diskusbooks #581 - Tang Yin's sabotage
#581 - Tang Yin's sabotage
Tang Yin stood in the dimly lit wooden house, momentarily speechless. Moonlight streamed through the window lattices, casting mottled shadows on the floor at his feet.
“……”
His brain raced, this development was too unexpected. Could he have accidentally triggered some flag? Is the plot development this straightforward nowadays?
Looking at the flustered girl before him, Tang Yin couldn't help but smile wryly in his heart. Taking care of a girl who injured the back of her head, and then falling in love like this? Isn't this an old-fashioned drama plot?
But on second thought, such a development didn't seem so bad.
“Then, Hua Lu,” Tang Yin tentatively began, his voice gentle.
“Oh oh oh oh oh oh…” Hua Lu made a series of nervous sounds, her hands unconsciously twisting together, her eyes darting around.
Seeing her like this, Tang Yin suddenly realized he might have been mistaken. This probably wasn't a love scene, but rather that this girl had no resistance to the opposite sex.
Thinking about Hua Lu's situation in the village, Tang Yin felt a pang of pity. As an elder, the villagers either kept their distance from her or, like Zhao Gang, were full of hostility, their attitudes always at two extremes. For her, people like himself who could talk to her equally and chat easily were probably few and far between.
Too pitiful.
“OK, then I'll call you Hua Lu, and you can call me Tang Yin. I believe we can definitely become friends,” Tang Yin revealed a sincere smile, trying to ease the atmosphere.
“Oh oh oh… friends…” Hua Lu lowered her head, repeating the word softly, as if savoring its meaning.
“Yes.”
“…I, I, I will try my best,” Hua Lu's voice carried a hint of expectation and nervousness, her face faintly flushed in the moonlight.
In a corner of this remote village, two strangers faced each other and bowed deeply, as if performing some solemn ceremony. This scene was somewhat incongruous, yet inexplicably harmonious.
After saying goodbye, Tang Yin carefully inspected the wooden house. He squatted down to check the corners of the walls, reaching out to feel the gaps in the door frames and windows, confirming every possible hole. The results of the inspection relieved him—perfect, this place should be able to prevent those monsters from intruding.
However, after solving his own problem, Tang Yin's brow furrowed again. He stood by the window, looking at the distant, faintly visible outline of the village, his thoughts turning to the situation of Xia Hui and Zhou Zhengxiong.
It wasn't that he hadn't thought about letting them leave before the fog rolled in, but no matter how he conceived it, he couldn't find a natural way to do it. This meant that he could only make them realize the fact that they couldn't return as soon as possible, and find a place to settle down here in advance.
In the moonlight, Tang Yin's expression became complicated. Strictly speaking, letting things take their course was also an option. In this dangerous situation, it was enough to ensure his own survival.
But…
He clenched his fist, a trace of struggle flashing in his eyes. He really couldn't accept this practice of standing by and watching others die. The phenomenon of death regression was like a sword hanging over his head, and escaping it was Tang Yin's ultimate goal. But at this moment, all he could do was to do his best to prevent tragedy from happening. It wouldn't be too late to consider other ways out when he really couldn't do anything about it. There was no need to abandon his conscience from the start and become a cold-blooded bystander.
The square under the moonlight was empty, and even the sound of a fallen leaf being blown by the wind could be heard clearly. Those two reporters were probably still busy interviewing, which was the best time for him to act.
Tang Yin walked towards Zhou Zhengxiong's van, his footsteps as light as a cat walking at night. He squatted down in front of the left rear wheel and took out the iron nails and hammer he had bought at the convenience store earlier from his backpack. These seemingly ordinary tools were now to bear the heavy responsibility of saving lives.
He took a deep breath, clenched the hammer, and hammered it hard against the tire.
“Pfft—”
The sound of rubber being pierced was particularly clear in the silent night. The subtle sound of gas slowly leaking out made Tang Yin nod secretly, the effect was perfect.
He immediately turned to the right rear wheel, repeating the same action. Just to be on the safe side, he even damaged one of the front wheels. After doing all this, Tang Yin scattered the remaining iron nails around the vehicle, deliberately creating a scene of accidentally triggering a roadside trap.
The night wind blew through his slightly disheveled hair, and Tang Long straightened up, looking at his masterpiece with satisfaction. Based on his experience, this remote village would definitely not be able to find suitable tire repair equipment, and external rescue forces would not be able to arrive here before the fog cleared.
Of course, if Baifeng Village sent someone to pick them up and let them leave the car here and leave on their own, that would also be a solution… But on second thought, this possibility was very slim.
