Li Zhiyuan placed the girl’s hand on his chest, and after feeling the softness and warmth, he closed his eyes again and dozed off a bit more.
Li Sanjiang yawned as he came downstairs; he had drunk too much yesterday, and now that he’s woken up, his head still felt a bit woozy.
However, when he saw the two people asleep at a table, huddled together,
he couldn’t help but raise his voice and scold:
"Good grief, what kind of sleeping pose is this!"
Tan Wenbin was awakened by the shouting; he tried to free himself from Runsheng’s arms, but was powerless to do so and could only look helplessly at Li Sanjiang.
But Li Sanjiang just cursed to clear his throat and went about stretching lazily on the patio on his own.
"Breakfast is ready!"
Hearing Aunt Liu’s voice, Runsheng woke up; it was time for breakfast.
Little Yuanhou was afraid, he was also afraid, only Little Yuanhou had Alii, and he only had Ah Bin by his side.
Li Zhiyuan also came downstairs with Alii, and everyone took their seats.
This time, Tan Wenbin changed seats and sat with Li Sanjiang.
Liu Yumei curiously observed Li Zhiyuan and Runsheng; these two kids probably didn’t rest much last night.
"Zhuiyuan, come over and try some of Grandma’s pastries."
Li Zhiyuan stood up and walked over.
Liu Yumei passed him a piece of cake: "Did you enjoy yourself last night?"
Li Zhiyuan didn’t know how to reply.
Liu Yumei continued to ask: "Was there any bloodshed?"
"Yes, a lot of blood."
"Did you guys do it?"
"We didn’t do anything."
Liu Yumei took a bite of a flaky pastry, somewhat surprised: "Well, I must have misjudged, turns out the tallest one was picked out of the shorties."
"No, you didn’t misjudge; there really was a giant in the mountains."
"Gutted in one bite."
"Gutted?" Liu Yumei was confused by this word; "swallowed whole" would have made more sense to her.
Li Zhiyuan really wanted to tell Grandma Liu everything about last night, but alas, in this household, he had to speak in riddles.
"All right, I’ve finished eating." Li Sanjiang put down his porridge bowl and stood up.
Aunt Liu said: "There’s more in the pot."
"I overindulged in food and drink yesterday, and now I’ve lost my appetite.
Tomorrow there’s a memorial service at West Village; Marquis Runsheng, you come with me to Big Beard’s... oh no, to Old Ding’s house to gather up tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks, and send them to the household at West Village in the afternoon. Right, we also delivered a pair of lanterns yesterday, make sure not to forget those."
Runsheng, holding a large bowl of porridge, shrank into a corner, pretending not to hear.
"Hey, Marquis Runsheng, I’m talking to you; did you hear me?"
"Mr. Li, I’m not feeling well today."
"Okay, you’re not feeling well, are you? Then I’ll just go by myself; I’m not so old I can’t walk."
After saying that, Li Sanjiang went to push out the handcart.
Li Zhiyuan and Runsheng immediately left their breakfast behind and ran over.
"Grandmaster, I’ll go with Brother Runsheng in the afternoon to collect the stuff; you don’t have to go."
Runsheng also added: "Yes, I’ll go in the afternoon."
Li Sanjiang looked at Runsheng, touched his forehead: "You don’t have a fever, so where do you feel uncomfortable?"
"Just a little, it’s not serious."
"Heh." Li Sanjiang let out a cold laugh, took some money out of his pocket, and handed it to Runsheng, "Finish your breakfast and then go see Zheng Datong for a good checkup; get injections and take medicine if you need to."
Runsheng felt embarrassed to accept the money as he was faking illness.
Li Zhiyuan took the money and put it into Runsheng’s pocket.
"Grandmaster, I’ll accompany Brother Runsheng later to see Zheng Datong, and then we’ll go collect the bowls, chopsticks, and lanterns."
"If there are no issues, then go and collect them; if there’s a problem, call me to go."
Li Sanjiang let go of the pushcart handle, took out a cigarette, lit it, and as was his habit after a meal, he was going for a stroll.
"Grandmaster, I’ll accompany you for a walk."
"You haven’t finished your breakfast yet."
