Chapter 111: Unexpected Harvest

  "After we got on the bus, I said: 'This is something that Huanhuan and I had here before. Originally, it was said that there was no particularly important matter that would not be taken out for use, but now...I think Huanhuan must have known that we were in trouble, so she let me take all these things out, just in case.'"

  Chen Jing smiled and said: "After all, Huanhuan is more careful and concerned about you than others. In a short period of time, she knew about your current difficulties and made the most timely response..."

  I nodded slightly: "We've been through life and death together, so many times we really have some special feelings... but very rarely, such situations are rare... by the way, you won't have any ideas, will you? Hehe..."

  "Hey, don't be like that, I didn't say anything, what's making you so tense?"

  I glanced out the window at the darkness: "To be honest, Huanhuan Jie is like a sister to me, always thinking of me... I don't know how I can thank her enough in this lifetime..."

  Chen Jing suddenly interrupted me: "She is not your sister, but your girlfriend, your fiancée... What she does, it's what she should do. Don't think too much about it, just be good to her."

  I forced a smile: "You... I'll be good to her..."

  Chen Jing smiled and said: "You say so, I feel much more at ease."

  I was curious and wanted to ask more, but she said: "Actually, you are already a very famous person now, many people admire you."

  I was taken aback: "What did you say?"

  Chen Jing said: "Think about it, you were previously hunted down by the Wanlong Society, but cleverly escaped and forced them to surrender to the government. Later, when the Wanlong Society rebelled again, combined with Wang Yingzu's persecution, you were forced to flee. When you reappeared, you had become a high-ranking martial artist and even the instructor of the Hu Long Lian. And led your comrades in the Hu Long Lian to fight against the Wanlong Society and Japanese pirates, successfully resolving the crisis at the Three Gorges Dam and Wuhan Research Base... Now, whether you want to be a fugitive soldier or be directly named by the military department, it's hard for you not to become famous..."

  I sighed and said: "In the end, I became famous not because people chased me to kill me, but because I was forced to flee for my life... What kind of celebrity is this? It's just a useless coward."

  Chen Jing shook her head: "You can't say that, at least you have defeated the Wanlong Club several times and also defeated the Japanese pirates... At least in the hearts of kind people, you are their hero... and also my hero!"

  I felt a surge of pride when Chen Jing said this: "So that's what you think, I thought you always looked down on me..."

  Chen Jing smiled and said: "How could you think that? I've always... at least now I really look up to you!"

  I forced a smile: "So you were just teasing me, I thought you really were... cough cough... We might not arrive at my place until tomorrow morning, go to sleep first, and I'll call you when we get there."

  Chen Jing said: "I'm not sleepy yet... Tell me about your story with Li Huanhuan, I really want to know how you avoided the pursuit of the Wanlong Society. And also, between you two... Is there anything special?"

  I smiled: "What special things can there be between us? However, if you want to hear how I and she escaped the pursuit of the Wanlong Society, I still remember a lot, and I can tell you for free!"

  Chen Jing smiled and said: "Then hurry up and say it, do you want me to beg you?"

  I smiled and recalled the experience I had with Li Huanhuan a few years ago while telling Chen Jing about it.

  Time passed unconsciously, our car sped along the road, and my thoughts slowly returned to a few years ago...

  Ten hours later, we finally returned to my hometown. At this time, I had already told my parents that we would be back, so they had prepared breakfast and washing water early on.

  Last night I was originally going to find a place to stay for the night and let Chen Jing rest too. But Chen Jing thought it would be better to go home as soon as possible, so we rushed back overnight.

  My mother still likes any friends I bring home as always, and my father has been smiling since he met Chen Jing, seeming to like this girl very much. I was about to introduce them, but Chen Jing had already calmly said: "Uncle and aunt, hello, my name is Chen Jing, a friend of Jin Cang."

  "Welcome to our home. We're simple people here, if you need anything, just let us know and we'll try to get it for you."

  His mother pulled Chen Jing and smiled: "What a beautiful girl! My son has such a friend, really... hehe..."

