Chapter 25

Chapter 25

[Marriage fate smooth, long life safe.]

Li Zhuiyuan recalled once looking at Xue Liangliang's face.

Everything has multiple facets; as long as you actively change your perspective, you can always find the positive side.

For example, this marriage is indeed quite smooth.

One look fixes the emotion, one day fixes a lifetime.

Even if they only see each other every three years, if it ensures a long and safe life together, isn't that also a form of compensation?

"Xiao Yuan, come with me to see Zhao Hequan. See how he's doing now."

"Brother Liangliang, can you get out of bed now?"

"Yes."

Xue Liangliang got out of bed, and then his legs started to tremble.

Li Zhuiyuan quickly supported him to prevent him from falling.

Xue Liangliang looked a bit embarrassed.

"Brother Liangliang, you've just recovered from a serious illness. It's normal to be a bit weak."

"Yes, yes, yes."

"Walk slowly, lean on me."

"Okay, Xiao Yuan."

The two left the ward, went downstairs, and arrived in front of Zhao Hequan's ward.

Zhao Hequan's parents had already rushed over from elsewhere. They were listening to the doctor describe the condition. Both were dressed quite formally and decently, indicating their family's financial situation was likely good.

When they heard the doctor say that Zhao Hequan's condition had suddenly improved and he was completely out of danger, they cried with joy.

But when they continued to hear the doctor say that many parts of Zhao Hequan's body had festered and some parts had to be amputated, including the removal of his testicles,

They cried even louder!

[Marriage fate rugged, alone widowed lifelong.]

Li Zhuiyuan silently recited in his heart. Looking at it this way, he seemed to have calculated correctly again.

However, he had originally thought the consequences would manifest after Zhao Hequan and his girlfriend went to America. He didn't expect it to be so soon.

Avoiding the two wailing elders, Xue Liangliang pushed open the ward door and walked in with Li Zhuiyuan.

At this time, Zhao Hequan was already awake, sitting up in bed.

He looked very haggard and depressed.

Li Zhuiyuan recalled seeing a listless dog lying on a levee embankment when he first returned to the village and was playing with Pan Zi and Lei Zi.

He had asked his brothers at that time if the dog was sick.

Pan Zi replied: "He was just castrated yesterday; he hasn't regained his strength yet."

However, although both were wearing patient gowns, upon seeing Xue Liangliang, Zhao Hequan's eyes immediately flashed with fighting spirit. He instinctively thought that Xue Liangliang had specially come to mock him!

Li Zhuiyuan didn't know if Brother Liangliang had come to confirm whether all the Bai family ladies had safely returned home.

Upon closer inspection, this should also be part of the negotiation conditions, belonging to Brother Liangliang's "hidden betrothal gift."

Therefore, Xue Liangliang should be Zhao Hequan's savior.

Zhao Hequan: "Hehe, don't laugh too soon. Medicine is advanced in America. When I go to America, my illness can be cured!"

Xue Liangliang nodded and comforted him, saying: "Take it easy, it doesn't matter if it can't be cured. If they continue to deconstruct the concept of collectivism, your status in America later on will likely become higher and higher."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Hequan's face turned red with anger, and his body began to tremble, as if his non-existent testicles were stepped on, or he was experiencing phantom limb pain.

"Heh, I'll definitely live better and be happier than you later.

I will live well and wait to see your joke.

Also, let me tell you, Lili has already called me. She said no matter what happens to my body, she won't dislike me. When we go to America, she will marry me. At that time, I'll send you a photo of our wedding in the church."

"Congratulations." Xue Liangliang sighed, "I'm already married."

"What are you talking about?" Zhao Hequan was stunned for a moment, then immediately shouted, "Are you making things up just to provoke me, to the point where you don't even care about logic?"

At this moment, the ward door was pushed open again, and Luo Tingrui entered.

When a student in the school's internship program has an accident, the school must take responsibility. Not only do they have to bear the medical expenses, but they also have to fulfill compensation responsibilities. Fortunately, the person is out of danger.

"Zhao Hequan."

"Director Luo." Zhao Hequan immediately put on a smile for Director Luo.

"Rest well and try to return to school as soon as possible to continue your studies."

"Okay, Director Luo."

"Liangliang, why did you just run out after waking up? Listen to me and go back to the ward to rest. How can I be at ease in your condition?"

"I'm fine now, Director Luo."

"Stop calling me Director. Call me Uncle from now on."

"Okay, Uncle Luo."

