76: Rao Shiyun is jealous again

Wang Shangyan felt as if she was hallucinating, but when she looked closely, she realized it wasn't a hallucination.

Are talented people always so talented, no matter where they are?

For a moment, Wang Shangyan's pretty face flushed, and she was speechless.

This child is truly remarkable.

...

For the rest of the time, Wang Shangyan remained silent, which made Rao Shiyun feel good, but this woman kept Li Zhiyan's hand on her thigh.

Li Zhiyan's hand had been feeling her thigh, and this woman was truly shameless.

"We're here."

After everyone got out of the car, Wang Shangyan finally let go of Li Zhiyan's hand. This made Rao Shiyun feel relieved.

It was all Li Meifeng's fault; otherwise, this woman wouldn't have paid so much attention to Li Zhiyan.

"Li Zhiyan, Auntie will take you to the private room first; the clients should be arriving soon."

After Wang Shangyan pulled Li Zhiyan away, Rao Shiyun said with a hint of reproach, "Meifeng, why did you tell that woman so much?"

"Look at Wang Shangyan, she kept Li Zhiyan's hand on her stockings."

Li Meifeng also saw that Rao Shiyun was jealous.

"Rao, the great beauty, are you jealous? Do you know you like that kid now?"

"Actually, you should face your true feelings."

"The reason you think Wang Shangyan has impure thoughts about Li Zhiyan..."

"...is actually because you've started to see him as a man."

"Don't you remember?"

"When you first met Li Zhiyan..."

"...weren't you also very close to him?"

"You held his hand and chatted for at least half an hour, didn't you?"

"Wang Shangyan just likes this kid, don't overthink it."

Rao Shiyun nodded slightly. A child like Li Zhiyan, born into poverty yet skilled at everything, self-reliant and strong, was simply the ideal son for all middle-aged women. Who wouldn't like Li Zhiyan?

She might have been too sensitive.

As the two walked into the hotel, Li Meifeng continued to fan the flames.

"Rao, the great beauty, you just don't dare to admit that you like Li Zhiyan in your heart."

"From the moment you started seeing him as a man and getting jealous, seeing Wang Shangyan actively letting him touch her leg, your mindset changed."

"You definitely like Li Zhiyan; you just don't dare to admit it."

"You're still thinking about your husband, but I truly believe Li Zhiyan is better than your husband."

"You can actually consider not remarrying. Just date this kid for a while."

"Anyway, your husband won't know, right?"

"Secretly nurse this child first, and let him truly understand the love of a maternal girlfriend."

Rao Shiyun's face turned red again. What was a maternal girlfriend? What kind of term was that?

When the two arrived at the private room, four people were already seated.

Two of them were people Rao Shiyun and the others had invited to drink with Li Mingzhang, but Li Mingzhang and his secretary were both very good at drinking and particularly enjoyed it.

If they could get through Li Mingzhang's challenge today, they would be able to get the procedures they needed.

Regarding Li Mingzhang, there were many legends circulating in the district. If you wanted him to do something, you first had to be prepared to drink until your stomach perforated.

A few minutes later, Liu Huan entered with Li Mingzhang and his secretary.

Although Li Mingzhang appeared ordinary, one could sense a subtle pressure emanating from him.

This kind of pressure was something ordinary businessmen certainly wouldn't possess; it was only found in those with high positions within the system.

Li Mingzhang sat in the main seat, while Liu Huan accompanied him, and Li Meifeng sat next to the secretary.

"Chief Li, it is truly our honor that you could come tonight."

He then waved for Wang Shangyan to come over, but Wang Shangyan only wanted to talk more with Li Zhiyan and ignored Liu Huan. Seeing Wang Shangyan trying to monopolize Li Zhiyan, a jealous Rao Shiyun sat on Li Zhiyan's other side.

This made Liu Huan very uncomfortable, but in such a formal setting, he couldn't say anything.

"I know about your procedural issues."

"I believe you've also heard of my rules."

"If you make me happy with your drinking tonight, then the matter is on me."

"If I'm not happy with your drinking, then no matter how much sincerity or effort you show, your matter will not be settled."

"Anyone can drink with me; I'll drink as much as you do."

"However, if others want to drink with me, they must first make up for the alcohol I've already drunk."

"If you can get me drunk, come directly to me tomorrow to get things done."

Li Zhiyan found Li Mingzhang's arrogant demeanor quite normal. In 2010, such figures indeed had the capital to act this way.

"Chief Li, I'll down this first!"

The person Rao Shiyun had invited to drink stood up and opened the Maotai.

He poured himself a full glass.

Then, he downed it in one gulp.

"Good!"

Li Mingzhang, the alcoholic, also felt exhilarated at this moment. He picked up his glass, gulped it down, and still felt it wasn't enough.

