He dismounted from the horse and stretched out his hand towards Cai Wei.
Without waiting for Cai Wei’s response, he lifted her by the waist from the horse’s back with both hands and put her solidly on the ground.
As Cai Wei’s feet hit the ground, she quickly leaped three steps away, warning him in a low voice, "Hey, jerk, who allowed you to touch me? Without my permission in the future, you’re not allowed to touch me."
Nangong Yi laughed good-naturedly, "Alright, in the future, I’ll ask your permission before touching you."
Cai Wei bared her teeth, "There is no next time. You must never appear before me again, if I see you, I will hit you every time."
Nangong Yi’s laughter intensified, "Sounds good. When you’re able to beat me, then I’ll disappear. How about that?"
"You...evil creature, sooner or later, I will defeat you. You wait and see!"
The two people, arguing along the way, walked into a small house at the head of the village.
This house, old and decaying, surrounded by sparse and scattered fences, had something in common with Cai Wei’s home in Mu Family Village. Both were small thatched houses consisting of three rooms, with living spaces on either side and a hall in the middle that was split into a front and back area - the front being the main hall, and the back being the kitchen.
Upon entering the small house, she was surprised to see Manager Li, whom she had not seen for many days, sitting leisurely among a group of men in black, holding a purple clay teapot and drinking tea. Spotting Cai Wei, Manager Li affectionately greeted her, saying cheerfully, "Girl, you’ve arrived!"
"Manager Li, it’s been a long time. How have you been?"
Cai Wei sat on a stool beside Manager Li and cheerfully greeted him. Although she had issues with the evildoer, she had a deep fondness for Manager Li, who seemed kind-hearted and childish!
"Mmhm, thanks to you, girl. I’ve been good. Though I often crave those pig trotters you once brought for me. I wonder when I can taste them again, hehe..."
Cai Wei laughed, "Well, the pig trotters aren’t worth much. Once you return to Qingyun Town, I can send you some more. Besides, with the cold weather now, they won’t spoil if we freeze them outside. When you’re ready to eat, just bring them in and heat them. You might not know that these pig trotters contain a lot of collagen, which can help with rejuvenation..."
Nangong Yi, trailing behind Cai Wei, sat down on the nearest chair. Listening to the ceaseless chatter between the old man and the young girl, he coughed lightly and whispered to the guards in the room, "You all can leave."
The impassive guards heard their master’s command and retreated to the two side rooms. Only Cai Wei, Nangong Yi, and Manager Li remained in the small hall.
Seeing that everyone else had left, Cai Wei looked at Li Chongzong and asked, "Manager Li, did you ask for me for some specific matter?"
Manager Li’s smile faded, and he became serious, peering intently at her before speaking, "Girl, you’re in trouble."
Cai Wei was taken aback. She glanced at the evildoer and laughed coldly, "I indeed am in trouble—a trouble I can neither shake off nor hide from!"
Manager Li shook his head dismissively, "The trouble you’re referring to is your private matter with this young man, which I, an old man, neither want nor have the energy to interfere with. But the trouble I’m talking about could endanger the lives of your entire family. Therefore, girl, you can’t afford to ignore that."
Upon seeing Manager Li’s seriousness and remembering his past claim of being a descendant of Fu You Island, she took his words more seriously and said with a solemn face, "Manager Li, what exactly is the matter? I’d like to know in detail."
Manager Li sighed lightly. As if separated by the distance of ages, he slowly began to speak.