Chapter 170

In the standard room, with one bed each, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang lay down after finishing his shower.

Picking up his watch to check the time, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang said, "Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, we have to get up early tomorrow."

From the work interactions today, it was clear that while Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang's seniority wasn't the highest, he had the best relationship with Luo Gong; he was the only one who could joke around with Luo Gong while working, and when Luo Gong went to meetings, he would take on the role of organizing and assigning tasks.

"Mm."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan spread out his quilt, lay down, and prepared to sleep.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang wrapped himself in his quilt and turned his body toward this side: "Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, I still feel like this is so unreal."

"Mm."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang: "It feels like all of this happened so suddenly. Sometimes when I call my parents at home, I still feel like I'm just a child, yet now, I'm actually going to have a child of my own very soon."

"Mm."

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, have you ever thought about being a father in the future? Sigh, why am I asking you this? You're still young and haven't reached the legal marriage age yet."

"Mm."

"I bought a lot of children's clothes during the day, both for boys and girls. Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, what do you think, will it be a boy or a girl?"

"A boy."

Bai Family Town should have a way to determine the gender of an unborn baby in advance.

Once Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan put himself in the perspective of being "used," he could only calculate toward the worst-case scenario: that the bride was carrying a male infant.

It was impossible for Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang to be killed after being used; that was the consensus in Bai Family Town.

But according to tradition, the male infant in her womb should be dealt with.

This might be the bride's true purpose, and it also showed from another angle that she truly had feelings for Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang and wanted to protect the fruit of their love.

"Waiting a thousand years for one encounter, waiting for one encounter; waiting a thousand years for one encounter, I have no regrets~"

On the television, the currently popular drama "The Legend of the New White Snake," which had just been introduced to the mainland, was playing.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt that they should replace Cecilia Yip and Angie Chiu and let Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang and his wife act in it instead.

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan..."

"Brother, we have to get up early tomorrow."

"Oh, right."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang got out of bed to turn off the television and extinguished the lights.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's daily routine was very regular; he was accustomed to waking up early regardless of when he went to sleep. When the sky was just beginning to brighten, he opened his eyes and sat up in bed gently.

Just after washing up, he saw that Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang had also gotten up.

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, you're up so early."

"I'm used to it."

"I'm used to it too. Every time I'm with Luo Gong, my routine immediately becomes very disciplined."

After tidying up, the two walked out of the room.

Xiong Shan greeted them and said, "Wait a moment, I'll have Lihua go buy breakfast."

"It's too early, the breakfast shops aren't open yet," Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang waved his hand. "We'll eat at the guesthouse; you guys handle yourselves. By the way, just in case, keep extending the room rental and have the boss issue an invoice."

Liu Liu Changping was called up; he rubbed his eyes and, without bothering to wash up, went to drive first.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang took two packs of cigarettes from his bag and handed one to Liu Liu Changping: "Thanks for the hard work, buddy."

Liu Liu Changping took the cigarettes and laughed: "What kind of hard work is this? In our line of work, we're used to it."

He opened the cigarettes, took out one pack, and handed the rest back to Liu Liu Changping.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang left them in the car and patted Xiong Shan's leg in passing.

After arriving at the guesthouse, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang led Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan inside.

The guesthouse served breakfast early, and Luo Gong and the others were already sitting inside eating.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang and Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan ladled out porridge, took some pickles and eggs, and sat over to eat together.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was already familiar with the group of senior brothers; they were all relatively simple people.

They had two most obvious characteristics:

One was that they all looked much older than their actual age.

The other was that they were generally unmarried and hadn't even dated anyone.

After finishing their meal, everyone was collectively arranged to board a bus to head to the construction site by Gaoyou Weiming Weiming Weiming Lake once again.

The layout of the construction site was no different from yesterday, except there were more non-construction personnel than yesterday.

As soon as Luo Gong arrived, he was invited to a meeting, and Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang led everyone to continue re-verifying the work completed yesterday.

At ten o'clock, Luo Gong returned from the meeting, inspected everyone's work results, and nodded: "Everyone can take a break."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan and Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang walked out of the work tent, went outside, and followed the path ahead to walk up a dirt slope.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang squatted down, took out a cigarette, lit it, and said:

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, our work is like this. Sometimes we do a lot of things that seem useless in hindsight, but that is also for the sake of being responsible."

