Lu Yanlai was a bit tempted, but then thought it inappropriate. She cast her eyes on Li Feilong, as if seeking his opinion.
After all, the people who once lived there were the villagers' relatives. It was still hard to justify asking for these things.
Li Feilong quietly leaned over to Lu Yanlai and whispered a few words in her ear.
Lu Yanlai beamed and nodded repeatedly.
"The leader said we should go secretly and keep it hush - hush. A new village will be built later, and we won't stay here for long."
With her words, everyone felt more at ease.
"We're still a bit in awe. Since the leader has given the order, we feel much more reassured."
Ye Zhinan made an appointment with Lu Yanlai and they would meet at the village entrance.
She told many interesting things about the market and was also planning to take the people from the mountain stronghold to have a look.
"I haven't been to the market for so many years. I'm afraid I don't even know how much things I can buy with silver."
"Yeah, we don't know what kind of business is profitable now. If we get the chance, we can also do business in the market."
A look of shock flashed across Ye Zhinan's eyes. She didn't expect these people to share the same view as her.
Business was indeed a prosperous cause, but the issues she considered were not limited to this.
With a troubled mind, she was muddled - headed and bumped into someone head - on.
"Ouch! I think you have a grudge against me. You blame me for disturbing your dream last time, and now you want to take my life."
Wrongly accused like this, Ye Zhinan felt even more blocked.
She looked up, about to retort, but then found the person in front of her extremely familiar.
She showed a smile, took the old village head's wife's hand and helped her walk slowly.
"I don't need your help. I'm strong and healthy and can live for a few more years."
Hearing her speak in a strong voice, Ye Zhinan felt relieved.
Ye Zhinan looked into the distance and vaguely saw someone carrying a sedan chair.
There was a thin old man sitting on it, looking listless.
Almost instantly, she recognized it was the old village head.
The old village head's wife sighed beside her and patted Ye Zhinan's hand.
"Look at my old man. He just won't listen to advice. He insisted on coming to see the leader. He said it would be a reunion when he got to the foot of the mountain."
The old village head was carried to the middle of the crowd. His eyes lit up and he seemed more energetic.
He made some inarticulate sounds. Even though he couldn't say a complete sentence, he was obviously more spirited.
Everyone was happy. They all knew that the old village head had been bed - ridden for many years, so his improvement was naturally a good thing.
"If it's convenient for you, send a few people to take good care of the old village head. His condition doesn't seem good."
Ye Zhinan settled the old village head's wife down and quickly walked to Qin Yihuai's side, whispering to him.
Qin Yihuai also noticed and remained silent, which was his way of agreeing.
When a person has a sudden burst of energy due to a near - death rally, it's not necessarily a good sign.
"All of you stay. We're all acquainted now. We'll hold a flowing - water feast tomorrow. You can join in the fun."
Ye Zhinan looked embarrassed. She had to go to work tomorrow and couldn't afford to delay things for Ye Yingfeng.
If she stayed, she might be blamed.
Just as she was about to say goodbye, Qin Yihuai actually agreed.
Chen Zhenhai explained to Ye Zhinan beside her.
"The boss has asked for a few days' leave for you. He said it's for helping the villagers build a better life. You can stay here at ease. You'll get good news when you get home."
Good news?
Ye Zhinan frowned slightly. Her curiosity was piqued.
Chen Zhenhai never lied to her. Since he said it was good news, it was probably true.
Ye Yingfeng was drunk and looked extremely high - spirited. Maybe the time he spent in the village was the happiest and most care - free days of his life.
Ye Zhinan didn't decline and just stayed.
The village head found a small courtyard for them. Ye Zhinan had one room and the two men had another.
Recalling the first time the two men stayed in the village, Ye Zhinan couldn't help but smile helplessly.
She slept restlessly at night. The image of the old village head kept appearing in her mind.
She woke up early in the morning, feeling a faint sense of unease. She sat up and decided to go for a walk.
"Why are you up?"
Qin Yihuai looked solemn. When he saw Ye Zhinan, there was a flash of surprise in his eyes, and then he blocked her way.
"Go back and sleep a while longer. There are things to do outside. It has nothing to do with you."
The unease in Ye Zhinan's heart grew stronger. She looked into Qin Yihuai's eyes and murmured.
"Has something happened to the old village head?"
She couldn't stop trembling. In fact, she didn't need Qin Yihuai's answer. The white silk hanging in the distance had already told the story.
It was red just yesterday, but now it was white.
Just when things were about to get better, he didn't get to see the good days.
"Maybe for him, being able to see the villagers let go of their grudges and have a better life is the best thing."
Ye Zhinan couldn't stop shaking. She squatted on the ground, covering her chest and gasping for air.
She couldn't believe it. Even though she had a premonition in her heart, when the thing really happened, she still couldn't accept it.
"It's impossible. I felt his pulse yesterday and he was getting better. If I had gone to see him yesterday and prescribed a medicine, maybe he would have been fine."
Qin Yihuai couldn't bear to see her so heart - broken. He stepped forward, put his arm around her shoulder and hugged her tightly.
"It's not your fault. The old village head was just hanging on by a thread. He couldn't even drink any soup. Being able to see everyone united is already a blessing."
He was also sad and tried his best to comfort Ye Zhinan.
But life and death were not so easy to let go of.
Ye Zhinan tried hard to calm down, found her voice and struggled to stand up from the ground.
She tightly grasped Qin Yihuai's arm, as if relying all her strength on him.
"I want to see the old village head."
Qin Yihuai nodded. He couldn't bear to refuse.
He got a white robe from outside, let her put it on, and then led her slowly towards the old village head's house.
The village head saw Ye Zhinan's pale face and knew what had happened.
He wiped the tears from the corner of his eyes and forced a smile.
"The old village head's wife said he passed away in the early morning. He left very peacefully, without any pain, just like falling asleep."
Ye Zhinan nodded repeatedly, but the tears couldn't stop falling.
Just yesterday he looked so happy, but now there was only endless mourning.
"The old village head said yesterday that he was grateful to you. He was grateful that you fulfilled his last wish."
All Ye Zhinan could do was nod.
She felt her body was extremely heavy. She even didn't dare to step forward to take a last look at the old village head.
"We were not familiar with each other, but we were all working hard for the same thing. I will surely not let him down. I will make sure his spirit in heaven can see the prosperity of the village."