Chapter 41

Chapter 41

Pan Zi and Lei Zi had once bragged to Li Zhuiyuan, saying that some stars, even when fully clothed, could still be imagined naked in their minds.

Now, Li Zhuiyuan looked at the lively Ding Dalin and Secretary Jin in front of him, and all he could see in his mind was their blood-red, writhing forms after being skinned.

It was summer, early morning, the sunlight was bright, yet he suddenly felt a chill that made him want to shiver.

Ding Dalin bent down, a kind smile on his face, and asked doubtfully, "What's wrong? Don't recognize me?"

Li Sanjiang laughed and said, "How is that possible? This kid was just talking to me about you, saying you..."

Li Zhuiyuan's spine immediately went cold with fear.

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

"...saying you gave him such a big red envelope last time, praising you for being such a great grandfather."

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

Li Zhuiyuan then felt a bit dizzy, a feeling of narrow escape rushing straight to the top of his head.

Li Sanjiang patted Li Zhuiyuan's head, "My kid, ah, he remembers everyone who is good to him, unlike those other kids. You're so good to them, and they turn around and forget who you are."

Ding Dalin nodded, "This is about people."

"That's not necessarily true. Some kids are just born with no conscience. You can't raise them to be close."

"Sanjiang Hou, ah." Ding Dalin straightened up, his gaze moving from the boy to Li Sanjiang, "Let's go, go to my place and sit for a bit. Have lunch at my place."

"Oh, that's too kind."

"What's not kind? There are quite a few leftovers from yesterday's feast. Don't mind, help me eat them up."

After a feast, there were always some leftovers. If they were left for too long, they would go bad easily. If there weren't many people in the family and they couldn't finish them in time, they would hold a small feast the next day, inviting only close relatives to eat.

There wasn't much ceremony in this kind of feast. Cold dishes were piled up, hot dishes were reheated. It didn't look good, but it was still good wine and good food.

Li Sanjiang, "To eat lunch, there's no need to go so early, right?"

Li Zhuiyuan finally managed to put on a good expression and also confirmed that his voice wouldn't tremble when he spoke. But 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 at the corner of her mouth, but her eyes were empty and cold.

It was hard for ordinary people to notice, but Li Zhuiyuan had a habit of observing and imitating others before. After reading "Yin Yang Xiang Xue Jing Jie," his observation of people's micro-expressions became even more detailed and profound.

The fortress of defense he had just built in his heart was crumbling again at this moment.

She hadn't spoken, it was possible that he was just imagining it, but he really felt as if he saw a silent warning.

Was she targeting him? Or targeting his great-grandfather?

Or,

Targeting anyone who could see their skin.

"It's like this, I want to contract a piece of land. I'll pay the rent all at once, but I still need it to be under your name."

"How big is the contract?"

"Over ten mu of land."

"How long is the contract?"

"Thirty years."

"Then we must go!"

Ding Dalin laughed and scolded, "Good, ah, you Sanjiang Hou, you're just sure I won't live that long, right?"

"Thirty years, ah, how can you live that long? People our age, if we live another thirty years, our skin will all be wrinkled and broken."

"Hehe, we're all that old, not like young people who care about their image. If the skin breaks, it breaks, ah. Sew it up and mend it, and it can still be used."

Li Zhuiyuan's heart thumped.

He was really afraid now that his great-grandfather would suddenly let slip and truly provoke people's skin to break.

Although he knew his great-grandfather had good fortune, Grandma Liu had also said that this fortune depended on the place and what you encountered. If you encountered something truly difficult, this fortune was useless.

What happened at Beard's house last night was terrifying beyond Li Zhuiyuan's imagination.

Seeing it with his own eyes now pushed last night's events towards a more strange and terrifying level.

In the face of this situation, Li Zhuiyuan felt that his great-grandfather's fortune... definitely couldn't withstand it.

"Okay, let's go." Li Sanjiang rubbed his chin with his palm, lowered his head and looked at Li Zhuiyuan standing beside him, "Just take this opportunity, I'll also write my will."

"Yo, Sanjiang Hou, you old bachelor with no sons or daughters, who are you planning to write it to?"

"I have no sons or daughters, but I have a great-grandson, don't I? After I'm gone, whatever I leave will naturally be for our Xiao Yuan Hou."

Ding Dalin once again bent down to the boy.

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

This kind of expression was very effective when talking to a child, whether it was to people... or to ghosts.

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

"Mm, I will."

