Chapter 41

Pan Zi and Lei Zi had once boasted to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan that even if some celebrities were wearing clothes, they could still imagine what they looked like naked in their minds.

Now, as Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked at the lively Ding Ding Dalin and Secretary Jin before him, his mind was filled with images of them being skinned, blood-red and jumping about.

It was summer, early morning, the sun was bright, yet he suddenly felt so cold he wanted to shiver.

Ding Ding Dalin bent over, a kind smile on his Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face, and asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Don't you recognize me anymore?"

Li Sanjiang laughed, "How could that be? This kid was just talking about you to me, saying that you..."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was instantly so frightened that his spine turned cold.

But at this moment, Li Sanjiang's words were already on the tip of his tongue, and there was simply no way to stop them.

"... saying that you gave him such a big red envelope last time, and praising you, this grandpa, for being so good."

"Oh, is that so? Hehehehe." Ding Ding Dalin let out a hearty laugh.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt a bit dizzy; the feeling of surviving a disaster rushed straight to his crown.

Li Sanjiang patted Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's head, "This kid of mine, whoever is good to him, he remembers it all. Unlike those other kids, no matter how good you are to them, they forget the moment they turn around; they wouldn't recognize who you are."

Ding Ding Dalin nodded, "That depends on the person."

"That's for sure. Some kids are just born ungrateful wretches; you can't raise them to be loyal."

"Marquis Sanjiang." Ding Ding Dalin straightened up, moved his gaze away from the boy, and looked at Li Sanjiang, "Let's go, come over to my place to sit for a while, and have lunch at my place."

"How could I be so bold."

"What's there to be embarrassed about? There were a lot of leftovers from the banquet yesterday. Don't mind it, help me finish eating it."

After a banquet, there are always leftovers. If left for too long, they spoil easily. If a family doesn't have many people and can't finish them in time, they will hold two small tables the day after the banquet, inviting only close relatives to eat.

This kind of banquet isn't formal; cold dishes are piled up, cooked dishes are reheated, and while the presentation isn't good, the food and wine are still decent.

Li Sanjiang: "Lunch, there's no need to go so early, right?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan finally managed his facial expressions at this moment and confirmed that his voice wouldn't tremble when he spoke next. However, just as he was about to open his mouth to find an excuse for his great-grandfather to decline the invitation, he looked up and met Secretary Jin's gaze.

She was looking at him with a smile on her lips, but in her eyes, a kind of emptiness and coldness flowed.

It would be hard for an ordinary person to notice, but Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had a habit of observing and imitating others. After reading "The Essence of Yin-Yang Physiognomy," his observation of people's micro-expressions became even more delicate and profound.

The fortress of mental defense he had just built was collapsing again at this moment.

She didn't speak, and it was possible he was just imagining things, but he truly felt as if he had seen a silent warning.

Was it aimed at him? Or at his great-grandfather?

Or perhaps,

Aimed at anyone who might see through their skin.

"It's like this, I want to contract some farmland. I'll pay the rent in one lump sum, but it still needs to be under your name."

"How much are you contracting?"

"Over ten mu of land."

"For how long?"

"Thirty years."

"Then you must go!"

Ding Ding Dalin laughed and scolded, "Alright, you Marquis Sanjiang, you're betting that I won't live that long, right?"

"Thirty years, how could you live that long? At our age, if we lived another thirty years, this skin of ours would be cracked and broken."

"Hehe, we're both at such an old age, it's not like we're young people who need an image. If the skin is broken, it's broken. Can't it still be used after some mending?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's heart skipped a beat.

He was really afraid now that his great-grandfather would suddenly have a slip of the tongue and actually irritate someone into breaking their skin.

Although he knew his great-grandfather had good fortune, Grandma Liu had also said that this fortune depends on the place and what one encounters. If one really encounters a tough opponent, this fortune would be useless.

The horror of what happened at Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house last night had already exceeded Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's imagination.

What he was experiencing now pushed last night's events to an even more eerie and terrifying level.

Faced with this situation, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt that his great-grandfather's fortune... definitely couldn't withstand it.

