What the old lady didn't say was that there was enough to eat, but there really wasn't any left in the house. The food that was saved was all given to her son and daughter.

The children of both families are at the age where they can eat a lot. One side has grandchildren and the other side has grandchildren. Even if the son-in-law is not good enough, at least for the sake of the daughter, he is still her child. Fortunately, they have not suffered much in the past two years.

Just because the old lady didn't say anything doesn't mean Jiang Qiao didn't know. Li Meilan was her informant; although she didn't care about the people and things happening in the courtyard, she knew a little about everything.

"Girl, has Haozi written to you recently? Does he say anything about his health? This child only reports good news and not bad news. I'm worried that there might be some aftereffects."

Jiang Qiao shook her head. "He didn't say he was unwell. He said he was fine. You don't need to worry about him. He's doing well at school."

The old lady sighed, "We should have kept him at home. It would have been nice for him to have a job. I wonder what he's been up to all day. I hope nothing else happens. I'm so worried."

After Jiang Qiao finished eating, she didn't let the old lady leave with the empty plate. She gave the old lady some of the spicy cabbage she had made herself.

"Wow, this is good, it goes well with rice—"

The old lady happily left with her plate. Jiang Qiao went out for a stroll to get some fresh air.

Unexpectedly, I ran into Ma Zongxiang as soon as I stepped out. "Uncle, what brings you here?"

Ma Zongxiang sighed, "I've been keeping an eye on Dong Chunxiao lately. Jiang Qiao, I have something to tell you. Those people are probably going to make a move tonight. I've already reported it to them. You need to be careful here."

Jiang Qiao pressed further, "Have the people who escaped been caught yet?"

Ma Zongxiang shook his head. "I don't have the energy to pay attention to this. We'll know tomorrow. Remember, don't go out tonight unless you have to."

At this time, Ma Zongxiang probably hadn't eaten yet. Jiang Qiao wanted to invite him in to eat something, but the old man shook his head.

"I'm heading back now. I have something to do; we can talk about it tomorrow. By the way, I heard from Director Jiang that you're going to Beijing. Do you need me to go with you?"

Jiang Qiao shook her head. "No need. I'll be away for a while after this. During this time, you just need to take care of yourselves and the children. I'm going to visit my uncle and also see my grandfather and the others."

After seeing Ma Zongxiang off, Jiang Qiao walked back into the house with a solemn expression. She didn't know what was going on outside or whether the people Song Shutian had arranged had arrived.

However, considering the situation in the valley, Jiang Qiao felt that even if she passed through those snake-infested areas, she probably wouldn't get very far inside.

As for the other side, she didn't think it would be any better than this side. Whether it's good or bad, those who go in will probably understand when the time comes. Do they really think that good things are so easy to get?

Jiang Qiao thought Song Shutian would contact her, but she didn't receive any messages. She was too lazy to pay attention and went straight to bed.

The next morning, Gu Zhengfeng returned with the whole family, young and old. Apart from his grandfather, it was the busy farming season, and the family really needed someone to help them.

However, Gu Zhengfeng's first words to his daughter were, "Something happened. Last night, I heard a loud noise from the back mountain. I don't know what happened. When we came out this morning, the area was already cordoned off."

Jiang Qiao frowned, looking puzzled. "I don't know either. Song Shutian should have made arrangements. I estimate they should be able to catch some people today. As for Song Chunxiao, I don't think she can escape either."

Ma Liu clicked his tongue twice. "I knew she wasn't a good person. This old woman is stupid too. Why would she give up a perfectly good life?"

Jiang Qiao sighed, "Dong Chunxiao may not be stupid. There must be a reason why she can hang out with Cao Jingxuan and the others. The police will investigate what exactly happened."

"Dad, Uncle told us to just go to the station and find the stationmaster surnamed Liu. He said you know him too?"

Gu Zhengfeng smiled and nodded, "This person used to be a soldier under your third uncle. He transferred to civilian work and came here. I didn't expect him to become a station chief. Not bad, he's promising."

Uncle, shall we set off this afternoon?

Qiao Jie and Ma Liu had no objection to this; it didn't matter when they left, but Jiang Qiao's departure couldn't be delayed.

"We've prepared all the food in the countryside, and we've also brought some for the children. Zhengfeng, you and Jiang Qiao can take some over later."

Qiao Jie still remembers the friendship he had with those children back then.

"Okay, let's go take a look. Jingwan, make something simple for lunch. I doubt Lao Song has time to get together with us right now, let's get together another time."

Although Song Zhi didn't have time, Dan Jiangqiao did prepare a gift. Her father had returned, but she hadn't yet visited her third brother's house.

After seeing the children, Gu Zhengfeng left some money and tickets for Dong Kaizhen and her husband.

Jiang Qiao took the opportunity to ask Ma Zongxiang what the situation was outside. The old man shook his head and said, "I don't know yet. Last night, I saw two men come looking for Dong Chunxiao. Then they went to a house. As for what happened inside, I don't know either."

However, we have people tracking them over there, so I'm coming back to report. As for the situation, I'm not sure yet. I think Xiao Song coming here personally to oversee things must have been planned in advance, so don't worry.

"Be careful when you go to the capital. Are you sure you don't need me to go with you this time?"

Jiang Qiao shook her head. "No need, Uncle. Just take good care of these younger brothers and sisters for me. You two should also take care of yourselves and wait for me to come back."

I went to Song Zhi's house to deliver some things, and the two of them came back. Song Zhi hadn't come back last night, and Cheng Yingli had no idea what her husband had been busy with.

I had originally planned to invite Gu Zhengfeng and the others over for dinner, but when I learned that they were leaving that afternoon, I was disappointed and could only agree to meet again next time.

She had no idea what was going on here until Jiang Qiao left. All she could do was pray that everyone was alright.

What she didn't know was that Song Zhi and the others were so busy that they couldn't even get any sleep.

Those people did go to the valley last night, but they didn't go their way. Instead, they went around from the Gu family village side of the mountain.

Fortunately, Song Shutian had made proper arrangements beforehand, and as soon as the people entered, the people guarding the valley noticed them.

However, according to Song Shutian's instructions, if these people don't take action, their side can just wait and see.

In fact, Song Zhi, who was guarding this place, also wanted to know what the other party was planning to do.

They had tried before, but entering from this side was still fraught with difficulties. Putting aside the snakes, the key issue was how these people could possibly get through in the pitch black.

Those lying in ambush nearby were secretly watching the actions of the people below. Although none of them laughed out loud, they all wore expressions of wanting to see them make a fool of themselves.

But when they saw the other side using muskets to sweep the snakes inside, Song Zhi and his men realized that these people intended to use fire to eliminate all the poisonous snakes.