Returning Home

The next morning...

Hu Ming, Hu Bayi, and Fatty had everything ready. They began checking their belongings to make sure they hadn't forgotten anything before leaving.

This would save them trouble later.

Hu Ming turned to look at Hu Bayi, who was busy packing. "Old Hu, have you prepared the candy and gifts for the children? Don't forget. Otherwise, those kids will give you a headache."

Hu Bayi heard him and replied, "Don't worry, I've got it all. Mingzi, you can relax. I've prepared everything you asked me to yesterday. Everyone gets a gift, no one will be left out. Look, this is what I bought."

Hu Ming nodded. "Good, as long as nothing's missing!"

Hu Ming then turned to Wang Fatty on the other side. "Fatty, what about you?"

Wang Fatty patted his chest and said to Hu Ming, "Don't worry, Mingzi. I bought double the amount, it's definitely enough."

Hu Ming glanced at him. "Really?"

Wang Fatty replied, "Of course."

Hu Ming didn't say anything more.

At this moment, Wang Fatty quietly came up to Hu Ming and whispered, "Mingzi, the gas masks, glutinous rice, twenty-year-old black donkey hooves, fishing nets, corpse-suppressing coins, candles... did we miss anything?"

"Perfect!" Hu Ming nodded at Fatty. They had prepared everything they needed.

Hu Bayi didn't know about these items Wang Fatty bought. Hu Ming had secretly instructed Fatty to purchase them. After all, given Hu Bayi's stubborn personality, Hu Ming hadn't asked him to buy these things.

He figured Hu Bayi would come around once they reached Niuxin Mountain.

As for the excavation tools, they were readily available at the Old Branch Secretary's place on Niuxin Mountain, so there was no need to bring them. It would save trouble and they wouldn't have to worry about getting them on the train.

When they boarded the train, Hu Ming noticed Wang Fatty had bought a lot of things, even a television.

Hu Ming was speechless. He wasn't sure if they had even managed to get electricity set up in the countryside.

Hu Ming knew that Wang Fatty and Hu Bayi had spent all their money on this trip back. This made Hu Ming even more speechless. However, he didn't say anything. He had already decided that he would never let these two manage the money when he started his business in the future.

The three of them took a train for over ten hours before arriving at the station.

Fatty couldn't help but complain, "Damn it, this train smells awful. I wish I could beat someone up."

Just after complaining, Wang Fatty said, "Old Hu, look there, isn't that Uncle Ge from Niuxin Mountain?" Outside the station, an old man seemed to be waiting for someone.

Wang Fatty pointed in a direction.

Hu Bayi replied, "Hey, you're right, it is."

Wang Fatty said, "Let's go, let's hurry over," and the three of them, laden with bags, ran over.

Uncle Ge was sent by the Niuxin Mountain Branch Secretary and had been waiting for Hu Ming and the others for a long time.

Wang Fatty, Hu Bayi, and later Hu Ming had often stayed at Uncle Ge's house when they were sent to the countryside during their youth.

Uncle Ge had taken special care of them.

Indeed, they were educated youths, the future pillars of the nation.

Years had passed, and although Hu Ming and the others had changed, Uncle Ge still recognized them.

With just one look, he identified Hu Ming and the others.

He then smiled and said to the three of them, "Haha, you three kids, it's been so many years. You haven't come back to see us. What's going on, have you settled down outside?"

Hu Ming smiled at this. "No. But Uncle Ge, I remember our Fatty here still has a soft spot for your daughter."

"Get lost! That brat Fatty, he used to sneak around my house quite a bit," Uncle Ge said, flicking his horsewhip.

Wang Fatty laughed upon hearing this. "Hey, Uncle Ge, how can you say that about me? Back then, I was simply admiring her. Admiring, you understand? Like a thousand-mile horse meeting its patron."

Uncle Ge said impatiently, "Patron my ass, get lost!"

"Heh heh." Fatty knew Uncle Ge was joking with them, so he wasn't angry.

After a brief chat, they got into Uncle Ge's horse-drawn carriage and headed towards the village.

On the way...

Hu Ming leaned towards Uncle Ge and asked, "Uncle Ge, I heard there was a small earthquake here a few days ago, and it unearthed a Great Tomb?"

"That's right. That Great Tomb is quite large. People from above have come. It's said the tomb owner's identity is very significant," Uncle Ge said, recounting the events to Hu Ming.

Unfortunately, the Old Branch Secretary's awareness was too high. Anything of value had to be handed over.

Now, who knew how much was left.

As for that Great Tomb, if people from above hadn't shown up, Hu Ming would have really wanted to take a look.

News of Hu Ming bringing Hu Bayi and Fatty back had already been relayed via telephone to the Branch Secretary and the villagers in Niuxin Mountain.

When they arrived at the village entrance, many people were waiting.

"Mingzi!" "Brother Hu!" At this moment, Yanzi put down her things and immediately ran out to greet them.

Wang Fatty said, "Hey Yanzi, why aren't you calling me?"

Yanzi retorted, "You fat pig."

"Hey, Sister Yanzi, where's Yingzi?" Hu Ming remembered that Yingzi used to like following him around, calling him "brother" over and over. Back then, she would run around barefoot with snot bubbles.

Yanzi said upon hearing this, "You mean Yingzi? She went out hunting. I think she should be back by now."

Wang Fatty was quite surprised and said, "Hunting? This little brat knows how to hunt?" Fatty found it hard to believe. Back then, she would follow behind them and cry loudly at the sight of a bug.

Yanzi shot Wang Fatty a look and said, "You fat pig. A girl changes as she grows up, don't you understand that?"

At this moment, Uncle Ge chuckled, "Alright, Yanzi, let Mingzi and the others enter the village first!"

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed and led Hu Ming and the others into the village, arranging for Hu Ming and his group to stay at Yanzi's house.