"Mm, I understand."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's attention was drawn to the Weiming Weiming Weiming Lake in the distance, where three boats were anchored; divers were going into the water and surfacing to board the boats from time to time.

If that could only be called normal, then on the lakeshore to the northwest, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan saw an altar table where a group of people seemed to be burning incense, and after inserting the incense into the burner, they went into the water one by one.

Some carried buoyancy bags, while others went completely bare-chested and empty-handed; after entering the water, they disappeared quickly like fish.

It seemed that the investigation into the special waterspout phenomenon from the day before yesterday had already begun, and they might have arrived even earlier than he did.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang followed Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's gaze and said:

"Normal. Sometimes when special situations are encountered during construction, specialized teams will come to assist in handling them. Externally, the name used is usually geological exploration or archaeological protection."

At noon, boxed lunches were delivered to the construction site.

There was no special classification of people; whoever was hungry went to get one themselves, then found a place to stand or squat and eat.

The dishes were simple: one of edamame and pickles, one of stir-fried greens, plus gluten-braised meat—mostly gluten, with only two or three small pieces of meat.

But for some reason, the white plastic foam box paired with rough disposable chopsticks made one very appetizing just by looking at it.

After lunch, the higher-ups began arranging for personnel to evacuate.

The first to evacuate were the original workers at the site. Because of confidentiality reasons, everyone didn't know exactly what had happened, and with the end of the year approaching, no one was very willing to leave the site at this time.

Fortunately, relevant leaders came forward to guarantee it, and the site managers were asked to distribute year-end wages in advance, which finally allowed the workers to leave happily.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang pursed his lips and said: "It's not easy for anyone. In this day and age, when you come out to work, the thing you fear most is having your wages delayed. Our guarantees in this regard are indeed not yet in place; we must find ways to continue pushing for implementation."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan unscrewed a bottle of water and took a sip; his attention was on the large trucks driving in and the few extra boats that had appeared on the Weiming Weiming Weiming Lake.

Relevant personnel evacuated one after another; Luo Gong's team was among the last few batches. When they boarded the bus again and drove out, a "Boom, boom, boom!" sound came from the Weiming Weiming Weiming Lake.

People on the bus began to discuss it one after another:

"Did they start blasting?"

"Mm, it should be blasting in the Weiming Weiming Weiming Lake."

"Is it that kind of depth charge?"

"The kind that blows up submarines in movies?"

"My god, does that thing really exist?"

"By the way, can it be blasted out?"

"Even if it is blasted out, you won't see it. Look, that side is already under martial law. Once the martial law is lifted, it will definitely be cleaned up thoroughly."

"I really want to stay and see it with my own eyes, so I can brag about it when I go on blind dates later, to avoid having nothing to talk about."

Luo Gong couldn't help but cough forcefully a few times, and the bus immediately became quiet; everyone consciously sat properly and stopped talking.

When they were close to the guesthouse, Luo Gong stood up and walked to the front of the bus, then turned to Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face everyone inside:

"What should be said and what shouldn't be said, I think you all have a sense of it in your hearts. Pay attention, keep a gate on your mouths, and keep some political awareness in your hearts."

Everyone responded in unison.

After getting off the bus, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan and Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang were called to Luo Gong's room.

Judging from Luo Gong's expression, today's events didn't count as truly bizarre or serious in his career; the Ji'an Goguryeo tombs he had told them about before were much more serious than this time.

The simple chat was intended to lay the groundwork in advance.

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, you won't have much time left in school next semester."

"I know, Teacher, I also want to come out and do things."

"Mm, no matter how well you learn, you have to come out and gain more experience; theory must be combined with practice.

After the New Year, I will let Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang lead a group alone; wherever technical support or assistance is needed, he will go there. Don't be afraid of hard work when the time comes, run around more.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang, Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan is still young, you have to take good care of him."

"Hehe, don't worry, I will."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang smiled and agreed; he knew very well that if he really took Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan along, he didn't know who would be taking care of whom.

Seeing his cheeky Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face, Luo Gong couldn't help but scold: "You brat, be serious."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang immediately puffed out his chest.

Don't say, when he became serious and upright, this image was truly very impressive, as standard as the figures on old New Year paintings; no wonder he could make the Bai Family Lady fall in love.

