Scout

At noon, the sunlight blazed like fire, and hoof-raised dust drifted like snow across the desolate Gobi.

As she raced away, two arrows flew over her head and struck the ground a yard ahead.

Ning Ge straightened up and gently tightened the reins, gradually bringing her horse to a stop.

Ta Xue was a fine horse. She didn't want it to die with her.

She turned her horse around and looked expressionlessly at the group that had chased her for ten miles.

To her surprise, they didn't look like government soldiers sent to capture her.

When they drew near, Wen Qing removed his veiled hat, revealing a handsome, refined face flushed red by the heat. He called out admiringly, "Young brother, you're an excellent rider."

Ta Xue nervously pawed the ground with a forehoof. Ning Ge watched Wen Qing, who looked like a handsome young scholar, with icy eyes. She turned slightly sideways, one hand resting on the hilt of the short knife at her waist.

Wen Qing continued, "Would you mind stepping aside to talk?"

Ning Ge rode beside him, and they moved off to one side.

Wen Qing looked her over. The young woman was dressed as a man, with a strong build, bold brows, and large eyes. Her gaze was resolute and unwavering. At first glance, it was hard to tell her sex.

Smiling, he asked, "What do you do for a living these days, brother? Would you be willing to enlist and serve as a scout?"

Ning Ge stared at him in surprise. "A scout?"

Wen Qing nodded. "That's right."

"You chased me just to recruit me as a scout?"

"Your horse is good, and your riding is even better. I wanted to talk with you, but I couldn't catch up. Please forgive me for the abrupt approach." Wen Qing apologized with impeccable courtesy.

"But I..." Ning Ge began, then stopped.

Wen Qing smiled, his gaze clear as a spring. "You want to say that you're a woman, so how could you be a scout? And what if you are a woman? I'm a scholar with hardly any strength, yet I can serve as a soldier. Why can't a woman be a scout?"

Ning Ge looked straight into his eyes. "But I'm not only a woman. I'm also a wanted criminal. I've killed people."

Wen Qing said, "That makes it even better. A scout needs not only superb riding skills, but also courage and grit."

Ning Ge fell silent.

Wen Qing waited quietly under the blazing sun for a moment, then asked, "Are you in or not?"

Ning Ge said, "I'm in."

Theme: Serve the country with unwavering loyalty.