[1] The saying goes that close family ties, even with conflicts, cannot be severed. The sky gradually brightened.
Cheng Loanloan stepped out of her door and saw the village patrol team passing by.
A total of two hundred people participated in the patrol team, divided into fifty small teams. Five groups took turns patrolling each day, so it was only a person's turn once every ten days. They only needed to patrol two or three times a month, and each time was two and a half hours, which didn't delay as much time as imagined.
Obstacles were set up at the village gate. Villagers could enter and exit freely, but outsiders wanting to enter had to answer many questions before being allowed in.
Cheng Loanloan walked to the large pagoda tree and was immediately surrounded by a group of women.
"Zhao Dajie, the idea you proposed was really not bad."
"Have you heard? Last night, those scoundrels from Guihua Village secretly snuck in."
"It just so happened that my husband was on duty. As soon as he shouted, ten people who were on duty immediately rushed over to catch them."
"Guihua Village only sent seven people, and they dared to come here to steal grain. It's truly laughable."
"So, how were those seven people dealt with?"
"They didn't succeed, there was no physical evidence, so they could only be released."
"Next time, whatever you do, don't shout so early. To catch a thief, you need physical evidence. Let them steal first, then catch them and take them directly to the yamen."
"I'm afraid there won't be a next time. I heard that the Lizheng of Guihua Village called a meeting and forced those people in their village not to cause trouble in Daha Village anymore. I heard he lost a lot of face."
Cheng Loanloan smiled and said, "I just offered an idea. The main thing is still everyone's unity, which is how all the grain in the village was protected."
She smiled, and a light seemed to flash in her eyes.
Everyone looked at her, slightly stunned. Why did this Zhao Dajie look much fairer, and her demeanor was not like before?
Before, she was someone who only knew how to cry and make a fuss. Now, she seemed somewhat composed.
Cheng Loanloan felt flustered and confused by so many eyes staring at her.
She cleared her throat and said, "I'm going to Old Zhao's house to take a look."
She took a step and walked towards Old Zhao's house.
The group of women continued their discussion.
"Didn't Zhao Dajie have a big falling out with Old Madam Zhao? She hasn't been to Old Zhao's house for a whole year."
"They're all family. Even if a bone breaks, there's still a tendon connecting it. Can they really not interact for a lifetime?"
"That's true..."
Cheng Loanloan stood at the door of the house and called out, "Mother, are you home?"
Old Madam Zhao heard the sound, stepped over the threshold, and came out, slightly startled.
Although her relationship with the eldest branch had become much closer recently, the eldest daughter-in-law had never personally come here after they moved out.
Now that she suddenly came, Old Madam Zhao felt a little flustered.
Connecting it with the food that had been delivered for many days, was she going to bring up moving back?
Later, no matter what excuse this little slut used, no matter how much this little slut cried, they couldn't be soft-hearted!
Old Madam Zhao said calmly, "Dashan's mother, why are you here?"
Sun Shi also came out of the room, "Dajie, come in and sit."
Cheng Loanloan walked in and sat on the low stool opposite the two. She thought for a moment, then opened her mouth, "Today I came mainly to inquire about someone."
Sun Shi lowered her head, rolling her eyes in disdain.
Dajie clearly came to discuss moving back. She could just say it directly, why beat around the bush? Old Madam Zhao, however, was very calm, "You speak."
"A young lady surnamed Sun, given name Shui Qin." Cheng Luanluan said, "It seems she's from Guihua Village. I wonder if Mother has ever heard of this young lady?"
Old Madam Zhao never left the main gate nor approached the small door (meaning she stayed indoors all day and went nowhere). Her main area of activity was Dahe Village, so of course, she had never heard of her.