After hanging up the phone, Tang Guihua had already wiped the sweat off Luo Yang's upper body.
"Who called?" Tang Guihua asked.
"The village chief from Xingang Brigade. I need to step out for a bit," Luo Yang pecked Tang Guihua on the lips.
"Well, go and come back soon," Tang Guihua urged.
Luo Yang didn't want to go, but for the sake of face, given that Cheng Nan had asked, he felt obligated to go and see what it was about.
"You should go and tell your mother first," Luo Yang patted Tang Guihua on the buttocks lightly.
"You go," Tang Guihua said with a smile.
Not until Luo Yang pecked Tang Guihua on her red lips twice did she agree to go out and speak for him.
If Tang Guihua didn't make it clear, Mother Tang would think Luo Yang was deliberately looking for an excuse to leave.
Getting dressed, they both left the room.
Tang Guihua then explained that Luo Yang had to take care of some business, and Father Tang and Mother Tang had no choice but to find another opportunity to speak with Luo Yang in detail.
Once Luo Yang had gone downstairs and was far away from the house, Mother Tang sat down next to Tang Guihua.
"Guihua, you are always taking his side. I can't help you at all," Mother Tang complained.
In the past, her daughter always listened to her.
Ever since Tang Guihua got together with Luo Yang, she had been listening more to him.
"Mom, I know what to do," Tang Guihua said.
"Have you talked to him about it? What did he say?" Mother Tang pressed on.
Forcing Luo Yang to choose between two things was something Tang Guihua had seriously considered.
But as the one who came along later, it was inappropriate for her to raise such an issue.
An Yuying was Luo Yang's first girlfriend, a fact well known by the villagers of Hongyun Brigade.
"Mom, I have an understanding of the situation. Don't worry so much," Tang Guihua said, sounding impatient.
"They say that people in love lose half their IQ. You used to be so sharp, but now you're getting more and more..." Mother Tang taunted.
"Mom, I'm going to rest for a while," Tang Guihua said before heading back to her room.
At that moment, Tang Dexing spoke up for Luo Yang, "Mom, my brother-in-law..."
Seeing Mother Tang looking over with dissatisfaction, Tang Dexing quickly corrected himself, "Niu Zai is quite good. He has boundless prospects."
Mother Tang scolded lightly, "What do you know!?"
Her words made Tang Dexing shrink back.
"Old lady, let it be. Our children are grown now, don't interfere so much," Father Tang actually wanted to learn traditional medicine from Luo Yang too.
But he was two generations older than Luo Yang and it wasn't appropriate to become his disciple.
Now that Tang Dexing wanted to learn traditional medicine from Luo Yang, Father Tang thought it was an excellent idea.
Therefore, he had a very good impression of Luo Yang.
"Are you all opposing me now? Have you all grown wings and don't need me anymore? Tonight, you can cook your own food!" Mother Tang stormed off to her room, fuming.
Father Tang and Tang Dexing looked at each other and smiled without saying a word.
...
...
After leaving the Tang Family home, the invisible pressure on Luo Yang dissipated. With a cigarette in his mouth, he felt rather good.
Back at Qin Piao's house, he saw that all the beauties were still playing with Little Huizi.
"Squad leader, let's go buy some stuff," Luo Yang said.
Hong Jiaxin knew Luo Yang wanted to talk to her alone, so she nodded.
"Niu Zai, where are you going now?" An Yuying asked sweetly.
"Sister An, I'm going out to buy some study supplies. I'll be back soon. I'll also buy some beef and ask you and Sister Guihua to make Cinnamon Cardamom Beef Stew, it's warming for the stomach," Luo Yang explained.
"Then I'm going too," An Yuying followed.
There were some things Luo Yang could only discuss with Hong Jiaxin, not to be heard by the other beauties.
Not even An Yuying or Tang Guihua.
The fewer people who knew, the safer it was.
When An Yuying approached, Luo Yang wrapped his arm around her waist and coaxed, "Sister An, the village chief from Xingang Brigade wants to have a drink too. You understand, it's just a couple of drinks and I'll be back."
