CFRSIO Chapter 2

“Doesn’t he lust after the village chief’s son’s beauty?” Lin Yunliang teased, but having just read the information, he knew this wish was impossible.

Because the thug had witnessed Tao Wenyu and Tao Zhiyuan.

If it were just a casual encounter between two people, it would have been fine. After all, Tao Zhiyuan’s family was related to Tao Wenyu’s family, and Tao Wenyu had to call him cousin.

The problem was that Tao Zhiyuan was already engaged, and it was agreed that they would marry after the next imperial examination. But who knew that Tao Zhiyuan would turn around and embrace his cousin in the wild, clearly indicating a close relationship.

Speaking of Tao Zhiyuan, Lin Yunliang couldn’t help but twitch his lips, as this setting was too textbook.

Tao Zhiyuan’s father died early, leaving only the orphan and his mother. Fortunately, Tao Zhiyuan was promising, with a talent for studying. He was a child scholar at a young age, and his teachers at the academy praised him, believing that if he continued his studies, he would surely become a scholar.

It was already difficult for a peasant family to have someone who could read and write, let alone be praised for their talent by academy teachers. Tao’s mother, after Tao Zhiyuan became a child scholar, redoubled her efforts, determined to have her son continue his studies.

It was under these circumstances that Tao Zhiyuan’s marriage was arranged.

Studying was a huge expense, and Tao’s mother was just a peasant. So she set her sights on another wealthy family in the village.

That family’s surname was Zhang. They were outsiders. A few years prior, their hometown had suffered a disaster, and a group of them fled together. Later, the emperor issued an order for various regions to help these refugees, so a group of them settled in Tao Village.

One family had a good head for business and managed to establish themselves in Tao Village, even buying a lot of fertile land in the village, becoming a well-known landlord.

Over the years, by the time it came to this generation, there was only one shuang’er in the family. Naturally, Tao Zhiyuan’s family set their sights on them. Tao Zhiyuan’s mother intended to exploit their lack of heirs.

After all, their family only had one shuang’er. Not to mention their peasant family, even the noble families would not let a shuang’er be the head of the household.

So, if the two married, wouldn’t the Zhang family have to rely on them? Moreover, how outstanding was her Zhiyuan? He was already a child scholar at a young age, and becoming a scholar after that would be easy.

Besides, their family was, after all, a peasant family. Having a scholar son-in-law would be a blessing from their ancestors.

With this thought, Tao Zhiyuan’s mother approached the elders of Tao Village. The elders had long coveted the Zhang family’s land. They felt that Tao Village’s territory was their own, and these people were refugees who had fled, yet they lived better than most of the villagers. They harbored resentment.

Now, upon hearing this, not a single person raised any objections. Instead, they were extremely agreeable and felt that Tao Zhiyuan’s mother, as a virtuous woman, was indeed generous and proper.

Now they no longer felt that shuang’er were not presentable.

So, they formally hired a matchmaker to propose to the Zhang family.

And just as Tao Zhiyuan’s mother had thought, the Zhang family, upon learning of their intentions, happily agreed.

The Zhang family’s shuang’er was named Zhang Qing’an. Although not as beautiful as Tao Wenyu, he was also a delicate and lovely person.

Tao Zhiyuan was somewhat smitten when they first met, but how could it compare to the exquisite beauty of Tao Wenyu, who was like a white moonlight in his heart?

So, not long after the two were engaged, Tao Zhiyuan reverted to his old ways and got back together with Tao Wenyu.

The two were devoted to each other, like a pair of ill-fated lovers. However, Zhang Qing’an, who followed the orders of his parents and the words of the matchmaker, became the sinner.

The unfortunate Zhang Qing’an did not know what kind of person his future husband was. Since the engagement between the two families, no small amount of rice, flour, oil, and other staples had been sent to Tao Zhiyuan’s place.

The two families were engaged, so their relationship naturally became closer. Sending some rice, flour, and oil was normal. Even without the engagement, when visiting others, one would bring a vegetable or some needlework. It wasn’t as if they would visit empty-handed and then take the host’s things when leaving.

However, the villagers disliked the Zhang family, and over time, it became rumored that the Zhang family’s shuang’er was unmarriageable and had desperately attached themselves to Tao Zhiyuan. But due to the Zhang family being a prominent family in the village, no one dared to say such things to their faces.

