"Uncle, when the time comes, just cover the wild boar with some branches. No one comes to this end of Nameless Creek; no one should see it." Chiang Xiao wasn’t worried about hiding the wild boar at the foot of the mountain. Villagers rarely crossed Nameless Creek, and a small hill in front prevented anyone from seeing this side.
"I understand, I’ll come back as soon as possible," Xu Linjiang tightened the rope on his shoulder, "Dad, Little, be careful up in the mountains."
Ge Dejun waved his hand, "Hurry on."
Xu Linjiang dragged the wild boar down the mountain. Chiang Xiao watched his retreating figure and could tell he was really struggling; he probably would have red marks from the rough ropes on his shoulders by evening.
But Xu Linjiang still seemed quite happy.
"Little, follow me. Don’t run off," Ge Dejun prepared to harvest ferns and still cautioned her uneasily.
Chiang Xiao immediately responded cheerfully.
The two began to gather ferns and wood ear mushrooms.
Meanwhile, at the Chiang family’s home, a visitor had arrived.
It was noon, and the village was basking in the outside warmth. The villagers, having labored all morning and eaten their lunch, were all taking tired naps. The village was quiet, with even some households’ yard dogs lazily sprawling in the shade with droopy ears.
The local storeowner, Old Li, was engrossed in a tattered-covered book he held in his hands.
He could only recognize a few characters, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying the pictures—it was a comic book, after all.
Only, the content of this comic book was not suitable for children. He had picked it up from a night market bookstall on a trip to the county town. He had three or four of them and had leafed through them so much they were falling apart, but he still revisited them from time to time.
When he got to the exciting parts, Old Li would laugh in a rather lewd manner.
Just then, a loud voice outside the store startled him so much that he shuddered, and the book dropped to the floor with a slap.
"Fellow villager, could you please tell me how to get to Chiang Songhai’s home?"
Old Li looked up to see a Supervisor Guard wearing a uniform and hat, with a round and fair face, looking at him.
Why would a Supervisor Guard be looking for Chiang Songhai?
Old Li didn’t dare to delay and promptly gave directions, after which he asked with caution, "Supervisor Guard, what do you need Chiang Songhai for?"
The visitor was Zhao Xin.
At first, when he saw the small village’s storeowner so earnestly engrossed in reading, he admired him deeply, thinking he was studying. But when the book fell to the ground and he got a glimpse of the illustrations, his face flushed with shock, and he quickly averted his eyes, with his impression of Old Li crumbling from the heavens to the mud.
Hmph, this old man is no good!
He’s from the same village as his sister-in-law; he must remember to remind her to stay away from this old man and, preferably, to shop elsewhere!
And now this indecent man was prying into his reason for visiting his sister-in-law’s house. Zhao Xin’s face became stern as he said gravely, "It’s for official business!"
It’s none of your affair, and I won’t tell you what it is either!
However, since the man had given him directions, he still had to thank him. After expressing his gratitude, Zhao Xin didn’t want to stay any longer and strode toward the Chiang family’s home.
Old Li was taken aback by his stern demeanor and watched his retreating figure with great puzzlement.
Chiang Songhai and Ge Liutao took Chiang Xiao’s words to heart and kept their door tightly locked all day, going nowhere. They were a bit nervous at first, not knowing if Ho Laidi would come looking for trouble, but to their surprise, even the neighboring house was very quiet today.
The old couple, having eaten but unable to sleep, chatted in the main room.
Just then, there came a knock at the door.