu brothers, Wen and Wu, had become dark and thin in just six months. Their once youthful appearance had matured considerably, with stubble appearing on their cheeks. However, they still couldn't shake their flamboyant nature, lying on their beds and rambling on and on.

Seeing Lian Youming's drastically changed figure, they all widened their eyes. "Holy crap, this is just too much! Why are you so strong while we two brothers are as skinny as monkeys? Damn it, we were shoveling shit on the mountain and shoveling manure down the mountain, we didn't get a single meal. Those days were inhuman."

Wu Kui looked at him with resentment in his eyes, "Tell me, what's your relationship with Yan Lingyun?"

Lian Youming put down his luggage, his expression strange. "What's the relationship?"

Wu Kui beat his chest and stamped his feet, "Those female educated youths all said that you two got together. Do you know how many hearts in our village were broken? If I weren't a little short, I would definitely have cried too."

Liu Dabiao also came over, holding two clappers in his hands, and started playing them, "Hey, forget the gossip, let's talk about our good captain of the educated youth team. This captain, a tall, heroic man, with eyes that shine... It's just a pity that he has big hips, a big head, a round face, and a wide mouth with fangs like a bear..."

Lian Youming's lips twitched. He glanced at the group of clowns and hurriedly went out to find Yang Dapao. "Platoon leader, in order to promote the revolutionary spirit of hard work and struggle, in order to publicize the spirit of enduring hardship..."

"Alright, alright," Platoon Leader Yang interrupted him impatiently, "Just tell me what you want to do?"

Lian Youming's eyes kept glancing at the mud houses behind the dining hall. "I want to live alone."

Platoon Leader Yang's expression changed slightly, but fortunately he did not refuse immediately. Instead, he thought it over carefully and said, "Don't tell me you didn't know there was a secret room down there. But it's not a big deal. From now on, it will be used as the forest farm's cellar. You have to be careful living there by yourself and guard it well... However, I won't be providing you with a gun."

Although the reason for Qin Yuhu's severed arm was kept very secret, there are no secrets that stay hidden forever.

Lian Youming grunted in agreement before moving in.

He did this mainly so that it would be easier for him to practice alone; otherwise, if he were with those other clowns, he would just be messing around day and night.

After everything was tidied up and they had a brief rest of half a day, the group got busy again the next day, and under the guidance of the lumberjacks, they began an increasingly arduous daily work routine.

Logging is purely a physical activity.

The female educated youth were responsible for starting fires and cooking, as well as planting vegetables, fertilizing, feeding mules and horses, and almost all the trivial matters.

As for Lian Youming and his fellow educated youth, they did two things: cutting down trees all over the mountains and cultivating seedlings to protect the forest. They would cut down one tree here and plant one there. They didn't even need to go back to the mountain for meals, as they prepared their own food in advance. They left early and returned late, running up and down the mountain.

These two jobs alone exhausted a group of people to the point of crying and screaming, and they were so tired that they snored loudly at night and didn't even want to fart.

Seeing this situation, Lian Youming was also a little scared. If his qi and blood hadn't been strong at this time, he probably wouldn't have been able to withstand it.

Fortunately, he stayed behind alone at night. Besides practicing his skills, he could also take his axe into the mountains to get some food when he got hungry, and bring some meat for the group of educated youth.

Platoon Leader Yang saw this and was initially worried, wanting to say a few words of criticism. But when Lian Youming returned one night carrying a wild boar, everything changed.

These days, even city workers might not get to eat meat twice a month, and supplies are rationed. Lian Youming is considering everyone's needs, so what more can be said?

Another half month has passed in the blink of an eye.

That day, after finishing his work, Lian Youming took a cold shower alone in the mountains. When he returned, he found a letter and a wooden box on the table.

Upon asking, I learned that Qin Yuhu had come by.

The letter was left by Yan Lingyun.

This person... has returned to the city.

Lian Youming remained silent for a while, then opened the letter and saw only five large characters on it.

"Remember to come find me!"

(End of this chapter)