Chapter 50

The afternoon sun was gone. The sky was somewhat overcast, the wind had picked up, and the rain was still at that stage where it seemed ready to fall but hadn't yet.

Amid the long, scorching summer, this counted as a rare spell of comfort.

Li Sanjiang reclined in a rattan chair, a cigarette between the fingers of his left hand and a tea mug in his right. An old-fashioned radio encased in a wooden box on the wall was broadcasting the news.

Li Zhuiyuan sat beside him, lowering his head as he ate watermelon.

The news was covering the situation in the Middle East.

Li Sanjiang sat up, stuffed the cigarette butt into a Jianlibao can filled with water, then picked up the can and gave it a shake.

"Great Grandfather, have some watermelon."

"You eat it. Great Grandfather isn't craving any."

"The watermelon isn't sweet."

"Oh, all right."

Smiling, Li Sanjiang picked up a slice of watermelon, thinking his great-grandson was deliberately tricking him into eating it.

But after taking one bite, he immediately cursed.

"That heartless bastard. I told him to pick me a good one. He knocked around on them for ages, then gave me a lousy one.

The rest of these, give them to Run Sheng later."

"Brother Run Sheng and the others have some."

"No amount is enough for them. It used to be only Run Sheng who ate a lot, but now Zhuang Zhuang's appetite has been brought up too."

"Bin Bin Ge has probably been using his brain lately."

That morning, when he had handed an entire book of math problems to Tan Wenbin, although he could not see, he had felt the air freeze for a full half minute.

Tan Wenbin had repeatedly wanted to say something, but in the end, he held it in.

However, he had tossed that book of math problems aside from the start and had not looked at it at all.

It was only after he began studying ritual implements with Run Sheng, and Li Zhuiyuan had specially made time to explain some of the basics of Face Reading Fortune Telling, that Tan Wenbin realized:

Some things you wanted to avoid would keep waiting for you along the road of life.

He had originally thought he was opening a brand-new door, but after truly stepping through it, he discovered that this door was shared with the Gaokao.

Before, he would never have imagined that learning Scoop Death Collapse required passing physics, chemistry, and math first.

Still, no lengthy lecture could compare to visiting a Death Collapse household for a meal.

He finally picked up that book of math problems and began working through it.

His grades had always been rather average, and the problems were difficult, so he worked slowly. At least he had not given up again.

As a result, his appetite had skyrocketed lately. He was quite happy about it, believing he was growing his brain.

"Come to think of it, why are they still fighting over there?" Li Sanjiang picked up the cloth beside him and wiped his hands. "I remember they were already fighting when the country was first founded. Back then, the village even hung banners with big characters, supporting and showing solidarity with them, opposing imperialism."

"Mm, it seems they've been fighting for a long time."

The news broadcast ended, and the next program began. The male and female hosts started chatting about reading.

The male host gave an example. He said there was a people who deeply respected knowledge. Adults would spread honey on books, so when children opened them, they would feel that knowledge was sweet.

He also said that their respect for knowledge and science was why that people had remained full of vitality despite wandering for two thousand years.

The female host enthusiastically agreed, praising them as the smartest people universally recognized by the world.

Li Sanjiang scratched his neck with the handle of his palm fan. "That doesn't sound right."

"Huh?"

"Little Yuanhou, tell me, how could the smartest people manage to wander for two thousand years?"

"Great Grandfather, you're right."

At that moment, A Li came up the stairs carrying a large bowl.

Smelling the Chinese Medicine, Li Zhuiyuan knew it was time for his medicine.

He took it from A Li, set it in front of himself, picked up a spoon, and began drinking it mouthful by mouthful.

Back when he had merely suffered nosebleeds, the medicine Aunt Liu brewed for him had been fairly mild. Ever since he went blind, the medicine had become much stronger, and even the bitterness was enough to make his tongue go numb.

Li Zhuiyuan could only comfort himself as he drank it. Good medicine tasted bitter.

Li Sanjiang smiled at the girl and nodded repeatedly.

After finishing the medicine, Li Zhuiyuan greeted Li Sanjiang, then led A Li back to the front of his room. He went in first and took out three bottles of milk.

Li Sanjiang had earned a large sum recently. When the Niu Family Three Households held funerals, they had all invited him to preside over the rituals.

