Chapter 134: 90: A Family of Spring Water Chapter 134: The Final Filming of the Documentary, Jinan Welcomes You

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Protagonist:

Lin Xiyu

"Yang Dagang's surname is Yang, not Lin."

"So what if he's not surnamed Lin? He's still better than your son. Your son only graduated from junior high and didn't even get into high school, and you still have the nerve to say he's a good student with a future?"

"Even if he only graduated from junior high, he's still my son, Mom's own grandson."

"My son is also Mom's own granddaughter's son."

With a dispute over benefits, the younger uncle and younger aunt were at odds with each other and started arguing first.

"Enough."

The old lady had a headache from their arguing: "In front of outsiders, you two each say one sentence less."

"This matter is settled as such."

Guben having achieved his goal, tossed out a business card, the teasing smile in his eyes growing stronger: "Once you've discussed it, you can contact me anytime."

"Okay, thank you."

The younger uncle snatched it away in one grab; the way he looked at Guben now was just like looking at his own dear grandfather, so eager.

"You go on, I'm leaving first."

Guben found it a bit hard on the eyes and didn't want to stay any longer; he kicked off with his foot and rode his mountain bike away from the television station.

——

The unrepaired houses in the Old City District were being renovated in an orderly fashion; after not seeing them for a period of time, the dilapidated courtyard walls had been painted white, the leaky roofs renovated, and at a glance, small bridges and flowing water, grey tiles and white walls, carried quite a bit of the charm of a Jiangnan water town.

After renovation, Wangfu Pool was also completely renewed; the low fence was gone, replaced by carved beams and painted pillars, with stone railings possessing old city characteristics.

During the day, people from the Street Office patrolled; no one swam, the usually noisy pool quieted down, and the water quality was unusually clear and transparent.

Director Du led the program group to Wangfu Pool for the final filming.

Lin Xiyu, Wu Meng, as well as Wang Fan and Li Liang all came; it was rare for them to gather with the program group again, everyone was very happy, chatting very lively.

"This area around Baihua Isle, after such renovation, is much more beautiful than before..."

Director Du was very satisfied with the renovation results and praised highly: "The city leadership's decision is still correct; the old city has a new look, and from now on this place will be Jinan's business card, attracting a large number of tourists to come and play."

"The well in my family's courtyard also has a name now."

Wu Meng said happily: "The Cultural and Tourism Bureau brought experts, and designated that well as one of the new Seventy-Two Famous Springs, giving it a nice-sounding name, called Guan Spring; hehe, from now on our family is also a family with spring water."

"The bright moon shines among the pines, the clear spring flows over the stones."

Lin Xiyu raised her thumb to express admiration: "You are truly families of spring water."

"Come come come, Miss Wu Meng..."

Wang Fan deliberately joked, snatched the microphone from Li Yan's hand, and aimed it at her mouth: "Tell the audience friends in front of the television, what does it feel like to grow up drinking spring water? Do you feel especially smart? Or is your body especially healthy, and your peach blossom luck especially flourishing as well?"

"Go to hell..."

When Wu Meng heard the first two sentences she was still a bit smug, but hearing the last sentence, peach blossom luck, her instinctive reaction was that he was making fun of her.

Thinking that he and Qu Peng were old irons and knew all the stupid things she had done in high school for three years, she was annoyed to no end, and an impulse uncontrollably surged up, wanting to kick him flying.

"That guy Qu Peng, went to BJ, and hasn't come back yet?"

Obviously, her train of thought was the same; more than one person associated with Qu Peng.

Li Liang seemingly glanced at her without caring, and asked the doubt in everyone's heart on behalf of everyone.

"Soon."

Guben smiled teasingly and gave an unexpected answer: "Sixth Grandpa has already agreed to come to Jinan to attend my and Xiyu's Engagement Banquet; he should come back together with Sixth Grandpa."

"Engagement Banquet?"

"You two are getting engaged?"

As soon as these words were spoken, as expected, they caused a burst of exclamations.

The people of the program group, including Director Du, all showed expressions of mixed surprise and joy.

"Getting engaged in two months, isn't that a bit fast?"

Wang Fan felt sour in his heart, and for a moment spoke too quickly, saying what was on his mind.

"Compared to Li Liang and Wu Meng, we're already considered slow."

Guben, in front of everyone, held Lin Xiyu's hand, proclaiming sovereignty: "Both sides' elders have already agreed; we plan to hold a few tables of banquet before school starts in mid-September to settle this matter."

"Xiyu, that's great, congratulations."

Li Yan sincerely happy for the two, rushed over first, embraced Lin Xiyu, and gave her an enthusiastic bear hug.

"Congratulations."

Wu Meng also came over, opened her arms, and embraced both of them together: "You finally got your wish and picked our No. 1 High School's most dazzling school grass."

