Discovery

The two walked into the courtyard and looked at the mess covering the ground, both feeling a headache coming on.

"Let's check the fabric first."

As Gu Yu spoke, he took the other man's hand and led him into the collapsed thatched hut. Seeing that the hail piled on the kang had almost melted away, he hurried over and lifted the boards pressing it down, along with the soaked quilts and sheets, instantly revealing the fabric beneath.

Only the top layer of material had been soaked. He separated it with his hands. "The soaked pieces can't be left for long. They need to be washed clean and dried, or the cloth will grow moldy and rot."

As he spoke, he placed the wet material into a basin in the corner, casually picked it up, and said, "Put the rest away first. I'll take these outside, scrub them a little, and hang them up.

The wind is strong here. By the time we finish packing our things, they should be nearly dry. It'll be easier to carry them then. Otherwise, they'll draw too much attention."

Shen Jianan nodded. "Alright."

Then he added, "Take the quilts apart and wash them too! They're all wet."

As he spoke, he grabbed the quilt and got to work. Gu Yu hurriedly set down the basin to help. In just a few moves, they had dismantled the bedding, wrung out the water together, and carried it outside to hang on the rack.

Only then did they return to the room together. "Be careful. This house might collapse again at any moment."

Holding the basin, Gu Yu warned him, then turned and left the ruined hut. He squatted beside the spring, moved the sheets and quilt covers aside, intending to wash and dry the fabric first before dealing with these less conspicuous things.

But before long, a heavy object crashed down inside the house, followed by Shen Jianan's startled cry. Gu Yu thought something had collapsed and hit him. Terrified, he scrambled into the room. "What happened? What happened!?"

He saw the other man charge at him like a little cannonball and leap onto him. Gu Yu froze for an instant, then smiled and caught him, bouncing him lightly upward. The young man wrapped his arms around his neck and bared his teeth in an excited growl. "Brother Gu, we struck it rich! We struck it rich!"

The young man was grinning so broadly that all his teeth showed. Gu Yu caught his excitement and began smiling too. "What did we strike rich with?"

"Come with me."

Shen Jianan spoke as he tried to jump down from his arms, only to find Gu Yu holding him too tightly for him to move. The silly boy was so excited that he did not think anything of it, merely pushing at him. "Brother Gu, put me down already."

Hearing that, Gu Yu reluctantly loosened his hold. The young man immediately slipped to the ground like a loach, naturally reached up to take his hand, and led him back inside. Gu Yu was happy again, the corners of his mouth raised high.

"Brother Gu, look! Look!"

Shen Jianan dragged him to the kang and pointed at the half-collapsed earthen wall, shouting as he smiled at him.

"Wha... what?"

Gu Yu followed his gaze and saw tiny points of golden light exposed in the earthen wall beside the mountain slope. His eyes flew wide open in shock. "Th-this..."

"Gold! Gold!!"

Shen Jianan clutched his clothes and bounced excitedly on his toes. "Brother, Brother Gu! Dig it out quickly, before someone finds it."

"Oh! Alright."

Gu Yu came back to his senses and lowered his voice. "Go keep watch outside. If anyone comes, make a sound to warn me."

Shen Jianan nodded and agreed. Then, like a joyful little sparrow, he laughed as he rushed from the ruined hut. Gu Yu, meanwhile, crouched in the corner, picked up a rotten stick, and began digging rapidly.

Good heavens—if he had not dug, he would never have known; once he dug, the sight gave him a fright. Several gold bars, each two fingers wide, had actually been buried in the wall. He weighed them in his hand and estimated there was more than a jin of gold.

There was also a pair of jade pendants with excellent translucency. The pendants had different designs: one was a jade plaque carved with a landscape scene, while the other was a little child hugging a gold ingot, looking utterly adorable.

Both jade pendants were strung on black cords. Gu Yu studied them for a long time without figuring out what they were made of. He gave one a tug, but his hand hurt from the strain and the cord did not break.

"So tough?"

