Two days later.
News from Winston Fan arrived.
"I looked into the orders our family and other courier companies have taken over the years. And you know what? There are actually a few orders that seem pretty suspicious." Winston Fan said over the phone to Ethan Yin. "Our courier company, with branches in several cities, received quite a few anonymous orders—all going to the same destination. You know, back then, the courier business was just starting out, and people shipped all kinds of things. There weren't as many restrictions as there are now."
"Yeah, I get it."
"I asked the staff who handled those orders to recall what happened. Apparently, the people sending the packages always wore masks and black hoodies, covering themselves up so you couldn't see their faces at all. Because their outfits were so strange, the staff remembered their features." Winston Fan continued, "I filtered the data based on what you gave me. These should be what you're looking for."
After that, Winston Fan sent Ethan Yin an email with all the detailed data.
Sure enough, the recipient was always the same, and so was the address.
The delivery address was in a county not far from Six Saints Town.
And all the items purchased were extremely precise instrument components.
Because the delivery requirements were so strict, and the instrument components couldn't withstand any impact, there was a special, very high insurance fee.
That's why Winston Fan was able to gather information so smoothly.
"So, Winston, can you pull up the records to see exactly what parts were shipped?" Ethan Yin pressed.
"Sorry, I can't," Winston Fan replied. "Back then, when shipments came in, they were checked, packed up, and sealed. The courier station didn't keep any records."
Ethan Yin felt a little disappointed.
Still, at least their efforts hadn't been in vain.
The next day, Max Mo also sent news.
"Ethan, I've already asked around. The manufacturers who make signal blockers haven't taken any big private orders like this. In other words, the satellite blockers isolating Six Saints Town weren't sent by domestic companies. Most likely, someone from outside brought them in." Max Mo said, "It's been so long, even if they're from outside, it's hard to trace now."
"From outside?" Ethan Yin's brows furrowed, a vague suspicion forming in his mind.
"Alright, thanks Uncle Max." Ethan Yin said with a smile. "Uncle Max, I'll come by for tea when I have time."
"Great, you're welcome anytime." Max Mo's eyes crinkled with a smile. "Leo and Theo Mo, those two rascals—thanks for looking after them."
"Of course."
After hanging up, Ethan Yin quickly relayed the information he'd gathered to Sherry Yuan, who passed it on to Cherry Miller.
After reading the intel, Cherry Miller started discussing it with Ryan King and Yina Yin.
"Satellite blockers from outside... Clearly, these people are after something big." Cherry Miller said. "What could possibly attract outsiders—even foreigners—to go through all this trouble, splitting up shipments and bringing satellite blockers here just to keep a whole town hidden for so many years?"
"It must be something valuable," Ryan King said. "Otherwise, it wouldn't be worth the risk."
"So what could it be?" Yina Yin pressed. "The Zhang Family keeps dodging the issue and refuses to leave. Maybe it's not just about endless resources—they must have another motive. It's this huge, hidden secret that's fueling the rivalry between the Zhang Family's eldest and third sons."
Cherry Miller and Ryan King both nodded.
"Looks like we'll have to get closer to the shrine if we want to figure this out," Cherry Miller said. "Or maybe if we can find where the satellite blockers are hidden, we might discover something."
"I've gotten along really well with the villagers lately," Yina Yin said. "But I haven't managed to get any useful information from them."
Yina Yin's writing and math skills really helped her build good relationships with the villagers in Li Family Village.
That's how the three of them managed to settle in so smoothly.
Otherwise, why would three outsiders be able to live in a strange place at all?
Everywhere is wary of outsiders—unless you can bring some benefit to the locals.
"The villagers' knowledge is limited, so it's normal that they don't know much," Cherry Miller said.
"But I did hear something from the village chief's daughter, Emily Lee," Ryan King said. "She's young, so her info comes from her parents, making it fairly reliable. Apparently, the Zhang Family hires a group of young men every year to work somewhere, but none of them ever come back. These guys ask the Zhang Family to send their wages home, and the pay is high, so their families never go looking for them—they just enjoy the money. At first, it sounds fine, but if you think about it, it's weird. Wouldn't at least one of them want to come home?"
"What if it's not that they don't want to come back, but that they can't?" Cherry Miller and Yina Yin's expressions grew serious. "Is the Zhang Family secretly doing something that requires strict confidentiality? Is that why they never let these people return?"
Ryan King said, "One of us needs to go undercover in the Zhang Family. Otherwise, we'll never get close to the real secret."
