Chapter 104: Once Disloyal

Although the notification had been issued, everyone was whispering among themselves upon returning. It was then that Jiang Huan made a high-profile move, ordering Liu Ling to withdraw a large portion of supplies. Regardless of who asked why so much was being taken, Liu Ling wouldn't say a word. Instead, she would put on an expression of wanting to speak but holding back, then sigh and shake her head, saying, "Jiang Huan really has no choice."

Filled with extreme confusion and bewilderment, the group endured until six-thirty the next morning. Jiang Huan had already risen and eaten breakfast with Jiang Xi. Because the temperature had dropped significantly and was now hovering above freezing, she didn't wear her thick outer coat, making her look like she had shed a layer of weight. Jiang Huan gathered everyone, and with each person carrying a load, they headed down the mountain.

Only upon reaching the gates of the base, amidst the persistent questions and curiosity of her team, did Jiang Huan sigh. "I know that everyone feels sympathy for the survivors at the base and has even been discussing this topic behind my back. So, to ensure you don't carry this burden in your hearts, I have simply decided to follow the suggestions of the team members and bring these supplies down to provide relief to the base. Let's go. This is what you all wanted, isn't it?"

With that, ignoring their protests, she forced them to deliver the supplies to the people at the base.

The base was currently in a state of panic due to dwindling supplies. Seeing people bring aid, rather than expressing gratitude, they complained that the group hadn't come sooner to share the abundance they enjoyed outside.

"Wait, we brought you these things, scraping them together from our own rations, and this is the attitude we get?"

"If I’d known, I would have thrown them into the water just to hear the splash instead of giving them to you! Give them back! We aren't giving them anymore!"

"How can this be? We didn't want to bring these out at all. If we give them away, what are we going to eat later?"

"Everything was fine, so how did we end up doing this? Who exactly suggested we should provide relief to the people down the mountain?"

"We are only being looked after by Jiang Huan ourselves; who has the nerve to think about saving the whole world?"

"I have a feeling it was Doctor Bai. She’s been saying things like this for days."

"Doctor Bai? Where is Doctor Bai?"

"She seems to have disappeared as soon as we entered the base."

Listening to their chatter, Jiang Huan smiled. She wanted to catch them off guard. She didn't care if her tactics were ruthless; she wouldn't tolerate this kind of "saintly" behavior in a team she had built from the ground up, especially when Liu Ling was the only one reporting the situation to her.

It was the comfort she provided that had made these people soft, giving them the leisure to pity others. If this continued, it wasn't hard to imagine them eventually thinking, "Jiang Huan is so cold-blooded," "Why is she so indifferent to people's suffering?" or "They are so pitiful; if she won't lend a hand, will she treat us the same way later?"

She was no cruel demon, nor was she opposed to offering help when she had the means and the timing was right. But it had to be her own choice, born from her own heart, something she was willing to do—not something she was coerced into or expected to do.

What in this world is ever "owed"? Hmph.

Monkey and his group of children had come over to watch. Jiang Huan thought for a moment, then beckoned him over and gave him two rice balls filled with meat floss and wrapped in sesame seaweed. Monkey devoured one with delight and tucked the other away. "Thank you, Sister Jiang. What are you looking for this time?"

"Keep an eye out for any doctors with good reputations and skills. If you find any, send them up the mountain. But keep this quiet—don't let too many people know. Observe them first to see if they're reliable. Also, I'll take midwives or retired health workers, men or women in their forties or fifties with pharmacy experience. I’m not picky about age or gender."

Monkey nodded, indicating he would get on it immediately. After walking a few steps, he turned back. "Sister Jiang, when I was watching earlier, I saw one of your people—that woman—run off to our base's administrative office."

Jiang Huan paused. Even an outsider child could see the trickery behind this farce.

"You're very smart. If one day things get too hard and you can't hold on, you can come up to the mountain. But I’m only taking you."

Monkey's eyes instantly turned red. He took a deep breath. As the leader of a group of children, this was the first time an adult had shown such partiality and expressed that they valued him. And all he had been doing was his best to provide labor in exchange for the rewards Jiang Huan was willing to give.

Monkey couldn't bring himself to look at Jiang Huan anymore. He muttered a "thank you" and turned to run.

After the supply relief, which served as a test of human nature, ended, Jiang Huan noticed that everyone looked embarrassed. She waved her hand. "I suppose it wasn't enough? But our supplies have already been reduced by a fifth. If we keep giving, you'll only be able to eat one meal a day. Unless, of course, you still want to save them—"

"No, no, no! We don't!"

"Miss Jiang, who on earth was so disgusting and malicious? Don't they know that every bit of our supplies was earned through hard work up and down the mountain? We put in dozens of times more labor than these people down here! Even we only eat twice a day!"

"Whoever suggested this should use their own share. Don't be generous with everyone else's resources. If you have the ability, save them yourself!"

Jiang Huan asked with feigned uncertainty, "Are you sure? Have you really thought it through? Won't you lose sleep or feel distressed in your hearts?"

"I only lose sleep and feel distressed when I can't eat! I, Old Zhang, will say it right now: from now on, if anyone utters a 'saintly' word, I’ll be the first to slap them!"

The timing was remarkably coincidental; Bai Weishang returned empty-handed, her face still flushed with a lingering pink glow. She looked excited. Jiang Huan curled her lips but said nothing, simply organizing everyone to return.

After dinner, as was her habit, Bai Weishang told the few people she was close to about how many people at the base had thanked them. She thought to herself that the leaders felt she had done a great job—that everyone needed to unite and help each other to survive longer—and they had even agreed that once she convinced everyone to leave the air-raid shelter, she could return to serve as a deputy director.

She had expected to hear agreement, but to her surprise, no one followed suit. Instead, they looked at her with dissatisfied eyes.

"Doctor Bai, if you feel so much pity for them, why don't you eat one meal a day from now on? You could save them a meal every day. Oh, and your toilet paper allowance is unlimited, right? Why don't you use less and save the rest to help the survivors down the mountain?"

"What are you talking about? Is that all Doctor Bai strives for? The weather isn't that cold anymore; surely Doctor Bai will pack up her bedding and take it down the mountain next time."

One remark after another, the group—much like jaded fans turning on an idol—sharply stung the doctor with their words.

Bai Weishang's heart skipped a beat. She looked toward Jiang Huan at the entrance of the cave. She didn't even know why she looked at her.

Jiang Huan wasn't looking at her; she was talking to Xie Li. Xie Li, who used to be the most afraid of Jiang Huan, was now holding her hand, her expression one of pure gratitude, her eyes overflowing with worship and respect.

What on earth had happened?

Jiang Huan, having finished speaking with Xie Li about looking for experienced midwives and health workers, received a string of thanks from her. She sensed Bai Weishang's gaze and looked over.

She mouthed a single sentence:

"Betray my trust once, and you are never to be used again."

Seeing the words, Bai Weishang's face turned deathly pale.