The carriage was very quiet, and Luo Yang's hearing was extraordinary.
He had heard everything about the conversation between Hong Jiaxin and Zhang Xue.
The Sorority members missed Hong Jiaxin and wanted to see her. Zhang Xue and other members planned to visit her at the Hongyun Brigade.
Hong Jiaxin said it was not necessary.
These were all the contents Luo Yang had eavesdropped on.
"Squad leader, tomorrow I'll invite them to eat at the restaurant, so everyone can meet," Luo Yang generously said.
"Okay. Then I'll let them know," Hong Jiaxin finally sounded normal.
Afterward, Luo Yang found another opportunity to turn his head towards Shi Yun.
Shi Yun moved slightly, but eventually, Luo Yang's lips met hers.
Soon, the car drove into the Hongyun Brigade.
As they passed the village head's grocery store, Luo Yang and Shi Yun's lips finally parted.
"Big Sister Qiao, stop the car for a moment, I'm going to buy some cigarettes," Luo Yang called out.
The four people sat in the back seat of the car, making getting in and out a challenge.
The car stopped, and Shi Nan got out first.
Then Luo Yang gently patted Shi Yun's buttocks, asking her to move to the space Shi Nan had vacated.
Shi Yun's legs, akin to kneeling, might have been numb from lying on Luo Yang for a while, and she couldn't move swiftly to the side.
She tried to kneel on the seat but couldn't straighten her waist.
"Sister Yun, here, let me help you," Luo Yang guessed her legs were weak.
While saying this, he took action.
With his left hand, he hugged Shi Yun's slender waist tightly, and with his right hand, he supported her buttocks. He then slowly rotated her clockwise.
Once she was facing the car door, Luo Yang placed Shi Yun's buttocks on the seat.
Next, he straightened Shi Yun's legs and rested them on his own thighs to massage and stimulate circulation.
He massaged from her calves up to her thighs and back down, repeating several times.
"Sister Yun, feeling better?" Luo Yang asked with concern.
Shi Yun smiled and nodded her head.
"Squad leader, you get out of the car first, and I'll go out on your side," Luo Yang said.
So Hong Jiaxin had no choice but to get out of the car as well.
After Luo Yang got out, he instructed, "You all go ahead, I'll walk back."
Watching the car drive away, Luo Yang then entered the grocery store.
The village head, Xie Runfa, was inside, and upon seeing Luo Yang, he greeted him with surprise, "Niu Zai, I was just about to find you to discuss a matter."
Luo Yang was only there to buy cigarettes, and seeing Xie Runfa's untroubled expression, he figured it wasn't anything serious.
"Village head, what is it?" Luo Yang asked, curious.
"Have a cigarette first," Xie Runfa offered Luo Yang a cigarette.
This kind of situation would have been unimaginable a few months ago.
Nowadays, Luo Yang is quite a figure in the surrounding counties.
Luo Yang owed Xie Runfa some favors; without Luo Yang, Xie Runfa's gastric problems wouldn't have seen the end.
The two men lit their cigarettes, puffing clouds of smoke.
After a few puffs, Xie Runfa finally said, "The police have gotten wind of Lang Yifeng running a gambling ring. I heard they'll soon be cracking down on it."
Lang Yifeng was Luo Yang's apprentice.
In the past, Lang Yifeng was a big shot at the Hongyun Brigade, and everyone respected him.
However, the police's upcoming raid had little to do with Luo Yang.
Luo Yang laughed and said, "Village head, I'm not gambling."
Xie Runfa laughed and said, "Niu Zai, I didn't say you were gambling, I just want to ask for your help."
Luo Yang had already guessed why Xie Runfa mentioned this, but he pretended not to know.
"What help?" Luo Yang asked.
"Lang Yifeng follows you; you're his boss. Tell him to quit this line of business and do something else for the good of everyone. If he opens a casino elsewhere, I won't interfere as much," Xie Runfa said.