Someone in a coma state couldn't possibly deceive people. Luo Tingrui already greatly appreciated Xue Liangliang, and after this incident, he liked this young man even more.

He had already made up his mind to apply to the school to participate in the Southwest aid construction project. At that time, he could bring Xue Liangliang with him, giving this boy a higher starting point from the beginning.

"Alright, I'll go out first. Go back to the ward and rest early." Luo Tingrui said, then went out to comfort Zhao Hequan's parents.

Zhao Hequan was so angry at this time that he gritted his teeth. What was Director Luo's tone towards him, and what was his tone towards Xue Liangliang? He even told Xue Liangliang to call him Uncle?

He understood. No wonder Xue Liangliang said his marriage was settled. This was about becoming relatives with Director Luo!

As a student of Haihe University, Zhao Hequan was naturally aware that although Luo Tingrui was just a department head at the school, he was absolutely a grandmaster in related fields in the country. And now the higher-ups were encouraging professionals from schools to enter official positions. If Luo Tingrui was willing to leave the school, his position outside would be greatly promoted immediately.

"Alright, Xue Liangliang, I didn't realize it. No wonder you usually act so proper. It turns out you're just trying to climb the social ladder!"

"I'm also under immense psychological pressure. It's more about having to do this."

"You..."

Li Zhuiyuan noticed that white smoke was actually rising from Zhao Hequan's head.

At this moment, Zhao Hequan's mother came in, wiping tears, and said: "Hequan, the school has contacted an expert from Shanghai for you, and they'll be here soon. Your father and I will go to the entrance to welcome them. Don't worry, your illness will be fine."

"Okay..." Zhao Hequan nodded with a sullen face.

After his mother left, Zhao Hequan sneered: "See, that's how it is in the country. You have to find connections for everything you do, and it's all about favors. It's nothing like America, where there's none of this."

Xue Liangliang said doubtfully: "How do you feel that a country with a recommendation letter system has no favors?"

"You... get out, get out of here, get out!"

"Rest well and pay attention to rest."

Supported by Li Zhuiyuan, Xue Liangliang walked out of the ward. After closing the door, Xue Liangliang said:

"Let's not go back to the ward first. Let's go buy some snacks and toys for you at the hospital entrance."

"No need."

"Yes, you need. Although I don't know exactly what happened, I know that your presence proves you helped me a lot. Besides, this was originally something I promised you.

Let's go. Brothers should buy each other something to eat and play with. Isn't that natural? Unless you don't want to acknowledge me as your brother?"

"Okay, brother."

The two walked slowly downstairs. In a corner on the first floor, Zhao Hequan's parents were standing there talking. Because Xue Liangliang was walking down very slowly, they heard a quite long conversation.

"Can that part of our son that's gone really be cured?"

"Even if that part is cured, it's still gone. We should hurry and try to have another child. We can't let our family's lineage be cut off."

"I feel like I can still give birth, but if we have a second child, what about my job and yours..."

"Just write an application and explain the situation. After all, the older one is already disabled."

"Hmm, that's true."

Xue Liangliang and Li Zhuiyuan neither stopped nor greeted them. They walked straight out of the inpatient building and arrived at the shops outside the hospital.

"Go pick. Take whatever you want to eat. Take some of those toys too. Don't be shy with your brother."

Li Zhuiyuan went to grab some snacks and stationery as a token gesture.

"Just taking so little?"

"It's enough for me."

"Alright." Xue Liangliang paid the bill, then stuffed the remaining money into Li Zhuiyuan's pocket, patted it, and said, "This is pocket money from your brother."

"Thank you, brother."

When they sent Xue Liangliang back to the ward, they saw Qin Shu sitting on a bench in the corridor waiting. After Li Zhuiyuan said goodbye to Xue Liangliang, he walked out of the hospital with Qin Shu.

"Sleep, I'll carry you."

"Okay, Shu."

Li Zhuiyuan was carried by Qin Shu. He was indeed tired and sleepy, and he quickly fell asleep on his back.

He didn't know how long passed. He only felt his body shaking slightly, and he could hear the sound of car horns.

Li Zhuiyuan's first reaction was, could it be that Qin Shu also used that paper car to move?

He excitedly opened his eyes, then was disappointed.

The car was full of people. This was the bus from the city area to Shigang Town.

This wasn't Qin Shu using the move; this was buying a ticket with money.

Li Zhuiyuan really wanted to specifically ask Qin Shu about the paper car matter from last night, but he ultimately resisted, because the closer they got to home, the less they could talk about certain things.

However, he remembered Qin Shu saying last night that "she" carried him over.

