Chapter 75
"It's nothing, eat more if you like it." Liu Si awkwardly withdrew her hand, looking at Wang Mian who was reaching for the rice noodle roll with her chopsticks again, and forced a smile.
Yoda glanced at Liu Si, who was still wearing "pig grass," and then at Wang Mian, who was eating "pig intestines," and couldn't help but laugh.
Seeing how much Wang Mian was enjoying his meal, finishing half of the bowl of pork intestines in the blink of an eye, Yoda and Shixing didn't hesitate any longer and put their chopsticks into their mouths.
They exchanged a glance: Delicious!
Just as Zhou Ying said, there was no fishy smell at all; it was both chewy and soft.
Seeing everyone dipping their chopsticks in, and the bowl nearly empty, Liu Si closed her eyes and grabbed a piece. After eating it, her eyes lit up – it really was delicious! Without further hesitation, she quickly grabbed another piece. The chopsticks clicked empty, her lips twitched, and the bowl was completely empty.
Turning his head, Wang Mian was just putting the last piece into his mouth. Oblivious to what was happening, he smiled at Liu Si, who had been watching him intently, and said, "Don't just stand there, eat up!"
Liu Si: "Hmph!"
After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the people around them began to clean up in unison. Yoda wanted to go forward to help, but Zhou Ying stopped him: "No need. These are all tables, chairs, bowls, and chopsticks from each family. Everyone knows each other. You won't be of any help."
As they were talking, a voice came from behind: "Yingzi!"
Yoda looked up and saw a young man hurrying towards Zhou Ying. Yoda thought he was calling Zhou Ying's name, but Zhou Ying didn't respond at all.
Seeing Yoda's confused expression, Zhou Ying realized, "Oh, he's my nephew, he's calling her 'sister'."
Sure enough, the young man walked behind Zhou Ying, picked up his little sister who was squatting on the ground playing, patted the dust off the child's trouser legs, saw that Yoda was watching him, smiled shyly, and left.
Suddenly, a rough voice rang out again: "Yingzi."
Before Yoda could ask, Zhou Ying thoughtfully explained, "I'm of a higher generation, I'm from his aunt's generation, he's not calling me that."
Sure enough, a little girl came skipping over: "Dad, what are you doing?"
"Has our table been taken back?"
"My brother was just carried back."
Everyone took turns contributing, and in no time, they cleaned up the previously chaotic scene. Yoda asked curiously, "Why are there so many people in your village with names similar to yours?"
Zhou Ying scratched her head: "It's just a homophone with different characters. Everyone in the village knows it, and there seems to have never been a misunderstanding."
As they were talking, the makeshift stove made of earth in the middle of the open space, which had been used for cooking, was now surrounded by firewood and had become a blazing fire.
After eating their fill, the group gathered in twos and threes. A stereo system, which had been brought in at some point, blared cheerful music. A group of children laughed and played around, while adults occasionally shouted for them to stay away from the fire.
Zhou Ying was pulled aside by the laughing children. Yoda and Shi Xing stood at the edge of the crowd, watching the lively scene. Yoda finally found a chance to speak to Shi Xing: "Thank you, I didn't expect you to have made so many preparations."
Yoda's initial idea was simple: to just check the situation first and then make a detailed design later. He didn't expect Shi Xing to have a clear understanding of the tourist attractions near Zhouying Village and the rush pith making process that the village had been practicing.
If Shi Xing hadn't been well-prepared, things wouldn't have gone so smoothly today.
Shi Xing turned to look at Yoda: "You asked me to do this project, so I'll definitely give it my all."
Yoda looked at Shi Xing, hesitated for a moment, and then continued, "Actually, I almost didn't want to say it before."
Shi Xing: "Why?"
Yoda sighed, "Because you said you didn't want to do repetitive designs, I feel a little pressured to do that."
Shi Xing shook his head: "That's what I demand of myself, not something to make things difficult for you."
At this point, Shi Xing put his hand on Yoda's shoulder and said softly, "Actually, I should thank you."
Yoda looked up: "Why?"
