And so Xu Xinning and Mu Jingheng settled down at Miao Yiya's house.

Instead of rushing to find Mu Jinghuai in the mountains to observe the village, the two helped Miao Yiya go up the mountain to chop firewood, cut pig feed, and cook.

The sudden arrival of strangers in the village aroused the curiosity of the villagers, who would occasionally come over to inquire.

Xu Xinning and Mu Jingheng both used the same explanation they had discussed with Miao Yiya, but unexpectedly, the chieftain came knocking on their door the next day.

The chieftain was a one-eyed man in his forties. He wore a turban and his one eye was covered by a specially made eye patch. He was not tall, not even as tall as Xu Xinning, and was thin. He was holding a pipe in his hand.

When Miao Yiya saw the village chief arrive, she politely welcomed him in.

The chieftain looked at Mu Jingheng as soon as he entered, and the scrutinizing look in his eyes was quite unsettling.

But Mu Jingheng had seen many people in his previous life, so he remained unfazed as Mu Jingheng was scrutinized.

Xu Xinning smelled the scent of Gu worms on this person, so she was quite wary of him.

The village chief said, “Li Zhiqing is my savior. I heard that his family has come, so I came to see him. Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything. I have always felt guilty and don’t know how to repay his kindness.”

Mu Jingheng: "Chief, you're too kind. My brother was acting bravely and righteously. As a progressive young intellectual, it was what he should do. Not to mention you, Chief, even if it were an ordinary person, my brother would have done the same."

The chieftain said, "As expected of a knowledgeable person, you speak with a different air. What are your plans for this trip?"

Mu Jingheng: "We haven't heard from my brother for so long, so we came to check on him. Of course, we also wanted to take my sister-in-law and Xiaobao with us, but they are used to life here and don't want to leave. We respect their choice, but we're just asking the chieftain to take care of them."

The chieftain said, "It's only right. I would have done it even if you hadn't said anything. It's not easy for an orphan and a widow!"

Mu Jingheng: "Yes, as family members, we are too far away to help, so we can only ask the chieftain for help."

The village chief said, "There's really no need for that. Ayi was originally a child from our village, but she has had a hard life. Her relatives have left her one after another over the years. But she is strong. A couple of years ago, some people asked me to be her matchmaker, but she and Li Zhiqing have a good relationship and she can't forget him. We can understand her."

Mu Jingheng: "The chieftain is wise; no wonder he manages such a mixed-use village so well."

The chieftain said, "It's all thanks to everyone's hard work, so I shouldn't take all the credit. By the way, my wife is already cooking at home. Please do me the honor of coming over for a get-together."

Mu Jingheng: "Chief, you're too kind. We've already prepared a meal at home, and we'd like to invite you to stay for a drink!"

The chieftain waved his hand and said he would talk about it another time.

After the chieftain left, Xu Xinning and Mu Jingheng exchanged a glance.

In fact, Xu Xinning and the others had already prepared the meal. After the chieftain left, the group set out the table and began to eat.

During the meal, Xu Xinning suddenly asked, "Sister-in-law, how do people in your village deal with illnesses? Do they go to outside for treatment?"

Miao Yiya: "We have a Gu doctor in our village, so we basically don't need to go out to seek medical treatment."

Xu Xinning: "A Gu Doctor?"

Miao Yiya nodded. "Yes! A Gu doctor."

Xu Xinning: "So it's about using Gu (a type of poison) to treat it?"

Miao Yiya: "Not entirely. Some are treated with ordinary herbs, since Gu is not easy to raise."

Xu Xinning: "Do the people in your village all know how to use witchcraft?"

Miao Yiya shook her head. "Gu is not easy to learn. It is passed down by word of mouth. No one is willing to teach such a good technique for free. Also, Gu is difficult to raise and learn. Not everyone can learn it."

Xu Xinning: "Are there many people in that village who know how to use Gu? And who is the Gu doctor? I'm studying medicine, and I really want to go and find out."

Miao Yiya: "There aren't many people in our village who know Gu, since our village has become somewhat Sinicized. But there are quite a few people in other villages who know Gu, and they have a tradition of it. However, the village's Gu doctor probably doesn't like people disturbing him, and he usually doesn't see anyone."

Xu Xinning: "He doesn't live in the village?"

Miao Yiya pointed to the mountainside, "He lives there because he needs quiet to raise Gu worms."

Does raising venomous creatures require quiet?

How could she not know?

She has never needed peace and quiet in either her past or present lives, raising Gu poison.

Some types of Gu (poisonous insects) are attracted to people and need a place with plenty of human activity.

Xu Xinning felt that this village was really eerie in every way.

A strange teacher

The strange guard duty,

The eerie chieftain,

A bizarre witch doctor.

It really takes skill and courage to figure out this village.

Suddenly, Mu Jingheng felt that time was running out. The waters here were too deep, and it wouldn't be easy to find out the truth.

After dinner, Mu Jingheng, Xiao Bao, and Xu Xinning were going up the mountain again, but this time they had a purpose. Xu Xinning wanted to go and take a look at the mountainside where the Gu Doctor lived.

The three of them ran into Zhong Ye's daughter, Zhong Linzi, as soon as they stepped outside.

Xiao Bao seemed to like her quite a bit; when he saw her, he sweetly called her "Auntie."

Zhong Linzi blushed involuntarily when she saw Mu Jingheng. Embarrassed, she didn't dare to look at him and asked Xiaobao, "Where are you going?"

Xiao Bao: "I want to go chop firewood and pick mushrooms with my uncle and sister."

Zhong Linzi: "Xiao Bao is so capable. Auntie will invite you to play again next time."

Mu Jingheng already felt uncomfortable seeing Zhong Linzi, and hearing Xiaobao call him "uncle" and Xu Xinning "sister" made him feel even worse.

How did he become my uncle?

Is he really that much older than his Xin'er?

Really?

He's only a year older than Xu Xinning, and he's quite confident in his looks, so there's no way he could look older than his Xin'er.

As Mu Jingheng watched Zhong Linzi's departing figure, he found it hard to believe that this woman could be such a vicious person.

However, it turns out that Mu Jinghuai did indeed die at the hands of this father and daughter in his previous life.

Xu Xinning glanced at Zhong Linzi's retreating figure, then said to Mu Jingheng, "No matter who she is, the truth will come out eventually."

Mu Jingheng nodded, then asked Xiaobao very seriously, "Xiaobao, what did you call me?"

Xiao Bao: "Uncle!"

Mu Jingheng pointed at Xu Xinning again and continued to ask, "Then what do you call her?"

Xiao Bao, puzzled, blinked his big eyes and said, "Sister!"

Xu Xinning already knew what Mu Jingheng was uncomfortable about, and she suppressed a laugh as she watched the two of them, one big and one small, asking and answering questions.

Mu Jingheng: "Xiao Bao, do you know who she is to me?"

Xiao Bao: "Mom said that my sister will be my uncle's future wife."

Mu Jingheng: "Xiao Bao, if you call me uncle, you have to call her aunt. If you insist on calling her sister, you have to call me brother."

Xiao Bao was completely confused.

Xu Xinning rolled her eyes at Mu Jingheng, "What a character!"