Ding Dalin straightened up, his action pausing for a moment.

Secretary Jin reached out and supported him.

Li Zhuiyuan noticed that Secretary Jin's right hand was on the back of Ding Dalin's neck, and her left hand was on the side of Ding Dalin's lower back. She wasn't supporting him with her palms, but grabbing him, her five fingers hooked, very forcefully.

Like she was fixing something that was cracking and forcibly pinching it back together.

"What's wrong, Lin Hou?"

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

"Roll less on the bed in the evening, ah."

"Sanjiang Hou, you old thing, let's go, follow me home."

Saying that, Ding Dalin stretched out his hand to Li Sanjiang.

Li Sanjiang took the initiative to take it, and he supported him instead.

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

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

"I still haven't finished my summer homework..."

"Your great-grandfather wants to write his will for you, so you have to go today."

"...I still haven't bought an eraser. I don't know where the old one went."

"Go, Auntie will buy it for you."

"No need, I have money."

From here to Beard's house, they happened to pass by Aunt Zhang's small store. As they approached, Secretary Jin stopped.

Li Zhuiyuan walked to the counter, just about to open his mouth to ask for an eraser, when a figure popped out from behind the small store shed. It was Tan Wenbin.

This guy had taken a shortcut, not walking on the village road, but cutting across the fields.

"Yo, Xiao Yuan brother, what are you buying? Come, I'll pay for it together."

"An eraser."

"Auntie, give me a block of eraser and a bottle of Feng You Jing."

Aunt Zhang handed the things over. Tan Wenbin paid and handed the eraser to Li Zhuiyuan. Then he couldn't wait to twist open the bottle and started smearing it on his neck and arms.

"Last night I saw you were all itching badly, so today I also feel a bit itchy. I suspect Runsheng infected me."

"Binbin brother, you go back, ah. Tell Runsheng brother and Grandma Liu that Great-grandfather and I are going to Grandpa Ding's house for a meal."

"What, you still want to go... oh oh oh!"

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

And at this time, Secretary Jin, who had been standing far away, also walked over.

Tan Wenbin had come out from behind the small store earlier, and he really hadn't noticed that she was also nearby. He was so scared that he continued to yell:

"...oh oh oh!"

Secretary Jin continued to approach.

"...Want water, ah? I'll buy it for you, brother will buy it for you. Auntie, give me two bottles of Jianlibao." Saying that, Tan Wenbin deliberately looked at the approaching Secretary Jin, "Sister, do you want one bottle?"

Secretary Jin shook her head.

"Hehe." Tan Wenbin paid again, then handed a bottle of Jianlibao to Li Zhuiyuan.

"Thank you, Binbin brother. Then you go back, ah. 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, ah."

Tan Wenbin was stunned for a moment.

Secretary Jin, "Yesterday I saw you ate very happily from the feast. There are still some at noon, let's go eat together, ah."

"That's not good, is it..."

"Let's go, let's go together. They have to walk far."

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

This was an attitude that did not allow refusal.

Li Zhuiyuan hadn't expected that Tan Wenbin's appearance at the feast yesterday would actually leave such a deep impression on people.

If he had eaten a bit more politely yesterday, perhaps this wouldn't be happening now.

However, from the current situation, Tan Wenbin should only know the initial version of the Shui Hou information.

That was what he had told him last night before he and Runsheng set off for Beard's house.

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

Runsheng should also be like him, not wanting to mention that terrifying scene again for the time being, so he hadn't told him.

Otherwise, if he knew, when he saw Secretary Jin, he would probably act as if he had stuffed two kicks inside his pants and would jump up in fright.

As they walked, Secretary Jin said, "Are there still people at home, ah? Let them come over for lunch together, ah, no need to cook."

Li Zhuiyuan hurriedly refused, "No need, there are only the people who work for Great-grandfather at home, not considered relatives."

"Okay, then."

On the rest of the way, Tan Wenbin gradually relaxed and even took the initiative to find topics to talk about.

Li Zhuiyuan felt that Binbin was probably still quite proud in his heart.

He probably felt that since he was the son of a policeman, he had inherited anti-investigation awareness and could talk and laugh in front of the Shui Hou.

Actually, this was also quite good. He could pretend without showing fear.

They walked all the way to the entrance of Beard's house. As they went up the dam, Li Zhuiyuan's gaze froze for a moment.

In front of the dam was the fish pond. At this time, the pond water was abundant, just like yesterday during the day.