Shi Xing smiled and said, "Even if home decorations are similar, you can find the most needed aspects for each person in every project, turning what would otherwise be a monotonous design into a unique home for each individual. This made me realize that each project is not repetitive; what is repeated is the designer's own ideas, not the project itself."
Yoda looked at Shi Xing, and the two of them laughed together.
"Sister Yoda, come quick!" Liu Si shouted, breaking the silence between Shi Xing and Yoda.
Learning from the lesson that hesitation would lead to missed opportunities, Liu Si joined the crowd jumping around the bonfire without anyone noticing. Seeing that the group had already taken shape, with everyone, young and old, gathered together in a circle, swaying and jumping around inside at will.
As the rhythm became more and more cheerful, Liu Si also joined in the dancing. When she turned around, she saw Shi Xing and You Da staring blankly at each other. She thought that the two of them were too embarrassed to come over, which was why she shouted so anxiously.
Yoda looked over and couldn't help but be drawn in by the atmosphere, pulling Shixing to join the crowd.
People join in from time to time, and the circle gets bigger.
When someone gets tired and jumps out, the circle gets smaller.
Yoda was initially worried that she wouldn't be able to keep up, since she had always been terrible at sports. But when she joined the dance group, she found herself following the rhythm of the people around her, taking a step to the left and a step to the right.
As darkness fell, the warm orange firelight gradually illuminated the shadows of the crowd, casting a fiery red glow on everyone's faces.
As long as you keep up with the rhythm, you won't fall behind. Relieved, Yoda turned to Shixing and said, "Actually, I wouldn't say I lack athletic talent. If the school's exercises had been so rhythmic, I probably would have developed some athletic ability long ago, and I wouldn't have been unable to run away when I got hit. Right?"
Shi Xing was distracted and didn't answer immediately. Yoda then realized that he had brought up the matter from back then again.
Perhaps because this place is very close to the primary school where he taught in the past, Yoda subconsciously thought of what had happened before and just said it directly.
Yoda was a little uneasy, but the next second, she heard Shi Xing say, "Yes, then when we go back, I'll dance with you." Whether it was because of the atmosphere or the reflection of the firelight, Shi Xing's eyes did not show the sadness and pain he usually did, but only a calm smile.
Perhaps it was the heat of the flames that made his eyes burn; Yoda's eyes reddened slightly, and he said softly, "Mmm."
After circling around a few times, Yoda gracefully exited the stage while everyone was making turns. Even after stepping outside the circle, his feet were still unconsciously tapping to the rhythm of the music.
Shi Xing pulled Yoda, who was still bouncing around, back: "You've had a long day, take a break."
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd in the middle dispersed, and each person picked up a bowl of wine and began to toast each other.
Seeing the bursts of laughter from the crowd, Yoda was somewhat tempted. However, he remained where he was; Shixing had to drive, and he couldn't drink, so he could only watch the fun unfold.
"Sister Yoda, why aren't you drinking?" Zhou Ying walked over, intending to offer a toast, but seeing Yoda and Shi Xing's empty hands and slightly embarrassed expressions, she instantly understood. She glanced around the room and saw Zhou Liu had an idea. She said to Yoda, "Wait for me."
After saying that, he walked over to Zhou Liu, who was having a drinking contest with someone else, and pulled him aside: "You usually can't drink much, how come you're so good today, and even dared to ask others to drink with you. Tell me, how did you do it?"
Zhou Liu quickly pulled Zhou Ying to the outer edge: "Shh, keep your voice down." Seeing that no one had noticed, he continued, "Are you looking down on me? Can't I even improve a little?"
Zhou Ying didn't believe it and kept staring at Zhou Liu, insisting that he explain what had happened.
Zhou Liu, having finally given up, pointed to the white plastic bucket on the corner of the table: "I added some water. I specially brought spring water from behind the school. I originally wanted to make tea for Sister Yoda and the others, but I was too busy this afternoon and didn't get to drink it, so I'll use it for now. Haha."
I thought Zhou Ying would look down on me for adding water, but to my surprise, she praised me and said, "You're really something."
Zhou Liu chuckled, "I've been getting so many compliments today, it's making me a little uncomfortable." He wanted to say something more to Zhou Ying, but his former companions called him over, so Zhou Liu reluctantly left.
