CHAPTER 65: CHAPTER 65: TAKING THE BAIT

"We can discuss this later; let’s solve the problem first."

Sun Chan blushed and nodded.

Gu Junming walked a few steps with a cheerful smile, suddenly turned back, and took her hand. Sun Chan felt panicky at first, then realized something cool was in her palm. She looked down and saw a piece of crispy candy wrapped in red plastic, a white candy block, small and shiny.

Gu Junming smiled at her, "When my sister was a child, she went out to pull weeds and got scared by a mouse. She kept crying, so my dad gave her this candy to eat, and she felt better after eating it. Here, take it and don’t be afraid."

"Okay." She wanted to say that she wasn’t a child anymore, but she still smiled and nodded.

"Wait for my news." Gu Junming said and left.

Sun Chan sucked on the candy, her eyes felt a bit teary. In two lifetimes, this was the first time she ate such a delicious candy.

Yan Kai met with Gu Junming, who told him Sun Chan’s solution.

"How is it? Finally, we found a woman to be cannon fodder, but we can guarantee the hostage’s safety, right?"

Yan Kai replied, "No problem."

Sun Chan returned to the dormitory and washed the dirty clothes she had changed out of. Just as she finished hanging them out to dry, Yang Liu came in, placing a lunchbox in front of Sun Chan.

Inside was cabbage and potato slices, along with two cornmeal pancakes, handed to Sun Chan: "Your lunch."

"Who sent it?" Sun Chan regretted asking after she did; Deputy Battalion Commander Gu mentioned sending food. If the other dormitory members heard, it wouldn’t be good.

Yang Liu squeezed her eyes, smiled, and said, "Of course, I gave it to you. Eat quickly." While lifting the lid, she pulled Sun Chan aside, giggling, "What’s your relationship with the Deputy Battalion Commander?"

"No, no relation. He’s really just an elder brother I know." She was too shy to lift her head.

"Humph! Going all mysterious, I’ll interrogate you later." Yang Liu knew well but didn’t expose her, yawned, and went to sleep.

Sun Chan just ate this for lunch; dinner was with Gu Junming and Yan Kai in the cafeteria.

Mainly discussing Zhao Xiuxia’s situation, making a preliminary contact.

Yan Kai listened to Sun Chan’s idea, feeling a bit surprised; this girl wasn’t as weak as she appeared.

The next morning, after eight o’clock, just as Sun Chan predicted, Zhao Xiuxia arrived. She stood outside the door, intentionally wearing old gray clothes, her hair disheveled, not making a fuss, but covering her face crying, looking haggard, like a pitiful yet loving mother.

She told the guard, "Let me see my daughter! My daughter did something wrong; I’m here to apologize!"

Her manner made the guard feel sympathetic.

Sun Chan soon arrived, wearing a brand new uniform, looking at her indifferently: "What are you here for? Trying to sweet-talk me into being sold to Zhou Jinzhu? Don’t dream; I’m not going. If you don’t leave, you’ll end up losing more."

"You... this child, what are you saying?" Zhao Xiuxia suppressed her inner anger, slut, my daughter suffered under Zhou Jinzhu, that beast, and is still lying on the bed in pain, yet you dress so well, it’s infuriating!

Sun Chan deliberately pulled up her sleeves to adjust her hair, "Hurry up with whatever you need to say; I’m busy." She wore a Plum Blossom brand watch, borrowed from Yang Liu. Sun Chan knew Zhao Xiuxia’s character very well, having known her for decades across two lifetimes.

"Ah, how much is this watch?" Zhao Xiuxia’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the watch.

"Less than a hundred bucks." Sun Chan pushed her hand away indifferently, "The salary here is high; sometimes we pick mushrooms from the back to sell. Oh, not mushrooms, but monkey head mushrooms."

Zhao Xiuxia froze, then excitedly grabbed Sun Chan’s arm, "Are you serious? That stuff is valuable; even city folks can’t afford it!" This girl actually has the money to buy such a precious watch! Clearly, she’s gotten rich! Zhao Xiuxia hasn’t eaten monkey head mushrooms even once in her life. No wonder she didn’t run away as she used to; she’s reluctant to leave the good things here, right?

"Of course." Sun Chan glanced at her, "These are places common folk can’t access, so the things inside grow exceptionally well. We take them out, even a kilo of the best can sell for dozens of bucks. They say if it’s the very best, one kilo can fetch over a hundred."

Zhao Xiuxia started calculating; if I could go in, besides selling Sun Chan, I could make a huge profit!

Her eyes darted around, then she grabbed Sun Chan, "Can you take me in?"

Sun Chan shook her head urgently, "No way! We can’t just go in; it’s illegal, and we can only stealthily pick some under cover of night. No way for outsiders like you; I’d get expelled."

"What are you talking about!" Zhao Xiuxia glared, "Your uncle and I aren’t outsiders; picking mushrooms is illegal? Do what you’re told; why are you babbling so much?"

Sun Chan sneered, "I understand! So you’re not here to apologize, but to take advantage, I knew you weren’t sincere. Keep dreaming; I’m going back!"

Zhao Xiuxia hurriedly grabbed her, "What are you saying! Of course, I’m here to apologize, your sister knows she’s wrong and is reflecting. You can marry whoever you want in the future; I won’t interfere."

"Are you serious?"

"Of course!" Zhao Xiuxia patted her chest, "Do I ever go back on my word? Just take me in and let me pick some monkey head mushrooms, and we’ll call it even."

Sun Chan saw the greed on Zhao Xiuxia’s face and snickered inside, outwardly nodded, "Fine. I’ll take you to find monkey head mushrooms. After tonight, our mother-daughter relationship ends. Don’t forget your promise."

"No problem! I’m straightforward! Let’s set a time; take me in tonight." Zhao Xiuxia casually agreed, and after tonight you’ll be in the mountains, I don’t care what happens to you! She and Sun Chan

Sun Chan agreed, set to meet at nine in the evening, where she would lead them in to find monkey head mushrooms.

As Zhao Xiuxia left far away, Yan Kai and Gu Junming stepped out from the shadows. Yan Kai said, "Well done. You have quite a talent for acting."

Sun Chan smiled, "Don’t make fun of me; I was so nervous my voice was shaking. Almost fainted."

Gu Junming smiled at her, "You’re very brave. Don’t worry, leave the rest to me."

Meanwhile, Zhao Xiuxia’s brothers were complaining; they had been waiting in the front cornfields for half the day, ready to act, but saw Zhao Xiuxia return alone, wearing a satisfied smile.

"Didn’t you say you’d lure her to the cornfield? Why did you come back alone? Where is she?" Zhao Biao grabbed a half-cooked corn cob, eating while peeking outside.

Zhao Xiuxia said excitedly, "That girl has a way to make money! Behind her workplace in those mountains at the back, there are monkey head mushrooms. She agreed to take me to fetch a bag tonight, then sell her, and besides, it’s easier to act at night."