So, the paper car was just like a kind of dream or hypnosis. In reality, was it a certain Bai family lady who carried him and Qin Shu from Siyuan Village to the city area?

Looking at it this way, it didn't seem particularly special. Wasn't this just a flipped version of Brother Runsheng?

"Aren't you going to sleep a little longer?"

"No need, Shu, it's strange. I don't know why, but I just slept for a little while and feel completely refreshed."

"Because the road is under repair and blocking the car. It's four o'clock in the afternoon now."

"Oh, no wonder."

The bus stopped. Li Zhuiyuan and Qin Shu got off. The two walked along the village road towards the inside.

"Xiao Yuan, Shu wants to ask you something."

"Shu, go ahead."

"What do you think of your big friend's choice?"

"He doesn't know what happened outside, so making such a choice is very normal. It's understandable."

"I'm not asking about that. Shu wants to ask you, if it were you, would you be willing to marry into my family?"

Li Zhuiyuan stopped walking. He first looked in the direction of Taiye's house not far away, then turned his head to look at Qin Shu standing beside him.

He didn't answer Qin Shu's question but asked: "Shu, are you going to leave me?"

Qin Li seemed not to have expected the boy to ask this and showed a moment of surprise on his face: "Why do you say that?"

"Just a feeling."

Qin Li smiled and no longer insisted on an answer to the previous question. He didn't speak anymore and walked quietly home with the boy beside him.

Qin Li withdrew his foot from the threshold, stood up, held a small chess box, and came in front of Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan then looked at Liu Yumei sitting on the dam drinking tea. Qin Shu was standing behind her at this time, speaking with her head lowered.

After Liu Yumei nodded, Qin Shu followed Liu Yi back to the west room.

"Xiao Yuan, your Taiye and Runsheng went out." Liu Yumei said.

"Grandma Liu, do they have work?"

"Not this time. They just settled the money for two batches of paper offerings today. Your Taiye has money in his pocket and asked Runsheng to take him to Shigang Town to buy a TV."

Li Zhuiyuan only sighed in his heart. Taiye really didn't save money. He spent as much as he had in his pocket.

However, he didn't really have any expectations for a TV.

He had already finished reading "Yin Yang Xiang Xue Jing Jie" and "Ming Ge Tui Yan Lun". Although he still didn't completely understand or dared to try to understand them now, at least, those two books could be put down for the time being.

Next, he would go to the basement to find books again.

Although Taiye's earnest teachings still echoed in his ears, and he was also clear about the importance of building a solid foundation, he... really couldn't help himself.

He didn't want to only be a bystand the next time he experienced something similar.

This idea of being eager for quick success was definitely wrong and needed to be criticized, but who could blame him? He was still a child, after all.

Uh, he couldn't always be too mature and rational. He was also under control in this condition.

Li Zhuiyuan first assembled the flashlight in the drawer, then entered the basement. The difference was that this time he brought Qin Li.

"A Li, come, help me choose a box."

This time, Li Zhuiyuan no longer insisted on clearing out the first box completely.

A Li walked to the box in the middle.

"This one?"

Li Zhuiyuan signaled A Li to hold the flashlight, then he used force to open the box lid.

"A Li, help me shine the light a bit."

Li Zhuiyuan started looking for books inside. The books in this box were all thick sets, very similar to the "Jiang Hu Zhi Guai Lu" he saw for the first time. They all started with at least 20 volumes and were neatly arranged.

But generally, they were all basic-level, conceptual-level, and most of them were health-related.

Li Zhuiyuan even saw a "Tai Xuan Double Cultivation Classic".

He pulled out one volume and flipped through a few pages. There were pictures and text, various action postures.

Before A Li leaned her head over to look at the book together according to her past habit, Li Zhuiyuan quickly closed the book.

He frowned. These were not the books he wanted to find. Although he admitted that these books would be very useful in the future, they were just like a chicken's rib now.

Li Zhuiyuan leaned into the box, planning to take out the two sets pressed at the very bottom. He spent quite a lot of effort and sweated quite a bit, finally taking them out.

If these two were still health-related, then this box could forever collect dust.

His gaze fell on the book covers, and Li Zhuiyuan immediately became energized.

"Zheng Dao Fu Mo Lu Upper"!

Although the name of this book sounded a bit like the popular Hong Kong and Taiwan martial arts novels in the mainland now,

It was much better than the health classics he had flipped through before and gave people extremely strong expectations.

However, why was it just "upper"?

