Zhang Nu wasn’t entirely sure about the situation within the village. If they revealed their suspicions to the villagers, would they immediately confront the young man? If their assumptions were wrong, it would unfairly bring harm upon him.
“We definitely need to ask the elder about that young man’s identity,” Zhang Nu said thoughtfully. “But we absolutely cannot share our suspicions with her yet. The elder would definitely lose her composure and confront him immediately. If it turns out we’re wrong, then we’d be causing him needless trouble.”
Liu Hai nodded, understanding Zhang Nu’s concerns. Since Zhang Nu had already voiced these reservations, there was no need to make things harder for him.
“Don’t worry,” Liu Hai reassured him. “I know how to handle this.”
Zhang Nu acknowledged him with a nod, and the two stood quietly by the children’s remains, offering their silent condolences.
Meanwhile, the young man in question had noticed the way Zhang Nu and Liu Hai kept glancing at him. However, their attention didn’t bother him. He merely assumed their lingering gazes were because of his expression, which might have stood out amidst the sea of grief.
He understood why they might find his reaction unusual. But to him, mourning was unnecessary. In his mind, the children were better off, having escaped the misery of the village.
He regarded the village with bitterness, seeing nothing but darkness. To him, it was a wretched place, undeserving of blessings and fit only for destruction. The man’s deeply entrenched resentment was shocking, especially given that this village was the very place that had raised him. What could have caused him to harbor such hatred for his own people? Zhang Nu and Liu Hai, unaware of his thoughts, couldn’t begin to fathom the depths of his bitterness.
After the gathering dispersed, Zhang Nu knew it was time to start investigating in earnest. Liu Hai, now his close companion, would be with him every step of the way.
“What’s our next move, Zhang Nu?” Liu Hai asked. “Should we start by looking into that young man?”
Zhang Nu shook his head. “Starting with him might not lead us anywhere. I’m more curious about the village chief. Why hasn’t he stepped in? If the chief were involved, these matters would have been resolved much faster. Doesn’t he have a reputation for being all-knowing when it comes to the village?”
Liu Hai sighed. “The village chief hasn’t given any specific guidance this time. All I’ve heard is that he wants the villagers to start thinking for themselves.”
“He hasn’t said anything? That’s strange,” Zhang Nu replied, frowning. “The village chief is known for guiding the people in times of trouble. Why would he choose not to act now?”
“No idea,” Liu Hai said with a shrug. “But this time, he’s been clear about wanting the villagers to learn self-reliance. His decision not to intervene has caused quite a bit of resentment among the people.”
Zhang Nu nodded knowingly. “That makes sense. When people grow dependent on someone or something, they tend to turn bitter the moment that support is withdrawn. They forget that no one owes them help.”
“Exactly,” Liu Hai agreed. “The villagers have taken the chief’s help for granted for so long. And now that he’s chosen not to step in, they’ve started cursing him. If this continues, who knows what they might do to him in the future.”
Liu Hai’s disillusionment with the villagers was palpable. “Apart from the village elder and a few of the older folks, I’m starting to think no one in this village is worth much.”
“You’re probably right,” Zhang Nu said. “That’s why the chief wants to push them to think for themselves. But now that the chief has stepped back, where do we even begin our investigation?”
After a brief pause, Zhang Nu made his decision. “Let’s start by talking to the elder again.”