Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

Upon hearing Li Xiangyang's angry words, the militiaman quietly removed his hand from the trigger.

These words clearly had an effect. The village official hesitated for a moment before finally saying, "Well... let's call it a day."

Li Xiangyang pressed his advantage: "Yeah, it's so dark we can't see anything. If we slip and fall down the mountain, it'll be even more troublesome. How about we come back tomorrow?"

On the way back, Li Xiangyang walked very fast.

He knew that the commotion was most likely caused by the escaped educated youth.

But he really didn't want to help arrest people.

Murder is indeed extreme, but putting yourself in someone else's shoes, what if someone dared to try...

Who can guarantee they won't lose their mind?

He secretly hoped that the man could leave this mountainous area as soon as possible.

Otherwise, such searches will only intensify.

At that point, it will be difficult to release water.

Li Xiangyang pushed open the door to his home, where his mother was still waiting for him.

"Mother, why aren't you asleep so late?"

Li's mother held her son's hand and said in a low voice, "Son, you have to think this through. Although that educated youth did kill someone, he was forced into it."

"If you actually find the person, not only will the educated youth talk behind your back, but you yourself will also find it hard to get over this hurdle."

“I know,” Li Xiangyang nodded. “Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing. You should go to sleep.”

Only then did Li's mother turn around and go into the inner room.

Just as Li Xiangyang was about to close the door, he suddenly heard a faint noise outside.

A thought struck him, and he deliberately said, "It's the middle of the night, and I'm terribly hungry."

As he spoke, he went into the kitchen and busied himself at the stove.

Soon, a rich aroma wafted out.

He added extra firewood to warm the room.

Li Xiangyang looked around and took out all the pelts he had hunted recently, placing them neatly on the bench next to the stove.

He ate a couple of bites of food casually, then deliberately said, "I'm sleepy, going to bed."

After saying this, he blew out the oil lamp and went back inside.

Lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), Li Xiangyang kept his ears perked up, listening to the sounds outside.

Sure enough, not long after, a very faint sound came from the kitchen, as if someone was trying hard to control their footsteps.

Li Xiangyang nodded to himself, that's right.

If you find your things are missing tomorrow, just say you were robbed.

As for who the thief is, that's hard to say.

These days, who hasn't lost something?

It's just a piece of leather. Even if we hear a noise, we can't risk our lives for it, can we?

Thinking of this, Li Xiangyang turned over, pulled the blanket over his head, and pretended that he hadn't heard anything.

The next morning, Li Xiangyang got up and went to the kitchen.

The food on the stove was completely wiped out, and the leather on the bench was nowhere to be found.

Where the leather bag had originally been placed, a brass pocket watch lay quietly.

Li Xiangyang picked up the pocket watch and gently opened it.

A yellowed photograph was clipped to the inside of the watch cover; it was a family photo of four.

A kind old couple, a shy young man, and a little girl with braided pigtails.

"Son, you're up so early. Has the house been burgled?" Li's mother asked in surprise as she walked into the kitchen.

"Yes, but a clumsy thief stole some leather and lost a pocket watch. I really don't know who profited."

Li Xiangyang responded with a smile.

"Let me see." Mother Li took the pocket watch and examined it carefully. "This pocket watch is quite nice."

She paused, then said meaningfully, "I think I heard some noise in the kitchen last night. Do you think a thief broke in then?"

“I heard a little noise then,” Li Xiangyang chimed in, “but in this freezing weather, who would have thought there was a thief? Besides, it’s just a little leather; it’s not worth getting up in the middle of the night to chase after a thief. What if we ran into some bad guys?”

A hint of relief flashed in Li's mother's eyes as she said softly, "Yes, these days, who hasn't lost something? You can always get a replacement for a piece of leather, but if something happens to a person, everything is over."

"Mother, if anyone asks about this, you have to be my witness," Li Xiangyang said, carefully putting away his pocket watch.

"Don't worry," Li's mother patted her son's shoulder, "I know everything."

The mother and son smiled at each other, both understanding the implications.

The sky was clear and cloudless.

Last night, that village official, along with four militiamen, came to visit again.

Judging from their expressions, they were clearly not satisfied with the results of last night's search.

"Li Xiangyang, you will continue to lead the way today." The village official's tone left no room for argument.

The winter sun shone on his serious face, giving off an indescribable sense of oppression.

Li Xiangyang sighed inwardly.

There was no escaping it: "Alright, let me get the hunting rifle."

"You don't need to bring a gun," the village official said coldly. "You just need to lead the way."

Li Xiangyang was taken aback, then realized – this meant they didn't trust him.

The air in the courtyard seemed to freeze at that moment.

"Okay, but you'll have to wait until I finish breakfast. The mountain roads are difficult to walk on, and I'll be too weak on an empty stomach."

The village official frowned, but didn't say anything.

This does make sense.

Li's mother quickly prepared breakfast, and seeing that her son was about to leave, she hurriedly added more porridge to his bowl.

Li Xiangyang picked up his bowl and slowly drank his porridge.

The people in the courtyard were getting impatient, but they could only stand there.

The chill of the early morning made them keep stamping their feet and rubbing their hands.

After finishing his meal, Li Xiangyang was about to get up when his mother hurriedly handed him a packet of dried meat and a water bottle: "It's cold on the road, eat something if you get hungry. Be careful when you go into the mountains..."

"Are you coming or not?" the village official in the courtyard urged impatiently.

"Coming, are you? Here it comes." Li Xiangyang stuffed the things into his pocket, turned around and walked towards the door.

He deliberately chose a gentle mountain path, explaining as he walked, "This path is easier to walk on, and it offers better visibility. If someone is hiding here, we can spot them immediately."

The village officials clearly didn't believe his story, but couldn't find any flaws in it for the time being.

As they walked, Li Xiangyang suddenly stopped: "Wait."

"What's wrong?" the village official asked warily.

Li Xiangyang pointed to the ground: "Look, there are footprints in the snow."

A few people went over to take a look, and sure enough, there was a series of clear footprints on the soft snow.

Li Xiangyang carefully observed the shape of the footprints.

The drag marks, the uneven strides, and the distinctive wear marks on the edges of the boots are not things that ordinary people could leave behind.

Therefore, the one who left these footprints must have been an experienced old hunter.

Moreover, it seems to be intentional, as if afraid you wouldn't see it.

"These footprints look fresh; the person probably just passed by. And with such large, hurried steps, something's probably up."

Li Xiangyang simply gave his judgment.

The village official looked at him suspiciously: "Are you sure?"

"How can we be 100% certain? But judging by the depth of the snow, it's definitely a grown man. As for whether to chase him or not, that's up to you."

"Alright, let's go after them." The village official waved his hand. "Everyone, follow!"