Song Tan's Notes

Song Tan was taken aback, and then saw Secretary Zhu point to the wall in the living room:
"People who have been here before felt that moxibustion was very effective in regulating their bodies and wanted to come back for another treatment."

After thinking for a moment, he added, "Let's keep three rooms. Even though it's a private trip, we still need to make arrangements if a driver comes."

"Just tell Lu Chuan, don't spread this around, just treat him like an ordinary person."

Of course, that's not what Secretary Wang said when she communicated with him.

However, as for Song Tan, Secretary Zhu can simply say what he needs.

Song Tan nodded: "Sure, they never disclose guests' privacy anyway. Whether you want to eat at my place, the canteen on the mountain, or Chef Chai's place, it's all fine. Meal expenses will be extra."

It's impossible for someone like that to eat and drink for free; there's always a price to pay—just like Secretary Zhu's style.

Her efficiency made Village Secretary Zhu laugh, "They really care about our village, so it's only right that we treat them well."

Just as Wulan said, road construction and water and electricity renovation are the most crucial and have the greatest impact on the development of the cause. Now everything has been implemented without them even realizing it, and they should remember that.

Song Tan took the tobacco, tools, and a whole carton of cigarettes over. Wu Lan, who was sitting with nothing to do, started rolling them as if she knew what she was doing.

This is even simpler than rubbing moxa wool, and it doesn't stop her from watching others play cards. The few who smoke, however, seem particularly interested in taking a look:
"I haven't smoked this kind of tobacco in many years."

"I've never smoked it at all."

"Is this pungent or not?"

Lu Jing received another bucket of fresh milk this morning and put it in the kitchen refrigerator. Her new pot hadn't arrived yet, so she went to the kitchen to inquire about it.
"Master Chai, I'd like to make some milk tea. Which pot is convenient?"

Master Chai's heart was bleeding: "Does it really have to be milk tea? Isn't it a bit unhealthy?"

Lu Jing instantly felt ashamed: "Yes, it tastes better with a little sugar. I couldn't resist and gained a little weight again..."

"But it's really delicious! I'm planning to learn how to make glutinous rice balls and cook them in the soup with it."

Master Zhou was trembling as he listened, and then tentatively asked:

"Isn't drinking milk tea all the time a bit monotonous? My chef is wondering if everyone prefers rice or noodles since there are so many people. How about we steam a pot of milk-flavored buns tonight?"

This sounds much more cost-effective than using an induction cooker to make milk tea!

Lu Jing thought about it and agreed: "Sure! Will we be able to finish such a big bucket?"

I was thinking that since we wouldn't be able to use it all, we could just cook some and give it to the kids.

Before he could finish speaking, Master Chai said, "Why not use it all? Just use that bucket of milk to make more! If you can't finish the steamed buns, put them in the freezer. It'll save you trouble at home later."

Then, pointing to his apprentice, he said, "Little Zhou's kneading skills for steamed buns are exceptional! Whether you want them soft, firm, or chewy... he can make them all!"

"Also, if you want to bake those little steamed buns until they're crispy, you can boil some condensed milk in milk. The kids can dip them in!"

Oh, condensed milk! Lu Jing knows this, and Lu Chuan knows how to make it!

She immediately thought of it too: "Okay! Let's make these steamed buns. You can make them big or small, we're not picky eaters."

"The large steamed buns can be filled with vegetables, and the small ones can be dipped in condensed milk—Master Chai, do you know how to make Baiji buns?"

"If we know how, we can slaughter a pig in a couple of days, braise a pot of meat, and then chop it up with some minced green peppers and garlic to make roujiamo (Chinese hamburger). It would definitely smell delicious, right?"

Master Zhou's mouth watered:

"I can make them, I can make them all. My master can even make those crispy-crust roujiamo (Chinese hamburger) – are you really going to slaughter a pig?"

"Yes."

Lu Jing smiled brightly—we're all just ordinary people, who doesn't like their family's reputation to be valued?

He then boasted, "With so many of us, we'll slaughter a sheep today, stew chicken and duck tomorrow, and fish in a couple of days."

"After we finish eating all this, we'll have to slaughter a pig and a cow—we'll make sure everyone eats and drinks well for the next two weeks. But Master Chai, you'll have to work hard..."

Lu Jing felt a little embarrassed and thought to herself that she should ask Xiao Chuan to give them a red envelope before they left.