Li Zhiyan also admired Li Mingzhang's drinking capacity. He had to admit that this person's alcohol tolerance was indeed impressive. If he didn't have the Wine God skill, he would never be able to outdrink him. However, drinking like this would eventually lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer.

"Chief Li, you can drink like the ocean!"

Li Meifeng and the others flattered him, showing no dignity at all. In front of Li Mingzhang, their status as small businessmen was truly too ordinary.

Of course, if they were big businessmen, the situation would be reversed; how many important figures would humbly seek their investment to boost GDP and achieve results.

That was truly the epitome of humility.

"Chief Li, let's continue."

"Good!"

Li Mingzhang, who was addicted to alcohol, looked like he was ready for more.

Wang Shangyan, who was holding Li Zhiyan's hand, found this very annoying. She leaned into Li Zhiyan's ear and said, "Li Zhiyan, drink less alcohol in the future. Drinking is bad for your health. Although you can drink a lot, don't learn from these people."

Wang Shangyan smelled fragrant. When she leaned in, Li Zhiyan clearly saw the bottomless cleavage.

Aunt Wang has such a good figure, but she's too fierce.

"I understand, Aunt Wang."

Seeing Li Zhiyan so obedient, Wang Shangyan happily took his hand and placed it on her stocking-clad beautiful leg again.

On the other side, Rao Shiyun, who had decided to distance herself from Li Zhiyan in a romantic sense, could no longer control her jealousy.

She also took Li Zhiyan's hand and placed it on her own plump, fair, beautiful leg.

Li Zhiyan felt the two different styles of beautiful legs, and his heart was filled with indescribable comfort.

The feeling of the stocking-clad beautiful leg was very nice, but Aunt Rao's plump beautiful leg felt very warm and more fleshy. His favorite was Aunt Rao's kind of beautiful leg.

On the other side, the drinking continued. Gradually, the two young men with high alcohol tolerance invited by Rao Shiyun began to struggle.

Seeing the two almost collapsing, Li Mingzhang, who had just drunk more than half, felt a bit bored.

"If you can't go on, I'll leave first."

Liu Huan and Li Meifeng both became anxious and looked at Li Zhiyan for help.

Although Liu Huan disliked Li Zhiyan, he still hoped Li Zhiyan could help him.

After all, a lot of money had already been invested in this project.

Even if he had just seen him touch his wife's leg, he pretended not to see it, treating him only as a child.

"Wait, Chief Li."

Li Zhiyan spoke, which made Li Mingzhang, who had just stood up to leave, pause slightly.

This young man can drink a lot.

"Chief Li, when you were drinking just now, you always used Journey to the West as an example. I think you must be very fond of Journey to the West. I'd like to talk to you about it."

Li Meifeng didn't expect that Li Zhiyan wasn't going to drink, but wanted to talk about Journey to the West with him.

Isn't Journey to the West a well-known story? What's there to talk about?

It's just those stories from TV.

However, to her surprise, Li Mingzhang actually waved his hand, signaling Li Zhiyan to come over.

He clearly seemed very interested in discussing Journey to the West!

"Young man, have you researched Journey to the West?"

"Yes, I have thoroughly read the original Journey to the West, and I have organized many thoughts on various details."

Li Zhiyan's words made Li Mingzhang's eyes light up. A young man who could thoroughly read the original Journey to the West?

Then, he began to chat with Li Zhiyan about Journey to the West, and as they talked, he realized that this child's knowledge was incredibly profound!

Some perspectives on Journey to the West were things he had never considered before!

"Actually, these four master and disciples aren't good people at all."

"The Yellow Lion Demon was originally a good demon."

"For so many years, he never bothered anyone, didn't kill, and didn't cause trouble."

"He bought food and earned money by farming for peasants!"

"Just because he stole a few weapons, Sun Wukong wiped out his entire family."

"Finally, the Yellow Lion Demon, unwilling to live alone in the world, launched a suicidal attack on Sun Wukong!"

"The Yellow Lion Demon's fate shows how difficult it is to be a demon without backing. Even if he made just one mistake, he ended up with his entire family wiped out, which is truly tragic. It's like society today; if you don't have connections, it's truly impossible to get anywhere."

Li Mingzhang felt deeply. His own official career had indeed been like treading on thin ice.

From being a professor in the Chinese department at Normal University to entering officialdom, he had also experienced too many hardships.

"That's so well said!"

"Brother Li, who do you think is the most regrettable person in Journey to the West?"

At this moment, Li Mingzhang was feeling the effects of the alcohol and was enjoying the conversation, already calling Li Zhiyan "Brother Li."

"The most regrettable, I think, is the Apricot Immortal, who was gored to death by Zhu Bajie's snout, as Zhu Bajie only wanted to gain merit."

