Beisitian and Luo Xudong went to the brigade together and briefly explained the situation to him. Since the matter was confidential, Beisitian’s own guesses didn’t count, and Luo Xudong couldn’t disclose it explicitly.
However, knowing the general idea was enough for Xu Youcai to report back. He first called the police station to explain the situation and then wrote a report to his superiors.
After discovering Luo Xudong’s identity, the suspicion and defensiveness between the two melted away, but a certain peculiar atmosphere still lingered between them, lacking complete openness and ease.
This atmosphere made people feel a bit tense and awkward, somewhat restrained.
Luo Xudong appeared a bit indifferent in public. When others greeted him, he managed at most a faint smile.
Yet his tall stature, long legs, and extraordinary good looks captivated many young women and married ladies.
In his well-fitted military uniform, he appeared even more imposing. There was no one this dashing and energetic in Kao Village, and even in big cities, you’d scarcely find someone like him!
The two of them attracted attention all the way, with Beisitian bearing the brunt of envious and jealous stares.
Despite that, she couldn’t understand why she felt rather good about it.
When they returned home, Beisitian intended to practice her calligraphy in the western room as usual. Luo Anguo was supervising the finishing touches on the new house, and Luo Xuping was practicing calligraphy in the western room. Upon seeing her return, Luo Xuping came bouncing out.
"Sister, I’ve already written two essays!" Luo Xuping sought praise.
Beisitian gently patted his head, "Sister will practice calligraphy with you later. You go ahead first."
Luo Xuping responded, made a face at Luo Xudong, and then dashed off.
Beisitian couldn’t help but laugh, "Looks like you’re not welcome!~"
Seeing Beisitian’s bright smile, Luo Xudong’s lips curled slightly, "As long as you don’t mind." With that, he walked into the house.
Beisitian’s cheeks immediately flushed. Luo Xudong, just a moment ago so serious, would suddenly tease!
After a brief pause, Beisitian also entered the eastern room, by which time Luo Xudong had finished explaining things.
"Mother, have any of my comrades visited these past years?" Luo Xudong suddenly asked.
Beisitian looked up at him.
"Yes, there was a chief named Qiao who frequently visited and always brought along some good things. A few years ago when our family was poor, Chief Qiao would buy us nice foods from time to time so that we could at least enjoy a couple of full meals," Mrs. Qin recounted, without much bitterness or sorrow.
Luo Xudong’s eyes hardened, "What did he bring? Did he give money?"
"Every time it was different, but things like eggs and cakes were common, and occasionally there’d be a small bag of flour, which was considered a luxury. We wouldn’t eat it casually and only made something during New Year’s or holidays," Mrs. Qin replied with a smile, unaware there was anything amiss, "He didn’t give money, but there’s no reason for him to. We’re not related by blood, and just coming by was already generous! Make sure to thank him properly when you return!"
Luo Xudong didn’t say much more. Seeing Beisitian looking over, he just nodded and then made an excuse to leave.
Beisitian followed him out after a short while.
"Before you went on your mission, Qiao Xianhong visited often, but it’s been once a year in recent years," Beisitian added.
She knew if Luo Xudong brought this up, there must be something concerning about Qiao Xianhong. She already suspected that sending Luo Xudong on dangerous missions would entail that his family received proper care, unlike the state of the Luo Family.
What Beisitian mentioned might seem insignificant, but it was vital. When Luo Xudong ’died,’ he bore a tainted reputation. Even if Qiao Xianhong cherished the camaraderie, he wouldn’t come by several times a year unless guilt-ridden.
Luo Xudong knew that Beisitian understood the implications, and speaking with her was effortless. No elaborate explanations were needed; she grasped the point intuitively. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝕟𝕖𝕥
"Back then, I gave him eight thousand and asked him to give two thousand to my family each year," Luo Xudong revealed.
Beisitian was slightly surprised, "The family didn’t receive a single penny of the eight thousand!"
If they had, the original host couldn’t have been unaware.
Luo Xudong nodded, aware of this issue.
"Apart from this eight thousand, did the family receive the additional two thousand yuan?" Luo Xudong inquired.
The fact that there was an extra two thousand yuan!
"No, after you left for the mission, the family didn’t receive any money!" Beisitian asserted confidently.
A shadow crossed Luo Xudong’s brow. A thousand yuan for settling the family, yet not a single yuan was received!
Was there an issue with his arrangements, or was something lost in the process!
Beisitian made some inquiries to find out about the other two thousand.
"Since it was sent to the brigade, there should be some trace. Unfortunately, it wasn’t Xu Youcai in charge back then, so we’ll need a way to look into the records," Beisitian suggested.
Typically, letters and ordinary items would be sent to the supply and marketing cooperative, while valuable items, as perceived, would be sent to the village brigade, and the person receiving the item would need to register it.
Exchanging a glance with Luo Xudong, they both suddenly thought: did the person who collected it know what was inside!
Otherwise, who would bother to claim a shabby bundle? The notion it held importance was subjective to the parties involved, for most wouldn’t put anything truly valuable inside.
"The possibility is high," Beisitian said.
Seeing the understanding in Luo Xudong’s eyes, she knew he grasped her meaning. Their conversation was naturally synchronized—neither needed to elaborate, just a word sufficed for the other to comprehend.
Luo Xudong also deemed the likelihood high. But if that person knew, how did they come to know since that two thousand yuan was confidential!
As they pondered these issues together, there wasn’t the slightest awkwardness or barrier between them, as harmonious as if they were long-married spouses.
"The one who collected the package should be someone close," Beisitian pointed out another key detail.
Luo Xudong agreed. If they weren’t close, they likely wouldn’t have been able to collect it from the brigade either.
The current system wasn’t foolproof—being able to register at all was an accomplishment. In some village brigades, as long as the visitors were known or were relatives, they could take the items directly.
While casual, it meant strangers or unrelated villagers wouldn’t easily be allowed by the brigade to claim items, forming the basis of their speculation.
"Tomorrow, let’s buy some cigarettes and liquor to visit Director Xu," Beisitian smiled slightly, "Once we can access the records from back then, we’ll find out who it was."
For now, that’s the only course of action.
Luo Xudong’s expression remained calm, determined to retrieve whoever took what was given to them, and ensure it was returned!