Possessed by a sudden impulse, he climbed onto the kang, took down his defensive dagger, and sawed at the cord several times. It still did not suffer the slightest damage. Excitement rose in his heart. Such a fine thing ought to be kept for Shen Jianan.

So he set the pendants aside, then continued digging into the wall with the dagger, wanting to see whether anything else had been hidden inside.

Gu Yu guessed that these gold bars and jade pendants were likely the Cheng Household landlord family's last reserves. They had probably intended to use them to rise again, which was why they had gone to such lengths to hide them here.

Unfortunately, he had been persecuted too viciously back then, and many of his family members had died with resentment in their hearts amid endless struggle sessions.

Yet he could only watch everything happen with his eyes wide open, powerless to change it. Seeing no road ahead, he and his remaining family had chosen such an extreme method of suicide to express their rage and dissatisfaction, while also intimidating the villagers into staying away from this place.

However, the thatched hut had fallen into disrepair over the years and was already crumbling. Then yesterday's hailstorm had dealt it more devastation than it could bear, causing it to collapse and benefiting the two of them instead.

Gu Yu dug for around forty minutes. He had nearly torn apart the entire earthen wall without finding anything else, so he stopped and picked up the jade pendants and gold bars.

Looking at the things in his hands, Gu Yu was overwhelmed with emotion and could not help speaking aloud. "Since the two of us have taken these things, we have accepted the Cheng Household's kindness."

He paused, then continued, "We may not be able to clear the Cheng Household's name.

But if the two of us can return to the city, we will certainly find a place with good feng shui and build cenotaphs for you. In the years ahead, at every festival and holiday, we will not fail to sweep your graves and offer sacrifices."

Whoosh—

The moment his words fell, a gust of cold wind suddenly swept through the room. Gu Yu's eyes sharpened, his heart pounding like thunder. He hurriedly rose to his feet and felt several gusts brush over him, so lightly, so lightly, before vanishing in the blink of an eye.

He froze, then curved his lips and looked around the room. He solemnly offered his thanks before lifting his foot and kicking down the already ruined earthen wall completely. Otherwise, he feared it would draw attention when they repaired the house.

After doing this, he took the things he had found and quickly left the ruined hut. Seeing Shen Jianan had already washed the fabric and was hanging it up, he walked straight to the spring, dumped everything into the pool below, and began washing it rapidly.

Hearing him, the other man turned around and spotted the gleaming gold bars in his hands at once. Excited, he hurriedly hung up the remaining fabric, then ran over with the basin and crouched before him. "This must be worth a lot of money, right!?"

"Yes. It's all thanks to you."

Gu Yu answered with a smile and turned to look at the young man. Seeing his gaze sweep over the little gold-ingot child pendant several times, he knew Shen Jianan liked it. His eyes curved even more deeply. "I knew you would like this one. Keep it and wear it!"

"Hehe! Alright."

Shen Jianan nodded happily. "We'll keep both. One for you, one for me."

He then reached into the water for the jade pendants, washed them clean, wiped them with the hem of his clothes, and swiftly hung the Landscape Jade Plaque around Gu Yu's neck.

Gu Yu held the jade plaque in his hand and examined it carefully, delight filling his heart. This was a gift from Jianan! He happily looked up and saw the young man hanging the other pendant around his own neck.

His gaze flickered slightly. Without letting anything show, he said, "I'll help you put it on."

He bent down slightly, naturally took the pendant from Shen Jianan's hand, loosened the sliding knot in the cord, and placed it around his fair, slender neck. After adjusting it to the right length, he finally let go and stepped back.

Who would have thought that the pad of his little finger would accidentally brush the side of the other man's neck? It tickled so much that the young man broke into a giggle. "Brother Gu, that tickles..."

When he looked up, he met a pair of deep eyes. For no reason, a thread of shyness rose in Shen Jianan's heart. Only then did he remember how he had jumped into the other man's arms upon finding the gold bars, and his face turned even redder.

Why had he acted like that? Feeling guilty, the young man lowered his head, unaware that the faintly red tips of his ears had already betrayed him completely.

