Chapter 118 Five people bullying an old man?
In later generations, it seems that there is less warmth between people.
Even if they see an elderly person fall to the ground, many people will hesitate and dare not easily go forward to help them up, for fear that the elderly person's family members will accuse them of extorting money without distinguishing right from wrong.
Unlike today, where people are full of warmth and kindness, neighbors and relatives look after each other, and everyone will lend a helping hand without hesitation when someone is in trouble.
Today's turmoil may finally put Li Ergou on the right path.
Xu Zhili returned the farm tools, while Xie Yunce, like a large dog that had only recognized its master, followed closely behind her, never leaving her side, his vigorous vitality almost scorching the air.
Xu Zhili paused, then suddenly turned around, her eyes, which always seemed nonchalant yet sharp, staring directly at Xie Yunce, a half-smile curving her lips.
"Xie Yunze, you're doing a pretty good job as a little tail, aren't you? Sticking to me so closely, what are you trying to do?"
Xie Yunze's heart skipped a beat when she looked at him, but he immediately straightened his neck, his bronze face shining brightly in the sunlight.
"Sister, can't I come with you?"
He suddenly rolled up his sleeves, revealing his well-defined, powerful forearms, and tensed his muscles.
"Sister, are you going to the back mountain? Take me with you. I'm really good now. Last time I was a burden when I followed you to fight the wolf pack, but I definitely won't be this time."
Xie Yunze's eyes burned with unwavering determination. "Look at these muscles. He works out every day carrying loads with the village's strong men! He could even take on a tiger."
Xu Zhili looked at his "human beast seeking praise" appearance, a hint of barely perceptible interest flashing in her eyes, and deliberately dragged out her tone.
"Oh? Going to help? Then tell me, what kind of big help can you be?"
"Of course!"
“I ran all the way from the village entrance to the commune's grain station! Faster than the postman's beat-up bicycle! My dad even said I should be a long-distance runner.” He puffed out his chest, as if it were a tremendous honor.
Xu Zhili snorted softly, her smile deepening, tinged with a touch of madness: "Alright, wait here, I'll go get the tools."
"Really? Sister?"
Xie Yunze's eyes lit up instantly, like searchlights that had been turned on in a flash. He was so excited that he almost jumped up, and his short hair seemed to become even more flamboyant.
His sharply defined face, with his wide-open eyes beneath thick eyebrows, was filled with pure joy and fearlessness. His tall and robust body radiated a burning youthful energy, and the setting sun cast his long shadow, making him look like a small white poplar tree growing wildly in the wilderness, fearless and undeterred.
————
Xu Zhili took out a basket, and the two headed straight for the back mountain.
This time, the target is the abandoned hunter's treehouse we found deep in the mountains last time. It has a good view and is well-hidden, making it a good place for observation and rest.
Along the way, Xu Zhili, quick-witted and agile, knocked out a plump wild rabbit with a pebble and casually tossed it to Xie Yunce to carry.
Upon arriving at the treehouse, Xu Zhili deftly started a small fire, took out an aluminum lunchbox from her basket—containing steamed wild amaranth and meat dumplings from yesterday—and also took out an extra-large enamel mug of spicy rabbit meat.
"Here, have some to tide you over." She pushed the rabbit meat and dumplings she had prepared in front of Xie Yunze.
"Sister, is this for me to eat?" Xie Yunze's voice was filled with unbelievable surprise, his eyes widening even more than before.
"Yes, eat quickly. You'll need energy to work when you're full."
Xu Zhili picked up a dumpling, took a bite, and casually glanced at the mountains and forests below.
Xie Yunze picked up a piece of rabbit meat and stuffed it into his mouth, shouting indistinctly, "Mmm! So delicious! So good! Sister! I'm so happy!"
He suddenly remembered something, quickly picked up the largest and tenderest piece of rabbit leg meat, and clumsily held it to Xu Zhili's lips, his eyes sparkling with an unyielding stubbornness: "Sister, you should eat too, this is the best."
Xu Zhili raised an eyebrow and glanced at him with a playful look in her eyes, but still opened her mouth and accepted the answer.
Her pink lips were stained with a little bit of glossy chili oil.
Xie Yunze's gaze was drawn to her glossy lips as if by a magnet.
In that instant, it felt as if an electric current had shot through his spine. He abruptly lowered his head, and the tips of his ears turned bright red at a visible speed, spreading all the way down to his neck.
His heart was pounding in his chest, so loudly that he suspected Xu Zhili could hear it.
"What are you daydreaming about? Eat up."
Xu Zhili didn't notice his strange behavior and took another bite of rabbit meat, squinting her eyes in satisfaction. "Wild game has to be eaten fresh. Eat more, because we might have to chase after prey later, which will consume a lot of energy."
"Oh...oh, delicious! Sister's cooking is the best."
Xie Yunze responded hastily. To hide his heart pounding in his throat, he lowered his head and viciously tore at the rabbit meat, as if he had a grudge against it. He mumbled praises, but his cheeks were burning hot.
The rabbit meat dumplings were all gone.
Xu Zhili deftly brushed the ashes off her hands, stood up, and scanned the depths of the dense forest with an almost hunting excitement.
"We've rested enough, time to get back to work. We need to get to Wild Boar Ridge before dark; I heard there are big guys there."
Xie Yunze immediately sprang up like a spring, quickly packed his things, and followed closely behind Xu Zhili like the most loyal guard.
Along the way, he tried his best not to look at Xu Zhili's slender yet powerful back, but that figure seemed to have its own attraction.
His gaze kept drifting over there, his heart started pounding uncontrollably, and his mind was a jumble of thoughts, one moment on those glossy lips, the next on the fervent anticipation of showing off his skills.
The two walked through the woods as darkness gradually fell.
Suddenly, a loud argument and shoving sounded from a fork in the road not far ahead, particularly jarring in the quiet mountain forest.
Xu Zhili instantly raised her hand, her movements as fast as lightning, and grabbed Xie Yunze, who was about to rush forward.
Her eyes were sharp as an eagle's, but a cold, slightly crazy, and amused smile slowly curved her lips as she whispered, "Shh—there's going to be some fun."
The two held their breath and quietly approached under the cover of the bushes.
Five men dressed in rural clothes were seen surrounding an elderly man with gray hair and tattered clothes, roughly snatching a worn-out cloth bag that he was clutching tightly to his chest.
When she used her spiritual power to clearly perceive what the old man was tightly holding in his arms, the identity of this usually unassuming old man seemed to change instantly...
Everyone knows this old man. He lives at the end of the village. His surname is Hu, and everyone calls him Grandpa Hu.
I heard that when he was thirty years old, his wife suffered a misfortune during childbirth and passed away.
Since then, he has never remarried and has remained single.
He usually keeps to himself and rarely interacts with the villagers.
People are less likely to initiate conversation with someone like that.
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