Actually, Luo Yang knew that Xie Runfa hadn't voiced the core of his concerns.
Xie Runfa didn't want to offend Lang Yifeng and risk retaliation.
If he personally led people to raid Lang Yifeng's casino and apprehend people, it was obvious that Lang Yifeng would seek retribution.
Having lived in the same village with Lang Yifeng for so long, Xie Runfa was well aware of how vicious Lang could be.
Luo Yang just smoked and did not immediately respond.
"Niu Zai, you should do something for the village; you're an educated man who understands the principles, I don't need to elaborate..." Xie Runfa went on with his speech.
Hearing this hollow rhetoric, Luo Yang smiled and said nothing.
He had little education and disliked long-winded theories.
Luo Yang thought that without comprehensive consideration, the issue would be hard to resolve completely.
There were quite a few idlers in the village who could truly stay away from the casino only if they all had jobs.
Seeing Luo Yang smile, Xie Runfa added, "In this village, you're the only one who can influence Lang Yifeng."
Luo Yang exhaled a ring of smoke and said, "They don't have jobs."
The only reason Lang Yifeng was working to repay his debt to Luo Yang.
In fact, even Lang Yifeng didn't have a legitimate job.
If not operating a casino in the Hongyun Brigade, he would do it somewhere else, treating the symptoms but not the root cause.
"I can't help them with that. Be decisive; I've watched you grow up and know you grasp the bigger picture. Persuade Lang Yifeng as soon as possible to change his line of work," Xie Runfa adopted a paternal tone, patting Luo Yang on the shoulder.
"Let me think about it."
Just then, An Yuying called again, urging Luo Yang to come home for dinner.
The other beauties probably hadn't eaten dinner yet and were waiting for Luo Yang.
"This matter requires haste. Tell me now, will you help or not?" Xie Runfa grabbed Luo Yang's hand.
"Village chief, if you ask, how could I not help?" Luo Yang replied earnestly.
With that answer, a smile returned to Xie Runfa's face.
"Niu Zai, I knew you're a sensible person. When will you talk to him?" Xie Runfa asked.
Seeing his urgent demeanor, it was clear that a crack down on gamblers was imminent.
"Tonight, I guess. I'll go back for dinner first. Then I'll find a time to talk to Lang Yifeng. Village chief, I can't guarantee he'll listen to me," Luo Yang stood up and smiled.
"Niu Zai, no need to be modest. Who doesn't know your capabilities?" Xie Runfa praised.
Luo Yang truly was different from his former self.
"Later tonight, or maybe tomorrow, I'll let you know the outcome," Luo Yang said as he headed out the door.
"Niu Zai, wait a moment," Xie Runfa followed him out.
Reaching Luo Yang, he quietly added a comment.
"Just don't mention my name, to avoid any misunderstandings. It would be troublesome. Niu Zai, remember this," Xie Runfa cautioned.
Seeing his worried expression, Luo Yang knew he really feared Lang Yifeng.
"I know what to do, Village chief. Have you had dinner?" Luo Yang walked arm-in-arm with Xie Runfa.
"I've eaten already. Go ahead and have your dinner," Xie Runfa patted Luo Yang's shoulder again.
After saying goodbye to Xie Runfa, Luo Yang walked toward Qin Piao's house.
Since moving in with Qin Piao, Luo Yang often ate there.
Before he even reached Qin Piao's front door, he could hear the laughter of beauties, their melodic laughter embellishing the village's night.
From their chatter, it was evident that many beauties were there.
Lured by their crisp talk and sweet laughter, Luo Yang hastened his steps.
Upon entering the house and seeing the beauties standing gracefully here and there, Luo Yang trembled with excitement.
An Yuying noticed Luo Yang was still smoking and softly said, "Niu Zai, it's time to eat, you should stop smoking; it's bad for your health."
Luo Yang took one last drag and tossed the cigarette butt outside.
"Sister An, what did you make today?" Luo Yang glanced around, eyeing the bodies of the beauties, feeling invigorated.