In the village of Zhuxi, there was an unwritten rule: during important occasions, when the younger generation bowed to the elders, the elders would present rice cakes, symbolizing a step-by-step ascent.
However, in the impoverished village of Zhuxi, such situations were rare.
At that moment, a village girl brought a plate of fragrant rice cakes.
"Yiling, these are rice cakes that Mom and the aunties in the village just made. Try a couple!" Miao Xiuhua said with a beaming smile.
Bai Yiling reached out and took one, placed it in her mouth, chewed a few times, and said with a radiant smile, "Mom, these rice cakes are fragrant, glutinous, and delicious. They're truly amazing!"
She then turned to Han Jie and the others standing behind her and said, "All of you, come and try the rice cakes my mom made. You've definitely never tasted anything like this!"
Han Jie and the others crowded around, taking one piece after another. In the blink of an eye, the entire plate of rice cakes was devoured.
Afterward, someone carried solar water heaters, sofas, and various electrical appliances from a pickup truck.
Upon seeing this, Miao Xiuhua quickly asked, "Yiling, why did you buy so many things?"
Bai Yiling smiled and said, "Mom, you and Dad have worked hard for half your lives. It's time for you to enjoy yourselves. These are all for you two."
"Look at you, child, you've spent too much!" Miao Xiuhua's smile was so wide it almost split her face.
An aunt standing nearby said enviously, "Sister Xiuhua, you're truly fortunate to have such a daughter!"
Cheng Xiaofan stood to the side, watching, and secretly sighed, Why didn't I think of getting these things for my parents?
"Mom,"
At this moment, Bai Yiling added, "Our engineering team has a dedicated chef. Whatever you and Dad want to eat, I'll send someone to the town to get it later!"
Miao Xiuhua quickly replied, "Daughter, I appreciate your thoughtfulness!"
"You kowtowed in front of everyone just now, and you've officially become my daughter. If I were to treat you to a meal, wouldn't that be like us mother and daughter parting ways?"
"According to our local customs, your father and I should be the ones treating you. You should refrain!"
Unexpectedly, as soon as she finished speaking, someone chimed in loudly, "No, this banquet should be hosted by the entire village of Zhuxi!"
The speaker was Luo Changsheng.
He was leading an old yellow ox towards them.
The ox was adorned with red silk ribbons, and large red flowers were tied to its horns.
Seeing this, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but chuckle. The dream sent by the local earth deity had indeed come true!
Following closely behind Luo Changsheng were Mei Xueyun, Tang Guihua, some village cadres, and several village elders.
As soon as Luo Changsheng finished speaking, the village cadres and elders collectively shouted, "Yes, the village should host the banquet!"
"Yiling, this is the old village chief of our Zhuxi Village. You can call him Grandpa Luo from now on!" Miao Xiuhua pointed to Luo Changsheng and introduced him to Bai Yiling.
Bai Yiling bowed towards Luo Changsheng and said with a smile as bright as a flower, "Hello, Grandpa Luo. I saw you at Xiao Fan's live broadcast opening ceremony!"
Luo Changsheng chuckled and said, "Director Bai, you are the benefactor of our Zhuxi Village!"
"Do you know that as early as yesterday, the local earth deity predicted your arrival and appeared to me in a dream last night, saying that you should be bowed to and thanked!"
"Today, I, along with all the village cadres, elders, and the envoy of the earth deity, represent all the villagers of Zhuxi Village to express our gratitude to Director Bai!"
Saying this, Luo Changsheng led the yellow ox and the crowd, preparing to bow.
"Grandpa Luo, this is absolutely not allowed, not allowed!"
Upon seeing this, Bai Yiling became flustered. Before they could kneel, she plopped down and knelt first. "Grandpa Luo, I am young, and I cannot accept your bows. Please, do not belittle me!"
She had seen in Cheng Xiaofan's live broadcast videos that when an ox's horns were adorned with red flowers, it symbolized the descent of the local earth deity.
The earth deity was the most worshipped deity by the common people. For a year of favorable weather and abundant harvests, everything depended on the earth deity.
Although Bai Yiling was a complete atheist, she deeply respected the faith of the common people.
In any case, from any perspective, she could not accept the bow from the old ox and the crowd. She felt she truly could not bear it.
"Grandpa Luo, I'm sorry, it's all because of Xiao Fan!"
Bai Yiling said sincerely, "If it weren't for Xiao Fan, I wouldn't have known about this Bai Mang Lake!"
"The reason I am willing to invest all of Bai's Group's assets in the construction of Bai Mang Lake is, personally, I feel it is the most glorious moment of my life!"
"I don't want to miss this glorious moment in my life, and this is after careful consideration!"
"Therefore, I still hope that Grandpa Luo and the others will not force me to accept your bows and the earth deity's envoy's gratitude. Otherwise, my heart will never find peace!"
Hearing her words, Miao Xiuhua also grew anxious and quickly said to Luo Changsheng, "Grandpa Luo, since Yiling is unwilling to accept, I think this ceremony of gratitude should be dispensed with!"
Upon hearing this, Luo Changsheng nodded heavily and said, "Alright, we will listen to Director Bai."
"However, this noon's banquet must be arranged by the village, so that the people from the engineering team can have a good time with the villagers of Zhuxi Village!"
"Grandpa Luo, our engineering team has a strict rule that no matter where we work, we are not allowed to accept local invitations. All food and lodging are arranged by ourselves!"
Bai Yiling said with a smile, "However, since Grandpa Luo has said so, today will be an exception!"
"Good, it's settled then!"
Luo Changsheng immediately said to a village cadre beside him, "Notify everyone in the village to slaughter pigs and sheep!"
The cadre raised the loudspeaker in his hand, ran to the bank of Zhuxi, and shouted loudly to the people on the east and west banks, "The original plan remains unchanged, time to slaughter!"
After several shouts, the village was suddenly filled with the sounds of pigs squealing, sheep bleating, chickens clucking, and ducks quacking.
At the same time, Luo Changsheng instructed Tang Guihua to send people to the town to buy wine.
"Cousin, go and tell the person in charge of the engineering team that we will eat in the village at noon, rest in the afternoon, and start construction formally tomorrow!"
Bai Yiling said to Han Jie beside her.
Han Jie nodded and said, "Okay, I'll go tell them now!"
Someone beside them immediately said, "Brother Han, let me notify them. You are Director Bai's cousin. Go inside and chat with Director Bai's parents!"
"Yes, yes, yes, her cousin, please come in!" Cheng Fugui stepped forward and said.
...
In the north, in Xuecheng.
In the Long family's villa estate.
At this moment, Long Xingyun, dressed in white casual wear, was playing golf on the estate when a short, fat man hurried over.
"Young Master Long, it's not good, something has happened!"
The short, fat man ran to Long Xingyun and said, panting.
Long Xingyun glared at the short, fat man and scolded, "Lu San, has the house caught fire, or has the train derailed? What's making you so anxious?"
"Young Master Long, this matter is more serious than a house fire or a train derailment,"
The butler, Lu San, said hastily, "Miss Bai Yiling has suddenly disappeared in C City!"