Chapter 68 Can't Leave?

The next day, dawn had yet to break when commotion erupted near the sheep pen. Somehow, a large breach had appeared in the enclosure, and all the sheep had escaped. This, after all, was the collective property of the entire village.

As soon as the news spread, the villagers swarmed to the scene; some patched up the pen while others chased after the runaway sheep. Amidst the chaos, Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai took the opportunity to deliver the food, supplies, and medicinal herbs they had brought, handing them over to Tang’s mother at the sheep pen.

Taking advantage of the villagers’ distraction, they prepared to slip away quietly. But as soon as they reached the village entrance, they found their path blocked. The one standing there was none other than Village Chief Mao.

Without preamble, Chief Mao confronted them, “Was it you two who caused the trouble with the sheep pen?”

Wen Mubai squeezed Tang Banxia’s hand, stepped forward to shield her behind him, and replied with righteous indignation, “It wasn’t us.”

Chief Mao’s face was grim. At Wen’s denial, he let out a short, mirthless laugh. “The moment you two arrive, the sheep pen is sabotaged. Even if it wasn’t you, you’re certainly involved.”

He wasn’t a fool—especially since the pen had just been inspected before winter. How could such a gaping hole suddenly appear?

“I underestimated you,” he sneered, noting the bags they carried. “Are you leaving? No longer searching for anyone?”

Wen Mubai put on a sincere expression. “We acted rashly. As soon as we got a lead, we came here. Yesterday, you said you didn’t know the person we sought, and I was so desperate that I lost my composure. My wife already reproached me for that last night.”

He gazed up at the sky, tears glinting in the corners of his eyes. “Perhaps I was wrong. I shouldn’t force things. Now, my mother’s days are numbered. As her son, I should be by her side, not chasing after this Tang Minxun.”

He swiftly wiped away a tear. “Forgive me, Chief Mao, for not bidding you farewell. The thought of my mother makes me yearn for home. I beg your pardon.”

His performance was so heartfelt that, if Tang Banxia didn’t know better, she might have been moved to tears herself. But Chief Mao remained unmoved.

“Young man, no need to be hasty,” he said. “The person you’re looking for—Tang Minxun—now that you mention it, I do recall someone by that name. Turns out our village does have such a person.”

He stepped forward, gripping Wen Mubai’s wrist with a hand calloused and cracked from years of labor. Wen Mubai felt as though his wrist were being wrapped in sandpaper.

Meanwhile, Tang Banxia, after a moment’s thought, let surprise and delight bloom across her face. “That’s wonderful! Now my mother-in-law can pass in peace. Amitabha, praise be! Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures! Forgive me, mother-in-law, I meant no curse. Your son started this—let him finish it!”

Indeed, after apologizing, she felt much lighter. Wen Mubai didn’t know what she was planning, but he played along, expressing heartfelt gratitude. “Thank you, Chief Mao. You are truly my mother’s benefactor!”

Chief Mao regarded them with a peculiar expression, wanting to say something but ultimately swallowing his words. “Let’s go,” he said at last.

He never released his grip on Wen Mubai’s wrist as he led them back toward the sheep pen.

On the other side, Su Nan and Tang Minxun frowned in unison as they saw Chief Mao approaching with the two newcomers.

Chief Mao marched them up to Su Nan and Tang Minxun, then pointed at Tang Minxun. “This is the man you’re looking for.”

Tang Minxun hadn’t quite processed what was happening when Wen Mubai suddenly dropped to his knees and clutched his foot. “Uncle Tang? Are you Uncle Tang?”

Tang Minxun was baffled, but being quick-witted, he played along. Tears sprang to his eyes. “Is that you, little Wen? Wen Mubai?”

Wen Mubai wrapped his arms around Tang Minxun’s leg, wailing, “Uncle Tang, I finally found you! My mother is gravely ill—her last wish is to see you again, even if it’s just a few words. That would let her die in peace!”

Tang Minxun’s head rang from the sobbing, but he managed to extract the crucial information. “She—she’s dying?”

His face registered utter disbelief. He staggered back a couple of steps, his face draining of color, lips quivering, tears poised to fall—a picture of utter grief.

Tang Banxia kept her head bowed, seemingly lost in sorrow, but in truth, she marveled at the quality of their acting. Even Tang’s mother found her role quickly, her expression a blend of betrayal and heartbreak as her gaze darted between Wen Mubai and Tang Minxun.

Wen Mubai was nearly gasping for breath through his sobs. “Uncle Tang, where have you been all these years? I’ve searched so long for you! If it weren’t for Chief Mao’s kindness, we might have missed you forever!”

A glint of shrewdness flashed through Tang Minxun’s teary eyes as he gently stroked Wen Mubai’s head, a look of nostalgia on his face. “When I parted from your mother, I swore I wouldn’t return until I’d made something of myself.”

His back bent in sorrow. “Time spares no one.” He pulled Wen Mubai into a hug. “Good child, good child, you’ve suffered so much.”

The four of them carried on their performance while the onlookers were moved to tears by the scene. Even Chief Mao’s stern demeanor softened.

When the tears had subsided, Chief Mao spoke up at just the right moment, excusing Tang Minxun and Su Nan from their day’s labor so that they could reunite with their long-lost kin—though, of course, he would be present.

Tang Minxun expressed his gratitude profusely.

Under Chief Mao’s watchful eye, the four of them sat together to reminisce—or rather, Su Nan and Tang Banxia silently observed as Wen Mubai and Tang Minxun gave a masterful performance. Their dialogue wove a convincing tale of a mother’s thousand-mile search for an old friend, complete with details and a logical sequence of events. Even Tang Banxia was almost convinced.

She glanced at her mother, whose face was contorted by a complex mix of anger and emotion—a masterful performance in itself. Tang Banxia thought to herself: “Age brings wisdom—I still have much to learn.”

Their conversation lasted until noon, by which time the villagers had successfully rounded up all the escaped sheep. In reality, Su Nan had only intended to create a brief distraction and had no desire to jeopardize the village’s survival. As soon as the sheep escaped, she led people straight to them. The villagers of Shijie only had to exert a little effort to retrieve their flock. The only surprise was that Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai hadn’t managed to slip away.

At midday, Tang Banxia and Wen Mubai naturally stayed to eat at the sheep pen. Tang Minxun even invited Chief Mao to join them, and to everyone’s surprise, he accepted.

After lunch, Chief Mao announced he would oversee the repairs to the sheep pen. “Comrade Wen, would you and your wife wait here for me?” he said, as if having finally set aside all suspicion.

Wen Mubai, of course, agreed. Only after watching Chief Mao leave did he let out a sigh of relief and drain a glass of cold water in one gulp—he was parched from all the crying.

As Chief Mao disappeared into the distance, Tang Minxun was about to speak when Su Nan stopped him...