Chapter 2: The War Against Japan Is Not Over; Comrades Must Continue to Strive

She had seen impoverished families before, but the scene before her still left her somewhat at a loss.

“Go wash up. There’s water in the jar by the corner, and there’s a basin in the kitchen,” Xu Feng said calmly, pointing toward the water jar by the wall and the direction of the kitchen.

He was curious to see how long this Japanese woman would keep up her act.

Xiao Lin Xuezi looked up in confusion, glancing at Xu Feng and then at the places he indicated. Her expression was one of complete incomprehension, her eyes filled with innocence and fear.

Xu Feng’s mouth twitched slightly. Great, he had to mime it himself.

He walked to the water jar, scooped up a ladle of water, then mimed washing his face and wiping his body, before pointing toward the kitchen again.

This time, Xiao Lin Xuezi seemed to “suddenly understand.” She timidly nodded and carefully moved to the water jar, imitating Xu Feng’s actions as she scooped water.

Her movements were awkward, clearly unaccustomed to such rough tasks, and water splashed everywhere.

Xu Feng couldn’t be bothered to care. He turned and rummaged through his pile of tattered clothes.

He didn’t have many clothes to begin with; most were patched coarse cloth garments.

After searching for a while, he barely managed to find two relatively cleaner old cotton jackets and pants.

Though oversized, they were certainly better than the beggar’s rags she was wearing.

He took the clothes to the kitchen door. The kitchen door was nailed together with several wooden planks and didn’t close tightly, leaving a noticeable gap.

Xu Feng intended to pass the clothes through the gap directly, but just as he reached the door, he caught sight of what was inside through the crack.

Inside the kitchen, a modest wooden basin sat on the ground. Xiao Lin Xuezi stood with her back to the door, having removed the filthy outer garment that was so soiled its original color was unrecognizable, revealing the undergarment beneath.

The undergarment was also worn but made of fine cotton fabric originally.

At that moment, she was bent over, scooping water with the ladle and pouring it over herself.

Water droplets slid down her fair neck, soaking into the fabric beneath.

Though only a silhouette, the slender waist and rounded shoulders stood out clearly even in the dim light.

Her skin, unlike the rough and darkened hands of ordinary rural women, was delicate like fine porcelain, glowing with a moist sheen in the steam-filled air.

Xu Feng glanced once and felt his throat dry, his heart skipping a beat.

He wasn’t a naive youth; he had seen all manner of things on the battlefield.

Yet this scene made him feel oddly embarrassed and stirred his heart.

This Japanese woman, once cleaned up, was truly a dangerous beauty.

Clearing his throat to mask his lapse, he passed the clothes through the door crack, striving to keep his voice steady: “Clothes are here. Change yourself.”

Without waiting for a response, Xu Feng turned sharply and hurried back to the outer room as if his tail had caught fire.

Leaning against the door frame, he took several deep breaths to calm his restless heart.

“Damn it, almost got hooked,” he muttered inwardly.

He reminded himself that this woman’s identity was unknown, and she was very likely an enemy. He must not be deceived by her appearance.

Vigilance—he had to remain constantly vigilant.

Inside the kitchen, Xiao Lin Xuezi stiffened at the sound of Xu Feng’s voice and the movement of the clothes being passed through.

She could feel the brief but burning gaze, even through the door crack, making her utterly uncomfortable.

Biting her lip, she waited until the outside was completely still before cautiously picking up the clothes.

They were old, carrying a faint scent of soapberries and sun-dried fabric, along with a trace of the man’s own scent.

The fabric was coarse but at least clean. She quickly washed herself and changed into the cotton jacket and pants Xu Feng had given her.

The clothes were far too big, hanging loosely, the sleeves and pant legs extending well beyond her wrists and ankles, looking somewhat comical.

But at least she felt much warmer and cleaner.

When she finally lingered out of the kitchen, the table in the outer room was already set with food.

A bowl of thin corn porridge, nearly gone, and two blackened steamed corn buns.

Xu Feng sat at the table, expressionless, watching her.

“Eat,” he said, pointing to the long bench opposite him.

Xiao Lin Xuezi hesitated for a moment but obediently sat down.

She was starving; since being picked up by Old Li yesterday, she had only drunk some water.

Now seeing the food, her stomach growled uncontrollably.

She picked up a steamed bun and nibbled delicately, her refined manner seemingly out of place with the coarse food.

Xu Feng sipped his porridge and casually said, “Aren’t you afraid I might have put something in the food—like a knock-out drug or arsenic?”

His gaze was sharp, fixed intently on Xiao Lin Xuezi’s face.

She paused briefly in her chewing, her fingers clutching the bun tightening slightly.

Her eyelashes trembled, but she soon resumed eating as if she had heard nothing, lowering her head further.

Xu Feng sneered inwardly, a mocking curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

This woman clearly understood! And she’s pretending! Let’s see how long you can keep up the act!

He did not expose her and leisurely finished his porridge, then placed the bowl on the table with a soft clatter.

“Hurry up and eat. When you’re done, we can get to the bridal chamber earlier,” Xu Feng said quietly but firmly, his eyes full of teasing malice.

“Clatter!”

The steamed bun fell from Xiao Lin Xuezi’s hand onto the table. She suddenly lifted her head, her pale face filled with shock and disbelief, her star-bright eyes instantly flooded with terror and a trace of despair.

But in just a moment, she seemed to recall something, quickly lowering her head to pick up the bun, though her shoulders trembled uncontrollably.

Xu Feng observed her reaction closely, further confirming his suspicions.

This Japanese woman not only understood what he said but had a remarkably strong mental fortitude, recovering so quickly.

Interesting. More and more interesting.

He was eager to see how long Xiao Lin Xuezi could keep up her performance in front of him.

As night deepened, the wind howled outside like a wild beast’s growl.

No lights were lit inside the room; only the dying embers in the stove cast a faint, dark red glow, throwing their elongated shadows against the mottled earthen walls, flickering uncertainly.

Xiao Lin Xuezi still kept her head lowered, clutching the hem of her clothes tightly, her body taut as a drawn bow.

Xu Feng’s words about the “bridal chamber” struck her like a heavy hammer, nearly shattering all her pretenses on the spot.

She could feel her heartbeat, racing as if it would burst from her throat.

In this situation, a defenseless, sensitive woman in a stranger’s hands seemed to have no choice but to submit.

She felt Xu Feng’s gaze, sharp as twin swords piercing her even in the dark, making her deeply uneasy.

Her knuckles whitened from gripping the cloth, and her body stiffened like a rigid piece of wood.