But Zhang Qing’an still heard a lot, and his heart was heavy. He wanted to find Tao Zhiyuan to speak clearly, but instead, he was reprimanded for being restless.

Tao Zhiyuan was naturally aware of the village’s gossip, but he deliberately blamed Zhang Qing’an. Although the two were not yet married, after Tao’s mother nagged him for so long, he naturally regarded the Zhang family’s property and land as his own.

As a result, he showed no kindness to Zhang Qing’an.

And Zhang Qing’an was not only due to his family’s upbringing but also because the filter of this world for scholars was indeed so severe. Even so, Zhang Qing’an still fantasized about marrying Tao Zhiyuan.

Tao Zhiyuan was currently in high spirits. At home, he had a wealthy betrothed shuang’er, and at the same time, a beautiful confidante who was infatuated with him.

Unfortunately, not long after, Tao Wenyu’s elder brother, who had gone out to trade, returned and his companion fell instantly in love with Tao Wenyu. Tao Wenyu naturally refused, but Village Chief Tao felt that the person introduced by his eldest son would not be bad.

After that, the couple began their “ill-fated” days.

When Tao Zhiyuan returned from his studies and learned that his beloved had already married, he was naturally heartbroken. However, he unreasonably blamed Zhang Qing’an for everything. Tao’s mother, skilled at reading people’s expressions, saw how Tao Zhiyuan treated the Zhang Qing’an who came to deliver rice and flour without any warmth.

She understood. In fact, Tao’s mother later had some regrets.

She was beautiful when she was young and worked diligently. No one in the village did not praise her. Then she married Tao Zhiyuan’s deceased father. The couple had a good relationship and soon had a child.

It was even a boy, which made her proud.

Who knew that her husband would leave not long after, leaving behind an orphan and a widow? Some people in the village were already whispering. Fortunately, her son Tao Zhiyuan was promising and studied well, and was even a child scholar. This allowed Tao’s mother to straighten her back again.

But ever since their family became engaged to the Zhang family, relatives who hadn’t met for over ten years had emerged to ask for favors. For the sake of face, she had to spend the money.

And this money, of course, was not something their poor family could afford.

After that, Tao’s mother’s worries multiplied, and she started to have some doubts and concerns. She had seen the Zhang family’s shuang’er. He was somewhat attractive and young. She worried that he would distract her son from his studies and that her son would lose his status in her eyes.

At first, it was just her own murmurs, then the village gossipmongers and busybodies started spreading rumors, which made her worry more and more. Seeing her son’s attitude, she knew that her son was not interested in this betrothed shuang’er.

Not long after, the two got married. The reason was simple: Tao Zhiyuan was going to study in another place, and he needed a considerable amount of money. Therefore, he could only use the marriage as an excuse to use Zhang Qing’an’s dowry to go to school.

Tao Zhiyuan, who considered himself a pure and ambitious scholar, was now marrying a shuang’er he didn’t like for money. He wasn’t without resentment, nor was he without resentment towards his mother or his upbringing. He was especially resentful that the person he married was not his beloved.

If he had married Tao Wenyu, he would not have had this attitude.

Zhang Qing’an, who was full of joy, did not welcome the beautiful and sweet married life he had imagined, but rather the indifference of his husband and the scolding and punishment of his mother-in-law. Tao Zhiyuan also set a lot of rules for Zhang Qing’an on their wedding night.

One of them was to obey his mother’s instructions. He also said that his mother had worked hard to raise him, and as a son, he must be filial and serve her. He demanded that Zhang Qing’an, as his husband, must be obedient.

This sounded extremely good, but the next day he left to study elsewhere.

Tao’s mother, seeing that her son had no lingering feelings, became even more proud. From then on, she made up rules for Zhang Qing’an every day. Any slight displeasure would result in a beating and scolding.

Zhang Qing’an could not bear to worry his parents. Besides, who didn’t have some rules? He didn’t say anything.

And this was the beginning of his suffering. Tao Zhiyuan would only return occasionally, but every time he returned, Tao’s mother would deliberately cry to Tao Zhiyuan.

Tao Zhiyuan, who had little affection for his recently married husband, naturally believed whatever he heard. The relationship between the couple was not deep, and it became even more distant with Tao’s mother’s meddling.

Later, a major incident occurred. Tao Zhiyuan’s distant relatives used the Zhang family’s name to do business outside. After suffering losses, a group of people approached the Zhang family.

