Seeing Wen Xin angry, Shitou looked as if he had been frightened.
He shrank his neck, his face full of panic.
“D-did I do something wrong?”
He clenched his palms and bit his lower lip. “Sorry, I’m sorry.”
Wen Xin’s brows tightened, but seeing Shitou’s lost and helpless look, her heart softened again.
“Lin Fengxia is a very good person. How could you smear her like that?”
“She was almost treated as a thief by Zhang Xiaohua, do you know that?”
Shitou’s eyes reddened slightly. “Wen Xin, don’t hate me!”
“I… I won’t dare do it again!”
He lowered his head even more.
Wen Xin sighed and rubbed his hair again.
“Fortunately you did it secretly, and the matter has been clarified. Lin Fengxia wasn’t wronged.”
“Otherwise how would I explain it?”
“Remember, you’re not allowed to do this kind of thing again.”
“This kind of behavior is wrong, understand?”
Shitou nodded rapidly like a pecking chick.
At the same time, he felt even more ashamed.
Compared to Wen Xin’s goodness, he was nothing but a rat.
His thoughts were filthy, his methods despicable — a rat that could only survive in the sewers!
And Wen Xin was like the sun, constantly warming others.
Shitou stepped back a few more steps, looking at the beautiful Wen Xin, only wanting to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Wen Xin found it strange. “What’s wrong all of a sudden?”
She blinked and leaned closer. “Are you worried I’ll tell Commander Qin about this?”
Shitou shook his head like a rattle drum.
“N-no, I… I’m not.”
“I just…”
He couldn’t bring himself to say it.
“Don’t worry. As long as you promise me you won’t make this mistake again, I won’t tell Commander Qin.”
“Shitou, promise me — don’t do this again, okay?”
Wen Xin’s voice was gentle, but it made Shitou feel even filthier.
He lowered his head, gave a muffled response, then turned and ran away.
Wen Xin stood in place and tried to reach out to stop him.
But Shitou ran too fast — in the blink of an eye he disappeared into the warehouse.
Wen Xin lowered her hand and sighed softly.
She shouted in the direction he ran, “I’m leaving first — I’ll come see you next time!”
Shitou hugged his knees and curled up in a corner, his eyes red.
After there was no sound outside, he stood up and cautiously came out from the clutter.
Wen Xin was already gone. He drooped his head in disappointment.
Shitou slumped into a chair, even more dejected.
How could someone like him deserve Wen Xin’s kindness and goodness?
How could he have thought Wen Xin disliked Lin Fengxia?
Shitou scratched his hair messily, feeling extremely irritated.
Life in the camp returned to normal for Lin Fengxia.
There was one week left before the cultural performance.
And the market fair was in three days.
She made a list of items she could buy at the cooperative.
She decided to check the cooperative first, and buy the rest at the market.
Before leaving, Lin Fengxia counted the money in the envelope. After confirming not a cent was missing, she put it into the inner pocket near her chest and headed to the cooperative.
After she stepped out, she felt a gaze watching her.
Lin Fengxia turned around — no one was there.
She was puzzled but didn’t think much of it and kept walking forward.
The gaze followed her like a shadow, constantly tracking her.
However it didn’t feel malicious. Lin Fengxia only felt uncomfortable, and since she was in a hurry to the cooperative, she didn’t investigate.
Only after she left the camp did the gaze disappear.
Lin Fengxia went to the cooperative and bought many economical snacks.
While carrying bags big and small back to the camp, she ran into Wang Cuiping.
Wang Cuiping looked unhappy, clearly in a bad mood.
Lin Fengxia ran up carrying the bags. “Sister Wang!”
Seeing her panting, Wang Cuiping felt sorry and wanted to help carry them.
Lin Fengxia stopped her. “No need, I can manage.”
She asked, “Sister Wang, why are you unhappy?”
At the mention of it, Wang Cuiping’s face darkened further.
“Don’t mention it!”
“Ran into some people and argued a bit.”
Wang Cuiping didn’t elaborate, and Lin Fengxia didn’t ask further.
Back at the camp, Lin Fengxia carried the bags toward Qin Jianguo’s residence.
On the way, she noticed many people whispering while looking at her.
Puzzled, she went up to ask.
But those who had just been whispering immediately dispersed.
Others who had been chatting enthusiastically fell silent as soon as they saw her approach.
This uncomfortable feeling eased a little only after Lin Fengxia reached Qin Jianguo’s residence.
However, the soldiers who had been quite friendly to her before also looked like they wanted to speak but hesitated.
Unable to figure it out, Lin Fengxia asked a soldier.
“Leizi, you go tell her!”
Wang Lei, who had spoken to her before, stepped forward.
He scratched his buzz cut. “Comrade Lin, people are saying you’re a thief.”
Lin Fengxia paused. “A thief?”
“Are they talking about me stealing the cultural performance money?”
Wang Lei nodded, surprised. “Comrade Lin, y-you knew?!”
Lin Fengxia hadn’t expected the matter to spread suddenly.
She explained the whole situation to everyone, and the soldiers were indignant.
“Since the money has been found, how can they still spread rumors slandering you?”
Wang Lei was even angrier. “Comrade Lin, don’t worry — we’ll go seek justice for you right now!”
Grateful for their kindness, Lin Fengxia still stopped them.
“No need for you to seek justice for me.”
“It’s fine. The innocent will clear themselves. I’ll explain it to Commander Qin.”
She carried the things and went back.
Only Wen Xin, Zhang Xiaohua, and Qin Jianguo knew about this matter.
Qin Jianguo and Wen Xin definitely wouldn’t spread it, so it had to be Zhang Xiaohua!
Lin Fengxia was very angry.
The matter had already been resolved — why was Zhang Xiaohua still slandering her?
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Lin Fengxia stormed toward the arts department.
Wen Xin was organizing documents and was pleasantly surprised to see her.
“Fengxia, why are you here?”
Lin Fengxia asked, “Where is Zhang Xiaohua?”
“I have something to ask her!”
Wen Xin said, “She probably went out.”
“If you want to see her, I can help arrange a time for you.”
Lin Fengxia didn’t want to involve Wen Xin.
This was between her and Zhang Xiaohua — no need to drag in a third person.
“No need, I’ll find her next time.”
She declined Wen Xin’s kindness and turned to leave.
On the way back, she ran into Zhang Xiaohua chatting and laughing with other women.
Lin Fengxia blocked her path.
“Zhang Xiaohua, shouldn’t you explain yourself clearly?!”
Zhang Xiaohua looked baffled.
“Lin Fengxia, what do I have to say to you?!”
Studying Zhang Xiaohua’s expression, Lin Fengxia suddenly wasn’t sure if she was the one who spread it.
“Was it you spreading everywhere that I’m a thief?!”
Panic flashed in Zhang Xiaohua’s eyes, but she immediately lifted her chin arrogantly. “I did mention it to others before, but after the matter was resolved, I never brought it up again!”
“Stop slandering me here!”
Lin Fengxia asked, “When did you say it?”