After that, Shi Xi led Qian Cangyi to the room that belonged to him. It was right next to Shi Xi's own room. There were very few items inside—no unnecessary decorations. Even though Shi Haimin hadn't been home for a long time, the room was exceptionally clean, clearly cleaned on a regular basis.
"You like things clean, so I tidy your room often. Oh, and I still have some things to take care of. You've been walking mountain paths for so long—you must be tired. Go rest for a bit," Shi Xi said before leaving.
Qian Cangyi looked around the room. He didn't find anything unusual. Feeling genuinely tired, he lay down on the bed to rest. His eyes were closed, but he didn't fall asleep.
By now, I basically understand the process, he thought. If I compare the current situation to a game, then the handbook in my mind functions like system prompts, providing basic information. Whether it has other functions is still unclear. But there's one crucial question—what am I supposed to do?
Survive? Or help this village develop and prosper?
Hmm… the first possibility seems far more likely.
If survival is the goal, then why do I need to survive? Will I starve? Die of thirst? Fall ill? Or be killed? Natural physical decline seems unlikely… So if death comes from murder, then who would kill me?
At that thought, Qian Cangyi opened his eyes and sat up, crossing his arms.
"Humans… or something else?" he murmured.
At that moment, he noticed that the handbook in his mind had gained new content. He quickly flipped through it.
The first figure to appear was an elderly man with short white hair and a goatee. Beside the image were the words: Shi Wenwei, followed by the title Village Head. Below was a brief description.
[Shi Wenwei]
[Village Head of Yuxi Village. As a child, he studied for several years under a private tutor and possesses some education. He holds extremely high prestige in the village. All disputes in Yuxi Village, large or small, are judged and resolved by him, with outcomes that satisfy both parties. Additionally, most of the children in the village are named by him.]
"Absolute control," Qian Cangyi concluded silently after reading.
Resolving disputes in ways that satisfy both sides—that's practical ability. Having studied and naming nearly every child—that's cultural authority. Judging by the size of his house as well… 'absolute control' is no exaggeration.
If that's the case, then the Death Rite must also be presided over by him.
He continued reading.
[Shi Hongye]
[Eldest son of Shi Wenwei. Honest and dutiful. Married to Shi Tingrong. Father of one son, Shi Jiaxun.]
"These names are actually quite well chosen…" Qian Cangyi noted inwardly.
He read on.
[Shi Xingyun]
[Second son of Shi Wenwei. Clever and full of schemes.]
[Shi Xuezhen]
[Third son of Shi Wenwei. Cowardly and timid.]
That was the end of the handbook's update.
"Alright," Qian Cangyi thought. This is clearly introducing the village head's family—obviously guiding me toward interacting with him. Either I go to his house, or he comes to mine.
In a typical rural setting, since I'm healthy and intact, it should be me paying him a visit. But going empty-handed feels inappropriate.
He bit his lower lip.
Using things from this house as gifts wouldn't make sense either. And I don't have any money on me.
Troubled, he got off the bed and stretched.
"This isn't a life-simulation game. My relationship with the village head may be important, but I still don't know what kind of relationship Shi Haimin had with him. And without the threat of the Death Rite, Shi Haimin would never have returned to Yuxi Village in the first place."
So gifts can wait. The priority right now is finding Eagle Eye.
With that, Qian Cangyi left the room and went to Shi Xi.
"Um… Mom, have there been any strangers in the village recently?" He hesitated slightly when saying the word Mom.
Shi Xi smiled—a gentle, beautiful smile. She paused her work, thought for a moment, then suddenly looked enlightened.
"Oh! I remember now. Your Uncle Wenwei said a geological worker might come to the village today to conduct a survey. Is that who you mean?"
"I was just asking casually," Qian Cangyi replied, careful not to sound too intent.
"He's probably already at your Uncle Wenwei's place," Shi Xi added.
"Then I'll go take a look," Qian Cangyi said with a smile.
"Alright. Go and come back early. What would you like for dinner?" Shi Xi asked cheerfully, clearly pleased by his behavior.
"Anything is fine," Qian Cangyi said, waving as he headed out the door.
But after stepping outside, he didn't head straight for the village head's house. A question had suddenly occurred to him.
Shi Xi is a lone woman—how does she manage to live on her own?
I saw her hands earlier. They're not as delicate as those of city women, but they're well kept. She clearly doesn't do heavy labor, let alone farm work.
The thought weighed on his mind.
Could it be that…?
No. Making wild guesses like this isn't helpful.
When he arrived at the village head's home, he noticed that—just like Shi Xi's house—the door wasn't closed.
Out of courtesy and nervousness, Qian Cangyi stood at the entrance for a moment. When no one came out to ask who he was, he stepped inside.
"Who's there? Hey—isn't that Haimin? You're back?"
A sturdy middle-aged man spotted him. Qian Cangyi recognized the face from the handbook—it was Shi Hongye, Shi Wenwei's eldest son.
"Brother Hongye," Qian Cangyi greeted him, based on his own judgment.
He thought it was a perfectly normal form of address.
But Shi Hongye looked stunned—almost flattered.
Damn it.
The moment he saw that expression, Qian Cangyi's face darkened slightly.
"Haha! What did you just call me?" Shi Hongye laughed loudly. "After being away for so many years, you've really changed. You're not as stubborn as you were when you were little—good, very good!"
He stepped closer and patted Qian Cangyi on the shoulder.
"Much better than before. Not so rash anymore. Looks like the outside world really does make a difference."
"Heh… heh…" Qian Cangyi laughed awkwardly and decided not to speak recklessly again.
"You didn't come here just to see me, right?" Shi Hongye continued. "My dad's inside talking with a guest—some kind of geological worker, I think. Haha, I don't really get that stuff. I've lived in this village my whole life, never seen much of the world. Don't know what that job even does. Anyway, it can't grow grain, that's for sure."
"Mm…" Qian Cangyi didn't know how to respond and chose silence.
"Alright, go on in," Shi Hongye said, patting his shoulder again. "My dad will definitely be happy to see you."
He gestured toward the living room.