"Sister-in-law, can he really help us?"

The villager who had agreed to help took his revenge and happily left the recruitment site. Hung Hing walked over and asked a question, a little worried.

"Words from fellow villagers are more likely to persuade A-mei's family than words from outsiders. Whether we succeed or not depends on these next two days. If it doesn't work, we'll think of another way. We can't rush it."

"You're right, but I have a question: why don't we just go to his house and take Brother Cheng away?"

Hong Xing scratched his head. This question had been lingering in his mind for several days. Anyway, the villagers could all prove that Cheng Ran was not from A-mei's family, so why waste time and effort on this?

“Have you forgotten? Huanren said that Cheng Ran is very resistant to getting close to others after losing his memory. If we rashly take him away, firstly, he might not be able to handle it, and secondly, Amei and her father might not agree. It might even make them more resistant to our contact. It would be more harmful than beneficial. Only by letting them go down the mountain into an environment that is familiar to us but unfamiliar to them can we proceed to the next step.”

Jiang Wanqing gazed wistfully into the mountains. She had considered taking a forceful approach, but the circumstances of Cheng Ran's disappearance had never been detailed. There were probably other unknown truths involved. Taking him away directly might not be appropriate. It would be better to guide him slowly and, ideally, help him regain his memories. That would be the best option.

“I understand, sister-in-law. This is called responding to all changes with constancy. We must be in control, not passive.”

"Great, you've gotten smarter!"

Jiang Wanqing nodded with satisfaction, expressing her appreciation for his response, while Hong Xing smiled shyly.

"That's what we're learning from you. We've survived the past two years without Brother Cheng. Now that we know he's still alive, we need to stay calm and bring him safely back to Beijing."

"Yes." Jiang Wanqing nodded.

With the recruitment deadline fast approaching, Cheng Ran still hadn't shown up.

In the last half day, dark clouds gathered, and a strong wind and rainstorm broke out, overturning the job recruitment booths.

They could only move into the makeshift sheds for the time being.

The whistling wind blew into my ears through the cracks in the simple house, and the trees outside were bent over by the wind, with branches falling off.

The weather was bad, and fewer and fewer people came to the job posting office. In the end, not a single person came to apply for a job.

Jiang Wanqing frowned, focusing intently on the only road that had come from afar, piercing through the rain and mist.

“Sister-in-law, the weather is terrible. Let me take you back to the guesthouse first. I’m afraid the roof will be blown over…” Hong Xing shouted kindly in the wind to remind her.

"No need, I'll wait a bit longer!"

"But……"

whoosh whoosh whoosh...

The wind howled like a whistle, gusting rhythmically in waves, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Hung Hing already felt that no one would come.

Four blurry figures slowly emerged from the rain and mist, walking towards this side, wearing raincoats and braving the wind and rain.

Jiang Wanqing's heart raced, and she stood on tiptoe, tilting her head back.

"Look, are those them?" She shook Hongxing's arm, asking him to confirm.

"I can't see clearly, sister-in-law... They're coming..."

He had never met A-mei's family, so he didn't dare to say anything. When the others got closer, he recognized Cheng Ran first.

"It really is Cheng..."

Jiang Wanqing pressed his hand down, feigning composure.

"Go and get them towels to dry off."

A-mei, her family of three, and the villager who had promised to help them walked to their job posting amidst the wind and rain.

"Sister Wanqing, we meet again." Amei took off her straw hat and smiled at her.

Her father followed behind her, and... Cheng Ran.

Jiang Wanqing tried to restrain herself from staring, but she couldn't control herself very well, so she quickly moved a stool over.

"Quick, sit down and wipe yourself dry, you've gotten soaked."

“It’s alright, people in the mountains are used to wind and rain,” Amei’s father waved his hand and answered heartily.

He turned around and pulled his "son" over.

"Here, Aye, wipe yourself." He handed the towel to Cheng Ran.

“I’ll help him wipe it. Old comrade, please sit down and rest.”

Hong Xing and Jiang Wanqing exchanged a glance and volunteered to help, but before they could even get close, Cheng Ran adopted a resistant posture.

"Don't touch me, I'll do it myself," he said coldly.

Just as the news said, he wouldn't let anyone get close, and it seemed that he had really forgotten everyone. Even when Hung Hing and Jiang Wanqing were right in front of him, he didn't react at all, treating them as complete strangers.

"Uh...that's just how my brother is, don't be offended," the younger sister explained.

"Oh, I understand." Hung Hing withdrew his hand and responded awkwardly.

Jiang Wanqing glanced at the villager, who cleverly stepped forward, pretending not to know anything, and explained in a loud voice.

"Comrade Wanqing, this is how it is. This is someone from my village, someone you've met before. His family isn't well-off, and he'd like to try applying for a construction worker position. What do you think?"

"Sure! Of course!"

Things were going as planned, and Jiang Wanqing had no reason to say no. She and Hong Xing worked together in unison.

“I’ll go get the register,” he said.

"Who among you is applying?" Jiang Wanqing asked.

“Me.” Amei’s father raised his hand and stepped forward: “Comrade Jiang, don’t underestimate me just because I’m old. I’m very good at physical labor. My ancestors were famous carpenters. I’ll definitely do a good job for you. I can’t guarantee anything else, but I can do the work of two people!”

Something's not right here, Jiang Wanqing glanced at Cheng Ran.

"And what about him?"

"Sister Wanqing, my brother came with us, but he didn't apply for the job."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wanqing blinked, her mind racing. She had come specifically for Cheng Ran; how could he just accompany her?

"How about all three of you help me with the work? I'll pay you as usual, I won't deduct anything from your wages, what do you say?"

“But… we need someone to take care of the chickens, ducks, and fields at home; we can’t leave them all here,” A-mei replied with difficulty.

"Then why don't you let him stay and you all go back..."

Hung Hing tried to reach out and pull Cheng Ran again, but failed.

"Don't touch me!"

"Comrade, my brother's situation is special, he can't do it, so let's not trouble you any further. If it's not possible, the three of us will just go back home."

No, no, no!

Jiang Wanqing quickly stopped them, and then a brilliant idea flashed in her mind. She looked at Amei and pulled her aside.

"You said your brother suffered a brain injury, right?"

"Yeah, what's wrong?"

"Do you want to cure him?" Jiang Wanqing asked seriously.

"Of course we want to! But... we've seen doctors, and they all say there's nothing we can do."

“I have a solution. A doctor from the Beijing Hospital is coming to the county to provide free medical consultations soon. I know him; he’s a leading expert. If you trust me, you can stay with me for a few days, see the doctor, and then go back. How about that? Don’t worry, your father can work here; it won’t interfere with your plans.”

"Really?" Amei was overjoyed.