10 PM shift, inside the Star Moon Bar.
"Hey, strange, Xiaofan didn't co tonight?" Long had deliberately co a bit late today; he was scared last night, so if he drinks tonight, he'd let the others take the lead.
"He didn't. Sister-in-law, do you know where Xiaofan went?" Fei asked curiously.
"Huh? What?" Chen ngying was lost in her thoughts about last night, not paying attention to the conversation.
"Where's Xiaofan? Weren't you two at the hotel last night?" Fei continued to ask.
"Oh, Xiaofan? I went back later. I don't know."
"Strange. This guy's phone isn't reachable either; where could he have gone?" Fei muttered as he prepared to get up and check on Xiaofan at his house.
"No need to go, Xiaofan called this afternoon. He said he needed to go back to his hotown." At this mont, Ouyang Xiong walked downstairs.
"Hotown? What's he going for? When will he be back?" Fei asked, puzzled.
"Just said he was going to see his grandfather, nothing more." Ouyang Xiong sat down and poured himself a drink.
"Hey, I was wondering why Brother Xiong dared to co downstairs today; turns out he knew Xiaofan wouldn't be here tonight. Hahaha..." Long imdiately teased.
"Wow, you kid got guts, huh? Back in the day, when I was drinking..."
"Hey, Brother Xiong, let's not talk about back in the day, co, have a bottle with Long first." Fei chid in.
"Am I afraid of you guys? Co, with Xiaofan not here tonight, I'll drink with you all..."
"Hahaha, co on, let's drink."
The bar was still bustling with excitent. Ouyang Xiong's business was getting bigger and bigger, but he had never forgotten that his success was all thanks to his little brother. Unfortunately, no matter how many benefits he offered to keep him, Xiaofan always seed indifferent. It was truly frustrating.
Going ho, back to the hotown.
Indeed, Xiaofan didn't go to the Criminal Investigation Bureau with Hao but instead returned ho to pack so clothes and drove the car that Liu Zhenghua left him back to his hotown.
After more than two hours of driving, Xiaofan returned to the place where he was born and raised.
The villagers usually like to gather and chat after finishing farm work, and then go ho for als. After eating, most don't co out to stroll again. So small shops remain open because sotis villagers find themselves running out of daily necessities, so they go to buy. Apart from those who enjoy playing mahjong or cards late into the night, village life has always been peaceful.
Because Liu Zhenghua had previously expanded his business and paved the village roads, Xiaofan's car could drive right to his doorstep.
Getting out of the car, Xiaofan imdiately slled a familiar dicinal aroma. He should have returned earlier. Although Grandpa had three sons, none of them were by his side. As for his grandmother, she passed away before Xiaofan was born. Thinking back now, Grandpa must be lonely all by himself here.
Sumr days are long, for example, it's already 7 PM and the sun hasn't shown any signs of setting.
"Be careful on your way back, avoid cold water, and don't worry about field work for the next couple of days; heal your injury first. Co over tomorrow, and I'll change your dressing."
A familiar voice ca from the courtyard, still so serious and unsmiling, with a face that always seed stern.
"Thanks, Uncle Yaoming, really thank you, here's the consultation fee..."
"Take it back. Your wife just had your third child; buy her more supplents. I haven't finished the eggs you sent last ti, no need to be so polite."
"Well, if you insist. Farewell, no need to see out. Thanks, Uncle Yaoming."
Not long after, the wooden door in front of the courtyard was pushed open, and a man in his thirties hobbled out. He looked at Xiaofan, feeling sowhat familiar, but it had been a while since they'd seen each other, so he didn't imdiately recognize him.
"Uncle Yaoming, is your foot injured?" Xiaofan recognized him at once and greeted him with a smile.
"Are you... Xiaofan?"
"Yes, it's ."
"Ah, you've co back! Uncle didn't recognize you at first, co on in. Hey, is that car yours? Did you strike it rich?"
"No, it's borrowed from a friend. I'll head in first; take care."
"Alright, alright..."
Pushing open the wooden door in front of the courtyard, it hadn't been replaced in years, but the wood was quite sturdy. Although weathered by the sun and rain, it showed no signs of loosening.
"Grandpa, Grandpa..."
"Who's that? You little brat, why are you back? Didn't your parents co back with you?" Ye Aotian heard the call and imdiately ca out of the house.
"No, just . I'm starving; is there anything to eat?" Xiaofan followed his grandfather inside.
"Wait a mont. You didn't even tell you were coming back; I didn't buy groceries today. Thankfully, Uncle Yaoguang sent over so eggs a few days ago that are still uneaten. I'll boil you so soup and fry a couple of eggs."
"Sounds good."
In under twenty minutes, the al was ready. Grandfather's hair had turned white long ago, but his appearance hadn't changed a bit.
"I thought you weren't coming back this sumr." Ye Aotian only prepared one set of tableware, indicating he'd already had his dinner. But having not spoken to family in a long ti, Ye Aotian also sat down, brewing tea and carefully observing his grandson, wanting him to stay for a good chat.
The two of them continued chatting, mainly about Xiaofan's parents and his studies. Until Xiaofan ntioned that na, the atmosphere instantly froze.
"Grandpa..."
"Hmm?"
"Do you know soone nad Ren Zhongtian?"
This na made Ye Aotian's expression imdiately sharpen. It's been so many years since he last heard that na.
"Go on..." Ye Aotian said slowly.
"He's dead."
Crack. The tea cup in Ye Aotian's hand shattered instantly. He stood up suddenly, looking at his grandson with disbelief.
Yet Xiaofan clearly saw that the grandfather who was once indomitable was now trembling slightly. Xiaofan knew there must be a profound connection between the two.
"How did he die? Tell in detail." After sitting back down, Ye Aotian slowly closed his eyes.
"Before I say, Grandpa, could you first check out? I've had so health issues recently, and though I've been to the hospital several tis with no diagnosis, things haven't improved." Indeed, Xiaofan had two reasons for coming back: to learn from his grandfather about Ren Zhongtian's identity and whether the place where Shen Zuimo was located was absolutely safe, and second, to address the dizzy spells he was experiencing.
Upon hearing this, Ye Aotian placed his hand on Xiaofan's wrist. His eyes, which were only slightly open, suddenly widened, looking at Xiaofan: "You little brat, how do you have Ren Zhongtian's Inner Strength?"
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