The system's built-in detection function primarily served the host's "treasure hunting" activities, acting as the host's "golden finger."
Therefore, it was particularly sensitive to special items like treasure chests.
"No need to push it aside, watch me," Yan Xiaomi shoved her brother out of the way.
Like a monkey, she rolled up her sleeves and in the blink of an eye, climbed onto the rock. Her movements were agile; though the rock surface wasn't smooth, she used both hands and feet, stepping on the uneven parts, and within minutes, she reached the top.
"Wait for me to go down and scout the path!" The young girl proudly lifted her chin—she was an expert at climbing trees.
No sooner had she spoken than she disappeared over the top of the rock.
"Xiaomi!" Yan Xiang'an was startled by his sister, anxiously scratching his head. No one knew if the cave held any dangers, and her recklessness meant that if anything happened, rescuing her would require tremendous effort.
Song Xiu Jun put on gloves and, mimicking Yan Xiaomi's movements, began to climb.
Though not as adept as Yan Xiaomi, who was accustomed to mountainous terrain, Song Xiu Jun learned quickly. After a few attempts, she found the technique and her speed increased, soon disappearing over the rock as well.
"Hey, Anzi Ge, what do we do now?" Yan Xiang'an asked anxiously, looking at Yan Xiang'an.
Song Xiu Jun paid no mind to their dilemma. She turned on her flashlight and called out loudly, "Xiaomi, are you okay?"
Both she and Yan Xiaomi were slender, so they sidled into the cave without getting stuck, moving sideways smoothly.
After walking about ten meters, the space suddenly opened up, revealing an area of about five to six square meters, stacked with four large wooden chests.
The chests were covered in a thick layer of dust, and the locks were rusted, clearly having been placed there for a long time.
"Xiu Jun Jie, should we open the chests?" Yan Xiaomi tugged at the lock, her voice filled with excitement, thinking today might bring a windfall for her family.
"Open them," Song Xiu Jun replied, rubbing her hands in anticipation. Usually, she helped the host hunt for treasures.
Finally, it was her turn to seek treasure herself!
This feeling was absolutely thrilling!
Yan Xiaomi raised her firewood knife and, with a few loud clangs, smashed the lock and latch off.
The two exchanged glances, seeing excitement reflected in each other's eyes.
"We're rich, we're rich," Yan Xiaomi swallowed hard.
She lifted the lid of the chest, and Song Xiu Jun immediately shone the flashlight inside.
"Oh my god!" Yan Xiaomi stared for a few seconds before exclaiming, "This, this, this…" For a long moment, she couldn't form a complete sentence, only feeling her scalp tingle.
"These are guns!" Song Xiu Jun leaned in for a closer look. "There are so many guns hidden here. We can't benefit from this."
She sighed regretfully. Although she didn't lack for gold and silver, finding treasure personally held a different significance.
Yan Xiaomi reached to take one, but Song Xiu Jun grabbed her wrist to stop her. "Don't touch them. After we leave, we'll report this. If the police investigate and find the guns have been moved, they might suspect we took some, and then we won't be able to explain it clearly."
With that, she closed the chest lid again.
"Xiaomi, Xiaomi!" Yan Xiang'an shouted frantically from outside.
Frustrated at missing out on a fortune, Yan Xiaomi stomped out irritably. "Stop yelling! You'll attract attention!"
The two shuffled sideways like crabs back to the rock, climbing up one after the other.
"What's inside?" Yan Xiang'an asked.
Supported by Yan Xiang'an, Song Xiu Jun climbed down from the rock, wiped the sweat from her brow, and said, "There's a Japanese machine gun inside. We need to report this upward."
Yan Xiang'an's eyes widened. In all his life, he had only ever seen the hunting rifles used by the militia.
Good heavens, they had really stumbled upon something major!
Then it hit him, and he grew excited: "Doesn't that mean we've made a contribution?"
"Will there be a cash reward, brother?" Yan Xiaomi and her brother's eyes instantly sparkled.
"Heh heh heh…" Yan Xiang'an chuckled slyly, "I'm going to tell my dad!"
With that, he turned and dashed down the mountain.
Yan Xiaomi and her brother chased after him, but Song Xiu Jun couldn't be bothered to run, following leisurely behind.
Yan Xiang'an sprinted all the way, sweeping into the Brigade Headquarters office like a gust of wind: "Dad! Dad!"
"What's all the shouting?" The Brigade leader was startled, his hand jerking as he wrote, causing the character to go crooked.
"Come out quick, I have something to tell you," Yan Xiang'an beckoned urgently.
"You'd better have a real reason, or I'll beat the daylights out of you, you little rascal," the Brigade leader threatened angrily.
Yan Xiang'an hastily pulled him into the courtyard, ignoring any resistance, leaned close to his ear, and whispered the whole story in a hushed, hurried tone.
The Brigade leader's eyes grew wider and wider: "Really?!"
"How could it be fake? Xiaomi and Educated Youth Song saw it with their own four eyes," Yan Xiang'an nodded vigorously.
The Brigade leader laughed heartily: "Our brigade has made a contribution!"
As one of the most remote brigades under Zhengyang Commune, the members of Xianghong Brigade lived in poverty. While there were minor schemes and calculations in daily life, nothing truly unscrupulous ever happened. Naturally, there were no major good deeds either, leaving the brigade with low visibility.
Now, with this achievement, their Xianghong Brigade could finally make a splash in the commune.
"This needs to be reported early. I'll go right now," he said, then hurried back to the office, grabbed his things, and prepared to leave.
Seeing his unusual expression, the Brigade Accountant asked curiously, "What's happened?"
"I'll tell you when I get back," the Brigade leader had no time to explain. He mounted his bicycle and pedaled toward the commune. If he hurried, he should make it before the leaders got off work.
By the time Yan Xiaomi and her brother caught up, they only saw the Brigade leader's retreating figure.
The Brigade leader didn't return until after dark.
The four who knew the truth, as if by unspoken agreement, gathered under the tree after dinner to await the outcome.
Song Xiu Jun, carrying her stool, sat down beneath the tree. Naturally, the old women and aunties formed a circle around her.
"Sister Xiu Jun is so popular. I've never seen any other Educated Youth get along with the locals as well as she does," Yan Xiaomi squatted beside her brother and couldn't help but marvel.
"They don't like little Educated Youth Song; they like her sunflower seeds!" Yan Xiang'an explained.
No sooner had he spoken than they saw Song Xiu Jun start distributing the seeds.
Yan Xiaomi was taken aback for a moment, then grinned and moved closer: "Aunties, what are you chatting about? Let me join in."
"Xiaomi, we're telling stories to little Educated Youth Song."
Song Xiu Jun casually handed a handful of sunflower seeds to Yan Xiaomi, who had squatted down beside her.
Having gotten her wish, Yan Xiaomi smiled until her eyes narrowed to slits. She carefully divided the seeds, putting half in her pocket to bring to her mother later so she could also taste the fragrant treat.
"What grand sights hasn't Sister Xiu Jun seen? Could she really be curious about our country stories?" she flattered subtly.
"You just don't understand—the city has its ways of the world, and the countryside has its own," Wang Damei said with an air of seasoned wisdom.
"Did you all know? The day before yesterday, they caught a thief stark naked right at the police station entrance," an old woman began mysteriously.
The crowd was stunned: "Really? How could a naked thief steal anything? Where would they hide what they stole?"
Song Xiu Jun's ears perked up instantly—this was something she knew all about!
"You just don't get it, do you?" The old woman swept a triumphant glance over the crowd. As the one sharing the gossip, being able to tell a story none of her old friends had heard before was a matter of great pride among them.