Chapter 408: Disgusting Worms

“I can’t take it anymore.”
As soon as she said that, Liu Caifeng covered her mouth and ran out. Moments later, the sound of her retching echoed from outside.

The others didn’t look much better after hearing those sounds. Their faces had all gone pale, clearly forcing themselves to hold it in.

Li Yiyi picked up a stick from the ground and used it to lift one of the white wire-like worms from the bucket of water. The moment it came out—whoa—it actually vanished from sight.

Everyone around was stunned. Li Yiyi hesitated for a second, then quickly looked into the bucket again. She placed the worm back into the water, and just like that, the strange sight happened again—the worm became visible once more.

“Wait, did it really just disappear a second ago? Comrade Li, did you see that too?”
Hong Shuo rubbed his eyes in disbelief as he asked.

Li Yiyi pressed her lips into a tight line, staring at the white worms in the water with a serious expression.

“I remember we have some insect researchers with us, right? Go ask them to come over and take a look at these worms.”
She turned to Hong Shuo and gave him instructions.

Hong Shuo immediately nodded. “Alright, I’ll bring them over now.”

He turned and quickly walked over to the group of researchers standing nearby.

Seeing him approach, Gu Weiwei tugged on his sleeve nervously. “Hong Shuo, what’s going on with those worms? You don’t think they’ve been in the water we’ve been drinking, do you?”

He could tell his girlfriend was scared, so he gently patted the back of her hand to comfort her.
“Don’t worry. No matter what those worms are, we’ll find a way to deal with them.”

After calming her down, he turned to the group and called out,
“Which of you specialize in entomology? Comrade Li would like to ask a few questions.”

At his words, three male researchers stepped forward from the crowd.

“We’re insect specialists. The three of us will come take a look,” one of them said loudly.

Hong Shuo quickly expressed his gratitude.
“No need to thank us,” another man said with a smile. “You and Comrade Li have looked after us all along the way. Of course we’re happy to help if you need us.”

Soon, with Hong Shuo leading the way, they arrived in the backyard.

“Comrade Li, these three professors all specialize in insect research,” he said as they entered, addressing Li Yiyi, who was still crouched beside the bucket, observing the worms.

She looked up and, seeing the three men behind him, stood up and walked over to explain the situation.

“We had a look just now too,” one of the professors said after she finished explaining. “But we’ve never seen worms like these before. It’s quite embarrassing to admit, but none of the three of us have the faintest clue what they are.”

Li Yiyi frowned slightly. “None of you have even heard of them? Not even in books?”

The three of them exchanged glances, then shook their heads in unison.

Li Yiyi sighed. She’d hoped these experts might shed some light on the mystery, but it seemed that hope was dashed.

“Alright, never mind. Thank you anyway—you can go get some rest.”

Even though they hadn’t found any answers, she still made sure to thank them properly.

After escorting the professors out, Hong Shuo returned to the backyard and found Li Yiyi still staring intently into the bucket.

“Dr. Li, do you think the villagers getting sick could be related to these worms?”
After a moment’s hesitation, he finally voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind.

Li Yiyi pursed her lips. “It’s possible. I did a quick test earlier—the water we brought back from the mountains doesn’t contain these worms. That means they only appear in the old well.”

Hong Shuo’s eyes lit up. “Comrade Li, if that’s the case, then does it mean we can drink the water from the mountain?”

Li Yiyi glanced at him and nodded.
“Yes, but we should still be cautious. Before using any water, toss in a test pill first. If no worms appear, it’s safe.”

Hong Shuo nodded. “Got it. I’ll pass the word along.”

Since they couldn’t get any more information from the worms for now, Li Yiyi turned her attention elsewhere.
“Comrade Hong, any word from Jiang Hong’s side? Do they know we’re staying in this village tonight?”

“Don’t worry,” he replied with a smile. “If Old Jiang and his group come down the mountain, they’ll definitely find us. I left markings for them all along the way—it won’t be a problem.”

Li Yiyi smiled, reassured by his response.

When night fell, Dazhu led a group of village women over, carrying dinner.

But after what they’d just witnessed in the bucket, no one had the appetite to eat. Their stomachs churned the moment they saw the food, and not a single person reached for their chopsticks.

After setting the meal out, Dazhu finally noticed that no one was eating. What’s more, the researchers all looked a little sick.

“Dr. Li, why aren’t you eating? I know the food’s simple, but this is the best our village can offer. I’m really sorry if it’s not good enough!”

Thinking they were just being picky, Dazhu apologized sincerely.

Li Yiyi quickly realized he had misunderstood.
“Brother Dazhu, come with me to the backyard. Once you see what’s there, you’ll understand why we can’t eat.”

With that, she turned and led the way.

Dazhu hesitated a moment, then followed her.

“Dr. Li, what do you want me to see?” he asked once they reached the backyard. The place was nearly empty, just a single bucket sitting there.

Li Yiyi stood beside the bucket and pointed to it.
“Look inside. You’ll understand.”

Still skeptical, Dazhu walked over and peered inside—only to be greeted by a writhing mass of long, white worms. The sight nearly made him throw up the fatty meat he’d eaten for lunch.