An Yuying spoke softly, "Then you should come back quickly. Otherwise, you'll miss dinner time."
After bidding farewell to all the beauties, Luo Yang drove off in a Volkswagen Lavida with Hong Jiaxin.
On the road, Hong Jiaxin asked, "What else do you need to talk to Sister about?"
Luo Yang told Hong Jiaxin about the oddities of Grandma Liu and her grandson.
Finally, he said, "They might have come for you."
Hong Jiaxin pursed her red lips and said, "Sister isn't afraid!"
In fact, Luo Yang worried that Hong Jiaxin was being too clever for her own good.
"Squad leader, don't rush. Have you noticed that Zhang Jing seems very wary of Grandma Liu and her grandson?" Luo Yang asked.
Hong Jiaxin hadn't paid attention to that detail and shook her head.
"They might not be on the same side, and that could lead to a fight. Why not play a good trick on them?" Luo Yang said with a smile.
"How do you want to play it?" Hong Jiaxin asked curiously.
"Still thinking," Luo Yang replied.
Hong Jiaxin rolled her eyes.
Passing by the village chief's grocery store, Luo Yang stopped the car and shouted inside, "Is the Village Chief at home?"
They heard Xie Runfa's voice from inside: "Yes, what's up?"
Shortly after, Xie Runfa came out shuffling in his slippers.
Luo Yang told Xie about the invitation to dinner from Cheng Nan and asked him to join them to see what important matters they would discuss.
"Sure, give me a minute," Xie Runfa replied heartily.
So, the three of them in two cars headed for the seafood restaurant at Xiaoshulin Market, the shop newly taken over by Luo Yang.
Cheng Nan, Yu Baiqiang, and the others were already waiting there.
Upon Luo Yang's arrival, they all came up to exchange pleasantries.
To an outsider, it would seem they were long-time friends.
Who could have imagined that the leaders of two villages, once sworn enemies, could now be so amicable?
Xie Runfa immediately started handing out cigarettes, going around the group.
Once inside the private room, Luo Yang let the elders order first; he and Hong Jiaxin would order last.
"Niu Zai, I have called you out this time because I actually have a favor to ask," Cheng Nan said, getting straight to the point.
Before coming, Luo Yang had already given it some thought.
"Go ahead," Luo Yang nodded.
"Our two villages have always been at odds, and now I want to take this opportunity to set aside past grievances, bury the hatchet, and together develop economically," said Cheng Nan.
"That's a good idea," Xie Runfa agreed.
So, everyone discussed choosing an auspicious day to make offerings to their ancestors and reconcile.
This matter was left for the elders of both villages to consider at length.
While eating, Cheng Nan tasted the Yangtze River swordfish and praised, "This fish is excellent!"
Luo Yang smiled and said, "In the future, when you come here, you can get a discount."
Hearing this, the people from Xingang Brigade were delighted.
Cheng Nan changed the subject and said, "Niu Zai, what I want to say is, why don't our two villages develop the economy together, set up a breeding company, and raise these fish together? How about it? You can be the chairman."
The best fry could only be found in Luo Yang's "Shennong Scripture" landscape paintings.
Others who wanted to raise Yangtze River swordfish and other fish had to buy fry from Luo Yang.
Xie Runfa agreed, "Village Chief Cheng's suggestion is good. If our two villages do the breeding, exporting to several nearby cities, there will definitely be a market."
This matter required Luo Yang's decision.
"There's potential, but we still need a detailed plan. Think through the planning, then tell me," Luo Yang said.
Recently, Luo Yang had to focus on dealing with Zhang Jing and the others.
He would put off other matters if he could.
Although he wouldn't participate in the negotiations, the elders of the two villages wouldn't make any embarrassingly bad terms.
"Then, on behalf of all the villagers of Xingang Brigade, I toast to all the villagers of the Hongyun Brigade here," Cheng Nan stood up and raised his glass.
"Come on, let's drink this one," Xie Runfa also raised his glass.
It was at this moment that a noisy commotion came from the street below.