Chapter 2884: Small Town Infrastructure Construction Proceeds Happily 03/04

The vehicle drove on for nearly another hour, and the view suddenly opened up.

At the edge of the valley, a wall was built from mixed stones and scrap metal plates, crude but looking quite sturdy.

Lookout posts were set on the wall, from which moving silhouettes could be seen.

Inside the wall, houses of varying heights and shapes were scattered, with laundry and dried vegetables airing on the roofs, adding a touch of life to this settlement in the wasteland.

This was Peace North Town.

The vehicle entered through the movable wooden fence main gate, where two men wielding homemade spears stood guard; seeing Huo Zhaoye's car, they grinned and waved.

Upon entering the town, small reclaimed plots could be seen on either side of the road, sparsely planted with drought‑resistant crops, their leaves mostly yellowed and wilted, with someone squatting in the field tending them carefully.

In the open space, women were drying clothes or food, elderly men sat by the door repairing tools, and several older children chased a skinny dog across the ground,

"Huo Lao Da is back! Did you bring anyone?"

Huo Zhaoye poked half his body out of the car window, laughing and scolding, "Cut the chatter, open the gate!"

Huo Zhaoye was the first to get out of the car and stretch his limbs.

Yan Gugu and Jin Chen also got out.

A middle‑aged woman holding a kitchen knife came out from the house beside the grocery sign, saw Yan Gugu, her eyes lit up, and she exclaimed, "Oh, this must be the professor we invited? You've had a tough journey!"

Her voice was loud and full of enthusiasm, but her gaze kept drifting to Jin Chen as she asked, "And this person is…"

"Fang Aunt, this is Jin Chen, whom I met on the road; he's literate and might stay to teach the children," Huo Zhaoye introduced.

"Teacher! Great, great! Welcome! Once you're in North Town, you're family!"

Jin Chen blinked, lowered his gaze, and whispered to Huo Zhaoye, "Lord Huo, I haven't agreed yet…"

Huo Zhaoye pretended not to hear.

Having come to North Town, such scarce talent—don't even think of running away!

Jin Chen turned his face slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching almost imperceptibly.

Deciding to stay is one thing; whether one can actually stay depends on usefulness.

Jin Chen understood this principle, and Yan Gugu understood it too.

On the wasteland, there is no free water, nor any gratuitous shelter.

Early the next morning, Huo Zhaoye came looking for him.

He had probably gone on night patrol again the previous evening; a faint bluish shadow lingered under his eyes, but his energy remained strong, like a wild grass that never wilts in the sun.

"Professor Yan," he first said to Yan Gugu, also getting straight to the point, "Since you're here, let's not beat around the bush."

"The sunny slope east of the town is the best field we have right now; last year it still yielded some drought‑resistant beans, but the seeds planted this year have been in the ground for almost two months, and only a few sparse shoots have appeared, wilted and limp—please go have a look and see whether the soil is no good, the seeds are faulty, or… is there any other solution?"

Agricultural scientists are precious in these times, but if they're merely armchair theorists, North Town can't afford to keep them.

Yan Gugu's expression turned serious, "Of course, take me to have a look."

For such an important matter, Huo Zhaoye himself should accompany.

But Huo Zhaoye glanced again at Jin Chen, who stood there yet seemed not to truly belong anywhere.

"Houzi!" Huo Zhaoye shouted toward the outside.

The Houzi who had been waiting outside came in at the call, still as lively as ever, "Huo Ge!"

"Take Professor Yan to San Ye's place, fetch the field records, then check the warehouse for remaining seeds," Huo Zhaoye ordered, "After that, lead Professor Yan to the slope and explain the situation in detail."

"Got it!"

Yan Gugu picked up his travel cloth bag containing a few simple tools and some leather‑bound notebooks, nodded to Huo Zhaoye and Jin Chen, and followed Houzi away.

Huo Zhaoye looked at Jin Chen and suddenly recalled what Old Master Qiao had whispered to him the night before.

— "That little Mr. Jin isn't your ordinary scholar, A Ye—pay attention, it's not harmful, but don't scare anyone."

"Master Jin."

Hearing that, Jin Chen slowly turned his head.

"Come with me," Huo Zhaoye said, stepping out first, "Let's see what you can do."

Jin Chen gave a slight nod and fell into step behind him.

Huo Zhaoye led him along several packed‑earth lanes to the front of a spacious row house.

"Zhao Bo!" Huo Zhaoye shouted.

Zhao Bo looked up, "Hey, Huo Lao Da, what's up?"

"As we said yesterday, let the kids come here to learn characters—I've designated this building as a temporary school." Huo Zhaoye pointed to the row house, "Has everyone been notified?"

"Notified, notified!"

Zhao Bo set down his work, walked over with a smile, "Early this morning I told each family to send their kids over— the older ones bringing the younger— they're all waiting inside."

"Is this the Master Jin? He's quite handsome… looks learned."