Li Zhuiyuan looked at the other set he had taken out. The cover said "Zheng Dao Fu Mo Lu Lower".

So, these two sets, totaling over a hundred volumes, were actually one book? But why divide them into upper and lower volumes?

The books in the box were basically all handwritten versions, not published, assuming that if the upper volume sold well, they would release the lower volume.

Li Zhuiyuan respectively pulled out the first volume from the upper and lower sets.

He quickly flipped through the pages to scan the content format. The illustrations and text were detailed, and various states of fallen beings in different environments were drawn inside, as well as the items used to deal with fallen beings.

However, why did it feel familiar?

With this thought, Li Zhuiyuan took out the first volume of the "lower" set, opened it, and quickly scanned the pages. The illustrations and text were still detailed, but each illustration and text bubble indicated that they were in water, and the props used became fewer, with more close combat with fallen beings.

So, the upper volume discusses how to deal with fallen beings in a shore environment and using various props; the lower volume discusses how to deal with fallen beings in a water environment.

However, these two shouldn't completely conflict. It doesn't mean that methods used on shore are completely useless in water.

The author divided it this way for convenience in recording; it can't be copied exactly.

But this comfortable font and familiar drawing style... Li Zhuiyuan immediately took out the last volume of the lower set, flipped to the last page,

Sure enough, the last row said:

"—Written by Wei Zhengdao."

Looking at this name, Li Zhuiyuan felt very close.

"Jiang Hu Zhi Guai Lu" was his introductory reading material, but he really didn't expect that Wei Zhengdao actually had a sequel.

The former was conceptual definition, then these two volumes in front of him were formulas.

Li Zhuiyuan really liked this kind of rigorous and orderly feeling.

Looking around these more than ten boxes, were there any more books by Wei Zhengdao here?

A thought arose in Li Zhuiyuan's mind. If this person really wrote from introductory popular science to higher levels... then, every fallen being at the end of "Jiang Hu Zhi Guai Lu" being "destroyed by Zhengdao" wouldn't be just the author's simple self-entertainment?

It really was... destroyed by Wei Zhengdao.

Before, Li Zhuiyuan only felt that this author was very interesting and that this idea was very absurd. After all, in a person's lifetime, how could they go to so many places, see so many fallen beings, and destroy so many?

But last night, after personally witnessing Qin Shu's style, he realized it didn't seem impossible?

Just like Taiye always didn't believe he took classes in university, people are indeed prone to making experiential errors in their unfamiliar fields.

"If I finish reading all the books you've written, would you count as my teacher?"

So, if he were to write a diary later, how would he write below?

Certain fallen beings,

Destroyed by the inheritor of Zhengdao?

...

Liu Yumei was just eating snacks and sipping tea when she saw Li Zhuiyuan hugging a stack of books and walking upstairs, followed by her granddaughter, who was also hugging a stack of books.

The two children carried the books up to the second floor, put them in the bedroom, then ran back downstairs, and again carried a stack of books from the basement up, back and forth many times.

Liu Yumei was a little helpless and also wanted to laugh. Ah, this was her precious granddaughter whom she had taken care of since she was a child.

However, this was also quite good. As long as it didn't let her continue to sit in the room and stare blankly after the threshold, even if the boy carried a hoe and took her to the field to plant, Liu Yumei wouldn't stop him.

After moving the books, Li Zhuiyuan first took out a towel, wet it, and wiped his face and hands. He first helped A Li wipe her face and hands, then folded the towel a bit and wiped his own sweat.

Afterward, Li Zhuiyuan took out three cans of Jianlibao, opened one for A Li, and kept one.

Next, the boy and girl sat together on the balcony, enjoying the evening breeze and drinking beverages.

The girl's hair was occasionally blown by the wind, brushing against his face, making it itchy.

The boy occasionally turned his head to look at the girl's profile. She was sitting on the west side, framed perfectly with the warm orange sunset. "We're back!"

Runsheng pushed the cart, and Taiye sat on the cart, with a yellow cardboard box in his arms.

"Xiao Yuan Hou, Taiye bought the TV for you and brought it back!"

"Come, Taiye."

Li Zhuiyuan ran downstairs to welcome him, showing a very happy and excited expression.

He opened the box, plugged in the power, set up the two antennas on top, rotated the channels, and received CCTV, Nantong local station, and the county station.

The county station was just playing a new Qiong Yao drama. At this time, local small TV stations would broadcast whatever they could get film sources of, regardless of copyright issues. Anyway, the viewers were all local, and the radiation range was not large.

