Hello, My 1979

Chapter 19

"Which means," Director He interjected, "the cows are still in Nanzhu Village and haven't been transported out yet!"

But as soon as he finished, Ye Zhenhan contradicted him, "Impossible. Our village is too small to hide so many cows! No one would dare to stash them here!"

Over thirty cows were at stake—this was the lifeblood of the entire village! With the Double Harvest Festival approaching, no one would risk hiding the cows during such a crucial time.

Director He considered this and then looked at Su He, eager to hear his explanation.

Su He smiled and said, "If they're not hidden in the village, does that mean there's no other place to hide them?"

He had a confident smirk, as if he had the solution in hand.

Director He appreciated Su He's insight. Ye Zhenhan asked, "So where do you think they're hiding them?"

Su He pointed towards the back of the village and said, "Besides the village, what else do we have around here?"

Ye Zhenhan's eyes widened in realization. "You mean the back mountain?"

The area behind Nanzhu Village was mountainous, stretching into a range of hills and forested areas with various types of trees.

Director He's eyes lit up. "Yes, if they can't transport the cows out, hiding them in the mountains and waiting for the situation to calm down is indeed a viable option!"

But he had another question. "What if they use boats to transport the cows?"

Su He didn't respond, but Ye Zhenhan immediately dismissed the idea. "Impossible!"

Before Director He could ask, Ye Zhenhan explained, "That would require very large boats. Ordinary boats couldn't possibly support the weight of so many cows. Even getting the cows onto the boats would be difficult. They couldn't keep using ether to sedate the cows—how much ether would that require?"

Although he didn't know exactly what ether was, it sounded like something not easily obtained.

A cow, especially the adult ones in the village, weighs over a thousand pounds—about half a ton!

Small boats could never transport cows effectively.

Director He asked, "What if they try to herd the cows out one by one? I remember that water buffaloes can swim."

Su He shook his head. "That's unlikely. Herding cows, especially for those unfamiliar with them, is very difficult, let alone swimming across a river. Moreover, if they led the cows out one by one, it would be very conspicuous and easy to spot. In this area, even if not everyone knows each other, the people who raise cows are familiar. If they came out, they'd be noticed. At night, water buffaloes wouldn't swim across the river with them. Unless the cow is a Black Star!"

Mentioning Black Star again, Director He remembered seeing that cow, which was quite intelligent.

Su He said, "Actually, Director He, you should be calling for reinforcements right now. Stealing over thirty cows in one night means it's definitely a group of thieves. No matter how skilled you are, you can't handle a group alone, right?"

Director He nodded and asked Ye Zhenhan, "Does your village have a phone?"

He had initially thought of investigating gradually, but he hadn't expected to meet a young man who could analyze the situation so effectively.

Ye Zhenhan shook his head. "Our village doesn't even have electricity yet, let alone a phone!"

Director He was helpless. "Then how did you make calls before?"

Ye Zhenhan replied, "We used to take a boat across the river to Rulin Village to make calls!"

Rulin Village was wealthier than Nanzhu Village and wasn't separated by two rivers, making it easier to have electricity.

Director He sighed. "Then I'll have to drive over and call from Shanquan Village or the town police station!"

Su He stopped Director He. "Director He, don't rush. The thieves won't be bold enough to pass through the village openly. There's only one way out of the village, so they'll probably wait for some time until things settle down before slowly moving the cows across the river and then transporting them out."

Seeing that Director He agreed with this assessment, Su He added, "Since they're a group, they can't keep living off rations in the mountains indefinitely. Especially since they've been in contact with Gangzi's grandmother. If your people keep an eye on Gangzi's grandmother's home and Ye Sanshou's place, you should get some results!"

Director He understood and looked at Ye Zhenhan. "This is where we'll need the village officials' help."

Ye Zhenhan nodded repeatedly, and Su He added, "Grandfather, keep this matter quiet. We don't want Gangzi's uncle or Ye Sanshou to find out—it would make things much more complicated!"

Stealing cows was a serious crime, and those who did it might resort to violence without hesitation.

Ye Zhenhan seemed to understand and nodded. "I'll keep it quiet."

Ye Zhenhan and Director He left to handle their respective tasks.

Just as Su He was about to take a break, he suddenly heard Ye Chuanxiu calling from inside the house, "Zhaohua, what's wrong with you?"

Su He frowned. His father, Su Zhaohua's, foot injury was tightly bandaged. In this hot weather, it was prone to infection!

Su Zhaohua had a tendency to sweat easily, making infections more likely.

Su He called out, "Mom, open the door. I'll take a look!"

His three sisters rushed out, looking anxious.

Little Pumpkin held her candy, completely forgetting to eat it.

Only Su Yucheng, the little rascal, was still enjoying his candy.

Su He slapped Su Yucheng's shoulder, almost knocking the candy out of his hand!

Su Yucheng was about to yell when he saw Su He's stern face and lowered his voice, "What do you want?"

He was lucky not to have called Su He "Fourth Brother" or used any swear words.

Su He's big hand was ready for action!

Su He said, "Haven't you heard Mom crying? Go and get Dr. Liu! You're the fastest, so go!"

Su Yucheng pouted and said, "I want candy!"

Su He slapped him again. "You're getting a reward for running an errand for Dad? Are you still not done with the spanking?"

Su Yucheng then ran off!

Although Su He had plenty of candy, he knew that teaching children also required discipline. If rewards were given too freely, children might expect something every time they did something, which would lead to them becoming spoiled.

Ye Chuanxiu opened the door, and Su He went inside, followed by his worried sisters.

Ye Chuanxiu's eyes were redder than before, and she looked very distressed.

Su He approached and saw that his father, Su Zhaohua, was pale and sweating all over.

Su He felt Su Zhaohua's forehead. It was burning hot!

"Dad seems to have a fever! It was a low-grade fever before, but now it's probably a high fever!" Ye Chuanxiu said, her voice choked with emotion.

Su He frowned and said, "Why didn't you say something earlier? Couldn't this be dealt with sooner?"