In this way, they could only spend the night in the village. As long as they found a safe place to live, they should be able to escape this disaster.
However, Tang Yin knew in his heart that this plan was far from perfect. This approach could easily lead people to think that the villagers of Wuyin Village deliberately set traps to harm outsiders. But now he could only take one step at a time and adapt to the situation.
In any case, he had tried his best. Although the method was a bit extreme, it was worth the price to save lives.
Next, he had to find the right time to ensure that they could—
“Mr. Tang Yin.”
A soft voice suddenly rang out from behind.
“I’m here, here, here.” Tang Yin turned around abruptly, his voice changing its tone because of fright.
He could almost hear his heart beating violently, like a drum echoing in his chest. Damn it, to be discovered at this time?! Tang Yin's back was already soaked in cold sweat. He suppressed the panic in his heart and tried to calm his breathing.
Hua Lu didn't know when she had appeared behind him. In the moonlight, her slender figure was like a ghost, making it difficult to tell whether she was real. At this moment, Tang Yin only felt that his heart was about to jump out of his throat.
“Is there something you need, Hua Lu!” Tang Yin tried to appear calm, but his voice unconsciously rose an octave. In the moonlight, he could clearly see Hua Lu's red eyes, like gems that could see through people's hearts.
Hua Lu's face suddenly bloomed with a brilliant smile, “Heh oh oh! You called me by my name again!” She held her face in her hands, looking as innocent and naive as a girl, forming a strong contrast with her identity as an elder of Baifeng Village.
Tang Yin then realized his gaffe and quickly changed his words, “I’m sorry! Hua Lu, what's wrong!” Fine beads of sweat had already seeped out of his forehead, shining faintly in the moonlight.
“I’m hungry, I came to eat.” Hua Lu said casually, as if she really just happened to be passing by.
Tang Yin was stunned for a moment, and only then did he feel that his stomach was also aching faintly. But he quickly shook off this thought—now was not the time to think about eating! More importantly, had his act of damaging the tires been exposed?
Hua Lu walked slowly to the van, her slender fingers gently stroking the car body, “This car is so big.” Her tone was innocent, but for some reason it gave people a sense of oppression.
“Yeah.” Tang Yin replied dryly, his clenched fists trembling slightly at his side.
Silence spread between the two. Hua Lu stood there without saying a word, her red eyes always staring at Tang Yin, as if she wanted to see through his heart. Tang Yin was suffocated by this strange atmosphere, and the cold sweat on his forehead increased.
What was this invisible sense of pressure? Was this the true strength of the Baifeng Village elder? Was she waiting for him to confess?
Tang Yin's brain was racing. If he really had to fabricate a lie, how should he explain the situation in front of him? But every time he met those red eyes, he had a premonition that all lies would be instantly seen through.
Damn it, could he only confess honestly?
Just when Tang Yin was about to collapse, Hua Lu suddenly spoke, “I’m hungry.” Her voice was soft, with a hint of childish willfulness.
Tang Yin was stunned. Maybe… she really hadn't noticed anything? With a tentative mentality, he asked cautiously, “Um, what did you think I was doing?”
“Hey, aren't you looking for pill bugs?” Hua Lu asked innocently, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Tang Yin muttered to himself, “Do you think I'm Xiao Mie?”
“Of course not… Look, the tire is flat.” He pointed to the tire, deciding to tell part of the truth.
“Oh dear.” Hua Lu leaned over to check, letting out a soft cry.
“Look, it's stuck in here.” Tang Yin pointed to the iron nail stuck in the tire.
“So thick and big…” Hua Lu carefully observed the size of the iron nail.
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“Also, look here…” Tang Yin was about to continue explaining.
“Ah, this is too much.” Hua Lu looked at the iron nails scattered all over the ground and couldn't help but sigh.
“Hey hey hey hey hey, tea-haired man! In broad daylight! Invading! Lady Hua Lu!” Granny Rong's voice suddenly exploded from behind, startling both of them.
Tang Yin wanted to cry but had no tears. This old woman's timing was always so perfect that it was outrageous. But recalling the conversation just now, it was indeed easy to cause misunderstandings.
“Don't always misunderstand me, I'll go call the reporters back first!” Tang Yin quickly turned around and fled the scene, leaving a string of flustered footsteps behind him.
Xia Hui witnessed all of this in the distance, murmuring in confusion, “Hey… is he kidding…” Her expression was full of doubt, and she obviously hadn't figured out the situation.
