At this moment, Jian Yumei also noticed the person beside the village chief.
The individual appeared to be in his early twenties, donning a white suit adorned with a bow tie. His stature was average, with features that were quite standard, except for his slightly reddened eyes, indicating a probable consequence of prolonged indulgence in alcoholic revelry.
He sported a white top hat, yet the cane he held seemed a deliberate attempt to feign maturity. Jian Yumei couldn't help but feel a sense of artificiality in his stance, sensing a familiarity in his mannerisms.
Upon careful recollection, Jian Yumei suddenly remembered encountering similar postures in American films, depicting a portrayal of a supposed gentleman. Yet, amidst the rural landscape, such a stance appeared rather comical and amusing.
Near the village chief and the CEO, not far from where they stood, an apple-green imported sports car was parked. It seemed the CEO had arrived in this vehicle! A crowd of children had gathered around the car, with the CEO's driver fending them off.
"Hey, kids, no touching! But feel free to look! If anything breaks, your parents will have to pay!" the driver persistently cautioned. Nevertheless, the children couldn't resist reaching out to touch.
Jian Yumei recalled how last year, the entire village mobilized to level the road in front of the village. At that time, it was to facilitate the transportation of the village's specialty, large bluestone slabs, for sale. Little did they expect it would facilitate the arrival of this individual today. It truly felt like inviting a wolf into the house. If only Jian Yumei had refrained from joining in the road construction last year.
As Jian Yumei muttered to himself, Lin Li noticed and asked, "Junior brother, what are you mumbling about?"
"Nothing, nothing! You carry on, carry on!" Jian Yumei replied.
As Jian Yumei and Lin Li approached, Jian Yumei couldn't help but chuckle, prompting Lin Li to give him a discreet pinch.
"You see, isn't that CEO quite handsome? And his posture, so refined! Sister, you're in luck!" Jian Yumei remarked.
"Enough of that. If you're so keen, why don't you go? You two seem like a perfect match! You've both watched movies, you should have plenty to talk about!" Lin Li retorted.
"Are you suggesting we engage in debauchery? Absolutely not! I'm still a virgin, and besides, I have to get married and have children. No way am I getting involved in that!" Jian Yumei laughed.
"Wild child, I shouldn't have let Father take you in! Hmph! You won't help me now, yet you mock me!" Lin Li said.
Jian Yumei found this even more amusing. It seemed he derived great joy from Lin Li's embarrassment.
When the gentleman named Lin Huashao spotted Lin Li, he smiled. His smile caused his eyes to narrow into slits, revealing a large gold tooth. It was said that this tooth didn't originally need to be replaced with gold, but for the sake of aesthetics, he deliberately replaced it when the tooth developed a minor issue. It was believed that this gave him an air of prosperity.
Upon seeing Lin Li, he beamed. "Miss Lin!" he greeted from afar.
"Miss Lin, it's truly delightful to see you again! Your presence feels like a miracle!" Lin Huashao exclaimed.
"What miracle? Enlighten me," Lin Li replied with a stern expression.
"Seeing you, Miss Lin, makes me feel as if all the peach blossoms in the world are in full bloom. Everything seems so splendid!" Lin Huashao embellished with every adjective he could summon.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Lin Li asked, suddenly smiling.
"In essence, encountering Miss Lin brings me immense joy! Miss Lin, I've come to invest in the village, hoping to serve the local community. I hope you'll join me in contributing to the welfare of our hometown!" Lin Huashao said.
"While I appreciate your intentions, I must decline. I have distant travels ahead of me," Lin Li replied.
"Miss Lin, why venture so far?" Lin Huashao inquired.
"I have my plans and arrangements. You needn't concern yourself with them! Attend to your own affairs," Lin Li retorted.
Lin Huashao sighed. "Ah, if only I had come to you sooner!"
"It matters not whether it's sooner or later, you know?" Lin Li said.
"What do you mean?" Lin Huashao asked.
