Chapter 86: A Simple Village
Zhang Hai was actually quite amiable, and he had the appearance of a well-traveled merchant. During his stay in the village, he purchased several old items.
Such as the wine jug from Ergou’s house on the east end of the village, the clay jar from Guizi’s family, and a footstone from Old Madam San’s place. To the villagers, these were all worthless odds and ends.
“This old man even took a few things to show to Mr. Zhang,” the old man said with a hint of regret, “but Mr. Zhang didn’t take any of them.”
“Did Zhang Hai ever acquire any strange objects?” Li Yanchu asked. “And has anything unusual happened in the village recently?”
The old man’s expression suddenly tightened. He quickly waved his hands. “How could that be? Our village is simple and quiet, there’s nothing strange here.”
Seeing this, Li Yanchu didn’t press the matter further.
Instead, he shifted the topic. “I heard there are red carp in the village river that grow up to three chi long?”
The old man’s face lit up with a smile as he eagerly explained, “That’s right! Just in the river by the village. Over three chi long! They’re a sign of good fortune, keeping one close brings blessings.”
Knock knock knock!
Suddenly, a knocking came from the front door. The old man’s expression flickered slightly. He gave the two a polite, apologetic smile and went outside.
At the door stood a man in his twenties, sharp-eyed and shrewd-looking, dressed like a fisherman.
The two spoke briefly outside. Then the old man turned back and said to Li Yanchu and Bai Hongtu, “Honored guests, please rest at ease. I still have some matters to attend to. My daughter-in-law will prepare your dinner and hot water shortly.”