Chapter 63

Chapter 63

On Sunday, Tang Qingqing went to the Public Security Bureau's cafeteria as usual for her meal.

As soon as she entered the cafeteria, Tang Qingqing saw Song Weiguo wolfing down his food. After getting her own meal, she sat down in front of him.

"Uncle Song."

Song Weiguo looked up. "Ah, it's Qingqing. I was actually planning to find you."

He finished off the last bit of food in his lunchbox with remarkable speed.

"After investigating, we found that before leaving, Yan Hu left a considerable sum of money for his family."

Tang Qingqing paused with her chopsticks. "Where did this money come from?"

"The Yan family said they don't know either. Yan Hu told them that he hadn't taken good care of the family over the years and wanted to compensate them with this money."

Yan Hu had been quite generous to his family. Over the years, he made a lot of money running illegal gambling dens, so the Yan family had always lived comfortably.

At first, Song Weiguo didn't think anything was amiss about the money, given Yan Hu's ability to earn such sums.

However, after further inquiries, it turned out that Yan Hu's gambling den had been raided, resulting in significant losses.

Moreover, the reason he managed to escape unscathed was because he paid someone to take the fall for him.

Not only did he have to pay off the person who took the blame, but he also had to bribe those who knew the truth to keep quiet.

He was known for his extravagant spending, earning much but also spending lavishly, which meant he couldn't save much.

Furthermore, Yan Hu needed a substantial amount of cash on hand for his planned escape south.

Yet, he left two thousand yuan for his family. According to Song Weiguo's investigation, the source of this money was highly suspicious.

No one knew where Yan Hu got this money from—whether it was from some previous stash or if someone else gave it to him. The truth could only be revealed by catching Yan Hu.

The Yan family claimed to be unaware of what Yan Hu did outside, knowing only that he brought back a lot of money, and they never asked questions.

Tang Qingqing pursed her lips. "Uncle Song, do you mean that Yan Hu's actions might not be simple revenge, but rather someone hired him to hurt people?"

"It is indeed possible. Those whom Yan Hu incited also received benefits from him."

Combined with their existing grudge against Zhai Hongyi, once incited, they acted on impulse and went after Zhai Hongyi.

"Didn't Yan Hu mention causing trouble for me? Did he go straight for Zhai Hongyi?"

"He did mention you, but mostly focused on Zhai Hongyi. The first person Yan Hu incited had been disciplined by Zhai Hongyi before and held a grudge. So when Yan Hu suggested it, he immediately targeted Zhai Hongyi, and the others followed suit."

Most of those incited by Yan Hu had suffered at the hands of Zhai Hongyi.

While they also disliked Tang Qingqing, Zhai Hongyi was more despised.

Moreover, they believed that since Zhai Hongyi was a man, they could attack him more viciously without fear of consequences.

"The severity of their attack was also influenced by Yan Hu. Initially, they just wanted to teach Zhai Hongyi a lesson, but once they started fighting, they lost control."

Yan Hu himself delivered the first blow, and his brutality fueled the already violent group, leading them to act recklessly.

Zhai Hongyi did not stand idly by; he fought back while fleeing, injuring several attackers. His retaliation was particularly harsh, targeting vulnerable areas.

Initially, the attackers only wanted to prevent Zhai Hongyi from taking the college entrance exam, but after being beaten, they lost all restraint and aimed to kill him.

"Uncle Song, I feel this matter isn't that simple."

Song Weiguo nodded. "I agree, but without catching Yan Hu, it's hard to make progress."

Yan Hu was very cautious; otherwise, he wouldn't have escaped so easily when his gambling den was raided.

If someone hired him to attack Zhai Hongyi, he would have covered his tracks well.

It's likely that his escape south was facilitated by the mastermind behind the scenes.

In those days, once someone fled, it was extremely difficult to track them down.

Tang Qingqing felt frustrated but had no choice but to plead with Song Weiguo not to give up on the investigation.

Song Weiguo assured her, "Don't worry. I'll keep this case in mind and notify you immediately if there's any news."

Taking advantage of Wang Heizi's visit to the commune, Tang Qingqing mentioned the incident to him.