Luo Gong put down his teacup, reached out to help Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang straighten his collar, which wasn't even crooked, and said earnestly:

"Be more steady, be more responsible, and always remember that what we are doing, not to mention achieving something that lasts for generations like Li Bing, must at least ensure a hundred years; don't forget the sense of responsibility on your shoulders."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang nodded forcefully: "I know, Teacher."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan knew that this was actually a way of paving the road. At such an age, being able to lead a team out alone, every mission was a qualification and a step up.

This was a training opportunity that ordinary people couldn't even hope for; most importantly, the results of the training could ensure realization in the future.

As for myself, this could be considered basking in the reflected glory of Brother Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang; otherwise, given that I am still a freshman and my current age, even if Engineer Luo wanted to take me under his wing for special training, he truly wouldn't have a way to go about it.

But this also means that my subsequent river-walking experiences will become even more complex and diversified.

The range of question types chosen by the question-setter will become even broader, and the waves I Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face will be even more treacherous.

However, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan doesn't feel afraid in his heart; on the contrary, he is very expectant, and even now, he already has a sense of eagerness to give it a try.

Engineer Luo: "I am going back to Jin Ling. Are you two going back? You can take my car."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Teacher, I have already started my winter break."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang: "Teacher, I want to go home and take a look."

"Hmm, then just wait at home and have a good New Year. I have a premonition that later, when things truly get busy, wanting to go home to spend a peaceful New Year and reunite with family will become a luxury."

The two accompanied Engineer Luo downstairs, and after watching him get into the car and leave, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang let out a long sigh and said to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan:

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, Engineer Luo is right. You will be very busy next year, and the opportunities to go home will be fewer."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan glanced at Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face turned red.

Though silent, there was communication.

No matter how busy you are, it hasn't delayed you from constantly returning to Nantong to jump into the river, nor has it delayed you from creating a child.

However, this cannot be blamed on Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang; every time, he took advantage of gaps between projects or meetings to find time to return to Nantong.

He came in a hurry and left in a hurry, and he truly never delayed his work.

"Xiao Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, what do you think about me bringing my parents to Nantong to spend the New Year this year?"

"That's quite good. Uncle and Auntie probably haven't seen the sea yet."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang's old Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face turned red once again.

"But it seems that just calling them out for a trip isn't a strong enough reason?"

"Just say you have a project in Nantong and are very busy, so you can't return to your hometown for the New Year, and ask them to come here to spend the New Year with you."

"This works."

"And on the phone, soften your tone and say that you also want to get married sooner."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang grabbed Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face and planted a "smack" kiss right on the teenager's head.

"A prodigy's brain is just easy to use!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan sighed, raised his sleeve, and wiped his head.

Given the level of anxiety Xue's father and mother have regarding Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang's major life event of marriage, even if it were just to urge him to marry in front of their son during the New Year, they would be happy to come over from their hometown.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had interacted with Xue's father and mother; the old couple now lived very happily, yet they were also very frustrated—their son was too successful, which instead caused them to lose the capital to control and manipulate him.

Liu Liu Changping's taxi had followed the bus to the outskirts of the construction site in the morning, and when they came out, it followed them back to the guesthouse together.

Therefore, after the two went out, they got directly into the car.

Xiong Shan asked: "Are the two of us staying behind to continue the investigation?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan waved his hand: "No need."

The matters here already have official intervention.

After all, the Xiong Shan couple is not my core team, and most of my core team is currently lying low to recover from their injuries.

Furthermore, the Xiong Shan couple has already conceded defeat by lighting the lamp twice; dragging them into my waves again is not appropriate.

Comparatively, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan is still accustomed to the state when his own team is complete.

Additionally, the New Year is approaching, and considering that my first two waves were severely ahead of schedule, the question-setter will at least have a tacit understanding to let me catch my breath and have a good New Year.

Hmm, even if the question-setter has ill intentions, as long as I stay in Nantong, with that person in the peach forest, ordinary waves won't be able to reach me.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang directed Liu Liu Changping to go to Zhenguo Temple first before leaving Gaoyou.

Zhenguo Temple has a long history, first built in the Tang Dynasty, also known as the West Pagoda, and even has the reputation of being the "Big Wild Goose Pagoda of the South."

There is no admission fee.

