Chapter 2898: Small Town Infrastructure Construction Proceeds Happily 19

The recent events in Peace North Town quickly spread to several nearby small settlements and refugee camps.

Being able to read, to learn to observe the heavens, to understand the civilization handed down from the old world—this is unimaginable wealth on the wasteland.

Huo Zhaoye at first feared inviting unnecessary trouble, but Jin Chen was right—North Town wanted to truly take root and develop; merely guarding the few mu of land before them wasn't enough.

After screening, several small towns and camps with good reputations that were willing to contribute supplies received limited quotas, allowing them to send a few youths over to study.

Thus, the old shabby row-house schoolhouse immediately became cramped; building a new schoolhouse became urgent.

Huo Zhaoye personally led people to select the site and plan; the new schoolhouse was chosen east of the town center, while at the same time, to store the exchanged supplies, construction of a new warehouse began.

North Town bustled like never before, and Jin Chen naturally became one of the busiest people.

Not only did he have to teach the original children, he also had to give remedial lessons to the new students and plan the curriculum for after the new schoolhouse was completed.

Even with extraordinary energy, his face would occasionally show fatigue.

Huo Zhaoye saw it in his eyes and felt heartbroken.

He couldn't bear to see Jin Chen so exhausted, but he also knew this concerned North Town's future and couldn't stop it.

Thus, Jin Chen simply proposed a new plan: from among the North Town youths who had learned the fastest and were most patient over these months, pick a few, have him concentrate on training them for a period, and teach by subject.

Huo Zhaoye immediately sprang into action.

He picked three girls and two boys from among the most diligent and insightful North Town youths, all in their early twenties, quick-witted and handy, and most importantly, they showed an almost reverent seriousness toward what Jin Chen taught.

Jin Chen had 999 prepare many basic lesson plans; though not as smart as Zero Egg, they were sufficient.

These youths studied hungrily and were very respectful toward Jin Chen.

With their help sharing basic instruction and leading practice, Jin Chen's burden eased considerably.

However, as North Town's fame grew, Jin Chen's reputation also rose.

Besides those who came earnestly to study, there were always some with other motives.

That day, Huo Zhaoye had just returned from inspecting the new schoolhouse construction site, wanted to go see Jin Chen and bring over Aunt Fang's freshly made flatbread, when he saw several strangers gathered outside the small courtyard where Jin Chen was temporarily staying.

They were not from North Town, their attire neater than ordinary drifters, like they came from a nearby small outpost; leading them was a young woman who raised her head and spoke to Jin Chen.

"…Mr. Jin, this is a token of our leader's goodwill; thank you for accepting our camp's two children." The young woman spoke with a hint of shyness but was poised and generous.

Jin Chen stood inside the doorway, his tone of refusal cold and indifferent.

The young woman didn't mind his coldness, still wanting to say something, but a companion lightly pulled her away before they left.

Huo Zhaoye stood in the shadow of the nearby earthen wall, holding a still-warm flatbread, feeling sour.

This wasn't the first time.

Recently, people from various small settlements have been sending gifts to Jin Chen under the pretense of sending their children to study and expressing thanks.

Eggs, jerky, fresh fruit go without saying; some even sent scarce supplies, and the more thoughtful sent young women—handsome and well-built—who presented especially thoughtful gifts.

Among the youths in town who were familiar with Huo Zhaoye, they often teased him in private.

"Hey, do you think Teacher Jin might be poached by someone? I've heard that several places have offered excellent terms—providing a house alone, with guards, and enough food…"

Each time he heard such talk, Huo Zhaoye's face gave nothing away, but inside he felt like a spilled five-flavor bottle—sour, astringent, and holding back nameless anger.

He knew Jin Chen wasn't like that, but seeing those young women, even men, circling Jin Chen, delivering this and that with eager eyes, he couldn't restrain his irritation—so much that even smoking three cigarettes couldn't hide it.

Huo Zhaoye felt sour, couldn't say it outright, and could only stare at Jin Chen even more intently.

Whenever outsiders came to deliver gifts, he always happened to be present—either standing expressionless to the side, using his gaze to dissuade them, or simply taking the gifts, thanking Jin Chen on his behalf, and then sending them away with a few words.

He also went to see Jin Chen more often at night, always finding excuses to cover up his intentions.

Jin Chen saw through his little thoughts clearly and found them amusing.

Usually imposing and decisive, the Great Lord Huo Zhaoye, when jealous, turned out like this—unaffected and rather cute.

That day, the person in charge of a small western outpost came to see Jin Chen; besides the agreed supplies, he also brought a small jar of precious wild forest honey syrup.

Huo Zhaoye 'coincidentally' appeared again, standing behind Jin Chen with a dark face, his gaze fixed intently on that jar.

Jin Chen thanked him, then casually remarked, "Leader Li's tobacco leaves last time were excellent; even our lord smokes them and approves."

As he spoke, he glanced back at Huo Zhaoye with a faint smile.

Huo Zhaoye: "…"

When did I ever smoke this man's tobacco!

That pack of tobacco leaves was clearly accidentally thrown into the stove and burned by him.

Leader Li's eyes lit up: "We still have some! Next time I'll definitely bring more!"

And, have, next, time.

Huo Zhaoye's face grew even darker.

After finally seeing off that enthusiastic leader, Huo Zhaoye grabbed Jin Chen's wrist, pulled him inside, shut the door, and spoke in a hard tone.

"Why did you bring up those tobacco leaves?"

Jin Chen let him hold his wrist, blinked, wore an innocent expression, and said, "I'm stating the facts."

"I didn't smoke at all!" Huo Zhaoye gritted his teeth.

"Oh?"

Jin Chen raised his brows slightly, his fingertips lightly brushing the back of Huo Zhaoye's hand that gripped his wrist, speaking slowly, "Maybe I misremembered; perhaps it was Head Leader Wang who sent it? Or Town Chief Zhao?"

Lately I've received quite a few gifts; I got them mixed up.

Huo Zhaoye: "…"

He knew Jin Chen was doing it on purpose, but he couldn't help taking the bait.

Huo Zhaoye stepped closer, pinned Jin Chen against the door, and said, "You're doing it on purpose."

Jin Chen continued, "Lord Huo, these days you've been looking at me like this… are you upset that I've accepted too many gifts, causing trouble for North Town? If so, I'll return them all tomorrow."

He lowered his lashes, actually showing a hint of desolation.

"I didn't mean it that way."

Huo Zhaoye explained urgently, loosening his grip on Jin Chen's wrist and turning it into a gentle caress. "Those things, you can take them if you want; Northern Town doesn't lack that. I am……

I can't bear to see others circling you.

He rolled those words in his throat a few times, but Huo Zhaoye still couldn't bring himself to say them, holding them in until his ears turned red.

Jin Chen lifted his gaze, looking at him through the gaps of his eyelashes, and asked, "What does Lord Huo mean?"

Huo Zhaoye's heart raced under his gaze; he wanted to cover that mouth which always spoke aggravating words and always made him soft‑hearted to an extreme degree.

Jin Chen, however, turned his head aside, letting him kiss only his cheek.

"Have I not said before. If you say nothing, you're not allowed to kiss."

Jin Chen pushed him away, walked to the table, picked up that jar of honey, opened it and sniffed, saying, "This honey is of good quality; I'll keep it for making tea."

Huo Zhaoye resignedly walked over, lightly encircled Jin Chen's waist from behind, and rested his chin in the crook of his neck, "……Whatever you want."

"But from now on, laugh less with those people."