  Chen Jing's face turned slightly red as she smiled faintly: "Auntie, you misunderstood. Jin Cang and I are just ordinary friends. His girlfriend is Li Huanhuan... You know her."

  Mother smiled and said, "There's no misunderstanding. Huanhuan is Jinkang's friend, and you are also Jinkang's friend."

  Chen Jing's face turned even redder, but she didn't explain anything else. My father looked at me and said, "It's been over three years since you last came back, you little scamp. This time is the longest you've ever been away from home. How about it? I heard from Huanhuan that you went to learn martial arts, is that true?"

  I nodded and smiled: "I really did go learn some kung fu, it's just that the kung fu I learned is a bit different from what you call martial arts."

  Father laughed and said, "What's the difference? Isn't it just fighting and killing? I think this kung fu is useless to learn. If you can't make a living outside, come back and farm with me. At least we won't be in any danger and we won't go hungry."

  I smiled and said, "You're right. I'm not doing well, that's why I came to find you. By the way, you and mother went to Huanhuan's place for a while, so the crops at home must have been abandoned too?"

  My father patted my shoulder and said, "Our village has long stopped planting crops. Now everyone is planting medicinal herbs. Medicinal herbs are valuable and more cost-effective than planting crops. Our family also planted some, and we can start harvesting in a few days."

  "I was surprised: 'Not planting crops, but planting medicinal herbs? When did this happen?'"

  "Since we came back, the villagers have started planting medicinal herbs," said my father with a smile. "I heard that the village officials saw that the Daxi area was all planting Chinese medicinal herbs and thought it was very profitable, so they introduced the technology and let everyone plant medicinal herbs."

  I nodded: "Then what kind of medicinal herbs does our family grow?"

  "My father excitedly said: 'Our family has now planted a lot of valuable herbs like tuckahoe, gastrodia, seven-leafed flower and pig's liver... The demand for medicinal materials is increasing due to the war, and the government is buying them at high prices. Everyone here has made a lot of money.'"

  I'm also getting excited: "Yes, now that we're fighting every day, the demand for medicinal herbs is definitely going to increase. Dad, in a few days I'll help you pick some herbs, and I guarantee one batch will be enough for two."

  "Dad shook his head: 'You've just come back, how can you be asked to do hard work? Just stay with your friends and Chen Jing, go around and take a look, so that next time you won't forget the people in your hometown for many years, and even forget the mountains...'"

  I knew my father was blaming me for not coming back to visit for a long time, so I smiled and said: "From now on, I will come back every year during the Spring Festival. This time, I will stay at home for a long time, help with some work, and won't feel bored. My strength is greater now, and I can handle several hundred pounds of things by myself."

  "Several hundred pounds of stuff you handled alone? Are you bragging? In the past, you even had a hard time carrying 100 pounds of rice..."

  "I smiled and said: 'If you don't believe me, I'll have the chance to show you. By the way, we haven't had breakfast yet, and now we're all hungry, let's eat while chatting!'"

  Father nodded: "Exactly, eat and chat. You and Chen Jing go wash your face first, we're all ready, just waiting for you to come back!"

  I responded with a sound, and led Chen Jing into the house. The situation at home hadn't changed much, the old house was still the same as before. However, thanks to my parents' preparations, Chen Jing quickly became familiar with everything, washing her face and then starting to eat dinner.

  People back home usually have rice for breakfast, and few people are used to eating steamed buns or other wheat-based foods. So we had rice today too, Chen Jing found it a bit strange, but didn't ask anything, and under her mother's special care, she ate a full breakfast.

  After breakfast, I said to Chen Jing: "You haven't slept all night, why don't you go take a nap? I'll call you at noon."

  Chen Jing shook her head and said in a low voice, "I slept on the bus last night, I'm not sleepy at all now. It's you who should go rest instead, you haven't rested for a whole night."

  I also shook my head: "I'm not sleepy either. Why don't I take you for a walk around now? There aren't many households here, just over a hundred, but the area is very large, typical of a sparse population. But precisely because of this, the scenery here is particularly good, and the air is also very fresh..."

