CHAPTER 158: CHAPTER 158: IN THE SCORCHING SUMMER, COLD SWEAT DRENCHED HER

Other people’s faces looked grim, some of them held deadly grudges against Boss Xiong.

Others were thinking, if they sided with Boss Xiong, it would unquestionably mean a deadly feud with Niu Hao. Niu Hao held grudges, and wouldn’t let things go easily.

Moreover, there were brothers already with Niu Hao, and if they joined the people of Yuhua Valley, they would inevitably run into each other regularly.

It’s not impossible for brotherly conflicts to erupt.

In the end, quite a few people joined Shu’er.

Shu’er didn’t say a word, avoiding suspicions of soliciting votes, which might create tension with Boss Xiong.

As for letting these people follow her, there were two intentions: first, having a grudge with Boss Xiong, and second, Deserted Mountain really lacked manpower.

She had discussed this matter with Boss Xiong before, who agreed wholeheartedly.

Otherwise, Yuhua Valley would likely be soaked in blood.

After all, compared to Boss Xiong, Shu’er truly had no enmity with them.

Fourteen people were willing to follow Boss Xiong.

Fifteen people ended up following Shu’er.

The forces in Boss Xiong’s hands were enough to contend with the other two parties.

These fifteen people, once out of the cave, began to have some regrets.

They shouldn’t be swayed by Shu’er’s unparalleled beauty.

Though hearing that life in Deserted Mountain was good stirred their hearts.

Yet they hadn’t seen how good life in Deserted Mountain really was; what if it was all boasting by its people?

If it turned out worse than their own lives, they’d have suffered great losses.

At least Yuhua Valley was a place where they’d lived for a long time; how could they just leave it for somewhere else? What would happen to the family estates they’d built there for so long?

Shu’er said: "Lin Yu, go with these people to gather their belongings; once at Deserted Mountain, theirs will remain theirs."

The hearts of these people settled a bit, though the fear of an unfamiliar place persisted.

Once they reached Deserted Mountain, everyone realized it was nothing like what they had imagined.

The crops here were several times better than those in Yuhua Valley.

For all the arrogance Yuhua Valley folks showed before, looking down on those at Deserted Mountain, it seemed now that people of Deserted Mountain were modest, not wishing to compete with them.

If not, Deserted Mountain would likely have been packed with people long ago.

No wonder they could produce such high yields with such land and such good crops.

Shu’er said: "Divide some land from the back mountain for them, as per old rules, by drawing lots."

These words brightened the eyes of the fifteen people.

While the back mountain’s land wasn’t as good as Yuhua Valley’s, it was better than Deserted Mountain’s.

Having the land from the back mountain meant having crops to plant, ensuring they wouldn’t starve, and life would gradually improve.

When Shu’er took out a wooden box allowing everyone to draw lots for land, they joyfully participated.

The back mountain’s land was vast, with large plots suitable for cultivation but still uncultivated.

She marked these lands with numbers for them to handle.

Shu’er said: "From now on, you are residents of Deserted Mountain. While residing here, harbor no disloyalty; live steadily."

"Deserted Mountain has its rules; as long as everyone unites and lives well without causing trouble, I naturally won’t bother everyone."

Saying this, Shu’er’s tone turned sharp, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"If anyone tries to pull Yuhua Valley’s tricks here, don’t blame me for being unkind."

These people, without accommodation, were temporarily housed outside the stone house by the third wall.

Everyone laid out straw mats on the floor; luckily it was summer, so blankets weren’t needed.

As Shu’er had already retreated into the space to sleep.

Niu Hao was leaning on his chin, bored, gazing at the moon in the back mountains.

Wasn’t Shu’er too slow? After so long, she hadn’t reacted at all?

Perhaps she was scared of him, so found another place to gather materials.

Thinking this, he scoffed; Shu’er was truly disappointing.

Should he, then, secretly learn Deserted Mountain’s red brick making technique now that the raw materials were his?

The more he thought, the more excited Niu Hao became.

When Shu’er returned home, she found "Tang Zan" had also arrived.

She smiled and nodded at him, preparing to leave.

At this moment, he caught her hand.

Shu’er turned, seeing "Tang Zan" looking at the blood spots on her hand.

That pair of deep eyes were focused and gentle but still held a cold aura.

He raised his hand, gently wiping them away.

Once he realized it was merely blood and not a wound, Shiqi breathed a sigh of relief.

Then he quickly released her hand.

Very respectful.

Shu’er felt strange.

Was Tang Zan this respectful before?

He was a collection of quirks!

If he held her hand and saw blood spots, he wouldn’t just rub it off; he’d want to drag her to the bathroom for a thorough clean.

He was a serious cleanliness freak.

Thinking this, Shu’er smiled and shook her head.

This shake made her feel dizzier.

No good, Tang Zan’s remedy wasn’t effective anymore; she needed to enter the space for fresh air to relieve her dizziness.

Just then, Yinxing quickly approached and whispered to Shu’er.

"Young Madam, come out quickly; Commander Lu is looking for you."

Shu’er raised her eyebrows; why would Lu Yuan come here? She glanced at "Tang Zan," finding him also watching her.

Shu’er nodded.

"Alright, I’ll go out now."

She drank a sip of Spiritual Spring Water, gathering her spirits, and headed towards the door.

Her gaze unintentionally swept past "Tang Zan," noticing him standing elegantly, quietly watching her.

Even though there was no noticeable difference in his gaze, Shu’er still felt something was off.

The strange feeling persisted, lingering in her heart.

When she went out, Shu’er found Lu Yuan standing at the stone house door, smiling as he handed her a small wooden box.

"This is my gratitude gift, for saving me; I feel much better now."

Shu’er smiled and nodded: "As long as you’re well."

She didn’t reach for it, so Lu Yuan walked closer, placing the small wooden box in her hand.

"I feel swapping my life for this gift means I’ve gained more."

Shu’er was momentarily stunned, her eyes flickering with surprise, then she smoothly hid that surprise.

She smiled: "Consider it as a consultation fee."

Lu Yuan nodded with a smile, then departed.

Shu’er stood still, quietly watching Lu Yuan leave.

On a hot summer day, her fingertips felt slightly cool, her back drenched in sweat.

Just now, when she got within two decimeters of Lu Yuan, her dizziness vanished.

Meaning, as long as there’s Power of Plot, it can still cure her dizziness.

Why, then, did Tang Zan’s remedy suddenly fail?