The rustling sound of dust falling down due to the wind seemed particularly abrupt at this moment.

What did he mean by “not used to the taste of small towns”?
So, city folk are just naturally superior, huh?
If you’re so high and mighty, why even come here? And if you did, don’t act so disgusted!

If it weren’t for the fact that Wu Donglin had mentioned his father’s identity, plenty of people would have already started arguing with him.

But Ergouzi wasn’t afraid. He grinned and said, “Acting like some big shot when you’ve got no money?”

“What do you mean I’m acting like a big shot? The stuff you small-town folks make just doesn’t taste good!” Wu Donglin snapped, clearly agitated.

“Oh, look at you, getting all worked up.” Ergouzi smirked, his big eyes curving mischievously. “If you’ve got the guts, treat everyone on this bus to a meal next time we’re in town.”

“Why should I treat you? Just because you’re a big-headed freak?” Wu Donglin was so furious he was losing control of his words.

Smack.

“OW! My foot!!” Wu Donglin clutched his foot, his veins bulging from the pain.

Zhao Mo calmly picked up the wooden carving apologized expressionlessly, “Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“You… you… you…”

Wu Donglin pointed at her for a long time, gasping for air.

The pain in his toes shot straight to his head, and with his stomach already empty, he genuinely wanted to string Zhao Mo up and beat her. But her devilish aunt was right there. If he dared to make a move, Zhang Yunxi would never let him off the hook!

Wu Donglin looked at Zhao Mo, utterly aggrieved, his eyes brimming with tears. “You’re too much.”

“Sorry, I didn’t do it on purpose.” Zhao Mo apologized again.

Wu Donglin covered his face.
He didn’t want to face this world anymore.

Zhang Yunxi rubbed her cheeks—she was laughing so hard that her jaw hurt.

Ergouzi, pleased with himself, swayed his head and boasted to the old man driving the ox cart, “Great-uncle, did you see that? My best friend is so loyal. Jealous, huh?”

The old man gave him a deadpan look. “Would you shut up already?”

This kid could chatter all day long.

Ergouzi sighed dramatically. “You’re just old. You can’t even admit that you envy me.”

Whip!

The old man cracked the whip against the ox.
Nothing serious.
Just venting!

“You’re just like your grandma.”

“Of course! I’m her biological grandson, isn’t that obvious?” Ergouzi beamed.

His mouth continued running non-stop.

When they returned to the brigade, he didn’t stop talking for a second. Soon, the entire brigade knew that he had enjoyed an incredibly delicious feast.

Everyone was green with envy.

But before that, he obediently helped Zhao Mo carry the wooden carving to the educated youth’s dormitory.

“Wait,” Zhao Mo called out.

“What?”

“I want to check the dormitory first,” Zhao Mo said.

Ergouzi was confused.

Zhang Yunxi was also puzzled.

Zhao Mo didn’t explain. She checked the room and, seeing no one inside, finally let them bring in the carving.

Forgive her for being paranoid.

She was afraid the young lady in the dormitory would see the carving and try to open it.

If that happened…
She really wouldn’t know what to do.

After setting it down, Ergouzi bolted like the wind.

Only Zhang Yunxi and Zhao Mo remained.

Zhang Yunxi hummed a little tune while arranging the goodies she had bought from the supply and marketing cooperative on the table.

“Auntie, come here for a sec,” Zhao Mo called from inside the room.

“What’s up?” Zhang Yunxi set down her things and walked in. “Why did you go into the room?”

She had always felt that anyone could be called into the courtyard, but the rooms were more private. Zhang Yunxi had specifically told Zhao Mo and Ergouzi not to enter the rooms casually.

She herself didn’t mind,
But who knew if Da Mei or Xiaoxiao would care?

They might not say anything for the sake of friendship,
But they might still feel uncomfortable about it.

So, normally, Zhao Mo and Ergouzi never entered.

But today, what was going on?

Zhao Mo pursed her lips. “Just come in first.”

Zhang Yunxi stepped inside.

Zhao Mo immediately shut the door.

Zhang Yunxi was startled. “What are you doing? Creeping me out.”

“Auntie, you—” Zhao Mo hesitated for a moment before deciding, “Never mind, not important. Just come take a look.”

“At what?” Zhang Yunxi leaned closer to examine the wooden carving under the dim sunlight streaming through the window.

She watched as Zhao Mo pressed a hidden button, and the back of the carving slowly revealed a hidden compartment.

Zhang Yunxi’s eyes widened bit by bit as the contents were exposed.

Zhao Mo then opened two more compartments for her to see.

Zhang Yunxi’s expression turned serious. “Did anyone else see this?”

“No,” Zhao Mo shook her head.

She had initially wanted to remind her aunt to wrap it up,
But Uncle Zhao had kept staring at her aunt.
And with his sharp hearing…

She was really afraid that he would overhear.

Zhang Yunxi paced around the room for a while before squatting down in front of Zhao Mo, placing her hands on the girl’s shoulders. “You mustn’t tell anyone about what’s inside. Understand?”

“I understand.” Zhao Mo nodded solemnly, her little face serious. “I won’t tell anyone.”

From childhood to now,
Her aunt was the only one who had truly cared for her.

Zhao Mo wouldn’t breathe a word to anyone.

“Good. I’ll keep it safe for now. When we need it in the future, we’ll take it out and use it.”

“Okay.” Zhao Mo had no objections.

Zhang Yunxi worked hard to calm her excitement as she searched for a place to hide the items. “Let’s bury them.”

The wooden carvings were too big, and the room was too small.
They would be far too easy to find.

“Alright. But where?”

“The mountains.”

There was a small plot of private land behind the dormitory.

But digging there would make noise, and if someone saw it, how would they explain?

“Okay, we’ll put them in a basket and carry them up the mountain to bury.” Zhao Mo agreed.

“Good!”

Once they had made their plan, they immediately packed the items into a basket and carried them up the mountain.

They found a secluded area where few people went, marked by distinctive trees, and got to work!

They dug for over two hours.

Finally, they had a deep enough hole to bury the carvings. After covering them up and camouflaging the area with leaves, they headed back.

When they returned, Zhao Mo went home, and Zhang Yunxi went back to the dormitory. She collapsed onto her bed, too exhausted to move.

She had used all her strength digging the hole to ensure it was deep enough and wouldn’t be discovered.

Now, her arms were limp and powerless.

Deng Damei saw her like this and laughed. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing, just exhausted from walking around all day. I need to recover.” Zhang Yunxi lay there weakly, eyes closed.

“Those things on the table are yours?” Deng Damei asked.

“Yeah. Let’s eat them together for Mid-Autumn Festival,” Zhang Yunxi replied.

Deng Damei was silent for a moment. “I won’t celebrate with you. I’ll be with my fiancé.”

She had nothing to eat with him,
But there were too many good things here.

She didn’t have extra money and wouldn’t be able to reciprocate, so she might as well not eat at all.

“Oh? You already made plans?” Zhang Yunxi opened her eyes.

Deng Damei nodded.

Zhang Yunxi sighed in regret. “Alright then.”

“You rest. I’m heading out.”

“Okay.”

Zhang Yunxi closed her eyes again.

In her mind,
She kept thinking about what was hidden in those three wooden carvings.

Gold!

When she buried them, she had even taken one out to check.

Thirty gold bars!

Each one weighed around 200 grams.

Now, they would never have to worry about money again.

If Zhao Mo ever wanted to start a business,
She had the perfect startup fund.

And even if they did nothing,
They would have financial security.