You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 514: The Leaders of the Hidden Mist Village
At this moment, the old lady who had been silent all the time suddenly spoke, her voice trembling and alert: “Lina, what were you doing at the Shenge River last night?”

This sudden question made Wang Lina stunned for a moment. Her eyes flickered, as if she was considering how to answer. Finally, she slowly said, "How should I put it? It should be a premonition. After all, that happened the day before yesterday, and I couldn't sleep."

Wang Lina's answer seemed to touch a chord in the old lady's heart. The old lady's face suddenly turned pale, and a trace of fear flashed in her eyes. She trembled and said, "So, he is indeed from Huangquan!"

As soon as the old lady finished speaking, the old man next to her immediately stopped her: "Stop talking, Grandma Rong!" The old man's tone was stern, and there was a warning in his eyes.

This series of conversations left Tang Yin feeling even more confused and uneasy. He began to carefully consider the information he had just heard. From Wang Lina's conversation with the two elderly people, he inferred that some major incident might have occurred in this village before he arrived. Moreover, that incident seemed very similar to the situation in which he got lost.

Tang Yin recalled the "child" Wang Lina had mentioned earlier, and a bold guess formed in his mind - could it be that before him, another child had gotten lost near the Shenge River? This thought gave him a chill.

He recalled Wang Lina's words about the Shenge River region being a place "filled with stories," a place where the dead return to the living. This description seemed particularly eerie and unsettling at this moment. Tang Yin couldn't help but wonder if he had inadvertently become embroiled in something beyond common sense.

Looking at the serious expressions of the two elders, Tang Yin realized that these two people would likely determine whether he could continue to stay in the village. Their attitude and decision would directly affect his situation.

Just as Tang Yin was lost in thought, the dignified-looking old man suddenly turned to him and asked coldly, "Hey, where are you from?"

Tang Yin was startled by this sudden question, but he quickly calmed down and answered truthfully, "I'm from the next city."

After hearing this, the old man narrowed his eyes and continued to ask: "How old are you?"

Tang Yin felt like he was being interrogated, but he remained calm and replied, "Twenty-four."

Hearing this answer, the old man showed a hint of sarcasm on his face. He sneered and said, "You look older than Wang Lina, so why do you let a girl younger than you help you explain things?"

The old man's words were filled with obvious sarcasm and disdain, making Tang Yin feel both embarrassed and annoyed. He realized that he had been in a passive position from the beginning, and it was indeed inappropriate to let Wang Lina explain the situation to him alone.

However, Tang Yin also understood that he had to act with caution in this unfamiliar environment. He didn't know the village's rules or the interpersonal relationships here. A rash rebuttal could make the situation worse.

Just as Tang Yin was hesitating about how to respond, he noticed Wang Lina gave him a soothing look, which seemed to tell him: Stay calm and let me handle it.

Tang Yin took a deep breath and decided to remain silent for the time being, letting Wang Lina continue to take charge of the situation. He realized that in this village full of mysteries, Wang Lina might be the only one willing to help him. Moreover, she seemed to have a deeper understanding of the village's situation.

At this point, the atmosphere in the cafeteria grew even more tense. The old man's questioning hung like a sword over Tang Yin's head. Wang Lina stood nearby, her expression both tense and resolute. The old lady, Granny Rong, still wore a look of terror, her gaze flickering between Tang Yin and Wang Lina. The cafeteria owner stood nearby, a complex expression on her face, as if hesitating whether to intervene.

Tang Yin realized that the next conversation might determine his fate in this village. He had to be cautious and at the same time try to figure out the village's secrets. He had a vague feeling that only by understanding the truth could he truly escape danger.

……

Tang Yin took a deep breath, realizing he had to explain the situation himself. He slowly began, "Okay, I'll tell you myself. My name is Tang Yin. I had a car accident near the Shenge River and got lost. After all, I'm from another place, and if I say something wrong, it will definitely cause trouble for everyone, right? That's why I asked Wang Lina to explain it for me. I hope everyone can help me. I'll leave here immediately. Can you please give me a break?"

His tone was sincere, and his eyes showed a genuine plea. Then he added, "Also, can you please not blame Miss Wang Lina?"

These words caught Wang Lina off guard. She looked at Tang Yin in shock and hurriedly warned him, "Wait, Mr. Tang Yin, what are you talking about?"

Tang Yin ignored Wang Lina's surprise and continued to explain calmly, "Wang Lina brought me here, which must have violated the rules here. The high school students I met this morning were also very surprised."

When the proprietress heard this, she remained silent, but her silence seemed to confirm Tang Yin's guess.

Seeing this, Tang Yin continued, "I am an adult. I will take responsibility for myself and will do my best to make up for the losses. So... please!"

His sincerity seemed to move the two elderly people in front of him. Gao Zhiwei and Granny Rong looked at each other, their eyes showing a hint of hesitation.

