Chapter 52: That Was – A Gunshot

Inside the Lingbao Space.

Xiao Tuanzi was wearing a white Hanfu, her round head and round face looking like a young scholar from an ancient academy.

She held a piece of rice paper and a brush in her hands.

She followed closely behind Chi Wan, step by step.

Whatever Chi Wan said, she carefully wrote it down in her notebook.

There was actually no ink on the brush.

The words that appeared on the rice paper were actually formed by the gathering of spiritual energy in this space.

Even without a brush.

Xiao Tuanzi could simply move her fingers, and words would still appear.

Everything she was doing now.

It was more like a little game between Xiao Tuanzi and Chi Wan, like playing house.

“One thousand jin of rice… two thousand jin of wheat… eight hundred jin of potatoes…”

Xiao Tuanzi repeated Chi Wan’s words while shaking the brush in her hand.

She tilted her head.

Curious, she asked.

“Master, what’s the purpose of writing down these things?”

Chi Wan counted while answering distractedly.

“After calculating it, it will be more convenient to sell them. After selling them, we can get a lot of money.”

Money?!

Xiao Tuanzi, who had always lived in the Lingbao Space, had no concept of “money.”

She blinked curiously and asked again.

“Master, what can we do with money?”

“With money, we can buy more things, wear better clothes, live in bigger houses. We can do many great things.”

“Will it be more powerful than here, the Lingbao Space?”

Xiao Tuanzi asked innocently.

She actually stumped Chi Wan.

People spend their lives pursuing fame and fortune, but in the end, they cannot escape birth, old age, sickness, and death.

Some people even seek out gods and ask for guidance, just to increase their lifespan.

Compared to the magical Lingbao Space, no amount of money is worth mentioning.

The two are completely incomparable.

And the reason why people are mortals is because they have these worldly troubles and pursuits.

Chi Wan put down her work for a moment.

She squatted down.

Her gentle gaze fell upon the adorable little dumpling.

Like her mother, she explained carefully.

“Little dumpling, the outside world is completely different from the Lingbao Space. There isn’t as much food, there’s no spiritual spring water, everything needs to be obtained through labor, and purchased with money.”

“Doesn’t it sound very hard?”

“But in the outside world, we will meet different people, there are relatives, lovers, friends… working hard together with these people, making money together, living a happy life together, will bring a different kind of satisfaction.”

Relatives…

Lovers…

Friends…

These familiar yet strange words, like stones falling into Xiao Tuanzi’s heart.

They caused ripples to spread out on the calm lake.

She had lived for thousands of years, but she had always been alone.

The only person she had ever seen was Chi Wan.

When Chi Wan gently touched her face…

When Chi Wan picked cherries and fed them to her…

When Chi Wan eagerly shared her happiness with her…

And the blood essence grass they planted together…

Xiao Tuanzi had been diligently watering it every day.

Was this what she called “satisfaction”?

Xiao Tuanzi’s eyes were confused, and she seemed to understand but not understand.

Chi Wan comforted her, “Little dumpling, it’s okay if you don’t understand now. You will eventually understand as time goes by.”

But if she was always alone, how could she ever understand?

For the first time, Xiao Tuanzi became curious about the outside world.

She was curious about the man who spoke to Chi Wan, and curious about the different people and things Chi Wan had mentioned…

…

The next day.

When Chi Wan had finished breakfast and was about to leave.

Huo Nanchuan was still a little worried.

The man’s thick eyebrows furrowed.

He said worriedly, “Why don’t I go with you? Even if you ride a bicycle to and from the county town, it’s not easy.”

Chi Wan waved her hands repeatedly.

She raised her eyebrows and said, “Huo Nanchuan, are you doubting my abilities? Just relax and go about your business.”

Her eyes.

Sparkled with confident brilliance.

Huo Dongzhi and Huo Chuchun’s curious gazes also turned towards them when they heard their voices.

The next second.

Chi Wan leaned close to Huo Nanchuan’s ear and whispered.

“You can’t go back on your word, you clearly promised me last night that I could go alone.”

Chi Wan had put in a lot of effort to get Huo Nanchuan to “promise” this.

The two exchanged glances.

Their eyes sparkled with amorous feelings.

They both knew what they were thinking, and some images flashed through their minds, making their faces flush.