The group walked in; the temple is not large, and a simple visit is enough, but when they reached the incense-burning area, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang asked everyone if they wanted to burn incense.

Since they were already there, the Xiong Shan couple indicated they wanted to, and Liu Liu Changping also raised his hand.

Only Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan waved his hand to indicate no.

Buying incense costs money, and Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang bought four portions of incense.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan stood far away, but he could still hear their prayers when they offered the incense.

As soon as Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang opened his mouth, he prayed for "national prosperity and peace, and favorable weather for the crops."

He has always been like this; whether speaking loudly or praying softly, he doesn't mind revealing such inner thoughts.

He is very clear that some stances and ideas clearly expressed can easily attract special attention at the moment, but he doesn't care, and in fact, he doesn't care at all about those who criticize him.

Then, for the second prayer, he began to pray for "mother and child safety," as if afraid that the Buddha would mistakenly think he favored boys over girls, so he added, "mother and daughter safety."

That Lady Bai is better off giving birth to a son.

If she gives birth to a son, he can be thrown out; if she gives birth to a daughter... Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan feels that he would have to make another trip to help make a threat.

It's just that he doesn't know how long Lady Bai's pregnancy will last; for their kind of existence that is neither human nor non-human, the pregnancy period is really hard to calculate.

Lihua opened her mouth to pray for her son, was nudged by Xiong Shan with his elbow, corrected herself, and then they started praying for the Long Wang family in unison.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan knew that Xiong Shan had long ago noticed his excellent hearing.

These two people had never hidden their utilitarianism from the beginning, but because of this, they were actually easier to get along with; for the sake of their son, they could be utilitarian, but they could also be incomparably loyal.

After praying for the Long Wang family, the Xiong Shan couple began to pray for blessings for their son.

Liu Liu Changping's prayer was relatively simple; he prayed that he could get married soon.

He thought it was just that simple, but who knew that his second sentence would make Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's mouth twitch uncontrollably.

Liu Liu Changping: "I hope my buddy Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang can soon walk out of the pain of losing his wife and child and welcome a new life."

This once again proves that Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's ability to judge people is indeed quite accurate; Liu Liu Changping is indeed a person of true character at his core.

After the incense burning ended, the group prepared to leave.

At the exit of the main gate stood an old monk wearing a kasaya, holding a Zen staff, with a solemn appearance.

Under normal circumstances, an old monk would not be dressed so formally.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang and Liu Liu Changping walked in front to open the car, while Xiong Shan and Lihua stopped in front of the old monk, staring at him.

When Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked over, the old monk bowed to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Amitabha."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Do you know who I am?"

"The benefactor is amused; this old monk does not know."

"Then you weren't waiting for me?"

"This old monk is waiting for the benefactor, yet not for the benefactor. When the celestial phenomena reveal a dragon, the human world naturally has a true dragon walking and observing; what this old monk is waiting for is this auspicious sign of the human world."

"Then what you are waiting for is indeed not me."

"The past, present, and future are all at ease; when the benefactor looks back in the future, you will be able to see this old monk waiting here."

"Oh."

"The benefactor has not burned incense."

"Hmm."

"This old monk will pray for the benefactor."

"I also wish you, Grandpa Monk, good health."

The old monk bowed again, and amidst a sound of "Amitabha," the two passed each other.

After Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan left, the old monk's body suddenly went limp, and the two little novices who had been sent far away, along with the two old security guards sitting at the gate, immediately ran over to help the old monk up.

Amidst the sounds of concerned inquiries, the old monk slowly opened his eyes, looked at the surrounding environment, then looked at the kasaya on his body and the Zen staff in his hand, and the old monk asked in confusion:

"I was just taking a nap, how did I end up here?"

It was nearly dusk when they returned to Siyuan Village from Gaoyou.

Xiao Xiao Yingying was holding the child, sitting on the dam, facing the sunset.

Lihua took the child from Xiao Xiao Yingying's arms, held and coaxed it, and then handed it to her husband.

After Xiong Shan teased the child, he handed the child back to Lihua, who gently pinched the child's bottom with her hand, causing the child to cry out.

Lihua took the opportunity to put the child back into Xiao Xiao Yingying's arms.

The child stopped crying immediately.

Lihua: "Look, the child is close to you."

Xiao Xiao Yingying held the child, her gaze calm and cold.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan asked: "Where is my great-grandfather?"

