Chapter 495 - 407: Someone Died

"Uncle Zhu!" Wang Meilan laughed. "If you don’t have a dead cat or dog, can’t you just use a dead chicken or goose? It’s so hot out. Leave it under the sun for a day, and it’ll stink, right?"

"Whoa!" Upon hearing this, Zhu Dashan’s eyes lit up. He gave Wang Meilan a thumbs-up and said, "You’re a sharp one, Youcai’s wife. Killing a chicken instead of a sheep... now that’s a whole lot cheaper."

"Exactly." Seeing she had convinced him, Wang Meilan smiled and said, "Uncle Zhu, if you don’t have any chickens at home, we do. I can sell one to you."

"No, no!" Zhu Dashan waved his hands, quickly refusing. But then he suddenly remembered something and sighed. He muttered, as if to himself, ’If I’d known this earlier, I wouldn’t have let my daughter-in-law stew that chicken.’

"What was that, Uncle Zhu?" Zhao Youcai, who was standing nearby, asked in confusion.

"It’s nothing." Zhu Dashan looked up and smiled at Zhao Youcai and Wang Meilan. "I’m all set. I’ll head back now. You two should get inside and eat."

"Uncle Zhu," Wang Meilan said, making a polite offer, "what’s the hurry? Come on in and sit for a bit."

"I can’t." Zhu Dashan shook his head. "I’m in a hurry. Got to go home and kill a chicken."

With that, the old man waved to the couple, turned, and walked out of the yard.

"Take care on your way out, Uncle Zhu!" Zhao Youcai called after him from the gate before heading back into his house.

As soon as Zhao Youcai entered the east room, he heard Wang Meilan telling Zhao Jun about what had just happened.

When he heard that Zhu Dashan had gone looking for Elder Ghost Jiang, Zhao Jun felt quite relieved. He knew that old man, Jiang Hua, was as crafty as they come, but his skill with explosives was truly second to none.

In his past life, while hunting in the mountains, Zhao Jun had seen Jiang Hua’s nephew setting explosive traps. Rumor had it that the nephew had learned his skills directly from Jiang Hua.

Seeing Zhao Youcai return, Zhao Jun remembered his conversation with Zhu Dashan from the day before. He asked his father curiously, "Dad, did Ma Ling’s grand-uncle really used to go on hunts with Grandpa?"

"Hunt? My ass!" Zhao Youcai scoffed without holding back. "Your grandma told me that years ago, Ma Ling’s grand-uncle used to drive a sled for a landlord. He was dirt poor all year round, barely had a decent meal. Your grandpa took pity on him. Whenever he bagged something, he’d just let the guy bring his sled up to haul the kill back. In return, he’d give him a bit of meat, and that was that."

"Oh!" It all clicked for Zhao Jun. Yesterday, when the old man said he was just ’tagging along’, Zhao Jun had thought it was some kind of humble joke. He never imagined the man was a complete amateur and had meant it literally.

After the meal, Zhao Jun and Zhao Youcai went to the Li Family’s construction site and helped out for the rest of the afternoon.

That evening, the father and son went home for dinner and then to bed. The night passed uneventfully.

The next morning, Zhao Jun went to work as usual, training with the inspection team. The following day was the same.

But on the third day, August 11th, Zhao Jun finished his training early, passing Xu Baoshan’s inspection well before two in the afternoon. He left the Forest Farm and started walking home.

It was the day the Li Family’s house was finally completed, and as was tradition, they had to host a meal for all the neighbors who had helped.

However, both Li Dayong and Zhao Youcai were busy at the Forest Farm and couldn’t get back until their shifts were over.

That was why Zhao Jun wanted to get home early and help Jin Xiaomei and Li Baoyu with the preparations.

He had just left the Forest Farm grounds and was about to enter the village when he saw Li Ruhai, schoolbag slung over his shoulder, sprinting toward him down the south path.

’This kid’s really growing up!’ Watching Li Ruhai run toward him, drenched in sweat, Zhao Jun thought, ’He must know there’s a lot to do at home and is rushing back to help.’

At this thought, Zhao Jun, who had always seen Li Ruhai as a little brother, couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Even if it meant the boy had skipped school, he wasn’t going to scold him for it.

"Brother... Brother Jun..." Li Ruhai finally reached Zhao Jun and stopped, grabbing his arm for support. He bent over, gasping for breath.

"Easy, easy," Zhao Jun said softly, patting the back of Li Ruhai’s hand. "Your mom is at home, and Brother Zhang and his wife are there helping out. You didn’t need to rush back."

"No, no." Youthful energy is a wonderful thing; Li Ruhai had already caught his breath. He grabbed Zhao Jun’s arm and shook it, saying, "Brother Jun, I heard something at school! As soon as I heard it, I ditched my classes and just started running."

At those words, the smile on Zhao Jun’s face froze. His gaze toward Li Ruhai turned stern.

But Li Ruhai paid it no mind, blurting out, "Brother Jun, something terrible has happened! Someone’s dead!"