In the north, Snow City.
Within the Long family villa estate.
"Reporting back, Young Master Long," Lu San said with a plastered smile in the study. "Just now, I used this number to successfully reach that Cheng Xiaofan. It seems the number my subordinate gave me was correct!"
Long Xingyun, who had been engrossed in watching various live streaming videos of Cheng Xiaofan, looked up sharply upon hearing Lu San's words.
"Lu San, you did well this time!"
He nodded and couldn't help but laugh. "These past two days, I've watched some of Cheng Xiaofan's live streams and have indeed become interested in this person!"
"However, what I'm most interested in is the Sky-Breaking Eagle beside him, and that dog!"
"This time, when I go to Zhuxi Village, I not only want to bring Bai Yiling back, but I also want to take that eagle and dog back to my estate."
"Innocence is no crime, but possessing treasures can lead to calamity. Cheng Xiaofan, a mere country farmer, how can he be worthy of possessing such divine beings?"
"This eagle and dog rightfully belong to me, Young Master Long!"
Lu San nodded and said, "Young Master Long is right. Only someone from a hidden elite family deserves such companions!"
"Young Master Long, when do we depart?"
Long Xingyun pondered for a moment and replied, "We depart tomorrow!"
"I truly wish I could fly there immediately and seize Bai Yiling, that little slut, along with that eagle and dog."
"Oh, I almost forgot, and those divine horses from Baimang Lake!"
He couldn't help but let out a cold chuckle. "This little slut Bai Yiling, I've confessed my feelings to her countless times, but she never paid me any mind. To think she'd fall for a bumpkin, hmph!"
"Since that's the case, don't blame me for being ruthless this time!"
"When a member of our hidden elite family unleashes their fury, who dares to stand in our way!"
...
By the time Cheng Xiaofan returned home from town, it was already late. Bai Yiling had also just returned from the construction site.
"Xiaofan, I heard Liu Qiang was arrested. Do you know what's going on?" Miao Xiuhua asked Cheng Xiaofan during dinner.
Luo Changsheng had wanted to keep this matter quiet, but it seemed he hadn't succeeded.
Cheng Xiaofan shook his head and replied, "I'm not too clear about this. I'll inquire about it."
Miao Xiuhua said, "From childhood, you and Liu Qiang got along well. You should find out. If you can locate him and get him bailed out, that would be even better!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
For the things Liu Qiang had done, even the King of Heaven couldn't save him.
"After dinner, I'll go visit the Liu family," Cheng Fugui said. "With such a thing happening, I'm afraid Liu Jindou and his wife will be heartbroken. If I go, I can console them!"
"And also inquire about what exactly Liu Qiang did."
As they were speaking, Luo Changsheng arrived. Interjecting Cheng Fugui, he said, "Fugui, you don't need to go. Liu Jindou and his wife have already left Zhuxi Village."
"Grandpa, have you eaten?"
Seeing Luo Changsheng arrive, Miao Xiuhua quickly offered him a stool and said with a smile, "If you haven't eaten, let's eat together!"
Luo Changsheng stroked his white beard and smiled. "I've already eaten. I just came over to see how your house construction is progressing."
Cheng Fugui smiled. "It will be completed the day after tomorrow."
"We were supposed to treat the workers to dinner tonight, but they refused. They said they ate lunch here and didn't need dinner."
Luo Changsheng chuckled. "It's an old custom in Zhuxi Village. For helping build a house, it's just one meal at noon; there's no such thing as three meals."
"Grandpa, what exactly did Liu Qiang do that his parents have moved away from Zhuxi Village?" Miao Xiuhua changed the subject, asking with concern.
Luo Changsheng sighed softly and said, "You'll have to ask Xiaofan about this. He knows the most about it!"
"Xiaofan, you child, your mother was just asking you about this. Why are you pretending not to know?" Cheng Fugui glared at his son and asked.
Cheng Xiaofan glanced at Bai Yiling beside him and said sheepishly, "Dad, Mom, I really didn't want to bring up Liu Qiang's matter!"
"I never imagined he would turn into such a person!"
Under Miao Xiuhua's repeated questioning, Cheng Xiaofan had no choice but to tell the truth.
"If it weren't for Xiaofan today, Liu Jindou and his wife would have lost their lives!"
Luo Changsheng then recounted the incident of Liu Jindou and his wife drinking pesticide. "I spent the entire afternoon with Liu Jindou, trying to persuade them to look on the bright side."
"Just as I thought they had calmed down, they insisted on leaving to work elsewhere!"
"Then I thought, it might be good for this couple to go away and reflect. It will prevent any emotional relapses and further incidents."
"After some time, I'll have someone bring them back!"
Miao Xiuhua nodded. "That's good too. When they return, have Fugui go and fetch them!"
Then, everyone sighed.
How did the decent Liu Qiang become such a scumbag!
He was so unlucky, and now he was dragging his parents down.
Seeing this scene, Bai Yiling also sighed inwardly.
If such a thing happened in the city, even though parents would be sad, they wouldn't attempt suicide or be ashamed to stay in their hometown and move elsewhere for work.
The people of Zhuxi Village were truly simple and honest!
Being with them was a true happiness!
Cheng Xiaofan had just put down his bowl when he received a call from Dao Dahai.
"Director Dao, why are you calling so late?" Cheng Xiaofan asked with a smile.
Dao Dahai chuckled. "Xiaofan, those thieves who stole and slaughtered the draft oxen have been criminally detained, and the money they earned from the beef has been confiscated and returned to the farmers!"
"Those farmers heard that Taoqibao caught the thieves, and they insisted on presenting Taoqibao with a banner tomorrow to express their gratitude!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Director Dao, is presenting Taoqibao with a banner a bit over the top?"
On the other end of the phone, Dao Dahai laughed. "I think it's not over the top at all. I was just discussing with the relevant officials at our station. We're also planning to present Taoqibao with a banner and reward it with two thousand yuan!"
"This is also to encourage other dogs to learn from Taoqibao's spirit of catching thieves!"
My goodness!
Cheng Xiaofan was speechless.
Other dogs were no match for his Taoqibao!
"Do as you see fit," Cheng Xiaofan said to Dao Dahai before hanging up.
"Woof woof!"
Taoqibao was right beside him, incredibly intelligent.
Cheng Xiaofan's conversation with Dao Dahai had fallen on its ears, word for word.
Master, I heard that. And two thousand yuan too! This money cannot be embezzled. I want to save it for drinking!
"Scram! You're not sober yet and you're thinking of drinking? You're asking for a beating!"
Cheng Xiaofan kicked Taoqibao, which let out a yelp and rolled to the side.
Luo Changsheng asked curiously, "Xiaofan, someone wants to present Taoqibao with a banner?"
"Yes, Taoqibao did something big today. It caught seven thieves who were stealing and slaughtering draft oxen in Jinbao Town!"
Immediately, Cheng Xiaofan recounted the entire incident.
"Taoqibao, you're amazing!"
Luo Changsheng laughed heartily upon hearing this. "Xiaofan, this is a good thing!"
Cheng Xiaofan returned to the back mountain, unable to sleep. He recalled the unfamiliar mobile number from the afternoon and felt a sense of unease.
He entered the number into a mobile number lookup service and it displayed these words: North, Snow City!