When he first heard that the three Niu siblings had all died at nearly the same time, he had felt uneasy, worrying that it was because he had not properly handled the previous Memorial Birthday.

But firstly, the three siblings had never had good reputations in the village, and secondly, their families knew better than anyone how they had died.

Before they died, people had wanted to kill them so they could finally be free of them. But after they died, their younger relatives grew frightened, afraid they would follow in their footsteps.

So they hurriedly invited Li Sanjiang to preside over rituals, and the red envelopes they offered were generous as well.

Li Sanjiang went. The Zhai Shi for all three households fell on the same day, and he rushed between three jobs in a single day. The money had been earned most comfortably.

Then he immediately bought his great-grandson a whole lot of food and drinks.

In Li Zhuiyuan's room, snacks filled entire cabinets, while beverages were stacked by the case.

If he had not stopped him in time and said it was enough, he feared he would soon be competing with Aunt Zhang from the village to open a convenience store.

Li Zhuiyuan did not really like this milk. It had only the faintest milk flavor and mostly tasted of saccharin.

But A Li's first Collection Box was already packed full of Jianlibao. Since she had just opened a second box, naturally it needed some new things inside.

The boy and girl each held a drink as they sat in rattan chairs.

They had already played chess in the morning, so they did not play that afternoon.

Li Zhuiyuan lowered his head, facing the bare little tabletop, and read.

His eyes still could not see, yet he could still read. After he read something once, it remained in his mind, and now he could pull it back out and go over it again.

A Li seemed to know what the boy was doing and sat pressed close against him, just as before.

Whenever Li Zhuiyuan mentally "turned a page," he habitually "looked" toward her. She would raise her head and look back, the two of them exchanging glances that did not truly exist.

They remained like that until dusk, when the sky gradually darkened.

Aunt Liu called out, "Dinner!"

Li Zhuiyuan stood and stretched lightly. This way of "reading" was quite nice too. He did not have to worry about insufficient light hurting his eyes.

When they went downstairs to eat, Liu Yumei said, "Tomorrow morning, A Ting and I will take A Li out for a while."

Hearing this, Li Sanjiang's chopsticks slipped straight from his hand.

"We'll try to be back by tomorrow night."

Li Sanjiang picked up his chopsticks, wiped them on his sleeve, and let out a breath of relief.

Run Sheng said, "It's fine. I'll cook."

Li Sanjiang scolded, "You want all of us to eat your cooking? We'll make do with porridge and pickles for the next two days. It'll be good for clearing out our stomachs."

After dinner, A Li went inside to bathe. Liu Yumei beckoned to Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan did not react.

Only then did Liu Yumei remember and call, "Little Yuan, come here."

"I'm coming, Grandma."

"Want some tea?"

"Grandma, drinking tea right after eating isn't good for the stomach."

"I just needed an excuse to talk."

"Then go ahead."

"Strictly speaking, I shouldn't be taking A Li away from here right now. But tomorrow is a special day, so we have no choice but to make this trip."

"Grandma, this is your family matter. Besides, A Li really should go."

"You guessed what we're going to do tomorrow?"

"How could I?"

"Hehe. If your eyes hadn't still been unwell, I should have taken you out with us. But I suppose you probably aren't in the mood for that right now."

"Grandma, you don't need to worry about me."

"All right, that's enough. A Ting will brew your medicine for tomorrow and the day after in advance. Remember to take it on time."

"Mm, I will."

Li Zhuiyuan walked back. As he passed Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin, he stopped.

Run Sheng brought a small stool behind Li Zhuiyuan, while Tan Wenbin helped him sit down.

The television was playing the drama Chen Zhen, starring Bruce Liang.

Run Sheng was watching while doing Paper Crafting, while Tan Wenbin worked on problems.

Li Zhuiyuan heard the scratch-scratch of pen on calculation paper and said, "Bin Bin Ge, go get the desk lamp from my room later and bring it down to use."

"Okay." Tan Wenbin nodded and did not stand on ceremony. Little Yuan had no use for it now anyway.

At night, Run Sheng liked moving the television outside onto the yard while he worked and watched. It made cleaning up easier.

There was a pole outside with a lightbulb hanging from it. It was bright enough, but the angle was poor.