Xiao Xiao Yingying: "He went to the blind man's house."

Li Sanjiang had gone to Liu Liu Jinxia's house; there should be something to discuss. As the only two funeral workers in Siyuan Village, they sometimes introduced business to each other or teamed up to perform rituals to earn money.

Lihua went to prepare dinner, and Xiong Shan first picked up a hoe, but seeing that it was getting late, he put the hoe down and pushed out the tricycle and cart from the house, using well water to scrub them.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang and pointed at the taxi.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang: "Not going today."

"Oh."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan wanted to make a phone call, and Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang and Liu Liu Changping followed him.

When they reached Auntie Zhang's small shop, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan picked up the receiver and dialed the phone in the discount store.

The person who answered the phone was Lu Yi, and Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan told him to go call Xiang Xiang Seeing Yin Meng.

"Hello, Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge, it's me."

"Get ready, drive and bring them back together."

"Alright, Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge."

"Also, help me say a word to Grandma Liu, invite them back to spend the New Year on behalf of my great-grandfather."

"Will do."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hung up the phone.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang picked it up and continued dialing; he needed to call Sianzhen, and when he went to call his parents, he hung up the phone.

After waiting for five minutes, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang dialed the number again and began a conversation with his father.

The call lasted a long time, but the process went smoothly. After hanging up, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang smiled and said, "My parents have already agreed to come here for the New Year. I'll arrange for them to stay at the inn in town when the time comes."

"No need, Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house is still empty. I'll have Xiong Shan and his wife stay there and clear out the west room for your parents."

"Is that appropriate?"

"It is."

Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house is not really suitable for ordinary people to live in; after all, it counts as a haunted house.

But if Xiong Shan and his wife go there to spend the New Year accompanying the one under the peach forest, they should be willing; it's a good chance to bridge the relationship.

Liu Liu Changping glanced at the pager on his waist, then picked up the phone, dialed, and chatted for a long time—they were talking about the bride price.

After he hung up, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang handed him a cigarette and asked with concern:

"What's wrong?"

Liu Liu Changping took out his lighter to help Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang light his cigarette first, then lit his own, saying, "My brother-in-law returned from the army and found out his sister was getting married. He threw a tantrum at home, saying he absolutely refused to take his sister's bride price money."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang: "Congratulations, your pressure is reduced, but you'll have to give more in the future."

Liu Liu Changping nodded and smiled: "But it's a pleasure to give, isn't it?"

At this moment, Li Sanjiang walked over from the village road. He was wearing the new clothes Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou bought for him, with that fountain pen still tucked into his chest pocket.

Seeing the people standing in front of the small shop, Li Sanjiang deliberately puffed out his chest, put his hands behind his back, and held his head high.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang clapped his hands and said, "Oh my, isn't this the village chief?"

Li Sanjiang: "Let's go, let's go home and eat."

During dinner, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang took the initiative to talk to Li Sanjiang about his upcoming work arrangements and mentioned that Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan would be traveling around with him next year.

Upon hearing this, Li Sanjiang looked at Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan with some heartache and said:

"It's good to run around more, it trains a person. I can tell, this is an opportunity your teacher has given you."

After a pause, Li Sanjiang patted the back of Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang's hand and said: "Liang Hou, when you are away from home, you must take good care of him."

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang nodded immediately. He knew very well that when taking Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan out, he would be the one being taken care of.

Subsequently, Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang told Li Sanjiang about his plan to bring his parents over for the New Year.

"That's great. For the New Year, you need more people; only then is it lively and has the spirit of the New Year."

Late at night, everything was silent.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang sat up from the bed, got out of bed on tiptoes, and put on his clothes.

After he walked out of the room, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan opened his eyes and looked at the clock on the wall: 12:03 AM.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang Ge said he wouldn't go see her today, but it was already a new day.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked out of his room and came to the balcony, seeing a car parked on the village road ahead; the red light sign on the roof clearly showed it was a taxi.

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang got into the car.

Liu Liu Changping asked: "Still going there?"

Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang nodded: "Yes, I still miss them."

Liu Liu Changping sighed, started the car, and said while driving: "Buddy, you still need to think positively and think more about your parents. The road of life is still very long."

"I'm just worrying about this, thinking about how to get past my parents' hurdle in the future."