  Chen Jing smiled slightly and said: "Okay, I came here just wanting to take a walk around."

  I pulled her hand and walked along the muddy road towards the mountain behind my house.

  Chen Jing originally wanted to shake off my hand, but was firmly grasped by me and could only give up.

  The trees on the mountain are all green at this time, and the crops in the fields are also green. The scenery is very charming. Plus, it's not too hot here in the summer, so it's very suitable for a walk around and take a look.

  Chen Jing was brought by me to the top of the mountain behind my house and almost shouted: "How beautiful!"

  I know she will definitely like the scenery on this mountain top, because whether it's gazing out at the distant view from here, or just sitting down quietly to feel the breath of the great mountain, or chatting with loved ones, it's all a very pleasant thing.

  On the mountain top, there are dozens of large pine trees that one person can't wrap their arms around. The fallen pine needles are thick and cover the ground, forming a natural carpet. Walking on it feels soft and gentle, and sitting on it also feels very comfortable. The surrounding green grass sways in the wind, as if welcoming guests who come from afar.

  Chen Jing was mesmerized by what was in front of her, and she didn't know how to speak. Looking at everything here, she had a smile on her face. This was a smile from the bottom of her heart, and I was suddenly stunned. I couldn't help but say: "There are actually such beautiful women in the world, no wonder the ancients always said that they would be angry for the sake of beauty..."

  Chen Jing seemed to have not heard what I said, wholeheartedly gazing at the scenery in front of her, as if she was a legendary fairy from a distant starry sky.

  I was also stunned, staring at Chen Jing motionless. Time seemed to have stopped at this moment, at least that's how I felt.

  To be honest, I have seen many beautiful girls. Among them is the school flower Du Yifei, who is recognized as a person with both beauty and intelligence. There are also Li Huanhuan and others, all of whom are very beautiful girls. But if we're talking about beauty, Chen Jing now must be ranked first.

  Natural beauty is the real beauty, and many people think so. The current Chen Jing, without any pretence, nor deliberately making up or dressing up, so the beauty she shows, immediately attracted me.

  I don't know how long it took, but suddenly I felt that the beautiful person in front of me seemed a bit off, and when I quickly came back to my senses, I heard Chen Jing speaking: "What are you thinking about? Let's just sit here for a while..."

  I nodded and didn't say a word, but instead pulled Chen Jing down to sit with me.

  The pine needles on the ground in the forest are very soft and comfortable to sit on. Chen Jing didn't mind the dirt on the ground, sat down with a faint smile and said: "This is really a great place, if we can often sit in such a place, it would be wonderful."

  I smiled and said: "Actually, you can come often... I mean, there are many places like this around here, you're more than welcome to come play around anytime."

  Chen Jing looked at me with a serious face: "If I were to come over, would your girlfriends be jealous?"

  I forced a smile, unsure of how to respond to Chen Jing's words.

  Chen Jing said seriously again: "Now I'm asking you a question, just give me an answer!"

  I sighed and said: "Don't make it harder for me... You know, I really like you, but you don't have me in your heart... It's really hard to say what will happen between us."

  My words left Chen Jing somewhat distracted, and she didn't speak for a long time. I thought she was thinking about this matter, so I also didn't speak, just looking at her.

  Chen Jing thought for a while and suddenly said: "I'll be your girlfriend!"

  I was taken aback and didn't quite believe my ears, so I couldn't help but ask: "What did you say?"

  Chen Jing looked into my eyes and said again: "I want to be your girlfriend!"

  I stared at Chen Jing, with a mix of excitement and confusion. I forgot how to speak and didn't know what to do next.

  Chen Jing smiled slightly and said, "You didn't hear clearly yet, did you?"

  I hastily nodded and then hastily shook my head: "I didn't... No, I heard it clearly..."

  Chen Jing said softly: "So are you willing or unwilling?"

  I nodded desperately: "I'm willing, I'm willing..."