Run Sheng asked, "What are A Li and her family going out to do tomorrow?"

"I don't know. They probably have something to take care of."

Actually, Li Zhuiyuan had roughly guessed it. Liu Yumei was probably going to sweep the graves of A Li's parents.

He had noticed long ago that Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu were not A Li's biological parents. They were parents only in name.

"Little Yuan, then you'll be free tomorrow?"

"School hasn't started. What day am I not free?"

Tan Wenbin muttered quietly, "You'd be free even if school had started."

"When I was delivering paper offerings during the day, I passed through the Town Market and saw someone who'd set up a little stage to tell stories. Quite a few people were listening. I asked, and he'll be there tomorrow too. Little Yuan, I'll take you to listen tomorrow."

"Sure."

Li Zhuiyuan did not want to reject Run Sheng's kindness. Run Sheng was trying hard to find entertainment for him now that he could not see.

The next morning, Li Zhuiyuan deliberately got up early. But when he went downstairs and reached the East Room, he still felt the lock on the door.

Liu Yumei and the others had probably left before dawn.

Leaving early was also so they could return early.

Li Zhuiyuan simply felt around for a stool and sat in the yard.

"Ah, Little Yuan, you're up really early." Run Sheng rubbed his eyes as he got out of bed. "I'll make breakfast."

"Brother Run Sheng, let's eat in town."

"Sure. I'll put some instant noodles on the stove, so Grandfather can cook them himself after he gets up." Run Sheng entered the kitchen, then quickly ran back out, slapped Tan Wenbin awake, and urged, "Get up and wash up. We're going into town."

Tan Wenbin yawned. Though he had not slept enough, he still nodded.

After getting themselves together, Run Sheng rode the tricycle, taking Li Zhuiyuan and Tan Wenbin into Shinan Town.

Several tables had been set out in front of the Breakfast Shop. The three of them deliberately chose the most secluded one because Run Sheng wanted to smoke.

Li Zhuiyuan ordered three bowls of small wontons and three steamers of soup dumplings.

Li Zhuiyuan had originally wanted to order more, but Run Sheng stopped him.

Once the wontons and dumplings were served, Li Zhuiyuan asked with concern, "Brother Run Sheng, can you get full on so little?"

"Little Yuan, feel what this is."

Run Sheng stuffed a dry, hard, flat object into Li Zhuiyuan's hand. As he felt it, he could sense its rough texture and little holes.

"Steamed bun slices?"

"Rustle, rustle." Run Sheng shook the bag in his hand. "Hehe, I brought a big bag. They're perfect for soaking in the wonton soup."

"Brother Run Sheng..."

"Little Yuan, eat yours. I'll just have a little something different. You know how big my appetite is. How could I eat to my fill at a restaurant? That would be wasteful."

"Give me some too." Tan Wenbin reached out, grabbed a handful, and set them down. He might once have boldly said, "Eat as much as you want, I'm treating," but not anymore. They had not been close before. Now they were good friends.

Li Zhuiyuan bit hard into a dry steamed bun slice, but could not bite through it. In the end, he put it into his bowl to soak.

Beside him, Run Sheng crunched through his slices. During the meal, he and Tan Wenbin even asked the owner for another bowl of soup.

"Hah... That hit the spot."

"Burp..."

After the two big eaters finished, each patted his stomach. They had probably pulled up their shirts, because the sound was muffled yet crisp.

"Oh, are there any left? Give me a slice too."

Li Zhuiyuan's ears twitched. It was the first time he had heard Nantong Dialect spoken in a broadcaster's voice.

"Two slices left." Run Sheng picked them up and handed them over.

"Good, that's enough."

The man sat down at their table with a bowl of noodles or wontons. Then he unscrewed a lid, and the scent of fermented bean curd quickly spread through the air, along with a hint of spice.

Tan Wenbin sniffed and asked, "Why is your fermented bean curd this color?"

"This is Sichuan Style Fermented Bean Curd. It's got chili in it."

That was another line of broadcaster-style Sichuan dialect.

"Hey, you're the storyteller from the stage yesterday." Run Sheng slapped his forehead. "You aren't wearing that long robe, so I didn't recognize you."