Gu Yu rubbed his fingers together, the corners of his mouth unconsciously lifting. "Hurry up and pack. Someone might come by soon."

As he spoke, he retrieved the gold bars from the water and took them inside. Seeing him leave, Shen Jianan could not help releasing a breath of relief. He quickly patted his scorching, crimson cheeks, got to his feet, and followed.

Aside from their bedding, clothes, and a pile of fabric, all they had left was the broken cooking pot in the kitchen, several chipped bowls, and pitifully little firewood, rice, oil, and salt.

They put away the dry fabric, wrapped it in a bedsheet, tied it tightly with rope, and set it aside temporarily before packing the pots, bowls, ladles, and basins. By the time they finished, everything hanging outside except the quilt covers had dried completely.

The two gathered those materials back in and wrapped them into another bundle. Carrying one bundle each, they first delivered them to Zhao Hongjun's home.

When they arrived, Li Shulan and her sister-in-law Xu Xiaomei were sweeping up debris with several children, while Old Master Zhao, his eldest grandson Zhao Chengcai, and his second son Zhao Jianshe were picking up roof tiles.

The hail had smashed many of the Zhao Household's roof tiles. Even the large tree in the courtyard had been battered into a bare stump, not a trace of green left in sight. The chicken coop by the wall and the vegetable seedlings had not escaped disaster either.

When the family saw them arrive, they all greeted them warmly. "Shen/Big Brother Jianan, Educated Youth Gu/Big Brother Gu is here!?"

The two smiled in response. "Yes! We're here."

"Come in quickly. Put your things down and rest for a while."

Li Shulan patted her younger son Zhao Xiaofeng on the head. "Take your two older brothers inside first and let them put down their things."

"Got it, Mom."

Zhao Xiaofeng tilted his head with a beaming smile. "Big Brother Jianan, Big Brother Gu, come with me."

He then stopped at the narrow door beside the side room, rose onto his tiptoes, removed the lock hanging on it, and set it on the platform beside the door. Only then did he step aside and awkwardly make way for them. "Big Brothers, my sister and I used to sleep here. It's a little small."

"It's alright."

The two waved with smiles and walked in. Just as he had said, the room was tiny. With their luggage on their backs, the two of them could barely turn around inside. Still, it was kept very clean.

There was also a small desk lamp on the table, several comic books, and two tin toy cars the size of matchboxes.

It was clear that Zhao Hongjun and Li Shulan loved their children dearly. Otherwise, with the household living in such hardship, why would they still buy the children such things?

After placing their bundles on the bed, they walked out one after the other. There was still luggage left on the mountain, so they had to make another trip. Li Shulan guessed as much and told her younger son to go with them, since he could help carry some things.

Zhao Xiaofeng could not have wished for more and immediately agreed. He liked the two older brothers very much now. Not only were they handsome, they were also the saviors of him and his sister.

On the way, the little fellow took the key hanging around his neck and handed it to Shen Jianan. "Big Brother, this is the room key. Mom has another one. She was afraid my sister and I would lose it, so she kept it. When we get back later, I'll ask her for it."

"No need."

Shen Jianan accepted it with a smile. "We're together wherever we go. This one key is enough."

"Exactly, we're together. One key is enough."

Gu Yu's lips lifted high. He loved hearing Jianan say that they were together. When Zhao Xiaofeng heard him say the same thing, he did not insist. "Alright, then!"

As the three chatted, they reached the foot of the mountain. Shen Jianan saw that the child was small and worried he might trip over branches and weeds knocked down by the hail, so he told him to wait below.

Zhao Xiaofeng had wanted to refuse, but he was afraid of upsetting his older brothers, so he could only agree obediently. Only then did the two feel at ease enough to climb the mountain and carry down all the remaining luggage.

There was not much of it, but it took up space and was difficult to carry. After thinking for a moment, Gu Yu had the child carry two enamel mugs and the quilt covers that had not fully dried.