As night deepened, on a mountain path in Wuyin Village, several people gathered around a van. Zhou Zhengxiong stood in front of the car, looking at the deflated tire, his brow furrowed, “This is troublesome.”
Tang Yin stood aside, pretending to look sympathetic, “This is too bad…”
But he secretly rejoiced, it seemed that no one suspected him. He just had to continue playing the role of an innocent bystander. Although watching them anxiously, he did feel a little guilty.
Xia Hui crossed her arms, her delicate face full of distress, “The original plan was to go back today, what should we do now…” Her voice was full of obvious anxiety.
Zhou Zhengxiong turned around, his gaze gently looking at Xia Hui, “Do you have other plans?”
“I don't care, what about Zhou Zhengxiong?” Xia Hui shook her head gently and asked back.
Zhou Zhengxiong was silent for a moment, his voice low and deep, “Today is my daughter's birthday.”
“Ah, your daughter's…” Xia Hui's voice stopped abruptly, a trace of surprise and loss flashing in her eyes.
Tang Yin felt a sharp pain in his heart when he heard this. He didn't expect that Zhou Zhengxiong was already a married man, and he actually used such despicable means to harm him! Guilt flooded his heart like a tide, but he hoped that these two people could forgive his actions—otherwise, what awaited them was probably a more tragic end than a flat tire.
Chen Xiang stood aside, looking worried, “Oh dear… what should we do now, there are no vehicles in Wuyin Village…” Her fingers kept twisting the corners of her clothes, looking very uneasy.
Hua Lu suddenly spoke, a trace of cunning flashing in her red eyes, “Qian Jin might have something that can be used.”
This suggestion stunned everyone present.
Zhou Zhengxiong shook his head, explaining professionally, “This kind of special tire is difficult to repair, although there is a spare tire in the car, there is only one.”
Xia Hui sighed, “Then let's contact the rescue company, Mrs. Chen Xiang, can we borrow your phone to make a call?”
“Yes, yes, of course, over here.” Chen Xiang nodded quickly, taking the two to the cafeteria in a hurry.
Leaving Tang Yin and Hua Lu standing in place, an eerie silence filled the air. Granny Rong looked at their departing backs, frowning and muttering, “I always feel unlucky.”
Just as Tang Yin was about to quietly leave the scene, a burly figure walked slowly from the direction of the terraces. In the moonlight, the person's outline looked particularly strong.
“What's wrong, Granny, and Hua Lu…” The person stopped, his gaze falling on Tang Yin, “That, who are you?”
Hua Lu turned gracefully, her red eyes shining brightly in the moonlight, “This is Mr. Tang Yin.” Her voice was soft, but still maintained that aloof sense of distance, obviously not changing the way she addressed Tang Yin.
Tang Yin raised his head, looking at the muscular man in front of him. He suppressed the unease in his heart and showed a smile that was as natural as possible, “I just moved to Wuyin Village today, please give me your guidance.”
Zhao Gang looked Tang Yin up and down, his gaze lingering on his conspicuous silver-gray hair for a few seconds. A thoughtful expression appeared on his face, “Ah, you're that person. I'm Zhao Gang, please give me your guidance…” He paused, a hint of doubt in his eyes, “You don't look like someone from Baifeng Village, are you from out of town? That's rare, but, this is too bad.”
Hearing the word “bad luck,” Tang Yin's heart skipped a beat. Having lived in the city for so many years, he had never seen anyone say that someone was unlucky when they first met. What kind of strange rural etiquette was this? He secretly slandered, these villagers had better change this strange habit.
But on the surface, Tang Yin still pretended to be honest, “Yes! I came here because I was at the end of my rope in the city!” He touched his conspicuous silver hair embarrassedly, “Sorry, I know I look like a hooligan! I'll dye my hair back!”
Zhao Gang obviously didn't expect him to say that, and was speechless for a moment, “…Oh, oh…”
Granny Rong, who was standing beside him, breathed a sigh of relief, and the vigilance in her eyes relaxed slightly, “That, that's good…”
Zhao Gang glanced at the old woman's expression and couldn't help but chuckle, "Haha, Grandma really doesn't like people like that. I don't really care. I should say I'm more concerned about other things."
Tang Yin's heart tightened, and she tried to appear calm as she asked, "What do you mean by 'other things'?"
Zhao Gang's expression suddenly turned serious, and his face looked particularly solemn in the moonlight. "It's about whether you can help with the farm work. Wuyin Village is different from Baifeng Village; we don't abandon our own people. However, we don't welcome idlers either."