"Hehe, you came to hear storytelling today?"

"Of course. We came especially for it."

"Oh, then you're honored guests. It's still early before the show starts, though. If you're willing to buy me a cup of tea, I'll start telling stories for the three of you after I finish breakfast."

"Sure." Li Zhuiyuan agreed.

After the man finished breakfast, he said, "Please."

The three followed him beneath the stage. It was crude, just a few cabinets stacked into a small platform, with two canvas sheets hanging behind it.

Run Sheng went to a small shop midway and bought a bottle of mineral water. When he returned, he saw Li Zhuiyuan take out some money and hand it to the storyteller, who accepted it with a smile.

Only then did Run Sheng realize that buying a cup of tea meant giving a tip, not foolishly going to buy an actual bottle of water.

The money was not much, only the cost of two cans of Jianlibao.

The storyteller did not go onstage. Instead, he sat on a long wooden bench he had set up below, facing Li Zhuiyuan and the other two.

He first gave a brief opening introduction, saying that he was a wandering storyteller making a living, named Yu Shu, newly arrived in this fine place to make friends, broaden his horizons, and earn a meal.

Next, he began telling a storytelling tale about King Qin Li Shimin crushing Dou Jiande before Hulao Pass.

Since his audience consisted of three young people, he used Mandarin rather than Nantong Dialect. His story rose and fell with great rhythm, vivid and enthralling, and he even threw in some vocal mimicry.

Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin listened with rapt attention, applauding and cheering from time to time.

As Li Zhuiyuan clapped along, he wondered uneasily, What kind of master had come wandering the jianghu to experience life?

This man was clearly not a local, yet he could arrive somewhere new and immediately learn the local dialect. And his verbal skills were truly solid.

Though the market for traditional culture was currently suffering severe contraction and decline, it still should not have driven someone like him to wander the jianghu for a living.

The story reached its climax when Li Shimin led the Black Armored Army in repeated charges against Dou Jiande's central force, and ended with Li Shimin returning victorious to court and being bestowed the title of General of Heavenly Strategy.

The story was wonderful, and the performance exquisite. In the height of summer, it felt like eating a huge slice of chilled sweet watermelon, leaving him refreshed from head to toe.

Though he could not see, his ears had received a genuine treat. And it had been a private, face-to-face performance too. The money had been well spent.

Li Zhuiyuan reached into his pocket again.

"No need. You already paid for the tea. None of you have jobs or earn money yet, so how could I take another tip from you? Besides, hadn't you already tipped me with two slices of steamed bun?"

"That was really good," Li Zhuiyuan said sincerely.

"You flatter me. Kid, your eyes aren't seriously hurt, are they?"

"They'll get better."

"That's good, then. What's your name?"

"Li Zhuiyuan."

"Li Zhuiyuan, Li Zhuiyuan... Have you always had the surname Li?"

"What else would it be?"

Still wanting more, Tan Wenbin asked, "Can you tell us another one?"

"I can't go on. I need to save my strength for the proper noon performance."

Tan Wenbin nodded. "Then we'll wait."

"Oh, there's no need. The noon session will be the same story, just padded out more. I'll talk about Li Yuan and Li Jiancheng at the Li Tang court, then ramble a bit about Wang Shichong in Luoyang City. It's nothing worth hearing."

"That's such a shame. What about tonight?"

"Same story again, just with even more padding."

Tan Wenbin: "..."

"I'm just trying to make a living. I only have so much material in my belly; how could I spill it all out at once? Besides, hardly anyone here listens to several performances in one day. Those with that much free time usually don't have money."

Li Zhuiyuan asked curiously, "Master Yu, where are you from?"

"Kid, are you asking where my hometown is?"

"Mm."

"I really can't say where my hometown is. My parents died early, and since I was little, I've wandered along this Yangtze River, from Mountain City to Jingchu and then to the river mouth. Back and forth, all year round.

"If you put it that way, my hometown should be on this river."

A smile appeared on Li Zhuiyuan's face, as though he had heard a very interesting answer. Yet inwardly, he sank in silence, because he had heard a similar answer from Liu Yumei.

"It's still early. Let me tell you another little story, one that's a bit scarier."

"Great, great!" Run Sheng applauded.

