BT70sTMUMP Chapter 10

Snatching People

The room was still a low, warehouse-like mud house, with a door made of nailed wood that wasn’t very secure.

As she walked in, Su Su frowned at the smoky smell filling the room.

She took a few breaths of fresh air outside before her breathing steadied, then she looked inside to see five or six men and two or three women, all of whom appeared to be older.

Their eyes lit up when they saw Su Su enter. Some stood to make space for her, while others smiled warmly, appearing quite welcoming.

However, Lin Chuan, standing at the back, sensed a scheming air among them, as these were the troublemakers of the village.

Lin Dong He quickly introduced her, “This is Comrade Su, who came from the city to run literacy classes here. She’s young but already a university student. Let’s welcome her.” He led a round of applause.

The villagers clapped awkwardly, clearly not used to such a gesture, and stopped after a few claps.

Lin Dong He felt helpless; such a half-hearted welcome wouldn’t impress someone from the city.

Su Su didn’t mind and smiled as she introduced herself, “My name is Su Su. Hello, everyone.”

Lin Dong He continued, “Comrade Su has just arrived in our little mountain village. Everyone is concerned about her living conditions, so…”

“Alright, let’s cut the small talk, Captain. I’ll start.” A man in his fifties spoke up, “Comrade Su, you’re a city girl. Can you handle the hardships here, especially in the Lin family’s household with many mouths to feed and little food? Why not stay at my place? It’s just me, my wife, and our two daughters. We have plenty of space and can even have a rice meal every seven days. How about it?”

However, a woman interrupted, “Big Fathead, are you fooling this young girl? Everyone knows one of your daughters is bedridden. If she stays at your place, she’ll end up cooking all the meals. Besides, with only two rooms, she’d have to share with your bedridden daughter, and that smell…”

“What’s that, Widow Qiao?” The man called Big Fathead stood up, looking ready to fight.

Widow Qiao ignored him and stepped up to Su Su, reaching out to take her hand. But in the blink of an eye, the person standing in front of her was replaced by a tall figure in a military uniform, the imposing Lin Chuan.

Startled, she took a step back and stammered, “You heard it too. I’m a widow, with just one son and me in the house. We have space, and not many people. Besides…”

“No.” The words didn’t come from Su Su but from Lin Chuan.

The room fell silent, and Su Su, who had been stuck in a corner with no chance to speak, was left bewildered. She couldn’t understand why these people were fighting over her, or why the usually wooden Lin Chuan was now standing in front of her, preventing her from interacting with the woman, even rejecting her on Su Su’s behalf.

But she quickly understood.

Widow Qiao frowned and said, “What’s the meaning of this, Chuanzi? Comrade Su hasn’t even spoken yet, and you’re making decisions for her? Move aside, I have more to discuss with her.”

Lin Chuan didn’t respond but remained firmly in place.

Su Su tried to push him aside, but he didn’t budge, standing like a pillar. Frustrated, she poked him with her finger, but he only became more immovable, as if he had turned to stone.

Widow Qiao was equally frustrated, but she couldn’t push him away either.

“What, is the Lin family planning to keep Comrade Su all to themselves? Have you thought about how many mouths you have to feed? If you starve this delicate city girl, what then?” Widow Qiao stood with her hands on her hips, shouting.

Su Su felt it was time to speak up for the Lin family, but before she could, a sharp female voice chimed in, “Widow Qiao, give it a rest. Your house has only two rooms. Where would you put Comrade Su? Are you going to make her share a room with you or your son? Won’t that interfere with you bringing men home?”

… So, Widow Qiao has a questionable reputation? That’s why Lin Chuan is preventing me from interacting with her, Su Su thought. She found this oddly endearing.

Widow Qiao immediately retorted, “Zhao Xiaohua, what nonsense are you spouting? When have I ever done such a thing?”

“Don’t pretend like we don’t know. Besides, your son has a history of inappropriate behaviour. Bringing a pretty girl like Comrade Su to your house, what are your real intentions?” Zhao Xiaohua snapped.

Su Su could feel Lin Chuan standing even taller in front of her. Suddenly, he thundered, “Enough!”

Maybe it was his imposing presence, but everyone fell silent.

Then, in a rare show of authority, Lin Chuan declared, “I rescued her from the mountains, and she will stay with us. Even if we starve, we won’t let her suffer. Any objections?”

Wow, Su Su thought, she was witnessing a different side of Lin Chuan. How had he become so assertive and domineering?

“Chuanzi, shouldn’t you at least ask Comrade Su for her opinion?” Lin Dong He felt that his cousin had overstepped, as they couldn’t make this decision for her.

Finally, Su Su was given the chance to speak. She took a breath of fresh air and softly said, “I’m already familiar with Brother Chuan’s home, so I’ll stay there. Thank you all for your concern, but his family has been very kind to me.”

Her voice was naturally soft and sweet, and when she spoke quietly, it had a tender, soothing quality that made the men present feel a pleasant shiver.

Since she had made her preference clear, they couldn’t press the issue further.

However, Zhao Xiaohua, still hesitant, said, “But Comrade Su, your Brother Chuan is about to get married soon. Isn’t it inappropriate for you to stay with him?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Lin Chuan glared at Zhao Xiaohua, causing her to shudder in fear.

Su Su’s eyes widened. How could this woman say such a thing? She had no romantic interest in Lin Chuan. Well, she had initially, but after finding out he was a character in the book, she had dismissed the idea.

Startled, Zhao Xiaohua muttered, “I was just talking.”

“If this happens again, we’ll settle it at the commune,” Lin Chuan threatened, his tone icy. This warning was enough to silence everyone, including Zhao Xiaohua.

Turning to his cousin, Lin Chuan coldly asked, “Now that everything is resolved, is there still a need for this welcome ceremony?” His emphasis on the last two words made his intentions clear.

Lin Dong He quickly shook his head. “No, there isn’t.”

“It’s getting late, let’s go home for dinner.” Lin Chuan glanced at Su Su, nodding slightly.

Su Su, obediently, turned and walked ahead. But as soon as they stepped outside, Lin Chuan overtook her.

Although they walked on the same path, there was a significant distance of about five paces between them. No matter how fast Su Su tried to catch up, the gap remained. Eventually, exhausted, she sat on a tree stump by the roadside, panting, “I need a rest.”