Chapter 58

"You really quit?"

"Heh, I never really smoked to begin with."

"If you haven't started, don't learn. It's bad for your health. I'm tied to it by work; I want to quit but I can't."

"Mm."

"If you feel troubled or stifled in the future, find another way to relieve the pressure."

"I feel like studying is quite a good stress reliever right now."

"Remember to balance work and rest."

"I know. I'm also paying attention to exercising my body and training my skills."

"Then how about sparring with Dad another day?"

"Another day won't work; it'll have to be another year."

"You're waiting until Dad is old before you dare to make a move, aren't you?"

"It's not as simple as just waiting until you're old."

"Surely you don't mean you have to wait until I'm dead?"

Dad, you'd have to be dead and then stand back up.

But Tan Wenbin didn't dare say these words to his own father.

"How could that be? As a son, I wouldn't dare make a move against you, Dad."

"Xiao Yuan won another award, right?"

"Mm, first prize in the provincial math competition. Dad, even you know about that?"

"How could I not? Your middle school specifically rented a few cars, put big loudspeakers on top, and drove all over town making announcements."

"Dad, Xiao Yuan is going to Shancheng to play in a while."

"He doesn't need to go to school, right?"

"Whether he goes to school or not is actually the same. When he picks up a pen on weekdays, it's not to do homework, but to set problems for me."

"Heh heh, then you really did pick up a treasure."

Tan Yunlong couldn't help but recall the scene from that day in town, when he received the report call from the video arcade, stepped out of his car, and looked at the young boy in the distance.

And the scene later, when the boy took the initiative to come to the police station and push open his office door.

At the time, he only found it interesting. Now that he thought about it, if he had been any more serious or rigid, his son wouldn't have had this luck today.

"I want to go to Shancheng with Xiao Yuan, too."

"Shancheng is quite fun. The hotpot there is delicious; it's completely different from the hotpot Mom makes at home using 'Shancheng Hotpot' base. You can try it when you go."

People in Nantong also eat hotpot in the winter. It's very popular for shops here to sell various brands of "Shancheng Hotpot" base, and many locals take it for granted that this is the famous Shancheng hotpot, while real Shancheng people only have question marks on their faces when they see it.

"Eh, Dad, how come it sounds like you agree to me going?"

"Didn't you say yourself that you wanted to go?"

"Aren't you afraid it will affect my studies?"

"Son, actually, as long as you don't do anything illegal or undisciplined, the margin for error in life is quite high."

"Some things that look like a big deal in the moment don't seem like much when you look back on them later."

"Dad, you're very different today. In the past, you would have scolded me for being insensible by now."

"You were indeed insensible in the past. I can only say that sensible children generally don't do poorly in their studies, but being sensible isn't just for the sake of good grades."

"Your mother and I both have steady jobs; we won't need to rely on you for retirement in the future. You have no burdens, so go do what you want to do."

"I won't let it affect my studies. I'll bring my books and homework with me. I feel that sitting in the classroom studying now is nowhere near as efficient as studying by Xiao Yuan's side."

"Just use your own judgment."

"I will get into Haihe University and go find Xiao Yuan. Dad, did you know? People from the school there will come to our middle school tomorrow. Xiao Yuan is going to be admitted early."

On the balcony, it was quiet for a while.

"Dad, why did you stop talking?"

"I was imagining how I'd feel if my son were admitted early."

"What kind of feeling?"

"So happy that I forgot how to speak."

"Hahahaha." Tan Wenbin bumped his father with his arm. "That's no fun. It's more exciting to wait for the admission letter after the college entrance exam."

"Do your mother and I have to thank you?"

"Dad, let me tell you something. I think the class monitor of our class has taken a liking to me."

"I suggest the girl's mother take her to the city hospital to have her eyes checked."

"Dad, is that any way to talk about your son? I'm not that bad, you know."

"Zhou Yunyun, right?"

"Ah, you even know her name?"

