Cheng Duo had an inexplicable aversion towards Wei Ling, and when he saw him looking at him with a suspicious gaze, his anger surged, and his eyes involuntarily narrowed dangerously.
The two of them stood in silence for a while. Just as the hair on Wei Ling's back stood on end, feeling that Cheng Duo was about to lose control and make a move, he suddenly raised his hand and called Shanzi over.
"Shanzi, come here."
Shanzi looked at this person, then at that person, and came over with a bewildered expression, "Brother Cheng?"
Cheng Duo placed his hand on Shanzi's shoulder. "Tell him how Li Da and Li Er, Yong-ge's two older brothers, are as people. You don't need to look at me, just tell the truth."
"Oh…" Shanzi didn't know how to speak profound truths, so he recounted the tyrannical deeds of Li Da and Li Er, the village bullies. Of course, he didn't forget to express his grievances as well.
"Li Da and Li Er are even worse than bandits! There was one year when my eldest brother was sick, and I caught a few fish in the creek, intending to bring them back to make fish soup for him. But they snatched them away from me on the road. They've also stolen my firewood and wild birds and vegetables. If they couldn't steal anything, they would resort to violence…"
Shanzi had a lot to say about this. He listed a long list of incidents, repeating similar examples, clearly showing how much he resented them.
Cheng Duo could only interrupt him helplessly, "Alright, you've already said these before. Now, tell me how they treated Yong-ge."
Just as he was saying that, Yong-ge had already come over. In fact, when Shanzi was airing his grievances, Yong-ge had already heard a bit of it. He was feeling embarrassed about whether to interrupt or not when he heard Cheng Duo mention him, so he hurriedly stepped forward to block his path. "Alright, why are you making Shanzi say these things!"
He knew that Cheng Duo might be trying to defend him, but Wei Ling specifically came for his two older brothers. What if he found out about their behavior and refused to help?
In all honesty, Yong-ge also hoped that his two older brothers would learn a lesson and change their idle habits, so that they could come back and live a good life.
But teaching them a lesson was one thing; he didn't want them to lose their lives! He had heard from others how dangerous it was to repair the city wall, even the death row inmates couldn't handle it, let alone his two older brothers who had hardly done any heavy work or worked in the fields.
If something happened to them, his father would be devastated!
Wei Ling was an upright person. Seeing Yong-ge stepping forward to stop them, he couldn't bear to see him in distress and didn't continue letting Shanzi speak.
But he already understood Cheng Duo's meaning. Li Da and Li Er were not good people, and they were not good to Yong-ge either.
Although these were only Shanzi's one-sided words, he planned to stay in the village for a few more days, which would be enough time for him to inquire and find out the truth.
Cheng Duo knew that Wei Ling was a clever person. Seeing through him so easily, although his anger had diminished slightly, he still didn't want to deal with him much.
Therefore, when faced with Wei Ling's friendly gaze, he turned his face away, pretending not to see.
Don't think he didn't know. Wei Ling hadn't changed his expression even after hearing that Li Da and Li Er were village bullies. It was only when he heard that they might have mistreated Yong-ge that his expression turned serious.
Since their first meeting, this person had inexplicably had a favorable impression of Yong-ge. Now, was it possible that he already considered Yong-ge as his possession?
Cheng Duo glanced at Wei Ling, trying to find even the slightest flaw in him. But no matter how he looked, he couldn't find anything bad to say about Wei Ling while keeping a clear conscience.
This guy was a junior general. Usually, such a title came from a martial family, and above him, there would be a father or an uncle who held an even higher rank as a general.
He also has a decent appearance and is even more humble in character, showing respect and courtesy to others. Despite offending him, he didn't get angry. Apart from fearing his strength, his good character is also a significant factor.
Cheng Duo was busy finding faults and remained silent for a while. Wei Ling thought about the previous misunderstanding and felt a bit unsure, so he clenched his fist and lightly coughed.
Yong-ge looked around, not understanding why the atmosphere between them was so strange. But since Cheng Duo remained silent, he had to step forward and greet, "Young Master Wei, you must be hungry after such a long journey. If you don't mind…"
Yong-ge used to address General Wei, but Wei Ling said it wasn't convenient, so he changed to calling him Young Master Wei.
"I don't mind" Wei Ling replied with a smiling face. Without waiting for Yong-ge to finish, he eagerly accepted the invitation.
Cheng Duo sneered at him and said, "Do you know the situation in Yong-ge's family? Treating you to a meal would keep them busy for a long time, father and ger."
Wei Ling wanted to offer money, but then he remembered that Yong-ge's two older brothers were not at home, and Cheng Duo mentioned that it was only Yong-ge and his father in the family. As a grown man, would it be appropriate for him to go in and let others gossip about Yong-ge?
Wei Ling didn't want his good intentions to cause trouble. Yong-ge was a decent person, and he came to deliver a message from afar. It was enough for them to treat him to a few meals.
"Let's go to my place then. We've already reached the door, and if we don't go in, others might think I don't know manners," Cheng Duo said indifferently, glancing at Wei Ling. Although his attitude wasn't welcoming, his eyes said otherwise.
Wei Ling hesitated for a moment and, knowing that Cheng Duo was single, nodded, "Alright."
Then he turned and smiled, comforting Yong-ge, "I find it more convenient to stay at Brother Cheng's place. I appreciate Yong-ge's kindness."