Unexpectedly, Master Chai and Xiao Zhou started trembling, recalling the joy of having countless ingredients at their disposal, and at that moment they said in unison:

"It's not hard work! It's not tiring! We love doing this!"

Oh my! Beef offal, pork offal, stewed chicken, roast duck, braised fish...

Good heavens! How did we become so wealthy? I can't even think of a menu right now.

Lu Jing: ...What a sincere craftsman!
……

The people at the foot of the mountain live in harmony, while the children on the mountain are so noisy that even the dogs find them annoying.

Of course, Xiao Shi is a good dog. It doesn't mind. It's currently playing eagle catching chicks with He Tuoluo!

This time, Qin Beibei was the eagle, Yun Danqing was the mother hen, Xiao Shi followed behind Yun Danqing, and He Tuoluo held the rope as the tail.

It was hot, but the air conditioning kept blowing cool air from the entrance of the factory workshop, and there were sunshade nets blocking the sun. The children played around without caring about the temperature.

Qin Beibei originally had a strong sense of pride and didn't want to play this, but all the electronic products were taken away, and today it was Qin Yun's wife's turn to take care of these children.

Her mother was sitting upright on a stool playing on her phone, so she had no choice but to obey.

Then this childish game begins.

As I played, I realized how fun it was!

After all, schools are strict these days, and roughhousing isn't allowed during free time. Even running down from the school building to play games on the playground would take two minutes.

Now I can shout and yell in such an open space without getting yelled at or disturbing anyone... That's great!

The children quickly became engrossed in it.

But the two girls had limited energy, and in the hot weather, they soon began to rest, gulping down the mugwort tea that had been specially brewed for them. Although it didn't taste good, it felt so comforting!

Then, seeing the two kitchen helpers sitting at the kitchen door peeling scallions, the girls quickly gathered around, picked out the scallion leaves, wove them into a messy, unrecognizable shape, and started playing house.

Master Jiang also has a daughter, and he was happy to see the little girl. He even picked a handful of sweet potato vines to break off necklaces and earrings for them, leaving the two little girls with strings of necklaces on their heads, ears, and bodies.

Even Qin Yun's wife put down her phone and joined in. She was very skillful and even gathered some foxtail grass outside to start weaving little rabbits.

Hearing her daughter and Yunfeng's children exclaim in amazement and express their admiration for their mother, she felt even more proud.

Only He Tuoluo doesn't like these things.

As a boy, his hobbies are quite typical.

He gestured with his hands, pretending to be a gun, but no one paid him any attention. So he picked up a small bamboo stick outside and started gesturing wildly—

Then the two little girls adorned his head, ears, neck, and hands with numerous necklaces. He Tuoluo, who was practicing his swordplay, dared not move too much, afraid the necklaces would fly off and get dusty. The two sisters then started yelling, saying that even pigs wouldn't eat them cleanly…

Ugh! Girls are so bored.

The dog's fluffy tail swished back and forth on his calf. He Tuoluo quickly focused his attention on the majestic dog and began to coax it:
"Xiao Shi, do you know how to play tug-of-war?"

Little Ten can't do a proper tug-of-war, but it's incredibly experienced at holding onto something in its mouth and refusing to let go!
He Tuoluo is still young and doesn't yet know the top-tier energy, strong recovery ability, and even greater endurance of a Border Collie.

Moreover, in Xiao Shi's eyes, the shepherds only get dog food, but the shepherds get a special meal! Such a big bowl!
It watched as He Tuoluo asked Master Jiang for a piece of burnt charcoal from the stove, drew a long, dark mark on the factory floor, and then tilted its head.

The next moment, He Tuoluo handed the other end of the dog leash to it and stood on the other side of the black line.

"Little Ten! I didn't resist you today because I wanted to play with you. But if you lose, you can't hold my rope anymore this afternoon."

I want freedom!

The little man was very spirited. After Xiao Shi tightened his grip on the rope, he said in a very proper and gentlemanly manner:
"Then let's start the tug-of-war."

"Whoever crosses this black line first loses."

On him, the large dog harness buckle was fastened backwards on his back to prevent the top from coming loose on its own.

Although he can now twist his arms around, he usually gets beaten up for doing so, so he is still quite cautious in his actions.

Now, the little boy is facing away from Xiao Shi, desperately trying to take a step forward, but the immense force coming from his back makes him freeze involuntarily.

The plastic soles of the shoes made a "scratching" sound as they rubbed against the ground. No matter how hard the small, sturdy body tried, and his face turned red, he still couldn't move an inch!