"Thanks to you, I often go to your head teacher's office, and she often comes to deliver homework and test papers."

"Then what do you think of her?"

"Is this something to talk to your own father about? If you want to talk about it, go talk to your mother."

"That won't work. Mom would definitely scold me for not putting my mind on my studies; she definitely wouldn't be happy to hear me talk about this."

Tan Yunlong's gaze fell behind the balcony door. After the father and son stepped onto the balcony, the movement in the kitchen had stopped, followed by the small sounds of someone lowering their head, hunching their waist, and shuffling their feet.

As a veteran policeman, he naturally knew his wife was pricking up her ears and listening intently from behind the balcony door.

Son, it's not that your mother isn't happy to hear you talk about this; she loves listening to it.

"Then what do you think of her?"

"She's quite good. She's quite pretty. I used to think her personality was a bit sharp, but when a girl with a sharp personality suddenly becomes gentle, it's really hard to resist, heh heh."

As Tan Wenbin spoke, he couldn't help but laugh to himself.

"Are you already dating?"

Tan Wenbin shook his head, the smile on his face gradually fading:

"I don't have that mindset. I always feel like I'm still a child, still in school, with no job. I don't know where I'll go in the future or what I'll do. And it's such a critical time in my third year of high school; if I really started dating, wouldn't I be holding her back?"

"Dad, do you think I'm a bit cowardly?"

"That's quite normal. It shows my son has matured and knows what responsibility is." Tan Yunlong patted his son's arm. "Only after you have a clear future can you give a girl a future."

"Dad, I'm going to do some problems."

"Go ahead."

Tan Wenbin left the balcony and walked back to his room.

Tan Yunlong silently lit another cigarette.

As children, they crave growing up early; as parents, they also hope their children can become adults early.

But when this day really arrives, both sides will feel a sense of being at a loss.

His wife stood up from behind the sofa, walked over, and looked at him with annoyance.

"What's wrong?" Tan Yunlong felt a bit uncomfortable under his wife's gaze.

"Only after you have a clear future can you give a girl a future. My memory is fuzzy; help me out—who was it that climbed over my family's courtyard wall to find me when they were in school, and almost had their leg broken by my dad?"

Tan Yunlong took a deep drag of the cigarette in his mouth, the tip glowing much brighter. After exhaling a smoke ring toward the distance, he laughed:

"Why don't you think about who told me you were going home at night when you were living on campus back then?"

The banner for the provincial math competition award had already been hung up, but the banner for the previous city competition hadn't been taken down either.

At the same time, as if for the sake of neatness, the provincial math competition banner had also undergone the same modification as before: "First Prize" was painted over to read "First Place." The traces of this painting were not only unhidden, but they seemed afraid that others wouldn't see it clearly.

What made Principal Wu feel even more gratified was that not only had Li Zhuiyuan won an award, but two other students had also won third prizes this time.

This was the leading role of the lead horse.

As soon as Li Zhuiyuan arrived at the classroom, he was taken to the principal's office by Sun Qing.

Several school leaders were smoking outside the office. Seeing Xiao Yuan arrive, everyone flicked away their cigarette butts and walked into the office.

The recruiters from Haihe University hadn't arrived yet, but that didn't stop everyone from planning for Xiao Yuan in advance.

Everyone spoke up, bringing out their best skills to draft a "bargaining" price list for Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan, the person involved, sat on the sofa instead, as if everything had nothing to do with him.

Wu Xinhan walked over with a teacup and placed the tea in front of Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan looked at Wu Xinhan and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Principal Grandpas."

"Ha." Wu Xinhan waved his hand and pointed at the group of people who were still listing items over there. "What hard work? They're enjoying themselves."

Even if you haven't eaten pork, you've seen pigs run. Everyone was an elite in the education circle and naturally understood some rules and operations.

For ordinary students, the college entrance exam meant filling out preferences, taking the exam, and waiting for the results. Being successfully admitted was a cause for tears of joy.