"How about it, Xiao Yuan Hou, is it quite clear?" Li Sanjiang touched the top of the TV and showed off to Li Zhuiyuan.

"Hmm, it's clear."

"Your Taiye bought the latest model, the good one. Runsheng Hou, lift the TV into Xiao Yuan Hou's room."

"No need, Taiye, just put it on the first floor. This way everyone can watch."

"How can that be? I bought it for you. How can I not put it in your room?"

"If that's the case, I'll be engrossed in watching TV and it will affect my studies."

"Oh, alright, just put it on the first floor then."

"Okay!"

Runsheng was very happy to move the TV in. He slept on the table on the first floor every evening, which meant he could watch TV all night.

Liu Yi said at this moment: "It's time to eat dinner."

The small dining table for four was already set. Runsheng was holding a thick stick of incense in his hand, and beside it was a bundle of thin incense sticks, looking exactly like a big onion and small onions.

Since that day, after being enlightened by Xiao Yuan, he could no longer leave this way of eating. Every time before eating incense, he had to light the incense first, then start chewing from the other end.

Li Sanjiang took a sip of wine and called out to Qin Shu, who was sitting and eating with Liu Yumei and Liu Ting:

"A Li Hou, the old Zhao family in Shi family village is holding a funeral the day after tomorrow. I met them on the way back. They ordered sixteen sets of seats. You send the tables, chairs, bowls, and dishes to them tomorrow afternoon.

Oh, and, A Ting Hou, check again if there's enough stock at home. If not, hurry and replenish some. Have A Li Hou send it to the old Zhao family when he does things the day after tomorrow."

Liu Yi nodded and said: "I'll replenish the paper offerings. They'll be ready in time, but A Li..."

"What about A Li Hou?"

Qin Li stood up from the table and walked to Li Sanjiang, saying: "Uncle Sanjiang, my elder brother back home is sick, I'm afraid it's not good. He has no children under his knees, so I have to go back home to take care of him."

"Then when will you be back, A Li Hou?"

"I don't know yet. At least, I have to see off my elder."

"That will take quite a while." Li Sanjiang scratched the back of his head with the end of his chopstick, "Are you going back alone? What about A Ting?"

"Uncle Sanjiang, I'm going back alone. A Ting, my mother, and A Li will continue to stay here."

"Alright then, you can go."

"Uncle Sanjiang, you don't have to wait for me to come back. There's a lot of work at home and you need a strong laborer. You should hire someone else."

"No matter, no matter, no need to hire." Li Sanjiang pointed to Runsheng, who was sitting in the corner, chewing on incense and eating rice, with rice grains all over his face, "We have Runsheng!"

"Yeah, you have me, no problem!" Runsheng not only didn't decline but even nodded very actively.

"Don't worry. I, the old man, won't let you work for free. I'll give you a salary."

"Old man, saying that makes you seem like an outsider. Living here with you, having meat to eat, incense to chew, and now a TV to watch, working for you is what I should do."

"Nonsense. Does this old man need your little salary? If your grandfather knew you were really working for free here, wouldn't he be angry to death?

Besides, save the little salary you earn here. After a while, buy some rice, flour, grains, and oil for your grandfather back home. Don't let that old fellow really starve to death."

"My grandfather has money. He earned quite a bit at Niu family last time. I'm not there anymore, so he can eat and drink for quite a while by himself."

"Heh." Li Sanjiang snorted disdainfully, "That old fellow has never had good luck with gambling, yet he still likes to play cards. I don't know how long that money can stay in his pocket."

Immediately, Li Sanjiang looked at Qin Li again: "A Li, when are you leaving?"

"I'll leave early tomorrow morning to go to the station."

"So fast? Are your things ready?"

"A Ting helped me pack everything. There's not much, just a few changes of clothes to bring back."

Li Sanjiang reached into his pocket, took out some money, and handed it to Qin Li:

"Here. I bought the TV with the bulk of the money. This is what's left. You said you need to go back home to see a doctor for your elder brother. Take this money for now. Right, don't forget to buy some Nantong specialties to bring back home, like Xiting crispy cake and Bai Pu dried tea leaves."

"Uncle Sanjiang, I can't take your money. Please take it back quickly."

Li Sanjiang's face sank: "Stinky boy, I told you to take it, just take it!"

"Really no, I can't take your money again. Look, my whole family, old and young, are all eating and drinking here with you, and you even give us a salary."

"That little salary of yours is also me, your uncle, taking advantage. Just take what I give you. If you don't take it, I'll be angry."

