398: Chapter 398: Am I Not Dreaming?
398: Chapter 398: Am I Not Dreaming?
Fate is a peculiar thing.
You might say you don’t believe in fate, but sometimes, it really leaves you at a loss for words.
Deng Jianguo used to think that his life had always been plain and uneventful, like a lake surface, even if there were ripples, they were just slight ones.
His life had been this series of small waves for almost forty years.
Although he owned a shop and a house in Miyun Town, these achievements seemed insignificant.
Since meeting several young people yesterday, Deng Jianguo felt an inexplicable sensation, as if his life were about to change.
It was a feeling, a very strong one at that.
Like waking up one day with the strong belief that buying a lottery ticket would definitely win him five million.
After resting for a night, he had called the mechanic early in the morning to fix his car, and Deng Jianguo prepared to set off for Yang County again.
Thinking of that feeling, he shook his head and scoffed at himself, even if those young people were of significant origin, they were strangers to him now.
Just as he was about to get into his car, he saw a convoy driving this way.
The arrival of a convoy wasn’t uncommon, but what caught Deng Jianguo’s eye was the leading two police cars clearing the way, followed by a black Audi official car, and even two policemen trailing behind.
Such an entourage naturally led to wild speculations.
Even the Miyun Town secretary’s travel didn’t demand such a display.
As Deng Jianguo was wondering, the convoy stopped right in front of him, and two men in police uniforms got out of one police car, followed closely by a somewhat stout middle-aged man in his forties.
Deng Jianguo was slightly startled.
He hadn’t committed any crimes; were these people coming for him?
Even if they were, was such an impressive display necessary?
Could it be because he had offended Brother Hong and Brother Tie Fei yesterday, so they were retaliating?
But no, that didn’t seem right.
Deng Jianguo’s gaze quickly shifted to the middle-aged man, and he immediately realized.
He might not know him, but at least he knew who he was, the mayor of Miyun Town.
“The mayor himself came looking for me, what—?” Deng Jianguo was bewildered, what on earth was happening?
The surrounding people also started looking this way with peculiar expressions.
“I am Deng Jianguo?” What shocked Deng Jianguo more was that Mayor Wu of Miyun Town took the initiative to come up to him, displaying a somewhat friendly smile.
Such an attitude made Deng Jianguo feel as if the mayor was being very polite to him.
It confused him even more; he even doubted if he was dreaming.
He had only known of the mayor, who didn’t recognize him, a small fry.
Today, the mayor not only made the effort to visit but also treated him with such courtesy.
This feeling was like a beggar being warmly greeted by a county official.
“Yes, yes, I am Deng Jianguo, hello Mayor Wu!” After a long while, Deng Jianguo finally reacted nervously and nodded quickly.
“Haha, you know me, then I need not introduce myself further.” Mayor Wu’s smile was exceptionally warm and friendly.
Deng Jianguo fretted internally, cautiously asking, “May I know why Mayor Wu is looking for me?
Is there an issue or something?”
Seeing Deng Jianguo’s somewhat worried look, Mayor Wu lightly patted Deng Jianguo’s shoulder, laughing, “Brother Deng, don’t be so formal in the future.
If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Wu from now on.
I am only a few years older than you, I’m not taking advantage of you, am I?”
“Ah?” Deng Jianguo was taken aback again.
Had he really won five million?
If it weren’t for the pain from pinching himself, he would definitely think he was dreaming or hallucinating.
How could such a pie fall from the sky and hit him on the head?
And such a big pie at that.
Was his life path really about to undergo such a tremendous change?
Mayor Wu treating him as a brother, what did this imply?
Deng Jianguo dared not think further.
But this event, how could it be so sudden?
Lady Luck had not visited him for so many years, why today?
This surprise was too big, wasn’t it?
No, something was not right!
Deng Jianguo quickly sensed that there was more to this event than met the eye.
His mind raced, then he remembered Tangyu and the others, and that charming little girl; she had mentioned on the phone yesterday about dealing with Miyun Town.
Could it be that this situation had really erupted so quickly.
But—how was this related to him?
“Not Mayor Wu, you’ve confused me here.” Deng Jianguo said.
“Haha, come, let’s talk in the car.” Mayor Wu laughed and said.
Deng Jianguo nodded and followed Mayor Wu into a police car.
——
After dealing with those three assassins, Tangyu returned to Lin Feifei’s side and asked with concern, “Were you scared?”
Lin Feifei firmly shook her head, “Not when you’re here.”
Tangyu smiled, leaned in, and kissed her deeply, and Lin Feifei stood there, somewhat stunned, letting Tangyu kiss her.
“Click!”
The sound of a camera shutter rang out, and Lin Feifei instinctively pushed Tangyu away.
Guo Momo and the others walked over, all five of them together, and naturally, it was Zhao Yaya who took the picture.
