Cherry Miller efficiently prepared the meal while lost in thought.
They had arrived here using airdrop equipment.
Because in this vast stretch of mountains, there wasn't a single road leading to the outside world.
So how did the Zhang Family manage to transport supplies out, and bring goods in from the outside?
To move large quantities of goods, you definitely need a reliable passageway.
So where was this passageway?
"Cherry, is it ready yet?" Sherry called out impatiently from outside.
"It's done, it's done—just a sec!" Cherry Miller plated the last dish, packed it into the food box, and handed it out.
Sherry took it, gave Cherry Miller a meaningful look, then turned and left.
At night, when everyone was asleep, Cherry Miller pretended to rest in her room. Then, while no one was watching, she changed clothes and quietly slipped out.
Last time, she and Ryan King and Yina Yin had circled the Zhang Family's house, mapping out its general layout.
But the specific arrangement inside the courtyard still had to be explored slowly on her own.
The Zhang Family hadn't split up yet, so everyone from the old patriarch down to the grandkids lived together in this big compound.
Where did Zachary Zhang stay?
Where did the Zhang Family keep all the supplies they'd acquired?
Cherry Miller quietly climbed onto the roof, crouching low and moving as nimbly as a cat.
The night wind howled past her ears, and people occasionally passed through the courtyard below.
Cherry Miller turned her hearing up to max—whenever someone walked by, she'd flatten herself, then rise and move forward once they'd gone.
After searching the whole left wing, Cherry Miller finally pinpointed where Edward Zhang and Eric Zhang were staying.
She landed lightly on the roof, hooked a finger under a tile, and gently pried it open.
She skillfully drew a slender, finger-sized listening device from her back waist, extended it in a few quick motions, and lowered it through the roof.
A small camera lens suddenly appeared above the rooftop.
Meanwhile, the two people inside the room remained completely unaware.
Cherry Miller calmly took out her earpiece and slipped it into her ear, instantly catching the clear sound of their conversation.
"Dad, I doubt Third Uncle will willingly give up that position," Eric Zhang said bitterly. "That spot should've been yours, but Third Uncle snatched it!"
Edward Zhang was also furious. "Back then, it was your Third Uncle who schemed against me. If not for him, nothing would have gone wrong—especially not during the ritual! Normally, the eldest son inherits the family business. But that time, I was forced to give up the position because of his tricks. Luckily, the Shrine's twenty-year cycle means this time, no matter what, your Third Uncle can't get that spot again!"
"Don't worry, Dad, I won't give Third Uncle any chance to get rid of me!" Eric Zhang lowered his voice. "Dad, the mine's output this year is much higher than usual. If this keeps up, I'm afraid Third Uncle is lining his own pockets."
"Lining his pockets? That's putting it mildly—he's planning to take the whole mine for himself!" Edward Zhang said darkly.
"Grandpa's still around, but Third Uncle acts so arrogant. Isn't Grandpa going to do anything?" Eric Zhang grumbled.
"Your grandpa is old now—he doesn't handle anything anymore, and even if he wanted to, he couldn't control your Third Uncle. In these twenty years, how much money has your Third Uncle pocketed? Has Grandpa ever said a word? It's infuriating. Years ago, the outside world wasn't so wealthy—if a family could eat their fill, they were lucky. Who would've thought that in twenty years, the world would change so much and be overflowing with riches? Your Third Uncle has been buying and reselling, making who knows how much. What he submits to the family is just a drop in the bucket—the rest he keeps for himself! Look at his courtyard, it's way more lavish than ours. Where do you think the money came from? He stole it!"
The more they talked, the angrier they became.
Eric Zhang grabbed his wine glass and took a hard gulp. "This can't be let go so easily! Don't worry, Dad—I will reclaim that position, and the money from the outside should be ours!"
Edward Zhang's expression softened a little. "I've already handed over all my influence to you—don't let me down!"
Don't worry, Dad, I've got this!" Eric Zhang said. "Are our people in place at the mine?
You still don't trust your dad?" Edward Zhang said proudly. "As soon as you secure that position, our people at the mine will cooperate with you to take over management! Those folks are all opportunists—a little incentive is all it takes! That mine is big enough to keep our descendants fed for generations."
The father and son soon cheered up again.
But throughout their conversation, they were very cautious—never mentioning the mine's location, or even what kind of mine it was.
Cherry Miller thought for a moment on the rooftop, then decided to have Sherry Yuan investigate secretly.
