Because of the continuous income from the slaughterhouse, Wang Zhenbo has been smiling more often these days.

You don't know the cost of firewood and salt until you're in charge of a household; the research and development of artificial seawater is really expensive! And then there's the expansion of food factories, road renovations...

Money is needed everywhere. Although Li Jiapo has some wealth, it can't withstand spending like this!

Every time Wang Zhenbo saw a sum of money being deducted from the account, his heart ached.

Now I can finally breathe a sigh of relief!

Wang Zhenbo was amused, but Li Xiangdong felt a little embarrassed, after all, he had used his memories from his previous life to steal someone else's money-making opportunity.

Thinking of Guo Mingxin, his best friend from a past life, Li Xiangdong decided to find some time to visit him in Hamawo Village.

Hamaowo Brigade is about 90 li away from Lijiapo as the crow flies. Moreover, Hamaowo does not belong to Zhao Province; it is a brigade under the Honghai District of Bincheng.

Since Li Xiangdong doesn't own a car and can't take a spontaneous trip, he has to make preparations in advance to go by train.

That day, with his luggage almost packed, Li Xiangdong also bought train tickets to the Red Sea for the day after tomorrow.

Before leaving home, Li Xiangdong rode his bicycle to visit his master.

When he arrived, Grandma Jiang was practicing Baduanjin in the courtyard, with Doctor Gu accompanying her.

In the courtyard, several stalks of green bamboo stand, and a late-blooming peach tree is in full bloom. Inside a birdcage hanging on a branch, a little thrush is hopping around, making melodious and clear calls.

It is said that this little thrush was bought by Li Xiangdong as a gift for his master.

Li Xiangdong stood in the hallway room, unsure whether to go in or not.

The two of them look quite well-matched right now. If I were to go in, wouldn't I just be a huge, bright third wheel?

Li Xiangdong was still hesitating, unsure of what to do, when Old Madam Jiang finished the last step. She steadied herself and said to the hallway room, "What are you doing? Come in, you sneak around like that!"

I'd seen him a while ago.

Li Xiangdong walked in with a silly grin, "This scene is too beautiful, I really can't bear to come in and ruin it."

Grandma Jiang rolled her eyes. "When did you develop this glib tongue? You haven't been here for days. Come here, let me test you!"

Li Xiangdong's smile froze instantly. He looked like a wilted eggplant and slowly moved into the inner room.

Good heavens, what kind of good person can live two lifetimes and still not escape the curse of exams!

Fortunately, he has always been sharp-witted and has a good memory, so he did not fail when Grandma Jiang tested him.

Grandma Jiang nodded in satisfaction and went back into the room to find a book for him to continue reading.

Only after watching Old Madam Jiang enter the west wing did Li Xiangdong have a chance to speak with Doctor Gu.

"Hey sir, have you made any progress lately?"

Doctor Gu blushed, lightly patted his head, and scolded, "Don't talk nonsense!"

Li Xiangdong stuck out his tongue, shook his head, and muttered to himself, "This won't do! It won't work—"

Grandma Jiang pushed open the door and came out, just in time to see Li Xiangdong acting strangely. So she turned back into the house and brought out a few more books.

"Finish it within a month!"

Li Xiangdong clicked his tongue in astonishment, "That's way too much!"

However, Grandma Jiang completely ignored his protests.

Dr. Gu gave him a gloating look, and Li Xiangdong thought to himself, "He'll never get my support again!"

......

Lunch was prepared by Dr. Gu and Li Xiangdong. They made a simple dish of steamed tofu with salted pork, tomatoes with sesame oil, stir-fried green beans, and steamed rice.

Li Xiangdong set up the kang table, laid out several dishes, and served three bowls of rice before taking off his shoes and getting on the kang to eat.

The three of them were halfway through their meal when a little girl suddenly ran in looking for Doctor Gu. She said that her grandmother had sprained her ankle while going out to empty the swill to feed the pigs, and asked him to come and take a look right away.

Doctors have the heart of parents, and Dr. Gu didn't even have time to eat. He hurriedly got off the kang (a heated brick bed), put on his shoes, and followed the little girl.

Li Xiangdong called out to Dr. Gu's retreating figure, "I'll heat up your food in the pot!"

Doctor Gu's voice carried from afar, "I'm full, no need to stay—"

Watching Dr. Gu gradually disappear into the distance, Li Xiangdong closed the door and went back inside. He smiled and said to Grandma Jiang, "Dr. Gu is really quick on his feet. He disappeared in the time it takes to say two words."

Grandma Jiang smiled and urged him to eat quickly, saying, "The food will get cold soon."

After the master and apprentice finished their meal, Li Xiangdong asked Grandma Jiang to sit on the kang (a heated brick bed) while he went to clear the table.

He skillfully put the leftover food into the cupboard, then put two ladles of cold water in the iron pot, lit the corn stalks, and waited until the water in the pot was heated before he started using a loofah to scrub the chopsticks and bowls.

After washing the dishes, Li Xiangdong used a broom and dustpan to clean the bedroom, main room, and kitchen.

After finishing all this, he brewed a cup of "Monkey King" brand jasmine tea for his master, and then lay down on the kang (heated brick bed) in his master's house, chatting idly with Grandma Jiang.

"Master, I'm going on a long trip. Do we have enough rice, flour, and oil at home?"

"enough!"

"Do you still have any meat at home? Beef, lamb chops, wild boar, etc. The weather is getting warmer now, and we don't have a refrigerator. If the meat is spoiled, please don't eat it, or you'll get an upset stomach!"

"Know!"

"Your eyesight isn't good, so it's best not to read at night, and don't read facing the sun like you are now."

"good!"

"If you really need to read at night, turn on the light. Don't worry about wasting electricity."

"Uh-huh!"

"My older sister makes such delicious beef offal and radish stew! The beef intestines are especially tender and soft. I'll ask her to make it for you next time!"

"That's great!"

What do you think of Doctor Gu?

"What do you mean 'however'? It's just like that!"

"Alas, I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shines on the gutter—"

Li Xiangdong sighed repeatedly, very worried about Doctor Gu's feelings, but looking at his master's expression, he saw that he was not moved at all!

The master and apprentice chatted idly, and Li Xiangdong's voice gradually faded, soon replaced by soft snoring.

Grandma Jiang put down her book and watched as the sunlight shone through the glass window onto Li Xiangdong's face, even making the fine hairs on his forehead glow with a golden light.

Grandma Jiang felt a surge of tenderness in her heart. She quietly turned around, took a thin blue floral quilt, and gently covered Li Xiangdong with it. She also straightened his pillow to make him more comfortable.

After doing all that, she put on the glasses that Li Xiangdong had specially made for her, and continued to read the book in her hands amidst the fragrant jasmine blossoms, turning a page every now and then, her expression both focused and enjoying herself.

......

When Li Xiangdong woke up, it was already dark outside.