"Hmph."

Director Du laughed once, rarely humorous: "The women hug so affectionately; shouldn't us male compatriots imitate them too?"

"I have no objection."

Guben cooperated with his words, opened his arms: "Whoever of you comes first, I'll accompany you."

"I'll come."

Li Liang walked over first and gave him an enthusiastic embrace.

"Hey, aren't you two disgusting?"

Wang Fan seemingly disliked and shook his arms: "Two grown men, hugging and embracing in broad daylight, what does that look like?"

"Among us brothers, my relationship with Guben is the closest—not blood brothers, but closer than blood brothers."

Li Liang let go of Guben, then slung an arm over his shoulder like close brothers: "Our brother's getting engaged—what's wrong with a hug? This kind of brotherhood, you can envy it all you want but never have it."

"That's going a bit too far."

Wang Fan was displeased and deliberately jabbed at him: "Going around in crotchless pants to shock people, and there are female compatriots here—watch your mouth."

"Who the hell said crotchless pants?"

Li Liang laughed in exasperation and lifted his foot to kick him: "Only your ridiculous brain could think up something so twisted."

"I want a hug too."

Cameraman found it funny, and they'd piqued his interest too; he set his camera down on the ground and also wanted to rush over and hug Guben.

Just his luck, Wu Meng happened to let go of Lin Xiyu at that very moment and bumped into him as she stepped back.

Cameraman met with tragedy—his own camera tripped him, and he stumbled forward, falling flat.

"Careful."

A chorus of gasps rose all around.

Everyone watched wide-eyed as he lunged forward, and at the moment of landing, his flailing hands and feet grabbed Li Yan's skirt.

"Rip."

With a sharp sound of cloth tearing, the world fell silent.

"You bastard, I'll kill you......."

In a moment, the Wangfu Pool rang with Li Yan's high-octave River East Lion's Roar.

—

Wu Meng's home was nearby; she accompanied Li Yan back to her own home and changed into a new skirt.

A brief interlude, with not the slightest effect on the filming to follow.

Director Du had watched a good show for free and was highly satisfied; when the two returned, he smiled and called to the group of young men and women: "You few, come over—we'll shoot one last scene......"

"Coming."

Lin Xiyu and the others happily gathered around, followed his instructions, and smiled brightly facing the camera.

"Jinan welcomes you!"

—

"OK."

Director Du made an OK hand gesture, very satisfied with the young men and women's performance.

"It's over?"

The final scene wrapped, the documentary's filming was completely finished, and the young men and women all showed looks of lingering reluctance.

"No matter how wonderful the meeting, there comes a day it reaches its end."

Director Du rather sentimentally dabbed at his moist eye corners: "Thank you all for your continued support of the Program Group."

"Director Du, we can't bear to part with you."

Wang Fan was deliberately clowning again, pinching his voice and trembling as he rushed over and hugged Director Du.

"Me too......."

Director Du's "I can't bear to part with you either" was cut short by his stimulation-induced tremble, forcibly swallowed back.

"Hahaha."

Other staff of the Program Group rarely saw Director Du's embarrassed state, slapping their thighs and laughing heartily.

—

"Sister Yan, when will the documentary officially broadcast?"

Guben didn't care about Wang Fan's clowning; he turned to look at Li Yan: "The time slot is set—don't forget to notify us......"

"Of course."

Li Yan nodded with a smile: "You too—once the Engagement Banquet date is set, tell us too; we'll go cheer you on."

"Thank you, Sister Yan."

Guben clasped his hands to express his thanks.

"Xiyu, is your gift ready?"

Li Yan turned to Lin Xiyu again and affectionately linked arms with her.

"What gift?"

Lin Xiyu was stunned and failed to grasp her meaning.

"The gift to wear at the Engagement Banquet?"

Li Yan's eyes showed surprise: "You haven't made it yet, have you?"

"None."

Lin Xiyu's ear root turned red, her eyes showing shy annoyance: "This was Guben's own decision; he never told me about the engagement before, and I have no preparation at all."

"You can't be like that."

Li Yan laughed helplessly: "A girl's engagement is a lifetime matter; she must dress up beautifully and splendidly."

"Xiyu, why not let my mother make it for you?"

Wu Meng offered her an idea: "My mother can make qipaos; the qipao I wore at my engagement was made by my mother herself......"

"Qipaos are great."

Li Yan's eyes lit up, expressing agreement: "I remember Xiyu wore a qipao when she guested on the program—her figure and looks were beyond compare, beautiful beyond words."

"Is there still time to make a qipao now?"

Lin Xiyu was swayed by her, her eyes full of expectation.