"I like this kind of story." Tan Wenbin clenched his fist excitedly.

Yu Shu began.

Just as he got started, Li Zhuiyuan sensed something was wrong. The setting was the transition between the Ming and Qing dynasties. The protagonist was a scholar whose boat capsized while he was traveling to the capital for the imperial examination. He fell into the water and was saved by a woman surnamed Bai. The scholar fell for her and addressed her as the Bai Family Empress.

Before the man could continue, Li Zhuiyuan covered his eyes and sucked in a cold breath. "Brother Run Sheng, Bin Bin Ge, my eyes hurt badly. Take me home so I can drink my medicine."

If it had been anything else, the two of them definitely would not have left now. But since it involved Little Yuan's eyes, neither dared delay. After saying goodbye to Yu Shu, they immediately carried Little Yuan onto the tricycle and hurried home.

On the way back, faced with Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin's concerned questions, Li Zhuiyuan chose to voice his worries.

"Brothers, my eyes don't hurt. I suspect that man's identity."

He had already mentioned the Bai Family Empress. If he continued, Death Collapse would inevitably come up, and then Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin's expressions would change, allowing the other man to notice.

That was why Li Zhuiyuan had pretended his eyes hurt and left early.

After hearing Li Zhuiyuan's explanation, Run Sheng, who was pedaling the tricycle, sighed. "Looks like we ran into someone in the same line of work."

Tan Wenbin was stunned for quite a while before asking in confusion, "Are people in our line all this talented?"

Run Sheng replied, "You have a talent too. You know Paper Crafting."

Tan Wenbin rolled his eyes. "Why, thank you so much."

Though Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin were both surprised, they were not frightened. First, neither of them had experienced the Bai Family Empress incident. Second, they did not know Liu Yumei's true identity.

The former involved Brother Liangliang's personal privacy, while the latter involved the secrets of the Qin Liu Families. It was not convenient for Li Zhuiyuan to reveal either on his own.

When they returned home, they discovered that Great Grandfather was not there. The instant noodles on the stove had been cooked and eaten, so he had likely gone out.

The three continued with their own tasks. Li Zhuiyuan continued "reading," Run Sheng watched television, and Bin Bin worked on his exercises.

At lunchtime, Great Grandfather still had not returned, so Run Sheng cooked porridge.

By dinner, Great Grandfather still had not returned, so Run Sheng cooked porridge again.

Porridge was not bad, but it was hard to go from luxury to simplicity. With Aunt Liu gone, everyone's quality of life had severely declined.

And without Aunt Liu calling out "breakfast, lunch, dinner" whenever meals were ready, Li Zhuiyuan felt as though even his body clock had become disordered.

While spooning down porridge that night, Tan Wenbin said suspiciously, "Hey, Grandpa Li was the one who suggested porridge, and Grandpa Li is also the one who didn't come home because he went out for something tasty."

No one worried much about Great Grandfather not coming home, because Li Sanjiang was often kept behind for meals and drinks.

On the quiet summer night, Run Sheng and Tan Wenbin continued watching Chen Zhen.

Li Zhuiyuan sat beside them, doing his bedtime eye exercises. Just as he began pressing his temples and scraping around his eye sockets,

the sounds of a car and a motorcycle came from the distant Village Road.

As if he had been struck by lightning, Tan Wenbin rolled over and went from sitting before the television to the small table where his homework was laid out. With a slap, he turned on the desk lamp and instantly assumed the posture of someone deeply pondering his exercises.

Run Sheng turned around, looked at him, and asked, "What's wrong with you?"

Li Zhuiyuan guessed, "Bin Bin Ge, is Uncle Tan here?"

"Mm!"

He recognized the sound of his own father's motorcycle. Ever since he was little, whenever he secretly watched television at home and heard that sound, he would immediately turn off the TV and go do homework.

But they waited and waited, yet the motorcycle never came over, nor did anyone walk up onto the yard.

Run Sheng asked in confusion, "Your dad doesn't want you anymore?"

"Your dad is the one who doesn't want you anymore."

"My dad never wanted me in the first place."

"Fuck, you cheated."

After a pause,

Tan Wenbin added, "Sorry."

Run Sheng laughed. "Hehehe."

