Under One Person: Feng Shui Master, I Will Protect the Mountains and Rivers with My Own Body

The commercial street in Yanji city.

The signs of hundreds of shops shimmered in the night.

The air along the street was filled with the distinctive aroma of grilled grease from barbecue restaurants.

"Sizzle—"

Several thick slices of pork belly curled up at the edges on the red-hot grill, the excess oil being forced out by the high temperature, sliding down the grain and dripping onto the charcoal fire below, sending up a plume of white smoke carrying a smoky aroma.

"Baby Sister, are you saying that Sister Qingfeng has figured out your background?"

"Mmm (๑˙ー˙๑)."

"And so, in the end, just like that Mr. Zhang said, you're still made to wait?"

"Yes (๑˙ー˙๑)."

"Hiss... Damn, so we came all this way for nothing!"

Xu Si slammed the cigarette pack in his hand on the table and couldn't help but swear.

This is not surprising, after all, he often swears.

By this time, Yan Sen and the other two had already been driven back to Yanji City by Deng Youcai.

He politely declined the Deng brothers' invitation, which was full of Northeastern characteristics and would likely involve drinking until dawn if he agreed.

Using Feng Baobao's keen sense of smell, Yan Sen and Xu Si found a relatively quiet Korean barbecue restaurant and booked a private room.

They are currently gathered around the stove, engaging in a small team-building activity.

"Don't say that. At least we gave Sister Bao a vague answer, which proves that the approach is correct."

Yan Sen held a large pair of scissors in his hand and skillfully cut the golden-brown, glistening pork belly into bite-sized pieces.

He didn't even bother to eat himself, first picking up a large mouthful and placing it on the plate that Feng Baobao handed him.

"Baby Sister, did Sister Qingfeng say who the other person you're waiting for is?" Yan Sen asked casually.

Feng Baobao didn't have time to speak. She opened her mouth wide and stuffed a whole perilla leaf wrapped with pork belly, garlic slices, green chili peppers, and special chili sauce into her mouth with a bold gesture.

Her cheeks puffed up instantly, like a hamster with its cheek pouches stuffed full of sunflower seeds.

"Ooh, chew~ chew~"

Feng Baobao swallowed the food with difficulty and blinked her big eyes.

"I don't know, she didn't say. She just told me to wait and that the time wasn't right, and that I shouldn't force it."

"Hey, this question is pointless."

Xu Si held a tiny glass of liquor in his hand, took a small sip of the clear liquid, and instantly his entire face contorted into a mask of pain.

"Damn it, what kind of junk is this? It tastes like watered-down alcohol, not even as strong as Erguotou (a type of Chinese liquor). Boss lady! A beer, please! Iced!"

Xu Si pushed his liquor glass away, turned to look at Yan Sen, and said with a look of utter disappointment, "Didn't you say we were supposed to wait for two people? Why are you only asking about the one who hasn't arrived yet? We don't even know who the one who has already arrived is!"

Yan Sen was busy putting the second batch of meat on the stove. Hearing this, he didn't even look up and pointed to his nose with the tongs as if it were his right.

"It's obvious, it's me."

"No, why you?"

Xu Si's strange competitive spirit suddenly flared up. He used a bottle opener to pry open the beer cap with a "bang," and white foam overflowed from the bottle opening.

First, he poured himself a full glass, then picked up a piece of bright red spicy cabbage with his chopsticks to go with the drink, and downed it in one gulp.

"This stuff is so sour."

Xu Si then made another sarcastic remark about the kimchi before continuing to argue, "We should be humble, right? I could say that person was me! And my old man and third son too! I won't mention my dad, he's getting old, why can't it be the two of us?"

Although Xu Si's words were somewhat joking, they also carried a hint of resentment.

Why should I?

The Xu family had been guarding the baby for so long, and when this kid appeared, he was described as having "very similar energy" and being "very kind and familiar," making it seem like he was the chosen one.

It's like you've painstakingly grown a cabbage, only to suddenly realize you're more destined to be with the new pig next door.

"You're not convinced?"

Yan Sen placed the grilled marbled beef onto a plate and looked at Xu Si with a smile.

"Okay, let's make a bet. I won't say anything, and you won't say anything either. Let Sister Bao Bao say it." Yan Sen pointed to Feng Bao Bao, who was staring at the baking pan with her mouth watering.

