Zhang Nu nodded after hearing the village elder's words. They would indeed visit the young man's home as planned.
After leaving the elder's house, Zhang Nu and Liu Hai both let out a long sigh of relief. It felt as if the oppressive tension they had been under while inside had finally lifted.
“Did you feel it too?” Liu Hai asked. “That strange pressure in Granny’s house? It was like something was pushing us to speak quickly and leave as soon as possible.”
Liu Hai couldn’t shake off the odd sense of discomfort he’d felt in the house, which was why he had been eager to leave. Zhang Nu nodded in agreement, sharing a similar sentiment. The elder’s house didn’t seem as simple as it appeared on the surface.
If Zhang Nu hadn’t been mistaken, he sensed that there was no one inside the house when they arrived. Even so, the elder claimed she had been there the entire time. Why had she lied? What was she hiding? How many secrets did this village hold?
“This village has so many mysteries,” Zhang Nu said thoughtfully. “But I have a feeling we’re getting closer to the truth. Let’s focus on the young man first and figure out his story.”
Liu Hai nodded, and the two set off toward the southeast part of the village, where the village elder said the young man lived. When they arrived, they found themselves standing before a dilapidated hut, barely holding together.
“This must be his house,” Liu Hai said, looking at the rundown structure. “It’s so pitiful... Granny wasn’t lying when she said his life was hard.”
Zhang Nu, however, immediately gave Liu Hai a light punch on the arm. “Don’t pity someone’s life just because it looks difficult to you. What you see as hardship, others might see as something they cherish.”
Liu Hai nodded, realizing the wisdom in Zhang Nu’s words. Still, he couldn’t help but notice how cold and distant Zhang Nu seemed at times.
The two approached the small house, knocking lightly on the door. “Is anyone home?” Zhang Nu called out.
They waited for a moment before they heard the sound of movement inside. Shortly after, the door creaked open, and the young man they had seen at the funeral appeared. The young man looked at Zhang Nu and Liu Hai with mild surprise, but his expression quickly returned to one of indifference. It was clear he had no interest in their visit.
“Hello, I’m Zhang Nu,” Zhang Nu greeted him with a polite smile. “I’m here to learn more about the village.”
Despite Zhang Nu’s friendly demeanor, the young man remained unmoved. His tone was cold as he replied, “If you want to know about the village, you should be asking the elder, not me. Just tell me why you’re really here.”
The young man’s sharp intuition caught Zhang Nu off guard. He hadn’t expected such a direct response and briefly hesitated before dropping his pretense.
“We’re here to ask you some questions,” Zhang Nu admitted. “But I assure you, we mean no harm. We’re just investigating some things.”
The young man, seeing Zhang Nu’s straightforwardness, stepped aside and gestured for them to enter. “Fine. Come in. I don’t have much to hide, but if you insist, I’ll answer what I can.”
Zhang Nu and Liu Hai followed him inside the small, sparsely furnished house. It was clear the young man lived a minimalist lifestyle. Once inside, they made themselves comfortable, sitting down uninvited.
The young man leaned against the wall, arms crossed. “Ask whatever you want,” he said flatly. “But don’t expect much. I don’t care about this village, and I don’t know much about it either.”