The fish pond that should have been drained and dug up was restored;

The group of people who should have been skinned and died were all alive again.

The image in his memory was becoming more and more like a nightmare in terms of logic at this moment.

When this world is presented to you in a very rational way, people usually start to doubt themselves first.

However, Li Zhuiyuan was very certain that it was definitely not a dream. That scene last night had truly happened.

The fish pond must have been refilled last night, and the people who died were dead. As for what they were now that they were still alive... he didn't understand either.

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

Secretary Jin brought over a small tea table with melon seeds, peanuts, and candy on it.

Li Sanjiang casually grabbed two handfuls, one for Li Zhuiyuan and the other for Tan Wenbin.

Ding Dalin said to them, "Go upstairs and watch TV, ah. There's one in the room. Wait until it's time to eat, then I'll call you down."

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head, "There's a TV at home, ah. Great-grandfather bought it."

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 usually. It's just left for the donkey at home to guard the TV every day."

Actually, Li Zhuiyuan didn't want to leave the crowd.

Although entering here meant danger, and being tied to this group of old men on the dam didn't have much practical effect, at least it could provide a little psychological comfort.

His senses made him fall into fear as soon as he saw them, but his reason told him that the situation was still manageable.

After all, he and the village chief and the others weren't skinned as soon as they came to the dam.

If they just wanted to lure people here and kill them, they could have done it just now.

Being able to sit here and chat, and actually discuss the details of the land contract, proved that they had their own purpose and plan.

Then, as long as they didn't violate their rules, he, his great-grandfather, and Binbin might still be able to go back safely.

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

Ding Dalin said, "The contract fee can be increased every year, ah. Just give me a final specific number and it's fine."

Li Sanjiang was very active in this matter. He thought that Ding Dalin wouldn't live that long, and he wouldn't live that long either. Then, after the land was contracted, wouldn't it just be for Xiao Yuan Hou?

"I say, if people want thirty years, just give them thirty years, ah. The most important thing is to publicize the specific contract in the village so that everyone knows, and no one will spread rumors afterwards."

Secretary Jin had already gone back into the room at this time. She should be preparing lunch. There were only her and Ding Dalin at home, so only she could be busy.

And Ding Dalin had moved his attention away from himself again, which made Li Zhuiyuan feel much more relaxed.

He didn't dare to leave here arbitrarily. Any unusual action at this time seemed extra dangerous.

If they were truly provoked, at most they would just change the skins of the people on the site. Since they could bring those people from the troupe back to life, bringing the village chief back to life should also be simple and wouldn't delay the land contract matter.

While ensuring that his figure was still within their line of sight, Li Zhuiyuan walked down the dam and started walking in circles on the open ground in front of the fish pond.

He knew that he couldn't keep walking in circles, otherwise he would look very silly.

The most suitable thing to do at this time would be to play some game, but the problem was that he never put children's toys in his pocket when he came out.

But it was good that he didn't have any, someone else did.

Tan Wenbin must have understood Xiao Yuan brother's meaning. He reached into his pocket and took out a handful of colorful marbles.

"Xiao Yuan, let's play this, ah."

"Okay, ah."

Li Zhuiyuan discovered for the first time that being childish could also become an angel.

A big boy who was about to enter his third year of high school would actually have marbles in his pocket. No wonder your dad bought you jelly to eat.

The two of them bent down and started playing marbles.

Li Zhuiyuan originally just wanted to take this opportunity to observe the fish pond from a close distance. He believed that no matter how perfect the restoration was, there would definitely be traces left after only half a day.

But as they played, Tan Wenbin gradually got into the zone. He hit every marble accurately and clapped and cheered for himself happily every time.

This sound attracted the attention of the group of old men on the dam from time to time.

They pointed and smiled at the corners of their mouths.

Most children would have similar experiences, which was that when they were playing with their friends, there would often be adults standing nearby and just watching, watching for a long time.

What they were actually watching was their own childhood.

Perhaps Li Zhuiyuan didn't want to create this kind of warm atmosphere. Finally, he couldn't help but shoot a marble at Binbin's nose.

Binbin's first reaction was pain, covering his nose. Then his eyes showed relief, followed by shame. He had gotten too into the game.

Li Zhuiyuan started to deliberately hit the marbles towards the fish pond, and Tan Wenbin also cooperated and hit them towards that side. The two of them chased the marbles and came to the edge of the fish pond.

He seized the time to quickly sweep his gaze over.

He discovered that the area at the edge of the fish pond had new mud turned over.

