In the evening, Yan Fei took a break from collecting scrap metal and promptly sent Xu Xiaoyan to bed.
Once he was out of the door, he absconded to a secluded place and entered Vegetable Garden Island.
Without further ado, he started getting his crawl on!
Even though he was planning to create havoc in other people’s factories, he first needed to improve his speed. Otherwise, he might end up flat on his belly, looking like a fool.
Training alone can be quite monotonous. So, after a while, he’d switch to something else. There were tons of tasks to complete—felling trees, chopping firewood, tinkering with large bones, learning how to do blacksmithing—he could be endlessly busy if he wanted to.
On the following day, Xu Xiaoyan’s shoulder was still sore and she couldn’t do much, so she rested peacefully.
Observing Yan Fei fishing and crabbing was an enjoyable distraction. Although she was unable to lend a hand, she managed to do other things like taking the dogs to drink by the riverbank.
Then disaster struck.
While she was having a good time by the riverbank, Yan Fei emerged from the water and took a look behind her, immediately yelling, "Hurry back..."
"Back to do what? What’s wrong?" She was baffled.
"Turn around and look!" Yan Fei, standing naked in the water, was in distress. He couldn’t get out of the water until Xu Xiaoyan moved.
As soon as Xu Xiaoyan turned around, she immediately froze and then murmured, "The sun is shining brightly! Why is it raining over there? Ah, it’s heading this way..."
Looking at her dumbstruck expression, Yan Fei barked, "Aren’t you going to run? The rain will drench you soon!"
Apart in the distance, a hazy scene indicated a heavy downpour, progressing rapidly towards them.
Summer rains can be odd. Sometimes one side of a road would be lashed by heavy rain, while the other side remains dry and unaffected.
However, this rainstorm was gradually closing in. Xu Xiaoyan was stunned for a moment, but then quickly reacted; she instinctively reached for the bucket filled with fish. She yelled out in pain when she lifted it too quickly.
"Go back quickly, I’ll take care of everything," Yan Fei urged her.
The dogs barked towards the incoming rain. Xu Xiaoyan had also recollected herself by then, and began to run without turning back.
Upon seeing her making a run for it, Yan Fei leaped out of the water, quickly dressed up and caught up with her carrying the water bucket.
They both ran into the house, giggling all the way. Immediately after they entered, the heavy rain traced their path to the doorstep. The sight of the rain made them burst into laughter while their dogs took shelter inside, barking at the downpour.
They found solace in watching pedestrians getting drenched through the small window. The rain was so intense that it was impossible to dodge it, and by the time one found shelter, they’d be soaking wet anyway.
Quite a few people chose to embrace the rain and just ran through it, oblivious to the two mischief-makers taking pleasure in their misfortune from a small window at the roadside!
The intense rain continued all afternoon and, although it had thinned somewhat by late afternoon, it never completely stopped.
By nightfall, Yan Fei found himself in a fix.
This kind of rainy weather was perfect for setting some mischief in motion!
For example, he could transform into a huge python and roam around in some wicked boss’s factory, wouldn’t that be great!
However, as a python, his speed was severely limited - all he could do was slither slowly on the ground. He had planned to practice for a few more days before causing any trouble, but now it seemed a bit early.
Nevertheless, the lure of this rainy weather was irresistible, driving him crazy with the urge to indulge in some mischief!
No matter how much he contemplated, his heart was restless. He continued practicing absentmindedly on Vegetable Garden Island, stealing glances at the sky every now and then to check on the rain, feeling dissatisfied every time he looked.
The drizzle throughout the night only fuelled his yearning for adventurous mischief.
In the end, he couldn’t resist any longer. Since he was now able to control his transformation without toppling over, he thought ’What the heck, let’s give it a go!’
Without wasting any more time, he transformed into a cinerous vulture, and soared into the sky, flying straight towards the paper factory.
Upon arriving, he was fuming with rage. Turned out that the paper factory, which he hadn’t visited in days, was back in business now, operating as usual even at night.
Well, of course! With the paper materials so cheap these days, every day out of production meant less income. So, the boss certainly wouldn’t waste time - he’d rather pay high wages to keep the workers on the job.
Normally, there wouldn’t be anyone around the factory located in this wilderness, especially on a rainy day one. Yan Fei found a spot to land, transformed into a gigantic python, stretched up half of his body over the factory compound wall, and let out a guttural hiss.
After hissing twice, he realized that a python’s hiss barely carried any menace, especially above the sound of this rainstorm and wind.
Therefore, he changed his shape again into a Parasaurolophus dinosaur. He propelled himself onto the top of the wall and began to roar vigorously into the compound.
The monstrous roar, like the long whistle of a train, could be heard far off, even above the rain and wind, and the continuous rumble of machinery inside the factory. Upon hearing this strange noise, some workers were spooked and started slipping out of the plant, cautiously peering around in small groups.
Seeing that he had captured their attention, Yan Fei halted his roars, rammed his body into the wall, crumbling most of it, and then resumed his python form, leisurely slithering inside.