I secretly sold grain at age 60

Chapter 23 Questioning

The two then began their journey home. After their shopping spree at the black market and the supply and marketing cooperative, it was already six or seven in the evening, and the sky was gradually darkening. The journey back to the village from the commune would take about an hour and a half.

When they reached a secluded spot where no one was around, Gao Huaiyi reached out and took the large and small bags from Zhou Xiuying's hands. With a casual gesture, all the items disappeared into thin air and were stored in his spatial storage.

Although Zhou Xiuying already knew his secret, she still couldn't help but marvel at what she saw, her eyes filled with envy: "Your special ability is simply divine. If word gets out, you probably won't be able to live a single peaceful day from now on."

She paused slightly, turned to Gao Huaiyi, and asked seriously, "I have a question for you. When I first discovered your secret, if I had reported you to the police station, would you have just arrested me and put me in your spatial dimension?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Huaiyi awkwardly touched his nose and quickly explained, "How could that be? Even if you really report me, I will never do anything to you."

Seeing his slightly flustered expression, Zhou Xiuying understood what was going on, but she didn't point it out, only smiling faintly. She knew that once this extraordinary ability was exposed, Gao Huaiyi would never have peace for the rest of his life.

The fact that he's being honest with her now is already a testament to his kindness. If it were someone with malicious intentions, anyone who knew the secret would probably have been quietly eliminated long ago, and she wouldn't be able to go shopping with him so freely.

Upon hearing this, Gao Huaiyi couldn't help but ask in return, "You've been the one asking me all along, and I'm also very curious about what you meant by your master and divination. Since your master can predict good and bad fortune, as his disciple, you must also have some skills, right? Are your abilities as formidable as his, allowing you to see through many things?"

Zhou Xiuying replied softly, "Although I have learned some things from my master, I have only scratched the surface and have not yet grasped the true essence. I can do simple face reading and fortune telling, but I am powerless to do anything deeper."

Gao Huaiyi's eyes lit up immediately, and he quickly said, "Then please take a look at my face. What does it mean? Is it auspicious or inauspicious?"

Zhou Xiuying raised her eyes and carefully examined him for a moment, her brows furrowing slightly, her tone tinged with confusion: "Strange, I can't see anything on your face, not even a trace. Ordinary people, regardless of wealth or status, will more or less show signs of peace, wealth, or misfortune on their faces, but your face is calm and still, like a clean mirror, spotless and without any ripples."

She paused, then added, "I have never seen such a destiny before. I don't know if it's because my cultivation is insufficient or if your destiny is too special. If you really want to find out the reason, perhaps you can only wait until you have the opportunity to ask my master to take a look in person so that you can determine whether it is because my ability is insufficient or your destiny is inherently different from ordinary people."

Upon hearing this, Gao Huaiyi nodded thoughtfully, then asked, "Since you can't tell what's wrong with me, what about my parents and family? Did you see them during dinner yesterday?"

Zhou Xiuying nodded and said, "I've looked at them. Their faces are all very auspicious, and they're not in any danger recently. Moreover, I saw a sign of good fortune coming to them. In my opinion, this good fortune will most likely fall upon you."

Upon hearing this, Gao Huaiyi simply nodded silently, thinking to himself: It seems that even those skilled in divination and physiognomy cannot see through the secret of my time travel. Now I can finally rest assured.

He felt a chill run down his spine. If he had encountered a truly powerful expert who could see right through him, the other party might not have been as easy to talk to as Zhou Xiuying. In that case, should he forcibly take her into his spatial dimension, or should he ruthlessly eliminate her completely?

Thinking of this, Gao Huaiyi shook his head, composed himself, and secretly warned himself: He must be more cautious in his actions in the future, and be extremely careful not to let a third person know this earth-shattering secret.

At this moment, Zhou Xiuying spoke again, her eyes full of confusion: "You haven't answered the question I asked you before. Why are the crops in your space growing so fast? The crops in the village were only planted a few days ago, and your seedlings are already so tall."