But for certain groups of people, going to college meant holding out for a better price; it depended on the other party's sincerity.

In terms of the provincial education level, getting first place in the provincial math competition meant that winning an award or ranking at the national competition at the end of the year was almost a certainty.

Furthermore, what was rising along with the math competition craze at this time was the genius prodigy craze.

In short, with various factors superimposed, if you didn't fleece them properly, you'd feel like you were letting yourself down.

Wu Xinhan asked with a smile, "Xiao Yuan, although you've already made your decision, Grandpa still has to ask one more question: are you really not considering other universities?"

"Mm, I'm not considering them."

Wu Xinhan nodded, then pointed at the people discussing over there and shouted, "Fleece them! Fleece them hard!"

At this moment, Teacher Yan brought a young man wearing glasses into the office.

Li Zhuiyuan noticed this young man mainly because the look in his eyes behind his glasses seemed to have some kind of excited little flame flickering.

Teacher Yan walked over and introduced with a smile, "Xiao Yuan, someone has come to communicate with you and interview you about the math competition. You can chat with him. Although he works at Jin Ling Normal University, he is also from our Nantong."

"Okay."

Li Zhuiyuan stood up and looked at the other party. The other party was green and carried a hint of shyness, but the excitement deep down became clearer as the distance closed.

"Hello, Teacher. My name is Li Zhuiyuan. How should I address you, Teacher?"

"Ge Jun."

The visitor sat down, took out test papers and problems, and began to discuss them with Li Zhuiyuan.

Soon, Li Zhuiyuan understood the other party's position; he stood from the perspective of a problem setter.

He didn't know if he was one now, but in all likelihood, he would also become one of those people Li Zhuiyuan "saw" behind the numbers and symbols when he did test papers—the ones who let out a miserable, sinister smile.

In human nature, there exists a kind of cruel evil; otherwise, the ancient Roman Colosseum and underground boxing rings wouldn't have been so popular.

And for the problem setter, watching the examinees wail, struggle, and rage in the cage they designed could bring a kind of pleasure similar to that of an "abuser."

It was a coincidence that when others did competition problems, they were often from the "victim" perspective, but because Li Zhuiyuan helped Tan Wenbin set problems, he could now empathize more with the "abuser."

In short, during the time before the people from Haihe University arrived, the two chatted very happily and thoroughly.

Li Zhuiyuan used a method of revenge similar to the one he had proposed to the black cat back then.

This greatly inspired the teacher, who regarded him as a soulmate.

After the exchange, upon learning that the people from Haihe University would arrive soon, he was even more delighted, saying that since Student Li would be attending college in Jin Ling, he would definitely have to come over and exchange more often.

The fire that was already burning was fueled with a few more pieces of firewood by the boy.

Li Zhuiyuan felt that perhaps one day in the future, this fire would eventually become powerful and become a terrifying purgatory that would incinerate generations of students.

The guard room reported that the car from Haihe University had arrived at the school gate.

The teacher left his business card, and after shaking hands firmly with Li Zhuiyuan, Ge Jun left with lingering interest.

From the moment he took the initiative to close the principal's office door, a new gate of hell had slowly opened in his heart.

Wu Xinhan raised his hand: "Everyone to your positions."

The school leaders in the office each found a seat and sat down, some crossing their legs, some drinking tea, some clearing their throats.

As for the business cards with contact information for other schools, as well as the recruitment brochures and posters, they were deliberately placed in more conspicuous positions.

The door was opened again.

The person leading the way in was Luo Tingrui.

As soon as his aura opened up, it immediately suppressed the entire office.

The various leaders who had been rubbing their hands and preparing for battle just a moment ago all failed to launch.

Even Principal Wu could only tactically pick up his teacup to drink water.

The education circle was ultimately still in the realm of an ivory tower, and although Luo Tingrui's work relationship was still at the school, he actually no longer belonged to this circle.

Someone who could command, mobilize, and plan a ten-thousand-person project would be at the general level in ancient times.

