Yang Yufen nodded in agreement, glancing at the shoes on Wang Xing's feet. It seemed like children really grew up fast.
"Let's go, Wang Xing. Don't wander too far off now."
Professor Wen climbed onto the tricycle and struck up a conversation with Aunt Wang.
"How's the orchard coming along these days?"
Aunt Wang happened to have a few questions of her own, and with Professor Wen initiating the chat, she eagerly joined in.
"What kind of dormitories and livestock pens are you planning to build? Single-story houses? How many people are there? The newly built apartment-style buildings here can house plenty, take up little space, and installing heating is manageable—though it’ll cost extra. You’ll definitely need someone to draft the blueprints."
As the two chatted on the tricycle, Yang Yufen listened while the vehicle turned toward the supply and marketing cooperative.
Wang Xing watched the tricycle leave and immediately dashed back home.
"Phew, that was close! Grandma Yang almost came back. Luckily, Grandma Wen ran into her and took her to the supply co-op to buy things. We’ve got to hurry even more now."
Leaning against the doorframe, Wang Xing spoke breathlessly, making the group of children tense up.
"The eggs are fried, the water’s boiling in the pot, and the house is all tidied up. We can make it."
Hu Zhenghao checked the nearly boiling water in the pot.
Two perfectly fried poached eggs sat in a bowl, while the less successful ones were set aside in another.
"The water’s boiling!"
No sooner had Hu Zhenghao spoken than Li Wu dumped all the noodles into the pot before Li Wen could stop him.
"Don’t let them stick together!"
Hu Zhenghao quickly grabbed chopsticks to stir, while the children stared intently at the pot. Li Wu quietly stepped back with a basin, tiptoeing to peek inside.
Only when the noodles floated up one by one, swirling in the bubbling water, did they finally relax.
"Whew—close call. Heh heh."
Li Wu grinned sheepishly.
"How long till they’re done?"
Setting the basin down, he craned his neck to watch the noodles.
"These noodles are a bit thick, so they’ll need more time," Wang Xing said honestly.
"Don’t they look too soft?"
The moment Li Wu voiced his concern, Li Wen and Hu Zhenghao frowned and immediately fished out a strand with chopsticks.
"Okay, okay. Pick the longest one."
The children busily selected noodles, carefully placing them into a bowl with bated breath.
Meanwhile, Shen Xianjun, lying in wait in the grass, felt the ground tremble. He checked his watch—this wasn’t the scheduled vehicle.
Peering through binoculars, he spotted a group of villagers emerging from the settlement. They looked ordinary, but the objects in their hands gave them away.
"How did this happen? They’re just locals."
Shen Xianjun frowned. How did these people know the exact timing? They didn’t even need to set up an ambush in advance—their timing was impeccable.
"All units, be advised—this isn’t the planned vehicle. Protect the civilians."
Shen Xianjun relayed the order in a low voice.
The truck must have taken a route they hadn’t monitored.
Bang!
The sound of a blown tire echoed as the truck driver wrestled with the steering wheel.
"Damn it! I switched routes—why is this road blocked too? Once we stop, abandon the truck and run. Lives come first."
Sweat poured down the driver’s forehead. He’d noticed another vehicle being ambushed earlier and taken a detour, thinking he’d escaped trouble.
"Second Brother, I’m scared."
"Think of your wife and kids."
The driver shoved an iron rod from under the seat into his companion’s hands.
Yanking the door open, he dragged the man out and bolted toward the woods.
"Get down!"
A sharp command rang out. The driver looked up and immediately pulled his brother flat to the ground.
Figures rushed past as chaos erupted. Glancing back, the driver rolled away with his companion.
"We’re saved. Kid, you’ve got luck on your side."
He patted the younger man’s shoulder.
Still prone, the younger man peeked out and exhaled in relief when he saw the assailants subdued. His heart had been in his throat.
"Anyone hurt?"
Shen Xianjun approached for a routine check.
"No, no. Thank you so much—you showed up just in time. By the way, we took a side road. There’s another truck stopped at an intersection up ahead—probably the same gang."
The driver quickly relayed the information.
"What kind of truck? Did you catch the license plate?"
Shen Xianjun pressed. Recognizing it as their scheduled vehicle, he immediately dispatched a team for backup.
"Go assist Liao Yuanjie. If there’s activity here, the villagers might show up soon. Tie up all the captives and secure them in the truck."
Shen Xianjun barked orders.
"There’s rope in the truck!"
The driver chimed in. No way were they letting these thugs escape.
"A cell phone!"
The driver gasped at the brick-sized device confiscated from the criminals. How many people had they robbed to afford such a luxury?
Shen Xianjun studied the bulky phone and instantly understood how the gang coordinated so swiftly.
The phone suddenly rang.
Holding it, Shen Xianjun glared at the bound man.
"Answer it. And behave."
"I will, I will!"
The man nodded frantically. The weapon pressed against him—once his own tool of intimidation—now made him tremble uncontrollably.
"Hello?"
"Are you caught too?"
A single word, and the voice on the other end exploded in panic.
The tone shifted abruptly.
"Cooperate."
Liao Yuanjie’s voice came through, punctuated by pained groans in the background.
"Mission accomplished, but it involves many villagers. I’ve reported it—reinforcements are on the way."
Liao Yuanjie updated.
"Good. Any casualties?"
"Minor injuries."
With confirmation that the key players were captured and only peripheral members remained in the village—along with some detainees who’d refused to collaborate—Shen Xianjun redirected manpower to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, back at the house…
"Grandma, happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday, Grandma Yang!"
The twins stood front and center as Yang Yufen froze in the doorway, stunned by the chorus.
"Grandma, quick! Eat the longevity noodles! We made them together. They’ll get soggy if you wait!"
Li Wu tugged Yang Yufen’s hand while Li Wen guided her to sit. A bowl of noodles waited on the table, and Wang Xing handed her chopsticks.
"The kids planned this surprise for you."
Professor Wen smiled. Aunt Wang, who’d been brought along, had guessed something was up—but she hadn’t realized it was her old friend’s birthday. These children had truly outdone themselves.
