Going to the Countryside

Setting Up Camp

Although he accepted the cigarette and took a satisfying drag, the old man showed little courtesy. Weighing the cigarette between his fingers, he said, "It's not very convenient. The village only has old men and old women. There isn't a single young person, and there's nothing good here either. Where are you supposed to find someone to wait on you?"

His words were filled with all kinds of unmistakable rejection.

Old Chen and Li Bai exchanged glances after being turned away.

Li Bai said, "We can pay. It doesn't matter if there's nothing to eat. We just need somewhere to stay."

There was enough food in the trunk of the Mercedes to last the two of them four or five days. If that wasn't enough, there were still all kinds of ingredients piled up like mountains inside the Storage Ring.

In places where people lived, the power of money was quite effective.

"Hey! Suit yourselves!"

The old Village Chief shook the ash from his cigarette, hoisted his hoe, and walked away on his own. He neither agreed nor refused, leaving his attitude difficult to decipher.

"Interesting!"

Old Chen stroked his stubble and chuckled.

Normally, those who didn't care about money would warmly receive guests using the unique hospitality of mountain folk. Those who cared about money would likewise offer accommodations and arrangements of a suitable standard for the sake of the bright red bills.

Yet this old Village Chief remained cold and indifferent regardless of whether they had money.

Li Bai called toward the retreating back of the old Village Chief, "Village Chief, where can we stay temporarily?"

"Suit yourselves!"

The old Village Chief didn't even turn his head. His voice drifted from far away, still keeping people at arm's length.

If he had been thirty or