"Fine, let's go." Li Sanjiang rubbed his chin with his palm, looking down at Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan standing beside him, "Just in time, I'll also draw up my will."

"Yo, Marquis Sanjiang, you old man with no children or grandchildren, who are you planning to leave it to?"

"I may have no children or grandchildren, but I have a great-grandson, don't I? After I'm gone, the things I leave behind will of course go to our Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou."

Ding Ding Dalin bent over toward the boy again.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt extremely repulsed and resistant to this action, but he still squeezed out a shy smile.

This expression is truly very practical for a child, whether it's toward people... or ghosts.

"Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou, look, your great-grandfather really dotes on you. When you grow up, you must treat your great-grandfather well."

"Mm, I will."

Ding Ding Dalin straightened his waist, his movements pausing.

Secretary Jin reached out to support him.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan noticed that Secretary Jin's right hand was on the back of Ding Ding Dalin's neck, and her left hand was on the side of Ding Ding Dalin's lower waist. She wasn't supporting him with her palm, but grabbing him, her five fingers tensed and using great force.

It was as if she were forcibly pinching something that was falling apart back together.

"What's wrong, Marquis Lin?"

"This old waist, it's not working anymore."

"Stop rolling around in bed at night."

"You old thing, Marquis Sanjiang, let's go, come home with me."

As he spoke, Ding Ding Dalin reached his hand toward Li Sanjiang.

Li Sanjiang took it voluntarily, switching to support him instead.

The two old men walked forward side by side, chatting as they went.

"Let's go, little brother?" Secretary Jin placed her hand on the boy's shoulder.

"My summer homework hasn't..."

"Your great-grandfather is going to draw up a will for you, so you must go today."

"... hasn't bought an eraser yet, I don't know where I dropped the previous one."

"Let's go, Auntie will buy you one."

"No need, I have money."

Going from here to Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house happened to pass by Zhang Shen's small shop. As they approached, Secretary Jin stopped.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked to the counter, just about to ask for an eraser to finish his task, when a figure jumped out from behind the shop's shed; it was Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin.

This guy was taking a shortcut; he didn't walk the village road but came through the field ridges.

"Yo, Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge, what are you buying? Come, I'll pay for it for you."

"An eraser."

"Auntie, get an eraser, and a bottle of wind oil essence."

Zhang Shen handed the items over. Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin paid, and after handing the eraser to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan, he couldn't wait to unscrew the bottle and started applying it to his neck and arms.

"I saw you guys itching badly last night, and today I feel a bit itchy myself. I suspect Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng passed it to me."

"Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin, you should go back. Tell Brother Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng and Grandma Liu and the others that Great-grandfather and I are going to eat at Grandpa Ding's house."

"What, you're going to the water... oh oh oh!"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan grabbed Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's hand, his fingertips digging into his palm, and twisted hard.

At this moment, Secretary Jin, who was standing in the distance, also walked over.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin had come out from behind the shop earlier and really hadn't noticed she was nearby, so he was scared into continuing to shout:

"... oh oh oh!"

Secretary Jin continued to approach.

"... want water, right? I'll buy it for you, brother will buy it for you. Auntie, give me two bottles of energy drinks." As he spoke, Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin deliberately looked at Secretary Jin who was walking over, "Sister, do you want one?"

Secretary Jin shook her head.

"Hehe." Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin paid again and then handed a bottle of energy drink to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan.

"Thanks, Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin, then you go back. Remember to tell the family that Great-grandfather and I won't be back for lunch, no need to cook for us."

"Okay."

At this time, Secretary Jin suddenly said, "Let's go eat together."

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin was stunned for a moment.

Secretary Jin: "I saw you eating the dishes at the banquet yesterday, you were eating very happily. There's still some at noon, let's go eat together."

"That wouldn't be good..."

"Let's go, let's go together, they are about to walk far away."

Secretary Jin reached out and placed her hands on the shoulders of the two boys, one big and one small, urging them to move forward.

This was an attitude that could not be refused.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hadn't expected that Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin's way of eating at the banquet yesterday would leave such a deep impression on people.

