The force applied to the coffin lid resulted in an equal and opposite reaction force, reminiscent of a tug-of-war, instantly creating a tense and eerie atmosphere.
"Guangting, stop talking nonsense. The Brotherhood has supported the pot for nearly twenty years and has never seen a living occupant. Don't scare yourself." Zhang Wenjie's face turned pale as he sternly criticized my behavior for disturbing morale.
Ding Laotou's urging came over the intercom again, prompting us to hurry up.
Zhang Wenjie said, "Let's start by smashing the wedges."
Unable to come up with a good solution for the moment, we could only start by pounding the wooden wedges in to allow ventilation and then make further plans.
The Chen brothers insisted on letting us go first while they took Chen Lao Er's body out with them.
Zhang Wenjie gritted his teeth. "You two are crazy. Exposing him now would be too easy. This mission will be ruined. You want to get everyone killed."
Chen Lao Da's eyes were bloodshot. "Lao Er is my own brother. I can't let him lie in this dark tomb."
Chen Duoyu wiped away a tear. "The three of us brothers once made a vow that no matter what accidents occur, the remaining person must take the deceased out."
"If someone dies, we all die together. It's up to you. I can't be bothered."
The Chen brothers were obstinate, angering Zhang Wenjie to the point where he eventually gave up and, grabbing the rope, stepped on the footholds on either side of the thief hole and went out on his own.
Considering the safety of the entire team, I said, "Mr. Zhang is right. Once we expose him, Lao Er will have died in vain. Let's leave Lao Er here for now. When we finish our business and withdraw, we can take him with us. How about that?"
After several tens of seconds of silence, Chen Duoyu said, "Big brother, I'll follow your lead."
Chen Lao Da stamped his foot. "Let's do as Guangting says. Let Lao Er suffer for a bit longer."
Seeing our low spirits, each of us as if struck by frost, Ding Laotou sensed something and asked urgently, "Why is there one less person? Where's Lao Er? Why can't I see him?"
Chen Duoyu's tears fell silently as he remained silent. Chen Lao Da hung his head, sighed deeply, and also remained silent.
"Why aren't you saying anything? What happened to Lao Er?"
"Chen Lao Er, he's, he's gone."
I recounted the whole incident in detail, explaining how Chen Lao Er had been cut into two pieces, unable to be pieced back together, and had died a gruesome death.
Ding Laotou trembled, unable to speak for a long time.
Zhang Wenjie took a shovel and began digging a hole in a corner of the shed.
With so many relics in hand, it was like a time bomb. We had to ensure safety. Before they were transported, they had to be buried underground.
"Lao Da, Lao San, go help Mr. Zhang dig the hole. I need to have a word with Guangting."
After sending away the Chen brothers, Ding Laotou asked me in detail about the situation at the time, then frowned and said softly to me, "Something's not right. This matter isn't so simple."
"What's wrong, Lao Ding? Is there a problem?"
Ding Laotou's analysis shocked me, sending shivers down my spine.
At the time, if Zhang Wenjie hadn't stepped in front of me with a side step, the tragedy wouldn't have happened.
There was another suspicious point: he could have simply dodged forward without the need to step in front of me.
If it hadn't been for Chen Lao Er pushing me from behind, I would probably have been the one who died, not Chen Lao Er.
Could all of this have been deliberately orchestrated by Zhang Wenjie? Did he want me dead but inadvertently end up killing Chen Lao Er instead?
"Why would he do that?"
"You threatened him."
Upon hearing this, I recalled the experiences of recent times and seemed to have an answer. Just as Ding Laotou said, I might have threatened Zhang Wenjie's position.
Although Zhang Wenjie is a knowledgeable man with a wealth of knowledge, he also suffers from the common ailment of intellectuals, which is arrogance and self-righteousness.
Glancing at Zhang Wenjie, who was digging the hole, I suddenly felt a sense of terror.
"Ding Laotou, should we inform Mr. Lin?"
"You're already grown up. Instead of behaving like a child and running to the teacher at the first sign of trouble, refrain from acting recklessly on mere speculation until there is concrete evidence, understand?"
Ding Laotou added, "However, from now on, you also need to keep an eye on your back."
As he was saying this, the pit had already been dug, and Zhang Wenjie called for our help.
"It's okay, you take it easy. I'll go by myself."
As soon as Ding Laotou left, there came a sound of footsteps, crunching on the frozen wheat field, a dark figure squatting not far away, furtive and suspicious.
I dared not shout loudly, picked up a chunk of frozen soil, and threw it towards Chen Duoyu, lowering my voice to warn them with gestures.
"Be careful, someone's coming."
Seven or eight woven bags were piled on the ground, too late to move or bury them immediately. There was only one last resort left.
Dead men keep secrets forever!
The three of us quickly made our way to the door, each holding a weapon.
"Guangting, it's me."
Hearing Zhang Ling's voice, I walked over and asked, "Sister Ling, what are you doing?"
"Silly boy, I'm peeing."
"Ah?"
The sound of rushing water echoed, and her large, round buttocks were particularly alluring.
At this moment, the others had already arrived. Zhang Ling half squatted and shook her body a few times, quickly pulled up her pants, and kicked me hard on the buttocks.
"Du Guangting, you big idiot."
It turned out that just before we came up, Zhang Ling had also heard a sound of footsteps. When she went out to check, she saw a figure swaying in the distance. Upon being discovered, the other party said nothing and turned away.
The person was an old lady with white hair. When the light shone on her, she emitted a faint yellow halo.
We had seen this person several times before. She was a wanderer who had built a small shack next to the tomb and begged for a living.
After returning, guessing that we had come up from the tomb, and considering that the restroom was shared by both men and women, it was inevitable that there would be some awkwardness with coughing outside. Zhang Ling wanted to solve the problem on the spot, but she almost caused a misunderstanding.
Throughout the day, the Chen brothers were listless, thinking only of Chen Lao Er still in the tomb, indifferent to everything else.
This situation was unsustainable and could potentially lead to trouble. I called Lin Canghai, and he remained silent for a full minute before sighing.
"Guangting, the situation has already occurred. Tell everyone not to be affected by it, and to prioritize the overall situation, especially..."
"Especially Chen Duoyu. He is the most impulsive. Make sure to handle him well. If necessary, let him come back first. Also..."
"You tell Chen Lao Da that half of the pork belongs to Chen Lao Er. In addition, all expenses for his wife and children in the future will be covered by Botong Tang. Well, I'd better tell him myself."
Lin Canghai's arrangements were very thoughtful and timely, stabilizing morale.
The sun rose and set, and soon the sky darkened.