Rebirth 78: Hunting for Treasure in the Mountains, Spoiling My Wife and Daughter to the Heavens

"There are two footprints here, one big and one small. But once you get to this point, there's only one footprint left."

Look over here, the footprints are even and slightly deeper than before, as they lead directly up the mountain from the field.

It was obvious that they hadn't stopped for a moment; it was a pre-planned route.

Village Chief Huang, Liu Dazhuang, and several other village officials were all shocked to hear that Lu Jiacheng had disappeared.

They all rushed over at once.

Lu Weiguo has already surveyed the area and has basically confirmed that the person has been carried to the deep mountains.

"Damn! This shouldn't be happening. It's already August, and the village entrance is packed with people, and there are also people working in the fields nearby."

If a stranger were to come, how could they possibly know in advance? That's what I'm afraid of. Why do I have several officials taking turns patrolling the area?

What about you...? Have you noticed anything unusual, or any strangers?

Village Chief Huang was genuinely starting to panic.

He had originally thought that the acquisition station's income had been good over the past six months, and he intended to protect the Lu family and flatter them.

After taking over for six months, it became clear that the acquisition station was extremely profitable.

Since it came into being, everyone in the village has had a better life.

But, just when the handover and discussions were about to begin, this damn thing happened.

It's the Lu family's child who's gone missing again.

He saw the other village officials shake their heads.

Lu Weiguo clenched his teeth, his whole being seemingly hidden in the shadows.

Even when the sun is scorching the earth, you feel incredibly cold standing near him.

"Village Chief Huang, when the police come, tell them about this situation. I'll take Dazhuang to find the person first."

"Please try to keep an eye on my place. I'm worried something might happen there if I leave."

The deep mountains in summer are more dangerous than in winter.

Village Chief Huang's arrangements have almost completely prevented strangers from entering the village.

After all, no one could have guessed that someone would come from the deep mountains.

It's normal to pick some wild produce near the foothills, but going up the mountain along the road at the end of the village is really deep in the mountains. Even if you take the dirt road, there are forestry checkpoints all the way!

"Don't worry, I'll ask around at the nearby forest farm and have the checkpoints keep an eye out for people with children."

The best time to find a child who has been abducted is during those crucial three hours.

Lu Weiguo was too rushed to prepare, so he took two sets of long-sleeved shirts and trousers from several cadres and gave one set to Liu Dazhuang.

After putting them on, I followed the footprints towards the back of the mountain.

Don't be fooled by the summer heat.

Anyone who has ever done farm work knows that you have to wear long sleeves and trousers.

This way you're less likely to get sunburned.

This is especially true when going up mountains, as it can prevent insect bites.

The venom of the grasshoppers at that time was far more toxic than it is today.

Later generations used drugs and vaccines, which basically protected 90% of the poisonous weeds.

At that time, as long as families had enough to eat, few people in rural areas would spend tens of yuan to get vaccinated.

"Sigh." Watching the two figures disappear into the distance, Village Chief Huang sighed.

Suddenly remembering the vaccination situation, he hurriedly ran towards the brigade's courtyard.

I'm going to call the epidemic prevention station to check if, in addition to the forest farm providing free vaccinations against grasshoppers to its workers, they also do other similar services.

Are there any other people who have paid for their own vaccinations?

. . . . . . . .

the other side.

An old man with white hair was chatting with an empty taxi driver by the dirt road at the foot of the mountain.

This is a timber transport truck heading to the Greater Khingan Mountains.

The trucks were loaded and taken to the county town, where they were transferred by train, and then the empty trucks were taken back.

"Young man, it's such a waste to leave your truck empty. Why don't you pack some vegetables and fruits to take back with you? Vegetables are cheap here."

Anyway, the Forestry Bureau covers all the expenses, so isn't the money you make from this just extra income for yourself?

The old man, holding his pipe, pointed to several vegetable baskets beside him.

"Oh, sir, this won't do! This is called speculation and profiteering, you know what speculation and profiteering is? In our area, it's about going to the logging areas to cut down trees."

I can't do that kind of work. Unlike you guys here, you can all run your own businesses.

"It seems like things are getting better the further south you go."

The young man was smoking a cigarette he had rolled himself; he had been rushing here so far that his eyes were almost closed.

Fortunately, there was a melon seed plantation right next to the road.

Fruit farmers are selling their own melon seeds by the roadside.

"Look, if this were where we lived, selling melon seeds from the field without permission would be a serious crime."

"We're not selling for ourselves; all the money from the sales goes to the company. We earn company points."

However, I heard that after this year, we will be dividing up the land, and those who earn more work points will have priority in choosing land.

Hehehe, otherwise who would come out to work in this weather? Once we own our own land, it will be absolutely wonderful!!!

The fruit farmer casually picked up a melon seed that had been cut in half from the basket.

Truck drivers coming and going usually rest here for a while.

The melon farmer was used to it; he would usually give away the half-rotten melon seeds that couldn't be sold to the drivers for free.

The driver would also share food or local specialties he brought from his hometown with the local melon farmers.

"Eat it, or you'll just throw it on the ground anyway. At least eat something to feel better..."

The fruit farmer was so enthusiastic that the driver had no reason to refuse.

Seeing the driver sit down, looking increasingly tired, the old man, taking advantage of the driver's drowsy state, asked, "Young man, why don't you quit your job and go on a errand with me?"

You know, these vegetables and melons of mine double in price when they get to your area. Even if I get arrested, what can an old man with a little kid do to me?

We've all changed our policies here, so just say you don't understand theirs.

"I'll share a basket of melons with you after I make some money; the truck's empty anyway..."

One should not have bad friends around them, and so they kept advising.

Even the most determined person can be swayed by the persuasion of friends.

The driver ate a few bites of watermelon and felt incredibly tired.

My eyelids were fighting against my willpower as I listened to the old man's ghostly, incessant persuasion.

He nodded subconsciously and forced himself to open the trunk of the truck.

He pointed to the rope and said, "If you want to leave, tie it yourself. The road back to the Xing'an Mountains is difficult; don't let yourself get jostled off again."

"I'm exhausted, I'm going to get in the car and sleep for a while. Keep an eye out for me so no one steals my gas..."

After the driver finished speaking, he climbed into the seat in front.

He clutched his backpack to his chest and collapsed onto his seat, falling asleep instantly.

The old man glanced at the melon farmer and a smile appeared on his face.

"You should have come with me, why did you have to go and marry a widow? Now you're doing hard labor here."

The old man stared intently at the melon farmer.

"Those who have worked in our line of work can't have their own children. Isn't that widow with a baby boy perfect?"

"I think if I raise my children, at least one of them will be there to take care of me in my old age." The melon farmer felt that this wasn't enough, so he quickly added, "The boys have taken my surname, so I guess I have an heir now."

Upon hearing this, the old man withdrew his gaze somewhat.

Seeing this, the melon farmer breathed a sigh of relief. If he hadn't said that, he would have given the old man leverage over him.

Whether I'll be able to make it home alive this year is really uncertain...