Quick Travel: Save the poor little villain

Chapter 2899 Town Infrastructure Construction in Full Swing 19

News of the recent events in Heping North Town quickly spread to several smaller settlements and homeless camps in the vicinity.

Being able to read, to learn how to read the sky, and to understand the legacy of civilization left behind by the old world—these are unimaginable treasures in the wasteland.

Huo Zhaoye was initially worried about attracting unnecessary trouble, but Jin Chen was right. If Beizhen wanted to truly establish itself and develop, it couldn't just stick to its current small plot of land.

After a final selection process, several towns and camps with good reputations and a willingness to contribute resources were chosen to send a limited number of young people to study.

As a result, the original dilapidated row house school building was immediately inadequate, and building a new school building became an urgent task.

Huo Zhaoye personally led his team to select and plan the site. The new school building was chosen to be located in the eastern part of the town center. At the same time, a new warehouse was also started to be built to store the exchanged supplies.

Beizhen became busier than ever before, and Jinchen naturally became one of the busiest people.

Not only do they have to teach the original students, but they also have to tutor the new students and plan the curriculum after the new school building is completed.

Even with his extraordinary energy, fatigue would occasionally show on his face.

Huo Zhaoye saw this and felt extremely distressed.

He couldn't bear to see Jinchen so tired, but he also knew that it concerned the future of Beizhen and he couldn't stop it.

So, Jin Chen proposed a new plan: select a few of the fastest-learning and most patient young people from Beizhen over the past few months, and he would provide them with intensive training for a period of time, teaching them in different subjects.

Huo Zhaoye immediately took action.

He selected three girls and two boys from among the most diligent and bright young people in Beizhen. They were all in their early twenties, quick-witted, skillful, and, more importantly, had an almost worshipful seriousness towards what Jin Chen taught them.

Jin Chen had 999 prepare a lot of basic lesson plans, which, while not as good as Zero Egg Intelligence, were sufficient.

These young people studied with great eagerness and were extremely respectful to Jin Chen.

With their help in sharing the burden of basic teaching and leading practical activities, Jinchen's pressure was greatly reduced.

However, as Beizhen's reputation grew, Jinchen's name also became increasingly well-known.

Besides those who come here to study seriously, there are always other motives.

That day, Huo Zhaoye had just returned from inspecting the new school building construction site and wanted to visit Jinchen and bring over the pancakes that Aunt Fang had made. He saw several strangers gathered outside the small courtyard where Jinchen was temporarily staying.

They weren't from Beizhen, and their clothes were neater than those of ordinary refugees, suggesting they came from some small base nearby. The leader was a young woman who looked up and spoke to Jin Chen.

“…Mr. Jin, this is a small token of our leader’s appreciation. Thank you for taking in two children from our camp.” The girl was a little shy, but poised and graceful.

Jin Chen stood inside the threshold, his tone of refusal cold and indifferent.

The girl didn't seem to mind his coldness and was about to say something when someone who had come with her gently pulled her away.

Huo Zhaoye stood in the shadow of the earthen wall not far away, holding a still-warm pancake in his hand, looking jealous.

This is not the first time.

Recently, some people from small neighborhoods have been using the guise of sending their children to school or expressing gratitude to send Jinchen gifts in various ways.

Eggs, dried meat, and fresh fruit go without saying; some even sent highly sought-after supplies. Others, with their quick thinking, sent young women who were pretty and thoughtful about the gifts they brought.

Several young people in the town who were familiar with Huo Zhaoye often teased him in private.

"Hey, do you guys think Teacher Jin might be poached by someone? I've heard that several places are offering really good terms: a private house, guards, and plenty of food..."

Every time he heard such comments, Huo Zhaoye's face remained expressionless, but his heart was filled with mixed feelings, a bittersweet mix of emotions, and a nameless anger.

He knew Jin Chen wasn't that kind of person, but seeing those young girls, and even some men, surrounding Jin Chen, giving him gifts and with eager eyes, he couldn't control his irritation. Even smoking three cigarettes couldn't hide his irritation.

Huo Zhaoye was jealous, but he couldn't say it outright, so he could only keep a closer eye on Jin Chen.

Whenever outsiders came to deliver something, he would always happen to be there. He would either stand aside expressionlessly, dissuading them with his eyes, or simply take the item, thank Jin Chen on her behalf, and then send the person away with a few words.

I started going to Jinchen's place more often in the evenings, and I always made up a few excuses to cover it up.

Jin Chen saw right through his little schemes and just found it amusing.

Lord Huo, who usually appears imposing and authoritative, is surprisingly adorable when he's jealous, acting all awkward and quirky.

That day, another person in charge from a small camp in the west came to find Jin Chen. In addition to the agreed supplies, he also brought a small jar of precious wild forest honey.

Huo Zhaoye arrived "coincidentally" again, standing behind Jin Chen with a dark face, his gaze fixed intently on the jar of honey.

Jin Chen thanked him and casually mentioned, "The tobacco that Chief Li sent last time was very good. My lord said it was good after smoking it."

As she spoke, she glanced back at Huo Zhaoye, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Huo Zhaoye: "..."

When did he ever smoke this man's tobacco?

He had clearly accidentally thrown that packet of tobacco into the stove and burned it.

Chief Li's eyes lit up. "We still have some! We'll definitely bring more next time!"

There will be another time.

Huo Zhaoye's face darkened even more.

After finally seeing off the enthusiastic leader, Huo Zhaoye grabbed Jin Chen's wrist, pulled him into the house, closed the door, and spoke in a harsh tone.

Why are you bringing up tobacco leaves?

Jin Chen let him pull her along, blinked, and looked completely innocent. "I'm just stating the facts."

"I didn't smoke at all!" Huo Zhaoye gritted his teeth.

"Oh?"

Jin Chen raised an eyebrow slightly, his fingertips gently brushing against the back of Huo Zhaoye's hand that was tightly gripping his wrist, and said slowly, "Then maybe you remembered wrong. Perhaps it was given by Chief Wang? Or Mayor Zhao?"

"I've received so many gifts lately, I'm getting confused."

Huo Zhaoye: "..."

He knew Jin Chen was doing it on purpose, but he just couldn't resist taking the bait.

Huo Zhaoye took a step closer and pinned Jin Chen against the door. "You did this on purpose."

Jin Chen continued, "These past few days, Lord Huo has been looking at me like that... Is it because he thinks I've accepted too many things and caused trouble for Beizhen? If so, I'll just return them all tomorrow."

He lowered his eyelashes, revealing a genuine sense of loneliness.

"I did not mean that."

Huo Zhaoye hurriedly explained, loosening his grip on Jin Chen's wrist and gently stroking it, "Take those things if you want, Beizhen doesn't lack them. I am..."

I can't stand seeing others fawn over you.

The words rolled around in Huo Zhaoye's throat a few times, but he still couldn't bring himself to say them, his ears turning red from holding it in.

Jin Chen looked up at him through the gap in her eyelashes, "What does Lord Huo mean by that?"

Huo Zhaoye's heart raced as he looked at him, and he wanted to shut that mouth that always said infuriating things, yet always made him soften his heart completely.

Jin Chen turned her head away, only letting him kiss her cheek.

"Did I say that you can't kiss me unless you say something?"

Jin Chen pushed him away, walked to the table, picked up the jar of honey, opened it, and smelled it. "This honey is of good quality. I'll keep it to make a drink with water."

Huo Zhaoye resignedly walked over, gently wrapped his arms around Jin Chen's waist from behind, and rested his chin on Jin Chen's neck. "...Whatever you want."

"But from now on, laugh less with those people."