Chapter 169 Unfathomable Emotions
The older man burst out laughing upon hearing this: "Look at you! Still won't admit it!"
Shen Jin pursed his lips and said nothing more.
“Oh, wait, it sounds like you’re having a nightmare,” the older brother remembered. “Brother, I think you might be possessed by an evil spirit. You don’t know, temples aren’t places for ordinary people; it’s easy to get possessed there.”
"Possibly." Shen Jin rubbed his temples, still looking somewhat tired.
The older brother smiled and said, "Yes, when we get back, I'll ask your mother-in-law to make you a bowl of 'soothing soup' to drink."
"Okay." Although he didn't know what his elder brother was talking about, Shen Jin still replied casually.
"Okay, I'm going to sleep. I have to get up early tomorrow!" the older brother said. "I'm so sleepy."
"Brother, when can we leave?" For some reason, an ominous premonition rose in Shen Jin's heart. He never expected to encounter those two people here. He just wanted to leave as soon as possible.
"It will take a few more days! Some villagers haven't bought everything they need, and many market items haven't been sold yet."
After hearing his elder brother's words, Shen Jin frowned. He was vaguely worried.
After a while, the surroundings remained quiet, and soon the sound of the eldest brother's loud and even breathing could be heard.
Shen Jin, however, fell into a long period of insomnia, his mind racing as he calmly considered everything that was about to happen and how to deal with it.
He knew that those two old Zheng wouldn't give up easily.
Early in the morning, the chirping of birds outside the window woke Chen Jin. Half asleep, he opened his eyes and saw two magpies perched on the windowsill, chirping clearly.
Shen Jin was overjoyed, having heard that seeing magpies so early in the morning was a good omen. Only then did a smile appear on Shen Jin's face.
"Good morning, little cutie," he greeted the magpie.
Unexpectedly, the magpie heard the human voice, took flight with a crisp chirp, and flew away. Watching their retreating figures, Shen Jin felt much happier.
I rubbed my eyes and looked around before realizing that my older brother had already gotten up. The bedding on his bed was neatly folded.
While I was still in a daze, my older brother pushed open the door and walked in.
"Hey bro, you're awake? Get up, come down for breakfast!"
After quickly washing up and going downstairs, I was surprised to find it so lively. The inn was filled with a cheerful atmosphere that morning. People were sitting in twos and threes, having their meals together.
The aroma of food wafted through the cafeteria. Chen Jin took a deep sniff and realized that his stomach was already growling.
"Wow, this is a feast!" He pulled out a chair and sat down. The people at the table were all villagers who had come with him.
The table was laden with all sorts of pastries, a dazzling array that left Shen Jin momentarily at a loss as to which to eat first.
"Brother, take whatever you want to eat! We all get together for a rare trip, so let's enjoy ourselves to the fullest," the older brother said generously.
Chen Jin also laughed.
Yes, this time of year is arguably the happiest time for the mountain people. With the Spring Festival just around the corner, everyone wants to celebrate.
These hardworking mountain people have toiled all year, hoping for the joyous reunion during the Spring Festival. Looking at the weathered and resilient faces of these simple mountain people, Chen Jin felt a surge of emotion.
Taking advantage of the moment when everyone was eating together, the leader announced today's itinerary. Since the goods had not yet been purchased, the villagers' main task for the day was still shopping.
Shen Jin was drinking his porridge with his head down when his elder brother asked him gently, "Little brother, would you like to go to the market with us today? It'll be even more lively!"
Shen Jin stared at him, blinking. He only took three seconds to think.
"No, brother. I'd like to wander around by myself today." Shen Jin refused directly. He knew very well that in his current state, if he followed the large group of people going to the market, he might be spotted by Lao Zheng and the others at any time.
"Ha, alright then. Don't go too far by yourself," the elder brother instructed Chen Jin.
Shen Jin nodded with a smile.
After the meal, Shen Jin smiled as he watched his elder brother and his group depart. Only after everyone's laughter and chatter had faded into the distance did Shen Jin return to the inn.
Looking at the empty room, Shen Jin felt a deep sense of melancholy. Old Zheng and the young man were like two malignant tumors growing in Shen Jin's heart, causing him to feel a dull ache from time to time.
He wondered if, besides Xie Li, Lao Zheng and the young man had any other accomplices.
But who could it be...?
A short while later, a simply dressed man wearing a hat walked out of the inn. If you didn't look closely, you would think he was just a simple mountain boy. In addition, Shen Jin had smeared some ash on his face, making it even harder to tell that he had looked as clean and handsome as before.
Thanks to the clothes left in the room by the villagers, I managed to put them together and roll up the sleeves, and they were barely wearable, even though they were a bit too big.