Liu Liu Changping didn't dare to continue persuading him; his hands gripping the steering wheel were already covered in sweat.

This guy really doesn't want to live anymore; he's still thinking about suicide.

After the taxi drove away, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at the moon in the sky.

Just then, Xiao Xiao Yingying's figure appeared on the balcony; she was still holding the child in her arms.

She was awake, and the child was awake too, a pair of pitch-black, bright eyes curiously looking around.

Perhaps seeing Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's earlier action of looking up, he also learned to kick his legs, lift his head, and peek at the moonlit sky.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan could tell that this child was truly smart, but his intelligence did not cross the line.

He just had stronger perception and curiosity about this world, unlike himself at that time, who had long since detached from that category.

Back then, he discovered that every time someone praised him for being smart, Li Lan's brows would furrow slightly; he even spent a period of time deliberately acting a bit dull.

Then he found that Li Lan was even angrier about this.

She hadn't confirmed at that time that he had inherited her illness.

She simply didn't want her son to be a freak, yet while being too smart, she couldn't accept her son not being smart enough.

Xiao Xiao Yingying continued to hold the child with one hand, while the other hand pointed toward the direction of Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house.

The one under the peach forest wanted to see him.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan nodded and walked downstairs.

When he reached the entrance of the west room, the door opened from the inside, and Xiong Shan and Lihua were already waiting there.

They lived in the room and had actually been paying attention to the movements outside; they wouldn't pay attention to Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Xue Liangliang going out, but they couldn't ignore Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's footsteps.

"Come together, bring the offerings and incense."

"Alright!"

Xiao Xiao Yingying didn't follow them; instead, she held the child and lay back down in the coffin to sleep.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan took Xiong Shan and his wife to Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house.

The offering table was set up, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan stood by and watched, and the sacrificial ritual was presided over by Xiong Shan.

Xiong Shan's attitude was very proper, and the ritual was conducted meticulously.

Lihua stood by with her back hunched, her mouth reciting the same words about blessing her son.

It was as if they weren't worshipping a terrifying evil spirit, but a Peach Blossom Immortal.

However, between an immortal and an evil spirit, who could say for sure who is who?

Sometimes, such an existence is two sides of the same coin.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan stood quietly.

Until the candles on the offering table began to flicker, and peach blossoms drifted toward this place.

Xiong Shan and Lihua showed excitement; one burned paper and chanted sutras more vigorously, while the other prayed for her son even more fervently.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at the pitch-black, deep peach forest before him; this guy was quite interesting. He didn't know why he changed his style tonight, even creating a bit of artistic atmosphere.

But thinking about it, it shouldn't be to specifically favor Xiong Shan and Lihua, because they weren't worthy.

So, was it that the one under the peach forest had developed an interest in that child?

After all, the child had been held in Xiao Xiao Yingying's arms for the past two days, and Xiao Xiao Yingying was its thrall; theoretically, it could obtain all of Xiao Xiao Yingying's perceptions.

If that were really the case, then one had to say, this was the great opportunity that Xiong Shan and his wife had been striving for.

Although that one couldn't compare to the Long Wang family and was currently in a very poor state, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse; it was, after all, one of the former followers of Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan initiated the Ghost Walk, and then, in the state of Ghost Walk, walked down the dam and into the peach forest.

Inside the originally pitch-black peach forest, two strings of lanterns appeared, casting a faint luster.

That one stood there, sideways.

After Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked to a certain distance, he stopped.

It wouldn't be appropriate to continue walking forward; the other party wanted to Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face him sideways because his front Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face would constantly change, and at the same time, the Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face on the back of his head would also be changing non-stop.

Since the other party wanted to present a slightly more normal image, he naturally had to give this Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face.

At the same time, this also showed that deep down, he really seemed to have ignited some kind of hope.

Because only people with desires and attachments in their hearts would pay attention to their image.

However, it didn't speak, continuing to maintain its sideways standing posture, silent.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan took the initiative to speak: "That child is not bad."

That one continued to say nothing.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "A very smart child, has seen the world since he was small, and has merit on him."

That one still said nothing.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "The child hasn't been formally named yet; his parents' intention is to find a godfather or a master to name the child."

That one still said nothing.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt a slight revulsion in his heart: Where did this arrogant, smelly temper come from?