Although Zhai Hongyi had left, Wang Heizi's business continued.

However, now that he was alone, he couldn't maintain control over certain territories and had to abandon some operations.

Even so, Wang Heizi still made a profit.

Upon hearing the news, Wang Heizi cursed for a long time.

"Which bastard did this! If I catch him, I'll skin him alive!"

"Did you offend anyone in your business dealings?"

Tang Qingqing believed that the person who could afford to hire Yan Hu must have significant financial resources.

Most of the cases she had solved involved individuals with little money.

Having such wealth placed them among the wealthiest families, not just in the countryside but also in the commune.

"To say there's no one would be a lie, but I can't think of anyone who would go to such lengths."

Don't underestimate the business; despite its size, there's plenty of cutthroat competition.

Zhai Hongyi built his business through hard work and now has his own network and channels.

But when it comes to someone hating him this much, Wang Heizi can't think of anyone so petty.

After all, although they competed for territory in the past, they always adhered to the principle of harmony bringing prosperity, knowing when to draw the line.

They wouldn't monopolize everything, leaving others without a livelihood. Cutting off someone's source of income could easily lead to retaliation, putting everyone at risk.

So many ended up as friends after initial conflicts, never reaching the point of enmity.

Tang Qingqing and Wang Heizi pondered together but still couldn't identify any suspects.

Both were disheartened, never expecting that after solving so many cases, they'd be facing one involving themselves.

"I wonder how Brother Yi is doing. There's been no word from him yet."

Wang Heizi spoke in a low voice, feeling dejected.

Although the business continued, something felt off without Zhai Hongyi.

"Tang Qingqing, do you think Brother Yi might have left like those other educated youths, never to be heard from again?"

Tang Qingqing remained silent, feeling deeply troubled.

She found it hard to judge whether Zhai Hongyi would remember them. Based on the experiences of some educated youths who returned to the city, many lost touch over time.

Some had formed relationships with other educated youths or locals but forgot about them once back in the city.

There was a local girl from a commune who jumped into a river out of despair when her educated youth lover disappeared without a trace upon returning to the city.

They believed Zhai Hongyi wasn't that kind of person, but neither did that local girl think her lover would abandon her.

Wang Heizi clenched his fists: "If he doesn't give us any news, we'll go to the capital to find him! I want to see what he has to say! We promised to be lifelong brothers, even if we didn't swear an oath like the Three Heroes of the Peach Garden."

Tang Qingqing snapped out of her melancholy. "Exactly! If he forgets us, we'll kick him before parting ways!"

The two shared a smile, feeling less heartbroken.

"Qing Sister, I'm struggling to manage the business alone. Do you think I should look for a partner?"

"If you need one, go ahead. I don't know much about business, but having another pair of hands could help prevent being swindled. Just make sure to find someone reliable and honest, or the loss will be greater."

Though Tang Qingqing wasn't involved, Wang Heizi always considered her part of the team.

Her approval reassured him.

"I plan to ask Tao Dazhuang from our brigade."

"Tao Dazhuang? He seems suitable."

Tao Dazhuang was known in the brigade for being simple-minded but not stupid, just not very clever.

He was tall and sturdy, resembling a pagoda, with arms thicker than Tang Qingqing's thighs and standing nearly six feet five inches tall.

From a young age, he ate voraciously. His family was poor, so he scavenged for food, eating field mice and insects. When desperate, he even resorted to tree bark.

His mother worried constantly, wondering how she gave birth to such an eater.

Despite his random diet, he grew to nearly six feet five inches tall, needing to duck to enter doors.

He could eat and work hard, earning the most work points in the brigade, but it still wasn't enough to satisfy his appetite.

Tao Dazhuang was twenty-two this year. Logically, a strong laborer like him should have no trouble finding a wife.

However, due to his enormous appetite, his family was impoverished, and no one wanted to marry him.

Even those who didn't mind his appetite were intimidated by his size, fearing he could accidentally kill someone with a single swing.

His family was too poor to afford a dowry, so at his age, he remained unmarried.

Last year around this time, his siblings, tired of feeding him, insisted on separating him from the household.