The old man was silent for a moment, then turned and asked, "What do you think, Granny Rong?"

Granny Rong frowned, looked Tang Yin up and down, and finally said, "I don't like people who dye their hair brown."

Hearing this, Tang Yin's heart sank. He realized that his attire might get him into trouble. The elders in his hometown definitely wouldn't like him dressed like this.

Gao Zhiwei, who was standing next to him, sneered, "That's just how outsiders are. Just make them leave as soon as possible."

Seeing that the atmosphere had eased, Wang Lina quickly introduced: "This old man is Gao Mei's grandfather, Gao Zhiwei."

Gao Zhiwei continued to stare into Tang Yin's eyes and asked, "Did your incident happen in the Shenge River area?"

Tang Yin replied helplessly, "No, I asked the clerk for directions at a convenience store, but I accidentally fell off a cliff and my tires slipped..."

Gao Zhiwei was clearly dissatisfied with this explanation and continued to ask suspiciously, "Then why didn't you return the same way you came, but instead went all the way to the Shenge River area?"

At this moment, Tang Yin suddenly realized an abnormal phenomenon that he had never noticed before: Why did he never feel any time passing from the time of the car rollover accident to the time he met Wang Lina?

This sudden realization made Tang Yin feel dizzy. He tried to recall the details of the accident, but found large gaps in his memory. He remembered asking for directions at the convenience store and the moment the car skidded off the cliff, but his memory after that became fuzzy. And then, he met Wang Lina.

Tang Yin's expression turned confused and wary. He didn't know how to answer Gao Zhiwei's question, as he himself didn't know the truth. This realization made him panic, but he tried to remain calm, not wanting to reveal any flaws at this critical moment.

Seeing Tang Yin's silence, Gao Zhiwei's brows furrowed even more. His gaze became sharper, as if he was scrutinizing every subtle expression on Tang Yin's face.

Wang Lina noticed the change in the atmosphere and quickly interrupted, "Grandpa Gao, Mr. Tang Yin might have been frightened by the accident, so he doesn't remember the details clearly. We should be sympathetic to his situation."

Gao Zhiwei snorted when he heard this, but did not ask any further questions. He turned to Granny Rong and whispered, "What do you think?"

Granny Rong's gaze lingered on Tang Yin, and she finally sighed, "Since he's already here, let him stay for one night. He has to leave early tomorrow morning."

Gao Zhiwei nodded and said to Tang Yin, "You heard me. You can stay tonight, but you must leave at dawn tomorrow. Remember, don't run around, especially don't go near the Shenge River." Tang Yin breathed a sigh of relief and nodded in agreement, "I understand. Thank you very much for your tolerance. I promise to leave early tomorrow morning and will not cause any trouble for anyone."

At this moment, Wang Lina finally spoke: "In that case, let him live with me. I will watch over him."

Gao Zhiwei and Grandma Rong looked at each other and finally nodded in agreement to the arrangement.

The crisis was temporarily resolved, but Tang Yin's doubts grew deeper and deeper. Why was his memory of the accident so vague? What was so special about the Shenge River? Why were the villagers so wary of outsiders?
More importantly, Wang Lina seemed to know something but was unwilling to say it. Her attitude and behavior were full of contradictions.

Tang Yin decided that he had to clarify these questions before leaving. But he also knew that in this village full of secrets and vigilance, rash actions could bring danger.

……

Gao Zhiwei pondered for a while and finally suggested, "Gangzi and I will go to the area near the accident site to investigate." There was a hint of determination in his tone, as if he had made up his mind.

However, at this moment, Granny Rong suddenly interrupted and said, "Gangzi still wants to farm, right?" Although her voice was soft, the worry and opposition contained in it could not be ignored.

Gao Zhiwei turned to look at Granny Rong, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and explanation: "Granny Rong, I'm trying to help him leave as soon as possible." He pointed at Tang Yin, his eyes revealing a hint of eagerness.

As the two old men were talking, a tall, burly figure appeared at the entrance of the cafeteria. Tang Yin immediately recognized him—it was the tall, burly farmer he had seen in the fields before.

The man's name was Zhao Gang. He was muscular, clearly the result of long years of agricultural labor. He looked to be in his thirties, his face a touch tired, but his eyes still bright and spirited.

Seeing this, Wang Lina immediately stepped forward and explained the whole story to Zhao Gang. She spoke quickly but clearly, obviously wanting Zhao Gang to understand the situation as quickly as possible.

After listening to this, Zhao Gang sighed deeply, then turned to Grandma Rong and said, "Grandma Rong, I'll go help him pick up the car. The pesticides have been spread, and I'll go mow the grass as soon as I come back." There was a hint of firmness in his tone, as if he had already made a decision.