"I'm destined for a life of adventure. You see, I'm cut out to be a heroine. Don't you know? Heroines leap over rooftops, traverse perilous landscapes, and roam the seas! Your timing doesn't change that!" Lin Li declared.
"I'll wait for you!" Lin Huashao proclaimed.
Lin Li felt a twinge of annoyance.
"Fair lady, may I have a chance?" Lin Huashao pleaded.
"Very well, come to the riverside tonight!" Lin Li agreed.
"Excellent! We shall not be late!" Lin Huashao promised.
At that moment, the idle youths of the village began to chatter, "Oh, another one has come! We can place our bets again!"
"I bet Lin Huashao will lose!" a voice exclaimed.
"Count me in. I bet on Huashao losing!" another voice chimed in.
"So do I!" The discussion continued.
As the moon rose, Lin Li arrived at the riverside.
She saw Lin Huashao standing there, alternating between gazing at the sky and the nearby stream.
Meanwhile, Jian Yumei lurked on the embankment, eager to observe Lin Huashao's reaction and endurance.
Lin Huashao, brimming with courtesy, engaged in conversation with Lin Li.
"Miss Lin, do you recall our first encounter? It was in the city. I was there on business and unexpectedly encountered a celestial being like yourself. I was utterly dumbfounded!" Lin Huashao recounted.
"Hmm, is that so? What celestial magic!" Lin Li replied nonchalantly.
"Your gaze was as ethereal as a celestial maiden's, your figure as graceful as one. I was utterly bewitched! Since then, I've been unable to think of anything else but meeting you again. And here I am! I've decided to settle here permanently. I wish to be with you forever!" Lin Huashao declared.
"Oh, do you know what I do for a living?" Lin Li no longer wished to entertain his flattery.
"Miss Lin isn't married yet, so I assume you have no profession! Your future profession will be that of a CEO's wife! It's a noble and prestigious occupation!" Lin Huashao remarked.
"Ah, but I do have a profession. Aren't you curious to know?" Lin Li teased.
"Pray, enlighten me. I'm fond of individuals with intriguing stories, especially women. I find them particularly appealing!" Lin Huashao exclaimed.
At that moment, Lin Li turned around. As she faced him, gasps erupted from the embankment.
Lin Huashao hadn't noticed at first, but upon hearing the collective gasp, he glanced upward. Instantly, his complexion paled,
his breathing quickened, and he couldn't contain his terror. He screamed, "Mother!"
Lin Li didn't stop there. With each shake of her head, another horrifying apparition appeared before Lin Huashao: a faceless, ghastly figure, followed by one with a long, bloody tongue.
Lin Huashao was utterly devastated.
At that moment, Lin Li addressed him, "My profession is ghost collecting. I am inundated with countless ghosts. Are you still willing to spend every day with me?"
"No, no, I refuse!" Lin Huashao dared not look at Lin Li's face, as he hastened back toward the village.
"I give up, I give up! I take back what I said! Don't follow me, don't come!" Lin Huashao shouted as he ran.
Lin Li felt a sense of amusement, but considering the numerous onlookers, she conjured up another terrifying specter.
"Goodness gracious, help us!" The onlookers scattered, crying out for help.
Once they had dispersed, Jian Yumei stepped forward.
"Ah, it's just a face-changing act. Can't handle a simple trick!" Jian Yumei shook his head.
"Yes, deceitful. Just moments ago, he was enamored with me!" Lin Li remarked.
"Haha, now you're feeling dejected. Women, ah!" Jian Yumei chuckled.
"I'll kick you! It's your ridiculous idea. Clearly, Mr. Lin was deeply infatuated with me, but you ruined everything!" Lin Li laughed.
"Alright, infatuated. If you fall ill one day and your pretty face suffers, watch how quickly he finds someone even younger and prettier than you!" Jian Yumei said.
"Why do you have to say it out loud? He knows it, but you just can't resist making him feel a bit smug, can you?" Lin Li pretended to be annoyed.
"Hahaha!" Jian Yumei laughed.