"In chapter sixty-four of the original work, not far from Little Leiyin Temple, Tang Sanzang and his group entered a temple gate. At this point, the Earth God appeared and offered food to entertain the pilgrims."

"When the four tree spirits were entertaining Tang Sanzang..."

"...the gentle and kind Apricot Immortal appeared."

"The tree spirits asked, 'Whence comes the Apricot Immortal?'"

"The Apricot Immortal replied, 'Knowing that there are distinguished guests here for a literary gathering, I have specially come to visit and dare to request an audience.'"

Rao Shiyun's heart was pounding. She hadn't expected Li Zhiyan to understand Journey to the West so deeply!

She had originally thought Journey to the West was common knowledge, but now she realized she seemed to know nothing.

In front of Li Zhiyan, she appeared so ignorant.

A piece of watermelon in Wang Shangyan's hand froze there.

To be able to discuss with a former Chinese professor at such a depth!

And this child, he could even remember the original text of Journey to the West! What kind of talent was this?

He was truly a young man with great potential, a genius no matter where he was.

Li Zhiyan continued, "That night, the five tree spirits and Tang Sanzang composed poems until morning."

"Seeing the talented Tang Sanzang and the beautiful Apricot Immortal, the four of them discussed and decided to arrange a marriage between Tang Sanzang and the Apricot Immortal."

"The Apricot Immortal had never harmed anyone, was inherently kind and gentle, and possessed considerable talent."

"But at daybreak..."

"Sun Wukong arrived."

"With one roar, he scared away the tree spirits and the Apricot Immortal."

"Tang Sanzang told Sun Wukong and the others everything that happened that night. As a result, they found a large cypress tree, an old pine, an old bamboo, and a red maple behind the bamboo. Looking at the cliffside, there was also an old apricot tree, two winter plums, and two osmanthus trees."

Li Mingzhang listened intently.

Wang Shangyan's heart couldn't settle down. Li Zhiyan could even remember the types of demons! How deeply had he studied!

This child was only 18, how could he be so knowledgeable?

"The original text says, 'When Bajie heard this, without distinguishing good from bad, with a single swing of his rake and three or five long snouts, he rooted and dug, felling the two winter plums, osmanthus, old apricot, and maple trees to the ground. Indeed, blood flowed profusely from their roots. Finally, he raked them over one by one, ensuring they were dead, before swaggering away!'"

"This Zhu Bajie, I can say, is the person I dislike the most; he's completely different from the one in the 86 version of Journey to the West."

Li Mingzhang excitedly said, "Well said!"

"Brother Li, come, let's have a drink together."

Li Zhiyan didn't stand on ceremony and drank a glass with Li Mingzhang.

"By the way, Brother Li, have you researched the issue of the five-hundred-year heavenly tribulation in Journey to the West?"

"With so many people in Buddhism, how did they say they survived the five-hundred-year heavenly tribulation before Journey to the West?"

"According to normal circumstances, Buddhism had no means to resist the heavenly tribulation and should have been extinct."

"Chief Li, I have indeed researched this question."

"There are many ways to resist the heavenly tribulation in Journey to the West."

"Besides the Flat Peaches and Ginseng Fruit..."

"...there are two other methods shown in the original work."

"For example, the God of Longevity secretly sent his mount to the mortal world to steal children's hearts and livers to eat or to refine elixirs; this is a method of prolonging life."

"And then there's Guanyin, who secretly let the golden fish in her pond descend to the mortal world to find young boys and girls, which might also be related to prolonging life."

Li Mingzhang slammed the table.

"Now that you mention it, I suddenly understand! There isn't a single good one among all those gods and Buddhas in heaven!"

"That's right, and Buddhism's way of surviving the heavenly tribulation is probably by eating the flesh of the Golden Cicada."

"In the Kingdom of Lion Camel, the Great Peng Eagle said not to scare Tang Sanzang."

"Tang Sanzang couldn't stand being scared; if he was, his flesh would turn sour and be inedible."

"It must be when the weather is overcast and there is leisure."

"Eating Tang Sanzang requires steaming him."

"Take him out, prepare him meticulously, blow and beat him carefully before eating."

"Eating Tang Sanzang requires steaming the entire living person."

"The Great Peng Bird is so experienced, it clearly has eaten Tang Sanzang's flesh before."

Li Mingzhang felt his scalp tingle.

"That's right, why didn't I notice so many details before!"

"But, Buddhism has eight hundred Arhats; with so many people, one Golden Cicada probably isn't enough to eat."

Listening to their conversation, Wang Shangyan's heart grew more and more restless. Why could this child possess such profound knowledge?

This is a two-in-one update, mostly complete. The rest will be bonus updates.