The Peach Blossoms White by the Village Edge

Chapter 8: Shelter

Zhao Changxia did not respond to Qu Feng. Qu Qingjiang, accustomed to her temperament, said, "Father, she once said saving me was no more than a small effort and didn't want any reward. But you also taught me that one should be grateful and repay kindness, so I can only do what I can for her, not what you might have imagined."

Qu Feng's mood eased slightly. Judging from what the other party had said during the ambush, it was clear they saw him as a villain plotting against their daughter. From this perspective, the other party seemed to have no malicious intent and had even secretly protected his daughter multiple times.

Qu Qingjiang asked quietly, "Father, can we take her home and find a place for her?"

Qu Feng glared at her. "How can we bring someone with an unknown background back home? If someone reports us, our Qu family will be implicated!"

Qu Qingjiang said, "I understand, but we can't let her hide in the mountains for the rest of her life, right? It wouldn't be good if she scared any villagers who enter the mountains."

Zhao Changxia glanced at Qu Qingjiang, then at Qu Feng. After they had finished their silent exchange, she said, "No need to settle me in. Can I exchange some supplies with you?"

Qu Feng sighed in relief. "What do you want to exchange for?"

Zhao Changxia took off the smoked meat from her waist and said, "Smoked meat for salt."

Qu Qingjiang thought, bringing oil and salt was indeed the right choice.

She said, "There's no need to exchange. I happened to bring oil and salt today. Although it's not much, you can take it for now!" She then asked, "Do you need anything else? For example, pots, bowls, bedding, etc."

"I picked up quite a few things on the way."

Zhao Changxia's crossing wasn't from Hu Mountain, but from a riverbank—she had actively participated in flood relief after retiring, giving away her life jacket to the affected people, and was swept away by the flood. When she woke up, she was already washed up on the riverbank of another time and space.

Later, she met displaced people migrating south and joined their group, heading south with them. She picked up some pots and bowls along the way, which she used until entering the mountains.

Qu Qingjiang: "......"

Her clothes were scavenged from the dead, the pots and bowls were picked up, and only the food was obtained by hunting. How did her savior end up living such a difficult life?

Qu Feng, however, was thinking: This person acts with discretion, knows to take what's good and not make excessive demands, and doesn't keep clinging or nagging. This shows her character isn't bad.

He could take the risk to help, but the specifics were complex and needed careful consideration.

Zhao Changxia placed the smoked meat into Qu Qingjiang's bamboo basket, took the oil and salt from the tree, and prepared to leave. Before she departed, she remembered something and said, "The displaced people in the mountains will respond to the government's call to return home today. They should pass by your place."

Qu Feng's eyes lit up. He repeated, "You mean there are still fugitives in the mountains who are preparing to return home?"

"Yes." Zhao Changxia didn't like repeating things.

Qu Feng didn't mind her coldness and asked with a smile, "Would you like to live in the village?"

Zhao Changxia didn't understand his reason for asking but nodded after thinking for a moment.