Cherry Miller retracted the listening device, restored the roof tile, and tiptoed away.
The next day, Cherry Miller brought a basket to the Zhang Family's gatehouse, smiling: "The master was generous—there were lots of good leftovers yesterday, so they shared them with us. I noticed some appetizers barely touched, so I brought them for Uncle Zhang to try. I hope you don't mind! This is my homemade pickled veggies—they're especially crisp, perfect with a drink. Please let me know what you think!"
Uncle Zhang at the gatehouse glanced at the food Cherry Miller brought, and his stern face immediately relaxed. "Why would I mind? These dishes from the master are a rare treat—you can't get food like this outside."
Ordinary people's lives here are actually very simple.
This chapter isn't finished yet~.~ Please click next page to continue reading!
Since oil and salt are expensive here, most folks can't afford to use much when cooking.
From the outside world's perspective, this lifestyle is healthy and green.
But here, people just feel like life is hard.
Days without enough oil or salt make them crave meat dishes even more.
Uncle Zhang at the gatehouse is from Zhangjia Village and isn't really related to the Zhang Family from Six Saints Town. He was basically hired to watch the gate.
He saves all the money he earns for his children and grandchildren, so his life is pretty tight.
The food Cherry Miller brought made his mouth water.
"Madam Gu, if you need anything, just say the word," Uncle Zhang said. "If I can help, I will."
Cherry Miller gave a shy smile. "It's nothing, really. I just wanted to ask if you could help pass a message to my husband, so he can bring over some of my homemade salted duck eggs. Eric drank too much yesterday and lost his appetite, so I thought I'd make something fresh for him. The salted duck eggs take time, so I can only bring a few from home."
"You're really loyal to the young master," Uncle Zhang said.
"The master is generous to us, so we should do our best for the family, right?" Cherry Miller said with a smile.
"True enough. Alright, I'll find someone to get the message through," Uncle Zhang nodded, agreeing to help.
The next day, Yina Yin showed up with a jar of salted duck eggs.
Since they're husband and wife, they chatted in Cherry Miller's room.
"Why did you call me over in such a hurry? Did you find something?" Yina Yin asked.
"Go ask Sherry Yuan to investigate the nearby mine. If it's a mine, it can't be completely hidden—there must be clues. Last night, Edward Zhang and Eric Zhang didn't seem too concerned about buying and reselling grain, but they were really focused on the mine. I suspect that mine is extremely valuable, way more than the grain business." Cherry Miller whispered, "I'm stuck here and can't get out, so only Sherry can handle this. Just make sure she doesn't tip anyone off."
"I know," Yina Yin whispered back. "You be careful here, okay?"
"I know what I'm doing," Cherry Miller nodded. "Also, the Zhang Family's infighting will keep going, so we need to be careful not to get caught in the crossfire. Shaohuai shouldn't wander around for now—I suspect the Zhangs aren't hiring mine workers through normal channels, maybe tricking or forcing people. Otherwise, those young men working there wouldn't all be so eager to stay away from home. Shaohuai is strong and stands out too much."
"Alright," Yina Yin replied. "I'll head back now."
Before Cherry Miller could say anything, footsteps sounded outside. The two of them instantly switched topics without missing a beat.
"Husband, I'm doing great here. I can earn more than a thousand yuan a month, and the master is generous—sometimes I even get bonuses. If we save up, we can build a new house." Cherry Miller played the part of a dutiful wife.
"That's great, that's great! My wife works so hard!" Yina Yin said in an exaggerated, gruff voice.
The footsteps outside paused for a moment, then moved away.
"Who was that?" Yina Yin couldn't help asking. "Someone just circled around and left? Patrolling the place?"
Cherry Miller chuckled. "I think Eric Zhang has a thing for me. Otherwise, why would he move me from the big kitchen to his private kitchen? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing. No one in this world can take advantage of me."
"As long as you know," Yina Yin said, not wasting any time. "I'll let you know if I hear anything."
"Be careful out there."
As soon as Yina Yin left, Eric Zhang called Cherry Miller over.
"Young Master, you wanted to see me?" Cherry Miller asked, acting clueless.
"Did your husband just come by?" Eric Zhang asked, his eyes lowered.
"Yes," Cherry Miller replied. "I asked him to bring me some salted duck eggs. I noticed you weren't feeling well today, so I wanted to make something light to help your appetite."
Eric Zhang finally gave a faint smile. "You’re thoughtful. Are you getting used to living here?"