Chen Lin said, "Aunt Liu, you take a break, I'll handle it."
Aunt Liu: "With so many fish, how long will it take you to finish alone?"
Chen Lin: "It's fine, Ah You and I will tidy them up, and once we're done, we'll have you, Aunt Liu, to handle the cooking."
"Alright then." Aunt Liu moved to the old lady's coffee table, poured herself a cup of tea, and smiled, "It seems like there's been progress."
Liu Yumei sipped her tea: "Have to thank this little pit."
Aunt Liu's gaze shifted downwards, noticing the small pit on the cement ground, which Zhao Yi had knocked out in the morning.
"You're right, that girl is indeed smart and thoughtful."
In the morning, she was all shaken up, but by afternoon, she had already advanced the relationship a step further.
The average person wouldn't have the time to adjust or the ability to act like this.
Liu Yumei: "Being thoughtful and knowing how to seize the opportunity to climb up is a virtue. I dislike those who act haughty and overbearing, yearning for self-destruction.
Back in the big mansion, such people were actually easier to deal with. You knew what she wanted, and she knew what she wanted, without much trouble."
Aunt Liu: "Ah You seems to be enjoying it."
Liu Yumei: "A young and naive youngster, how could he withstand such a test?"
Aunt Liu: "It's just that it feels a bit quick."
Liu Yumei lifted her chin slightly, where two children were playing blindfolded chess.
Aunt Liu: "You said yourself, they're smart kids, different."
Liu Yumei: "It's not about speed. Truly exceptional people, whether male or female, never end up in blind dates."
Aunt Liu: "Then why is Zhuangzhuang helping him arrange this?"
Liu Yumei: "Maybe to help him untie some knot in his heart."
Aunt Liu: "Ah You doesn't seem like he's been hurt by love."
Liu Yumei: "Then he must have liked someone he shouldn't have liked."
Aunt Liu immediately grew interested, leaned her face closer, deliberately lowered her voice, and asked:
"Who do you think it could be?"
"Who knows, it might be a teacher, or some widow with children around her but still charming."
Aunt Liu suddenly found it less interesting, as this speculation felt too far-fetched and lost its essence when brought too close.
"I should go help them clean the fish, otherwise dinner will be delayed again."
After Aunt Liu left, Liu Yumei placed the teacup back on the table, a subtle, playful smile curling at her lips:
"Do we even need to guess? Just look at who's coordinating it."
...
The first performance of the Jiujiang Zhao's Circus was a complete success.
Sitting in a wheelchair, Old Tian performed various tosses, not just pebbles but also dishes, finally ending with a dart-throwing act, facing someone with a grape on their head.
The real kung fu performance by the Liang Sisters and various acrobatic moves also drew a lot of applause.
Most captivating, however, was Zhao Yi's program.
He first performed chest-breaking stone, with a hammer blow causing blood to gush from his chest, scaring the audience into screams, but in the end, he stood up, patted himself down, signaling he was fine.
Then Zhao Yi performed magic, which was incredible on its own, and even showcased mind reading techniques live, astonishing everyone.
The major client, deserving of that title, not only paid promptly but also, impressed by the performance, added an extra payment as a hardship bonus.
On the way back, Li Sanjiang handed the performance fee to Zhao Yi. Zhao Yi accepted it first, then split it in half, and handed it back to Li Sanjiang.
Li Sanjiang: "What do you mean?"
Zhao Yi: "Introduction fee."
Li Sanjiang: "What do you take me for? I don't take commissions."
Zhao Yi: "It's a token of appreciation."
Li Sanjiang: "I accept the sentiment, but you keep the money."
Zhao Yi: "But where I come from, we have this rule too. Acrobats, who venture through metaphorical mountains and seas of danger, adhere to old traditions, and part of the pay goes as an offering to the introducer for blessings."
Li Sanjiang: "There's such a rule?"
Zhao Yi: "Yes, just take it this time, won't happen again."
Li Sanjiang took the money and said, "Alright, since you plan to stay here for a while, consider this your food cost, I will adjust any imbalance later."
Zhao Yi was anxious: "How can that be, we'll cover our own food cost!"
Li Sanjiang: "I have my own rules here too."
Zhao Yi just smiled helplessly.
Li Sanjiang fell behind and got on the cart pulled by Uncle Qin.
The Liang Sisters, holding their tongues all afternoon, finally spoke up:
"Is this really going to become our side job?"
"Are we supposed to keep doing this?"
Zhao Yi lowered his gaze, glanced at them, and said sternly:
"Didn't you see that the subordinates of the Dragon King family and the Li family are all here helping? Just follow along, there's nothing but benefits, maybe next time you might get some luck and save a life."
The host provided dinner, so by the time Zhao Yi and the others returned, it was quite late.
The house was already full, so Tan Wenbin took them to Big Beard's house for lodging.
Zhao Yi pretended to be dissatisfied: "That Li fellow is really relaxed, didn't even bother to personally host and arrange for me."
Tan Wenbin: "You know Brother Xiao Yuan's temperament, besides, didn't he accompany you on the rocking chair for a while during the day?"
Zhao Yi: "That was really generous of him. Am I supposed to be grateful and indebted?"
Tan Wenbin: "Don't talk like that, it might lead to misunderstandings, as if our relationship is truly maintained by friendship and camaraderie."
Zhao Yi: "When are you leaving?"
Tan Wenbin: "Tomorrow. I'll lead the team and try to get back quickly."
Zhao Yi: "Weren't you going to introduce me to a mysterious entity?"
Tan Wenbin: "Aren't we taking you there now?"
Approaching Big Beard's house, it seemed normal, but as they reached Big Beard's courtyard and faced the peach forest, Zhao Yi and his companions all had their expressions dramatically change.
