To please others? It's better to please yourself.

Shen Yue had promised Lin Yong that he would visit his parents, and naturally he would not break his promise.

But he couldn't go empty-handed!

These days, you can't go wrong by bringing food when you visit someone's home.

After buying a pound of glutinous rice strips and a pound of white sugar at the department store, Shen Yue carried the things and headed towards the station.

After squeezing onto the bus, we swayed and bumped our way to the town, and then asked around as we made our way to the Lin family's house.

Wearing a military uniform, he stands out wherever he goes.

As soon as I entered the village, I saw several children running away quickly. In no time, the whole village knew about it.

The battalion commander rushed over: "Comrade PLA soldier, what's the matter?"

The elderly couple from the Lin family also came over and looked at Shen Yue expectantly.

Shen Yue: "I am Lin Yong's comrade-in-arms, and I am here to visit his parents on his behalf."

Upon hearing this, Lin's father excitedly said, "Yongzi's mother has been waiting so long! Come on, let's go inside and have a drink of water."

This wasn't the place to talk, so Shen Yue followed Lin's parents to the Lin family home.

The elderly couple were worried about their son and asked him repeatedly. Shen Yue explained Lin Yong's health condition to them, but didn't say much else.

The two listened intently. Lin's mother would occasionally wipe the corners of her eyes, while Lin's father would rub his lower back repeatedly.

After chatting for more than half an hour, he was just about to get up and leave when he saw a child coming through the door.

As soon as Erdan came in, he called out, "Grandpa Lin, when I came down from the mountain, I saw a lot of firewood on the east side. Do you want some?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Yue swallowed his words about leaving. "Uncle, rest, I'll go." He picked up his machete and rope and headed up the mountain.

Gu Panpan, dressed neatly and smartly, walked towards him. Shen Yue hurried past her, his eyes fixed straight ahead.

From the moment she met Shen Yue, Gu Panpan knew that there was no one more outstanding than him around her.

But the fact that he didn't stop walking meant he wasn't interested in her!

That's true. What could an ordinary country girl like her have to attract people? Even if she has a pretty face, people have seen plenty of those!

Gu Panpan took out two pieces of candy from her pocket and gave them to Erdan. Having made up her mind, she turned around and went home.

It was nearly noon, and there weren't many people washing clothes. Gu Panpan, however, carried a large basin to the riverbank not far from the foot of the mountain. The water here was deeper than elsewhere.

She rolled up her trousers and slowly washed the clothes. When she figured it was about time, she started singing.

Aside from her beautiful face, Gu Panpan's only redeeming quality is her excellent voice.

But no matter how well she sang, she still couldn't get a good job. Not to mention the county town, even her commune wouldn't hire her!

Those in charge of arts and culture propaganda work are all connected by connections and favors.

Gu Panpan slowly exhaled.

"The waters of Honghu Lake, ripple and surge!"

The shores of Honghu Lake are my hometown.

Early in the morning, the boats set off to cast their nets.

When I returned in the evening, the hold was full of fish.

……

The waters of Honghu Lake are long and wide.

The sun rises, flashing and shining with golden light!

The Communist Party's kindness is deeper than the East China Sea.

The fishermen's lives are getting better year by year.

The singing was clear, melodious, and indescribably beautiful, like a gentle stream flowing through the heart. The song drifted gradually from the riverbank into the distance.

As Shen Yue was carrying firewood down the mountain, he vaguely heard someone singing. For some reason, he felt a sense of unease, as if countless troubles would follow him down the mountain.

For these people who have faced life and death, intuition can often be the lifesaver.

Although Shen Yue didn't understand why, he still decided to follow his instincts. Sometimes, if you're too stubborn, fate will throw blood in your face.

They placed a pile of firewood, taller than a person, on the ground, and then quickly descended another narrow and steep mountain path.

Upon entering the Lin family home, Shen Yue apologized, saying, "Uncle Lin, my team has an urgent matter and I have to leave now. The firewood is on the hillside; please bring it back when you have time!"

Is there only one road leading out of our village? Are there any shortcuts?

After thinking for a moment, Lin's father said, "The village entrance is on the west side. Turn right about 300 meters away, and there's a small path there. It's not much closer, and the grass is tall and the trees are dense, making it difficult to walk!"

"There are many snakes and insects in the area during the summer. Now, very few people walk through here!"

Shen Yue thanked Lin's father, took the package prepared by Lin's mother, and hurriedly left the Lin family home.

As he walked, he untied his bundle, put his hat inside, and then took out a piece of clothing to put on. As he approached the village entrance, he saw what appeared to be figures moving in the distance.

Shen Yue stopped and stepped aside, quietly retreating along the roadside. He then turned onto a side path, his feet moving like the wind, his legs moving incredibly fast.

A voice inside him kept urging, "Faster! Faster! Faster!"

Turning from the side road onto the main road, Shen Yue looked back at the village and calculated that it was more than a thousand meters away.

Danger was not far off! He dared not be careless and took off running without stopping!

People run ahead, and the soil chases behind.

On the bumpy, uneven dirt road, a man as swift as the wind appeared.

As Shen Yue ran, he cursed inwardly, "I've gone on another mission, and I'm not even getting any compensation."

"What kind of hidden talents are lurking in this small mountain village? Lin Yong is such a scoundrel! Is this just a side project?"

"If we go back, we'll have to sever diplomatic ties!"

……

Gu Sanhu stood at the village entrance, glancing into the village every now and then.

Gu Panpan sang for over half an hour without seeing anyone. She did attract two children who didn't nap at noon, who circled around her.

Gu Panpan sensed something was wrong and quickly waved to her two older brothers who were hiding at the foot of the mountain.

Gu Dahu and Gu Erhu realized something was wrong. Gu Dahu immediately started walking up the mountain. The pile of firewood, as tall as a person, was very conspicuous. After walking for more than ten minutes, they could see it from afar.

Gu Erhu went to the Lin family to inquire and learned that Shen Yue had already left, less than 10 minutes later. However, Gu Sanhu did not send any message, which meant that Shen Yue did not leave from the village entrance.

Just when good days were within reach, the person ran away.

After listening, Gu Panpan lowered her eyes and said, "You can take a shortcut or borrow a bicycle to go first, I'll be there soon."

As soon as he finished speaking, Gu Dahu and Gu Erhu rushed out.

Gu Panpan returned to the riverbank, put on her shoes, and was about to leave when she heard a "plop".

"ah--"

She turned her head and saw that the child who had been running happily by the river had fallen into the water. The other child was also terrified and ran away crying.

Gu Panpan looked reluctantly towards the village entrance, then turned back to look at the children splashing in the river. She sighed helplessly, took off her shoes, grabbed a large wooden basin, and jumped into the water with a "plop."

Gu Panpan herself is only a mediocre swimmer, let alone someone who wants to save a child. Don't underestimate this child just because he is only 5 years old; at this moment, he is panicked and surprisingly strong.

Gu Panpan dared not approach.

She swam to the child's back while holding the wooden tub with one hand, and hugged his head and neck from behind with the other, making him lie on his back. Then she used her elbow to hold his shoulders firmly, and handed the tub to him after he caught his breath.

The child immediately grabbed on tightly, while Gu Panpan swam and pushed the wooden tub at the same time.

As soon as I reached the riverbank, I heard a heart-wrenching cry. The child's parents had already rushed over with their entourage.

"My dearest child—"

The two people took the child and patted and hit him repeatedly. After spitting out a couple of mouthfuls of water, the child regained his strength and started crying loudly.

By the time Gu Panpan climbed up, she was exhausted.