"Hey—I'm a super strongman—"

He Tuoluo's face turned red, and he gritted his teeth.

The two sisters next to him were fiddling with foxtail grass, trying to weave a rabbit too. As they wove, they watched him and encouraged him, saying, "Let's have some fun!"
"Go, doggy!"

"Xiao Shi! Quick, quick, pull him over there!"

Although Xiao Shi didn't understand why humans liked to play this game, he was still incredibly excited when he heard his own name.

It suddenly backed up, quickly pulling the leash backward.

He Tuoluo was caught off guard and fell flat on his backside.

He didn't cry, but soon he was pulled along, his buttocks rubbing against the hot cement floor through his thin summer pants, grazing along the black line, and pulled straight backward...

"My butt's on fire!" he yelled!
Just as Xiao Shi let go, the fluffy big dog head came closer again:
"Hey, how's my shepherding going?"

He Tuoluo's face flushed red as he scrambled to his feet in a rather disheveled manner, then turned to look at his underwear—

Although the pants weren't worn through, the weave of the fabric on the buttocks area was clearly worn thin, revealing glimpses of the underwear underneath.

It still feels warm there.

He Tuoluo gritted his teeth: "That doesn't count! Tug-of-war is face-to-face, I'm facing away from you, that won't do."

He turned to Qin Yun's wife and said, "Auntie, could you help me fasten the front straps of my suspenders?"

Qin Yun's wife had already recorded several videos with a smile and posted them in the group chat. Now, as she took off his suspenders and fastened them back on from the front, she even managed to suppress a laugh while fastening the ropes:

"You lost this time, so you can't cheat now."

He Tuoluo also had backbone: "I'm several years older than him, how could I possibly cheat! I wouldn't pull out his teeth, would I?"

Going to the dentist is terrifying.

Before Qin Yun's wife could speak, Xiao Shi impatiently urged, "Woof!"

The other dog has already started biting the leash.

Well, the tug-of-war started again, and this time, He Tuolu, who was facing it head-on, was no match for it. He was easily pulled across the line and had to run around the field for another half lap.

"Wang!"

Xiao Shi let go of his mouth, feeling that the game was not very interesting, but at least he had become a shepherd, so he would just have to make do.

It leaned closer and sniffed again, making sure its own flesh and milk smelled good.

Suddenly, He Tuoluo untied the rope and cheered:
"Oh! I'm free!"

He sprinted quickly out of the factory with his strong calves. Outside were rolling mountains, endless vegetable fields, and green orchards—everywhere was a hiding place.

He was discovered climbing the tree this morning because he underestimated his opponent and fell asleep, so he didn't disguise himself well... But this time, he'll definitely hide better!

"Oh dear!" Qin Yun's wife exclaimed anxiously, "Why did they run away!"

However, looking at Xiao Shi beside him, its eyes were bright, staring straight ahead, its body motionless, yet it exuded a confident power.

It wasn't until Qin Yun's wife hurriedly stood up, ready to chase after them, that things got out of hand!
suddenly!

Little Ten moved with a "whoosh"!
The dog moved with lightning speed; its black and white fur was just a blur in everyone's eyes before it disappeared swiftly at the factory gate.

Before He Tuoluo had even run 50 meters, it was quickly caught up by the wolf like a predator, and with a light leap, it pinned him to the edge of the vegetable garden, his face covered in mud and weeds.

"Wang!"

Little Shi was overjoyed!

Its heavy body stepped on He Tuoluo's back, pressing him down into the ground again. The dog's body was held high, its head, neck, shoulders and back showing pride and confidence!

Humans! This is how you should play! Playing frisbee or fetch is too childish; this is how it hunts!

When Qin Yun's wife rushed out and took out her phone from a distance, it slowly got down, then grabbed the untied strap on her back and tugged it outwards.

Come on! Let's keep playing!

The moment He Tuoluo was pressed down, his mind went blank—in his entire playful life, apart from being dragged out by his parents for a good scolding, he had never experienced such a rapid defeat.

The moment Xiao Shi firmly stepped on him, a sense of humiliation and frustration welled up in his heart, almost making him burst into tears again.

But... that's just too embarrassing!
He was defeated by his own puppy friend, who was reportedly not even a year old.

When he stood up again, tears welled up in his eyes, but he sniffed and said once more:

"I won't admit defeat!"

"Wang!"

Xiao Shi loosened his suspenders again. (End of Chapter)