Liu Yumei spoke up at this time: "Take it, and remember your Uncle Sanjiang's kindness."

Only then did Qin Li accept the money and solemnly bowed to Li Sanjiang.

Li Zhuiyuan silently ate his meal with his head lowered. He simply didn't believe Qin Shu's words about going back home to take care of his elder brother. He was going to worship the ancestral tablet in the east room. This was clearly a posture of the whole family, no, the whole clan leaving.

Qin Shu was leaving only because of last night's matter.

Li Zhuiyuan could sense that they, living at Taiye's place, were always trying to avoid certain taboos. Qin Shu's departure was probably also for safety reasons.

Alas, the cost of being a bystand this time might be really high.

He secretly glanced at Liu Yumei and found that Liu Yumei also happened to look at him. Their gazes met briefly.

Liu Yumei's eyes were meaningful, and a smile played at the corner of her mouth.

Li Zhuiyuan knew this was a silent warning.

He could no longer be like before, where he would come back to seek help from the Qin family whenever he encountered difficulties. If one left after helping, there really wouldn't be enough hairs left on this duster for him to pull.

After dinner, Runsheng couldn't wait to turn on the TV and tune in the station.

Li Sanjiang didn't go upstairs to lie down and listen to storytelling either. He sat here, smoking.

Soon, exciting music came from the TV. It was the county station, playing "Li Bawang Lei Ou".

Runsheng sat back, holding several sticks of incense in his hand. He lit a match and seriously watched and chewed at the same time, as if he was eating spicy strips.

Li Zhuiyuan was not in a hurry to go back to his room to read Wei Zhengdao's new book. Instead, he moved a small stool and sat with A Li to watch TV.

Li Sanjiang asked Runsheng curiously: "What is that guy wearing red leather clothes?"

"Old man, it's Li Bawang."

"What about that round thing flying up?"

"It's a disc creature, a monster, a bad one."

"Oh, I see."

Runsheng had often watched TV before, sometimes in the village, sometimes at employers' homes, and even in shops, but it was always intermittent.

However, in this era, even children who had the privilege of watching TV often found it difficult to watch this kind of drama from beginning to end. There would inevitably be delays, missed parts due to personal matters, or the TV station would change programs before finishing the drama.

Although family video recorders were available by now, the machines were expensive, and video tapes were not easy to circulate. This also led to the rise of video parlors in various places, where people would buy tickets and watch together in a room. In the evenings, there would also be fixed times when the boss would show adult films.

After one episode finished, an advertisement for medicine for treating cattle hide moss started playing.

Runsheng continued to stare at the advertisement seriously, hoping that after the advertisement ended, the next episode would continue playing. Although, it was highly probable it wouldn't. After he continued to be exposed to TV for a period of time, even without a program list in his hand, he could clearly remember in his heart what programs each station would broadcast at each time slot.

Oh, by the way, he could even recite the lines of those advertisements.

After waiting for a long time, Runsheng turned his head to look at Li Zhuiyuan and asked: "Xiao Yuan, have you seen this before?"

Li Zhuiyuan nodded.

"How many episodes are there?"

"Around forty or fifty episodes."

"Wow, that's really good."

Before, when he was in the family courtyard, Li Zhuiyuan had been pulled by several elder brothers to watch video tapes at home. They had collected many complete sets. However, in their version, this was called "Superman Niao".

The sinicization work during this period was mainly based on the Hong Kong and Taiwan versions, hence the differences in translation habits would appear.

Liu Yumei walked over at this time and said: "A Li should rest."

These words were directed at Li Zhuiyuan.

"A Li, go back to your room with your grandma to rest. See you tomorrow morning."

A Li obediently stood up and followed Liu Yumei back to the room.

Li Zhuiyuan left the small stool. As he walked upstairs, he turned his head back and saw, through the paper offerings in the room on the first floor, Brother Runsheng and Taiye still sitting in front of the TV, watching the advertisement with relish.

He connected this again with last night, when Qin Shu was speeding on the motorcycle carrying him.

The violent collision of tradition and modernity, the friction and tearing between backwardness and advancement, it was truly hard to imagine that so many things could actually be stacked in dislocation in the same era.

However, most people living in this era, including himself, could not perceive it most of the time, even if the storm was right beside them.

Perhaps only after many years, when everything has settled, and they look back, they will suddenly realize what a strange land and strange age they were in.

"Xiao Yuan." What broke Li Zhuiyuan's thoughts was Qin Shu. He was standing at the top of the stairs on the second floor at this time, as if he had been waiting for him.