Tan Wenbin stood up. "My dad didn't come for me. Little Yuan, Run Sheng, do you want to go take a look? Maybe something happened in the village again."

Run Sheng shook his head. "No. After the commercials, the exciting part will continue."

"I'll go with you, Bin Bin Ge."

"Sure. Let's go, Little Yuan."

Tan Wenbin took Li Zhuiyuan's hand and led him out. When they passed Aunt Zhang's little shop, Tan Wenbin asked where the car and motorcycle from earlier had gone.

Aunt Zhang was cracking sunflower seeds. She glanced northwest and said, "They went toward Big Beard's old house."

On the way to Big Beard's house, Tan Wenbin asked worriedly, "Little Yuan Ge, why do you think my dad and the others went there? Could they have discovered what happened?"

"I don't know." Li Zhuiyuan shook his head.

If something had gone wrong and exposed them, it should have been the identity of the Water Monkey that had died in the car.

Several police cars and motorcycles were parked outside Big Beard's house. Every officer held a flashlight, shining it around.

But they probably would not find anything now. The Fish Pond had already been filled in, and the whole plot above it had been planted with saplings.

"Hey, Little Yuan Ge, I see Grandpa Li. He's in the yard."

"Is my great grandfather okay?"

"He's fine. He isn't wearing handcuffs, and Grandpa Li is still smoking."

"Bin Bin? Is that Bin Bin?"

"It's me, Uncle Zhao."

"Heh, why are you here?"

"My relative's house is here. I'm staying over to hang out."

"Alright, I'll go call your dad."

"Uncle Zhao, help me tell my dad that Little Yuan came with me."

"Okay."

Before long, Tan Yunlong walked over.

"Dad!" Tan Wenbin waved enthusiastically.

"Go stand aside." Tan Yunlong ignored his son and came to Li Zhuiyuan. In a low voice, he said, "Some people from above came. This morning, our Police Station went to pick up your great grandfather. We had lunch together, then went to several places this afternoon—Xiting Town, Shigang, all the places where your great grandfather recovered corpses."

"Uncle, who are they?"

"I don't know, but they probably aren't criminal investigators."

"Is my great grandfather in trouble?"

"No. They're just here to understand the situation. He served as a guide and told them about what happened back then. This house and the land around it are all under your great grandfather's name too, right?"

"Mm."

"Don't worry. It's nothing. They're about to wrap up and leave."

"Thank you, Uncle."

"What are you thanking me for? This isn't a case, and it doesn't involve any confidentiality rules."

A familiar voice came from not far away. "Alright, thank you all for accompanying me around all day."

Immediately afterward, Li Zhuiyuan heard his great grandfather talking to that person. "Sir, you've really worked hard today."

"It was nothing, it was nothing. I was just cooperating with the work."

"You should go back and rest early."

"You too. Hehehe."

That voice belonged to Yu Shu.

"Oh, little friend, why are you here too?" Yu Shu spotted Li Zhuiyuan.

Li Zhuiyuan asked in return, "Huh, storyteller, why are you here?"

"There weren't many people at the noon session, so I packed up my stall and came out to do a side job."

As Yu Shu spoke, he crouched before Li Zhuiyuan and reached out to pat his head.

"Little friend, do you live here?"

Li Sanjiang came over after handing out cigarettes. Seeing this, he immediately said, "He's my great grandson. Hehehe, this house will be his someday."

"Your great grandson?" Yu Shu looked very surprised. "Blood-related?"

"Of course. His name is on my will."

"Oh, is that so? He's quite a clever child. I like him very much."

"Of course. Our Little Yuanhou is smart."

"Alright, Grandpa Li, I'm leaving now. I'll treat you to a drink another time."

"Sure, sure."

Tan Yunlong took the initiative to approach Yu Shu and asked, "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"

"No. There's nothing going on here; it's very clean. I'll leave tomorrow. Sorry to trouble you, Captain Tan."

"I was only following orders."

The police at Big Beard's house had already dispersed. Li Sanjiang led the two boys home, complaining all along about how strange the day had been. In the morning, a police car had taken him to the Police Station, then in the afternoon he had made several trips to different places, only to end up back in the village.

Still, it had not been entirely without gains. Before leaving, that man had even given him a carton of cigarettes.

