God-Tier Get Rich System – CH105

Chapter 105: The Letter for Help

Xu Huazhang brought back a package and two letters.

Mu Lantu asked, “Two? From whom?”

“The postman delivered several letters today, all from the same address in the neighboring county. It should be from Comrade Su. She didn’t just write to the two of us—she also sent letters to Comrade Xu (Xu Jincheng) and Comrade Lu. The postman said even the team leader received one. This is a bit strange.”

Xu Huazhang first placed the package inside, then sat down on the chair across from Mu Lantu. He opened his letter and pulled out a slip of paper. It had been torn from a notebook, uneven in shape, only two fingers wide, and contained fewer than twenty characters:

“Save me, please, I beg you to save me!”

No salutation—just a date beneath.

The handwriting was messy, full of haste and panic.

Mu Lantu wiped his hands and opened his own letter. It was also just a slip of paper, with the exact same message, only dated one day later.

Mu Lantu said, “It seems Comrade Su’s situation is very bad.”

Xu Jincheng and Lu Manman came running with their own letters, their expressions more grave than his.

“Comrade Mu, Comrade Xu—you’ve both read your letters, haven’t you?”

Mu Lantu handed his slip over. “Does yours say the same as ours?”

Both Xu Jincheng and Lu Manman nodded.

“The team leader also—”

Mu Lantu saw a figure hurrying toward them.

“The team leader is here.”

The team leader quickened his pace. When he saw the slips in their hands, his heart sank heavily.

“Something may have happened to Comrade Su!”

“Team leader, what should we do now?” Lu Manman asked anxiously. “Comrade Su is all alone at home—we have to help her! If we don’t, no one else will!”

The team leader paced in circles. “Comrade Lu, don’t be so anxious. Let me think… let me think…”

Lu Manman clutched her chest and nodded distractedly. How could she not be anxious? If it were her in such a helpless situation, she would also hope someone would reach out a hand.

Zhang Guodong and the others came over too. After hearing a rough account, they exchanged looks.

Xie Xiaojun spread his hands. “Didn’t we warn her before? Don’t act rashly, don’t be impulsive. She wouldn’t listen. And now something happened—who can she blame but herself?”

Several of the young women glared at him.

“If you can’t say something helpful, then shut up!”

Xie Xiaojun stiffened his neck. “Am I wrong, though?”

No one bothered to respond.

The team leader said, “Listen—since Comrade Su wrote to several of us, it means she trusts us. We can’t betray that trust. The three of you should go to Lushan County yourselves. I’m the team leader; I can’t leave. I’ll send my second son with you—he’s the militia company commander. He doesn’t have many other skills, but he’s strong.”

“I’ll go too?” Lu Manman hesitated. “It’s not that I don’t want to, but… if I’m the only woman going, won’t it be a bit inconvenient?”

The team leader looked toward Yue Xiaoying, Lin Shuzhen, Bai Ningning, and Zhang Jingxian.

All four showed fear on their faces, even bold Yue Xiaoying. Since something must have happened to Comrade Su, deep down, they were afraid to go to Lushan County.

Xu Jincheng grasped the team leader’s hand and said earnestly, “Team leader, these girls don’t know much and won’t be of much help if they go. How about this: could we invite a capable auntie from the village to go with us instead? We’ll think of a way to make up for her lost work points afterward.”

Lu Manman had calmed down too, her mind working again. “Yes. From the address, it looks like Comrade Su lives in the countryside. Women there are good at talking things through. I’m worried we’ll be overwhelmed. If we can bring along a capable auntie, we’ll feel much more secure.”

The team leader neither agreed nor refused. “Lushan County isn’t close. From our brigade to the county seat is one or two hours by ox cart. From the county seat to Lushan County, you need to take the train—about four or five hours. If you can’t get tickets, you may even need to stay overnight at a guesthouse. And from Lushan County to the brigade there, it could be several more hours. The cost of food and travel… I could discuss with the members about using brigade funds, but I doubt they’ll all agree…”

Xu Jincheng and Lu Manman smiled bitterly. Money and rations really were a problem—a big problem. They had neither to spare, let alone enough to cover everything for Comrade Su.

Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang also couldn’t shoulder that expense. Given the difference between men and women, if rumors spread, it could damage both their reputations and Comrade Su’s.

Mu Lantu said firmly, “If Comrade Su’s in-laws are at fault, we can demand compensation on her behalf. If necessary, we can even bring in the educated youth offices from both places to stand with her.”

Everyone’s eyes lit up.

Xu Jincheng slapped his forehead. That was the second time Comrade Mu Lantu had mentioned the educated youth office—why hadn’t he thought of it?

Thinking of Comrade Su’s frail appearance, the team leader also felt sure she wasn’t the aggressor. His spirits lifted. “In that case, I’ll decide: the brigade will advance the costs for now. Later, we’ll sit down and settle it. Captain Xu, what do you think?”