Luo Tingrui distributed his business cards, took the initiative to introduce himself, and finally, had a cordial conversation with Li Zhuiyuan.

He remembered this child, but at the time, he would never have thought that this child would have such a strong talent for learning.

The vegetable market environment didn't appear; everyone became very refined and polite.

But the school leaders still presented the list of conditions they had agreed upon.

Luo Tingrui picked it up, scanned it, put it down, and said directly:

"Okay, I agree on behalf of my school."

In an instant, the hearts of the group of leaders in the office, represented by Principal Wu, collectively sank: Oh no, we asked for too little!

Immediately, everyone looked at Li Zhuiyuan, who was sitting on the sofa, and revealed expressions of guilt and apology, feeling that they had let the child down.

Wu Xinhan sorrowfully swallowed a large mouthful of tea leaves, feeling more bitter in his heart than in his mouth: This is the price of lacking experience!

Although the procedures hadn't been completed yet, Luo Tingrui still took the initiative to reach out to Li Zhuiyuan: "Student Li Zhuiyuan, welcome to Haihe University."

Li Zhuiyuan stood up and shook his hand.

With this, the tone of the matter was set, and from this moment on, Li Zhuiyuan and Xue Liangliang could already be considered alumni.

"Liangliang told me that you also want to go to Shancheng?"

"Mm."

"Then let's go together. It can be considered accumulating future work experience in advance. Practice first; theory is often easier to learn."

"Thank you, Dean."

"Call me Teacher."

"Okay, Teacher Luo."

After this sentence came out, the leaders in the office felt much better. They were all elites and naturally knew from Luo Tingrui's business card and self-introduction what kind of status the other party held at the school—no, in the industry.

Being able to follow a teacher into a lab to participate in research as a freshman or sophomore was already considered rare excellence, and Xiao Yuan here hadn't even enrolled yet, but could already go out to do projects with his mentor.

Given the mainland's population base and the country's promotion and popularization of education, it was destined not to lack talent, or even genius. But no matter how brilliant a genius was, if there was no platform to support them, their future development would often be inferior to that of a second-tier talent.

Luo Tingrui left, and Li Zhuiyuan also returned to the classroom.

It was exactly the break time. Tan Wenbin was explaining a problem to Zhou Yunyun, while the female class monitor was sitting in her seat.

Li Zhuiyuan stopped, didn't continue walking into the classroom, but leaned against the corridor railing, looking at the scenery below.

He saw that ginkgo trees were being planted in the flower bed.

"Do you like it?" Head teacher Sun Qing's voice came from behind.

"Mm, I like it."

Someone had already entered the classroom to call for "Old Ban."

Tan Wenbin showed hesitation.

Zhou Yunyun urged, "You haven't finished explaining yet, continue."

In this regard, girls were much more generous than boys.

Tan Wenbin smiled and nodded, continuing to explain. He had also heard Xiao Yuan explain this problem.

Sun Qing stood side by side with Li Zhuiyuan: "Principal Wu heard from many people in the exam rooms that you like to look at the ginkgo trees after handing in your paper, so he had them planted."

"However, I might rarely be able to see them in the future."

The boy hadn't intended to come to school every day in the future anyway, not to mention that he had accepted Luo Tingrui's invitation for an early internship today.

Sun Qing smiled: "Can't it also be for us to see?"

Li Zhuiyuan looked at Sun Qing.

Sun Qing continued: "Many times, what we strive for and are happy about is not for tangible material wealth, but to add a beautiful memory worth savoring to ourselves."

As expected of a Chinese teacher.

Sun Qing reached out and touched Li Zhuiyuan's head.

When she walked into the classroom, she saw Zhou Yunyun and Tan Wenbin sitting in the first row, their heads very close together, explaining a problem.

Zhou Yunyun looked up and smiled at the head teacher.

