In the afternoon, Yang Chen went to the seafood market to buy the freshest white shrimp.
Then, he went to the liquor store to buy a pound of raw liquor.
On the way back, Yang Chen tasted it, took a sip, and it was pretty good.
He remembered when he was in the Guard before, it was particularly cold in winter, and a buddy hid half a pound of raw liquor. A few people took a sip each and finished it all, yet still wanted more.
He soaked the drunk shrimp, then Yang Chen cleaned the crabs he bought and waited.
The kindergarten was out by 4:30 in the afternoon, and the principal tidied up and finished by 5 o’clock.
"Principal, should we invite Uncle Zhang?" Yang Chen asked.
He was referring to Zhang Xingzhou.
Qin Zhiyuan thought for a moment, waved his hand, and said, "Let’s not call him this time. We can go another day, as it’s in a senior housing community, and it’s inconvenient."
"Oh!" Yang Chen nodded.
Qin Zhiyuan patted Yang Chen and said, "Go and bring out that box of white liquor from under my desk."
Yang Chen laughed and said, "Principal, you’re worried there won’t be any of your liquor to drink at Uncle Zhuo’s place? He has all the good stuff!"
Qin Zhiyuan glared and said, "What he has is his, what I have is mine. We should take what’s ours, now hurry up and get it for me!"
Yang Chen looked at Qin Zhiyuan in frustration, not knowing why the old man was throwing a fit.
Yang Chen got the liquor out, stood at the door with the old man, and smoked a cigarette, when Ye Xin arrived.
She was driving a Land Rover, because the mini was too small, and couldn’t fit many people.
Today, Ye Xin was wearing a loose batwing shirt, completely covering her beautiful figure. The cropped shorts didn’t look tacky, giving off a lively and cute vibe instead.
Because today, they were going to a senior housing community, and it was better to be modest since they were dining with elders.
Yang Chen smiled and ruffled Ye Xin’s head, feeling fortunate to have such an understanding wife.
They got in the car, and the group headed towards the Guard area.
In Elder Zhuo’s yard, there had been non-stop shouting since early morning.
"Hurry up! What are you dawdling for? Quickly move that flower pot for me, bring over my favorite one!"
"Gosh, how did you set up this table? Put names on it, Yang Chen must sit next to me, arrange all the seats properly!"
"The dishes must be the freshest, see who has what growing in their yard nearby and pick it for me! If not, go to the vegetable market and buy, make sure it’s the best!"
"Where’s that bottle of twenty-year-old liquor I stored? Bring it out, today us old chaps need to have a good drink!"
"Where’s the tea? Bring out my best tea leaves, and also that treasured purple clay teapot, let’s use it!"
Li Muyang stood in the yard, watching this scene with a bitter smile, shaking his head gently.
Since early morning, Elder Zhuo hadn’t stopped, and the guards and attendants had been worn out by the old man.
It’s almost evening now, and they’re still being sent out to buy groceries. Knowing that the kitchen is already filled with various ingredients, enough to serve a whole Manchu-Han Imperial Feast.
Even so, Elder Zhuo still wasn’t satisfied, always feeling things weren’t arranged properly.
Worse yet, the house’s furnishings had been rearranged completely, the guards had been switched several times, truly worked to the bone by Old Zhuo.
However, Li Muyang understood and felt a bit heartbroken.
Such an old man, not only did he lose his son in old age but he’s all alone. Suddenly having a godson, it’s no wonder he’s so excited.
Soon, Li Muyang received a call and immediately instructed the gatekeeper to let them in.
In no time, a bright white Land Rover drove up and parked at the gate.
"Brother Li!" Ye Xin’s beautiful face emerged from the car window, calling out and waving to Li Muyang.
"Xinxin!" Li Muyang nodded and smiled.
At this moment, all he felt was envy, putting aside his past admiration for Ye Xin.
Yang Chen and Qin Zhiyuan got out of the car and opened the trunk to get things, and seeing this, Li Muyang quickly ran over.
"Yang Chen, you go inside, I’ll take these things!" Li Muyang hurriedly stopped him.
Xiaowang, seeing this, also ran over quickly, smiling at Yang Chen, "Brother Yang, you head inside, we’ll take care of these."
How could they let a Captain several ranks above them carry things?
Seeing this, Yang Chen shrugged helplessly and walked into the yard with Qin Zhiyuan.
Since they were so eager, Yang Chen didn’t want to discourage their enthusiasm, after all.
However, Ye Xin leaned curiously against the side of the car, staring at Li Muyang, saying, "Brother Li, something’s not right here!"
"Hmm?" Li Muyang raised his head and said, "What’s not right?"
"You’re not right!" Ye Xin scrutinized Li Muyang with her beautiful eyes.
Li Muyang, feeling a bit guilty under Ye Xin’s gaze, first had Xiaowang move the things inside, then looked at Ye Xin and said, "What’s so not right about me, why are you suspicious I can’t do it?"
"It’s just you’re not right! Didn’t you use to look like you wanted to pick a fight whenever you saw Yang Chen? Now why are you acting so eager? Is there some plot?" Ye Xin pointed an accusing finger at Li Muyang, interrogating him.
Li Muyang laughed, "Didn’t I tell you last time? I want Yang Chen to come back to the Guard to be an instructor, otherwise all his skills would go to waste."
"No, that’s not right!" Ye Xin shook her head, "There must be something else going on!"
Li Muyang broke out in cold sweat, smiling awkwardly, "What else could there be, you silly girl, am I secretly a special agent or something?"
Saying that, Li Muyang was about to walk away.
Ye Xin grabbed Li Muyang, not giving up, "That’s not right! Even if Yang Chen is from Langya (Wolf Fang), he wouldn’t have enough influence for you, a Major, to be watching him all the time, right? Does he have some other identity or position? Or, do you have some secret agreement with Yang Chen?"
Listening to this, Li Muyang’s forehead was sweating profusely. He silently thought that Ye Xin certainly lived up to her reputation as the legendary Fire Phoenix, her observational and analytical skills were top-notch, she almost guessed the point.
But after all, Li Muyang was no pushover, so he said, "You’re overthinking, Xinxin. I previously didn’t have a good attitude towards Yang Chen, because of you. I made it clear that not just anyone could be good enough for you. Even though Yang Chen is now, he still needs to be assessed. Besides, there are many reasons for my change in attitude towards him. One is I cherish him as a talent, two is because he’s under Brother Jingyu, and most importantly, he’s now Uncle Zhuo’s godson!"
Hearing this, Ye Xin couldn’t say anything more, just felt something wasn’t right but couldn’t pinpoint it.
Watching Li Muyang hastily flee, Ye Xin chuckled.
She turned back, took a delicate gift box from the car, and went into the yard.
Before even entering the yard, Ye Xin heard a burst of arguing.
"What’s wrong with me taking my own liquor? I just like drinking the liquor I brought, today I’m definitely drinking mine!" It was Qin Zhiyuan’s voice.
"No! Your liquor won’t do! I have a twenty-year-old vintage here that beats yours by a mile, don’t compete with me, today we’ll drink mine. I’m the host, I get the final say!" It was Elder Zhuo’s voice.
Ye Xin quickened her pace, puzzled about what was happening. Why were the two old friends squabbling the moment they met?