If he had been a bit more refined at the banquet yesterday, perhaps none of this would be happening now.

However, as it stands, Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin should only know the first version of the information about the water monkey.

That was what he told him last night before he and Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng set off for Grandpa Grandpa Hu Zi's house.

After returning last night, he wanted to know exactly what happened, but he didn't want to recall and recount it at that time, so he told him to ask Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng.

Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng should be the same as him, temporarily not wanting to mention that terrifying scene again, and hadn't had time to tell him.

Otherwise, if he knew, seeing Secretary Jin would likely make him jump up in fright, as if a firecracker had been stuffed into his crotch.

As they walked, Secretary Jin spoke up: "Are there still people at home? Let them come over to eat together at noon; no need to cook."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hurriedly refused: "No need, there's only the person working for Great-Grandfather left at home, not a relative."

"Alright then."

During the rest of the journey, Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin gradually relaxed, even taking the initiative to find topics to talk about.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt that Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin must be quite proud of himself inside.

He likely considered himself the son of a police officer, possessing inherited counter-surveillance awareness, able to chat and laugh in front of a water monkey.

Actually, this was quite good; being able to act without revealing one's fear.

Just like this, they walked to the entrance of the bearded man's house, and as soon as they stepped onto the dam-side, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's gaze stalled.

Directly in front of the dam-side was the fish pond; at this moment, the pond was full of water, exactly the same as it had been during the day yesterday.

The fish pond that should have been drained and excavated had been restored;

The group of people who should have been skinned and dead were all alive again, one by one.

The scene in his memory was logically leaning more and more toward a hallucination or nightmare.

When this world presents itself to you in an irrational way, people usually start by doubting themselves.

However, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was very certain that it was absolutely not a dream; the scene from last night had truly happened.

The fish pond must have been filled back in and refilled with water last night, and the people who died were dead—as for what they were now that they were alive... he didn't understand either.

The village chief and several village elders arrived, and everyone sat on the long bench on the dam-side, forming a circle and chatting.

Secretary Jin brought over a small tea table, on which were placed melon seeds, peanuts, and candies.

Li Sanjiang grabbed two handfuls, handing one to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan and the other to Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin.

Ding Ding Dalin said to them: "Go upstairs to watch TV; there's one in the room. When it's time to eat, I'll call you down."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "We have a TV at home; Great-Grandfather bought one."

Li Sanjiang puffed out his chest and said proudly:

"That's right, I bought a TV for the kid to watch, but this kid loves to study and doesn't watch it much on weekdays, so it just goes to waste on the mule at home that guards the TV all day."

Actually, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan didn't want to be separated from the crowd.

Although entering here meant danger, and this group of old people on the dam-side didn't have much practical use when bound together, at least they could provide a bit of psychological comfort.

Emotion told him he had been trapped in fear since seeing them, but reason told him the situation could still be saved.

After all, he and the others, as well as the village chief and his group, hadn't been skinned immediately upon arriving at the dam-side.

If they just wanted to lure people here to kill them, they could have acted just now.

Being able to sit here and chat, and actually discussing the details of land contracting, proved they had their own goals and plans.

Then, as long as he didn't violate their rules, he, Great-Grandfather, and Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin might still be able to return safely.

The village chief said with some difficulty at this time: "But, contracting for thirty years at once, wouldn't that be too long? It's not easy to explain to the village."

Ding Ding Dalin said: "The contract fee can increase annually; just give me a final specific number."

Li Sanjiang was very proactive about this matter; he believed Ding Ding Dalin wouldn't live that long, and he wouldn't live that long either, so wouldn't this land contract still belong to Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou later?

"I say, if they want thirty years, let it be thirty years. At worst, the village can post the specific contract publicly so everyone knows, and no one will spread gossip later."

Secretary Jin had already returned to the house at this time, likely to prepare lunch; there were only her and Ding Ding Dalin at home, so she was the only one who could work.

And with Ding Ding Dalin shifting his attention away from him, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt much more relaxed.

He didn't dare to leave here without permission; any unusual behavior seemed particularly dangerous at this time.