Tan Wenbin also looked at Sun Qing and gave a salute. Sun Qing didn't say anything and walked to the podium to organize the test papers for the next class.

As she tidied up, the young head teacher's mouth also gently curved into an arc.

She looked up again and looked at the entire classroom.

Because of her arrival, the class was no longer noisy, but those doing homework were doing homework, those eating snacks were eating snacks, and quite a few students were talking and laughing while keeping an eye on the head teacher's eyes from the corners of their own.

Sun Qing couldn't help but sigh in her heart: Perhaps these children don't know yet that the blackboard wall illuminated by the sunlight through the window will also become a cherished memory deep in their hearts in the future.

Its color is just like...

Sun Qing unfolded the test paper, inside which was tucked a yellowed ginkgo leaf she had picked up when she passed by the flower bed earlier.

"So, Brother Liangliang, you've been in Nantong all this time?"

"Mm."

"By the river?"

"I opened a room in a small hotel near the river. I go for walks by the river at night and go back to sleep during the day."

Tan Wenbin curiously turned his head, joined the conversation between Li Zhuiyuan and Xue Liangliang, and asked curiously, "It seems that college life is really the same as what our teachers said—it's easy once you get into college."

Xue Liangliang said, "Actually, apart from a few who are doing well and a few who are just coasting, most of those in the middle tier have quite a lot of things to do; it's not easy."

Li Zhuiyuan asked, "Brother Liangliang, you've been by the river for so many days, have you never seen her?"

Xue Liangliang continued to say to Tan Wenbin, "So, you have to make plans early. It's best to determine your career development path in advance."

Li Zhuiyuan: "Or is it that you see her every day?"

Xue Liangliang: "I heard you're also applying to Haihe University. Good luck. After you get in, you can help me manage the shops and studios in my school."

Li Zhuiyuan: "It seems Brother Liangliang, you really want to be in the local chronicles."

"Enough, Xiao Yuan! I'm doing this for the stability of your hometown, too. It's not easy for me."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't continue asking, but turned to look at the TV, which was playing Nantong news.

Now, it was Xue Liangliang's turn to be uneasy. He reached out and grabbed Li Zhuiyuan's shoulder, shaking it gently: "Can you just reply with an 'Mm'?"

Actually, the real situation was that if Brother Liangliang had talked later that night, Uncle Qin might have broken through the entire Baijia Town.

However, this was also quite good. With Brother Liangliang having the status of a Bai family son-in-law, he could talk to that level when engaging in water conservancy all over the country in the future.

If he really encountered something he couldn't solve, at worst, the son-in-law would just have to show up.

Brother Binbin's status could no longer suppress the big things, but fortunately, he still had Brother Liangliang to rely on.

Li Zhuiyuan sincerely felt that Great-Grandpa might not be professional in the corpse-salvaging business, but the directions he provided were all excellent.

"Eh?"

Runsheng let out a sound of confusion, looked at the TV, and then looked at Xue Liangliang.

The TV was playing a scene of saving someone. A woman had tried to commit suicide by jumping into the river and was saved by a brave young man.

And after saving the person, when the reporter went up to ask for the other party's name and unit, the young man didn't leave his name after doing a good deed and left directly, leaving the camera with a back view that was detached from low-level interests.

Xue Liangliang frowned and said, "Does your Nantong TV station really have no news to film? She didn't want to commit suicide at all."

Tan Wenbin asked curiously, "How so?"

"She was just standing by the river, and the water only covered her ankles. I went up and asked. She didn't dare to die and said she wouldn't be that stupid; it wasn't worth it for that person."

"And then?"

"Then I went into the water."

"Ah?"

"She was frightened by me, slipped and fell, and was almost swept away by the river water. I could only turn back, come out, and carry her back to the shore."

"Then why did she say you saved her..."

"She was probably too embarrassed to explain the truth."

Runsheng: "You're also not afraid that your other half will misunderstand."

Xue Liangliang: "..."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't talk about Xue Liangliang's business; it was Xue Liangliang who opened the conversation and talked about it after he arrived.

