The winding mountain road was fine for cars, but it was a steep slope. Guo Jin's beat-up pickup truck stalled halfway up the mountain.
He stomped on the gas, and the exhaust pipe sputtered black smoke with a PUTT-PUTT-PUTT, but the engine wouldn't start.
Frustrated, Guo Jin slammed his hand on the steering wheel. Seeing no other option, he quickly got out and started running up the mountain.
Shen Xin and the others followed, panting as they ran up the mountain.
They went around the school and could hear a child crying from Li Xingping's house in the distance.
People were craning their necks at the gate, rubbernecking, and the faint sound of shouting could be heard.
When they saw Guo Jin's group, the onlookers at the gate quickly cleared a path.
Shen Xin followed him into the courtyard and saw two groups in a standoff.
One side had seven or eight people, all holding whatever farm tools they could grab.