Gao Huaiyi composed himself and explained in a low voice, "The flow of time in my space is three times that of the outside world. One day outside is equivalent to three days inside. A typical season's grain that takes a hundred days to plant outside can be harvested in just one month here. In a year, you can harvest eleven seasons. Moreover, the temperature and humidity inside are constant, so there is no distinction between spring, summer, autumn, or winter; you can cultivate the land in all four seasons."

Zhou Xiuying was stunned, her face filled with disbelief. She exclaimed, "Does this mean we'll never have to worry about food again?"

Gao Huaiyi nodded, his tone resolute: "The seeds have been sown. As long as we get through this month, we'll have no worries about food supplies, and we'll have a bountiful harvest every month. If you ever need food in the future, just ask, and I can supply you with an unlimited amount."

Zhou Xiuying felt a warmth in her heart and quickly thanked him, "Then I'll thank you in advance, Comrade Huaiyi."

Zhou Xiuying looked puzzled and asked, "Even with your whole family included, eleven seasons' worth of food a year wouldn't be enough to eat. What do you plan to do with all this food?"

Gao Huaiyi pondered for a moment, then said frankly, "I haven't thought it through yet. Right now, we've just planted a batch of grain and vegetables, and we haven't had time to think about the follow-up arrangements. If all else fails, we can use the surplus grain to exchange for money, grain coupons, cloth coupons, and other scarce ration coupons. We can sell some of the grain that we can't eat, which will not only earn us money but also allow those who are starving outside to have a full meal and not starve to death."

After listening, Zhou Xiuying nodded repeatedly in agreement, saying, "This is indeed a perfect solution. You gain the benefits, obtaining the money and ration coupons you need, while those outside who are short of food can also buy food and solve their food and clothing problems. It's a win-win situation."

Gao Huaiyi said, "It's too early to think about these things now. Let's get through this month first, and then we can slowly make plans later."

The two walked and talked, and before they knew it, time flew by. In no time, they arrived at the border between the two villages.

Gao Huaiyi stopped and said, "Let's go. I'll take you back first and deliver your things to you. Then I'll go back to my own village."

Zhou Xiuying nodded, and the two walked side by side toward the village where she lived.

About twenty minutes later, the two arrived at the village entrance. Gao Huaiyi looked around and, seeing that no one was around, quietly took out the large bag of items he had just stored in his spatial storage, put it on his back, and then the two continued walking towards the back mountain.

As soon as they entered the village, several villagers who were idly strolling around at night spotted them and quickly came up to greet them. Their eyes fell on the bulging bundle on Gao Huaiyi's back, and they couldn't help but ask curiously, "Huaiyi, Xiuya, what good things did you buy?"

Zhou Xiuying replied casually, "It's nothing, just some daily necessities."

After exchanging a few brief words, the two bid farewell to the villagers and headed straight for the temple on the back mountain.

Once inside, Gao Huaiyi placed his bundle on the ground and said, "Take your time packing. It's getting late, I should head back."

Zhou Xiuying nodded and said, "Okay, drive carefully."

Gao Huaiyi responded, turned around and left the temple, walking quickly towards his village.

But as soon as he stepped out of Zhou Xiuying's village, a figure suddenly appeared from the roadside and blocked the middle of the road.

Gao Huaiyi looked up and frowned instantly. The person blocking his way was none other than his maternal uncle, Li Hongshan.

Under the cover of night, Li Hongshan's face was gloomy. He pointed at Gao Huaiyi and loudly questioned, "Gao Huaiyi, was it you who hit me last time?!" It turned out that Li Hongshan had also seen Gao Huaiyi when he entered the village, which was why he blocked the road out of the village.

Gao Huaiyi feigned ignorance, saying, "Uncle, what nonsense are you talking about? Who hit you? I don't understand a word you say."

Li Hongshan was trembling with rage, and he roared hysterically, "Last time I left your house, I was ambushed and beaten up as soon as I got back to the village! Who else could it be but you?! Confess honestly, did you do it?"

Gao Huaiyi spread his hands, his tone frank: "Uncle, you can't make baseless accusations. You left first that day; I stayed home the whole time, didn't step outside a single step. How could I possibly have hit you? You were beaten because you offended someone outside and reaped what you sowed. Besides, what evidence do you have to prove I did it?"