If they were truly pushed to the limit, at worst, everyone present would have their skin replaced. Since they could make the opera troupe come back to life, making the village chief come back to life should be simple, and it wouldn't delay the land contract.

While ensuring his figure was still within their line of sight, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked down the dam-side and began to circle the open space in front of the fish pond.

He knew he couldn't keep circling like this, or he would look very stupid.

At this time, playing a game would be most appropriate, but the problem was, he never kept children's toys in his pockets.

But fortunately, he didn't have any, but someone else did.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin must have understood Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Ge's meaning; he reached into his pocket and pulled out a handful of colorful marbles.

"Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, let's play this."

"Alright."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan discovered for the first time that childishness could actually turn into an angel.

A boy almost in his third year of high school actually kept marbles in his pocket; no wonder your dad buys you jelly to eat.

The two bent down and began to play marbles.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had originally just wanted to take the opportunity to observe the fish pond at close range; he believed that no matter how perfect the restoration was, it had only been half a day, and it would definitely leave traces.

But as they played, Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin gradually got into the state, seeing him hit the target with every shot, clapping his hands happily to cheer for himself each time.

This movement occasionally attracted the attention of the group of old people on the dam-side.

They pointed and gestured, their mouths filled with smiles.

Most children have similar experiences, where when playing with friends, adults often stand by and watch, watching for a long time.

What they were actually watching was their own childhood.

But Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan didn't want to create this warm atmosphere; finally, he couldn't help but flick a marble onto Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin's nose.

Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin felt the pain first, covering his nose, then his eyes revealed relief, followed by shame; he had been too deeply immersed in the act.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan began to flick marbles toward the fish pond on purpose, and Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin cooperated by flicking toward that side; the two chased the marbles and arrived at the edge of the fish pond.

Seizing the time, his gaze swept over it quickly.

He discovered that the edge of the fish pond was fresh mud that had been turned over.

This fish pond had indeed been backfilled!

Not daring to linger in this sensitive position, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan immediately flicked a marble again and moved away from the fish pond.

"Haha, Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin Ge, I won this time."

"Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan, you're really amazing." Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin's Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Human Face revealed a big-brother-like smile.

While Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan jumped up with joy, his gaze glanced at the dam-side, just in time to see Ding Ding Dalin turning his head back.

Was it his previous move of approaching the fish pond that made him sensitive?

Next, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin played closer and closer to the dam-side.

"Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin Ge, I'm tired, let's rest."

"Alright."

Regardless of the mud and stones on the ground, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan sat down just like that.

It just so happened that the sole of his shoe rubbed over the stones, turning over a few, and under the stones, red appeared—it was bloodstains.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hurriedly retracted his foot and used the sole of his shoe to flip the stones back.

Recalling the details of last night in his mind, wasn't the location he was currently in the exact spot where Ding Ding Dalin was pecked by the chicken?

He remembered that at the time, Ding Ding Dalin's palm had been pecked through by the rooster.

"Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou."

"Yes, Great-Grandfather."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan ran onto the dam-side and came before Li Sanjiang.

The matter of land contracting had already been mostly discussed; now they were talking about making a will, and the village chief was writing with paper and pen.

An old man next to him asked: "Sanjiang Hou, wouldn't it be inappropriate to give it directly to the child? You should at least give it to someone who can provide for your old age."

"I've arranged for my old age."

"Is it reliable?"

"It's reliable."

They were all people of advanced age, so there was no need to avoid these topics.

Li Sanjiang absolutely trusted Li Li Weihan's character, but Li Li Weihan had many sons and many grandchildren; if his inheritance were given to Li Li Weihan, it would likely be divided up by those ungrateful wretches in the end, which was something he didn't want to see.

The village chief finished writing and said: "Since the parties involved and the witnesses are all here, just press your fingerprints directly. Is there an inkpad at home?"

Ding Ding Dalin said: "It's in the drawer by the bed in the second-floor bedroom; I'll go get it."

"Let the kid go; Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou, go get it down."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan wanted to refuse, but Ding Ding Dalin, who had just stood up, sat back down; if he resisted now, it would be unreasonable.

