Chapter 260: Guess What I'll Do Tonight
Southeast Province was mountainous, but the road to Shangyan City was flat and connected by highway. However, once they reached Xiashen Township in Ding County, things changed—the roads became rough, mostly winding mountain paths, dangerous and rarely level.
But this land shouldn't be underestimated. It used to be a revolutionary base area—a famous birthplace of generals.
"Not far now." After driving for over three hours, they finally reached Xiashen Township. The road to Tujia Village had been paved with cement, but it was only a single-lane mountain road. Zhang Yang's Land Rover barely managed it, but Lao Yi's cargo truck struggled.
Still, they decided to travel through the night so the items could reach the left-behind elders as soon as possible.
From Xiashen Township to Tujia Village was only a bit over ten kilometers in a straight line. But the mountain road twisted endlessly, and it took more than an hour to arrive.
As they entered the village, things were exactly as Tang Qiqi had described—once night fell, the entire place was pitch-black. Hardly anyone walked the rural road. At most, a motorcycle or two passed by. Hardly any pedestrians. And this was just two days before New Year's Eve—most migrant workers should've returned by now.
But along the way, although some houses looked decent, they almost never saw anyone. The farmland along the roadside had been overtaken by weeds—abandoned.
Shangyan City wasn't far from Meining City and its economy wasn't bad. But with urbanization accelerating, people with even a bit of money…
Would rather buy a home in the city than live here. Those with less ability left for work in the city, got used to city living, and never returned.
Over time, remote villages like Tujia Village—with poor transportation—became dead villages.
Those willing to stay…
Were mostly elders in their sixties and seventies, uneducated, without skills…
Unable to survive in the city. Plus, some children left behind by migrant workers.
Naturally, with fewer young people, the fields went untilled. The elderly couldn't move much. While the village still had a few hundred registered residents, it was eerily silent—desolate.
Passing by roadside houses, they occasionally saw a pair of cloudy eyes…
Old people leaning on canes, silently seated at their doors, watching curiously as Zhang Yang and Lao Yi drove the two roaring vehicles into the village.
The Tuda-gen Tang Qiqi mentioned was the former village chief.
He had retired more than ten years ago. He had a chance to move to the city with his son, but early last year, his son died in a car accident. That was his only son.
The son hadn't married. His wife had died early. His daughter had married far away.
So he lived alone in a fairly large house. Although he had some savings and government subsidies, Tujia Village was far from Xiashen Township, and supplies were hard to get. At seventy, he still had to farm personally.
Many villagers lived similar lives. Later, Tuda-gen came up with an idea—he took in several lonely elders. His home became the village elderly home. A dozen elders lived together, chatting daily, and looking after each other.
But solving boredom was easy—solving hunger wasn't. Feeding over a dozen elders was a huge burden. They were frail and couldn't obtain food. Some young villagers occasionally helped, and Tuda-gen used old connections to find support.
Tuda-gen had served in the army and was still robust. When Zhang Yang saw him, the old man was lively and talkative.
Seeing Zhang Yang and Tang Qiqi, he immediately greeted them with a bright smile.
"Little Tang, finally! You either send someone or come yourself every month. This month I didn't see anyone. I thought maybe your company was busy with year-end orders. Didn't expect you to still find time… And this young man is?" He looked curiously at Zhang Yang.
"Grandpa Tu, I'm her boyfriend!" Zhang Yang answered before Tang Qiqi could. Tang Qiqi pinched him hard behind his back and hissed softly, "Bastard! What nonsense?!"
"Boyfriend?" Tuda-gen's hearing wasn't great, and it was dark. He beamed at Zhang Yang, looking him up and down. "Good! Little Tang, good eye! This young man looks sharp—handsome eyebrows, bright eyes. Very good! What's your name, young man?"
"Sir, my name is Zhang Yang—Zhang as in bowman Zhang, Yang as in 'fame and glory.'" Zhang Yang replied humbly.
"Good name! Little Tang, you two are a perfect match!"
Tang Qiqi stared speechlessly at Zhang Yang. She couldn't refute—not when Zhang Yang had brought all the supplies, and they had gotten out of the same car. And he had held her hand the moment they stepped out. Even if Zhang Yang hadn't said it, Tuda-gen would've assumed it.
"Come in, come in." After a bit of small talk, Tuda-gen ushered them inside.
Lao Yi and his two men unloaded all the bedding, rice, clothes, fruit, fish, meat, and Spring Festival couplets.
The value of these supplies greatly exceeded Tang Qiqi's original budget—enough for eight years—but Zhang Yang didn't mention that.
After tea and dinner, it was already past ten. They had planned to continue to Wu Village in Gaodeng City, but the elders begged them to stay. So they decided to spend the night in Tujia Village.
Tuda-gen's house was large but already occupied by many elders. There weren't many available rooms. Whether intentionally or not, he gave Zhang Yang and Tang Qiqi a room together. Lao Yi and his men shared another.
Seeing Tang Qiqi's expression turn dark, Zhang Yang wondered if she would refuse. Unexpectedly, she glanced at him and said, "Thank you, Grandpa Tu."
She accepted—surprising Zhang Yang.
"What's wrong? Afraid?" she whispered when Tuda-gen wasn't looking. Her smile—rare as it was—was anything but kind.
"Afraid?" Zhang Yang snorted lightly. "Let's see who's afraid of who."
The house had three floors. Tuda-gen's son had been wealthy and built it more than a decade ago. Out of concern for Tang Qiqi, Tuda-gen gave them the best room and even two new bedding sets from the thirty Zhang Yang brought.
Their room was on the third floor, right beside a large balcony with a wicker recliner. Outside were some unknown flowers, giving off a mild fragrance.
Despite the cold dew, the countryside air was far fresher than the city's. Once inside, Tang Qiqi closed the door, left the lights off, and walked straight to the balcony. Zhang Yang looked at her silhouette and followed.
As if expecting him, Tang Qiqi leaned on the railing, chin resting on her hands, staring at the pitch-black mountains. She spoke softly, as if to herself:
"Over ten years ago, Tuda-gen was the village chief. His son worked elsewhere and made good money. They were the richest family here—quite glorious… But once he retired, then lost his son, he was left alone in this huge house. Other elders at least have children—they have hope. But Tuda-gen… his daughter married far away, someplace he doesn't even know. His son is gone. The rest of his life… he can only wait here in this empty house until the day he dies quietly."
"Why are you suddenly telling me this?" Zhang Yang leaned beside her, smelling her faint fragrance as he propped his elbows on the railing.
Tang Qiqi didn't turn to him. She continued, "He once had a happy family—son, daughter. At his age, he should be surrounded by grandchildren, enjoying his twilight years. But…"
"But what?" Zhang Yang tilted his head to look at her. He thought to himself: if she didn't answer, he'd kiss her until she did.
"You want to know? Then why don't you guess what I'll do tonight—sharing a room with you?" she said with a sweet, dangerous smile.