"Like you, I ate too well and too much yesterday, today I feel a bit indigestible and can’t eat."
"You didn’t eat that much yesterday; it was Zhuangzhuang who ate a lot."
Tan Wenbin, who was eating porridge, looked up in confusion: "Mr. Li, my name is Binbin."
"Let’s go, Grandmaster, I’ll accompany you for a walk."
Li Sanjiang still enjoyed taking strolls with Little Yuanhou.
Li Zhiyuan, however, worried that while wandering, Li Sanjiang might end up at Big Beard’s house, so it was safer to keep an eye on him.
Sure enough, as soon as they hit the village road, Li Sanjiang took steps in the direction of Big Beard’s house.
"Grandmaster, let’s go to the store instead."
"It’s so early, what store? It’s not even open yet. Wait a bit, I’ll take you shopping later."
"How about we go see Grandma Liu?"
"I don’t really have much to talk about with Liu Xiazi on regular days."
"Then let’s walk over there; the scenery is nice."
"When did the scenery in this village start being ranked? Come on, Little Yuanhou, let’s go take a look at your future home."
"Once Old Ding kicks the bucket, it’s going to be your place, isn’t it? Let’s go take a peek, see if he’s kicked it yet, heh heh."
"Grandmaster, they’ve just settled in; is it appropriate to disturb them so early?"
"There’s nothing inappropriate about it; settling in is not the same as a wedding."
After walking a few steps forward, Li Sanjiang stopped himself, pondering:
"That does seem right, who knows what that secretary of his is for. Probably still snuggled up in bed not awake yet."
Li Sanjiang’s face lit up with a smile, quickening his pace: "Ha, then I really have to take a look!"
Seeing he couldn’t coax the Grandmaster, Li Zhiyuan stepped forward to grab Li Sanjiang’s arm and told him the truth: "Grandmaster, something bad happened at Big Beard’s house last night; the whole troupe, including Uncle Ding, were all skinned, died a terrible death."
"Little Yuanhou, why are you making up such nonsense early in the morning?"
"Grandmaster, what I’m saying is true."
"It’s as fake as it gets, haha."
Li Zhiyuan felt somewhat helpless. It had always been this way; at crucial moments, the Grandmaster simply wouldn’t believe him.
"Little Yuanhou, look, here come the people who were skinned."
Li Zhiyuan looked up in confusion, and saw a truck filled with speakers and equipment driving towards them, four people sitting in the cab, and even more standing in the back.
They were all members of yesterday’s troupe, all perfectly fine.
Upon seeing Li Sanjiang, the driver even honked the horn.
The people in the back waved and greeted:
"Mr. Li, you’re up early."
"Yeah, taking a walk. You guys performed all night yesterday and are up early too."
"We have to hurry to the next job, could only catch some sleep in the truck."
"That must be tough."
"See you around, Mr. Li."
Li Sanjiang waved to the people in the troupe on the truck, and before long, the vehicle disappeared from view.
"Little Yuanhou, next time you make up a story, at least make it believable. That’s how you write a good essay."
Li Zhiyuan stared at the truck fading into the distance, his extremities beginning to chill.
Impossible, it wasn’t a dream last night, not a hallucination, nor an Underworld illusion; he had truly seen those water monkeys skinned!
But then, what about those living people just on the truck?
"Marquis Sanjiang, good morning!"
"Morning, Marquis Lin, out for a walk too?"
"Yes, getting old, not much sleep. By the way, I’ve had someone tidy up the tables, chairs, bowls, and lanterns at your place. When are you going to haul them back?"
"This afternoon, the family mule is not feeling well; I’ll let him see the doctor first."
"Oh, is that so. Oh, isn’t this Little Yuanhou? Such a good kid, accompanying your Grandmaster for a walk so early!"
"Yes, my Little Yuanhou is the most well-behaved and filial. Come on, Little Yuanhou, greet your Uncle Ding."
Actually, upon hearing this voice, Li Zhiyuan’s body had already stiffened.
Now, he turned around a bit laboriously, his eyes full of disbelief.
Secretary Jin was supporting Ding Dalin, standing right in front of him.