Tao Dazhuang complied, setting up a small house in a remote area.

For him, living alone made little difference since he was still hungry.

Being alone also meant less work, like carrying less water each day.

Less activity meant he could eat a bit less.

Wang Heizi said, "I chose him not only because he looks intimidating but also because he lives alone, ensuring no leaks."

Doing business still required secrecy; it couldn't be publicized.

While people suspected something, as long as it wasn't exposed, it wasn't a major issue.

Finding someone from a large family would be different.

Tao Dazhuang wasn't talkative and didn't brag, so he wouldn't spread rumors.

"That's good. With him by your side, I'll feel more at ease."

Wang Heizi's business wasn't big, and he rarely had much money, but in those times, people weren't above using violence for a small profit.

Wang Heizi, though tall, looked young and thin, with a voice just starting to change, making him appear childlike and more vulnerable.

"Alright, I'll bring him over for you to see."

Tang Qingqing chuckled, "It's your decision. Why do I need to see him?"

"Rules can't be broken. With Brother Yi not around, we should be even more cautious." Wang Heizi insisted.

Tang Qingqing reined in her smile, understanding that Wang Heizi was reminding her of Zhai Hongyi's presence at this moment.

A few days later, Wang Heizi made another trip to the commune, this time bringing Tao Dazhuang along.

The two invited Tao Dazhuang to eat noodles at a hidden spot in the residential area. The owner was generous, and each serving was quite substantial.

Both Tang Qingqing and Wang Heizi were growing and had big appetites, but one bowl was enough for them, with Wang Heizi perhaps adding a large pancake.

However, after being promised all-you-can-eat, Tao Dazhuang ate four full bowls, tearing a bun into each bowl to soak in the broth.

Even though Tang Qingqing knew Tao Dazhuang was impressive, she was still stunned.

Most shockingly, after eating, Tao Dazhuang said, "Today's meal was really satisfying. I should be about seven-tenths full now."

If it weren't for his burly build, Tang Qingqing would have suspected he had worms in his stomach.

Having Tao Dazhuang around provided a strong sense of security; just standing there, he was an intimidating presence.

This "bottomless pit," Tao Dazhuang, wasn't just good at eating; he was also incredibly strong.

Wang Heizi had been injured and hadn't fully recovered, so many tasks were beyond him. With Tao Dazhuang around, they didn't have to worry.

"Pity the commune is too far from the brigade. Otherwise, if you went to solve cases, having Tao Dazhuang with you would be reassuring."

After this injury, Wang Heizi was even more concerned about Tang Qingqing.

Business in winter wasn't as busy, but Wang Heizi worried about Tang Qingqing and visited frequently.

"You don't need to worry so much. I always act with the Public Security Bureau."

"With Brother Yi not around, I must ensure your safety."

Hearing this, Tang Qingqing fell silent.

With no news from Zhai Hongyi, both of them felt uneasy.

Although the doctors at the commune hospital said he wasn't in danger, brain injuries could be unpredictable, and no one knew what might happen.

The college entrance exam results came out quickly, and Rongshan Brigade received good news: Zhang Yabin got accepted into university!

Though only one person got in, many brigades had no successful candidates, making their achievement significant.

This year, over five million students took the exam, but only about 200,000 to 300,000 were admitted, meaning roughly one in thirty passed.

The time between the restoration of the exam and the actual test was too short, and many had neglected their studies over the years, leaving insufficient time for review.

Despite working in the fields for years, Zhang Yabin never gave up on studying, which allowed him to stand out.

Tang Qingqing was delighted for Zhang Yabin but began worrying about finding a new teacher for the brigade's elementary school.

Zhang Yabin taught well, and they needed someone to take over, avoiding a situation like Sun Qin's.

Wang Heizi said, "I've discussed it with my uncle. We'll pick teachers from the educated youth, but not permanently. If they teach well and everyone is satisfied, they can continue; otherwise, we'll replace them. There's no fixed position anyway."

Wang Heizi was now attending school himself, feeling entitled to speak on the matter.

"Will the brigade leader listen to you?"

