Chapter 1866 - 335:

"So that's how it is!"

Xiong Shan went back to Big Beard's house; they don't eat three meals together anymore.

Uncle Qin walked to the yard and drew a bucket of water from the well to rinse himself.

The cool well water poured down, calming the fiery restlessness within Uncle Qin.

Then, he stopped moving.

"Knowing that my mind is dull and I'm not cut out for studying, it's better to come to terms with it early on. It's quite nice."

This was his previous sentiment, now echoing in his ears.

Uncle Qin's gaze drifted, his mind recalling the path he had taken.

The upbringing and teachings from the mistress, his daily practice, the unease at lamp-lighting, the burden during Zou Jiang... and finally, the night he miraculously escaped with a breath and returned home, conceding a second lamp-lighting.

He was mediocre in talent and never destined to be a Dragon King;

The burdens he once carried were indeed heavy; back then, he wasn't yearning for success, but fearing failure;

Even when he fought his way out, he thought to himself, even if he failed at Zou Jiang, he couldn't die, because there were few people in his family, and he was the only man left.

The Qin's Jiao Observation Method should be about advancing forward, living towards death, but his heart was never pure from start to end.

"Turns out, I wasn't just enlightening Run Sheng, but also myself..."

At the well, water flowed upwards, surrounding Uncle Qin and transforming into a Jiao that swam around him.

Uncle Qin stood there motionless.

Liu Yumei, who was about to eat her wonton with a spoon, looked at Ali standing by the well with interest and teased:

"What kind of wind is blowing today that even iron trees bloom?"

Aunt Liu walked out of the kitchen, saw this scene, smiled slightly, and then wiped her eyes with her fingertips.

At this moment, she could feel Ali's mind state.

Rather than saying he was awakening, it was more that he had let go.

Because Ali finally realized that this family was supported by others, he no longer needed to carry everything on his shoulders alone.

For generations, the Qin family walked Zou Jiang alone, creating their Dragon King legacy with great confidence.

Yet within it, wasn't there also the confidence that even if they failed, perished on the river, the family would still be fine without their worries?

This confidence was what Qin Li lacked; his childhood witnessed the decline and turmoil of the Qin and Liu Families, and he wasn't the type to single-handedly turn the tide, lacking the inherent openness and fearlessness of his elders.

Lin Shuyou was furiously slurping noodles.

These days, the Big White Rat seemed to have disappeared, no longer bringing them late-night snacks, leaving them famished upon waking every morning.

Although they could make food themselves in the kitchen, cooking noodles or fried rice was simple, having lived the good life, they found it unnecessary since conditions weren't as prohibitive as when on Zou Jiang, so everyone tacitly refrained from cooking themselves, saving their appetite for the delicious breakfast prepared by Aunt Liu.

Moreover, since that Big White Rat went AWOL, Aunt Liu's three meals became richer and more varied than before.

Even Li Sanjiang, who was never stingy with food, couldn't help but ask:

"Are we sure we can keep living like this?"

Aunt Liu said that the kids might be tired or sick recently and should eat well to nourish themselves.

Li Sanjiang found her reasoning very sound; food is better than medicine.

Lin Shuyou: "Hmph, is Uncle Qin having an epiphany?"

"Smack!"

Tan Wenbin slapped Lin Shuyou's head.

"Stop eating and take the breakfast up to Mr. Li. Let him eat in his room and don't let Mr. Li see this; otherwise, Uncle Qin will be forced to leave again."

"Oh, right!"

Tan Wenbin went upstairs first.

Li Sanjiang had just woken up and was about to go downstairs for breakfast.

"Mr. Li, I have something to tell you."

Li Sanjiang: "Alright, let's go down and talk over breakfast."

Tan Wenbin pulled out a cigarette and handed it to Li Sanjiang.

Li Sanjiang took it.

Tan Wenbin: "Mr. Li, I only want to tell you this, I don't want others to hear."

"Hmm?"

"There's been some issues with the relationship between me and Zhou Yunyun lately."

"Huh?"

"You have experience, help me analyze and decide."

Li Sanjiang didn't know where he got any experience.

But he felt, as an elder, it was time to guide the young ones.

"Alright."

Li Sanjiang bit the cigarette, waiting for Tan Wenbin to light it.

Tan Wenbin checked his pocket for the lighter and said, "Where's my lighter?"

Li Sanjiang took out a match, lit it himself, then immediately leaned in front of Tan Wenbin, who leaned his neck forward, cupped the match with both hands, and lit his cigarette.

Both of them walked upstairs with great teamwork.

As they passed the terrace, Tan Wenbin intentionally walked on the outside, blocking any downward view Li Sanjiang might have.

By the well in the yard, Uncle Qin still stood there as streams of water encircled him.

Lin Shuyou placed the breakfast on a tray, went upstairs, and upon reaching the room door heard Mr. Li's voice inside:

"Zhuangzhuang, Yunyun is a good girl, you must know how to cherish her. I'm telling you, many people have their eyes on Yunyun, if you miss this chance, it will be a bargain for someone else."

Lin Shuyou opened the screen door and brought the breakfast inside.

Li Sanjiang: "Cough cough..."

Choked on the smoke, Tan Wenbin reached out to pat Li Sanjiang's back.

"Mr. Li, take it easy on the smoke."

"Ah, it's unusual to smoke before clearing my phlegm in the morning."