「Can make it....... 」

Wu Meng had great confidence in her mother: 「My mom is a pro at making clothes; as long as you want it, I guarantee you'll be satisfied. 」

「Go do it. 」

Guben didn't disappoint her: 「September 9th is an auspicious day; I plan to hold the Engagement Banquet on that day. 」

「The 9th, we can make it; there are still several days left. 」

Wu Meng counted on her fingers: 「My mom will definitely be able to make it. 」

「Okay...... 」

Lin Xiyu was delighted and excited: 「The filming is over; let's go to your house right now. 」

「Fine. 」

Wu Meng couldn't wait, pulling her as they ran.

「Hey hey, you two don't leave yet. 」

Li Yan was behind, raising her arm and shouting: 「Wu Meng's clothes are still at my place. 」

「It's fine. 」

Wu Meng said while running: 「That skirt is already old; Sister Yan, keep it and wear it, no need to return it. 」

「Hey, these two girls, they run so fast. 」

Li Yan wore high heels, chased two steps but couldn't catch up, and could only give up.

「It's just one skirt. 」

Guben smiled and teased: 「Her family runs a Tailor Shop; clothes are what they lack least. Don't believe me? Ask Li Liang; he knows better than anyone. 」

「Mm. 」

Li Liang nodded very cooperatively.

「Fine then. 」

Li Yan smiled helplessly: 「Since you say so, I won't be Affected anymore. I'll go find her mother to make a few more skirts when I have time, and rotate wearing them. 」

「I thank her mother on her behalf. 」

Guben nudged Li Liang with his elbow, then smiled and joked: 「Although I'm not her son-in-law...... 」

「Cough cough. 」

Li Liang's ears turned red; he looked at his nose, his nose at his heart, pretending not to hear.

「Is Li Liang's family moving soon too? 」

Li Yan, as a Reporter, seized the opportunity to interview: 「Have you found a house? Are you reluctant to leave? 」

「There's reluctance, and there's also anticipation. 」

Li Liang told the truth: 「After the Old City District renovation, the living environment has improved greatly. Moving is only temporary; I'm very much looking forward to the Old City District two years from now. By then, it will surely be more prosperous and more beautiful than it is now. 」

「Well said. 」

Li Yan nodded, then asked: 「Have you found a temporary place to live? Any difficulties? Do you need our help? 」

「No need, thank you, Sister Yan. 」

Li Liang politely declined: 「Guben helped find a house in the Military District Compound; we're moving tomorrow. 」

「So fast? 」

Li Yan seemed slightly surprised: 「Moving tomorrow, not staying a few more days? 」

「No. 」

Li Liang smiled and explained: 「The Demolition Office issued the notice long ago; we must finish moving within two months. We're already among the late movers. Many neighbors have left, and many houses are empty. 」

「What about Xiyu? 」

Li Yan looked at Guben again: 「When is her family moving? 」

「Around the time of the Engagement Banquet. 」

Guben didn't tell Li Yan what happened later, and perfunctorily found an excuse: 「Her grandmother came looking for trouble; they can't live on Donghua Street anymore. Moving away is more convenient, so they won't come making a fuss every day. 」

「That's true. 」

Li Yan remembered the old lady's unreasonableness and spoke up for Lin Xiyu: 「That family is really too difficult to deal with. Fortunately, you're here; otherwise, with just Xiyu alone, it would really be a lot of Trouble. 」

「What happened again? 」

Li Liang glanced sideways at Guben, smiling and teasing: 「I notice you've been busy one thing after another lately. 」

「That's life. 」

Guben smiled indifferently: 「With a Girlfriend, there are things you must face. 」

「Tsk. 」

Li Liang clicked his tongue, quite Speechless: 「Give you a little respect, and you start Showing Off. 」

「He's just Showing Off. 」

Wang Fan also seized the opportunity to vent his inner Depression: 「Having a Girlfriend is such a big deal, as if he's the only one who has one? 」

「Stop being sour? 」

Guben patted his shoulder, smiling with Joking: 「With this time, you'd better settle on a new candidate early to replace Liu Ye as the Store Manager on the Jinan side. Liu Ye has gone to BJ, and you'll soon be going to Shanghai; Jinan can't do without a reliable person watching over it. 」

「Do you think Lin Xiyu's female cousin is suitable? 」

Wang Fan had serious business to do, and instantly threw his sour and jealous little emotions to the back of his mind.

「She has some talent for business, but she's still too immature now. 」

Guben judged people accurately and decisively vetoed: 「You'd better have your dad find you a Professional Manager; that's more reliable. 」

「Fine. 」

Wang Fan had no objection: 「I'll contact my dad right now and have him recommend a few people for me. 」

"And..."

Guben thought for a moment, then said: "Find out their background clearly, don't get involved with your brothers and sisters, watch out for moles, and don't let wolves in."

"The one you reminded..."

Wang Fan thought of his troublesome family and felt a toothache.