Chapter 28

But those villagers who had been asked for help actually shook their heads and silently closed their doors, leaving Dabao and Erbao shut out.

“We’ll go, we’ll go!”

Watching this scene from the window, the Ding family of three were speechless to the point of stomping their feet. Damn it, what kind of people are these? Selfish, cowardly, and useless.

If it weren’t for Village Chief Laifu having the foresight to lead them out, these people would’ve starved to death in Aozi Valley sooner or later. But their judgment was so poor—sure, Chief Laifu got them out, but since they didn’t get a grain of rice or a sip of water from him, and they didn’t directly benefit, they saw no reason to risk their lives to save him now.

The more they watched, the angrier they got. They couldn’t stand it anymore!

Ding Gui suddenly turned around. “I’m going to the kitchen to find a knife.”

Zhang Xiu clenched the rabbit in her hands tighter and tighter.

Ding Xiaodie’s face turned pale. She also wanted to get a knife. “I’m going with Dabao and Erbao to save the chief!”

This was infuriating—how could the villagers be so numb and indifferent? It reminded the three of them of that painful part of history—the massacre of a village by invaders. Wasn’t it the same situation?

That’s why they had to stand up now. Today’s awakening was a rehearsal for when real nomadic enemies might come in the future.

But just as the three were about to go downstairs—

“Wait.”

Wang Dafeng spread her arms, blocking the stairway. “No one’s going down right now.”

What did that mean?

Ding Xiaodie said anxiously, “Grandma, this isn’t the time to think about eating. If Uncle Laifu is in trouble, how could we just sit here and eat?”

Ding Gui was also annoyed. “Mom…”

“Shut up, all of you. Listen to me first.” Wang Dafeng cut them off, straight-faced, then straightened up and said, “Just now Dabao and Erbao went door to door begging for help. Those bastards didn’t even want to move—you saw that too!

You two want to follow them? Just look at yourselves, skin and bones—go out there and you’re basically waiting to be chopped down. And if something happens to you, who’s going to take care of me?

So, stay in the house and behave. If those cowardly turtles want to hide, no way. If we’re going to die, let’s take a few down with us. Watch me.”

After saying that, Wang Dafeng turned and marched downstairs.

The Ding family of three were stunned. They had no idea what the old lady was planning at such a critical moment.

But taking advantage of the moment, Ding Gui quickly took out the rabbit he had hidden and handed it to Zhang Xiu. “Hide this one. The old lady only thinks about eating. If we don’t plan ahead, we’ll be out of food.”

Seeing that they had caught two rabbits in one day, Zhang Xiu was so excited she gave her husband a quick hug.

Now that the old lady wasn’t watching—she could hug him all she wanted.

Ding Xiaodie rolled her eyes from the side. “Mom, hurry and hide it.”

“Don’t worry, leave it to me!” Zhang Xiu ran straight to the bed.

She’d had nothing to do all day, so she had already explored every inch of the house.

Based on what she learned from dramas, people in ancient times liked to hide things at home—some hid jewelry, others food. And in the house they were staying in, there was a big hole in the floor under the bed.

When she found it, there was even a ledger inside. Judging from the entries, it looked like the husband’s secret stash. The money was gone—probably taken with him—but the ledger remained.

Sigh, men—no matter the era, they always need to be guarded against.

Zhang Xiu hid the rabbit in the hole under the bed. Once the old lady fell asleep that night, she’d sneak it into the kitchen and start prepping and curing it.

Seeing that his wife had found such a clever hiding spot, Ding Gui gave her a thumbs-up. “Wife, you’re awesome.”

Zhang Xiu shot him a look. “There’s one thing I never told you—last lifetime, that secret stash you hid in the mattress? I took it all the day before everything went down and bought a purse. Over ten grand.”

Ding Gui: “…”

Even if it was a past life, it still hurt to hear.

He had secretly cut open the mattress and stashed the cash inside—ten thousand yuan, three years of saving—just to buy himself some things he liked, like a fishing rod or a Yixing teapot or something.

Watching her hilarious parents, Ding Xiaodie almost burst out laughing.

Right then, Wang Dafeng’s powerful voice suddenly rang out from the street below:
“All of you in Aozi Valley, men, women, young and old, open your ears and listen up! Today, this old lady’s going to talk some damn sense into you!”

“Back in Aozi Valley, Chief Laifu was always fair and just in handling things. If someone was beating his wife or cheating, you all went running to him to settle it. And he always handled things evenly and fairly.”

“One year ago, when the weather changed, Chief Laifu personally went to every home, warning you to plant properly and be ready for changes. But did anyone listen? No! Then the drought hit and you begged him to find a way to keep you alive.”

“The chief can read and write. He made a quick decision and led you all out to escape the famine and survive. You want to know why he did it? Let me tell you. The last pond in the village dried up, and nothing grew in the fields. As the saying goes, ‘people move to live, trees move to die.’ If he hadn’t led you out, you all know exactly what would’ve happened.”

“Then all the way here, all you did was complain—too hard, too far, no food, no water. Acting like you were living like emperors in Aozi Valley. Aren’t you ashamed? If you don’t like it, why don’t you go back? Go back to Aozi Valley and wait to die!”

“And now that the chief is in trouble and his kids are begging for help, not one of you has the guts to step up. Not one of you is acting like a man. You’re all cowards! Have you already forgotten how well Chief Laifu treated you?”

“If not for him, then tell me—what’s your plan now? Sit here in Yangliu Town and wait to die? Or go back to Aozi Valley and wait to die? Hiding like this—you got the guts to face your children? Your grandchildren?”

Upstairs, the Ding family of three stood stunned.

The old lady’s fighting power was no joke. She was scolding nonstop, but every word hit home, and she was standing right in the middle of the street doing it. The cursing was absolutely savage.

As Wang Dafeng shouted, Dabao and Erbao stood by the street, wiping tears. They were confused and scared, worried about their father’s safety.

The joy of having brought food back from the mountains had long faded.

Creak—

In the silence, the door of the Ding house opened!

Ding Gui and Ding Xiaodie couldn’t wait any longer. Each holding a small kitchen knife, they stepped out the door and walked straight to Dabao and Erbao.

“Don’t be afraid. We’re going with you!”