"Alright, Great-Grandfather."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan ran in and went up the stairs; Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin wanted to follow him, but was stopped by Li Sanjiang:

"Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Zhuangzhuang."

"Grandpa Li, my name is Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin."

"Go to the kitchen and help carry the bowls; the little secretary can't handle it alone."

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin didn't want to be alone with that water monkey either, but facing the same predicament as Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan earlier, he could only smile, nod, and walk toward the kitchen.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan arrived on the second floor and found that it had been cleaned and organized; the balcony corridor was very clean.

He didn't rush into the room first, but came under the small skylight; the ladder was against the wall at his side.

His array flags and the set of corpse-salvaging tools belonging to Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Lu Runsheng should still be on the roof at this moment.

But the problem was, even if he moved the ladder to go up to the roof now and got those things, he couldn't take them away because they were too heavy.

Even throwing them behind the house wasn't safe; the noise was too loud and easily detected.

In the end, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan turned around, pushed open the door, and walked into the bedroom.

The furnishings in the bedroom were rich; when Ding Ding Dalin bought the house, in order not to delay time, he must have bought it along with the furniture.

He walked to the bedside table and opened the drawer.

Inside, there was indeed a box of ink paste, and something else Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hadn't expected... a Luo Pan.

It was a purple Luo Pan, with five small sub-rings around the main ring.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan took the Luo Pan in his hand and turned it gently; he quickly grasped the meaning represented by these five sub-rings.

The "Profound Path Demon-Subduing Record" actually contained records of a similar style of Luo Pan, but because the manufacturing process was extremely complex and required many special materials, it had not been within Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's consideration at all before.

Now that he was holding it, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan genuinely liked it.

With it, examining Feng Shui layouts was equivalent to being allowed to bring a calculator into an exam room when taking a math test.

He was increasingly discovering that he could not rely excessively on forced mental calculations as he had in the past; his body would not be able to handle it.

With this thing, combined with the "Liu Family Qi-Gazing Art," he wouldn't overdraw himself and get a nosebleed like he did when examining the fish pond's Feng Shui last time.

The real Ding Ding Dalin was already dead, so this was an ownerless object; taking it for himself didn't count as stealing.

But... it was still too risky.

The other things belonging to that group of water monkeys had all been packed up and taken away, but this item alone had been left behind, proving that it was still highly valued.

It must know who had entered the room's vicinity; if the item went missing, it would certainly be able to pin it on him.

Forget it, he couldn't take it.

Although the item was good, his own life was more important; just as Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was preparing to put the Luo Pan back into the drawer,

"Did you find it?"

Secretary Jin's voice came from the bedroom doorway.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was startled once again, but his stress resistance had also kicked in; while his left hand continued to hold the Luo Pan, his right hand picked up the ink paste box:

"I found it."

"I thought you couldn't find it, so I came up to take a look."

"What is this, Auntie Jin?" Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan asked, holding up the Luo Pan. "It's so pretty."

"A toy; if you like it, I'll give it to you."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's first reaction wasn't surprise, but: Is this a test?

"Take your things and come down."

After Secretary Jin finished speaking, she turned and left.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hesitated for a moment, but still took both the Luo Pan and the ink paste and went downstairs.

After handing the ink paste to the village chief, the village chief signaled for everyone to press their fingerprints.

Li Sanjiang saw the Luo Pan and asked, "Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou, what is this?"

Ding Ding Dalin spoke up: "A small trinket from home; the child likes it, so just give it to the child as a toy."

Li Sanjiang took it first, looked it over, and asked skeptically, "Why are there so many circles? What a piece of junk."

After belittling it, Li Sanjiang tossed the Luo Pan to Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan very casually.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan really wanted to remind his great-grandfather that this was the professional one, while the Luo Pan he usually used was just a compass.

"Little Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Yuan Hou, say thank you to your Grandpa Ding."

"Thank you, Grandpa Ding."

"Hehe, good child." Ding Ding Dalin reached out and patted Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan on the head.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan only felt his hair stand on end, but he had to endure it, not daring to dodge.