"Baby, based on your intuition, which of us is more likely to be the 'person we've already met'?"

Feng Baobao was struggling with a piece of slightly burnt beef tendon when she heard this and stopped.

His clear, large eyes scanned back and forth between Yan Sen and Xu Si's faces, as if he were picking out watermelons at a fruit stand.

"How old are you? Making bets like this is not encouraged." Xu Si said he didn't encourage it, but his body language betrayed him as he sat up straight and even straightened his collar, looking smug.

"What's the stakes? I won't play for anything too boring."

Yan Sen gave a thumbs-up and shook it.

"You're pretty good."

"Oh, then this bet is acceptable."

A glint of shrewdness flashed in Xu Si's usually playful eyes.

Among men of the same generation, the phrase "You're really something" is an extremely high compliment.

This not only represents admitting defeat, but also represents one party's heartfelt admiration for the other.

"Baby, what do you think? Tell the truth, and please don't lie to save face for me!"

While touching his thigh, Xu Si winked at Feng Baobao.

In fact, he already felt confident that he had the upper hand.

After all, we've had this relationship for so many years. Even if the baby is usually silly, there has to be some degree of closeness or distance when it really matters, right?

Feng Baobao put down her chopsticks.

She tilted her head, seemingly deep in thought about the question.

Feng Baobao: ◔◔

The private room fell silent, with only the sizzling sound of the grilled meat remaining.

A few seconds later.

Feng Baobao stretched out a finger and pointed without hesitation at Yan Sen, who was flipping the meat.

"I think it's wood."

"Click."

Yan Sen seemed to hear the sound of a heart breaking.

Why?!

Xu Si's voice changed, and he looked incredulous.

"Baby, look me in the eyes and say it again? All these years of sincere feelings, have I ultimately given them to the wrong person?"

"Um......"

Feng Baobao ignored Xu Si's dramatic outburst. She scratched her messy hair and said calmly, "That's not what I meant. I know you're good to me, Lao Si. But..."

She looked at Yan Sen, a rare hint of determination flashing in her eyes.

"Ever since I encountered wood, I've felt that... some things that have been stagnant for a very long time have started to move again."

Feng Baobao pointed to her chest: "I can't really say what it is. But my intuition tells me that's it."

Xu Si: (＃￣～￣＃)

silence.

A long silence.

Xu Si felt his heart was like that piece of burnt pork belly, hard and bitter.

He stared at Yan Sen's smug "I knew it" expression, his teeth grinding together.

But there's no way around it; you have to accept the consequences of your bet.

This is a "battle" that stakes on men's pride.

He lost.

"Tsk."

Xu Si turned his head away, picked up his wine glass and drank it all in one gulp, the sound seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"You win. You win! Okay, fine!"

Yan Sen: •͈ᴗ⁃͈ ★

"You flatter me, Fourth Brother, you're so generous!"

Yan Sen smiled broadly, and even cheekily picked up the biggest piece of pork belly for Xu Si.

"Come on, have some meat. Don't be discouraged, it's not a big deal."

Xu Si angrily stuffed the meat into his mouth, chewing it with gritted teeth.

After a few drinks, the atmosphere became lively again.

Xu Si's greatest strength is his easygoing nature; by now, his minor frustration had long since dissipated with the alcohol.

He glanced at Yan Sen, who was peeling garlic for Feng Baobao, his eyes flickered a few times, and then suddenly asked.

"Speaking of which, Woody, what are your plans after you go back this time?"

"If you don't have anything productive to do, why don't you come work for the company?"

He leaned forward, his tone becoming more serious.

"As you've seen, the company has a lot of rules, but the benefits are really good. And my dad's going to retire in a few years, so the next head of the North China region will either be me or the third brother. How about it? Want to work for me? I'll give you a 'consultant' position, ta-da! You don't have to work regular hours; you can come when there's work, or stay home and get paid. How about that?"

This is already a genuine recruitment effort.

After this trip to Changbai Mountain, Xu Si was completely impressed by Yan Sen's abilities.

This guy is cunning, quick-witted, and ruthless, but he has his own bottom line.

Most importantly, he not only suits his taste perfectly, but he also gets along very well with the baby, which is quite rare.