During the argument, Zhang’s father accidentally fell and injured himself and died not long after. Zhang’s mother, a woman, even if she had some ability, who would listen to a woman?

At this time, Tao’s mother and Village Chief Tao stepped forward, using the reason that Zhang Qing’an was Tao Village’s daughter-in-law, and took over the Zhang family’s land.

Not long after, Zhang’s mother also passed away. At this time, the true faces of the Tao Village villagers were truly revealed.

At this time, it was also reported that Tao Zhiyuan had passed the imperial examination, and the emperor even wanted him to be his son-in-law.

Zhang Qing’an, who had already been tormented, seemed to have a final burst of energy and finally understood everything. It was all deliberate, and their goal was to seize the land that the Zhang family had worked hard for over the years.

But unfortunately, it was too late. Zhang Qing’an eventually died of melancholy.

And Tao Zhiyuan not only passed the imperial examination but even met Tao Wenyu.

After Tao Wenyu married his husband, he had also written letters to Tao Zhiyuan. The letters were sincere, and Tao Zhiyuan could not forget them.

The two were indeed a pair of ill-fated lovers. Tao Zhiyuan was favored by the princess and was about to become the emperor’s son-in-law. And Tao Wenyu, who had saved a prince a few months prior, was also favored by the prince.

Finally, the emperor, grateful for the affection between the two, bestowed marriage upon them, fulfilling a beautiful tale.

When Tao Zhiyuan returned and learned of the family’s affairs, he shed a few crocodile tears for the long-deceased Zhang Qing’an. With the Zhang family’s assets, he went on to build a successful career.

He and Tao Wenyu lived happily ever after.

After reading everything, Lin Yunliang fell silent. Actually, the original body was fine. He felt that the shuang’er named Zhang Qing’an, the original wife, was the real cannon fodder.

But now he was Lin Yunliang of Tao Village, so everything would be done according to his wishes.

Lin Yunliang tidied up his emotions and went to sleep with his tired body. Lin Yunliang was not surprised that the villagers had not delivered the wages at that time.

Given the original body’s character and reputation, it was normal for him to be targeted.

Lin Yunliang also had his own plans.

He was going to the back mountain to see. One couldn’t just sit and consume resources. Moreover, he didn’t even have a mountain to sit and consume from. The original body had already squandered all his family fortune.

The paths in the back mountain were mostly overgrown with weeds, making it difficult to walk.

After walking for a while, Lin Yunliang was exhausted and found a relatively clean spot to sit down. This body was indeed too fragile.

“Siam.”

[I’m here~ Darling~] A rustling sound came from behind, and then a head popped out.

It was Siam.

Lin Yunliang took a breath and calmed his pounding heart. He thought that if he had to go up the mountain often, this body was too weak and needed more exercise.

Siam didn’t understand why this guy called him and then stopped talking. He tilted his little head, his bright eyes looking at Lin Yunliang inexplicably.

He was simply adorable enough to melt people’s hearts.

Lin Yunliang patted the empty space beside him, signaling Siam to come over.

As Siam walked over and got close, Lin Yunliang grabbed him and then rubbed his head and chin.

They were professionally trained cats. Unless the contractor’s cat-petting skills were too good, they would not lose their composure.

Yes, Siam, who was already purring contentedly.

A smile flashed in Lin Yunliang’s eyes. As expected, a little cat.

“Siam, let’s discuss this. Try to schedule the next mission for earlier.” If it were earlier, he would at least be a man of means now.

Why would he have to go up the mountain like this?

[?] The cat didn’t understand human thoughts. Why earlier?

Before anyone could say anything more, Lin Yunliang keenly noticed some movement. Petting the cat was fun, but he needed to support himself now.

So he had to deal with more pressing matters first.

He slowed his pace and quietly approached the source of the sound. He had also come here deliberately. After receiving the memories of the cannon fodder original owner, he also recalled some things.

The original owner wasn’t entirely useless. He had once learned a trick from a hunter. Although he hadn’t learned it perfectly, he had achieved some success.

And the place he had come to today was where he had set up a trap.

He hoped to have some harvest.

And there were indeed a few rabbits in the trap. Mountain wild rabbits were the most cunning. Lin Yunliang didn’t rush to catch the rabbits but checked the trap.

The trap was actually roughly made, but it could still catch rabbits, which showed that he sometimes had a bit of luck.

He took out the rabbits inside. Siam also followed.