The will was finished, in duplicate; the village chief took one copy to store in the village office, while the other was carefully folded by Li Sanjiang and placed very solemnly into his jacket pocket, which he even patted afterward.

Lunch was ready, and everyone took their seats.

The dishes were very sumptuous; in front of Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan sat a large plate of blanched shrimp.

Seeing these shrimp, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt a bit nauseated.

"Everyone eat, please excuse the poor hospitality, there aren't any good dishes." Ding Ding Dalin raised his chopsticks to greet everyone.

Everyone also picked up their chopsticks one after another.

"Come, Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Zhuangzhuang, eat some shrimp; this is what you loved eating most yesterday."

Li Sanjiang used his chopsticks to push a third of the shrimp in the plate directly in front of Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin, then reached out to rotate the dining table.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin was not polite either; he picked up a shrimp, first pulled off the shrimp head, peeled it, dipped it in vinegar, and sucked on the head, then deftly peeled the shrimp body, revealing the complete shrimp meat.

After removing the shrimp vein, Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin dipped it in vinegar and put it into Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's bowl.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan picked up his chopsticks and picked up the shrimp meat; the flesh was reddish and tender.

Putting the shrimp meat into his mouth, as he chewed, the images he had seen last night kept appearing in his mind.

This was the first time Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan had eaten food that was both delicious and difficult to swallow.

In the end, he still forced himself to swallow it, feeling that it was even more painful than eating the "dishes" at the Cat-Faced Old Lady's birthday banquet.

Seeing that Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin still wanted to continue peeling for him, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan hurriedly said, "Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Brother Binbin, eat it yourself, I don't really like eating shrimp."

"Really?" Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin was a bit surprised. "Then I'll eat it myself."

"Mm."

Secretary Jin brought over a large bowl containing a stewed chicken.

Ding Ding Dalin poked at it with his chopsticks twice and asked, "Isn't this an old hen?"

"There aren't any old hens left."

"Sigh, how can this be."

Ding Ding Dalin shook his head with some dissatisfaction.

Li Sanjiang smoothed things over: "Lin Hou, look at how spoiled you've become; why distinguish between male and female when eating a chicken? Before the Liberation, it wasn't easy to get a bite of meat."

As he spoke, Li Sanjiang did it himself, pulled off a plump chicken leg, and put it into Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's bowl.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan looked down at it, not rushing to use his chopsticks; it wasn't that he was being pretentious, but that this chicken seemed familiar.

The reason was, even if it were a rooster stewed in soup, how could it be that there wasn't even a single piece of chicken skin?

"What, don't you like it?" Ding Ding Dalin asked.

"I like it." Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan picked up the chicken leg and took a big bite; it was a bit tough.

"How does it taste?"

"Delicious."

Ding Ding Dalin nodded with satisfaction; when he stood up to pick up food, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan noticed a piece of black gauze tied around the web of his right hand.

This meal was eaten in a very warm and harmonious atmosphere, so normal that it made Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan feel as if he were the most abnormal person at the entire table.

But no matter what, this time Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan rarely didn't leave the table first like a child, and very properly sat until the meal ended.

After the meal, everyone started smoking and chatting, laying the final groundwork before the gathering dispersed.

The village chief was the first to stand up, patted his pants lightly, and said, "Then today, let's leave it at this; that contracting contract of yours needs to be discussed further by the village. Don't worry, we'll give you an answer soon."

"Alright, thank you for your hard work, sorry for the trouble." Ding Ding Dalin stood up to shake hands with the village chief.

Everyone left the table together, walked out of the hall to the dam-side, distributed cigarettes to each other, and said a few more words before the village chief and several village elders walked down toward the dam.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan was very anxious because Li Sanjiang hadn't left; he was still standing beside Ding Ding Dalin, both of them with cigarettes hanging from their mouths.

"Just now when the village chief was here, I didn't feel like asking; you contracted this land and aren't planting grain, but actually plan to plant peach trees?"

"Mm, planting peach trees, they can bear peaches."