  Chen Jing smiled and naturally took hold of my hand, leaning slowly on my shoulder: "Then you mustn't pretend to be foolish again and say I'm joking with you!"

  I'm a bit silly: "I... I don't have one..."

  Chen Jing smiled and said: "I've taken the initiative to tell you many times that I want to be your girlfriend. But you always pretend to be stupid and refuse to admit that I'm your girlfriend..."

  I recall that there were indeed a few times, but at that time I thought Chen Jing was joking, so I didn't think much about it. Now that she mentions it, I immediately feel like an idiot.

  "Also, you already have enough girlfriends, so I want to ask you not to casually flirt with those pretty girls in the future... You promise me now that you won't find another girlfriend..."

  I nodded: "I promise you, I won't... I didn't find a girlfriend or anything, this thing you said isn't right..."

  Chen Jing smiled immediately: "You've already agreed, you can't back out now..." She paused for a moment, then suddenly turned serious and said: "Let's go find your cousin and ask if Sun Heng has been in contact with her recently..."

  I thought of Sun Heng, who had been missing for a long time, and couldn't help but shake my head: "My cousin should be married by now, is it not too bad to go ask her about Sun Heng again? We still have no leads on Sun Heng's disappearance, I don't think my cousin would know either..."

  Chen Jing sighed: "I always feel that Sun Heng is still alive, but I don't know where he is now..."

  I looked at Chen Jing's gloomy face and said: "If you want to go to my cousin's house, then let's ask..."

  Chen Jing thought for a moment, shook her head and said: "Let's ask Uncle and Aunt first to see if your cousin is already married. If she really is already married, then we shouldn't go disturb her."

  I nodded and was about to take out my phone to call my father when I heard my phone ring first. When I looked, it was a call from my father.

  "Dad, what's up?"

  "Your cousin has come over," said Father hesitantly. "She heard you were back and wanted to look for you. Where are you two now?"

  I glanced at Chen Jing and smiled, "We just mentioned my sister-in-law, didn't expect her to come looking for us... We'll head back right away, please ask my sister-in-law to wait a bit, we'll be home soon."

  Father answered and hung up the phone. I then said to Chen Jing: "It's our cousin coming to find us, let's go back?"

  Chen Jing nodded: "What a coincidence! Perhaps we will soon get a clue about Sun Heng's whereabouts..."

  I smiled: "Once we see our cousin, everything will be clear."

  Chen Jing smiled and pulled my hand, walking with me in the direction of home.

  I was taken aback and laughed: "Unexpectedly, I returned home this time and actually got an unexpected gain..."

  Chen Jing's face turned red, and she smiled: "Don't be too pleased with yourself. Although I agreed to be your girlfriend, if you don't behave well, I'll still leave you... You taught me that if you can't love someone forever, it's better not to start, otherwise, it will only make yourself suffer..."

  I hastily said: "I will never give you such an opportunity, I must catch you firmly..."

  Chen Jing let out a "heh" and smiled: "I was just joking with you, why are you so tense?"

  I secretly let out a sigh of relief: "Now I know that you also have an unpredictable side, even joking around can be so intimidating."

  Chen Jing glared and said: "What's wrong, are you starting to despise me now?"

  I was startled, and quickly grasped Chen Jing's hand, saying loudly: "I like you just the way you are now, so I won't be disgusted with you..." Pausing for a moment: "If you can kiss me once, then I'll be even more not..."

  I didn't finish what I was saying because Chen Jing suddenly looked serious and seemed like she was about to blow up.

  So I hastily closed my mouth and looked at Chen Jing with great tension, no longer daring to make jokes casually.

  Chen Jing's serious face slowly faded away, and then she really kissed me. Although she only lightly kissed my cheek, I still felt weak all over and almost lost my balance.

  I widened my eyes and said nervously: "Sorry... I... I'm suitable for your joke... right..."

  Chen Jing said in a low voice: "I am willing..."

  I was nervous again and didn't know what to do.

  Chen Jing pulled my hand and said loudly: "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and go see your cousin!"

  I nodded dully and let Chen Jing pull me forward...