Seeing the plump, tender, and delicious rabbits, Siam seemed to swallow.

Lin Yunliang saw this and only felt amused. Did he, a cat, want to eat rabbits? Although he wasn’t a proper cat.

Holding the rabbits, Lin Yunliang squatted in front of Siam and asked, “Have you guys ever thought about giving me a cheat skill?”

[Darling, you have to complete the mission yourself to feel a sense of accomplishment~]

…Bullshit! What good is this sense of accomplishment to me!!

[Darling, please don’t use foul language~]

Lin Yunliang was silent for a moment and ignored Siam. “Can you pack these two rabbits or hide them?”

“If you can, I’ll share some with you when I roast the rabbits later.”

He was lucky. He caught three rabbits in total. If he took them all down, it was inevitable that people would talk. Besides, with only three rabbits, it was underestimating his appetite.

Siam’s eyes immediately lit up. He immediately agreed.

[Yes, darling! We guides all have a small space to store things!]

“Then thank you, Siam.”

[You’re welcome, you’re welcome.] Siam said happily, not noticing Lin Yunliang’s cunning expression.

Lin Yunliang had only tried it with a tentative heart. He didn’t want to go back like this, but he didn’t have any baskets or crates.

So he had to set his sights on Siam, and this guy was surprisingly easy to coax.

After packing the items, the person and the cat continued their journey.

Tao Village was nestled by the mountain, and many villagers would go up the mountain to pick wild vegetables and find game. The original owner had also been there a few times before, and the roads were familiar. Lin Yunliang was grateful, otherwise, he might really not have been able to walk up.

Of course, this help was limited because Lin Yunliang wanted to go deeper into the mountains. Siam, sensing his intention, stopped first.

[Are you going into the mountains?]

“Yes. Who told me to be penniless now? Farming takes too long, and I don’t have any land. So I can only try my luck in the mountains.”

“Or,” Lin Yunliang stopped and took a few breaths to rest, “can you give me a beginner’s gift?”

“Like in games, new players always get some gift packages.”

Lin Yunliang was still testing the cat in front of him. He was a person who found it difficult to trust others, let alone this one who had suddenly appeared.

He also had to do some damned missions, which was really troublesome.

[Please…]

Lin Yunliang, who immediately understood what Siam wanted to say, directly interrupted, “Don’t worry about whether I use foul language or not. Just tell me, isn’t there any benefit at all?”

Of course, there had to be some. Siam rolled his eyes, avoiding Lin Yunliang’s scrutiny. If possible, he also wanted to help immediately. The sooner the contractor completed the mission, the more bonus he would get.

But this time was different.

Siam cried, but Siam still had to face this situation.

In fact, while Lin Yunliang was being taken to do manual labor, Siam was not idle either. He had been a guide for so long, and this was the first time he had encountered something like this, so he immediately contacted his superiors.

Who knew that the message from the minister was that another contractor had already started the mission.

“???” Siam was stunned, his eyes wide open, his dark face full of shock. “Then what about me?”

“I don’t have any of those beginner gift packages!”

“And this guy doesn’t seem like an ordinary character!”

Siam looked at the minister on the communicator, almost wanting to lie on the ground and throw a tantrum. The Universe Wish Bureau had many departments and many employees. To maintain stability, each department could only undertake one mission at a time. Even the beginner gift package was only one. Now that such a situation had arisen, how could Siam not despair?

The minister was also in a difficult situation. Looking at the aggrieved Siam, he was also powerless. “I’ve already submitted the application.”

“As for Lin Yunliang, you can lead him for now. I will go and urge the boss to agree.”

“Moreover, this guy is a bit strange. I estimate that the boss will have new instructions.”

“You just follow him and don’t let him ruin the small world.”

Siam: … He had never felt so speechless! What did “don’t let him ruin the small world” mean!

The little cat felt guilty and remained silent, happily chasing butterflies as if the troubles of the world had nothing to do with him.

As expected, there was something being hidden. Lin Yunliang narrowed his eyes and began to ponder whether he should honestly complete the mission. According to the memories of the cannon fodder original owner, Tao Wenyu seemed to be a very beautiful person, and perhaps he would find him pleasing to the eye.

There was a telepathic connection between contractors and guides. Siam could hear all his thoughts. Although it could be unilaterally cut off by the contractor, considering the current situation, Siam decided not to tell him.

