Chapter 317: 313. This Zhang Ran is That Zhang Ran (Please subscribe, monthly tickets!)

Principal Su spoke with everyone here about the situation and arranged for everyone's meals.

He Yong thought for a moment beside Zhang Ran and decided to bring up what had just happened; he felt it seemed like too much of a coincidence.

Zhang Ran had not expected there to be a Longevity Tablet here with the same name as his, but he did not mind it, smiling: "I have never been here, nor have I helped the people here; it must be a case of having the same name."

However, Zhang Ran did not know why, but in his heart, he began to feel a bit envious of this person who shared his name.

Just by looking at the situation in the village, one could tell that this Zhang Ran probably had not done too much, or at the very least, had not truly improved the village's condition; after all, the village's current state was right there before them.

Yet, everyone worshipped his Longevity Tablet, and as for him, this Zhang Ran?

He had done many good deeds, but there were not many people who felt gratitude or affection!

By comparison, did the approach of Tianjia Mountain Village seem more in line with human nature? Zhang Ran could only comfort himself with this thought in his heart.

Huo Zhiyuan sensed the change in Zhang Ran's mood and had also heard He Yong's words; she quietly held Zhang Ran's hand and said softly: "Brother Zhang, one type of rice feeds a hundred types of people; it is they who do not know how to be grateful, it is not your fault."

Zhang Ran smiled and said: "I know, I am just feeling a bit emotional; this guy is truly lucky to have met such people. I believe he will definitely not regret everything he has done."

When it came time for dinner in the evening, Zhang Ran felt even more jealous of this guy, because before eating, every person in the family he was dining with went to pray before the Longevity Tablet; clearly, they had not forgotten this person and kept him in their hearts every day.

Seeing this scene, Zhang Ran felt even more unsettled in his heart.

Principal Su and the two teachers ate with them; they did not spread out too far, and in total, they were divided into three households for the meal.

The food was prepared by some families and then delivered; of course, there was no shortage of payment.

"Ma'am, what is this that you are worshipping?" Perhaps because it had been a long time, the characters on this Longevity Tablet were somewhat blurred; if one did not look closely, one could not see the characters clearly at all.

It was precisely because Zhang Ran and Huo Zhiyuan were more concerned about this that they looked at it quite carefully.

The elderly woman smiled and explained: "This is a Longevity Tablet, specially set up for a benefactor, used to pray for blessings for the benefactor."

Another teacher asked curiously: "Ma'am, then this benefactor must have helped you all a great deal."

"Who says they didn't? Over these years, the benefactor has helped us far too much," the elderly woman said.

"Could you tell us about it?" Everyone was still quite curious about such stories.

"Of course I can," the elderly woman said, revealing a look of recollection, "This benefactor of ours helped not just the people of our village alone."

Many nearby villages received his kindness; you have also seen that the situation here is just like this, and it is actually considered quite good now.

More than twenty years ago, we were truly struggling desperately every single day, just to stay alive."

"At that time, the benefactor came to our area, and basically, whenever we had any difficulties, the benefactor would help."

"Not only that, the benefactor also sponsored our children's schooling, helped us find a livelihood, and was the first to stand up for us when we encountered trouble; the benefactor helped us with truly too much," the elderly woman said, shedding tears as she spoke.

Seeing the elderly woman weeping, her son hurriedly comforted her: "Mom, don't be sad; the benefactor has his own heaven-sent luck, you don't need to worry."

Seeing this scene, Zhang Ran felt even more unsettled in his heart.

After a moment of silence, the elderly woman wiped away her tears and said: "I've made you all laugh, I'm sorry."

Principal Su suddenly said: "Big sister, could you tell me in detail about the deeds of this benefactor? I want to record them; although I cannot do much, I do not want these good people and good deeds to be buried."

Upon hearing this, the elderly woman immediately said: "Of course I can, I will tell you right now... will it disturb your meal?" The elderly woman hesitated slightly at the end.

"No, please go ahead," Principal Su hurriedly took out a notebook, prepared to record it.

Seeing her like this, the elderly woman began to speak slowly: "This benefactor of ours is named Zhu San, we all call him Third Brother..."

Just as the elderly woman was still speaking, Zhang Ran could not help but interrupt: "But the name on your Longevity Tablet is not Zhu San, is it?"

Upon hearing the name Zhu San, He Yong's eyes suddenly became bright.

Zhang Ran's words immediately drew the attention of Principal Su and the other two teachers; they began to examine the Longevity Tablet carefully, and upon seeing the name, all three were stunned.

They also understood why Zhang Ran had observed it so carefully; this name was the same as Zhang Ran's name.

The elderly woman was not annoyed at being interrupted and began to speak: "This Longevity Tablet was set up at Third Brother's request, and it was also Third Brother's only requirement for us; there are nearly a dozen villages nearby that have all set up this Longevity Tablet for Zhang Ran."

"According to Third Brother, this Mr. Zhang is his benefactor, and everything he has done is to repay the kindness of this Mr. Zhang and to repent?" The elderly woman seemed a bit uncertain when she reached the end.

"Ma'am, does this Third Brother have a very obvious mole on this part?" He Yong also could not help but speak up.

The elderly woman's eyes lit up: "Does this big brother also know Third Brother?"

Hearing the elderly woman's words, He Yong was speechless for a long time, then sighed and said: "If I am not mistaken, I should know him, and we are old acquaintances as well."

Zhang Ran's expression also became complicated in an instant; if he did not believe this was his Longevity Tablet at first, then now he somewhat believed it was his own.

It was not that he was narcissistic, but that he knew this Zhu San, and He Yong knew him too; he was also one of his bodyguards from back then.

Zhang Ran had not expected Zhu San to do this; just as he had said before, he held no hatred toward people like Zhu San or Zhao Hu.

Although their choice back then had made Zhang Ran feel bad, he could understand it.

Principal Su and the two teachers also stopped talking; they could all see the strangeness in Zhang Ran and the others.

Thinking again of Zhang Ran's name, and that He Yong said he knew this Third Brother, then...

Upon hearing He Yong's words, the elderly woman became excited: "Big brother, do you really know Third Brother? Is Third Brother doing well now? I heard a couple of years ago that he fell ill; how is he now? It's all our fault for being useless and unable to help Third Brother."

Hearing this, He Yong could not help but feel a tightness in his heart, then asked: "He is ill?"

"Uh... you didn't know?" The elderly woman became suspicious.

Looking at the elderly woman's suspicious gaze, Principal Su did not know why, but she suddenly said: "Big sister, this person's name is also Zhang Ran, and Mr. Zhang is also over fifty years old this year."

As she spoke, she pointed at Zhang Ran.