Chapter 26: The First Encounter

  If Yang Wei hadn't taken Yingzi to the fair, if Yingzi hadn't wanted to stroll around the market that time, perhaps their lives would have continued on like this, perhaps they would have joined some sports team, perhaps after a few years they would have gone to take the university entrance exams, and then that war would have had nothing to do with them. But all of this is just speculation, things still happened, and their lives were changed.

  "This was the first thing Yingzi saw, so it should be given to her first. You can buy one later." "Little sister, this hair clip doesn't suit you, you're too young. Why don't you let your older sister have it?"

  "Who's smaller, who's smaller? Look at your skinny appearance, can you hold up this hairpin?" Yang Wei was taking Yingzi to stroll around the market when Yingzi saw a hairpin and actually got into an argument with a thin little girl.

  Actually, Yingzi wasn't being stubborn on purpose, but because the other person said she was too young, that's when she started to care and wouldn't let it go.

  "Yingzi, okay, don't argue anymore, just give it to this young lady." No matter who was right or wrong, this little kid had already grabbed the hair clip, and it wasn't worth Yang Wei making a fuss over. Besides, Yingzi had only been interested in the hair clip on a whim anyway.

  "Alright then, miss, this flower belongs to you now, Yingzi doesn't want it." Yingzi still listened to Yang Wei's words and handed the flower over to the girl with a sad face.

  Yang Wei, on the other hand, was sizing up this little girl. Although she looked rather frail and should be around 12 or 13 years old, it seemed that she lacked nutrition, which would explain her condition. However, behind her were two young men, who appeared to be soldiers upon closer inspection.

  Yang Wei was right, this girl is a little princess in a new team, she was born and raised in the army, naturally, because of her familiarity with some high-level leaders, she is also more arrogant, especially since she is the only girl in the team.

  This girl's name is Xia Xue, her father and mother were both members of the Eighth Route Army. Her mother died after giving birth to her due to lack of medicine during a Japanese sweep operation. Her father also sacrificed himself while rescuing comrades in another Japanese sweep operation. The comrade he rescued was grateful to his father and took care of Xia Xue, later her uncle found her and naturally joined the troop as well, so this little girl had many relatives, not only an uncle but also some soldier uncles.

  The girl grew up slowly in the team, and this year, when her uncle was about to arrange for her to go to a local place, before taking action, the team received an order again, so she had to take her with them to this place. Naturally, the girl was very mischievous, climbing trees and houses in the army, which earned her the nickname "annoying person". She was protected by an uncle, and even her own uncle was helpless about her, but because of her father's reason, she couldn't be punished.

  Especially when she wants to go out, someone has to take care of her, which means following behind her and being careful not to offend anyone.

  "Little sister, I don't want it anymore, you take it." "Miss, give it to you instead, Yingzi doesn't want it." That, Xia Xue's stubbornness came out, and she actually started pushing and letting go with Yingzi. Maybe that's what she thought in her heart.

  "This little girl actually gave in to me, where can I put my face?" These two children were purely arguing with each other for the sake of face, and since they didn't have peers to play with when they were young, their self-esteem was easily hurt.

  Suddenly, Yang Wei discovered that the peddler on the side had a smile at the corner of his mouth. Yang Wei was suddenly enlightened - he was watching the excitement. Originally, there weren't many people coming to buy things here. In this era, people were busy solving their basic needs, who would care about face-saving problems like hair accessories? It's rare for someone to stay by his small stall, so let's take a good look at the excitement and do some advertising for him.

  "Boss, you still have this kind of flower here, right? If not, you two can each take one and stop pushing each other around. What, don't say you don't have any, if you say you don't have any, then we won't even want this one." Just as the peddler was about to say something, Yang Wei saw that he was going to say they didn't have any, so Yang Wei immediately shut him up with a single sentence.

  "Ah, ah, you two little girls, one with each of you, really beautiful. Of course, this small vendor found that Yang Wei had already understood his meaning, and there were also many people gathered around."

  She then casually took out another hairpin and gave one each to Yingzi and the other person.

  "Ladies, come and buy some small accessories, whether it's for yourself or as a gift for your kids or friends, they're all great things. Look at these two little girls, aren't they lovely with the hair clips on?"

  This little vendor is quite clever, taking advantage of the situation to advertise, truly a talented person. As expected, people nearby started squatting down to take a look.

  "Miss, come to our house to play, we have many companions at home. Look, this is my brother Wei, and this is...". The two of them actually quarreled out an invitation, and Yingzi opened her mouth and shouted for Xia Xue to go to their house to play.

  "Little sister, is your home far from here?" As soon as the words were spoken, Xia Xue's heart began to move. She knew that there was someone behind her who was protecting her, and besides, these few children didn't seem like bad people either. So she really started thinking about following Yingzi to play, you know, a child looking for companions can't afford to be hurt.

  Recently, Xia Xue had just found a few partners, but as soon as the team was adjusted, she didn't have any partners again. Looking at this situation, it's unlikely that the team will be adjusted again, so naturally, she needs to find partners nearby.

  "Comrade Xia Xue, you'd better not play with the local kids, or the chief might get unhappy." Sure enough, Yang Wei wasn't mistaken, and that little warrior behind him came up to stop him.

  "You go back and tell my uncle that I've found a partner, and I'm going to play with them." Xia Xueba said, then turned around and left with Yingzi.

  "Little sister, what's your name? My name is Xia Xue." "Ah, Sister Xia Xue, my name is Yingzi. But why are you called Xia Xue, why not Xia Yu?"

  "This, this, Yingzi's sister, your question is too profound, I have no way to answer."