This fish pond had indeed been refilled!

Not daring to stay at this sensitive location any longer, Li Zhuiyuan immediately hit another marble, moving away from the fish pond.

"Haha, Binbin brother, I win this time."

"Xiao Yuan, you're really good, ah." Binbin's face showed a big brother-like smile.

As Li Zhuiyuan jumped up, he glanced at the dam and happened to see Ding Dalin turn his head back.

Was it his previous action of approaching the fish pond that made it sensitive, ah?

Next, Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Binbin played closer and closer to the dam.

"Binbin brother, I'm tired. Let's rest, ah."

"Okay."

Not caring about the mud, soil, and stones on the ground, Li Zhuiyuan just sat down.

He happened to grind his shoe sole on a stone and flipped several stones over. Under the stones, red color appeared. It was blood.

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

He quickly recalled the details from last night in his mind. Wasn't his current location exactly where Ding Dalin had been pecked by the chicken?

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

"Xiao Yuan Hou."

"Ai, Great-grandfather."

Li Zhuiyuan ran up the dam and came to Li Sanjiang's front.

The land contract matter had almost been discussed. Now they were discussing the will. The village chief was writing on paper with a pen.

An old man beside him asked, "Sanjiang Hou, ah, it's not suitable to directly give the child the will, ah. You still need someone to support you in your old age."

"The matter of old age, I will arrange it."

"Reliable, ah?"

"Reliable."

They were all elderly people, there was no need to avoid these topics.

Li Sanjiang had absolute trust in Li Weihan's character, but Li Weihan had many sons and many grandsons. If he left his legacy to Li Weihan, a part of it would likely still be divided by those ungrateful people, which was something he didn't want to see.

The village chief finished writing and said, "Just right, all the witnesses are here, just press the handprint directly, ah. Do you have seal mud at home, ah?"

Ding Dalin said, "It's in the bedside drawer on the second floor. I'll go get it."

"Let the kid go, ah. Xiao Yuan Hou, go get it."

Li Zhuiyuan wanted to refuse, but Ding Dalin had just sat down again after standing up. If he resisted again this time, it would be a bit unreasonable.

"Okay, Great-grandfather."

Li Zhuiyuan ran inside and went upstairs. Tan Wenbin wanted to follow, but Li Sanjiang called him back:

"Zhuangzhuang, ah."

"Grandpa Li, I'm called Binbin."

"Go to the kitchen and help bring out the bowls, ah. Secretary Jin is busy by herself."

Tan Wenbin didn't want to be alone with that Shui Hou, but he faced the same dilemma as Li Zhuiyuan earlier. He could only nod with a smile and go towards the kitchen.

Li Zhuiyuan came to the second floor and found that it had been cleaned and tidied up. The balcony and hallway were very clean.

He didn't rush into the room first, but came to the small patio cover. The ladder was against the wall beside him.

His array flags and Runsheng's set of fish corpse tools should still be on the roof at this time.

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

Even if he threw them off the roof, it wouldn't be safe. The sound would be too loud and it would be very easy to be detected.

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

The furnishings in the bedroom were very rich. Ding Dalin must have bought the house with the furniture together at the beginning in order not to waste time.

He walked to the bedside cabinet and opened the drawer.

There was indeed a box of seal mud inside, and another thing that Li Zhuiyuan hadn't thought of... a compass.

A purple compass, with five small sub-circles surrounding the main circle.

Li Zhuiyuan picked up the compass and gently turned it. He quickly figured out the meaning of the five sub-circles.

"Yin Yang Xiang Xue Jing Jie" actually also recorded a similar style of compass, but because the manufacturing process was extremely complex and required many special materials, it had never been within Li Zhuiyuan's consideration range before.

Holding it now, Li Zhuiyuan genuinely liked it.

Having it, when looking at feng shui patterns, was like taking a calculator into the exam hall when taking a math exam.

He was increasingly discovering that he couldn't rely solely on brain calculations like before. Doing so would be too much for his body.

Having this thing, coupled with "Liu Family Kan Qi Shu," when looking at the fish pond feng shui like last time, he wouldn't overexert himself and get a nosebleed.

If the real Ding Dalin was already dead, then it was an ownerless object. If he took it, it wouldn't be considered stealing.

But... it was still too risky.

All the other things belonging to that group of Shui Hou had been packed up and taken away, but only this item was left behind, which proved that it was still very valuable.

It must know who entered the room. If the item was lost, it could definitely be traced back to him.

