The group rummaged through Zhang Wan'er's car but found no food. Their emotions were at a boiling point, and they spoke with red eyes:
"I took a look, there's nothing in the car. Could they have pocketed it themselves?"
"I've seen plenty of abuse of public office for personal gain. Since you're here to provide support, if you don't hand over something today, don't even think about leaving this place!"
"Yeah, why is only the girl getting food and we aren't? Doesn't everyone need these supplies? Aren't we all starving to death?"
Soon, Zhang Wan'er was surrounded. Seeing this, Li Zheming pulled her behind him and said sternly, "What are you doing? Trying to be bandits? I warn you, stay away from us. If we get hurt, none of you will have a good life!"
"Isn't this some young master out here to experience life? Shouting slogans of serving the people, yet engaging in squeezing us. Truly admirable!"
"Brothers, if we want to live, we have to do something big! I advise you to hand over the food obediently. Don't force us to use force, or the consequences won't be so pleasant."
"..."
After speaking, Zhang Wan'er was dragged out by a group of people. Their bloodshot eyes made it seem as if they were about to eat someone. She had never witnessed such a situation and was immediately terrified, bursting into tears.
She subconsciously looked around, trying to find someone to help her, but saw Gu Xingdong and Chen Lishu standing at the periphery, watching their situation with cold indifference.
A surge of resentment burned within her. She bit her lower lip hard and then said, "The things you want are not on us. We are not the only ones sent to support you in Modu. Don't you have any other targets to consider?"
Seeing that Zhang Wan'er refused to reveal the whereabouts of the food, these refugees frowned deeply. Many followed her gaze and saw the girl clutching the food and water tightly.
Indeed, this little bit of food and water could save their lives, giving them at least a better chance of waiting for supplies from other cities.
With this thought, many people stared at the girl with wolf-like eyes. The girl, somewhat fearful, hugged the food in her hands and lowered her head, not daring to meet their gaze. Just as she was about to sneak away, the group pounced on her like ravenous wolves.
"Careful!" Chen Lishu exclaimed, and then grabbed the girl's shoulder, shielding her behind her.
Seeing this, the others shifted their target to Chen Lishu, allowing Zhang Wan'er to escape. A gleam of schadenfreude flashed in her eyes.
These refugees were like madmen now. How dare she come to protect the girl? Even if she didn't die, she'd lose a layer of skin! Just as she was about to get a clear view of Chen Lishu's miserable state, the latter calmly said, "If we want supplies, don't waste time here. We haven't found the place to distribute supplies. None of you will get food, so prepare to starve!"
Hearing her words, everyone stopped in their tracks and swept Chen Lishu with sharp gazes, questioning her sternly, "What do you mean?"
Chen Lishu took a deep breath and said coldly, "With such a small car, we naturally cannot carry supplies. The supplies are delivered by specialized vehicles. Do you understand what I'm saying now?"
"Who knows if you're just using this as an excuse to trick us and then escape? We're starving to death!"
Chen Lishu heard this questioning and shook her head with a smile, "Have you got something wrong? What benefit is there for us to lie to you?
Modu has been experiencing drought for several months. Do you really think we came here for a vacation? Do you have any supplies here now to keep tourists here?
If you still don't believe us, you can waste your time here. But don't say I didn't warn you. If we are not present, supplies will not be distributed. All supplies must be registered, and we are the ones who do the registration!"
Upon hearing Chen Lishu's words, a look of hesitation appeared on the refugees' faces. They exchanged glances, and then someone said,
"Brother Gu, why don't we just let it go? You searched them just now, and there's no food in their car. What's the use of keeping these people?"
"Exactly, Brother Gu. Why don't you let them go and let them distribute supplies for us? If we don't eat soon, we'll really die here."
"..."
Everyone persuaded the man named Gu with one voice. The man named Gu thought what they said made sense. After a moment of hesitation, he said, "Alright, we'll let them go now. But I detest being deceived, so you can leave, but we must follow behind this car to the distribution point!"
This was not a difficult request. Chen Lishu agreed without thinking, "Okay."
Soon, they got back into the car. The car door had already been damaged, making it easier for the refugees to constantly monitor their situation.
If one has a clear conscience, there is nothing to be guilty about. Chen Lishu calmly held the little girl in the car.
Zhang Wan'er, looking quite disheveled after the earlier dispute, saw that Chen Lishu was no different from before, and a feeling of jealousy welled up in her heart.
She feigned a wronged expression and asked in a humble tone, "Why didn't you save us when you were standing outside? Lishu, do you hate us that much? The refugees were like madmen just now, and could have hurt us at any moment. Why didn't you say those words earlier to stop their violent acts?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the quiet car was instantly filled with a different atmosphere.
Li Zheming stared into Chen Lishu's eyes with anger and said, "Yes, didn't you see how critical our situation was?
Gu Xingdong, is this the good wife you found? What heinous crime have we committed to deserve her treating us like this?
You just watched her frame us like this. What does our relationship of so many years mean? If you don't give us a reasonable explanation today, don't blame me for doing something irrational!"
Looking at Li Zheming's indignant and righteous demeanor, Gu Xingdong's brows furrowed tightly, exuding a highly oppressive aura. He said coldly, "How did she frame you? Didn't you all act on your own accord?"