Next, Tan Wenbin stated his request: he also wanted to go to Shancheng together.

Immediately, fearing that Li Zhuiyuan would misunderstand, he pointed to the suitcase he had specifically brought from home, saying that he would carry his books and problems with him and wouldn't delay his studies.

Xue Liangliang agreed directly. Bringing one was bringing one; bringing two was the same.

Therefore, Runsheng and Tan Wenbin would both go to Shancheng together.

"Xiao Yuan, come here for a moment."

"Okay, Grandma Liu."

Li Zhuiyuan walked toward Liu Yumei.

Liu Yumei was drinking tea. Inside the room, A Li was taking a bath.

"You're going to Shancheng, right? When are you going?"

"In two days."

"How long will you be gone?"

"Not long. I'll be back soon."

"It's fine, have fun. No need to rush." Liu Yumei took out a piece of paper with a string of phone numbers written on it. "When you get to Shancheng, call this number."

"Grandma, what is this..."

"It's a coincidence. An old friend has passed away. I happen to be taking A Li to Shancheng to see. Over these years, many old friends have passed away."

"Are you coming with us?"

"That won't do." Liu Yumei shook her head. "You're taking the train, right?"

"Mm, yes."

"My old arms and legs can't take that torture. Besides, it's not good for A Li to go to crowded places. You go ahead. Call us when you get there to see Grandma and A Li."

"Okay, Grandma."

After Li Zhuiyuan left, Liu Yumei walked into the room.

In the wooden tub in the room, A Li was sitting inside. Liu Yumei revealed a kind smile.

"Come, come, come, let Grandma find out for you which of those old things in Shancheng passed away recently."

Liu Yumei opened the drawer and took out a thick stack of envelopes, all filled with obituaries.

She gathered the ones sent from Shancheng together and chose one who had gone to report to the King of Hell a month ago.

Flicking the envelope, Liu Yumei laughed:

"Alright, I'll give you this much face."

Although it had been a month, one could still mourn. Things like customs were originally adapted to the production and lifestyle of the people they targeted.

For old wanderers, a boat trip could easily take a month or even half a year. How could they rush to see someone for the last time when someone died? Even the 'five-seven' memorial was hard to catch.

Generally speaking, according to old rules, for one year after a person's death, the mourning candle couldn't be extinguished, just in case someone came to mourn.

In the past, Liu Yumei would just collect these obituaries and throw them there. Even if she didn't have to stay here for A Li's medical treatment, she wouldn't bother going.

Accepting this obituary was already giving the other party face. Being able to return a telegram or send a message was already a favor. Nothing else; the seniority and qualifications were placed right there.

A Li had finished her bath.

"Come, Grandma will dress our A Li up beautifully."

After grooming, she opened the door, and A Li walked out. Li Zhuiyuan stood up, left his partners, and went to the room upstairs with A Li to draw.

Liu Yi walked into the east room holding a box. After opening it, inside were A Li's new clothes, piece by piece.

In lean years, a craftsman wouldn't starve. No matter how young people outside pursued permed hair, Western styles, or how young men and women left long bangs to cover their eyes.

In the eyes of the older generation, it was just like children being young and insensible, playing around. Those traditional tailor shops still lived very well and didn't worry about business. After all, ordinary people couldn't afford their craftsmanship.

"It was still more convenient in the past. The seasonal clothes for the whole family were all made by our own shop. The needlework I've gotten used to is indeed good. Just a few words of suggestion and they know what I mean. Unlike now, every time I have to draw patterns and do the design myself."

Liu Yi laughed: "Isn't this also your pleasure?"

"Heh heh."

"Besides, if you want to raise them, it's not like you can't afford it now."

Liu Yumei turned her head and glanced at the rows of memorial tablets on the offering table, sighing:

"It's not a question of whether I can afford to raise them, but that there aren't so many people who can wear them anymore."

"I spoke clumsily."

