However, Liu Rumei's actions also had a drawback: slowness. It took her a full half hour to walk from the village entrance to the cave.
At the cave entrance, Yang Zhi, along with Hu Laoqi and others, untied the ropes of these people one by one. After untying each one, he kicked them into the cave.
Liu Rumei knew that Yang Zhi was using this method to vent his anger, so she naturally didn't say anything.
Chen Xiaobei had no particular friendship with these people, so even though they were being thrown around and crying out in pain, he wouldn't say a word on their behalf.
After Yang Zhi kicked everyone into the cave, he slammed the heavy iron gate shut and fastened it with a lock weighing over a kilogram.
All done.
As for guarding them, that was Yang Zhi's responsibility. Chen Xiaobei had no intention of getting involved. He led Liu Rumei back to Hetou Village.
Chen Anbang's house was almost tidied up.
Chen Xiaobei held up an oil lamp and showed Liu Rumei around the house. "Miss Liu, this is already the best house in our Hetou Village. Please bear with the conditions."
Liu Rumei smiled and bowed slightly, "Thank you, Village Chief Chen."
Good, this was rare. Liu Rumei was satisfied. Chen Xiaobei quickly bid farewell and went home to sleep, as it was already past the third watch.
After Chen Xiaobei left, Xiao Qing frowned slightly. "Miss, how can you live in such conditions? Why don't we go back to the county town and stay at an inn?"
Liu Rumei's expression turned cold. "What, you can't live here?"
"If that's the case, then you go stay in the county town."
Perhaps her words were a bit harsh, scaring Xiao Qing into waving her hands repeatedly.
"Miss, Miss, that's not what I meant."
"Then what do you mean?" Liu Rumei stared coldly at Xiao Qing.
"This servant just feels it's dirty and dilapidated here. How can a lady of your status live in such a place?"
Liu Rumei changed her tone and said solemnly, "Xiao Qing, when we were studying on the mountain back then, our living and eating conditions were much tougher than this, don't you think?"
Xiao Qing quickly changed the subject. "I understand, Miss. I'll go make the bed for you now."
While Xiao Qing and Xiao Hong were busy, Liu Rumei called Liu Ce over again. "We need to send a few more people to the mountain to help Yang Zhi and the others with the guarding."
"Also, send someone to the county town to find out how Hu Fan plans to deal with Sun Jian."
"And remind Hu Fan that Sun Jian is a formidable martial artist, so they must not be careless in the slightest."
"I've noted it down, Miss. You should rest early. I'll personally head to the county town first thing tomorrow morning." Liu Ce bowed and retreated. Besides the main house, Chen Anbang's home also had east and west wing rooms.
The east wing was the kitchen, and the west wing could be used for living, so it was naturally left for Liu Ce.
At this moment, Chen Xiaobei finally returned home.
Cui Hongyu was already asleep, hugging Chen Qiao'er. Hearing the movement, she wanted to get up, but Chen Xiaobei stopped her. "Don't get up. You sleep over there."
Cui Hongyu nodded and then closed her eyes again.
Even though her eyes were closed, Cui Hongyu wasn't asleep. In fact, she harbored a slight desire for Chen Xiaobei to summon her.
Thinking back to that unrestrained moment with Chen Xiaobei, she felt a little shy, but also a little expectant.
People are often like this. Before it starts, they don't feel much, but once it begins, it's like a floodgate opening, and you can't stop it.
Chen Xiaobei also couldn't sleep when he lay on the bed. But he wasn't thinking about romantic encounters.
He calculated the time. The suspension bridge should be completed by now. However, Sun Jian was captured, and Sun Jian's subordinates were also captured.
Should he continue building it?
The first point was clear: the money Sun Jian provided was more than enough. Even after paying the labor costs, there would still be enough left to buy planks for paving.
The biggest problem was that the client no longer existed. Even if he finished building it, who would inspect and accept it?
If he didn't build it, he would feel bad. After all, once it was built, crossing the gorge would be much more convenient for him.
He tossed and turned, unable to sleep. Cui Hongyu next door could naturally hear the movement. After much thought, Cui Hongyu, still blushing, put on a robe and walked over herself.
Seeing Cui Hongyu arrive, Chen Xiaobei was slightly surprised. He quickly shifted to make space for her.
"Husband, I heard you couldn't sleep. Is something bothering you?"
Chen Xiaobei explained his dilemma about whether to continue paving the suspension bridge with wooden planks.
Cui Hongyu listened and pondered for a moment before saying in a deep voice, "Husband, a person must have integrity. Since you promised Sun Jian, you must see it through. Regardless of whether Sun Jian can see it or not, we must have a clear conscience."
Her words made Chen Xiaobei nod repeatedly. Yes, why was he agonizing over such a small matter? He should just do it, especially since he had the means.
Fortunately, he had Cui Hongyu, otherwise, he might still be struggling with this.
With this thought, Chen Xiaobei reached out and pulled Cui Hongyu into his embrace again.
Cui Hongyu let out a soft moan and nestled against Chen Xiaobei's chest, not moving.
Chen Xiaobei suddenly flipped over, ready to unleash his passion.
Cui Hongyu instinctively offered slight resistance, but it quickly turned into surrender.
The newly made wooden bed once again resounded with the heart-pleasing creaking sound.
...
The next day, at the crack of dawn, Chen Xiaobei was awakened from his sleep by the barking of dogs in the courtyard.
He poked his head out of the window and was about to scold when he heard a conversation.
First, it was the voice of Chen Daqiang, a village guard. "Who's there?"
Then, a response came from the other side.
"Oh, it's me. We're back from the mountains."
Such a familiar voice. Chen Xiaobei sat up in bed with a jolt. It was Lidong. Lidong and the others were back.
He dressed quickly and rushed out of the courtyard impatiently.
Indeed.
Lidong had already reached the back of his house.
Seeing Chen Xiaobei also coming out to meet them, Lidong was very excited. "Brother Xiaobei, we're back."
Chen Dachun, following behind Lidong, rushed forward and threw his arms around Chen Xiaobei.
"Brother Xiaobei, I'm back."
Chen Xiaobei gently patted Chen Dachun's shoulder. "Brother Dachun, from now on..."
Before he could finish, Chen Dachun interrupted. "From now on, if I ever gamble again, you can chop off my dog's paws."
His words made everyone present laugh.
"Alright, everyone go back and rest," Li Denghui waved his hand, and the villagers dispersed.
Only Ma Xiaoyi and a few others remained standing there.
Lidong smiled at Chen Xiaobei and said, "I'll arrange for someone to make some food for Brother Ma and the others. They can rest for a while before returning to the county town."
Xiaobei smiled and waved his hand. "No need to go to the county town. Miss Liu visited our Hetou Village yesterday."
"Really?" Ma Xiaoyi and the others looked incredulous.
"Do you think I'm lying? Go and eat. I'll take you to see Miss Liu later."
At this moment, not far away, several figures were sneakily peeking this way. It was Shi Yan and his men.