Now, it seemed that this was the right decision. This guy shouldn’t have his sights set on Tao Wenyu! This would not do! The main storyline of this world was for Tao Wenyu and Tao Zhiyuan to be together. If someone intercepted them halfway, something would go wrong!

Siam cried, Siam was tired, Siam wanted to ask the minister if deducting his bonus if he hit the contractor.

The person and the cat each had their own thoughts.

The subtle movements emerging from the jungle eased the awkward atmosphere between them. Lin Yunliang followed the sound and found that someone had fallen down the hillside and injured their foot.

It was a young man wearing a cotton robe. The young man had regular features. Perhaps because of the pain in his foot, his beautiful eyes were watery. He was also fair-skinned and tender, indicating that he had been doted upon at home.

Although the young man was not stunning at first glance, his aura was truly captivating. It was a natural youthful spirit, unpretentious and innate.

Lin Yunliang couldn’t help but stare a few more times. The moment their eyes met, he felt guilty and touched his nose, consciously diverting his gaze.

The moment the young man’s eyes met Lin Yunliang’s, his eyes were full of vigilance. It was clear that he recognized “Lin Yunliang” and knew that this person had a bad reputation.

Lin Yunliang once again cursed the cannon fodder original owner, who had long since disappeared, and also cursed Siam. If he had come earlier, he wouldn’t have ended up like this.

The young man endured the pain in his foot and wanted to stand up, wanting to get away from this person. He recognized this person. This fellow in tattered clothes was the notorious thug in the village. If anyone saw him with this thug,

even if there was nothing, they would be rumored to have something!

However, the young man underestimated the injury to his foot. His ankle was sprained, and he had various abrasions on his calf. After walking a few steps, he fell to the ground again, gritting his teeth in pain.

Lin Yunliang suddenly had an epiphany. He closed his eyes, pretending not to see his childish action. He was trying to recall who this person was. Many peasant families went up the mountain, but few were so delicate.

Of course, he first ruled out the village chief’s shuang’er. Oh, he had just glimpsed a small dot on the person’s earlobe, red as if blood had dripped onto it.

He immediately recognized this person as the so-called “shuang’er” from the memories he had received.

He also understood why this person was enduring the pain in his foot to get away from him. Although the shuang’er in this world were also a labor force, they were mostly raised like girls. Girls could not casually meet outside men, and shuang’er were naturally the same.

Coupled with “Lin Yunliang’s” reputation in the village, it was no wonder the other party tried so hard to stay away as if avoiding a disaster.

However, doing so would only worsen the already injured foot.

Lin Yunliang couldn’t just ignore it, so he walked to the side, into the bushes.

Hearing the movement, the young man looked at Lin Yunliang vigilantly, secretly cursing in his heart, hoping this thug wouldn’t do anything inappropriate, otherwise he would make him suffer.

But he saw Lin Yunliang finding a stick as thick as his arm and waving it.

At this, the young man’s face turned pale. What was this guy trying to do!

“You!” his voice trembled, “…What are you doing!”

Lin Yunliang’s purpose for finding the stick was simple. Now that the person’s leg was injured, and this world had the distinction of “master and shuang’er,” and his reputation was bad, it was better not to affect others.

He found a stick for the person to use first. Even if he walked slower, he could at least stay away from the thug. As for himself, he would continue to search for other valuable things in the mountains.

He swung it a few times and found it to be sturdy, then handed it over.

The young man looked down at the stick, then looked up at Lin Yunliang, and realized that this person seemed a little different. They were from the same village. Even if they were not familiar or understood each other, and had never spoken, they had seen each other.

The Lin Yunliang in his memory always had a fierce and gloomy expression, his eyes darting around, looking like he had bad intentions. But now… the Lin Yunliang in front of him had the same eyebrows and eyes, but his expression and aura seemed to have undergone a tremendous change.

Gone was the previous gloominess. He looked more righteous and handsome.

Even so, the vigilance in the young man’s eyes did not diminish. “What are you doing?”

“A rather fierce one,” Lin Yunliang thought to himself. They had only just met, so such teasing was inappropriate. “Using it as a cane.”

“There are many wild beasts in the deep mountains. You should go down the mountain as soon as possible.” He added another reminder and was about to leave.

He handed the wooden stick forward again. Upon hearing Lin Yunliang’s words, the young man visiblyWas stunned for a moment and subconsciously took it. Hearing the reminder, and seeing this person about to head into the deep mountains, he couldn’t help but speak.