"It doesn't matter. Organize the clothes, check the needlework, and see if they still need any alterations."

"Then this one... it doesn't seem to be A Li's?"

Liu Yi pulled out a set and unfolded it. This garment had flying fish embroidered on it, the overall color was on the darker side, but the style was very steady.

"This is for Xiao Yuan."

"Then that's really good fortune, to be able to let you set clothes for him. It can be seen that you really put in the effort to make major changes."

"He's at least the future registered disciple of the Liu family I've reserved. It's just a set of clothes; it doesn't count for much."

"You, you're just saying one thing while meaning another."

"I really don't have any other intentions. No matter what, you can't recruit a 'dragon crossing the river' as a live-in son-in-law. Although our family has fallen, a rotten ship still has three pounds of nails. We can't change the surname for nothing."

"Forgive me for being clumsy again. Don't be angry. You don't have the final say in this matter; it depends on A Li's wishes. Aren't these two children childhood sweethearts?"

"If they could really be together just because they were childhood sweethearts, I wouldn't have married A Li's grandfather."

As she spoke, Liu Yumei suddenly remembered her own childhood sweetheart.

That person had always been thinking of her and even gave a heavy gift at the birthday banquet of this eldest daughter of the Liu family, with the intention of proposing marriage.

Then that night, he was bagged by A Li's grandfather and thrown into the cesspool of a brothel.

This matter was only leaked after marriage when the old thing was drunk.

The old thing said very domineeringly that since that guy wanted to eat shit, he would let him eat his fill.

At that time, she herself seemed not only not angry at the encounter of her childhood sweetheart, but instead laughed "cackle cackle" on the side.

Liu Yumei waved her hand: "Send the clothes to that kid and let him try them on."

"Alright."

Liu Yi saw that Liu Yumei's mood had suddenly dropped, took the clothes, left the room, and closed the door.

Liu Yumei walked slowly to the memorial archway and picked up the new memorial tablet belonging to her man.

"Old thing, old thing, you shouldn't have been so good to me back then, causing me, your old lady, to be trapped in memories for a lifetime and unable to get out."

Tomorrow is the day to go out.

After lunch, Li Sanjiang called Li Zhuiyuan into the room, took out a blue cloth bag from the drawer, and opened it. Inside were brand-new bills.

"As the saying goes, a poor family has a rich road. When going on a long journey, you must bring enough money."

"Great-Grandpa, Brother Liangliang said he would cover everything. He has money."

"That's not the same. If you use someone else's money, you have to look at their expression."

"I have money here, too."

"Zhuiyuan Secret Scroll" sold very well at school, and after his provincial competition results came out, other schools in the city also came to purchase it.

"Your money is your money; it's also not the same."

"Thank you, Great-Grandpa." Li Zhuiyuan accepted the money.

"Be careful when you go out. Be careful about everything. The world is peaceful, but the roads might not be."

"Mm, Brother Runsheng and Brother Binbin are with me, so I'm not afraid."

"Runsheng is fine, but forget about Zhuangzhuang, unless he steals his dad's service pistol."

"Great-Grandpa..."

"Hahaha, just joking. How could he do such a thing? Your grandparents will come over for dinner later, too."

"Mm, I know."

After leaving Great-Grandpa's room, Li Zhuiyuan handed the money Great-Grandpa gave him to Tan Wenbin, along with the share from the exercise book, all placed with Binbin.

He wasn't used to carrying money himself; he felt it was good to have someone help manage it.

Tan Wenbin sighed several times: "Brother Xiao Yuan, aren't you afraid I'll run away with the money?"

On the second-floor balcony, Cuicui was playing Gomoku with A Li.

Now, A Li could accept some people who were relatively close. At least when the distance was close, she could restrain herself.

Cuicui waved and shouted: "Brother Yuan, Sister A Li is too good at chess; I can't beat her."

"That's for sure; I can't beat A Li either."

