What would he do without Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei?
Would he have to find some rich man in another village to help him through this difficult time?
"Although the village head has his own difficulties, his approach is truly unacceptable," Shen Xiaoming nodded, saying with a serious expression.
Although he knew that his sister and brother-in-law were capable people and not lacking in money, they could indeed help the villagers.
However, they didn't owe anyone, so why should they help them without reason?
Here, Shen Xiaoming and the others expressed their views on the matter.
On the other side, Bai Yonggui, walking home with heavy steps, was also full of worry.
He had come full of confidence, but left feeling utterly dejected.
Although the snow had stopped, the accumulated snow on the ground was very thick. Even though some people had spontaneously cleared a small path for people to pass, walking on such a path would soak one's shoes, socks, and clothes.
In such weather, if clothes got wet, it would be very uncomfortable. The temperature was so low that it was very possible for things to freeze over.
Bai Yonggui walked slowly. The edges of his clothes and his shoes and socks were soaked, and then quickly frozen. But Bai Yonggui seemed oblivious.
He walked towards the village with a blank expression.
From a distance, he saw the entrance of Baiyun Village. The familiar houses were now half-collapsed.
Looking around, everything was a vast expanse of white. It had only been a short while since mealtime, and if it were usual, some families who ate late would still have smoke rising from their chimneys.
But now, besides the vast expanse of snow, there was nothing.
To Bai Yonggui, Baiyun Village had always been his most cherished hometown, his favorite place.
If he had been away for a long time, even for a day, he would miss it terribly. Upon seeing the village entrance, he would wish he had two more feet, or even a pair of wings.
So that he could reach Baiyun Village as quickly as possible, see the familiar villagers, and return to his own home.
But now, all his former hopes had vanished.
All that remained was a vague sense of fear and worry.
He looked at Baiyun Village, which was getting closer, and did not know what he should do.
He did not want to go back.
No, it should be said that he was afraid to go back.
He did not want to see his villagers, his kin, now hiding in leaky shacks, looking at him with eyes full of hope.
He was afraid of such gazes, and he did not know how to respond.
He had been the village head for many years, but this was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
However, unless he stood still and made no progress, no matter how slowly he walked, he would eventually reach his destination.
He stopped about ten meters from the village entrance, looking at the entrance with a mix of emotions.
After he had composed himself and stepped into Baiyun Village, his heart seemed to have truly calmed down.
He let out a long sigh and Bai Yonggui stepped in.
"Village head is back?"
Unexpectedly, Bai Yonggui, with his head down and shoulders hunched, trying to minimize his presence, cautiously walked into the village when someone immediately came forward to greet him.
Bai Yonggui looked up in surprise, and after a while, he recognized that it was Bai Zhong, who was bundled up like a zongzi.
"Bai Zhong, where are you going?" The village head chuckled a few times, but his voice lacked confidence, and he ended up asking back.
Although Bai Zhong did not know that Bai Yonggui had gone to Shen Xiaoyan's house, nor did he know why Bai Yonggui had gone, and that he had suffered from the cold and hardship in this cold weather.
Since Bai Yonggui clearly did not want to talk about it, he did not ask further.
"Oh, it's Bai Zhong. In this weather, you can't work. What are you doing?" Bai Yonggui was even more satisfied with Bai Zhong's tactfulness in not asking too many questions.
Bai Zhong heard Bai Yonggui's question and knew that Bai Yonggui did not want to talk to him, so he smiled knowingly and said, "It's nothing, I'm just going to Zheng Wei's house."
"What, are you on good terms with them?" Bai Yonggui asked in surprise.
"Why?" Bai Zhong was even more surprised by Bai Yonggui's reaction. What was going on? Why was he so jumpy?
"Quick, tell me, are you on good terms with Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei?" Bai Yonggui asked excitedly.
"Yes." Bai Zhong was a little strange, but he still answered honestly, "What's wrong? Village head, if you have something to say, just say it. You're like this, I..."
"You don't need to be afraid," Bai Yonggui said, laughing heartily, and patting Bai Zhong on the shoulder.
Seeing this, Bai Zhong became even more fearful.
Why did he feel that the usually gentle and kind Bai Yonggui was so frightening today?
"Village head, you'd better tell me directly. I really don't feel comfortable like this," Bai Zhong said with an embarrassed smile, and took a step back.
"It's nothing much, just something I'd like you to help me with. Come on, let's go to my house first," Bai Yonggui said, pulling Bai Zhong along.
"Is Pan Shi also on good terms with Shen Xiaoyan?" Bai Yonggui suddenly said a few steps later.
"But..."
When Bai Zhong heard Bai Yonggui's question, he instinctively replied.
After replying, he looked at Bai Yonggui strangely again. Why was Bai Yonggui so abnormal today, and it was all related to Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei.
For a moment, Bai Zhong did not know whether he should go with Bai Yonggui or not.
But if he didn't go with Bai Yonggui, what if Bai Yonggui made things difficult for him?
No matter what, Bai Yonggui was the village head, and he might need him in the future.
After careful consideration, Bai Zhong decided to go.
No matter what the other party wanted to do, he would know something if he went.
If it was really bad for Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei, he could also give them a heads-up.
With this thought, Bai Zhong readily followed Bai Yonggui.
His actions were seen by Bai Yonggui as Bai Zhong's submission and obedience to him.
Bai Yonggui felt a little happy. He knew it, no matter what, he was still a village head, how could he have no prestige at all?
Didn't Bai Zhong and his wife Liang Shi, who usually had a good relationship with Shen Xiaoyan, still obediently follow him when he needed them?
The two walked one after another, but with different thoughts in their hearts.
Perhaps because his mood had improved, Bai Yonggui's pace quickened considerably.
After walking for about a quarter of an hour, Bai Zhong looked around and stopped Bai Yonggui, saying, "Village head, didn't you say you were going to your house?"
"Yes, but let's invite Pan Shi first," Bai Yonggui said with a smile, and then continued to walk forward.
Seeing this, Bai Zhong became even more certain that what Bai Yonggui wanted to say was definitely related to Zheng Wei and Shen Xiaoyan.
Otherwise, with so many households and so many people in the village, why would he only look for him and then look for Pan Shi?
The two arrived at Pan Shi's house, and Pan Shi happened to be home.
In fact, this was expected. In this kind of weather, everyone would stay at home.