Yu Xiaohua, seeing what the old man said, could only suppress her countless questions and get up to tidy the room.
As soon as she left, Zhang Wenxue looked at Zhang Liuxing with a complex expression and said, "Aren't you leaving tomorrow? Go to bed early!"
Zhang Wenxue's heart was hurt by his second son's thoughts about them as parents.
Zhang Liuxing, seeing his father was angry, did not stay any longer. He got up and left without a word.
"Sigh..."
After he left, Zhang Wenxue sighed and leaned against the bed, recalling his life's actions, wondering where he had gone wrong to make his second son think of them as parents like this.
After an unknown amount of time, Yu Xiaohua came in with bags of things and asked in confusion, "Old man, where is the second one?"
"Second one? Didn't he go to the room with you to rest?" Zhang Wenxue came back to his senses and was stunned.
"No, after I tidied the room, I went to make him some flatbread and packed some of his clothes. I didn't see him in the room, so I came here to look for him."
"..." Zhang Wenxue was speechless. Where had his second son gone?
Zhang Liuxing, whom he was just thinking about, had not left the village but had gone to find someone for a task. This person was none other than Guangtou, the elder brother of the mute.
"I've checked. There's no one guarding it. As long as you do this well, this money is yours. Of course, you also have to keep your mouth shut and not say you saw me, otherwise, you might lose your head," Zhang Liuxing placed a stack of money in front of Guangtou.
Guangtou's eyes sparkled as he looked at the money. He immediately took it and hugged it tightly, cherishing it. "Don't worry, I'll handle this properly."
He also knew the importance of the matter and would not expose himself.
The two chatted for another hour before Zhang Liuxing got up and disappeared from the area.
Zhang Liunian was naturally unaware of these matters. At this moment, he was lying in bed with his wife, talking about Zhang Liuxing's return.
"Liunian, you need to be more careful in the future. I think second brother's return is rather strange, as if he's holding back some big move. He might attack us again."
Jiang Qingqing said this out of concern for her husband.
Zhang Liunian gently stroked her fine hair and said in a low voice, "Yes, I think he's here to deal with me."
"When we return to South City, quickly ask Ding Xiaoyue to be your bodyguard and bring Xiaohua along. Xiaohua has also taught me a few moves these past few days, and I'll practice hard from now on. I won't hold you back anymore."
"How can that be? If you don't have anyone around you, I won't feel at ease."
"Then find some more capable people, or those who have served in the army. In any case, if there aren't at least five people around you, I won't be at ease." Jiang Qingqing did not insist. After this period, she also knew that she needed some help and could not be a burden again.
"I'll arrange this. Don't worry. Go to sleep quickly."
"Okay."
The next morning, before Zhang Liunian had even gotten out of bed, he heard the voices of villagers and his parents talking in the courtyard. He opened his eyes hazily and then heard his father Zhang Wenxue's voice outside the room, "Third one, you should get up."
"Okay."
Zhang Liunian responded, turned his head, and saw his wife also waking up. They exchanged glances and then both got up to get dressed.
After putting on their clothes and opening the door, a group of people rushed in. There were many more heads bobbing in the courtyard.
Zhang Liunian was stunned. There were so many people, a whole crowd of them. It was probably half the village!
"Second one, Mom brought you and Qingqing some knife-shaved noodles. Eat them while they're hot!" Yu Xiaohua carried a small pot into the room and placed it steadily on the table.
"Got it. Dad, please entertain them for me first." Zhang Liunian, not yet washed, instructed and then turned to get the New Year's snacks he had prepared earlier.
When he came out with the items, he immediately heard countless New Year greetings.
"Happy New Year, Brother Liunian."
"Happy New Year, Liunian."
"Happy New Year."
"..."
The villagers eagerly wished Zhang Liunian a Happy New Year.
Zhang Liunian smiled and waved in response, "Happy New Year, everyone."
After saying this, Zhang Liunian invited them in to eat, "Everyone can come in and get some food. I'll go wash my face first."
"You go ahead."
"We don't need entertaining."
"Yes, you go do your thing."
"..."
The villagers knew that Zhang Liunian had just woken up and kindly said it was alright.
Zhang Liunian smiled, "Alright, help yourselves."
As soon as he left, the villagers did not stand on ceremony and queued up to get food.
By the time Zhang Liunian had washed up, everyone had left.
Seeing this, Zhang Liunian quickly began to eat. After the meal, he asked Uncle Zhao if he wanted to visit other families to pay New Year's greetings. Uncle Zhao refused, so Zhang Liunian had to take his nephews to do so.
The first family they visited was Zhang Xinhua's. Because their house was at the very front of the village, it was a bit far. Zhang Liunian planned to visit from farthest to nearest.
However, what Zhang Liunian did not expect was that there were many unfamiliar faces at Zhang Xinhua's house, all people Zhang Liunian did not recognize.
Zhang Liunian glanced at these people a few times, still not recognizing them. He then saw Zhang Xinhua appear with surprise, "Liunian, you're here! Come in and sit." After speaking, he offered Zhang Liunian a cigarette and lit it for him.
Zhang Liunian looked at the cigarette being pressed into his hand and quickly said, "Uncle, I don't smoke. You should smoke this, otherwise, it will be a waste."
After saying this, Zhang Liunian handed the cigarette back to Zhang Xinhua, who hesitated, "You really don't smoke?"
"Really," Zhang Liunian repeated seriously.
"Then come in and have something to eat." Seeing his certainty, Zhang Xinhua took the cigarette and led him inside.
As Zhang Liunian sat down, the strangers who had been standing in the yard immediately gathered around. Zhang Liunian glanced at them and asked, "Uncle, who are these people?"
Zhang Xinhua slapped his thigh when asked about these people and laughed, "They are all my relatives. They are here to see what you look like. Don't mind them. Let's just chat."
"..."
"Liunian, Uncle heard you made a lot of money. How much did you actually make?" Zhang Xinhua was clearly not good at conversation. Who asks about someone's wealth right off the bat?
"Not much," Zhang Liunian naturally would not tell the truth. Telling them he had over fifty million in savings would surely scare them to death!
"Not much? How much is not much?" Zhang Xinhua continued his awkward line of questioning.
Just as Zhang Liunian was wondering how to answer, a strange woman rushed over and said to Zhang Liunian, "You must be Zhang Liunian. You're really handsome. Are you married? My aunt has several beautiful daughters who are very suitable for you. Do you want to see them?"
What kind of matchmaker is this?
"I am married, thank you for your kindness, auntie." Zhang Liunian raised his hand and showed his wedding ring.
However, this auntie did not seem to care, "Even married people get divorced. If you have this idea, you can come find me anytime."
"I don't have that idea. Uncle Xinhua, it's getting late. I need to go pay New Year's greetings elsewhere." Zhang Liunian knew this person was Zhang Xinhua's relative and it would be rude to chase her away, so he could only take his leave.