Xu Jincheng nodded. “No problem!”

The team leader continued, “How about having the women’s director or Aunt Chunhua go with you? Both of them are well-suited and quick-tongued.”

Lu Manman quickly said, “The brigade still needs Director Xiao to hold things down—let Aunt Chunhua take the trip instead.” The reimbursement would also go to Aunt Chunhua, letting her earn something for her trouble.

The team leader agreed.

Without delay, everyone went home to arrange their affairs and pack.

To show the brigade’s concern for Comrade Su, the team leader even arranged for an ox cart to take them to the county seat.

Though some fields still needed plowing and the ox was needed, the team leader still made this arrangement.

Before leaving, Mu Lantu entrusted Wangcai and its feed to Miao Jiaze and Du Xuewen.

Since Wangcai could hunt, they were delighted to care for it.

At the county seat, Mu Lantu, Xu Jincheng, Lu Manman, Aunt Chunhua, and Zhang Weimin (the second son) had to wait outside the machinery factory.

Since Xu Huazhang’s records had been transferred there, only the factory could issue the referral letter.

With the letter in hand, the six of them hurried to the train station. Luckily, there was a train to Lushan County around seven in the evening.

After buying tickets, they waited in the station. Hungry, they ate their dry rations; thirsty, they filled their tea mugs with hot water.

They had brought mostly corn buns, flatbread, and boiled eggs—nothing else kept well.

Aunt Chunhua sat in the waiting room, marveling at everything.

“This is my first time riding a train!”

Lu Manman affectionately hooked her arm through hers. “Auntie, meals on the train don’t require ration tickets. When we get on, I’ll treat you and Brother Zhang to white flour buns!”

Aunt Chunhua patted her hand fondly. “No need, Auntie brought money.” These children, called city folks, were left stranded in the countryside—quite pitiful, really.

Thinking of Su Qianqian, Lu Manman’s heart ached with a sorrow like “the rabbit mourns the fox.”

“No, Auntie—you must let me treat you. With you here, I feel so much steadier. Please give me the chance to thank you.”

At that, Aunt Chunhua agreed, already planning to return the favor on the way back.

No one knew what situation awaited Comrade Su, so the group didn’t feel like chatting much.

They waited in silence until boarding and finding their seats.

The train was crowded; the six of them had boarded mid-route.

They disembarked past midnight. With nowhere to go, they rented three rooms at a guesthouse: Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang in one, Xu Jincheng and Zhang Weimin in another, Lu Manman and Aunt Chunhua in the third. Perfect.

After sleeping until past six in the morning, they ate some more dry rations, then asked the guesthouse staff for directions to Jiefang Brigade.

The staff didn’t know. After asking others for half an hour, they finally figured it out.

From Lushan County seat to Jiefang Brigade was over two hours on foot.

They tried to hire an ox cart or a horse cart, but couldn’t find one. Time was pressing, so they walked.

When they saw a mountain ahead, Lu Manman turned pale.

“So remote…”

Aunt Chunhua was more optimistic. “At least the path isn’t too rough, and that mountain isn’t very tall.”

“Comrade Su’s husband is a procurement officer at a food factory—I thought he was a city man. I never expected him and Comrade Su to live in the countryside,” Lu Manman murmured.

Aunt Chunhua said casually, “As a daughter-in-law, she may have been left back home to care for the elders.”

Looking at the endless green mountains, Lu Manman’s heart thudded in fear. She quickly turned her gaze back to the road.

“Maybe.”

The trek was tiring. After a few casual remarks, they fell silent again.

Mu Lantu and Xu Huazhang strolled easily at the back of the group, while Xu Jincheng and Zhang Weimin led the way with strong stamina.

“Let’s rest a bit,” Aunt Chunhua said, wiping sweat. She could still manage, but after the poor night’s sleep, she was both tired and thirsty.

Lu Manman helped her sit on a smooth roadside boulder, polished by countless passersby.

“Hyah—”

A horse cart came trundling by. As it passed them, the middle-aged driver slowed, staring at them closely. His gaze shifted, then darkened, and he snapped his whip to drive the horse faster.

“Hyah—”

Xu Huazhang frowned.

“No more resting. We need to keep moving.”

“What’s wrong?” Lu Manman’s feet hurt; she still wanted a longer break.

Mu Lantu tilted his chin toward the cart. “If that driver’s from the same village as Comrade Su, it could cause trouble.”

Everyone’s faces changed.

“Then let’s go!”

They jogged ahead of the cart.

The cart was loaded with goods and couldn’t go much faster, especially on the narrow road. It soon fell behind.

Mu Lantu’s group kept running, the four men helping the two women carry their packs, quickly leaving the cart far behind.

Mu Lantu glanced back. The middle-aged man avoided his gaze and slowed again, no longer chasing.