The carefree life of Yang Shuisheng, the village miracle doctor

When we arrived at the small bamboo grove at the west end of the village, the sun was already setting, and the light in the grove was somewhat dim.

Yang Shuisheng spotted Ma San squatting in the corner where they had met that morning, puffing on his cigarette intermittently, his eyes glancing occasionally at the path leading into the bamboo forest, his expression a mixture of anxiety and excitement.

"Brother Yang! You've finally arrived!"

Upon seeing Yang Shuisheng appear, Ma San's eyes lit up. He quickly stubbed out his cigarette in the dirt, rushed over to Yang Shuisheng, and whispered excitedly, as if seeking praise, "I've made a discovery! A major discovery!"

Yang Shuisheng's heart skipped a beat, but he remained outwardly calm.

"Let's go inside and talk."

He gestured for Ma San to walk deeper into the bamboo forest, avoiding the view of outsiders who might pass by.

"How is it? What's in the drawer?"

"Hey! Brother Yang, guess what?" Ma San rubbed his hands together, his face showing the excitement of discovering a secret. "In that drawer, besides about a thousand yuan in cash tied with a rubber band, the rest were all receipts, notebooks and stuff."

"Receipts? What receipts?" Yang Shuisheng pressed.

"They were receipts for things bought in the village, the kind with a red stamp," Ma San recalled, trying to describe them. "I looked through them, and most of them were office supplies, road repair materials, and things like that."

"But I found several tickets for the same items, such as cement and bricks, and there were even two different tickets."

"One slip lists a larger quantity and a higher price, while the other lists a smaller quantity and a lower price."

"But the items are clearly the same! I reckon... Zhao Youcai must be taking kickbacks from this."

"He used public funds to buy things, issued high-priced invoices for reimbursement, but actually bought cheaper goods, and pocketed the difference."

Yang Shuisheng's eyes narrowed.

Taking kickbacks and embezzling village funds are serious crimes!

If the evidence is conclusive, it will be enough to give Zhao Youcai a hard time.

"Any other discoveries?" Yang Shuisheng continued to ask, secretly hoping for more.

"Yes! There's also a hardcover book with a few sheets of paper tucked inside, it looks like a land deed or some kind of lease agreement." Ma San scratched his head, he didn't know much about this, "I didn't quite understand what was written on it either, it was all very complicated."

"However, I remembered the name of the person who signed it. It's Hong Dachang, so it should be a name."

Hong Dachang!

Yang Shuisheng's heart skipped a beat.

He remembered the name. Back then, his family's ten acres of land near the spring were taken away by Zhao Youcai in collusion with a boss from out of town. That boss seemed to be surnamed Hong!

Could it be this Hong Dachang?

Moreover, according to Ma San's description, could it be that Zhao Youcai secretly rented or sold the land he seized from his family to this Hong Dachang?

There must be huge transfers of benefits and shady deals involved!

In an instant, several clues connected in Yang Shuisheng's mind.

Hong Dachang is very likely one of the masterminds behind the seizure of his family's land back then, or even the mastermind!

Zhao Youcai is nothing but a sycophant in plain sight!

The evidence against Zhao Youcai seems sufficient.

Moreover, by following the clues, we might uncover even bigger fish behind it.

However, one must eat one bite at a time and walk one step at a time.

The most urgent task is to use this evidence to remove Zhao Youcai from his position as village chief, send him to jail, and make him return everything he's swallowed, including his own land!

"Well done, Ma San."

Yang Shuisheng nodded, gaining a new understanding of Ma San's abilities. This guy was bold, quick-witted, and had a sharp eye.

"Brother Yang, I will definitely do my best to handle the matter you asked me to do." Seeing that Yang Shuisheng was satisfied, Ma San became even more smug.

"Okay, go back to town first, tell me where you live, and don't wander around for the next few days. I might have something for you to do," Yang Shuisheng instructed.

"Alright! I rented a small single room at the west end of town. It's the third house in the alley next to the junkyard, the one with the crooked jujube tree in front of it."

Ma San quickly gave the address.

"Remember this: everything you saw today, including your visit to Peach Blossom Valley, you must keep to yourself."

"If I find out you've told this to a third person..."

Yang Shuisheng's eyes suddenly turned cold, and his voice carried a hint of chill.

"You should know what kind of methods Brother Kun uses."

"Making you disappear without a trace wouldn't be difficult at all."

Ma San shuddered at the coldness in his eyes and quickly patted his chest, swearing, "Brother Yang, don't worry! Although I, Ma San, am a thief, I'm a man of my word."

"This is a secret between heaven, earth, you, and me. If I utter a single word of it, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

"Take this money."

Seeing that he was quite frightened, Yang Shuisheng's expression softened slightly, and he took out a hundred-yuan bill from his pocket and handed it over: "Consider this payment for the next time I need your help."

"Brother Yang, you're too kind!"

When Ma San saw that it was a hundred yuan, his eyes widened, and his face instantly filled with flattery and gratitude. He took the money with both hands and said politely, "It is my honor to be able to do things for you. I am so sorry for this money... If you need anything in the future, just let me know. I, Ma San, would be a coward if I even flinched."

He spoke passionately, but his hand gripped the hundred-yuan note tightly.

"What, you think it's too much?"

Yang Shuisheng found his attempt to get the money while simultaneously trying to say nice things amusing, and deliberately said, "Then why don't you give it back to me first?"

"No, no, no! Brother Yang, I want it! I want it!" Ma San was so frightened that he quickly stuffed the money into the innermost pocket of his chest and covered it tightly, afraid that Yang Shuisheng would change his mind. "Thank you, Brother Yang! You are truly my savior. I will go back to town now and wait for your arrangements."

"Go ahead," Yang Shuisheng waved his hand.

Ma San then bowed and scraped, thanked them profusely, turned around, hunched over, and quickly disappeared into the other end of the bamboo forest, returning to the town.

After seeing Ma San off, Yang Shuisheng stood alone in the gradually darkening bamboo forest, pondering his next move.

Receipts, land deeds... these are all paper evidence.

To bring down Zhao Youcai, words alone won't suffice; concrete evidence is essential.

However, the original items in the drawer must not be touched, otherwise it would alert the enemy.

Zhao Youcai could have easily absconded before the reporting process was completed and the government officials came down to investigate.

Looks like I'll have to find a way to get a camera next time I go to town!

Then have Ma San go again and secretly photograph those receipts and documents, especially the key pages with Zhao Youcai's signature and Hong Dachang's name.

With photographic evidence, and by finding a suitable opportunity and channel to report it, there's no need to fear Zhao Youcai denying it. This is much safer and more reliable than stealing the original document.

The main goal is to be 100% able to catch Zhao Youcai and bring him to justice!

The more Yang Shuisheng thought about it, the more feasible this method seemed.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his excitement and plans, turned around and walked out of the bamboo forest, heading towards his home.

However, as soon as he reached the vicinity of his own row of dilapidated old houses, when he was still dozens of meters away, he couldn't help but stop in his tracks.

Outside his dilapidated wooden door stood a slender and plump figure.

The woman was wearing an apricot-colored floral blouse and black trousers that accentuated her rounded hips and long legs. A gentle breeze blew, ruffling her bangs and the thin fabric, revealing glimpses of her underwear and full breasts.

She was slightly turned to face her own house, seemingly listening for any sounds inside, or perhaps hesitating whether to knock.

It's Zhou Caifeng.

Why is she here?

And judging from the looks of it, it seems they've been waiting for a while.