“Lin Yunliang.”

Lin Yunliang’s footsteps paused. A vague emotion, which he himself hadn’t noticed, began to surface. It was the first time he felt his name sounded quite nice.

“I…” The young man met Lin Yunliang’s eyes. Many words tumbled out, but he swallowed them all in the end. The words that escaped his lips, even he was somewhat surprised. “My foot hurts a lot.”

Lin Yunliang: “?”

The young man did not expect himself to blurt out such a seemingly spoiled phrase. His ears turned red, which made the scarlet mole, as vibrant as blood, even more conspicuous. He turned his head, guiltily averting his eyes, and quickly tried to cover up, “I can’t walk. Can you go down the mountain and call my father to come and get me?”

Looking at the person in front of him, Lin Yunliang’s hand moved, but he restrained himself. He actually wanted to pinch that bright red earlobe. He was indeed a bit crazy.

But he really couldn’t leave the person here. It was also inappropriate for him to help the person down the mountain.

“Where is your home?”

The young man glanced at Lin Yunliang strangely, thinking that they were from the same village. Even if Lin Yunliang always focused his attention on Tao Wenyu, he wouldn’t know nothing, right?

“It’s in the east of the village,” he said, and then added, “The blue-brick house in the east is my home.”

Blue-brick house? There were quite a few blue-brick houses in the village, but there seemed to be only one in the east.

Lin Yunliang then realized who the person in front of him was: “You are Zhang Qing’an?”

Zhang Qing’an was silent. Was this Lin Yunliang deliberately humiliating him? They were from the same village after all. Even if they didn’t interact normally, Lin Yunliang’s attitude was truly unbearable.

Lin Yunliang knew that he had been presumptuous. If he didn’t recognize him, why would he proactively say such things?

Facing Zhang Qing’an’s glare, Lin Yunliang felt extremely guilty, and he couldn’t tell the person in front of him that he wasn’t the thug Lin Yunliang.

So he quickly responded, “I’ll go get your aunt to help you down the mountain right now.”

“Wait a moment.” Zhang Qing’an quickly composed himself and spoke again.

Lin Yunliang stopped and saw the other person taking off a red string bracelet from his wrist. A small tiger hung from the red string. It was smooth and translucent, and clean, showing how much the owner cherished it.

“This is my personal item. Take it to find my parents. They…” Zhang Qing’an’s cheeks turned slightly red, showing some awkwardness, and he seemed hesitant to speak.

Entrusting his personal belongings to a stranger was truly inappropriate, but Zhang Qing’an inexplicably felt that this person was a little different, and giving it to him would not cause any problems.

As for his hesitation, the meaning was clear. This guy had a bad reputation. If he were to say he fell and injured his foot in the mountains, his parents probably wouldn’t believe him and would scold him harshly.

Besides, he had found an excuse to sneak out. How could he appear on the mountain?

He paused and continued, “Just take it.”

Lin Yunliang also understood Zhang Qing’an’s meaning and took the red string bracelet from Zhang Qing’an. He knew it wasn’t their fault and had a higher regard for the young man in front of him.

As far as he knew, shuang’er and women in this world valued their reputation very much, especially a shuang’er like Zhang Qing’an who was already engaged. Personal belongings were not to be given away casually.

Although it was due to the current situation, his willingness to give it proactively was quite admirable to Lin Yunliang.

“It’s cleaner over there.” He pointed in the direction he had come from. He had cleaned it there, so it would be cleaner. The young man in front of him was clearly a clean person.

How could this guy… But he was unexpectedly considerate. Zhang Qing’an curled his fingers and nodded.

“Siam.” He called out softly in a test.

“Meow~” The response he received was Siam, who spoke in a particularly sweet, high-pitched voice.

Lin Yunliang: … OK, fine, as long as you’re happy.

“Go keep him company,” he instructed.

“I’m going down the mountain. Don’t go too far.”

Zhang Qing’an nodded.

Zhang Qing’an’s family could be considered landlords, and they lived in blue-brick houses, so they were easy to find. Knowing that Lin Yunliang was still a thug, he avoided the village paths.

Instead, he took a detour. Now, by the courtyard wall, he shouted, “Aunt Zhang, are you home?”

“Eh, coming, coming! Who is it?” Aunt Zhang’s voice came out.

