Chapter 428: Chapter 415: Looking for Someone

All thanks to the soybeans.

They planted the soybeans that Zhuang Qingning and Zhuang Jingye had introduced during the autumn sowing season. By harvest time, they realized that not only were the harvested beans larger and rounder, but also the yield per acre had increased by a full half compared to last year’s harvest. For those who managed their fields meticulously, the yield had increased by more than half.

Spend the same amount of time farming and earn half more money – if that wasn’t a cause for celebration, what was?

Therefore, every villager was beaming with joy, their spirits extraordinarily high.

Especially those who were initially hesitant about whether to plant or not, but after Zhuang Ruman’s door-to-door explanation, they decisively chose to plant these beans. Now, they understood one thing more clearly than ever.

They needed to keep away from those with black hearts and plague-like tendencies, and be closer to people like Zhuang Qingning, who were like the God of Wealth. That way, they could surely live better lives!

Zhuang Jingye was probably the happiest person in the entire village, without a doubt.

Everyone in the village, including him, had gained a lot from planting these beans. His status within the village was also elevated as a result of this endeavor.

The people from neighbouring villages had also begun to regard him, the village chief, in a new light when they heard about this. Now, he had gained respect and recognition.

In fact, these past few days, Zhuang Jingye would strut around, walking with a spring in his step, humming a little tune to himself, head bobbing along with the rhythm of the music.

However, even in the throes of joy, Zhuang Jingye was well aware that his current status was largely due to Zhuang Qingning. Therefore, he made a special trip home to collect some dates, water radishes, and sweet pumpkins to deliver to Zhuang Qingning’s household.

However, before he reached Zhuang Qingning’s house, a young man appeared out of nowhere, looking around curiously.

Zhuang Jingye didn’t recognize the unfamiliar face and promptly became alert, “Where are you from and what are you here for?”

“Sir,” the young man greeted, making a fist and palm salute, “I hope I’m not intruding. May I ask if this is Enji Village?”

“That it is, are you looking for someone?”

People coming to find their relatives was not an uncommon occurrence.

The young man nodded, “I was wondering if there was a middle-aged couple surnamed Hua who had taken refuge here a few years ago? The wife is partially blind in one eye, isn’t she?”

“You’re looking for Butcher Hua?” Zhuang Jingye returned the question.

Enji Village is not a wealthy village, and there’s not much in the vicinity worth noting. Since Zhuang Jingye had become the village chief, apart from Butcher Hua and his granddaughter Zhou Daya, no outsiders had come to take refuge in the village.

If he’s asking about a middle-aged couple, then he must surely be referring to Butcher Hua.

“That’s right.” The young man’s face lit up suddenly, “Yes, I came to find Butcher Hua.”

“To tell you the truth, sir, I am Butcher Hua’s nephew, Zheng Cheng. Butcher Hua is my uncle.”

Saying that, Zheng Cheng sighed. “It’s a long story. Many years ago, when my uncle insisted on marrying my aunt, my maternal grandparents didn’t approve. As a result, my uncle and my grandparents fell out, and he left home.”

“He disappeared without a trace thereafter. My grandparents wept every day, and often sent people out to inquire about them, but there was never any news about my uncle and my aunt. As time wore on, my grandparents slowly gave up hope. Now, my grandmother has passed away, and my grandfather is bedridden with a serious illness. He constantly broods over my uncle’s departure, hoping to find him and see him one last time, so he could pass away in peace.”

“My family members have been inquiring around, and only recently did we finally get some news. We heard that my uncle and aunt had been seen in this area. So, I decided to come and check. I inquired along the way and finally arrived here.”

“I see.” Zhuang Jingye nodded.

No wonder when Butcher Hua first arrived, he refused to answer any questions. He only said that he had run away from famine.

At first, Zhuang Jingye had been reluctant to let complete strangers take refuge in his village. However, seeing that Butcher Hua seemed decent enough, and his blind wife seemed pitiable, plus there was nobody in the village who could butcher pigs and sheep, he eventually let them stay temporarily.

“However, I’m afraid there’s no chance of finding Butcher Hua now,” Zhuang Jingye sighed, “Butcher Hua and his wife passed away a few years ago. They were buried side by side in the village’s cemetery.”

Zheng Cheng seemed utterly shocked by the news of Butcher Hua’s death. He stood still, dumbfounded, for quite a while, before coming back to his senses.

His eyes reddened, and his voice turned hoarse, “I had hoped to relieve my grandfather’s worries, but it seems that it is destined to be the elderly mourning the young.”

Looking at Zheng Cheng’s desolate expression, Zhuang Jingye felt a pang of sympathy, “Life is full of unpredictable events, this is indeed hard to foresee.”

“My grandfather misses my uncle greatly. He had always hoped that we could find him and take him home. Now, with my uncle and aunt no longer in this world, it seems our only other option is to bring their ashes back home. The fallen leaves must return to their roots.”

“However, the matter of exhuming a grave is of utmost importance. I need to go back and discuss this with my family before making a decision,” responded Zheng Cheng, “Now, I would like to visit the courtyard where my uncle once lived. Perhaps I can find something to bring back, something for my grandfather to see.”

“That could be arranged,” replied Zhuang Jingye after mulling it over, “However, when Butcher Hua first came, he claimed to be a refugee and that his previous hometown had been destroyed by floods, leaving him homeless. Moreover, he said that he was an orphan with no parents from a young age.”

“Given that Butcher Hua had previously said that and now suddenly an alleged ‘nephew’ has sprung up out of nowhere, it’s bound to raise some suspicion. If you really want to enter Butcher Hua’s courtyard and take his belongings, you should first be able to prove that you are genuinely Butcher Hua’s kin.”

Upon hearing this, Zheng Cheng frowned, “You are absolutely right, sir. I will go and find the village chief right away and ascertain my identity as Butcher Hua’s relative.”

“Can I ask where does the village chief live?”

“If you’re looking for the village chief, you don’t need to go to the trouble. I am the village chief. My name is Zhuang Jingye. You only need to prove it to me,” said Zhuang Jingye in response.

“So you are Chief Zhuang,” Zheng Cheng gave a bow and spoke more respectfully, “My uncle, who is also known as Butcher Hua, was originally named Hua Daye. His wife’s maiden name is Su and her given name is Liuer. Because of a congenital disease, she was had vision problems in her left eye since childhood, which eventually caused her to lose sight in that eye when she became an adult.”

“My uncle, as I recall, is not very tall and is a little bit chubby. He has a small dark brown birthmark under his left eye and he has a scar on his chin from tumbling off a tree when he was a kid.”

“Before they got married, my aunt suffered from an illness. The doctor said that she might not be able to conceive children in the future. Therefore, my uncle and aunt probably didn’t have any children…”

Upon hearing Zheng Cheng’s words, Zhuang Jingye nodded slightly.