Meanwhile, he and Shen Jianan each carried a bundle on their backs and lifted the battered iron pot containing their rations, bowls, and chopsticks, returning together to the Zhao Household.

The moment the three entered the courtyard, Zhao Hongjun came in right behind them. Shen Jianan asked how the matter had been handled.

"The village chief has already gone to report it to the Commune. With something like this, the higher-ups can't possibly ignore it. As for how they'll handle it, we'll have to wait for notice."

He sighed worriedly. "This hailstorm has affected far more than just us!"

Hearing that, worry appeared on both their faces as well. If the disaster area was widespread, next year's days would likely be even harder.

"Forget it, let's not talk about it."

Seeing the two frowning, Zhao Hongjun did not want to keep discussing it and make everyone upset for nothing. In any case, all problems would have to wait until someone from above came to resolve them, and there was no use in worrying. He changed the subject. "Since you two are staying at my house, don't cook separately. Just eat with us."

The two felt that cooking separately in someone else's home truly would not be appropriate, and it might even offend them. So they agreed to his suggestion. "Then you have to accept meal money, or we won't stay here."

Seeing how firm they were, Zhao Hongjun knew that continuing to argue would not change their minds, so he agreed.

Originally, he had wanted to use this opportunity to repay the two properly. But everyone in his household ate together. Shen Jianan and Gu Yu had shown him great kindness, but his second younger brother had not received such a favor. If he did not accept payment, his second brother and sister-in-law Xu Xiaomei might develop misgivings over time.

So he simply agreed to their request, intending to repay their kindness another time when a suitable opportunity arose.

Shen Jianan and Gu Yu understood that point as well, which was why they had been so firm. Besides, they had saved people out of sincerity, not because they wanted anything in return.

So once Zhao Hongjun nodded, Shen Jianan took out five yuan in front of the entire Zhao family and handed it to him.

However, Zhao Hongjun would not take that much. He accepted only three yuan, saying that they would settle any difference later. Then he added, "There won't be any work in the fields for the next few days. Everyone will be busy repairing their homes. If there's anything you want to do, hurry and do it now. Once things get busy later, it won't be easy to ask for leave."

The two immediately made up their minds and said they would help repair the Zhao Household's home before handling their own business. Zhao Hongjun refused without a second thought.

"What's so difficult about fixing a roof? Go do whatever you need to do. As for that thatched hut on the mountain, when I have time, I'll find a few people to help you fix it."

Hearing that, Shen Jianan happily thanked him at once. "Then thank you, Recorder."

"Enough. Stop calling me Recorder all the time."

Zhao Hongjun waved impatiently and turned to climb the ladder. "Call me Uncle Zhao from now on!"

The two exchanged smiles and quickly agreed. "Got it, Uncle Zhao."

They then hung the quilt covers Zhao Xiaofeng had been carrying and the cotton wadding they had brought on the rack by the wall, took the rest of their belongings into the room, and then left together, hurrying toward the Cattle Shed.

They had only said they wanted to repair the Zhao Household's house because they had felt too embarrassed to refuse. In truth, the two were worried sick about the elderly people and had long wanted to check on them.

It was only because the fabric at home was too conspicuous, and they feared being watched, that they had planned to put it away before going to the Cattle Shed. Who knew they would find the gold bars afterward and be delayed for a while longer?

As soon as they got close, they saw from afar that the Cattle Shed had been smashed to pieces. Several cadres were leading the villagers in urgent repairs.

The three large pigs raised by the village were tied with ropes beneath a large tree some distance away, squealing and howling nonstop, clearly frightened out of their wits.

As for the elderly people, they were drying things in the open space before the Cattle Shed. They looked bedraggled, but none seemed to have been hurt.

Gu Yu let out a breath of relief, then pulled Shen Jianan away. It was not that he was hardhearted; it was simply that the cadres across the way did not seem as easy to deal with as Zhao Hongjun and Zhao Gang.

His and the elderly people's statuses were sensitive. If they went over now, it would surely give people something to gossip about. So for everyone's sake, he would come back when no one was around.