Huo Zhaoye didn't take the bait, simply saying, "All right, you go about your business."

Having said that, he pushed open the creaking wooden door of the row house.

Inside it was darker than outside; a dozen or so children sat on mats, ranging from five‑ or six‑year‑old toddlers to thirteen‑ or fourteen‑year‑old youths.

"Line up," Huo Zhaoye called out; though his tone wasn't harsh, the children immediately quieted and shuffled into two or three rows.

Jin Chen glanced over. There were sixteen children in total; the tallest boy was nearly as high as Huo Zhaoye's shoulder, while the shortest hadn't even reached thigh height.

These children, born in the wasteland and raised in chaotic times, differ from those of the great bases; their daily lessons concern identifying edible plants, dangerous mutant monsters, and how to survive with limited resources.

999 felt it should come online for a bit.

【Master Jin Chen, basic teaching plan retrieved—covers general‑education primers from the old world, illustrated common‑knowledge edition, basic mathematics…】

Jin Chen: 【No need for those.】

999 went offline, heartbroken, continuing to coast to victory.

Jin Chen also didn't ask Huo Zhaoye for paper and pen; he picked up a half‑dry mud brick from the corner and scratched the first mark.

"Sun, river, house, person."

"The sun came out, shining on the river, and people came out of the houses."

"Jin Chen drew simple sketches, then wrote characters, gradually extending to the children's familiar daily life: bowls, knives, fire, hens, eggs, carts, watchtowers, and interspersed with comic strips."

"Huo Zhaoye stood aside watching, and even became engrossed."

"Just then."

"The nails at the window joint rusted and fell off, the whole plank tilted inward, and it was about to crash toward Jin Chen."

"Jin Chen noticed, looked up, and Huo Zhaoye had already moved to block, swinging diagonally upward."

"The plank was fiercely blocked by Huo Zhaoye's sturdy forearm, and other miscellaneous items clattered to the ground, kicking up some dust."

"The children looked up, then lowered their heads to continue drawing, it was simply too habitual."

"Huo Zhaoye lowered his arm, confirmed there were no other signs of looseness, turned to look at Jin Chen, and asked, 'All right?'"

"——"

"Jin Chen shook his head."

"He was indeed fine; Huo Zhaoye's move was too fast, blocked solidly, not even a speck of dust splashed onto him."

"Huo Zhaoye then breathed a sigh of relief, frowned at the damage, and said, 'These broken wooden windows should have been replaced long ago.'"

"Huo Zhaoye said to the children, 'Alright, that's enough for today's lesson; go home to eat, and don't run around on the way.'"

"The children then reluctantly dispersed, still excitedly discussing the characters and stories they had just learned as they walked."

"After the children had all left, the villagers helping also began to repair the rear wall, and only then did Huo Zhaoye look at Jin Chen, scanning him from head to toe, after which his gaze settled on Jin Chen's wrist."

"Just now, Jin Chen instinctively raised his hand to block, and his sleeve slipped down a bit."

"Huo Zhaoye saw that, besides the totem mark, the inside of Jin Chen's fair wrist also had a slight protrusion of a bloodstain, which was from when Jin Chen had pinched it himself yesterday while questioning the totem in the cart."

"Huo Zhaoye's brow furrowed slightly."

"Jin Chen seemed to notice, his finger twitched slightly, instinctively wanting to pull his sleeve, but he stopped and slowly loosened his clenched fist."

"'Go get some fresh air.' Huo Zhaoye said."

"Jin Chen followed silently."

"The two walked to the row houses; the sun was somewhat intense, scorching the ground hot."

"Huo Zhaoye stopped, turned around, and pulled out a cigarette case from his pocket, made from scrap iron; he knocked out a stick that looked like a hand-rolled cigarette, held it in his mouth, but didn't light it, just habitually holding it."

"Jin Chen glanced over, lightly sniffed, his gaze subtly shifting, and settled on Huo Zhaoye's eyes."

"Strange, how does my wife's cigarette roll taste like herbs?"

"'You teach very well.' Huo Zhaoye said."

"Jin Chen averted his gaze, looking at the distant mottled wall and the ground, refusing to meet Huo Zhaoye's eyes."

"Huo Zhaoye looked at him for a few seconds, then pulled out another iron tin from his work pants pocket, containing half a box of dark green ointment."

"'Fang Aunt's ointment, good for wounds.'"

"Jin Chen didn't reach out to take it, only lifted his eyes, looking at Huo Zhaoye."

"Huo Zhaoye exchanged a glance with him."

"Jin Chen's eyes were very light, reflecting the noon's slanting sunlight; Huo Zhaoye shifted his gaze, and his eyes fell back on that section of the wrist, the red marks especially striking against the pale skin."

"'Hand.' Huo Zhaoye said tersely, his brow furrowing as usual."

"Jin Chen remained silent for two seconds, then slowly extended his right hand, offering his wrist a little."

"Huo Zhaoye applied the ointment with his fingertip to those few red marks."