"In previous years, he might think I'm causing trouble, but now that the exams are back, do you think he doesn't want our brigade to produce a university student? He will definitely prioritize education more than before."

Without a clear goal, studying lacked direction, but now with the exam as motivation, people saw its value.

As the brigade leader, Wang Changfu didn't want poor teaching to hinder the children's education.

Since they could nurture Tang Qingqing, they could do it again.

After finishing her final exams, Tang Qingqing received her results.

Unsurprisingly, she topped the entire grade, far surpassing others in every subject, scoring near-perfect marks.

Yet, Zhai Hongyi remained without any news, leaving Tang Qingqing disappointed and worried.

She had consulted the doctor, asking if, given the time, Zhai Hongyi should have woken up if there were no major issues.

The doctor said that based on their findings, he should have awakened by now.

Unless their equipment was not advanced enough to detect some conditions, leading to misjudgment.

Tang Qingqing found this slightly reassuring and continued counting the days, hoping Zhai Hongyi would recover and send word of his safety.

On the day Tang Qingqing returned to the brigade, Wang Heizi came the day before, primarily to pick her up, with business as a secondary concern.

Without Zhai Hongyi, Wang Heizi struggled alone, although he still earned money, it was less than before.

Tao Dazhuang, who had been with Wang Heizi for a short while, seemed even stronger.

In the cold winter, Tang Qingqing bundled herself up tightly, while Tao Dazhuang wore only a thin cotton jacket, without an undershirt, yet felt no chill.

He spoke little, and when he did, it was usually about food. His imposing presence sometimes made it easy to forget he was there.

Seeing Wang Heizi, Tang Qingqing was deeply moved. Without him, things would have been difficult.

Bringing bedding and clothes home during the break was necessary; leaving them at school was unsafe, and she had no extra bedding at home.

The quilts and bedding were easy to carry, just tie them up and put them on your back.

When she came to school before, her Uncle made her a wooden box to hold her clothes, which was both large and heavy, making it difficult for Tang Qingqing to carry by herself.

When she reported for school previously, Zhai Hongyi and Wang Heizi took her to the commune's No. 1 Middle School.

At that time, Zhai Hongyi helped her carry her things to the dormitory, drawing many curious glances.

Later, some senior female students inquired about Zhai Hongyi, all attracted by his appearance.

Perhaps due to their trio's reputation, no one suspected anything between them, assuming they were simply the best of friends.

Wang Heizi: "If Brother Yi were here, he would be very happy to know how well you did."

Whenever Wang Heizi talked to Tang Qingqing, he would mention Zhai Hongyi at least once in every three sentences.

In Wang Heizi's words, without any news from Zhai Hongyi, even his meals tasted bland.

Tang Qingqing wasn't annoyed by this; she missed him just as much, but she didn't express it as openly as Wang Heizi did.

This year's New Year celebrations were even more vibrant than last year's.

Especially for Uncle's family, who raised two pigs this year, each weighing over three hundred pounds. They didn't have to share the credit with anyone else, earning more work points and meat.

In contrast, the neighbors were not having such an easy time.

After the separation, the absence of Wang Simei became apparent, revealing the importance of her labor.

That wasn't even the worst part; the most significant issue was that Tang Jianguo sent less money and fewer goods this year!

"Mom, did you hide the money? It's the New Year, why did Brother only send a few clothes and a bit of food? Where's the money?"

Tang Jianjun rummaged through the package, finding it hard to believe.

Old Lady Wu's face was already pale, and these words only made her angrier.

"What kind of talk is that! What use would I have for hiding money? Who would go to town to collect it if I did?"

"But it doesn't make sense. Brother hasn't sent us money in a long time, and now during the New Year, there's still no money. What does he mean by this!"

Tang Jianjun knew that his mother couldn't easily hide anything, because whenever the postman arrived, the whole village would know.

He usually rushed back to ask the postman if there was any registered mail for their family.

Zhao Dahua's face also turned grim, especially when she saw the few old clothes, mostly summer and autumn wear, with only a couple suitable for winter, and all were girls' clothes.

"Sending just a few old clothes, is he treating us like beggars? Could he be trying to avoid supporting his own mother?"