Advise Old Man Li

Wang Yao explained her and her mother's plan. Old Man Li glanced at Li Jin and nodded, saying, "You've thought of everything. It would be uncomfortable for your mother to be alone at home."

Li Cheng tugged at Wang Yao's sleeve and whispered, "Sister Wang, my dad wants my grandpa and me to live in the county too!"

Wang Yao's eyes lit up. It was good that the Li family was moving to the county town. They would have more acquaintances and could take care of each other.

Although he tried his best to lower his voice, it was to no avail, and everyone around him still heard him.

Old Li snorted, "I haven't agreed yet. I'm living perfectly well here on the mountain, why should I move?"

Li Cheng quickly covered his mouth, lowered his head and leaned against Wang Yao's chest, pretending that he hadn't said those words.

Wang Yao patted his head and smiled, then said to Old Man Li, "Uncle Li is worried that it's not safe for you to live on the mountain, and he wants to take care of you. Why don't you appreciate it?"

Old Li stubbornly pouted: "With so many people living on the mountain, what's unsafe about it? How could a wolf carry me away?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Wang Yao glance at the house behind him, her meaning clear: the house was smashed like this, where was the safety?

Old Li was a little short of breath, but he stubbornly insisted, "This was an accident. I've lived here for so many years and nothing has happened to me..."

Under Wang Yao's watchful gaze, Old Man Li's voice grew softer and softer, and his eyes began to dart around, making him appear very unsure of himself.

Wang Yao then realized that this old man was quite amusing; he was like a child at heart, and that was certainly true.

Pointing to the little one in her arms, she said, "Xiao Cheng is four years old this year, right? He can go to kindergarten now. What can he learn by hanging out with you on the mountain every day?"

Old Man Li didn't want to hear this. "How could he not have learned? I taught him to read every day!"

Wang Yao pouted, "Do you know what characters a child this age should learn? What if you teach it too difficultly, and the child can't learn it and develops a dislike for learning? Besides, Xiao Cheng is still a child. Birds of a feather flock together. Children should play with other children. Who wants to spend every day with an old man like you?"

"Hey, you little brat, how dare you talk to your elders like that?" Old Man Li couldn't win the argument, so he tried to use his seniority to intimidate her.

But Wang Yao wasn't afraid at all. Who would be afraid of an old child?

She stood up, took Li Cheng's little dirty hand in hers, and said, "The education in the county is definitely better than in the village. Even if it's just for Xiao Cheng's sake, if we can afford it, we should move to the county. Besides, it's just moving to the county. My mom and I live there too, so what are you afraid of?"

Old Li shouted, "What am I afraid of? I've carried a gun and killed Japanese soldiers, why would I be afraid?"

Wang Yao said, "Yes, yes, you're not afraid. You're the bravest one."

But everyone could tell she was just being perfunctory. She left with the words, "My mom made something delicious at home and is waiting for you to eat together. Let's hurry up," and then called to Sun Min to lead Li Cheng home.

Old Li shouted, "I'm not going! You're so disrespectful to your elders! I'm not eating with you!"

Upon hearing this, Li Cheng also stopped and stood still.

Wang Yao tempted him: "It uses a whole chicken, with lots of fried potatoes inside. The chicken is stewed until very tender, the potatoes have a crispy outer layer, and then they're stir-fried in the chicken broth, finally sprinkled with a handful of scallions..."

Before Wang Yao could finish speaking, a glistening liquid, possibly saliva, appeared at the corner of Li Cheng's mouth.

Old Man Li was shouting so enthusiastically just now, but now he's not saying he's not going anymore. Not to mention him, even the steel-willed Li Jin's stomach is starting to rumble right now.

It's lunchtime after all!

Wang Yao genuinely wanted to invite them to dinner, so she gave Old Man Li a way out, saying, "My mom is cooking at home and waiting for you. If you don't come, she'll definitely scold me again."

Old Li reluctantly stood up. "Your mother is a good person, we can't let her work for nothing. Let's go."

Hey, is this old man indirectly saying I'm not a good person?

Wang Yao was magnanimous and didn't hold it against him. She then called to Li Jin, "Uncle Li, let's go."

Li Jin nodded and finally spoke: "You guys go first, I'll lock the door."

This was the first time in Wang Yao's life that she had heard Li Jin's voice; it was like magnetic metal, steady and deep.

