Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 390 - 382: The Person in My Memories

It’s important to know that warhorses are essential in defending the border town, and the number of horses can often directly affect the outcome of a battle.

It felt that Vice General Lin’s refusal was sensible.

However, neither the system nor Cheng Xiaoxiao knew that Vice General Lin wasn’t thinking about that at all.

At this moment, he was rambling near Cheng Duhu’s sickbed.

He was talking about meeting an interesting little girl and hoping Cheng would wake up soon to meet her; perhaps he’d find himself a wife.

He said they had protected the town, saved the lives of injured soldiers, and were now actively organizing self-rescue efforts.

He also confirmed that Vice General You was a traitor who had wronged many brothers and a city full of people, which was utterly vile. He vowed to catch and ask him personally, why betray after all these years of kindness from the General? Why act worse than a beast?

Didn’t his conscience hurt?

As he spoke, he thought of the fallen brethren. Vice General Lin couldn’t help but shed old tears.

Until noon the next day, General Cheng still hadn’t awakened.

The soldiers in the town were all very busy.

Everywhere in the town, you could see their busy figures, ignoring the wind and snow, disregarding the severe cold. Even though their hands and feet were full of frostbitten blisters, and by day’s end, they were utterly exhausted, not a single person complained of fatigue or pain.

They were busy reinforcing the city walls, helping the common folk gather salvageable items.

Only a few women who had cultivated Inner Strength dared to go out and help.

Among them were Shuanzi and his mother, who were searching through the rubble of their home for usable items.

"Mom, can this clay pot still be used?" Shuanzi asked his mother while holding a scorched black clay pot.

He remembered this clay pot having been discarded by the family. It was left in an inconspicuous corner, gathering dust. His mother had mentioned using it to pickle vegetables in spring, but winter had arrived, and he still hadn’t tasted those pickled vegetables.

Shuanzi’s mother touched it, her hands covered in black soot, but the pot was intact, only blackened inside and out by smoke.

"It should still be usable."

"Great! We can take it back to make bone soup for Dad’s injured leg; it would be just perfect."

Shuanzi showed a bright smile. His father was Du Tunchang, and although his injuries weren’t minor, his accomplishments weren’t insignificant. Their family received a big share of horse leg meat, but they were worried about not having utensils to stew it, as cooking utensils were rare and in high demand, with multiple families sharing a single pot in turns.

But now, with the clay pot, they could make a special stew for Dad.

Shuanzi thought of something and added, "We should invite Sister Xiao over too."

Shuanzi’s mother chuckled silently, "Sure!"

Their family was immensely grateful to Cheng Xiaoxiao, crediting her for saving their lives.

When Du Tunchang was carried back, he was already in shock. Without Cheng Xiaoxiao’s medicine, he might not have survived.

The mother and son exchanged a smile, their spirits lifted as they continued rummaging through the ruins.

"Hey, what’s this?"

As Shuanzi accidentally stepped on a stone, just about to kick it away, he noticed something unusual and picked up the black stone.

He rubbed off the black ash outside, revealing a noticeably different color beneath.

Using a piece of rag to rub it clean, it revealed a silvery edge.

Once the stone’s true form was fully uncovered, it turned out to be silver pieces. Where did they get silver pieces from? Looking at the location where they found it, it appeared to be their parents’ bedroom.

At this point, Shuanzi’s mother furrowed her eyebrows upon seeing the silver.

Could Old Du have stashed some private savings?

That was the shared thought between mother and son.

Reflecting on this, Shuanzi felt a sweat for his father.

He could only act as a mediator, awkwardly saying, "Mom, look how badly Dad is hurt, this bit of silver..."

He wanted his mother to let it go, but seeing her expression wasn’t good, he swallowed back the rest of his words.

Dad, you’ll have to fend for yourself!

Even your son is helpless.

Alas!

Shuanzi quickly acted nonchalant and moved elsewhere to continue searching.

Leaving his mother there, pondering something.

Many people in the town, like Shuanzi and his mother, were searching for items.

These people had some martial arts skills, but they could only wander around when the temperature, at its warmest, reached noon.

Cheng Duhu awoke at six in the afternoon.

Today, Cheng Xiaoxiao worked as a doctor for free at the General Mansion for the whole day.

Vice General Lin was really thick-skinned.

Knowing she was skilled in medicine, he arranged for quite a few patients for her, leaving her no time to think.

Seeing the pitiful soldiers, she couldn’t bear to refuse, continuing to help until dusk.

Upon hearing the report from the system, she hurried towards the General’s courtyard.

As she walked, she slowed her pace.

When Cheng Xiaoxiao reached the door, she politely knocked.

"May I come in?"

Inside, Vice General Lin was reporting all matters regarding the battle. Cheng Xiaoxiao waited until the conversation was nearly over before knocking.

After all, she had the system’s cheat on her side!

Vice General Lin hadn’t had the chance to introduce Cheng Xiaoxiao carefully to Cheng Duhu yet, and here she was, showing up on her own.

Thus, he whispered a few words into Cheng Duhu’s ear.

Cheng Duhu’s face flushed instantly, half from embarrassment, half from indignation.

What made him angry was that, despite the young lady’s youth, Uncle Lin was playing matchmaker recklessly.

Furthermore, marriage is not to be taken lightly. Whether the young lady was matched, whether her parents would agree, none of these things were known. Starting directly was against the gentleman’s way and could harm the young lady’s reputation.

What made him shy was that the young girl was indeed outstanding. Although he hadn’t seen her true appearance, those clear and resolute eyes from yesterday were still deeply imprinted in his mind.

What an exceptional woman she was, how could someone like him be worthy?

Just as he was about to say something, Vice General Lin had already turned around and opened the door.

"Hahaha! Host, host, that Lin guy wants to set you up with the General."

Cheng Xiaoxiao: "..."

"He really praised you to the skies."

Cheng Xiaoxiao’s mouth twitched; this Uncle Lin was too unreliable.

At this time, Vice General Lin opened the door with a smile.

"Xiaoxiao, come on in, let me introduce the General to you. Didn’t you say before that you also admired the General?"

Cheng Xiaoxiao really wanted to take back what she had said before.

Didn’t he understand subtlety?

She really didn’t mean it.

Vice General Lin completely ignored Cheng Xiaoxiao’s awkwardness.

The creases like chrysanthemums on his face were about to burst open, only wanting to facilitate this excellent match.

Once Cheng Xiaoxiao entered, she took off the thick scarf, revealing her palm-sized small face, though she didn’t take off the warm felt hat, the white fur around the edge of the hat highlighting her face’s fairness and translucency.

The girl walking over made the person on the bed experience a momentary blankness.

He gazed directly at her, reluctant to blink, as if the person before him overlapped with the silent and adorable person in his memory.

So similar, indeed similar, yet exuding differences and oddities. Now she had grown taller, whiter, her facial features more defined and mature, her eyes deeper and brighter.

His heart couldn’t help pounding fiercely.