The storm raged for an entire night. The next day dawned clear and bright, the sun shining even more brilliantly.
Liu Ruyan emerged from her room, her body weary. Though she appeared exhausted, her pretty face still held a trace of excitement and satisfaction.
Perhaps to avoid disturbing their private time, Liu Hongguo had already moved to the villa next door. However, nothing that happened between Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan last night could escape his notice.
Liu Hongguo said nothing, instead feeling secretly pleased. A heavy stone had finally been lifted from his heart, for in a sense, from this day forward, Xiao Yunlong could be considered half a son-in-law to the Liu family.
Perhaps due to what had happened the previous night, Liu Ruyan was still a little shy. She kept her head down during breakfast, too embarrassed to meet Xiao Yunlong’s gaze.
Seeing this, Xiao Yunlong took a few bites, then put down his chopsticks. "You seem to be deliberately avoiding my eyes, afraid to look at me. Is it because I look particularly ugly today?"
Liu Ruyan pouted. "Not at all."
"If not, then why do you keep your head down? Are you afraid I'll eat you?" Xiao Yunlong asked, a slight smirk on his lips. "We already 'ate' last night, so what’s there to be embarrassed about?"
Liu Ruyan shot him an exasperated glance, then picked up her bowl and ate heartily.
Xiao Yunlong had only intended to lighten the mood. Seeing her reaction, he couldn't bear to tease her further. After quickly finishing his porridge, he went to the living room to read the newspaper.
Just then, Liu Hongguo walked in and sat beside Xiao Yunlong, smiling. "How was your rest, Mr. Xiao? Did you sleep well last night?"
Xiao Yunlong smiled faintly. "Last night there was a storm outside, but I slept in a haven of tenderness. Of course, I slept well."
Liu Ruyan, who was clearing away the bowls and chopsticks nearby, secretly felt speechless, wondering if Big Brother Xiao would expose their private affairs.
Xiao Yunlong had no intention of doing so. He immediately changed the subject. "By the way, Old Master Liu, you came over early this morning. Is there something you need?"
Liu Hongguo nodded. "Yes. Today is Qingming Festival. If it’s convenient, I’d like Mr. Xiao to accompany Ruyan to pay respects to her parents."
"Of course, there's no problem. It's time to visit them," Xiao Yunlong nodded.
Liu Ruyan walked over and asked, "Grandpa, are you coming with us?"
"I won't be going. It's already a case of the elder mourning the younger. Going would only increase my sorrow," Liu Hongguo said, waving his hand with a dejected expression. He added, "There's no need to rush. I've already sent someone to prepare the offerings. You two can also get ready. I'll contact you when everything is set."
With that, Liu Hongguo got up and left.
Xiao Yunlong had nothing to prepare. Since his relationship with Liu Ruyan was now official, it was only right to pay respects on Qingming Festival.
Liu Ruyan changed into a tracksuit. With some time to spare, they decided to take a leisurely stroll around the estate.
The weather was growing warmer. As the saying goes, "When the spring river warms, the ducks know first." Several white ducks were already happily swimming in the lake within the estate, and tender green willow branches had sprouted along the lakeside.
They walked hand in hand around the lake. At that moment, on the balcony of the somewhat old villa nearby, Huang Tingting stood watching the couple strolling by the lake.
"This pair of adulterers!" Huang Tingting cursed, then turned and hurried downstairs.
Liu Jianmin was sitting on the sofa, legs crossed, smoking and reading a newspaper.
Huang Tingting stormed over, snatched the newspaper from Liu Jianmin's hand, and berated him, "Look, look! You only know how to stay at home reading this useless stuff all day. Why don't you go out and see? That good-for-nothing son-in-law named Xiao has already stepped all over us!"
"What madness has gotten into you this morning?" Liu Jianmin asked sternly.
"What madness? Look at this villa. Is this a place for people to live? That old man removed us from our positions and even kicked us out of the main building. He did all this just for that useless son-in-law named Xiao, a man who lives off his wife's money. Now he's practically defecating and urinating on us, and you expect me not to be angry?" Huang Tingting shrieked hysterically.
Just then, Liu Feiyan and Liu Guohao also came downstairs.