Chi Wan’s words.

Completely shut Huo Nanchuan’s mouth.

Even if he was worried, he dared not refuse.

He just kept reminding her.

“Be careful on the road. If you’re tired, stop and rest.”

“Three o’clock in the afternoon. If you haven’t come back by then, I’ll go find you.”

“Did you bring your things? Did you bring enough money? Do you remember the way back?”

Chi Wan felt her heart warm.

She smiled and teased him.

“Alright, alright, you’re making me sound like Chuchun, too young to go out alone.”

Huo Nanchuan heard this.

A hint of embarrassment flashed in his eyes.

He always subconsciously felt that Chi Wan was very fragile, very delicate, and needed his protection.

This possessiveness, he probably wouldn’t change it in his lifetime.

Even Huo Chuchun chimed in.

“Sister-in-law, Big Brother takes better care of you than he does of me. I used to go to the county town with the village kids to go to the market, and he never worried so much.”

As soon as these words were spoken.

Chi Wan’s laughter became even more charming and beautiful.

Huo Nanchuan pursed his lips, maintaining a calm and composed expression.

He checked everything several times.

He stuffed the bag containing the watch into Chi Wan’s inner pocket.

Finally, she set off.

…

Although Chi Wan had only been to the county town once, she remembered every twist and turn of the narrow alleys that Huo Nanchuan had taken her through last time.

It was inconvenient to ride a bicycle in the alley.

So she pushed it.

One turn after another.

After a while.

She finally reached the dilapidated courtyard where Zheng Kui lived.

She didn’t even need to knock.

The old wooden door was open, and she could see the courtyard through the gap.

Zheng Kui was moving things in the courtyard.

The already crowded courtyard was piled with even more “scrap metal,” rusty and moldy.

Chi Wan couldn’t recognize some of the things.

Zheng Kui was roughly sorting and classifying them, sweating profusely, and he wasn’t even wearing a shirt.

He revealed his bronze-colored muscles.

He just buried himself in his work.

Chi Wan glanced over and noticed some scars on Zheng Kui’s body.

His back, his sides… all had them.

One after another.

The scars looked like old injuries, probably from years ago.

Chi Wan also thought about the fierce scar on Zheng Kui’s face.

She wasn’t afraid, she was just a little shocked.

This man seemed more complex than she had originally thought…

Especially.

When Zheng Kui felt the gaze from behind him, turned around, and looked over.

His eyes were cold and fierce.

Fierce like a jackal, ready to tear someone apart.

His whole body exuded a terrifying gangster aura.

He was even more terrifying than the thugs who caused trouble on the streets every day.

But Chi Wan wasn’t looking at Zheng Kui’s eyes, she was looking at Zheng Kui’s bare chest.

Right on his left chest.

Below his heart.

There was a round, old scar.

That was – a gunshot wound.

Chi Wan, after all, was a medical student, and she could tell at a glance.

If it was just a knife wound, it could be considered reckless bravado in one’s youth.

But a gunshot wound…

Chi Wan’s heart sank.

Zheng Kui saw that it was Chi Wan, and immediately changed his expression.

The arrogant and fierce aura on his face instantly subsided, and he immediately put on a smile.

He reached out and picked up the clothes that were thrown aside.

Zheng Kui put them on carelessly, and then walked towards Chi Wan.

“It’s you? You weren’t scared by me, were you? I thought it was the neighbors next door coming to cause trouble again?”

He laughed heartily, revealing a set of white teeth.

Chi Wan also suppressed her speculation and smiled faintly.

She said, “I’m here to deliver the goods.”

As she spoke.

Chi Wan took out the bag and handed it to Zheng Kui.

Zheng Kui took the bag and looked behind Chi Wan.

He seemed to find it strange and smiled again.

“Just you? Old Brother Huo didn’t come?”

“Yeah, Huo Nanchuan has something to do in the village, so I’m the only one on this trip.”

“Alright, wait a moment, I’ll go get the money.”

Zheng Kui took the bag and went inside.

A moment later.

He came out with a stack of banknotes.

Thick, at a glance, they were all one or two yuan bills, adding up to a considerable amount.

The banknotes were also stained with oil and dirt.

The banknotes were dirty.

But the money was earned with hard work, it was clean.

