ater level by the river was low, so they weren't drowned, but their lips turned purple from the cold.Li Laotai raised her hand and gave each grandson a smoker's pot, hating iron for not being steel, "...The wooden box was shut, quickly covered with soil, and then the tiles were laid back on top.

If no one takes a closer look, they probably wouldn't notice anything wrong with the foundation of this house, and wouldn't disturb the Guo family's peace.

By the time all this was done, the sky had begun to blush with the first light of dawn. The morning mist once again blanketed the land. If it weren't for the blood staining the courtyard and the house, a stark reminder of last night’s danger, one might think it had all been a nightmare.

Everyone was eager to search, no need for Old Li and Liu the鏢頭 to urge them on.

Everything that could be used was carried into the courtyard by everyone.

Rice bags, vegetable oil, miscellaneous items of all colors, even pots, pans, bowls, teapots, teacups, thick quilts, a motley collection piled up.

Everyone was both happy and worried, how could they take all these things back

In the end, Liu, the head of the鏢 (protection) team, came up with a good idea: "Take down the doors from each room and tie them together with ropes to make sleds. Prioritize loading food, and shove smaller things in. If you can't fit anything else, just throw out pots, pans, and other utensils.”

Everyone agreed and rushed to surround Luo.

Nearly a hundred people of all ages had gathered by the stream. They weren't lacking in numbers, but they seemed to be short on everything else.

So, Liu Biaotou spoke clearly, but everyone secretly disobeyed his orders.

It's not just about throwing away pots and pans, it's even about taking the chopsticks with you...

By the time they finished their work, the sun was already high in the sky. Everyone ate a quick bite of dry rations and prepared to head back.

Liu, the head of the bodyguard unit, was uneasy. He feared that someone might follow the tracks to the mountain stream. So he discussed it with Li Laosi.

He would have Jia Yi and Liu Yang stay behind for two days to make sure these bandits had no accomplices or reinforcements. Only then would they return to the ravine.

Li Laosi also wants to stay, "I'll stay with you guys, in case something happens I can lend a hand too."

Liu, the head鏢師, refused. "No, you still have to lead the way back. If you encounter a wild beast on the road, without your presence to hold things together, the villagers will be in chaos. Besides, I'm bringing two young boys along secretly, so if there are bandits returning, we won't show our faces. Look at the weather; it's almost time for snow in the next few days. I must return before the snowfall. By then, the traces will be covered by the snow, and we won't have to worry anymore."

Li Lao Si could only nod and sigh, "This place is too close to the official road. It's not good to make too much noise, otherwise, if a fire burned down this courtyard, it would be even less troublesome."

Thus, the crowd soon rushed into the mountains with a large pile of loot, eagerly heading home.

On the other side of the mountain stream, everyone was on edge, waiting with bated breath. Even the usually mischievous children were unusually quiet, afraid to make a sound.

In a small cave, a pot of water was simmering on the stove, just beginning to boil.

Jiarong's everyday slate was propped up, he crouched in a horse stance, his left hand holding a pen as he practiced calligraphy.

Mr. Wen stood aside, holding a stick in his hand, tapping Jia Ren's back and wrists from time to time.

"Keep your back straight, use your wrist power, not your arm! You should let the power of your wrist drive the tip of the pen!"

Jia Ren's forehead was covered in a layer of fine sweat, showing that he was exhausted to the limit, but he still wrote silently.

Tao Hongying felt heartache, but she didn't dare say anything. She poured warm water and brought it to the inner room separated by a reed screen.

Mrs. Cui was slowly strolling with Jia Yin in her arms when she saw the water basin and her eyes lit up.

She had been sick for several days and was just able to get out of bed. She could eat and drink, but she couldn't stand not being able to bathe or wash her hair. That was unbearable.

"Thank you, Hongying. I was just thinking about washing my hair."

Tao Hongying laughed and said, "A few days ago when you were sick, you couldn't wash your hair, it's easy to catch a cold again. Today the cave is warm, so you can wash it."

Mrs. Cui put down the music and quickly took off her outer garments, letting her hair loose.

Tao Hongying patted her daughter's shoulder and scolded with a smile, "Lazy girl, don't you know you're fat You always let people carry you and refuse to take an extra step."

Mrs. Cui was someone with a cold exterior but a warm heart. She maintained a certain distance when interacting with others, but she had no reservations towards little Jia Yin. These past few days, she felt much more relaxed.