Cherry Miller nodded in agreement. "I'll go."
"Let me do it," Yina Yin said.
"No, I'm the best choice," Cherry Miller insisted. "People let their guard down around me. Women are more easily accepted than men."
Yina Yin was about to say something, but Cherry Miller cut her off firmly. "Yina, I know you're worried about me. Don't worry, I may not be as strong as you, but I'm no slouch against ordinary people. This town is really wary of outsiders. As a man, you're under constant watch—every move you make is noticed, so you're restricted. But not many people keep an eye on me, so I have more freedom to act."
(Chapter not finished yet~ Please click 'Next Page' to continue reading the exciting content!)
Ryan King spoke up. "Cherry's right."
"What we need now is an opportunity," Cherry Miller said, her eyes deepening. "Ryan, drop a hint to Emily Lee—tell her I'm looking for a job in town, preferably with one of the big families."
"Okay," Ryan King agreed right away.
The next day, when they were out weeding the fields, Emily Lee came by as usual carrying two eggs and a basket of fresh wild vegetables.
"Ryan," Emily Lee's cheeks were flushed as she handed the basket to him. "Thank you for the hair tie you gave me. I really like it."
"I'm glad you like it, Emily," Ryan King replied, taking the basket without fuss. Seeing the two eggs inside, he said, "Oh, why are you giving me these? You should keep them for yourself."
Emily Lee twisted shyly and said, "My dad says you always give me things, and I shouldn't let you spend money on me all the time. Unless... unless you're going to be our son-in-law..."
By the end, Emily Lee's voice was as soft as a mosquito, her face bright red.
Faced with such an obvious hint, Ryan King pretended not to notice and said cheerfully, "Oh, come on, I've always thought of you as my own little sister. Buying things for my sister is what I'm supposed to do, right?"
Emily Lee got flustered. "I don't want to be your sister!"
She wants to be your wife!
Ryan King pretended not to see Emily Lee's expression and said, "My sister was just nagging me today, saying I should save up more money so I can build a house and get married someday. But that's just wishful thinking! Even if I wanted to get married, I don't have enough money for a new house. We've spent everything we have on these three acres of land. Where would I get the money to build a house? If I could find a job in town, I could save quite a bit in a year!"
Emily Lee's eyes lit up. "Your big sister wants to save money... to help you get married?"
"That's right," Ryan King replied. "I'm not that young anymore, and my sister's getting anxious. But without a house or a dowry, what girl would want to marry me?"
Emily Lee stood there awkwardly, her face turning even redder.
She wanted to marry him!
But her family probably wouldn't agree.
If Ryan King's sister could earn more money, wouldn't they have enough?
Emily Lee's eyes lit up. "Wait for me!" she said.
With that, Emily Lee hurriedly ran back home!
Ryan King stood there smiling, and no one noticed his sly intentions.
As soon as Emily Lee got home, she found her mother. "Mom! You said the Zhang Family in town was hiring a cook. Is that still happening?"
The village chief's wife looked at her daughter in surprise. "Why are you asking about that? Your cooking skills aren't great. You're not thinking of working for the Zhang Family, are you?"
"Not me!" Emily Lee said. "Mom, what do you think of the new sister from the King Family? Didn't she bring a basket of sweet pastries to thank Dad last time?"
"They tasted pretty good, and her skills are solid," the village chief's wife replied. "Why? Are you thinking of recommending her for the job at the Zhang Family?"
"Mom! Ryan told me today that he really wants to get married, but his family doesn't have enough money. Now the King Family sister is looking for work everywhere, just to save up for Ryan to get married! Mom, you know I like Ryan best... Please help her out!" Emily Lee pleaded with her mom. "Once Ryan saves enough, he can come propose to our family!"
"Oh my, aren't you embarrassed? So eager to get married?" The village chief's wife actually liked Ryan King.
Even though he's an outsider, once Ryan King settled here, he worked hard and was dependable.
Even though he's young, he's willing to put in the hard work in the fields. He takes life seriously and knows how to get things done.
Plus, his family is small—just a sister and her husband, no in-laws to boss anyone around.
If my daughter marries him, the newlyweds can live their own lives. We're all in the same village, so I can still look after and help them out whenever they need it.
"Mom! So will you help or not?" Emily Lee twisted shyly, her face burning.
"Of course I'll help! My sweet girl asked, how could I say no?" The village chief's wife laughed. "Alright, tell her to come over."