Chapter 576: 576 came to find
She knew the village was called Taolin Port, but she didn’t know which direction it was. So, she followed the main road. Perhaps she could ask someone along the way.
The wind here was too strong. It felt like walking against the wind no matter which direction she took.
She thought coming out wasn’t really a wise decision. But since she was already out, she might as well take a look around. Perhaps the weather here was just like this.
At this moment, a car happened to come her way; it was probably heading to the sanatorium, right? There were indeed others like her! It was quite refreshing.
With that thought in mind, she continued walking.
After walking for over an hour, she finally encountered a few people who seemed to be out shopping.
"Hey there, wait a moment, please."
The group consisted of both men and women, and they all stopped upon hearing Su Yuanyuan’s call.
Su Yuanyuan sighed inwardly, feeling that people were really quite hospitable at this time.
"Excuse me, which direction is it to Taolin Village?"
"Taolin Port? You’ve passed it already. We’re heading that way too. Why not join us? Comrade. What are you going to Taolin Village for?"
"Nothing much, just visiting some relatives."
Su Yuanyuan walked alongside the group, chatting enthusiastically with two particularly friendly women.
"What’s the surname of the relatives in Taolin Village?"
"Zhang."
"There are plenty of Zhangs. You’re an outsider, aren’t you?"
"Yes, I came over since I’m not too busy at the moment."
"It’s quite easy to find people here now. Mainly because no one’s going to the fields or out to sea at this time."
"Yeah, that’s what I thought too." With someone to chat with, the wind didn’t feel as harsh.
"This year, Taolin Village has hardly gone out to sea during the second half of the year, mostly assisting in a search. But I heard they were well paid for it."
"That’s nonsense. They only searched for about ten days."
"Who were they looking for?"
"Probably a big leader, though they didn’t specify. Heard that the leader was swept away by a tornado, so they sent people to search."
"Could a tornado really sweep someone away here?"
"Why not? While there are indeed tornadoes at sea, in all these years, I’ve never heard of such an incident happening."
"Ha. You don’t understand. They went out to sea on the 15th of July. What couldn’t happen?"
"The 15th of July? What’s the significance?" Su Yuanyuan was a bit curious.
"How is it not significant? On the 15th of July, the Ghost Gate opens wide."
Su Yuanyuan knowingly nodded. Although she had traveled here with many incredible experiences of her own, she didn’t really believe in such superstitions. But she didn’t argue either.
"You don’t know, but my second cousin is the sister-in-law of Wang Er’s wife, who went out to sea that day. She said Wang Er was really freaked out. They didn’t see anything at sea and had no idea what happened, but the leader was still swept away. Also, my cousin said Wang Er claimed that leader was his savior."
Su Yuanyuan picked up some information, knowing she should find Wang Er to ask about the incident, given that he was on that same trip.
"Is going out to sea fun?"
"We haven’t been. Women aren’t allowed on the boats."
Su Yuanyuan now understood why this woman was with her children and husband. Apparently, women aren’t allowed on boats. It seemed impractical for her to visit that place now, given the strong winds and her need to negotiate with others. Was she supposed to get a boat on her own?
"I think it must be an important leader."
"How do you know?"
"Didn’t you see how the maritime transport stayed for several days? I heard that several ships went out each day for days."
"You have a point."
Su Yuanyuan listened to their speculations about which big leader it might be.
Hearing them concoct characters, Su Yuanyuan almost laughed. Their imaginations were quite vivid.
"Comrade. Going in this direction leads to Taolin Port."
"Thank you very much."
After they parted ways, Su Yuanyuan walked alone in the direction they pointed out.
The snow was thicker here on the roads, probably because fewer people traveled this way.
It took another forty minutes to reach the edge of the village. At this hour, there wasn’t anyone at the village entrance.
Su Yuanyuan thought for a moment and decided to go to the village center to ask around.
After a while, she found it, but there was no one there either.
Reluctantly, she knocked on someone’s door.
"Hello, can I ask where the village head’s house is?"
"Who are you?"
"I’m here to seek my relatives."
"Walk over that way. The third house in the second row is the village head’s place."
Su Yuanyuan heard their amusement, noticing they wondered why so many people are searching for relatives here.
As the village head saw Su Yuanyuan enter, the old man sighed inwardly. Su Yuanyuan already understood their thoughts.
But since she was here today, she couldn’t leave without asking questions.
"Please sit, comrade."
"Village head, I am Su Yuanyuan. Due to an injury, I’ve forgotten many things. I’m here today to inquire about my husband and child’s disappearance."
Su Yuanyuan straightforwardly asked.
Once again, the old village head sighed, "Xiao Su, since you’ve forgotten, why do you want to remember?
All of us don’t want you to remember because we don’t want you to be in pain."
Su Yuanyuan sat aside, "Village head, I need to know, even if it causes pain, I need to know."
"Da Gui, bring Wang Er here. Since you must know, we’ll tell you everything we know." The village head sighed again after speaking.
He knew it couldn’t be hidden forever, never expected her to come asking so soon.
A quarter-hour later, Wang Er arrived. Seeing Su Yuanyuan made him somewhat emotional; she could sense his gratitude towards the man and felt he owed her something. She sighed inwardly; what did he owe her?
"Wang Er, talk to Xiao Su."
Listening to him, when she heard the man say for her to wait for him, she suddenly felt heartache, as if a hand was squeezing tightly.
Breathing became difficult, and tears fell.
What’s happening? Why is there such sadness? She thought she was just an outsider. But the heartache was real.
Su Yuanyuan clutched her chest, breathing heavily, like a person on the verge of death. Breathing felt difficult.
Everyone in the room was looking at her with concern.
"Xiao Su, Xiao Su."
Su Yuanyuan was completely engulfed in sorrow. Although she heard someone calling her, she felt powerless to respond.
Now everyone in the room was scared. The village head’s daughter-in-law came over, patting Su Yuanyuan’s back. "Xiao Su, don’t be like this. Don’t."