However, upon seeing Lin Yunliang again, her expression instantly changed.

Lin Yunliang smiled bitterly in his heart. Worried about the person on the mountain, he pretended not to see and immediately handed over Zhang Qing’an’s bracelet.

“Auntie, when I went up the mountain today, I saw An Ge’er on West Mountain. He injured his foot. Hurry and have Uncle Zhang go carry him back!”

“What?!” Aunt Zhang was startled by Lin Yunliang’s words.

Her face turned pale, and her feet stumbled. Fortunately, she was standing at the door and immediately supported herself by the wooden door, thus not falling.

She remembered that her son had clearly told her that he was going to find a fellow villager, Tao Tao, to do needlework. Why was he on the mountain, and why was this thug reporting it? This thug wouldn’t…

Aunt Zhang didn’t say it, but Lin Yunliang could guess what strange things she was imagining. He was even more speechless. Although he knew it wasn’t their fault, if the cannon fodder original owner hadn’t done good deeds, it wouldn’t have been like this.

However, Lin Yunliang had some objections to Aunt Zhang’s reaction. He quickly lowered his voice and said, “Auntie, you should hurry and find Uncle to go up the mountain to see him.”

He also pushed the bracelet back into Aunt Zhang’s hand. It wasn’t his property, so it should be returned to its owner. And he didn’t want any connection with anyone in this story. It would be better for Aunt Zhang to return it.

The message had been delivered, and Lin Yunliang had successfully retreated.

Zhang Qing’an, who was on the mountain, looked at the little cat curled up at his feet and couldn’t help but swallow. The little cat was very spiritual and didn’t lean towards his injured foot at all.

He had also heard Lin Yunliang’s words earlier. After thinking about it, he still couldn’t suppress his restless thoughts and said, “You… are you called Siam?”

Zhang Qing’an had never seen such a cat before, but the cat’s sky-blue eyes were truly beautiful. It also leaned softly against him, making him feel soft and his hands itchy.

“Meow meow~” Siam happily wrapped his tail around Zhang Qing’an’s hand, which was resting on his lap.

This affectionate behavior made Zhang Qing’an even happier.

“Can I…” He swallowed his saliva. The little cat was too cute and unexpectedly affectionate, and so small, making him a little hesitant to touch. “May I pet you?”

Siam did not object to being petted by humans. Moreover, this beautiful human was gentle and considerate, and knew to ask for his opinion, completely different from the autocratic contractor.

The little cat willingly surrendered to the gentle and beautiful man.

Only then did he reach out. Zhang Qing’an was happily petting the cat, unaware that his parents were now very worried.

“How did An’an go to West Mountain?!” Zhang’s father was both worried and annoyed.

Few people usually went to West Mountain. Because it led into the mountains and was relatively dangerous, the village did not allow villagers to approach it casually, for fear of accidents.

Aunt Zhang’s eyes were already red. She blamed herself, and she was also annoyed and scared. “Why are you talking about this? Let’s find An’an first!”

Zhang’s father also understood that finding Zhang Qing’an was the most important thing now. Fortunately, there were paths frequented by hunters on West Mountain, making it convenient for them to go up.

Lin Yunliang found some wood near his house, intending to roast the rabbits later. However, after finding the wood, he searched the almost completely bare wooden house.

There was nothing to start a fire with.

He was troubled. He had forgotten about this. He remembered to find wood but forgot how poor he was.

“Meow?”

Siam appeared at the door of his house, looking like he hadn’t played enough. He saw Lin Yunliang sitting at the door, staring blankly and bored.

Contractor? Is he waiting for me? After a moment of being moved, Siam clearly realized that this was impossible.

As expected, the next second, a devilish voice came.

“Yo, finished playing?” Lin Yunliang stood up and patted the dirt-stained clothes. “If you want to eat roasted rabbit, figure out how to start a fire for me.”

Siam: ?? What are you saying! Do you even listen to yourself! I am a poor, helpless little cat. How can I start a fire?

Asking a cat to start a fire, you’re truly amazing. Siam was greatly distressed. Although the employees of the Universe Wish Bureau were not pure cats, they had long been accustomed to it over the years. Some cat-like characteristics remained.

“Go start a fire, or we’ll both go hungry.”

Threatening a cat!? Are you a devil? Siam really wanted to throw a tantrum and roll around, but he knew that using this trick on Lin Yunliang would be useless.