Ignoring Zhou Liu, Zhou Ying bent down and took out the bucket. She smelled it and confirmed it was clear water. Turning back, she poured a glass for Yoda and Shi Xing each: "Don't worry, it's clear water."
Yoda and Shi Xing looked at each other and hesitated, saying, "Isn't this a bad idea?"
Zhou Ying assured her, "What's the big deal? As long as you don't deliberately provoke anyone, no one will hold it against you."
Everyone around him had a slight blush on their face, which looked so beautiful in the firelight, and Yoda felt a little itchy.
Zhou Ying continued to persuade him, "Go ahead, it's alright. Just act like everyone else and keep the atmosphere lively."
Yoda looked at Shi Xing, and he nodded, then joined the group.
Pushing through the crowd, Zhou Ying saw Zhou Liu, who was strutting around in the crowd, taking advantage of the fact that his drink was watered down. Zhou Ying couldn't stand it and pulled him out, saying, "Don't just think about yourself, take good care of the guests."
Zhou Liu nodded repeatedly, looked around, and saw only a tall man staring blankly at the dancers in the middle, just sitting there grinning foolishly.
"Alright, you're the one. Let me take good care of you." Zhou Liu said as he walked towards Wang Mian.
Yoda and Shixing weaved through the crowd, watching everyone laugh and joke. The two of them walked side by side, spinning back and forth in the small space.
During the first lap, I saw Zhou Liu and Wang Mian sitting on opposite sides of the table, somewhat distant and polite.
I could faintly hear two people talking.
Zhou Liu: "I'm still better suited to designing in smaller places, where cost-effectiveness is the most important factor."
Wang Mian: "You're right, I think so too. When I renovate in the future, I'll just do the most basic thing. Doing it myself will save a lot of money."
After saying this, the two of them immediately felt much closer, as if they had known each other for a long time.
By the second lap, Zhou Liu and Wang Mian had already huddled together.
Zhou Liu: "So, you understand my suffering, right? I don't dare to say it and I can't find an opportunity to tell her."
Wang Mian put his arm around Zhou Liu's shoulder: "I understand. I'm in the same predicament."
The two looked at each other with tears in their eyes.
Wang Mian: "Friend!"
Zhou Liu: "Brother!"
"yue~"
Just as he was getting into the swing of things, Wang Mian couldn't help but gag. He felt the alcohol rushing to his head, and seeing Zhou Liu's calm expression, he couldn't help but ask, "Brother, what did you put in this drink? How come you're so composed?"
Zhou Liu glanced around and quietly pointed to the white water bucket on the corner of the table: "I'm only telling you this because we're close. Keep it a secret. I added some water; you can add more if you want."
Wang Mian understood immediately and added a little himself. After clinking glasses with Zhou Liu, he confidently finished his drink in one gulp.
Beng! Wang Mian fell straight down, the sound crisp and slightly resonant.
Zhou Liu was puzzled and was about to shake Wang Mian up when he heard the jeers of others behind him.
Zhou Ping walked over and put his arm around Zhou Liu's shoulder: "Someone said you watered it down?"
Zhou Liu immediately became alert: "How is that possible?"
Zhou Ping: "I also think it's impossible, so I'm here to prove it to you." As he spoke, he handed over a bowl of wine. Seeing everyone staring at him, Zhou Liu felt bitter inside.
If people found out that he was drinking water and provoking others, how could he ever hold his head up in the village again? Gritting his teeth, Zhou Liu took the water and downed it in one gulp.
“Okay, we believe you.” Zhou Ping praised loudly, and the people around him echoed him.
The next second, boom!
Zhou Liu fell to the ground with a steady, unresonant sound.
"What's going on?" Zhou Ping asked, puzzled.
Zhou Ping's younger brother pointed to the white bucket next to Wang Mian: "I poured it from here, so it should be correct, right?"
The person next to him took it and smelled it: "Oh no, you've got the wrong one. This is brewed by Uncle Jiu himself, the alcohol content is unknown."
"My God, who brought this?"
Uncle Jiu, who did good deeds without showing off, walked home shakily: "I can't help it, I'm just that happy to give." *cough cough*
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