Forget it, he couldn't take it.

Although the item was good, his own life was more important. Just as Li Zhuiyuan was about to put the compass back in the drawer,

"Found it, ah?"

Secretary Jin's voice came from the bedroom doorway.

Li Zhuiyuan was startled again, but his ability to handle pressure had also increased. While his left hand continued to hold the compass, his right hand picked up the seal mud box:

"Found it, ah."

"I thought you couldn't find it, so I came up to see."

"What is this, Auntie Jin?"

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

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

"You've got everything, let's go down, ah."

After saying that, Secretary Jin turned around and left.

Li Zhuiyuan hesitated for a moment, but still took both the compass and the seal mud downstairs.

After handing the seal mud to the village chief, the village chief signaled everyone to come and press their handprints.

Li Sanjiang saw the compass and asked, "Xiao Yuan Hou, what is this?"

Ding Dalin said, "A small object from home. The child likes it, so I'll give it to the child as a toy, ah."

Li Sanjiang took it first, looked at it up and down, and asked doubtfully, "How are there so many circles? What a broken thing."

After belittling it, Li Sanjiang casually threw the compass to Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan really wanted to remind his great-grandfather that this was a professional tool, and the compass he usually used was just a compass.

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

"Thank you, Grandpa Ding."

"Hehe, good child." Ding Dalin reached out and touched Li Zhuiyuan's head.

Li Zhuiyuan only felt his hair stand on end, but he still had to endure and didn't dare to avoid it.

The will was written. There were two copies. The village chief took one copy to keep in the village office, and the other copy was carefully folded by Li Sanjiang and solemnly put in his coat pocket. He even patted it.

Lunch was ready, and everyone took their seats.

The dishes were very rich. In front of Li Zhuiyuan, there was a large plate of boiled shrimp.

Seeing these shrimp, Li Zhuiyuan felt a bit nauseous.

"Everyone eat, ah. There's not much to eat, nothing good to eat." Ding Dalin raised his chopsticks and greeted everyone.

Everyone also rushed to pick up their chopsticks.

"Come, Zhuangzhuang, eat shrimp. This is what you loved to eat most yesterday."

Li Sanjiang used his chopsticks to directly transfer one-third of the shrimp in the plate to Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin, then reached out and turned the table.

Tan Wenbin was also not polite. He picked up a shrimp, first pulled off the shrimp head, peeled it, dipped it in vinegar and sucked on the shrimp head, then skillfully peeled the shrimp body, exposing the complete shrimp meat.

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

Li Zhuiyuan picked up the shrimp meat with his chopsticks. The meat was red and tender.

As he put the shrimp meat in his mouth and chewed, the scene he saw last night kept flashing in his mind.

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

Finally, he still forcibly swallowed it down, only feeling that it was more painful than eating the "dishes" at the Cat Face Old Woman's longevity feast.

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

"Really, ah?" Tan Wenbin was a bit strange, "Then I'll eat by myself."

"Mm."

Secretary Jin brought over a large bowl with a whole chicken stewed in it.

Ding Dalin poked it twice with his chopsticks and asked, "Not an old hen?"

"There are no old hens left."

"Ai, how is this going to work?"

Ding Dalin shook his head with some dissatisfaction.

Li Sanjiang smoothed things over and said, "Lin Hou, ah, look at how used you are. What's the difference between a male and female chicken? Before liberation, it wasn't easy to get a bite of meat."

Saying that, Li Sanjiang personally reached out and pulled off a fat chicken leg, putting it in Li Zhuiyuan's bowl.

Li Zhuiyuan lowered his head and stared at it, not in a hurry to pick up his chopsticks. It wasn't that he was being pretentious, but this chicken seemed familiar.

The reason was, even if it was a rooster stew, how could it be done without even a piece of chicken skin?

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

"I love it." Li Zhuiyuan picked up the chicken leg and took a big bite. It was a bit dry.

"How does it taste?"

"Good to eat."

Ding Dalin nodded with satisfaction. As he got up to get dishes, Li Zhuiyuan noticed that his right hand was tied with a black yarn at the tiger's mouth.

This meal was very lively and harmonious, so normal that Li Zhuiyuan felt as if he was the most abnormal person at the whole table.

Perhaps no matter what, this time Li Zhuiyuan rarely finished eating first and left the table. He sat properly until the end of the meal.

After the meal, everyone started smoking and chatting, paving the way for the end of the gathering.

