Qin Zhao looks very nice when he smiles.

It was as if the spirit that had been drained in the past had completely returned at that moment, and the pair of dark and deep eyes hidden in the eyelashes reflected crystal light in the sunlight.

Jing Li was so stunned by the sight that he forgot to swim for a moment. It wasn't until his body began to sink unconsciously that he came to his senses and quickly swung his tail to maintain his balance.

"Pfft." Qin Zhao chuckled and poked the fish's tail. "You can't even swim. Are you really a fish? Why are you so stupid?"

Jing Li: “…”

That's because he's not used to being a fish yet!

Jing Li slapped Qin Zhao's fingers away and hid at the bottom of the bucket, becoming autistic.

No matter how good-looking he is, you can't say anything bad about him.

snort.

The speed of the ox cart was two or three times faster than walking, and soon the ox cart pulled them into the village.

The village is called Linxi Village. As the name suggests, there is a stream flowing in front of the village. In the past, villagers relied on that stream to wash clothes, cook, farm and water the crops.

The people of Linxi Village are simple and honest. Many people greeted Lin Laoer along the way. However, when everyone saw Qin Zhao in his car, they all stopped smiling, and some even took a detour.

But Qin Zhao just lowered his head and concentrated on teasing the fish, and didn't take these to heart.

He is like an ancient well, calm and still, without any external influences causing any disturbance.

Until the ox cart stopped in front of a house.

Hmm... calling it a household is not quite accurate.

Linxi Village wasn't exactly wealthy, but every household had a small courtyard and two or three houses, which was standard. But what Jing Li saw before him was just a shabby little mud house.

There are large patches of peeling paint on the exterior wall, and the wooden door is ajar and won't close, so it's probably drafty even in winter.

Jing Li retracted his head and glanced at Qin Zhao secretly.

Is this the kind of place he lives in?

Qin Zhao got out of the car carrying the wooden barrel and bowed politely to Lin Lao Er: "Thank you, Uncle Lin."

"It's okay, it's a small matter." Lin Lao Er waved his hand. "I can't read a single word. If you hadn't written the complaint for me, I wouldn't have been able to get the land that was forcibly occupied back then. It's only natural to help you with this little favor."

Lin Lao Er helped him carry the herbs into the house. Looking at the bare bones of his home, he sighed again, "You still can't remember your name or where you came from?"

Qin Zhao shook his head: "I only remember that my last name is Qin. As for the origin of my name, I know nothing about it."

"Then don't you want to go further, to the big city to look for relatives?" Lin Lao Er said, "Qin Zhao, my uncle is not exaggerating. With your outstanding appearance and literary talent, you are obviously different from us farmers. If there were someone like you in the nearby villages, the news would have spread far and wide. Why have we waited until now without any news?"

Qin Zhao placed the wooden barrel on the only table in the room. His expression remained calm, and his tone was gentle and appropriate: "Thank you, Second Uncle Lin, for your kindness. It's just that I can't travel far right now. If I really make a long journey, I'm afraid I won't be able to reach the city before..."

"Ah, that's right, taking good care of yourself is the most important thing!"

Jing Li leaned against the wooden barrel and listened to all this, his tail hidden under the water swaying gently.

Qin Zhao is not from this village.

He wasn't surprised to learn this, but rather it seemed perfectly natural. Qin Zhao's temperament was far different from that of ordinary villagers. Even if he wasn't from a scholarly or wealthy family, he was at least educated.

As a foreigner and a sickly person of unknown origin, it is not surprising that he is ostracized by the villagers.

People are always xenophobic, let alone such a secluded mountain village.