"Then you wait here for me, I’ll be right back."
Run Sheng took the money, didn’t even ride a bike, just started running.
Before long, Run Sheng came back holding several bags of instant noodles and cookies.
"Here, Xiao Yuan, your change."
"Why didn’t you buy more?"
"Couldn’t bear to, just this little bit, if we were buying rice and flour it could be much more."
Li Zhiyuan had only a few cookies since he had a late breakfast and wasn’t very hungry yet, while Run Sheng had been working in the fields earlier, so he should eat first.
After all, Run Sheng is his biggest dependence, all the fine tools are ready, but the person wielding them shouldn’t be underperforming because of hunger.
After eating everything, Run Sheng collected all the seasoning packets from the instant noodles.
Li Zhiyuan was previously wondering, although conditions didn’t allow cooking or soaking, if you pour the seasoning packet in and crush the noodles and shake it, wouldn’t eating it dry be tastier?
But Run Sheng didn’t do it, and instead ate the instant noodles like a big cracker.
Now, Run Sheng tore open a seasoning packet and poured the powder into his palm, then extended his tongue and licked a little from his palm.
Then, while continuing to pour the seasoning packet, he looked satisfied, apparently enjoying this way of eating.
Seeing Li Zhiyuan looking at him, Run Sheng smilingly asked, "Xiao Yuan, do you want to try some, it’s tasty!"
Li Zhiyuan extended his hand, letting Run Sheng pour some into his palm as well, then also lightly licked it and carefully tasted it.
It was the rich flavor of instant noodles’ seasoning packet.
"Hehe, this is great! Before we had to share one packet and lick it turn by turn, but now I can eat it all myself."
During this period, children’s access to snacks was quite limited, and the way to eat seasoning packets gradually became known as a tasty and fun option.
Li Zhiyuan touched the change earlier given by Run Sheng in his pocket, although the old carpenter didn’t ask for a processing fee, this expenditure was consuming Grandmaster’s face and favors, only could be used once.
Moreover, the subsequent material and testing costs, including the potential wear and tear...relying on pocket money, it clearly wouldn’t be enough.
Looks like he needs to figure out a way to get some money.
"Brother Runsheng, do you know where people are playing cards?"
"Playing cards? My grandpa plays, he likes playing Three Card Poker, there are a few regular games in the village, just go there and you can join a table."
"How is Mr. Shan at playing?"
Hearing this question, Run Sheng suddenly became a bit embarrassed and said softly:
"We’d have had dry meals tonight, but once he goes to play, we can’t even afford porridge."
Li Zhiyuan remembered that Grandmaster had mentioned that Mr. Shan often loses money at cards.
"Brother Runsheng, do you want to go see Mr. Shan?"
"Then tomorrow I’ll go with you to West Pavilion to visit Mr. Shan."
Run Sheng stood up very happily, stretching and looking around, and soon, he was not smiling anymore and pointed to a motorcycle approaching in the distance:
"That, Xiao Yuan, doesn’t the person sitting behind on the motorcycle look like your Grandmaster?"
Li Sanjiang was sitting on the back seat of the motorcycle, with a package between him and the driver, and another one tied behind the motorcycle, holding each with one hand.
The howling wind blew, and his arms were shaking, from exhaustion.
When the state requests, he must comply, otherwise next time he holds up a sign he would lack confidence.
It just so happens that his family’s mule decided to roam today, and even more coincidentally, took the tricycle as well.
"Comrade, stop for a bit, stop."
The motorcycle stopped, Li Sanjiang looked at Li Zhiyuan and Run Sheng standing by the road, surprised:
"What are you two doing here?"
Li Zhiyuan replied, "Just like you, Grandmaster, summoned here."
"What?" Li Sanjiang was startled for a moment but didn’t think much further, handed over the things to Run Sheng, "Let’s go."
Li Zhiyuan didn’t expect that he would be able to enter the Jiang family’s courtyard so soon.
As soon as he entered, he could feel Tan Yunlong’s gaze, Li Zhiyuan deliberately avoided it.
To his surprise, Tan Yunlong actually walked over, bent down, hugged him, pretending to play with a child, and whispered in his ear:
"Did you report to get yourself some work?"
"This money is way too hard-earned."
"Hehehe." Tan Yunlong laughed, and patting Li Zhiyuan’s head, looked at Li Sanjiang, "Grandmaster, sorry to trouble you to come here, don’t worry, I’ll pay for the labor."
"Don’t you mention it, don’t mention it." Li Sanjiang quickly waved his hand, "That’s too formal, isn’t it? This is all part of what I should do, the harmony between police and public."
"But we must, you being willing to cooperate with our work, we are already very grateful."
"Is the person in the pond?"
"Yes, take a look first." Tan Yunlong accompanied Li Sanjiang towards the pond, softly said, "Grandmaster, just later during the work, we need to keep things a bit low-key."
"The comrade who brought me already mentioned it, don’t worry, I understand."
"Understand, understand."
He of course knew why this was, after all, being too close to feudal superstitions in police uniform isn’t a good look, last time at Big Beard’s house pond when fetching Big Beard and his son, the arrived police also waited by their cars on the road.
Everyone cooperates when needed, and needs to be mindful when necessary.
Li Sanjiang called to Run Sheng, "Marquis Runsheng, grab a tool!"
Run Sheng hesitated and didn’t move, turned his head to look at Li Zhiyuan who had already secretly gone to the pit’s edge to look down.