It was a silent night and she enjoyed the silence which was rare in the apocalypse time. Taking a whiff of the non polluted air she felt more happy to have come here after her death. The children were asleep since the journey today had been hectic so they were tired. Looking at their sweaty bodies she decided to find a stream for them to bathe but first she needed buckets.
It was her second day in this world but she was content. Mu Wei would probably wake up tomorrow and she was worried because she knew that she couldn't take out things from her space carelessly anymore or he would suspect her. The space should never be discovered by any cost because you couldn't trust the human heart. As for how she had changed she didn't care if he noticed or not because she couldn't pretend.
As she let her thought wander she felt a sinister gaze on her and instinctively frowned. Turning to meet the gaze she saw it was a burly man with a pair of lewd eyes which made her want to gauge them. She knew it was probably her cart and the fact that she could carry three people alone that attracted the gaze. She turned her head ignored him waiting for him to strike first and finish him off.
She closed her eyes to sleep to be more fit for the journey tomorrow and soon she was asleep. The moonlight reflected on them as the silence continued.
Early the next morning she was awakened by an urge to use the restroom so she excused herself to the forest to do her thing. As she entered a man stood up and sneakily followed suit but the people turned blind eye to it. Such things were common here so they no longer cared but instead stayed to watch the show. That lady was probably doomed because she was alone and defenseless.
It was such a a pity.
Su Xiao did her thing and was about to enter her space but felt someone's presence and hid behind a tree. Soon, she heard the sound of approaching footsteps and saw it was the burly man from last night and she immediately understood his intentions.
Perfect.
She could deal with him and practice her skills. She stepped out from the tree and approached him. Hearing the footsteps behind his back the man turned and seeing her showed a lecherous smile as his gaze roamed her body making her shudder in disgust.
"It's good you are obedient. Come and I will treat you well and not let you suffer any hardship".
Pretending to be afraid she backed a few steps and said
"I will shout for help. Aren't you afraid the ballifs will find out?"
He saw her fearful appearance and was more pleased so when he heard her word he laughed.
"Don't waste your strength beauty no one will come to save you because they don't care if anyone dies".
Hearing his words she removed her facade and scoffed.
"Then I don't need to bother"
The man was confused by change of attitude for a minute before he felt a chill run down his spine. He was about to run but she quickly caught him and immediately dealt blows on him leaving him defenseless and could only scream. She beat him till he was unconscious before throwing him aside and searched his body managing to find only three taels and took it. She took out some water from her space and washed her hands and teeth before taking out some food and spring water then went back.
Seeing coming back unscathed, the other exilled were surprised. They no longer looked at her like an innocent woman after hearing the miserable screams of the man but instead shivered when her gaze met them. Su Xiao was satisfied with her effect of killing the chicken to warn the monkey and went back to her cart. Even before reaching the cart she could already hear the happy chatter of the kids and knew Mu Wei was already awake.
The children were surrounding him as he sat down in a leaning position listening to the chatters of the kids with a smile on his face. Su Xiao felt that the scene in front of her was very harmonious before stepping into the cart. The smile on the man's face disappeared and she could only awkwardly touch her head while cursing him in her heart. She cleared her throat and calmly asked
"You're awake"
"Hm"
Just a faint sound like he couldn't be bother to speak to her. Although annoyed she continued checking his conditions while asking him questions.
"How do you feel?"
"A bit weak"
"That's normal since you have been unconscious for a while"
Seeing that his vitals were fine she relaxed and turned to observe him. His eyes now opened was filled with coldness and calmness like a thousand years glacier and a calm sea with no ripples. His aura was now magnified as he woke up making him seem like a sword that was sheathed ready to strike. He had a commanding and tough aura belonging to people who had shed blood on a battlefield. He was truly deserving of his position as an army commander.
As she observed him, he was doing the same. The woman before him looked more matured and her temperant more fiery. She was like an orchid meant to be admired. Her eyes were no longer looking at him with infatuation that left him disgusted but instead clear indifference which surprised him. She was like a rose covered in thorns not hesitating to hurt anyone who messed with her. Just what could cause such a drastic change in someone overnight.
Unless...
At his guess a hint of darkness flashed through his eyes before disappearing immediately. He couldn't confirm his guess now so he could only wait and see to figure out her intentions. Su Xiao could feel his scrutinizing gaze but remained calm and showing no signs of panic. He was truly observant and sharp which was an admiring quality. Taking advantage of the early morning she took out the mantou from her bags and gave the kids two each and one to Mu Wei. Noticing his questioning look she explained.
"I got it from the guy that was trying to harass me in the bush after beating him up. I also got these silver from him so we can use it to buy things we need like a pot for cooking".
She planned to enter the next city if there was any to buy some of the things they needed. Mu Wei just nodded and began eating his own. Su Xiao couldn't gave him much since he was still recovering and needed something light for now. Watching the elegance at which he ate she secretly marvelled.
Indeed a gentleman.
Noticing her gaze he looked up at her and she met his gaze without being flustered which made his lips curl up in an almost imperceptible smirk.
Interesting.
After eating she folded the blanket as prepared to join the others as they ballifs were already whipping people to wake up. Everyone assembled after packing their things and they started moving.