Chapter 52

The walk from Tanshee Village to the commune was about ten miles, usually taking around an hour on foot. Summer, young and fit, made good time, almost jogging.

Reaching the market, she browsed through the stalls, buying vegetable seedlings and seeds that could be planted now. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, chives, eggplants, and gourds were bought as seedlings, while onions, bok choy, and lettuce were purchased as seeds.

Summer calculated that since she ate little, buying a small amount of each would suffice. For example, two or three pepper and tomato plants would be enough.

After purchasing her seedlings and seeds, Summer looked for chicks. The village had recently held a meeting where an expert explained how to select piglets and chicks.

Taking out her notes, Summer carefully followed the instructions: feel the chick's belly—if it's big and hard, don't take it; check the legs for dry skin—don't take those; hold the chick in your hand—if it doesn't struggle, it's weak and shouldn't be taken; and finally, check the chick's rear—if it's dirty, don't take it.

Using these criteria, Summer selected three healthy chicks. She then bought a simple bamboo cage to carry them.

With her shopping done and the sun climbing higher, Summer left the market, catching the scent of peach pastries as she walked. The delicious aroma made her mouth water.

Glancing at the pastry stall, she hesitated but then thought, "I'm already here, might as well treat myself." Last time she went to the county, she even treated herself to noodles, so this time she wouldn't skimp.

Previously, she would have bought treats for Henry. If she was willing to spend on him, why not on herself?

Seeing she had enough money left, Summer bought a bag of peach pastries and left the market content.

She had walked alone to the market, and now she walked back alone. The route was the same, and with her errands done, she walked at a leisurely pace, kicking stones along the way.

As she kicked a stone, she heard someone call out, "Hey!"

Not recognizing anyone here, she didn't look up and continued walking. But after kicking another stone, she noticed several pairs of legs in front of her.

Looking up, she saw three boys around her age in faded uniforms standing before her.

"Hey! I'm talking to you," the boy in the middle said.

Summer glanced at them warily. "What do you want?"

The boy on the left smiled, "You looked lonely, so we thought we'd make friends. Judging by your accent and clothes, you're not from around here. You must be a city girl, right?"

These boys were clearly local troublemakers. Summer felt a pang of anxiety but kept her expression and voice steady, "My house is just ahead. I'm almost there."

She took a step back, planning to go around them, but they blocked her path, laughing.

The boy on the right dropped his friendly pretense, "We don't really need friends. We need money and ration tickets. Hand them over, and we'll let you pass."

Summer's heart raced. She knew she couldn't overpower them and that fighting would only make things worse.

Swallowing her fear, she held up the bag of peach pastries. "I don't have money or tickets left, but I have these pastries. Will that do?"

The smell of the pastries made their eyes light up. The boy in the middle reached out to take them, but a hand suddenly appeared from the side, snatching the bag away before he could.

Startled, Summer and the boys turned to see Logan holding the pastries.

The boys didn't recognize Logan. The one on the left scowled, "Who the hell are you? How dare you take our stuff! Do you know who we are?"

Logan handed the pastries back to Summer, his voice cold, "I don't care who you are, and you don't deserve to know who I am. You have three seconds to get lost."

The boys laughed, thinking they could easily take on one guy. They cracked their knuckles and moved to surround him.

Before they could react, Logan pulled an axe from his backpack. With a swift, decisive motion, the axe blade gleamed in the sunlight as it swung toward the boy on the left, stopping just short of his ear and embedding itself in a nearby tree trunk.

The boy's face went white, and his legs buckled. His companions, equally terrified, backed away.

"Shit," they muttered. They had never seen anyone so fierce in Clearwater Town.

Summer, less brave than the boys, was even more frightened. When Logan swung the axe, she shut her eyes tightly, cringing in fear.

Logan calmly pulled the axe from the tree. "Get lost, or do I need to repeat myself?"

The boys bolted like scared rabbits, dragging their paralyzed friend with them. Thirty feet away, the boy finally found his voice, "My ear, is it still there?"

His friends assured him it was, but he still touched it to make sure, then burst into tears.

Summer, eyes still shut, slowly opened them to find the boys gone and Logan already walking away.

Her heart still pounding, she took a deep breath and followed at a distance, her steps unsteady.

After a few moments, Logan stopped and turned around. "Why are you trailing so far behind? Want to get mugged again?"

Summer swallowed hard, her voice trembling, "Didn't you tell me not to follow you?"

Logan: "…"

He turned back, continuing to walk. "Do whatever you want. It's not like it'll hurt me."

Summer stood there, processing his words. He didn't mind if she followed or not. Either way, it wouldn't bother him.

Taking a deep breath, Summer hurried to catch up, walking beside him.