At this moment, the young wives and maidens of the village gathered around, pulling Si Jiuyue into casual conversation.
Si Jiuyue smiled and responded to each of them in turn, telling everyone that she and her family lived nearby and that she would introduce them when the opportunity arose. Mrs. Huang, the most warm-hearted woman in the village, held her hand and chatted away, her message ultimately boiling down to one thing: if they ever needed anything, they should let her and the others know, and they would have her back.
Looking at their simple, honest faces, Si Jiuyue was reminded of the laborers during the War of Resistance. Though they were famished and their faces showed signs of edema, once they settled down, their spirit and vitality were remarkable. She learned a great deal more about the group: two-fifths of them came from the same village, and most shared the surname Huang; the others were mostly people Shen Yan had rescued along the road. Even though they came from different places, they were exceptionally united. Both the Old Village Chief and Shen Yan had repeatedly told everyone that only by standing together as one could they survive; relying on individual strength in these chaotic times was an impossibility. Both the elders and the young men agreed with this sentiment wholeheartedly.
Chapter 342