It was convenient for him to stay at Cheng Duo's home and figure out the relationship between him and Yong-ge. Although Cheng Duo's attitude wasn't great, Wei Ling had dealt with much more difficult people in the military. If he couldn't handle a cold reception, he might as well give up early.
Wei Ling also invited Shanzi, "Why don't you come along, little brother?"
Shanzi secretly glanced at Cheng Duo and received a positive look, so he nodded in agreement.
Wei Ling thought he would temporarily separate from Yong-ge, but unexpectedly, Yong-ge entered Cheng Duo's home with them.
Cheng Duo noticed this and glared at Wei Ling, asking, "Why did you follow?"
'If I don't come, who will cook?' Yong-ge helplessly glanced at him. Some people really didn't appreciate his cooking skills!
Shanzi was also only good at fooling his younger siblings. Asking him to cook a delicious meal was really difficult.
Wei Ling was such a good person; Yong-ge couldn't let him help and suffer from Cheng Duo's terrible cooking skills.
In the past, when Yong-ge mentioned cooking, Cheng Duo would wholeheartedly support him. But today, he unusually said, "I can do it myself. You don't need to stay; you should go back."
"You don't need me?" Yong-ge looked at him inexplicably. "Cheng Duo, what's gotten into you today?"
To have him suddenly cook for himself, did the sun rise from the west?
"I can't do anything…" Cheng Duo struggled to find the right words and tried to keep a straight face. "Don't you need to go back and cook for your father? What if Uncle Li comes out looking for you?"
"It's okay, my father is used to it. If he sees that I haven't returned, he'll cook for himself first," Yong-ge replied.
They didn't always eat together as father and child. Sometimes, unexpected chores would come up, or they would get busy and forget about meals.
Yong-ge insisted on staying, and Cheng Duo had no choice but to sit under the eaves and sulk.
Wei Ling realized he couldn't be of help and sat next to Cheng Duo. He tentatively asked,"Your relationship with Yong-ge seems quite good, doesn't it?"
The interaction between Yong-ge and Cheng Duo at the military camp gate was quite intriguing. Today, it was even more noticeable as these two seemed to have no regard for others when they spoke. Cheng Duo had a stern face, but Yong-ge wasn't afraid. In the end, it was Cheng Duo who couldn't do anything about Yong-ge.
Cheng Duo really wanted to retort with "What's it to you?" but he felt that it wouldn't be reasonable. In fact, when he first saw Wei Ling upon his return, he felt an unexplained aversion towards him. After all, he had survived in the apocalypse for ten years. Why was he so easily irritated today?
Thinking about it, Cheng Duo suddenly calmed down and suppressed that inexplicable irritability in his heart. He patiently spoke to Wei Ling, "Yong-ge saved me and helped me a lot. I was able to settle down in the village thanks to him."
"Oh, I see…" Wei Ling breathed a sigh of relief. He was afraid that Cheng Duo would continue to have a dark expression and not say a word.
So the two of them slowly started chatting, from Yang Village to Xiling Camp, and the current situation in Daxia.
The more they talked, the more Wei Ling felt that Cheng Duo was not an ordinary villager. His insights went far beyond that, and he had some understanding of the current situation. But whenever Wei Ling brought the conversation back to Yong-ge, Cheng Duo would find an excuse to change the subject, and it worked every time.
Coincidentally, Wei Ling gradually realized—when Cheng Duo looked displeased with him outside the courtyard, was it because he and Yong-ge were getting too close?
However, Cheng Duo had a stable temperament. He quickly calmed his emotions, and at this moment, Wei Ling couldn't feel any hostility from Cheng Duo. At most, when Yong-ge was mentioned, Cheng Duo would unconsciously change the topic.
While the two were engaged in conversation, Yong-ge had already pulled Shanzi aside. He secretly took out several copper coins from his pocket and asked him to go to the neighboring village to buy a block of tofu. If there were any fish, he could buy a few more.
Shanzi was also eager to contribute, so he gladly took the money and happily went on his way.
After Yong-ge closed the door, he turned and entered the kitchen. Just as he was about to steam the cornmeal buns, he heard an urgent knocking at the door and someone loudly calling for Cheng Duo from outside the courtyard.
"Cheng Duo! Cheng Duo…"
Cheng Duo went to open the door and found it was Village Head Li's eldest son, Li Da Zhuang. He didn't know where he came from, but he was sweating profusely and looked extremely anxious.
As soon as Cheng Duo opened the door, Li Da Zhuang hurriedly said, "Cheng Duo, a wild boar has come down from the mountain. My father wants you to come and help!"
"What's going on?" Cheng Duo asked as he turned around to find his machete.
"I don't know. That wild boar is going crazy, rampaging in the fields on the south slope. We can't stop it, and it has trampled many crops!" Li Da Zhuang replied.
Cheng Duo was shocked because the four mu of land he bought from Li Mancang was just below the south slope!
With no further hesitation, Cheng Duo grabbed his machete and headed out. "Let's go!"
"I'll come along too. Maybe I can be of help," Wei Ling said, picking up the bow and arrow he had been carrying on his back.
Yong-ge came out and saw that they had all left, so he quickly returned to the kitchen to put out the firewood. Before leaving the courtyard, he remembered the wolf footprints from last time and casually inserted the door latch.