Want Laifu invited them both in and lit a lamp.
The warm yellow light pushed back the darkness, illuminating the wrinkles on his weathered face.
The three of them sat around a wooden table.
Nobody spoke.
The notebook, letters, and shattered jade token had all been brought inside.
Village Chief Wang stared at them for a long time before finally sighing.
"I suppose there's no point hiding it anymore.
Gong Yuchen immediately leaned forward.
"Then tell us."
The old man shot him a look.
"When did your impatience become so terrible?"
Gong Yuchen coughed and sat back down.
Village Chief Wang looked toward Shen Yan.
"You should already know most of it."
"Not enough."
"No."
The old man nodded.
"Not enough."
He lowered his gaze.
"Twenty-three years ago, a man and woman arrived in this village carrying a child."
Village Chief Wang continued slowly.
"They appeared in the middle of the night. The woman was injured. Very badly injured."
His voice became distant.