The village chief was the first to stand up, gently patting his pants, and said, "Then today, it will be like this for now. Regarding your contract, the village needs to discuss it again. Don't worry, we will give you a reply very soon."

"Okay, thank you, I appreciate it." Ding Dalin got up and shook hands with the village chief.

Everyone left the table together and walked out of the hall to the dam. They each shared cigarettes, said a few more words, and then the village chief and the other village elders walked down the dam.

Li Zhuiyuan was very anxious because Li Sanjiang wasn't leaving. He was still standing beside Ding Dalin, and both of them had cigarettes in their mouths.

"The village chief didn't feel comfortable asking just now. You are contracting this land not to plant grain, but actually planning to plant peach trees?"

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

"Peaches don't sell well, ah. Who buys them? Before, when planting these, there were still canneries that would buy them. Now I hear those canneries themselves are not doing well."

"Even if they don't sell well, it's good to look at the peach blossoms, too."

"I say, Lin Hou, what's wrong with you?" Li Sanjiang reached out and touched Ding Dalin's forehead, "How do I feel like you've changed into a different person today?"

Li Zhuiyuan's heart tightened again.

Tan Wenbin started to add to the conversation and took the initiative to say, "Grandpa Li, you just don't understand. Our Grandpa Ding is pursuing a beautiful mood, ah. Just think about it, after this is all planted with peach trees, when the peach blossoms bloom, how beautiful it will be, ah."

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

"Filled in, and also planted with trees."

"I say, Lin Hou, how much money did you earn abroad that allows you to be so wasteful?"

"Isn't earning money just to be wasteful, ah?"

"I don't understand you. Forget it, be happy."

"Oh, right, the troupe said that a set of audio equipment is broken and wants me to compensate for the repair cost. I was too lazy to deal with it, so I simply spent money to buy it as second-hand."

"Aren't you silly, ah? Where did you find a troupe that would have the nerve to ask the host family for compensation when their own equipment is broken?"

"It was also quite cheap. I fiddled with that thing last night, and it's actually not bad, just some bad contacts. It's already fixed now.

I have no use for this thing. Don't you do this business, ah? You can also use it to rent and earn money later.

Come, follow me and take a look. If it's good, you can just take it."

"Okay, let's go see."

Li Sanjiang followed Ding Dalin towards the room in the back on the first floor. Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin looked at each other, wondering whether to follow.

"Little friend, you forgot to take this." Secretary Jin's voice appeared behind them. The purple compass was brought in front of the boy.

He had deliberately placed it on the chair at the edge of the dining table earlier, not wanting to show too much eagerness.

Li Zhuiyuan reached out and took it, saying in surprise, "Really give it to me, ah?"

"This thing, you know how to play, ah?"

"Of course I do, ah."

Li Zhuiyuan took the compass and kept turning it in circles, looking at the turning needle happily.

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

Secretary Jin put both hands on Li Zhuiyuan's shoulders and said, "Let's go, let's go see."

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

He didn't hurry to walk, but slowly lifted his head.

Secretary Jin also lowered her head at this time, and the two of them looked at each other.

After a long time, Ding Dalin's urging voice came again from inside, "Why are you still not coming, ah? Waiting for you to mess things up, ah."

"Let's go, ah."

"Mm."

Li Zhuiyuan walked in front, and Secretary Jin walked behind, holding Li Zhuiyuan's shoulders with both hands.

This section of the road was obviously very short, but Li Zhuiyuan felt it was a bit long.

Finally, the two of them walked into the inner room, one in front and one behind.

Secretary Jin released her hands, adjusted the audio equipment, then picked up the microphone:

"Hu hu... Wei wei... Wei wei..."

There was some crackling sound, but the overall effect was very good.

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

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

"Whatever, ah. Sanjiang Hou, what song do you want to listen to? This secretary of mine knows many songs, just pick one randomly."

"Heh, I'm not as thick-skinned as you. I wouldn't ask a young girl to sing for me. Xiao Yuan Hou, what song do you want to listen to? You choose."

Li Zhuiyuan shook his head, "I'm fine with anything."

Secretary Jin looked at Li Zhuiyuan, "Little friend, you choose one."

"I don't have anything special I want to listen to. Auntie, you sing one you want to sing, ah."

Secretary Jin nodded, picked up the microphone, without accompaniment, and sang clearly:

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

Still red is you, the heart's sun you gave me..."

The singing voice was leisurely, the Cantonese wasn't standard, but it was extremely pleasant to hear.

It was "Qian Qian Que Ge."

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