Zheng Kui said, “Here, this is the money for repairing the watch.”

Chi Wan took the money.

She took out a handkerchief and carefully wrapped it up, then put the large sum of money into the inner pocket of her clothes.

Zheng Kui watched from the side.

He asked casually, “Aren’t you going to count it? Aren’t you afraid I’ll give you less?”

“Brother Zheng didn’t check the watch either, did he? You trust Huo Nanchuan, and I trust you.”

Chi Wan said calmly.

After this conversation.

Zheng Kui looked at Chi Wan with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

He said in a low voice, “No wonder Old Brother Huo likes you so much.”

The goods were exchanged for money.

The main task was completed.

But Chi Wan didn’t leave immediately.

She asked Zheng Kui two more things.

The first was to ask about the location of the black market in the county town.

Zheng Kui knew this well.

He was originally in the business of speculation and profiteering, and he would often go to the black market to hang out and get a sense of the situation.

In a few words.

He gave Chi Wan all the essential information.

He also saw Chi Wan’s purpose and advised her.

“The authorities are watching closely these days. If you want to do business, be careful. I can give you a heads-up, things might change soon.”

Change?!

These two words, seemingly simple, actually represented a major social change.

Just like the implementation of the responsibility system in the countryside.

The county town would definitely follow the big cities and make more adjustments.

It just depends on when this wind blows.

Chi Wan’s expression was excited.

Zheng Kui saw her reaction and knew that she was a smart person who understood what he meant.

The second thing.

Was a favor Chi Wan asked of Zheng Kui.

She wanted a sewing machine.

Since Zheng Kui could get bicycles and watches, he must have channels to get sewing machines.

She had bought new fabric for Huo Nanchuan, but she still hadn’t made any clothes after all these days.

She had been thinking about it all along.

Zheng Kui nodded.

“Alright. Since you asked, I’ll see what I can do. I’ll let you know next time you come.”

That settled it.

Zheng Kui waved his hand.

Chi Wan pushed her bicycle, the tires rolling, slowly leaving the alley.

As she left.

At the corner of the alley, she saw three women, all about forty years old, huddled together.

They were constantly stealing glances at Chi Wan, pointing at her with their fingers.

She could faintly hear their voices.

“It’s her! It was her last time! Oh my… such a good-looking girl, why is she hanging out with that scarred gangster?”

“She has a pure and innocent face, who knows what she does, maybe she’s not a clean woman.”

“You know, we’ve been living peacefully for decades. But since that scarred gangster came, even the thieves have increased!”

“The alley next door, I heard they were robbed yesterday!”

“Could it be…”

When Chi Wan left the alley, she could still faintly hear those people’s gossip.

Those nasty words were all directed at Zheng Kui.

And these people were probably the neighbors that Zheng Kui had mentioned.

No wonder his eyes were so fierce at first.

But in Chi Wan’s heart.

She didn’t know why, but she always felt that Zheng Kui was just mean-looking, but he gave off a sense of honesty and reliability.

Maybe it was because of Huo Nanchuan’s trust in Zheng Kui.

Or maybe it was just a woman’s intuition.

Chi Wan didn’t think too much about it, she pushed her bicycle from the alley to the main road.

She was about to get on the bike.

At that moment.

A two-story villa on the side of the road suddenly opened its door.

Followed by a burst of arguing.

Along with the arguing, books were thrown out like a shower of flowers, one after another.

A woman was shouting angrily.

“I spent so much effort! I spent so much money! I found so many connections! I finally got you into university in the capital!”

“And what did you do? You only studied for two years! You were expelled after only two years! You still have the nerve to come home! You still have the nerve to be idle all day!”

“And these books of yours! You’ve been expelled, you can’t study anymore! What are you keeping these books for? You might as well burn them all!”

One after another,

Books kept being thrown out, and they landed right in front of Chi Wan.

The woman’s voice was filled with not only anger, but also intense hysteria and helplessness.

Chi Wan was blocked by the books.

She didn’t look at the house immediately, but instead focused on the books in front of her.

“Mechanical Manufacturing Automation Technology,” “Electrical Automation Engineer,” “Frequency Characteristics of Operational Amplifiers and Filters,” “Power Semiconductor Devices and Applications”…

These books…

Chi Wan’s eyes lit up with surprise!