The market was indeed exceptionally lively today. In addition to the people from yesterday, there were many more market-goers. People squatted in twos and threes by the roadside, with a dazzling array of goods they had brought to sell displayed in front of them.
Buyers browsed with great interest, while sellers beamed with joy. Their simple, weathered faces were so genuine and comforting, radiating a pure and beautiful charm.
This contrasted sharply with Shen Jin's current mood. Shen Jin walked furtively along the road, as if he had done something wrong. He knew that the more he tried to hide it, the easier it would be to give himself away.
But Shen Jin was truly terrified at this moment. Before figuring out the enemy's strength, all caution was justified.
He pulled his hat down low, his sharp eyes darting around beneath it. Every street corner, every passerby, became the target of his burning gaze.
But everyone who passed by had such a simple and honest face, and their eyes shone with ordinary kindness and happiness, without a trace of the viciousness of Old Zheng and his two accomplices.
Chen Jin arrived at a noodle shop, which was an open-air stall. The owners were a very enthusiastic couple, busy serving customers inside and out.
Shen Jin saw that, since it was early morning, the stalls were filled with people who had come to eat breakfast. Several women were even wearing local ethnic costumes, with beautiful headdresses on their heads, and holding a baby in their arms as they ate breakfast.
The woman's beautiful face and innocent eyes captivated Shen Jin at first sight, along with the image of the baby sleeping peacefully in its mother's arms. Everything was so serene and beautiful that one couldn't bear to disturb the tranquility of this small town.
One can imagine that if a gunfight were to break out, like the last time Lao Zheng sniped at him and Yan Yu, it would surely terrify this quaint little town and might even harm innocent people.
Shen Jin's delicate eyebrows furrowed. He fell into deep thought.
If it's going to harm innocent people, it's better to leave as soon as possible. Shen Jin thought to himself, he didn't want to frighten the simple townspeople or bring them any danger.
Wandering around, Shen Jin observed the surroundings, but by noon, he had found nothing. He hadn't even spotted a trace of Old Zheng or the young man.
The sun was scorching, and Shen Jin, wearing thick clothes, felt extremely uncomfortable. His stomach was growling with hunger, and his throat felt like it was steaming from a parched field.
He had no choice but to go back to the inn for lunch. Ever since he learned of Lao Zheng and the others' existence, Shen Jin no longer dared to wander around outside.
To his surprise, just as he returned to the inn, far away from where Shen Jin was staying, two men, having finished their meal, lazily picked their teeth as they walked out.
"I guess he was thinking of calling the police," the young man said. "Maybe he didn't succeed for some reason, and I don't know where he went."
Old Zheng's sly eyes darted around: "Let's go check inside the station! That kid knows we've found him, he'll be scrambling to escape."
So the two of them rushed into the station, guns tucked into their pockets. But when they got to the station, they found a large crowd, but no sign of Shen Jin or Yan Yu.
“Since Shen Jin isn’t dead, Yan Yu is very likely still alive,” the young man said. “When we catch those two, we’ll kill them.”
Unfortunately, several days have passed and there has been no news from either side.
His frequent solo outings caught the attention of his elder brother and the others. The villagers thought that Shen Jin really loved the place so much that he hadn't seen it all even after several days.
This was also the day the villagers finished their shopping and prepared to return to the village. Without saying a word, the eldest brother drove up in a delivery truck loaded with goods, all of which were the "fruits of the villagers' labor."
The car was packed full, leaving Chen Jin stunned.
"You practically moved the entire market back with you?" Shen Jin said. "A lot."
The eldest brother efficiently helped the villagers get on the bus, assisting the elderly and children. Chen Jin also helped carry the children onto the bus.
"Hehe, we can have a prosperous Spring Festival this year!" The eldest brother said with a beaming smile, quickly stuffing things into the car. The villagers were happy, and Shen Jin's brow also relaxed.
Eventually, everyone left.
As he was leaving, Shen Jin felt a strange unease. His thoughts were racing, and he couldn't help but think about Old Zheng and the young man. He felt that he would see them again in the future.
“This is not a happy thing…” Shen Jin rubbed his temples.
The group boarded the delivery truck heading home, chatting and laughing all the way, with some even singing folk songs.
A joyful atmosphere filled the car, but Chen Jin sat by the window, intently gazing at the scenery outside. The mountain road wound its way through the landscape, the scenery breathtaking. Rows of ancient trees passing by brought tears to Chen Jin's eyes.
The rows of trees inexplicably lifted Chen Jin's empty heart. He suddenly missed Yan Yu, but he knew he would see him soon...
Shen Jin withdrew his gaze, closed his eyes, and took a deep breath. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him. He clearly couldn't forgive, nor did he want to forgive, but he still couldn't help but think of it in occasional moments.
Perhaps that's just how feelings are—unpredictable and elusive...
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com