"The ointment was cool, with a slight sting; Jin Chen shuddered, his sleeve riding up higher, the totem fully exposed to the sunlight."

"The lines coiled around the wrist bone, extending deep into the cuff, like a brand grown into the flesh, giving an ineffable sense of fate."

"Huo Zhaoye's fingertip paused, his gaze lingering for several seconds, recalling Jin Chen's panic and embarrassment from yesterday."

"'... What exactly is this?' Huo Zhaoye asked softly, his fingertip still coated with ointment, gently spreading it around the red marks."

"Jin Chen remained silent."

"A breeze blew by, bringing the sounds from the distant town."

"After a while, just as Huo Zhaoye thought he wouldn't answer, Jin Chen suddenly spoke."

"'Does Lord Huo want to know?'"

"Huo Zhaoye withdrew his hand, closed the iron tin, slipped it back into his pocket, 'Of course, but... it seems not convenient to ask.'"

"Everyone has their own past, wounds they don't want to mention; on this wasteland, they are all too common."

"As long as it doesn't bring trouble to Northern Town, he can choose to respect."

"Jin Chen looked at him, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly, 'Later, there will be an opportunity.'"

"Huo Zhaoye froze for a moment."

"He caught the implied meaning."

"'You agree to stay?' Huo Zhaoye asked."

"Jin Chen nodded slightly, softly, 'Yes.'"

"Jin Chen replied, his eyelashes black as if soaked in ink, and with those eyes he quietly gazed at Huo Zhaoye."

"Huo Zhaoye locked eyes with him for a moment, smiled slightly, even diluting the sharpness brought by the overly intense intensity between his brows and eyes."

"Alright."

"Jin Chen and Yan Tenggu thus officially stayed in Peace Northern Town, and the summer of the New Continent truly arrived."

"In Peace Town there was an old-world river, and on the river stood a Silence Bridge, spanning the north and south sub-districts."

"Jin Chen lived diagonally opposite Huo Zhaoye, and the two never saw each other when lowering their heads or raising them."

"Huo Zhaoye was very busy, having to manage the town's various affairs, patrol, and liaise with Southern Town; he often left early in the morning and returned only after dark."

That afternoon was especially hot; the air was scorched into distortion, and even the wind was scalding.

The steam from the Old World River rose up, mixed with the smell of baked earth and dried plants, making it hard to breathe.

Huo Zhaoye was in the blacksmith's shop.

Zhao Bo's blacksmith shop was one of the most important places in North Town; the repair of farming tools, simple weapons, and daily necessities all relied on it.

The shop was as hot as a steamer; although the forge fire wasn't roaring, the residual heat plus the weather already made people sweat profusely.

Huo Zhaoye removed his outer garment, wearing only an undershirt, and was working on the wheel axle of an old cart.

He half‑squatted, holding a hammer and chisel in his hands; sweat trickled down his forehead, dripped onto his collarbone and continued down, soaking the front and back of his undershirt, the fabric clinging to his skin.

The apprentice Xiao Wu stood beside him, helping to hold the wheel, also drenched in sweat.

"Brother Ye, let's take a break, it's too hot," Xiao Wu said, panting.

"Almost done," Huo Zhaoye said without looking up, gave it a few more taps, twisted with force, and finally removed it.

"Done." He exhaled, sat up straight, and wiped the sweat from his face with his arm.

Xiao Wu handed over an iron water kettle, saying, "Have a drink of water."

Huo Zhaoye took it, tilted his head back and gulped several big mouthfuls; drinking too quickly, some water slipped past his neck into his collar, and he laughed and chatted with Xiao Wu.

At that moment, Huo Zhaoye caught sight, out of the corner of his eye, of the person standing at the door.

The smile on his face not yet faded, he turned his head to look.

Jin Chen stood outside the blacksmith's shop, stopped in his tracks, holding a small file that he had borrowed from the shop.

He stood there, watching Huo Zhaoye and Xiao Wu roughhousing inside the shop; his gaze fell on Huo Zhaoye's sweat‑damp neck, collarbone, and the waist and abdomen inadvertently exposed when he raised his arm.

In broad daylight, he was teaching, while his wife was fooling around with someone else.

"Teacher Jin has arrived," Xiao Wu saw him first, greeted him with a grin, but felt a little intimidated.

Teacher Jin was good‑looking, but always seemed a bit cold, not saying much; a young person like Xiao Wu felt an unconscious awe of him.

Huo Zhaoye casually picked up the towel draped over the nearby chair and roughly wiped his face and neck.

"Is the desk fixed?"

"Mm." Jin Chen replied, stepped into the blacksmith's shop, and placed the file on the workbench covered in iron filings.

"What's there to thank?" Huo Zhaoye said indifferently, walked to the water bucket, scooped out the iron kettle, then took a coarse pottery bowl and poured a bowl of cool water.

"I told you to let Xiao Wu fix it, but you won't—those hands of yours can't handle that kind of rough work."