Watching him walk into the house carrying the pastries, well, he's a soldier after all, he exudes strength!

Add to that his face, which, though a bit dark, is sculpted and handsome—wow, he's a top-tier Alpha!

Seeing that his grandfather had moved, Li Cheng was willing to follow Wang Yao.

As they approached Wang Yao's house, they could smell a delicious aroma from afar, and everyone silently quickened their pace.

It has to be said that cooking over a wood-fired stove is still the best. In addition to drying the chicken, Liu Xiangmei used another stove to stir-fry a few quick dishes: scrambled eggs with tomatoes, hot and sour shredded potatoes, stir-fried bok choy, and a loofah soup.

Apart from little Li Cheng, everyone was busy, some serving dishes, others taking bowls.

When Liu Xiangmei brought out the last bowl of loofah soup, she saw Li Jin, who was the last to come in.

"Oh, Li Jin is back! You're here, don't bother bringing anything, you're too kind!"

Li Jin placed the fruit he had brought on the table to the side. "It's nothing, just a few pieces of fruit."

Liu Xiangmei said he was too polite, and then urged everyone to sit down.

Everyone was hungry, and no one wanted to drink, so they just wolfed down their food.

Once the hunger in their stomachs subsided, everyone had time to talk.

When Liu Xiangmei learned that Li Jin wanted Old Man Li to move to the county as well, she clapped her hands and exclaimed, "That's great news! It's more convenient to live in the county. Have you decided on a place for him there yet?"

Li Jin glanced at Old Man Li and shook his head. "Not yet, my dad doesn't want to."

Liu Xiangmei could understand Old Man Li. As people get older, it's hard to leave their hometown. Although they are still in the same county, it's not as comfortable as being in the village.

Wang Yao chimed in, "Why don't you go stay somewhere else for a while? It's not like you can't come back. If you're really not used to it, just pack your things and come back. It's no big deal!"

Everyone fell silent; they had to admit, there was a lot of truth to it.

Old Li felt that Wang Yao's explanation was too simplistic and said with dissatisfaction, "What do you know, you little brat? My old bones can withstand a few more ups and downs. If I suddenly die one day, it will be a hassle to bury me back."

Li Jin frowned. He didn't like hearing Old Man Li say such things. Although he was a staunch materialist, there were still some taboos he couldn't avoid.

Wang Yao chuckled, "You look even more robust than me. I think you could live another twenty or thirty years without any problem. Not to mention my wedding, even if it's Xiao Chengzi's wedding, you'd be seated at the head table."

Li Cheng, burying his face in the bowl: ? ? ?

Liu Xiangmei really wanted to slap her. What kind of behavior is it for a young woman to keep talking about marriage?

But Old Man Li felt very comfortable when he heard this. Although Wang Yao was a girl who could infuriate people with her words, she could still say a few truths.

Seeing the old man's expression, Wang Yao knew that he was no longer so opposed to going to the county town.

She continued, "When Grandpa Li went to the county town, he could not only take Xiaochengzi to school, but sometimes he could also help me and my mom. My mom runs the family business alone in the county town, and I'm still a child who has to go to school every day. If I encounter any difficulties, I can ask Grandpa Li for help. Grandpa Li, don't you agree?"

Old Li snorted, paused, and then said, "I see you're talking too much, you don't act like a child at all. But it's really pitiful that you and your mother have no one to help you in the county town. I'll go live outside for a while, and we'll talk again when you've sorted things out."

Hearing that Old Man Li had finally agreed, Wang Yao grinned. She inadvertently met Li Jin's gaze and winked at him, looking both clever and adorable.

Li Jin nodded and smiled at her, full of gratitude. He knew that Wang Yao's request for his father's help was just an excuse; this girl genuinely wanted to persuade his father.

He was very grateful to Wang Yao for helping him persuade the stubborn old man, so that he could feel more at ease after returning to the team.

The group chatted and laughed, and the meal quickly came to an end. Everyone cleaned up the dishes and chopsticks together before Liu Xiangmei saw the Li family grandfather and grandson out.

As soon as I reached the door, I saw Liu Ailing and Wang Tianhua standing by the bamboo grove, chirping something.

Liu Ailing turned her head and exclaimed, "Oh! I was wondering why my sister-in-law would start killing chickens and sheep when it's not a holiday. I didn't expect she'd be entertaining so many men."