Chapter 196: Is This Also a Specialty of Your Village?

A moment later, Ma Xianhong composed his emotions and asked straight to the point:

"Friends, I wonder if you could be more specific about the purpose of your visit?"

"So annoying." A look of impatience appeared on Xiao Qing's face, her voice carrying a hint of anger, "We've already said it several times; can you not understand human speech?"

Ma Xianhong's expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.

He said sternly: "If the three of you are truly here for tourism, Biyou Natural Village welcomes you. But if you have come with other intentions..." His tone suddenly turned cold, "then I can only ask you to leave the village."

These words were both a warning and a probe. Ma Xianhong secretly observed the three's reactions, especially the expression of the young man. An ordinary village should not attract such experts; it was too contrary to reason. As the Village Chief, Ma Xianhong had to be cautious at all times.

"Village Chief, we are indeed just here for tourism," Xiao Bai said elegantly, his voice soft and calm, "The scenery of Biyou Village is quite good, and we would like to enjoy the pastoral landscape here."

Upon hearing this, Ma Xianhong bowed slightly, "I have troubled you. To ask any further would be lacking in etiquette." He straightened up and lifted his head, putting on a kind smile once more, "Since that is the case, I wish the three of you a pleasant stay."

Seeming to feel that a boring farewell was not grand enough, Ma Xianhong added: "However, as the head of the village, I should fulfill the duties of a host. I wonder if the three of you would do me the honor of having dinner together tomorrow? After all, those who come are guests."

"We aren't used to the food." Xiao Qing refused directly without the slightest hesitation, her tone laced with a hint of disdain.

Under the moonlight, Ma Xianhong's expression stiffened instantly; he had not expected Xiao Qing to be so blunt.

But he quickly adjusted himself. Ma Xianhong was unwilling to easily give up this opportunity to get close, and continued enthusiastically: "There are still many delicacies in our village; how could you not be used to them?"

"Do you have abalone and lobster?" Xiao Qing asked with her head tilted, her tone carrying a hint of pickiness.

"This..." Ma Xianhong smiled slightly, "Not at the moment."

Xiao Qing curled her lips, "Without these things, you can't keep me." Her tone carried a hint of willfulness.

Ma Xianhong was momentarily speechless and was just debating how to respond when Lin Xuan suddenly spoke up. This was one of the few times he had taken the initiative to speak tonight.

"Thank you for the Village Chief's kindness." Lin Xuan's voice was calm and powerful.

After Lin Xuan politely declined Ma Xianhong's invitation, he took Xiao Qing and Xiao Bai and turned to leave under the cover of night. Ma Xianhong stood where he was, watching the three gradually disappear into the darkness, silently praying that these three mysterious visitors would not interfere with the affairs of Biyou Village. If experts of this level were to take action, it would likely disrupt all his plans.

After the figures of Lin Xuan and the others completely vanished, Ma Xianhong also turned to leave. However, he hadn't gone far before he encountered Zhuge Qing and Wang Ye, who were out for a walk at a fork in the road.

"Good evening." Ma Xianhong offered a token greeting, his tone peaceful, as if the tense standoff from just moments ago had not happened.

"Ma Xianhong?" Wang Ye looked at him with some surprise; it was clear he had not expected to meet Ma Xianhong here.

Ma Xianhong did not pay any more attention to the two and then walked away quickly, leaving Wang Ye and Zhuge Qing to look at each other in dismay.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I just feel his mood is off."

Zhuge Qing looked at Ma Xianhong's receding back, his face full of confusion.

Wang Ye shook his head; he also sensed that Ma Xianhong's expression was somewhat unusual, as if he had just experienced something out of the ordinary.

"Why would Ma Xianhong appear here so late?" Zhuge Qing stopped walking and asked, looking in the direction where Ma Xianhong had disappeared. The night breeze blew by, bringing a chill.

Wang Ye answered casually: "He must be patrolling the village." He looked at Zhuge Qing and changed the subject.

"Speaking of which," a mischievous smile appeared on Wang Ye's face again, "you still haven't told me who Fu Rong is?"

Zhuge Qing's cheeks immediately flushed, and he explained in a flustered manner: "Just a friend, that's all."

"Really just a friend?" Wang Ye pressed on relentlessly, his gaze carrying a probing look.

Zhuge Qing tried to change the subject, pretending to be impatient as he asked: "Why are you so concerned about this?"

"It's just curiosity," Wang Ye said with a smile, "Don't be so stingy, tell me about it. I've never seen you be so special toward any girl before."

Facing Wang Ye's repeated questioning, Zhuge Qing remained tight-lipped and refused to reveal any more information. This only served to strengthen Wang Ye's suspicions; he looked at his friend's flushed face and secretly found it amusing. The usually composed Zhuge Qing actually had such an embarrassed side.

"Could it be," Wang Ye's eyes lit up, revealing a look of sudden realization, "that you like that girl named Fu Rong?"

Zhuge Qing's complexion grew even redder; although he did not speak, this reaction was enough to say everything.

"If you like her, then you like her; it's only human nature." Wang Ye looked knowing, his tone carrying a hint of teasing, "I never thought Brother Zhuge would have a day where his heart was stirred. It seems this trip to Biyou Village was not in vain."

Facing Wang Ye's banter, Zhuge Qing shook his head helplessly. He knew well that once this friend of his got hold of some leverage, he wouldn't let it go easily. Not to mention that this involved matters of the heart, he was afraid he would be teased for a long time.

However, Wang Ye also saw Zhuge Qing's embarrassment and restrained his laughter somewhat. After all, in this somewhat unfamiliar Biyou Village, being able to have such a pure emotion could be considered a rare comfort.

"It's getting late, get some sleep early."

After leaving these words, Wang Ye waved his hand and strolled off into the distance until his figure disappeared into the night.

"You guy."

Zhuge Qing waved his hand helplessly, then turned and left as well.

The morning sun spilled onto the paths of Biyou Village, and Zhang Chulan and Feng Baobao were walking slowly along the village road. As they walked, the two discussed in low voices.

"Sister Bao'er," Zhang Chulan stopped and turned to Feng Baobao, "You need to greet the people in the village more and be a bit more enthusiastic."

Feng Baobao tilted her head, looking confused: "Why do I have to do that?"

Zhang Chulan explained patiently: "Because that can shorten the distance between people. If everyone slowly lets down their guard against us, we can better understand the situation in the village."

"Oh." Feng Baobao nodded blankly, as if she understood something, yet also as if she understood nothing at all.

"In other words," Zhang Chulan pointed to an auntie not far away who was harvesting peanuts, "you can take the initiative to go up and greet her, or help carry some things. That way, they will feel that we have good intentions."

Feng Baobao listened earnestly; although her expression remained dull, there was already a bit more understanding in her eyes. This method of undercover investigation was still very fresh to her.