159: Cut off these thorns.

"You idiot, there's no one there. What are you afraid of?"

Second Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family looked at Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family, and seeing her fierce expression, she retorted irritably.

"You dare to glare at me?"

"If you dare mess things up, I'll dare to hit you! Shut your mouth and don't attract attention..."

Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family dragged Second Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family aside to hide.

Xiao Niannian heard them talking, looked over, and met the gaze of Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family.

Seeing the Female Comrade looking at them, Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family offered a smile. She figured that at such a distance, and since she and the Second Daughter-in-law were speaking softly, those comrades definitely couldn't hear their conversation.

Squad Leader Li led his people toward the mountain.

Second Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family and Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family felt anxious. Gritting their teeth, they decided to follow and observe.

After walking for a while, they arrived at the stone houses on the mountain.

These houses looked very dilapidated. A lot of trash was piled up outside, and the perimeter wall was just ruins.

Squad Leader Li led his people into the house.

Inside the house, they saw some ropes, some broken items, and various unpleasant smells.

Xiao Niannian and Squad Leader Li immediately recognized that people had been imprisoned in this house before, and quite a few of them.

"These houses were built many years ago and are in disrepair. Cattle and sheep were raised inside before..."

The Production Brigade Cadre explained with a smile.

Squad Leader Li nodded.

"This place is indeed good. It's very spacious here, but more trees need to be planted, or else there might be trouble when typhoon season arrives..."

"comrade, you are right. This place originally had many trees, but some were cut down a few years ago. In the last two or three years, we've planted some more here, but they haven't grown up yet..."

Squad Leader Li nodded. After inspecting a few rooms, he walked back outside.

Xiao Niannian saw a small path. Directly ahead of this path was Captain Chen's house, and there were some stones blocking the path here.

Seeing Squad Leader Li and the others looking ahead, the Production Brigade Cadre said with a smile.

"This is an old path; it has long been abandoned now."

Squad Leader Li and Xiao Niannian walked toward the path.

Xiao Niannian looked around.

"Why are they walking over there? If they go down there, they'll reach..."

Second Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family said anxiously.

Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family immediately covered her mouth.

"Don't talk. They are just here to check the site. If you talk nonsense, you might get discovered..."

Second Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family glared at Third Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family upon hearing this.

What she hated most was Third Daughter-in-law's know-it-all attitude. They were clearly similar people, but because Third Brother and Third Daughter-in-law knew how to speak sweetly, the in-laws were especially fond of the Third Branch people.

She had always harbored resentment in her heart.

But since her in-laws held the ultimate power in the family, she dared to make small disturbances but didn't dare to truly fall out with them.

Now her maternal family also relied on her help. Since she married into the Chen Family, her maternal family had gained many benefits.

"There are so many thorns there, and so many rocks. They definitely won't find anything."

"After going out to sea in a day or two, we won't have to worry anymore."

Xiao Niannian heard their words and looked toward the distance.

This place had many thorns, and with these stones blocking the way, ordinary people couldn't get through at all.

Could there be a cave underneath, and those people are hiding inside?

Does the cave have another exit?

Otherwise, how could the villagers be completely unaware?

Squad Leader Li and the others also carefully examined the terrain, finding no issues on this side.

Their gazes all fell upon the area Xiao Niannian was looking at.

That area was slightly higher in elevation, and with so many rocks, bushes, and thorns blocking the way, there might be a problem.

Squad Leader Li led his people forward.

"Let's check over here."

"comrade, that side is a cliff. Someone fell down there before; it's very dangerous..." The Production Brigade Cadre immediately warned them.

"Cut open this path."

Squad Leader Li said to the Production Brigade Cadre.

"If we are going to inspect the site, we must examine all these areas thoroughly. Otherwise, how can we report back to our superiors? If they hold us accountable later, we won't be able to bear the responsibility..."

Hearing Squad Leader Li's words, the Production Brigade Cadre quickly called the villagers to bring some machetes.

Xiao Niannian couldn't help but give Squad Leader Li a thumbs-up in her heart. She had learned a lot from Squad Leader Li these days. Squad Leader Li's performance today didn't resemble someone from the Military Unit at all. He was like a Leader from the County Government or even the City Government—that bearing was truly amazing.

He played the role perfectly.

Xiao Niannian then remembered the words she had just heard: "After going out to sea in a day or two, we won't have to worry anymore."

So, within these one or two days, someone will go out to sea and take those people away?

She could now completely confirm that someone in Captain Chen's family was involved. However, she hadn't yet identified any issues with the other people.

Second Daughter-in-law of the Chen Family quickly ran back at this moment. She had to go find someone. She couldn't let these people wander around anymore; if they actually discovered the cave, there would be trouble.

Xiao Niannian listened carefully to the surrounding sounds, but still heard nothing.

She did hear the cries of seabirds and the sound of waves crashing against the rocks.

Could it be that Captain Chen's house also has a secret passage?

Or perhaps the back mountain has a secret passage leading to the cave.

Standing here, she saw a large expanse of rocks below. If one fell from here, they would drop into the sea.

The water depth in this sea is also tens of meters.

"Cadre Yang, did you call us here to cut down these weeds?"

"Yes, the Leaders who came for the survey want to cut down these thorny bushes to check the environment here... Cut down these thorns and clear a path. When you do, I'll have the Scorekeeper add work points for you..."

Hearing the Production Brigade Cadre's words, the villagers were extremely happy.

"Great, we'll cut a path right away."

Most of the villagers at this time were simple and kind; they were overjoyed to hear they could earn extra work points.

"comrades, wait for us. We'll cut a path out immediately."

"It will be ready soon."

The land up here is indeed very wide. They used to raise cattle and sheep here, then they detained those people, and afterward, the place was abandoned. If they could really set up a factory, this place would be huge.

The people from this Commune could then work right outside their homes.

All the factories now are State-Run. They would transition from farmers to workers, eating the national grain.

Then they would live a good life for the rest of their lives, no longer needing to toil so bitterly. Their children and grandchildren would also enjoy a good life.

Just as they had cut a few meters of the path, Captain Chen rushed over with his people.