After leaving the Cattle Shed, the two headed straight for Cheng Hu's house. His home stood on the other side of the field embankment, a four-room house of blue bricks and large roof tiles—an unmatched sight in the countryside.

But after Old Master Cheng died, Cheng Hu injured his leg, and Zhao Qiancheng deliberately suppressed him, while his clansmen excluded him, his life had grown harder and harder.

"Educated Youth Gu/Big Brother Gu! Shen!"

Hearing the call, Shen Jianan looked up and saw Cheng Hu's family standing before their courtyard, waving at them. His son was especially excited, repeatedly calling out for Big Brother Gu.

"Hey!"

Gu Yu answered, then strode forward and ruffled the child's hair. "Are you keeping up with your studies lately? Is there anything you don't understand?"

The child smiled and shook his head, his face full of pride. "No. I know it all."

"That's wonderful..."

Watching their interaction, Shen Jianan was somewhat surprised. He had never expected Gu Yu to have such a good relationship with Cheng Hu's family.

Wait. The young man's expression tightened as he suddenly remembered that the original plot of the novel had said that not long after Gu Yu went to prison, Cheng Hu was shot dead by members of the Militia Company after stealing public grain and resisting arrest.

The man who shot him was Zhao Jianguo's uncle, Qin Guangtao. A few days later, Cheng Hu's ten-year-old son, Cheng Guang, suddenly disappeared as well. By the time people found him, wild beasts had gnawed away everything but half a face that could barely be recognized.

Coincidentally, Zhao Jianguo was the one who led people to find Cheng Guang's body and personally collected his remains before bringing them back to the village. Cheng Hu's wife, Xiang Haiyan, could not bear the successive blows and jumped into the river that very day. Taking pity on the family of three, Zhao Jianguo paid to have graves erected for them.

Shen Jianan did not believe for a second that someone selfish, self-serving, and morally bankrupt would suddenly grow kind enough to do such a thing. What was more, Old Master Cheng's death had not been unrelated to Zhao Qiancheng.

Then there could only be one reason: Cheng Hu must have discovered some shameful secret of Zhao Jianguo's and wanted to expose it, only for Zhao Jianguo to notice.

And Zhao Jianguo, in order to cover up his crimes, had set a trap to silence Cheng Hu. As for Cheng Guang, he had probably discovered something too, which was why Zhao Jianguo had him killed on the mountain.

The more Shen Jianan thought about it, the more likely it seemed. He immediately cursed the novel's author in his heart. Cheng Hu's family was kind and honest—how could that person bear to write them that way? Weren't they afraid of retribution!?

And that Zhao Jianguo—morally crooked and viciously ruthless. How was he worthy of being the protagonist!?

"People like that ought to die alone, with sores on their head and pus running from their feet, sons born without assholes, @￥&#@..."

After Gu Yu finished greeting them, he heard the young man beside him muttering nonstop, his expression shifting between light and dark. Unable to help himself, he frowned and asked, "Jianan, what's wrong? Who made you unhappy?"

Hearing that, the young man blurted out angrily, "Who else but that bastard Zhao Jianguo!?"

He then looked up and saw three adults and one child staring at him with varying expressions. He was instantly mortified and was just about to explain when little Cheng Guang spoke first. "Big Brother, I don't like Zhao Jianguo either. He's so annoying."

"Don't talk nonsense."

Xiang Haiyan reached out and covered her son's mouth, her eyes unconsciously shifting to her husband's lame leg. "Be careful not to bring trouble on us, understand?"

Cheng Guang's face went pale. Looking at his expressionless father, his eyes filled with guilt. "I understand."

He then broke free of his mother's hand and ingratiatingly took Cheng Hu's hand. "Dad, let's invite the two older brothers inside!"

"Alright."

Knowing that the child was afraid he had made him sad, Cheng Hu hurriedly forced a smile and invited Gu Yu and Shen Jianan inside. Then he had Xiang Haiyan shut the front gate tightly, abandoning even the roof repairs.