Li Zhuiyuan walked into his room, and A Li stood up and followed him in.

Since he was going to be away from home for a while, Li Zhuiyuan rolled up all the paintings that were originally hanging on the wall.

While he was doing these things, A Li on the side kept staring at his every move.

After Li Zhuiyuan finished packing up all the scrolls, he said:

"Let's go, put them in your collection box."

The girl's eyes lit up immediately.

Arriving at the east room, A Li's collection box had already reached the third one. The first box was full of Jianlibao.

Just as they finished arranging the things, Li Sanjiang's shout came from outside: "Xiao Yuan Hou, come take a photo."

"Coming."

Walking out of the east room, he saw that the master from the town's photo studio had been invited to the house. It was Great-Grandpa who had invited him, and Li Weihan and Cui Guiying had also changed into decent new clothes, obviously having been notified long ago to take photos.

Now, the photographer was taking individual photos of them. There were many requirements, but the old people didn't show the slightest impatience, following the master's instructions to constantly adjust their postures.

The old people valued this kind of photo very much; they might use it for their funeral portrait.

Moreover, photos taken before death were often too ugly, and they all hoped to capture some spirit while they were healthy.

Liu Yi reminded: "Xiao Yuan, go change into the set of clothes Grandma Liu gave you. Let's take one, too."

"Okay."

Li Zhuiyuan didn't refuse. He ran back to the room and put on that set of clothes. The style of the clothes was very similar to what A Li often wore, and the material was very delicate and comfortable.

The only drawback was that it was more troublesome to put on, and there were many places that needed to be buttoned.

After he finished dressing and came down, he found that everyone was already waiting for him.

The protagonist of the photo was Li Zhuiyuan. First, he took a photo with Li Sanjiang, then with Li Weihan and Cui Guiying, and then Li Sanjiang came in again, and the three old people and one child took one together.

The next stage was for the young people.

Li Zhuiyuan and A Li leaned together, while Runsheng, Tan Wenbin, and Xue Liangliang kept a little distance from A Li and joined the frame.

Cuicui was happily watching the fun on the side.

Li Zhuiyuan waved to her and shouted: "Cuicui, come take a photo together."

Cuicui was even happier. Although shy, she didn't refuse at all and immediately leaned over.

A big group photo belonging to the young people was thus produced.

Liu Yumei also changed into a set of clothes and walked out, saying: "Come, take one for us, too."

She sat on the chair where she usually drank tea, Liu Yi stood behind her, and A Li stood on her front left.

The photographer said to Li Zhuiyuan: "There's still an empty seat there, hurry up."

In his view, the attire on Liu Yumei and the girl was the same as the boy's.

Li Zhuiyuan hesitated. After all, this was someone else's family photo, and it wouldn't be good for him to join rashly.

Liu Yumei nodded at him, signaling him to come over.

Li Zhuiyuan then walked over. He and A Li stood on the left and right in front of Liu Yumei, and Liu Yumei placed her hands on the shoulders of the boy and girl respectively.

She was dignified in posture, graceful in expression, and in her eyes, there was a faint arrogance without the slightest affectation.

The photographer's hands were trembling. After pressing the shutter, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, secretly calling it strange—he hadn't been this nervous when taking photos for the town leaders.

After taking the photo, Li Zhuiyuan prepared to hold A Li's hand and leave.

But although A Li was still holding his hand, she didn't move.

Liu Yumei noticed her granddaughter's intention and laughed: "Come, you two take one."

She and Liu Yi stepped aside.

The photographer gave instructions: "Come, closer, closer, heads closer, hey, right, right, right, very good, very good, the two children are really beautiful. In all the years I've lived, this is the first time I've seen real golden boys and jade girls outside of New Year pictures, heh heh."

Li Zhuiyuan and A Li stood leaning together.

"Get ready, taking it, three, two, one!"

"Click!"

The moment the shutter was pressed,

The girl tilted her head and leaned on the boy's shoulder.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 59 =====