“These villains who’ve killed before—if we let them go, they’ll only bring disaster. They might come back with accomplices. The whole village could suffer…”
“I… I just don’t want to put everyone in danger, especially Brother Qinglin and Sister Sisi…”
The villagers murmured uneasily at her words.
“That girl’s right. Just look at them—they’re no good!”
An elderly man, face lined with wrinkles, gripped his hoe tightly, voice trembling: “I think I saw blood on their clothes… they deserve to die!”
“But… they do look pitiful, all starving…” a middle-aged woman hesitated, wringing her hands. “If we kill them, how are we different from bandits?”
“There’s a huge difference! They came for our food, our lives—that’s on them!”
“No, no… killing brings guilt. We’re all good people…”
Zhao Hu stepped forward, scanning Lin Sisi with a trace of impatience.
“I told you—a girl can’t make decisions! Now everyone’s arguing. What if these people have accomplices? Then what?”
“Exactly! If it weren’t for Village Chief Li, she might have gone soft!” Zhao Bao chimed in.
“Women can’t be relied on in matters like this! If we hadn’t guarded the pass, the food would’ve been gone!”
Lin Sisi met their eyes evenly. “I chose the camping spot. Had we gone into the forest as you suggested, would we even be standing here arguing now?”
“I admit I’m a girl, but whether I’m useful depends on whether I can keep everyone safe—protect the food and the villagers’ lives.”
“What do you mean by that?” Zhao Hu’s face darkened. “Are you saying our plan was bad? If we hadn’t been at the front, could you be so calm now?”
Lin Sisi stood her ground. “If you think I’m incapable, then offer a better plan. Don’t just spout criticism!”
Zhao Hu opened his mouth but had no words to counter her.
Village Chief Li cleared his throat. “Enough. Stop arguing! Sisi is right—this is not the time for bickering.”
With Li supporting her, Zhao Hu and Zhao Bao had no choice but to keep silent.
Lin Sisi crouched down, eyes icy as she stared at the kneeling refugees. “Want to live? Spill everything you know—”
“Why dare you steal food without fear of soldiers? Lie, and the blood you leave behind will feed the wolves!”
The refugees exchanged nervous glances. Their leader hesitated, then spoke:
“A few days ago, in the northern valley, we saw bodies in tattered uniforms, and burnt tents nearby…”
“We thought this place was remote, that no one would come…”
Lin Zheng suddenly stepped forward, catching one reaching for his waist. A hand went into the refugee’s belt, pulling out a short knife—the scabbard marked faintly with the character “营,” and its blade stained with fresh dark red.
“This isn’t a civilian knife. And the marking… what’s going on?” Lin Zheng barked, holding it up for everyone to see.
The refugee went pale, trembling: “I… I picked it up from a corpse… just to defend myself…”
Lin Sisi’s mind clicked. In times like these, soldiers and bandits were indistinguishable. The presence of uniforms and a military knife strongly suggested they were remnants of scattered troops, afraid to admit it.
Several young men stepped forward, tightening the ropes around the five refugees until they howled in pain.
Lin Qingqing, realizing her plan to win Gu Qinglin’s heart had failed, fumed silently. Her thoughts still fixated on him—but she could only feign concern:
“Brother Qinglin… it’s alright now… you scared me just now…”
But Gu Qinglin barely responded. His gaze never left Lin Sisi, observing her methodically directing the villagers to guard the captured refugees.
Night deepened. The guards rotated twice, and the refugees’ pleas gradually softened.
From afar on the rocky slope, a mounted party watched silently.
“Master, these seem to be ordinary starving farmers nearby. Shall we drive them away?”
“No need,” came the reply.
A tall, elegant man spoke. His eyes naturally soft yet sharp, a jade ornament at his waist, holding a spyglass with precise fingers. Compassion colored his words.
“They are pitiful. Wait until they leave, then proceed.”
The others knelt, voices in unison.
At dawn, Lin Sisi was about to return to her tent when Gu Qinglin’s voice called:
“Sisi, wait.”
She turned to see him hurrying over, a half-grain cake wrapped in a handkerchief in his hand.
“I… I was too hasty before. I didn’t consider the village’s safety. Don’t take it to heart.”
He handed her the cake. “You worked hard last night. You must be hungry.”
Lin Sisi looked at the half-cake, then into his eyes filled with lingering concern. She shook her head gently:
“I’m not hungry. Keep it for yourself.”
From her past memories of him, he seemed easygoing—but now, he had a faintly saintly quality.
“I’ll give you one piece of advice. In this world, limitless kindness will only hurt yourself and those around you.”
Gu Qinglin tightened his fingers on the cake, his eyes conflicted: “I know you’re right… but I… I can’t bear to see others suffer.”
“Those refugees acted badly, but had they not been desperate, they wouldn’t have taken such risks.”
He paused, voice low. “Just like back then, if Village Chief Li hadn’t taken us in, my family would have starved on the roadside. So whenever I can help, I do.”
Lin Sisi stayed silent. If Gu Qinglin always had this mindset, life for him would surely be hard.