"Peaches won't sell, right? Who's buying? In the past, when planting these, there were canning factories that could take them, but now I hear those canning factories aren't doing well themselves."

"Even if they don't sell, looking at peach blossoms is also good."

"I'm saying, Lin Hou, what's wrong with you?" Li Sanjiang reached out and touched Ding Ding Dalin's forehead. "Why does it feel like you've become a different person today?"

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's heart tightened once again.

Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin started adding to his own act, taking the initiative to say, "Grandpa Li, you don't understand this; Grandpa Ding is pursuing a beautiful artistic conception. Yes, just thinking that peach trees will be planted here in the future, when the peach blossoms are in full bloom, how beautiful it will be."

"Then what about this fish pond?" Li Sanjiang asked.

"Fill it in, and plant trees there too."

"I'm saying, Lin Hou, exactly how much wealth did you make abroad to let you squander it like this?"

"Making money, isn't it just for squandering?"

"I don't understand you; forget it, suit yourself."

"Oh, right, the opera troupe said a set of sound equipment was broken and wanted me to pay for the repair costs. I didn't want to drag it out, so I just spent the money to buy it as second-hand."

"Are you stupid? Where did you find that opera troupe? If their own equipment is broken, how can they have the nerve to ask the host to pay for it?"

"It was quite cheap too. I tinkered with that thing last night; it wasn't actually broken, just the plug had some poor contact, and now it's already fixed.

I have no use for this thing, and aren't you in this business? You can look into using it to rent out and earn money in the future.

Come, follow me to take a look; if it's good, you can haul it away."

"Alright, let's go take a look."

Li Sanjiang followed Ding Ding Dalin toward the shaded inner room on the first floor; Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Tan Wenbin exchanged a glance, wondering whether to follow.

"Little friend, you forgot to take this." Secretary Jin's voice appeared behind them, and the purple Luo Pan was brought before the boy.

He had deliberately placed it on the chair by the dining table earlier, not wanting to appear too eager.

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan reached out to take it, saying with surprise, "You're really giving it to me?"

"Do you know how to play with this thing?"

"Of course I do."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan held the Luo Pan, spinning it constantly, looking at the rotating needle inside and giggling foolishly.

"Secretary Jin, come over here for a moment and adjust it again." Grandpa Ding's voice came from inside.

Secretary Jin placed her hands on Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's shoulders and said, "Let's go, let's go take a look."

The moment the woman's hands landed on his shoulders, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan froze.

He did not rush to leave, but instead slowly raised his head.

Secretary Jin also lowered her head at this moment, and the two locked eyes.

After a long while, Ding Ding Dalin's urging voice came from inside again: "Why aren't you here yet? We're waiting for you to get things ready."

"Let's go."

"Mm."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan walked in front, while Secretary Jin walked behind, her hands gripping Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan's shoulders.

Even though this path was clearly very short, Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan felt it was somewhat long.

Finally, the two walked into the room one after the other.

Secretary Jin let go, adjusted the sound system, and then picked up the microphone:

"Whoo whoo... hello hello... hello hello..."

It was a bit distorted, but the overall effect was very good.

Ding Ding Dalin glanced at Li Sanjiang, then said to Secretary Jin, "Come on, sing a song and try it out."

Secretary Jin nodded and asked, "What song should I sing?"

"Anything is fine. Li Sanjiang, what song do you want to hear? My secretary knows a lot of songs; you can pick whatever you like."

"Heh, I don't have skin as thick as yours, asking a young girl to sing songs for me to listen to. Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan, what song do you want to hear? You pick."

Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan shook his head: "Anything is fine with me."

Secretary Jin looked at Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Li Zhuiyuan: "Little one, you pick one."

"I don't have anything in particular I want to hear. Auntie, you sing one you want to sing."

Secretary Jin nodded, picked up the microphone, and without any accompaniment, sang a cappella:

"Slowly looking back, at the nights that once belonged to each other.

Still red is you, the bright sun you gifted to my heart..."

The singing was gentle and graceful; her Cantonese was not accurate, yet it was extremely pleasant to hear.

It was "Thousands of Songs."

(End of chapter)