Meanwhile, outside, Lu Changfu and several nephews and nieces arrived to pay their New Year’s respects.

Lu Shaocai led the group, as it was expected since they were visiting their second uncle and aunt.

Seeing the food on the table, Lu Shaocai and his children felt it was much more lavish than what they had at home, and resentment began to stir in their hearts.

How could their second uncle’s family be doing better than theirs?

In the past, their second uncle’s family couldn’t compare to theirs.

Even after returning from the capital, they had always been better off, with money to spend and food to enjoy.

But this year, their second uncle’s family had taken his job, and now—

After losing his proper job, he ended up working in the fields every day, facing the harsh elements of sun, wind, and rain.

How could his life be so miserable?

When Lu Changfu entered the room, he couldn’t even glance at the dining table, nor did he dare steal a look at Lin Shu, especially since Third Uncle was present.

Instead, his eyes darted toward the cabinet in Fang Dihua’s room.

On the wall near the kang (heated bed), there was a shelf with a few small wooden boxes.

These were food containers used for visiting ancestors’ graves, but they also held small household items.

At the foot of the kang was a large trunk with no lock, while near the head of the kang were a grain jar and a large wardrobe that was locked.

The family’s money or savings passbook must be… in the cabinet?

Just thinking about it made Lu Changfu’s blood run cold.

Guangtou (Baldy) had said that his Second Grandpa’s family was the wealthiest in the village, with at least several thousand yuan!

When Lu Changfu heard this, he was stunned, his mouth hanging open for a long time.

Guangtou had suggested that if they could get even a thousand or eight hundred yuan from Second Grandpa’s house, it would be enough for them to spend for a long time.

Guangtou had also said that with that kind of money, even if they couldn’t marry a city woman, it would be easy to marry a female educated youth.

Those female educated youth, with their soft skin and delicate hands, didn’t like doing farm work.

If they found out he had money, wouldn’t they throw themselves at him?

One of the female educated youth had fair skin, big eyes, and a small mouth—just Lin Shu’s style, so pretty.

Lu Changfu, having been tricked by Guangtou and the others with alcohol and card games, had a muddled mind, filled with thoughts of the thousands of yuan his Second Grandpa’s family supposedly had.

Meanwhile, Lu Jinling was wishing her father and Fang Dihua well for the New Year, but her eyes were secretly sneaking glances at Lu Shaotang and Lin Shu.

Her Third Uncle was so handsome, and Lin Shu was so lucky!

Why did this woman deserve it?

Thinking about how the city guy she liked was fond of Lin Shu instead, her jealousy was about to explode.

As a few words passed, Lu Shaocai had already picked up his cup and started drinking again.

Pan Pan and Tian Tian were originally nestled beside Lin Shu and Lu Shaotang, cracking sunflower seeds.

Pan Pan noticed Lu Changfu and called out loudly, “Big Brother, what are you looking for?”

Lu Changfu, still caught up in his own swirl of nervousness, excitement, fear, and anticipation, didn’t even hear Pan Pan.

Thinking no one was paying attention to him while everyone chatted, he reached out to try and lift the large trunk at the foot of the kang.

Pan Pan scrambled up and asked “Big Brother, what are you doing?”

Lu Changfu let out a yelp as his fingers got caught!

He quickly withdrew his hand in a panic.

The others had no idea what had just happened, so they all turned to look at him.

Lu Changfu hid his hand in his pocket. “Nothing, just accidentally bumped into something.”

He then signaled to his two younger brothers.

Lu Shaocai, feeling upset and tipsy, told his siblings to leave, saying, “Let’s go out and walk around some more.”

He also invited Lu Ping and Lu An to join them.

Their grandfather, Old Lu, encouraged the cousins to go together and pay their respects to the elders in the family.

After all, it would look better for the family if they went as a group.

Lu Shaocai, now quite drunk, started calling loudly, “Second Uncle! Second Uncle!”

His voice grew louder and more boisterous.

Fang Dihua immediately noticed that he was trying to stir up trouble under the influence of alcohol.