"Dad, I can't stand living like this anymore. It's bad enough they kicked us out to this dilapidated villa, but I can't even use the swimming pool in the main building. If I want to swim, I have to get permission from that useless son-in-law. If I were to tell anyone about this, I doubt anyone in Su City would believe it!" Liu Feiyan complained.
"Sister, you think that's bad? Mine is even more infuriating. That old man actually wants me to be a driver and attendant for that live-in son-in-law. Damn it, if he weren't my grandfather, I would have stabbed him to death!" Liu Guohao roared.
"That old man must be crazy!" Liu Feiyan said angrily.
"Whether he's crazy or not, I don't know. But I do know that if this continues, I'll definitely go crazy!" Huang Tingting sneered sarcastically.
Liu Jianmin snorted. "Can all of you just calm down? Stop complaining all day!"
"Calm down? Fine, then give us a solution. Preferably one that gets rid of that son-in-law named Xiao. Don't just sit at home being a good-for-nothing!" Huang Tingting said through gritted teeth.
Liu Jianmin slowly stubbed out his cigarette, then stood up and walked to the door. Peering through the trees at the couple walking by the lake, he said word by word, "Why are you all in such a hurry? Do you really think I've just been sitting at home reading newspapers these past few days? I'm employing a strategy of 'retreating to advance' and preparing in secret!"
"So you're ready?" Huang Tingting asked.
Liu Jianmin snorted. "Of course, I'm ready. Today, I will ensure they both go and never return!"
Liu Feiyan and Liu Guohao snorted. "Good. Once that useless Xiao is dealt with, the old man will be at our mercy!"
Meanwhile, Xiao Yunlong and Liu Ruyan, after receiving a message from Old Master Liu, turned back to the main villa.
An off-road vehicle was already parked in front of the main building.
Liu Hongguo said, "The items are prepared and in the trunk. It rained all night, and the mountain roads are not good. Mr. Xiao is not familiar with the route, so let him drive. It will be less tiring for you."
Xiao Yunlong nodded and got into the car with Liu Ruyan.
The driver didn't hesitate, starting the engine and speeding out of the estate, heading west.
Li Jianjun and his wife were buried in a public cemetery, located on Yaoshan, west of Su City. It was quite far from the city center, and the mountain roads were not easy to navigate due to the rain.
After leaving the city, the ride became bumpy. Liu Ruyan said, "Big Brother Xiao, why don't you try to get some rest? We still have over an hour to go."
Xiao Yunlong smiled. "It's alright. If you feel tired, you can lean on my shoulder and rest."
Liu Ruyan nodded. She was indeed tired, her body almost falling apart after the exertions of the previous night.
The driver continued driving into the mountains. The road became increasingly rugged. Initially, there were some villages on both sides, but soon even human settlements disappeared, replaced by dense forests.
An hour passed, and the car still showed no signs of stopping. Xiao Yunlong frowned, sensing something was amiss.
Even though they were going into the mountains, it was still a trip to a cemetery. No matter how bad the road was, it shouldn't be such a rugged, winding path.
Xiao Yunlong didn't bother asking, thinking perhaps it was just an extremely bad road.
However, two hours passed, and they still hadn't reached the cemetery. The deeper they went, the more remote it became, and they were now deep in the mountains.
Xiao Yunlong finally realized something was wrong. He gently woke Liu Ruyan. "Ruyan, it's been almost three hours and we're still not there. Is this the road to the cemetery?"
Liu Ruyan blinked sleepily and looked around. "Something's not right. I've been there two or three times before, and it wasn't this remote. And it shouldn't take this long!"
At that moment, the driver slammed the accelerator, and the car suddenly lurched forward, its body shaking violently.
Xiao Yunlong quickly pulled Liu Ruyan into his arms. He didn't act immediately, as he realized the driver had likely been bribed. If nothing unexpected happened, someone would be waiting for them further ahead!
Boldness comes with skill. Xiao Yunlong was not panicked at all. Instead, a hint of amusement flickered across his lips.
About two minutes later, the car stopped with a click, halting in the depths of a mountain hollow in front of an old, abandoned charcoal kiln.
The driver immediately pushed open the door and bolted out of the car.
Just then, a hoarse and fierce voice echoed through the quiet dense forest: "This road was opened by me, this tree was planted by me. If you wish to pass, leave your toll!"