Li Zhuiyuan ran up.

"Horse stance."

"Okay."

Li Zhuiyuan knew this should be the last lesson.

Following Qin Shu's previous teachings, Li Zhuiyuan assumed the horse stance and simultaneously began to breathe, quickly entering the state.

Qin Shu's hand kept moving on Li Zhuiyuan's muscles and joints, carefully adjusting the force applied in each area.

After maintaining it for a while, Qin Shu said: "Good."

Li Zhuiyuan stood up. He didn't feel tired; instead, he felt relaxed. Now, after reading for a long time, he had gradually started to use the horse stance to replace calisthenics.

"Practice well, don't give up."

"I remember, Qin Shu."

"Hmm." Qin Shu walked downstairs.

Li Zhuiyuan felt a little disappointed. With so many abilities that Qin Shu had, he seemed to have only learned the horse stance.

However, it was still good. In Wei Zhengdao's "Zheng Dao Fu Mo Lu Lower", there were methods for close combat with fallen beings. He could practice that.

Back in the bedroom, he turned on the desk lamp. Li Zhuiyuan was not in a hurry to read the lower volume. After all, he was still a child. Before practicing close combat, he should first learn about using tools.

He opened the first volume of the upper set and started reading from the first chapter.

Next,

Li Zhuiyuan discarded all distracting thoughts and began to seriously research – the correct cultivation of young black dogs.

...

Early in the morning, Li Zhuiyuan woke up from sleep and turned his head to look at A Li sitting on the chair. Today, she wasn't wearing a skirt but a set of white and green interspersed, tight-fitting clothes.

If he also gave her a sword, she could play the role of a young female hero in a martial arts drama.

A smile appeared at the corner of Li Zhuiyuan's mouth. It seemed that Grandma Liu had changed her taste, and A Li had also changed her style.

"Good morning."

Walking in front of the girl to greet her, Li Zhuiyuan's gaze unconsciously fell on the belt around the girl's waist. The belt emitted a silver light and had finely carved patterns on it.

Uh, it shouldn't be...

Li Zhuiyuan reached out to touch it. The girl didn't avoid him, nor was she shy or angry. She just stood calmly in place.

Feeling the touch transmitted back from his fingertips, Li Zhuiyuan was not surprised. The girl's belt was actually a soft sword!

He couldn't help but sigh in his heart at Grandma Liu's pursuit of perfect obsession.

Or perhaps, A Li's obsessive-compulsive manifestations also had some inheritance from Liu Yumei.

A Li saw that Li Zhuiyuan was interested in her belt and stretched out her hand, making a gesture to untie it and give it to Li Zhuiyuan.

"No, no, no, no need to untie it." Li Zhuiyuan quickly held the girl's hand to stop her actions, then praised, "It looks really good."

A Li's eyelashes twitched slightly, but this time it wasn't a sign of anger, but of happiness.

Li Zhuiyuan was surprised to find that this was the first time A Li had used such obvious actions to express her emotions besides violent behavior.

She was really changing.

During breakfast, Qin Shu carried his luggage, said goodbye to everyone, and then walked down the dam.

Everyone's emotions were quite stable, except for Li Sanjiang.

He was probably the most reluctant to see Qin Li leave, not entirely because Qin Li was a guy who earned less and worked more. When people get along for a long time, there are always feelings.

After the meal, Li Zhuiyuan walked in front of Liu Yi, took out a list, a pen, and some money: "Liu Yi, you have to go to the town market to buy vegetables today, can you help me buy these back?"

"Sure, it's on the way." Liu Yi took the list, glanced at it, and at first showed shock, then immediately turned to traditional doubt, "Xiao Yuan, what are you buying these things for?"

"The school arranged summer vacation extracurricular practice homework. These are the materials I need to complete the homework."

This was a very lame excuse, but it didn't matter because he just needed a reason.

"Alright, Yi will buy them all back for you."

"Thank you, Yi."

Letting Liu Yi buy for him, he was relieved and didn't need to explain or instruct much, because most likely, they were much more professional than him.

In the morning, Li Zhuiyuan continued to read. This book was actually relatively simple. The difficult points were in the experimental operations. It could be said that without considering practice, this set of upper volume was more like a manual activity textbook.

At the same time, Li Zhuiyuan also noticed that many things mentioned here were actually also available at Taiye's place.

Every time Taiye salvaged a corpse or performed a ritual, he would bring many things. Upon closer comparison, he found that Taiye's things were only similar in shape or name; in essence, they were not the same kind of thing.