As Li Zhuiyuan listened, he pondered the storyteller's identity. Clearly, being a storyteller was only his side job. Yet being able to raise a side job to that level was truly rare.

But no matter what, since the man could work alongside the police, he definitely was not a bad person.

There was no need for him to worry anymore.

When they returned to the yard, Run Sheng was still crafting paper figures while watching television.

Li Sanjiang walked over and gave him a knock on the head, but Run Sheng only smiled.

Tan Wenbin sat down, skillfully picked up some rattan strips, and began Paper Crafting. At the same time, he said regretfully, "If I'd known, I would've brought my homework with me."

Just as Li Zhuiyuan was about to go upstairs, his ears twitched. He said quietly, "Bin Bin Ge, hurry back and do your homework."

"Hmm?"

Though his mouth was still making a puzzled sound, his body instinctively dropped the work in his hands. He rolled over again, sat at the little desk, picked up his pen, and put on a performance of serious thought.

Soon, Tan Yunlong walked into the yard.

Hearing those familiar footsteps, Tan Wenbin's lips curled up slightly.

But Tan Yunlong came over and smacked the back of his head, scolding, "Who are you trying to fool?"

Tan Wenbin felt deeply wronged. Dad, I'm studying so hard. How can you still misunderstand me?

Smack!

The next moment, Tan Yunlong flipped the switch, and the desk lamp lit up.

Tan Wenbin: "..."

Run Sheng had moved the television outside to watch. The light from the TV was enough for him to work by.

Tan Wenbin was used to sitting beside Run Sheng while doing homework. But because Little Yuan had lent him the desk lamp, he no longer turned on the bulb mounted on the pole above.

So, from his father's perspective just now, he had been doing homework in near-total darkness.

Tan Yunlong carried over a bag and set it down. It contained some folk-remedy medicines his wife had specially prepared.

He had carefully checked them all. They were not poisonous.

"Little Yuan, I forgot to give you these earlier. Try taking some."

"Mm, thank you, Uncle Tan. My eyes are almost better. When the time comes, I'll have to ask Uncle Tan to take me to enroll in school."

"Of course. Once your eyes are better, we'll go. The school said you can go whenever you want—it's up to you."

"Mm, okay, Uncle Tan."

Tan Yunlong turned to leave, but before doing so, he stopped in front of his son, picked up the exercise book on the small desk, and opened it. The pages were densely covered in solution steps.

"Dad, Little Yuan gave me these problems."

"Mm. Study hard." Tan Yunlong set down the book, patted his son's head, and left.

Every night, Run Sheng watched the television until the station signed off.

When the television displayed its color test pattern, he turned it off and looked back, only to see that Tan Wenbin was still working on problems.

"You're not going to sleep?"

"You go ahead. I'll work a little longer."

"Oh."

Run Sheng washed up and went to bed.

When he woke the next morning, he found no one at the round table next door. Turning his head, he saw Tan Wenbin sound asleep over the small desk, still clutching a pen in his hand.

Run Sheng walked over to the dog cage and stroked the little black dog's head.

Little Black Dog opened its eyes, glanced at him, then rolled over and went back to sleep.

Run Sheng muttered, "Useless."

After Li Zhuiyuan woke up, aside from coming downstairs to eat porridge, he spent all his time sitting on the Second Floor Balcony.

He had spent several consecutive days "reading" Liu Clan's Qi Gazing Art and Qin Clan's Flood Dragon Observation Method. He felt that with his eyes unable to see, he might gain a new understanding of the Feng Shui Arts.

The facts proved that he had been overthinking it.

After mulling things over these past few days, he had figured out two things. First, those fortune-tellers who put on the image of being "blind" were generally unreliable. Second, he absolutely had to protect his eyes.

Tonight, Li Zhuiyuan waited outside for a long time, but Liu Yumei and the others never returned.

When he heard the no-signal "beep" from Brother Run Sheng's television downstairs, Li Zhuiyuan went back into his room as well. After doing a set of eye exercises, he lay down to sleep.

After waking up, he habitually opened his eyes again and turned his head to look.

He saw the Girl in White Dress with Hairpin sitting there with great poise.

His first reaction was that she was still as beautiful as ever.

Then:

Oh,

My eyes are better.