Chapter 438: Corpse Hidden In The Tree (2/2)

”Don't get me wrong,” Song Jie blushed. “I didn’t mean anything.”

I wasn’t sure why she had such a strong reaction; I didn’t think too much of her words.

When I asked Song Jie if the village head was among these people, she pointed to an old man. After the ceremony, I walked up to him and greeted, ”Hello, village chief. I’m a relative of the Song family. I’d like to ask you something.”

The village chief said in amazement, ”Whose relatives are you?”

I forgot there was more than one Song family here. Song Jie grabbed my arm and said, ”Uncle Song, he’s my cousin from the city. He’s a famous detective who knows many policemen and officials!”

The village head looked at me with starry eyes. ”Oh yes! I heard Heting mention you. You’re Song Zhaolin's grandson, aren’t you?”

”Yes!” I replied.

The village chief smiled, ”In fact, we’re of the same blood. Those surnamed Song in this village are all either relatives or friends. Just tell me if you need anything.”

”Has anyone disappeared in the village over the past ten years?” I got straight to the point.

The village chief frowned, ”In the past ten years? That’s too long for me to remember.”

”Do you have the household registration files for the entire village?” I added.

”Yes, you can drop by and look at them if you like,” the village chief readily agreed.

”I'll visit you tonight then!” I smiled, cupping my fist.

Song Jie tsked at my reply, ”The village chief probably wants to sleep at night. This is a rural area. Unlike your city, there’s no nightlife here. Tomorrow is better! Uncle Song, we’ll visit you tomorrow morning.”

“Alright then, you can come over at noon. I'll let make you lunch,” nodded the village chief.

I couldn’t help lamenting at life in the countryside. Things moved at a snail’s pace and I would be wasting a day. But as they say, when you’re in Rome, do as the Romans do.

Song Jie pulled my arm, ”Song Yang-gege, it's still early. Let's go explore the cannon building!”

I wondered out loud, ”What’s the cannon building?”

Song Jie's cheeks reddened once more. ”It’s the cannons which they used to fight enemies. Song Xingchen-gege and I used to play there when we were little. There’s even an old cannon still standing there!”

We walked up the mountain path to the cannon building which was actually two small buildings made of bricks–nothing special at all. The river in front flowed in sweeping meanders, the waters so clear you could see the playful fish chasing each other.

Song Xingchen and I stood by the river. ”The air here is great. It’s so rich in oxygen,” I sighed.

Song Xingchen turned around abruptly to face Song Jie who was about to sneak up on him from behind and kick him into the river. ”Geez, aren’t you too old for such tricks?” he scoffed.

Making a face, Song Jie shoved Song Xingchen, causing the latter to stagger a few steps backwards. As Song Xingchen backflipped from the riverbank, Song Jie threw a few stones and shouted, ”Look out for hidden weapons!”

The water splashed when the stones crashed onto the surface. Song Xingchen swept the water away with a wave of his sword, without so much as a drop on his clothes.

Thus, the two broke into a duel on both sides of the river while I stayed away for fear of being accidentally injured. I never imagined such a side to Song Xingchen. He and Song Jie probably grew up together like childhood sweethearts.