Li Zhuiyuan couldn't help but wonder, did Taiye really rely on a set of fake goods to salvage corpses until now?

However, the things here might be really hard to get. Some tools had to be designed based on the descriptions in the book, and then a carpenter and blacksmith had to be hired to make them.

There was a carpenter in the village, but where could he find a blacksmith now?

He might not be able to find the "ding ding dang" iron workshop described in the book now. Or, could he find a factory and ask a master to make them for him with a machine tool?

In the afternoon, Runsheng had to go to the old Zhao family to deliver tables, chairs, bowls, and dishes. He didn't know the way, but Li Zhuiyuan knew where the old Zhao family lived, so he accompanied him.

The old Zhao family lived just east of Shi family bridge, not far from where Li Zhuiyuan waited for the car last night.

Runsheng alone pushed the big cart up to the old Zhao family's dam and helped the Zhao family members unload the goods.

The mourning hall was already set up at this time. Li Zhuiyuan saw the deceased lying in the center of the main room, not moving. He was a very young man, possibly only seventeen or eighteen years old, not much older than Pan Zi and the others.

Beside him, two old women gathered and whispered in low voices:

"Such a good young man, how can he be gone just like that?"

"They say he fell into a field on the way back from playing in town at night and just passed away like that."

"That might really be the case. What did Zheng Datong say? Sudden heart attack?"

"It's truly a pity. Tsk tsk, the old Zhao family does a small business and has quite a bit of money at home. He might have been the only son."

Just as someone started to make up the corpse, the white cloth covering the corpse was lifted open, and Li Zhuiyuan saw the true face of the corpse. His eye sockets were sunken, his glabella was collapsed, his philtrum was smooth, and his lower lip was thin and sharp...

In terms of face reading, this was simply a sign of [Fu Chi Yuan Qian, Di Tang You Que].

This was considered a lower sign in face reading, meaning that his blessings were thin and there was a gap that would constantly drain them away.

If he cherished his blessings and was cautious with his body, keeping a simple and pure heart, he could also manage to have a stable life. But if he indulged excessively, like eating, drinking, and playing, and enjoyed himself too ruthlessly and urgently, it would be easy to squeeze himself dry.

Combining this with what the two old women said, the old Zhao family's condition was quite good, exceeding the conditions of ordinary people around. This kind of life was not suitable for someone with this kind of face.

After delivering the goods, Li Zhuiyuan and Runsheng walked home together.

On the road ahead, they met Pan Zi and Lei Zi walking side by side. They had something smeared on their heads, either water or glue, and their hair was all combed back with a very obvious part in the middle. In the sunlight, it was shiny and oily.

"Ha, Yuan Zi, we were just going to Taiye's house to find you. Didn't expect to meet you here."

"Brother Pan Zi, Brother Lei Zi."

Pan Zi immediately grabbed Li Zhuiyuan's hand: "Come on, Yuan Zi, brothers will take you to the town video hall to watch a movie. They're showing Brother Fa's 'A Better Tomorrow' this afternoon."

Lei Zi beside him kept making gun gestures with both hands and making sounds with his mouth: "Bang bang bang!"

"Alright, I want to go too!" Runsheng shouted.

Li Zhuiyuan didn't want to go; he wanted to go back and continue reading. He just said: "I'll go back and get some money to treat you brothers to a movie, but I won't go. I still have homework to do."

He had given all the money in his pocket to Liu Yi in the morning. The other money was in the drawer in his bedroom.

"Go, go, go. How can we always ask you to spend money? We're brothers and we have pride, alright? We really didn't have pocket money before, but it's not like we just want to take advantage of you, our brother."

"Exactly. We both have money now. We just moved bricks for a day at the West Village kiln factory yesterday."

Saying that, Pan Zi and Lei Zi each took out the crumpled money from their pockets and counted it together, pointing at a few people's heads, including Runsheng.

After totaling it, Pan Zi laughed: "It's just right. Four tickets, and we can still buy four bottles of soda!"

Runsheng was overjoyed: "I'll push the cart back first."

Seeing their high interest and that they had specially earned money by moving bricks to treat him, their brother, to play, Li Zhuiyuan couldn't refuse any longer and could only agree to go together.

However, when they sent the cart home, Li Zhuiyuan still conveniently went back to his bedroom, took a bit of money and put it in his pocket, and told A Li before going to town with them.

Finally, the four people came to the front of a video hall. The facade was very small, and there was just a simple sign hanging above:

"Mei Jie Video Hall."

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