She quickly told to Second brother Lu Erge, “Take your elder cousin home.”

Lu Erge, who had been sitting at the edge of the room with his shoes still on, got up and helped Lu Shaocai outside.

Lu Shaocai protested, slurring his words, “I’m not drunk. Don’t think I’m so drunk I don’t know what’s happening. You… and you, Old Third, you look down on me, don’t you? You look down on me…”

Lu Shaotang couldn’t be bothered to respond.

Lu Erge firmly escorted him out.

With most of the people now gone, the room suddenly felt emptier.

Panpan, sitting on the old trunk, was fuming, “Why did he try to go through our trunk? Does he know my money is in there?”

Lu Dage asked, “Who was looking through the trunk?”

Panpan replied, “Lu Changfu! I saw him trying to open it!”

Lu Dage laughed and said, “There’s just some old clothes in there, nothing worth looking at.”

Panpan, wide-eyed, asked, “Uncle, did you also check it?”

Lu Dage chuckled, “This trunk is older than me! How could I not have looked inside? I even used to sleep on it when I was a kid.”

After some banter, he got up and invited Lu Shaotang to join him in visiting relatives.

There were still a few elders left to greet. Old Lu also needed to go.

Fang Dihua said, “You all go visit. I’ll stay home and keep watch. Your father will be back soon.”

Lu Shaotang responded, “I’ll go tomorrow morning.”

Having drunk some wine, he wanted to spend some time alone with his wife, so he handed their two children to his elder brother and father to take care of.

Fang Dihua didn’t mind; she started clearing the table.

That rascal Lu Shaocai had probably cleaned up the dishes on purpose, especially the braised carp—there was still some left for the tradition of “having plenty year after year,” but he had taken the fish head!

Lin Shu had also had a couple of drinks; her cheeks were flushed, and she seemed quite sleepy just sitting there.

Lu Shaotang didn’t hesitate—he picked her up and carried her back to their room.

Fang Dihua pretended not to see anything, keeping a straight face, but she was happy inside.

She loved seeing her son and daughter-in-law so close, hoping they would always be inseparable, which might keep him away from dangerous missions.

Meanwhile, outside, Baldy and his two brothers were—

In the midst of plotting.

“I’ve observed that many people have their doors open and are going around visiting each other. Either no one is home, or they’re just idly busy.”

Guangtou: “They all have to keep watch at night, and they only go to sleep after making dumplings around midnight. By then, they’re all fast asleep.”

Having been lying in ambush for so long, it would be frustrating for the brothers if they didn’t act. Why not test their skills first?

Guangtou and his crew were far from idle. During their undercover period, they had figured out everything about the village: which houses had fewer people, which men liked to drink themselves into a stupor, which men were useless…

They knew it all.

As soon as it was past eleven, they sprang into action.

The thrill of theft made their blood boil, and they felt light on their feet.

Some men were so spineless that being home made no difference from not being there at all.

Look at this one, so drunk he’s mumbling in his sleep.

“Damn it, don’t, look—down on me, I’m not as capable as Lu Shaotang, but I’ve got a few lousy coins…”

The thieves swaggered into the house, rummaging around quietly.

They didn’t even need to pick locks; after all, locks cost money, and not every household could afford several expensive ones.

Closets, trunks—they pried open from the bottom and felt around.

If they didn’t find anything, they looked through old clothes and rags to see if anything was hidden there.

Some people hid their savings under the kang (heated bed) wrapped in a handkerchief, saving for next year’s piglets after deducting New Year expenses.

Others hid money in the cabbage hanging from the beams, or in…

Many households were saving up to marry off their sons or grandsons, or to build houses.

There were quite a few of these.

And…

As long as they picked the right targets, virtually every household with a useless man was visited.

They avoided households with many people because they were riskier.

Burglary isn’t like a home invasion; it can’t disturb the owner, and it must not be seen or heard.

Guangtou was quite pleased.

It was too easy without having to pick locks or sneak through doors!

They even stole two pounds of meat from the welfare household provided by the brigade!