When Grandma Rong heard this, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, and she sighed again: "Gangzi, you are so kind." There was both approval and a hint of helplessness in her tone.

Zhao Gang laughed heartily when he heard this: "This kind of thing is nothing. It can be solved with just one hand."

While everyone was eating, Granny Rong continued to carefully remind them, "This village is not a good place." There was a hint of warning in her eyes, as if she was suggesting that Tang Yin should not have too many expectations for this village.

Upon hearing this, Tang Yin immediately asked, "What do you mean by 'not a good place'?"

Granny Rong glanced at Tang Yin and said slowly, "We are not good at getting along with outsiders, nor do we like getting along with outsiders. You should leave as soon as possible." Although her words were straightforward, they revealed a deep sense of alienation.

After listening to this, Tang Yin nodded and said, "I think so too." There was a hint of helplessness in his tone, but more of it was understanding and acceptance.

After this minor incident, Tang Yin gained a new understanding of the power dynamics within Wuyin Village. Gao Zhiwei seemed to hold the most sway, his opinions often receiving greater weight. However, Granny Rong also held considerable influence within the village, and her opinions carried considerable weight.

Zhao Gang is responsible for resolving the village's substantive issues. His strong physique and pragmatic approach make him an indispensable force in the village. Meanwhile, Granny Rong is more like the village's spiritual and moral leader. While her words don't always directly influence decision-making, they can still impact the villagers' thoughts and actions.

When an enlightened decision had to be made, Zhao Gang seemed to play the role of persuading Granny Rong to maintain the balance of power in the village. His attitude and behavior showed that he knew how to deal with people and how to behave in different situations.

Tang Yin noticed that Wang Lina seemed very dependent on Zhao Gang. Whenever she encountered difficulties or needed support, she would unconsciously look to Zhao Gang. This dependence might be due to Zhao Gang's reliability and problem-solving skills, or perhaps because of his status and influence in the village.

……

Just then, a burst of fragrance wafted over, and the proprietress came over with a plate of steaming hot dishes. She had a gentle smile on her face and said softly, "Please enjoy your meal."

When Zhao Gang smelled the fragrance, he immediately became energetic and asked excitedly: "Ah, Sister Chen Xiang, is my meal served?" His eyes were shining, like a child waiting for delicious food.

Chen Xiang replied with a smile: "Yes, I packed it. I packed a big bowl. Thank you for working so early in the morning..." There was a hint of concern and gratitude in her tone.

After hearing this, Zhao Gang laughed heartily and said, "It's nothing. As long as it's for the Hidden Mist Village, Granny Rong and Sister Chen, this kind of thing is nothing at all." His words were full of enthusiasm and dedication.

Tang Yin silently observed the interaction between the two, thinking to himself that Chen Xiang and Zhao Gang might be a couple. They looked well-matched, and their ages were close. The natural and intimate atmosphere between them made him speculate.

At this time, Chen Xiang turned to Tang Yin and asked kindly, "Sir, can I help you with a bowl of rice?"

Tang Yin quickly declined: "No, that's not necessary, I've already eaten."

Chen Xiang didn't care and continued, "Then have some tea. I'll go to the kitchen and heat up some rice balls for you." Her enthusiasm made Tang Yin a little overwhelmed.

At this moment, Wang Lina suddenly interrupted the conversation: "Sorry, Sister Chen Xiang, we have something urgent to do. Can we make a phone call?"

Chen Xiang was slightly stunned when she heard this, then nodded, tacitly agreeing to Wang Lina's request.

Wang Lina said gratefully: "Thank you! But this matter is urgent. Let's go, Mr. Tang Yin." There was a hint of nervousness and urgency in her tone.

Tang Yin followed Wang Lina out of the bustling cafeteria area and into the depths. There was an old-looking wooden staircase leading up to the living area. Each step creaked, as if telling of its age.

They ascended the stairs to the second floor and emerged into a narrow hallway. Closed doors flanked the corridor, and the air was filled with the faint smell of musty wood. At the end of the hallway, Tang Yin spotted an almost extinct, old-fashioned black telephone. It stood there quietly, as if transported from another era.

Wang Lina walked to the phone, turned around and explained to Tang Yin: "Because the mobile phone signal is not good, this phone is the only phone in Wuyin Village."

Tang Yin stared at the old-fashioned phone, a wave of questions filling his mind. In this age of advanced mobile communications, why did Kirigakure still use such an old-fashioned phone? Was it due to its geographical location, or was it a deliberate attempt to distance itself from the outside world? This simple phone seemed to have become part of Kirigakure's mystique, making Tang Yin even more curious about its secrets.

Wang Lina reached for the phone receiver and began dialing. As the dial turned, the phone made a clicking sound, as if telling of its age. Tang Yin stood aside, watching Wang Lina wait solemnly for the call to connect, wondering who she was calling and what she was going to say.

(End of this chapter)