Return to Huangyuan City

For the following week, Zhao Dongchuan didn't go anywhere else; he just stayed in Shuangshui Village, diligently doing his homework.

During the day, besides his own studies, he listened to stories from the village elders as material for his notes, and also wandered around the village observing daily life. In the evenings, he tutored Sun Shaoping, leading a fulfilling life.

During this period, Zhao Dongchuan also bought some vegetables, fruits, and grains from the village, so they could exchange them for some needles and threads.

Half a month had passed since Zhao Dongchuan arrived in Shuangshui Village, and he started to worry about Li Huiying. He had left her 10 watches, telling her to sell them and then rest until he returned to find her.

Although he trusted Li Huiying not to do anything wrong, money tempts people, so he didn't dare to give her too many watches. With so much money over a long period, whether Li Huiying could maintain her integrity was a test of character. After all, if she had the money in hand and ran off with it, he wouldn't dare to make a fuss.

He had the ability to get it back, but it could easily expose him, and not showing up for a long time could easily lead to unnecessary thoughts.

Zhao Dongchuan decided to return to Huangyuan to see Li Huiying and also make an appearance at the Cultural Center.

So, the next day, Zhao Dongchuan rode his bicycle directly to Yuanxi County, then took a bus to Huangyuan.

Amidst the bumpy ride, Zhao Dongchuan kept his eyes closed, calmly regulating his breathing according to the breathing technique from Basic Qi Cultivation.

Outwardly active yet inwardly still, he gradually entered a state of self-forgetfulness.

At this moment, he wasn't completely unconscious, but slowly detached himself from the environment, like an observer, quietly contemplating.

As his meditation deepened, a warm current appeared in his lower abdomen, like a mischievous child, appearing and disappearing.

The bus arrived at its destination, and Zhao Dongchuan recovered from his state, slowly disembarking with the crowd.

After getting off the bus, Zhao Dongchuan went around to the back of the bus to unload his bicycle, then rode towards Li Huiying's home.

Soon, after about ten minutes, he arrived at Li Huiying's house.

At this time, the courtyard gate was closed, and voices could be heard from inside.

Zhao Dongchuan knocked on the door.

A moment later, footsteps approached, and with a creak, the door opened.

“Oh, little Zhao, you're back!” It was Li Huiying who opened the door.

“Come in quickly, I'm making lunch. Stay and eat here!”

“I just got back, so I came to see you all!” Zhao Dongchuan said as he walked, looking into the courtyard.

In the courtyard, there was an unfamiliar man, about forty years old, dressed in khaki clothes, with dark skin and thick calluses on his palms, clearly a farmer who had worked hard for a long time.

“Little Zhao, this is Old Liu from our village…” Li Huiying said, becoming a little shy.

“I'm from Huiying's village, my name is Liu Laogen!” Liu Laogen also felt a bit unnatural seeing a stranger come in.

Zhao Dongchuan understood at a glance; they were dating, and it was already semi-public, making him feel like a big third wheel.

“Auntie Li, am I interrupting you?” Zhao Dongchuan teased.

“Little Zhao, you're making fun of me, I…” Li Huiying said, her eyes reddening with a choked voice as she wiped away tears.

Liu Laogen was also at a loss, wanting to go forward and comfort her but hesitant because Zhao Dongchuan was present.

“Auntie Li, I was just joking. You don't have to be like this, I understand. When you two get married, I'll give you a big red envelope!” Zhao Dongchuan quickly explained.

“We're not planning a wedding. We're both old now, and it's not our first marriage; we're just looking for a companion to live with.

Old Liu is an honest man. He was interested in me when we were young, but his family was poor, and my parents didn't agree, so they married me off to someone else. He also never married.

Now, in my current situation, if he doesn't mind me, I'm naturally willing to be with him,” Li Huiying slowly explained.

Another case of “beating mandarin ducks apart”!

Zhao Dongchuan understood completely. After all, it was her own life, and in this new society, there was no talk of chastity arches. No one could stop her from remarrying.

Seeing that Zhao Dongchuan had no intention of looking down on them, and even expressed understanding and approval, both of them couldn't help but let go of the weight on their hearts and breathed a sigh of relief.

For Little Zhao, her “savior” and benefactor, Li Huiying still cared a lot about his opinion. Moreover, selling watches for him now, she was practically his half-employee. Although this was her private matter, if her boss had an issue, it would be difficult for her.

Zhao Dongchuan found an opportunity to subtly ask if Old Liu knew about the watches.

Li Huiying shook her head and said, “I haven't told him, but this can't be kept secret for long. He'll find out eventually!”

“Let's leave it like this for now. Be careful. Finish this job, then we'll talk!” Zhao Dongchuan said with a hint of helplessness.

This was indeed tricky. The more people who knew, the greater the risk of exposure. Fortunately, he had never revealed his true origins to Li Huiying and Cao Yuan, so even if something went wrong, it was unlikely he would be found in a large city like Huangyuan.

It seemed he would have to change his approach later. If necessary, he would take time to sell them himself. He had glasses from the system, and with the Breath Concealment Technique and Lightness Skill, he could easily handle many situations.

Afterward, Zhao Dongchuan ate at Li Huiying's house and also had some wine with Old Liu. It's often said that truth comes out with wine, and after Zhao Dongchuan's probing and questioning,

He roughly understood some of Old Liu's character. At least for now, he didn't seem to be a deceitful person.

Even if he knew about the watches, it was unlikely he would expose them.

This put Zhao Dongchuan's mind at ease considerably.

Li Huiying also found an opportunity to give the proceeds to Zhao Dongchuan. Zhao Dongchuan settled her commission, left ten more watches, and after reminding Li Huiying to be careful, he bid farewell and left.

Then, Zhao Dongchuan returned to his dormitory and cleaned it up. After half a month of no one living there, the room was mostly fine, apart from some dust.

After a quick clean, feeling it was good enough, Zhao Dongchuan closed the door.

He planned to go to the Cultural Center first, work for half a day, and see if Jia Bing was there.

Zhao Dongchuan greeted colleagues he met along the way as he walked towards his office.

“Hey, Little Zhao, you're back?” Jia Bing was writing at his desk at the time, and seeing Zhao Dongchuan return, he asked with some surprise.

“Teacher Jia, I was just worried about having too much work piled up, so I came back to check. It didn't take much time to get here from Shuangshui Village. Going back in a couple of days will be the same, it won't delay anything!” Zhao Dongchuan said with a chuckle.

“How's the progress?” Jia Bing asked with concern.

“It's alright, I've written more than half, but it's not finished yet, and I'm still constantly adjusting it!”

“If you don't mind, you can let me see it. We can discuss it together!” Jia Bing said.

“Sure, I'll bring the manuscript tomorrow and let you take a look, give me your expert opinion!” Zhao Dongchuan showed a slight smile.