Although it was a pity that the members had spent most of their money on New Year’s goods, on New Year’s Eve, their vigilance was extremely low, almost nonexistent.

Had they tried stealing after the dividends were distributed, most households would have been much more alert, knowing there was money at home and being wary of thieves. Moreover, they wouldn’t have been drunk or stayed up late.

Today was an exception.

Lin Shu went to bed at ten o’clock last night.

In her previous life, she wasn’t fond of staying up late due to her poor health, and now she had nothing to do besides sleeping.

On New Year’s Eve, Lu Dage stayed up late to keep vigil and change the incense, while everyone else slept soundly.

The heated kang bed was too warm, so Lin Shu and Lu Shaotang, who usually occupied the head of the bed, switched positions and moved to the foot.

Even there, Lin Shu was still sweating because Lu Shaotang, with his body heat, felt like a furnace.

Every time she tried to escape from his embrace, he would pull her back, gently patting her as if to soothe her.

As a result, Lin Shu dreamt all night of being roasted by fire, trying to escape, only to be caught and pulled back each time, until she was jolted awake by a series of sharp screams.

“Oh, heavens! Who would do such a thing?”

“My house has been robbed!”

“Our house too!”

Lin Shu blinked in confusion.

It was already dawn, and for once, Lu Shaotang had not gotten up early.

She stretched her arm out of the bed to get some air—it was too hot under the blanket. But the moment she reached out, she shivered; it was freezing outside.

Lu Shaotang grabbed her arm, pulling it back under the blanket. “Be careful not to catch a cold.”

Lin Shu asked, “I think I heard someone shouting about being robbed. Did you hear it?”

Lu Shaotang replied nonchalantly, “Yeah, a few families are yelling.”

Lin Shu asked, “Aren’t you going to check it out?”

He mumbled, “I’m not the police; it’s not my job.”

In the east room, Panpan jumped up and immediately went to check the trunk where his little money box was stored.

Last night, he hadn’t locked it because he was taking things in and out, and Lu Changfu had lifted the lid—intentionally or not—but Panpan had locked it afterward, with the key hidden under his pillow.

Everything was in order, and there was no sign of theft, which made Panpan sigh in relief.

Tiantian reassured him, “Dad’s home. Who would dare to steal?”

Fang Dihua and Old Lu were also at ease, knowing that the money in the family was already safely deposited in the bank, as per their daughter-in-law’s advice.

The commotion outside showed that the village was not so peaceful after all.

Meanwhile, in the west room, Lu Cuicui began to cry, “Which thief stole my money? Damn thief!”

Second brother Lu Erge, already awake, frowned and turned to his wife, “Don’t take our daughter’s New Year money!”

Sister Lu Er, furious, charged into the small north room without even putting on her clothes and went to scold Lu Cuicui. “Why are you howling? How dare you curse your own mother? What does a kid need with so much money anyway? I’m keeping it safe for you.”

Lu Cuicui knew her mother had taken her money while she was asleep and saw it as theft—taking away her New Year’s money!

She used this opportunity to vent her frustration.

Her sister Xiuxiu and others were allowed to keep their money, so why couldn’t she?

She continued to cry bitterly.

Second brother Lu Erge grabbed his wife by the arm and pulled her back onto the bed, then reached into her cotton pants pocket.

She panicked, shouting, “Put that down!”

He ignored her and retrieved the money, handing it back to their daughter. “If you take our daughter’s money again, I won’t give you any of my earnings in the future.”

Second Sister Lu Er, lying on the bed, started crying in frustration. “The eldest and the third brothers both make money, but you don’t. You only take it out on me when you’re upset.”

Second brother Lu Erge didn’t respond.

This infuriated her even more, and she blurted out without thinking, “How did I end up with such a useless man?”

Hearing this, Second brother Lu Erge, who was about to walk out of the main room, stopped abruptly.

He couldn’t believe his ears and wondered if he had heard wrong.

Lu Cuicui screamed, “You’re the useless one! Don’t you dare insult my dad!”