The youth couldn't help but suspect whether Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao couldn't stand his kind of affectation back then, which was why he deliberately passed the Black Skin Book Secret Technique to him, just so he could find a place to bury himself and enjoy some peace.

However, letting this one develop more ties with reality was in Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's interest.

If it were really willing to acknowledge a child and take an apprentice, it would be equivalent to adding an unbreakable insurance policy to his rear.

The ancestral gates of those big families and big sects couldn't afford a gatekeeper of this level, right?

Admittedly, its existence in the past did indeed guard the peace of this area; even when the Dead-Walkers drifted here, they had to change course against the current.

But this wasn't its original intention; it just existed here and played a role, but it never really said it was willing to be this Earth Deity.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan said: "Does this child look like you in the past, very smart, yet not the truly smartest one?"

Its body began to tremble.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan knew that he had guessed correctly.

It hated Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao the most, yet it also cared about him the most.

As for this kind of description, it was truly not difficult; this person must have been a person of extraordinary talent, but in front of Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, even a genius would immediately become dull and lusterless.

On this point, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan found it very easy to empathize.

The fact that it had feelings for Xiong Shan's son was likely because that child had appeared by his side.

Finally,

It spoke:

"Let's stop beating around the bush and speak plainly."

"Hmm?"

"Have you seen him?"

"How did you figure that out?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan did not deny it; although he did not remember, he could almost confirm that he had indeed seen Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao.

"Since you came back this time, your confidence is different."

"Was I very lacking in confidence before? At the very least, I am the successor to the two families of Long Wang."

"Is that thing yours?"

"How could it not be?"

"From the bottom of your heart, do you really believe that thing is yours?"

"I am working hard and gradually accepting it."

"So, at least for now, it is not yet yours. Then tell me, where does your current confidence truly come from?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan fell silent.

It continued: "You might not be able to perceive it, but I can see it clearly from here, including the posture you have while standing in front of me; it is all so obvious."

"Fine, I admit it, you guessed right."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan could feel its agitation at this moment; it was desperate to know news about Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao.

If he told it that he had forgotten.

It would not have the good temper of Grandma Liu; it would go insane and then peel many people like boiled shrimp.

It was capable of doing such a thing, because how much control it had over itself at the moment was still up for debate; once its emotions spiraled out of control, it would be the greatest source of danger.

"He really hasn't died yet?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had to start making things up.

He felt that the version of himself during the period of lost memory must have pondered this question when facing Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, and perhaps even mentioned it to Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao.

Out of trust in his own rationality, he believed that the version of himself at that time must have had a contingency plan; if there were truly no traces left, then it meant... there was no need for traces.

Even if he were spinning a lie, the version of himself at that time should have believed that the version of himself who later lost his memory would be able to smooth it over.

Thinking of this, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt no burden in his heart.

"He died."

"Died? Then how did you see him?"

"You know, a person like him is very hard to kill off completely."

"Indeed."

"In order to commit suicide, he thought of many ways and struggled for a long time."

"Normal."

After a brief silence, it took the initiative to speak: "Did he mention me?"

"He did."

"What did he say?"

"He said you were as stupid as a dog that would be tricked into guarding a door."

"Hahahahahahahaha!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had made that up on purpose because he knew what he wanted it to do, and it also knew what he wanted it to do.

Now, he was merely "saying" this purpose through Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao's mouth.

Would it be angry, become enraged because of this, and intentionally do the opposite?

It would not.

It was dangerous and terrifying, but its personality was easy to guess.

Especially when he finally had the confidence to stand before it calmly, the "personalities" of both sides were leveled; without that mysterious, unreachable veil of mist blocking the way, the perspective became much clearer.

It: "He wasn't wrong; aren't I exactly that right now?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan smiled without a word, his mind rapidly thinking about the answer to the next question.

If nothing went wrong, it should ask: What else did he say?

He had to think of a perfect answer, one that would not only make it feel a lingering depth of meaning but also make it satisfied enough to end this Q&A about Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao, making it feel that after getting this answer, there was no need to continue asking.

Because the specific memory of him meeting Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Wei Zhengdao had not yet been recovered, it truly could not withstand excessive questioning; if it asked a few more times, it would be very easy to reveal his flaws.

The silence was broken once again.

It: "What else did he say?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "He asked me to bring you a message."

"What message?"

"I'm sorry."

(End of chapter)