"It's good to be a little lazy, it brings good fortune."

Tao Hongying smiled helplessly, didn't say anything more, and from now on, besides her family, there was probably one more person who would protect her daughter.

Jiayin giggled and rolled into bed, lying obediently as she watched her mother help Mrs. Cui wash her hair. Her mind, however, was wandering elsewhere.

The chickens, ducks, and geese in the small yard are really not eating for nothing. They've been laying eggs very diligently recently, and they've accumulated quite a few.

But first, there was Grandma's warning. Now that she lives in the small cave again, she wants to take it out, but it can't be done. She can only continue saving it.

As for the few pigs that have already grown to over a hundred pounds, they are also happily oinking and snorting. At least for the next half year, they have nothing to worry about.

Remembering the half bowl of sorghum noodle porridge with pickled vegetables she had eaten in the morning, Jiayin felt even more down.

Looking at so many good things, but she can't eat them. Will she become the first heroine to starve to death guarding this space

It's no good, I still have to discuss this with grandma and come up with a good solution...

Unknowingly, she fell asleep.

Tao Hongying and Mrs. Cui finished their work, turned around to see that Jiayin had already fallen asleep, drooling softly. Her soft little belly rose and fell, especially cute.

Mrs. Cui quickly pulled the quilt over her, Tao Hongying poured water, and she sat by the stove warming her hair.

The cave was dimly lit, making the firelight all the more warm and inviting.

Mrs. Cui was meticulously combing her long, black hair. Beside her sat Mr. Wen, his demeanor warm and refined. Occasionally, their eyes would meet, as if they had much to say but couldn't find the words, or perhaps didn't need them at all.

This scene made Tao Hongying curious, but she wasn't nosy and didn't disturb it. Putting down the basin, she went into the inner room to hug her daughter to sleep.

Jiayin mumbled sleepily, catching the scent of her mother. She nuzzled into her mother's arms and slept even sweeter.

Day after day, in the blink of an eye, everyone had been circling inside the cave for four days.

The mischievous children couldn't hold back any longer. They crawled to the entrance of the hole and peered down eagerly, hoping to run around downstairs.

Even adults were feeling a bit restless. The space was small and crowded, making it hard to even breathe comfortably.

Jia Yin was also on the verge of going crazy. She missed her father and brother dearly, and spent her days with a worried and troubled expression.

Mrs. Cui found it amusing, this little child always acting like an adult.

She picked up several small stones in the corner and taught Jiayin how to play "hitting stones," which is using a small stone to hit a larger one.

If you throw it in the hole, you can take back the big stone. In the end, see who wins more.

If Jia Yin were truly a one-year-old child, she would undoubtedly be playing with joy. But she isn't! She's an old cucumber painted green, pretending to be young!

After struggling through the mundane days of infancy, I finally reached a stage where I could walk and talk. Now, I find myself confined again...

Tao Hongying grabbed a handful of dried vegetables and mushrooms, sat at the mouth of the cave, and in the light outside, carefully picked through the tiny bits of grass. She considered it a way to pass the time.

Occasionally, raising her head, she saw a slow-moving black line in the distant forest, and her excitement almost made her plunge headfirst into the cave.

"There's someone in the forest!"

She wasn't sure if it was one of their own, so she could only shout like that.

Suddenly, the reed curtain at the entrance was pulled aside by Wen Hai. Mr. Wen, Jia Ren, and even Mrs. Cui rushed over to embrace Jiayin.

The rest of the caves heard the commotion and all peeked out.

Slowly, the dark figure drew closer, and it became clearer to see.

"It's family! Welcome back, finally back!"

Even the bystanders were left speechless, but within the largest cave, Wu Sanniang was the first to lower a rope ladder and slid down it. She fell and twisted her ankle but didn't stop, running frantically into the forest.

"Gou Ren'er, Gou Ren'er!"

All the people jumped down one after another, but the village head was cautious and shouted loudly to each family, "The elderly and children stay in the cave first!"

Though each household was in a panic, they were still obedient and only sent the young men, capable adults, and women into the forest.

Soon, the wind carried Wu Sanniang's heart-wrenching cries, "Gousheng! My Gousheng!"r by their grandfather, who was very close to them.The villagers could bear it no longer and fell to their knees.A bachelor shouted, "Uncle Zhao, I have no parents. If you don't mind, I will be your s...