Exiled!? Ha! I have An Infinite Space-Chapter 30: REVENGE? FOR WHAT EXACTLY? 1

While we were all getting ready to move, a group of people suddenly appeared from behind.

There were five guards with them, dressed the same way as the head guard and his men. They walked forward quickly and stopped in front of the head guard. All five guards bowed respectfully.

One of them stepped forward and spoke. "These are newly exiled individuals from the capital. We’re glad we were able to catch up with you."

The head guard looked them over carefully, then nodded. His expression didn’t change much, as if this was not the first time such a thing had happened.

The new group stood quietly behind their guards. Their clothes were neat, but their faces looked tense and tired, clearly not ready for the road ahead. Some of them glanced around nervously, while others kept their heads lowered.

The head guard gave a short order, and his men adjusted the line to make space.

"Fall in," he said plainly.

The new exiles moved into place, joining the rest of us.

I watched them for a moment, then turned my attention back to our family. With everything ready and everyone finally gathered, the order to move came again.

The line began to move forward under the watch of the guards.

After about two hours, fatigue started to show. Feet dragged, shoulders slumped, and stomachs began to ache. The dry buns from the morning were long gone, and hunger returned quickly.

Seeing this, the head guard raised his hand and ordered a stop.

"Rest here," he said.

Everyone was too tired to react loudly. We all sat down where we were, some leaning against bundles, others forming small groups with their own families.

Once everyone had settled, I opened one of our bundles and brought out the boiled potatoes. They were still warm. I had cooked ten in total.

I handed one to each of the boys first. Little Jin and Little Jun took them with bright eyes, holding the warm potatoes carefully as they ate.

Then I shared the rest among the others, making sure everyone had at least a portion.

While we were eating, Fu Sheng came over and passed around fruit from the baskets he had gathered earlier. Mangoes, apples, and oranges were handed out, helping to fill our stomachs a little more.

The mood eased slightly as people ate.

Not far away, Fu Li sat quietly, watching us.

Fu Li sat on the ground with her knees pulled close, watching us eat. Her stomach hurt badly, the empty ache making her feel dizzy. She looked away, then back again, unable to stop herself.

That was when Fu Jia walked over.

She didn’t sit too close at first. She just stood there, arms folded, watching for a moment before speaking.

"So," Fu Jia said softly, "you didn’t get any potatoes?"

Fu Li stiffened. "That’s none of your business."

Fu Jia smiled faintly and lowered herself to sit beside her. "I just find it unfair," she said. "Everyone else is eating warm food and fruit, while you sit here hungry."

Fu Li clenched her hands. "I don’t need her charity."

Fu Jia tilted her head. "Charity? Is that what you think this is?"

She glanced toward our group, then back at Fu Li. "Did you notice how she handed the food out? Like she was in charge. Like she owned everything."

Fu Li’s lips pressed together.

"Before she came," Fu Jia continued, her voice calm, "your family never had to beg for food from her. Now look. Everyone listens to Su Longjie. Even Fu Sheng follows her words."

"That’s not true," Fu Li said, but her voice wavered.

Fu Jia leaned closer. "Isn’t it? She tells people where to go, what to eat, who does what. Today it’s potatoes. Tomorrow it’ll be decisions about the family."

Fu Li’s stomach growled painfully.

Fu Jia noticed and smiled slightly. "You’re hungry, yet she didn’t even look your way. Isn’t that strange? Or maybe she wanted you to feel this way."

Fu Li turned sharply. "She wouldn’t—"

"Wouldn’t she?" Fu Jia cut in gently. "Think about it. If everyone depends on her, what place do you have left?"

Fu Li stayed silent.

Fu Jia stood up slowly. "I’m just worried about you. If you don’t protect yourself now, you’ll be pushed aside completely."

She brushed the dust from her clothes and added quietly, "Hunger today is nothing. Being ignored forever is worse."

Fu Jia turned around and began to walk away, as if the conversation was already over.

But just then, Fu Li suddenly stood up.

"W-Wait," she said, her voice unsteady.

Fu Jia stopped and slowly turned back.

Fu Li’s hands were twisting together in front of her, her fingers fidgeting without control. She looked back toward her family for a moment, then her eyes moved unwillingly toward Su Longjie. Her lips pressed together tightly before she finally looked back at Fu Jia.

"What you said just now..." Fu Li hesitated, then forced the words out. "Do you already have a plan?"

For a moment, Fu Jia did not answer.

Then, a slow smile appeared on her face. It was calm, but there was something sharp hidden beneath it.

"Of course," Fu Jia said quietly.

Fu Li’s eyes widened slightly. "You really do?"

Fu Jia stepped closer and lowered her voice so no one else could hear. "Do you think I would speak like that without knowing what I’m doing?"

Fu Li swallowed hard. Her chest felt tight, but she nodded slowly.

"I don’t want things to stay like this," she said in a low voice. "I don’t want to be ignored."

Fu Jia’s smile deepened. "Then you must be patient. Plans like this take time."

"I can wait," Fu Li replied quickly.

Fu Jia nodded. "Good. When the time comes, you will need to listen to me and do exactly what I say."

Fu Li hesitated for a short moment, then nodded again, this time with more resolve.

"...Alright."