Zhao Yaya was quite excited at the moment, “Haha, I captured such an intimate photo, I’m going to post it online with the title ‘Love under the Apple Tree’, do you think it will go viral?”
Lin Feifei frowned at Zhao Yaya, although her relationship with Tangyu had been confirmed and everyone knew about it, she still felt shy about such things in front of others.
Tangyu hadn’t expected Guo Momo and the others to appear at that moment either, his gaze quickly swept over Liu Shanshan’s face.
Seeing this scene, Liu Shanshan felt as though a knife had silently slashed through her heart.
Deng Li was on the side, grinning foolishly, as if he’d never seen such a scene in real life before.
After all, the village children were still very simple.
“Hmm, why do I smell a hint of blood?
It’s quite fresh, must have been recent,” Deng Li said, scanning the surroundings with his keen nose wrinkled.
However, the scene had already been cleaned up by Tangyu, without a trace left behind, so after checking around, Deng Li found nothing and stopped thinking about it.
“It’s almost noon; we should head back for lunch,” Tangyu said.
“Heh heh, yes, I noticed it was almost noon, so I called them to start heading back for a meal,” Deng Li nodded and said with a smile.
Having played all morning, everyone was somewhat tired but also quite content as they walked back to the village, which took nearly half an hour.
The village at noon was bustling with excitement; children were playing in the streets, and the adults, having finished their tasks, were back, some sitting at their doorsteps, chatting and laughing, while the women prepared lunch at home.
Smoke rose from each household, and the whole village of Wanshan seemed to blend into a painting of a heavenly retreat.
Being there, one truly felt as if they had arrived at a heavenly paradise.
This feeling was delightful; it brightened everyone’s mood and made you fall in love with Wanshan Village involuntarily.
“Wow, the fairy sisters are back; if my sister grows up to be as beautiful as them, I’ll definitely marry her.”
“You’re dreaming.”
“Hey, the little witch is back too.”
Zhao Yaya had been in a good mood, but upon returning and hearing the children calling her ‘little witch,’ her lips pouted, and she became sulky.
She couldn’t silence the many mouths, after all.
Although she was somewhat accepting due to Tangyu’s explanations, she still preferred being called ‘little fairy’ or even ‘princess.’
“Get away, get away; you’re all so dirty, don’t come too close,” Deng Li waved his hand to shoo the approaching children away.
The adults in the village were all smiling as they watched Tangyu and his group, welcoming such rare visitors.
The villagers, especially the children, were quite curious about these city folks.
Surrounded by a large crowd of children, it was only under Deng Li’s guidance that Tangyu and his company finally reached Deng Li’s house.
Deng Li waved his hands, and the children reluctantly left, though many remained curious about the Range Rover parked in front.
Fortunately, no one touched the vehicle.
It seemed the children’s education here was quite effective.
As they entered the house, they were greeted by the delicious aroma of food, which instantly stimulated everyone’s appetite.
“Wow, it smells wonderful,” exclaimed Zhao Yaya, who excitedly pounced on the table, her eyes gleaming as she stared at the various dishes.
The taste of the farmhouse dinner she had eaten last night in Miyun Town was still memorable.
Uncle Deng, with a beaming smile, set the tableware and invited everyone to sit down for the meal.
He also brought a case of beer and a case of soft drinks, and a plastic bottle filled with their homemade grain liquor sat on the table.
Aunt Deng brought a dish to the table and, seeing everyone back, she smiled and said, “Perfect timing, the food is ready.
Let’s eat.”
“Hmm, let’s eat; these dishes smell so good.
But—I don’t recognize many of them,” Zhao Yaya nodded, almost drooling.
“Hehe, these are some of our local specialties, mostly wild vegetables from around here, which you might not have in the city.
We enjoy them quite a bit here, but I’m not sure if you will.
These two dishes are preserved game, rabbit, and pheasant.
Everybody, start eating; don’t be shy and help yourselves,” Aunt Deng explained with a laugh.
Zhao Yaya didn’t hold back, picking up her chopsticks and beginning to eat enthusiastically.
“Mmm, delicious.
It tastes a bit unusual, but really quite nice,” Zhao Yaya immediately began to praise.
“Hehe, if it’s delicious, eat more,” Aunt Deng was very pleased.
Uncle Deng looked at Tangyu and asked, “Tangyu, would you like some beer or our homemade grain liquor?”
“I’ll have some grain liquor, I prefer it a bit,” Tangyu said, recalling Ghost Doctor Valley and his master, the Ghost Doctor, at the thought of grain liquor.
“Oh ho, you’ve had this kind of grain liquor before?” Uncle Deng asked in surprise.
Tangyu smiled and nodded, “Of course, I grew up in the countryside, so I’m very familiar with these things.”
“Oh, that’s great, haha, then let’s drink up.
We have plenty of it at home, drink as much as you can,” Uncle Deng said.
Watching the warmth of the Deng family, the atmosphere truly felt wonderful.