There are some things that we and the old man can trust him to do.

"Don't you have anything serious to do?"

Yan Sen was cutting Feng Baobao's oversized steak with scissors when he heard this. He paused, turned around, and rolled his eyes at Xu Si.

"Fourth Brother, are you misunderstanding something about me? I'm very busy, okay?"

"Busy? What are you busy with?" Xu Si asked incredulously. "Busy going home to play mahjong with your dad?"

"Are you kidding me?"

Yan Sen sighed, pushed the cut meat in front of Feng Baobao, and began to criticize her, counting on his fingers.

"After you two are done, go back and report, do your fieldwork. I should also go back to the mountain; it's been a while since I've been back."

"A few days ago, Grandpa Tian called me. He was so loud; if he had been any more aggressive, he probably would have been cursing. He asked me if I would only go back to see him one last time on the day he passed away."

Xu Si was taken aback: "Master Tian? The one from Longhu Mountain?"

"Yes." Yan Sen nodded.

"And then there's the Grand Tutor, the Celestial Master. It's said he's been driven crazy by my Grandfather Tian, ​​and he's told me to get back home immediately, or he'll personally 'test' my cultivation progress the next time he sees me. If I really let him test me..."

Yan Sen shuddered, recalling the fear he felt years ago when Zhang Zhiwei had hung him up and beaten him in various ways on the mountain.

"Then I estimate I'll have to stay in bed for half a year."

Xu Si shuddered, his chopsticks hovering in mid-air.

The old Celestial Master? Personally inspected?

That's fucking terrifying...

"That's not all," Yan Sen continued. "I also need to go back to Uncle Liao's place in South China. My sister texted me the other day saying she misses me."

Yan Sen's eyes softened a bit: "I heard that he got full marks in all his subjects in the midterm exams a few days ago, and he also won first place in the sports meet. Now he can go on missions with Uncle Liao."

"Oh, and I also need to go home."

言森一脸的生无可恋，「前些年我不是一直跟着我爹在外面跑吗，我妈的母爱积攒的时间太久了，好不容易在家待一阵，这次东北的事儿又给我叫出来了，我爹现在天天挨揍，我妈一想我就找茬揍他，可惨了。」

Yan Sen spread his hands, looking helpless: "Tell me, my schedule is even fuller than yours, how can I have time to be your senior advisor? I'm overwhelmed, Fourth Brother."

A brief silence fell over the private room.

The meat on the grill was still sizzling, and Feng Baobao was still focused on eating, occasionally glancing up at the two people chatting, before continuing to eat.

Xu Si remained with his mouth open, looking at the helpless-looking boy in front of him, feeling his head buzzing.

The Celestial Master's Mansion on Longhu Mountain, the Celestial Master and his junior brother.

Liao Zhonghe, the head of the South China region, is a future temporary worker.

The mother, who is one of the most capable members of the middle generation in the Zhuge family, and the father, who also has a mysterious lineage.

There's also my own Xu family and Feng Baobao.

"Tsk..."

After a long while, Xu Si slowly closed his mouth and let out a heartfelt sigh.

He picked up his wine glass and looked Yan Sen up and down, left and right, as if he were seeing him for the first time.

"Damn, I almost forgot if you hadn't mentioned it, but you've got some really powerful connections!"

Xu Si shook his head, his face full of envy, jealousy, and resentment: "You usually keep a low profile, but so many big shots are vying to protect you. You've got connections with both official forces and non-governmental organizations. You kid..."

Xu Si suddenly leaned closer, lowered his voice, and teased with a mischievous grin, "You're not some kind of male succubus from the supernatural world, are you? The kind in Japanese visual novels who just use their looks to gain favorability?"

Yan Sen was both amused and exasperated by this novel way of thinking.

He grabbed a lettuce leaf, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it directly at Xu Si's big face.

"Get the hell out of here! Even if I were a succubus, I wouldn't succumb to you!"

"Hahaha! You're getting angry now, aren't you!" Xu Si caught the vegetable leaf, and without any hesitation, wrapped a piece of meat in it and stuffed it into his mouth.

"But to be honest, since you have so many places to go, then I won't force you."

Xu Si raised his glass, his eyes brightening: "If you need anything in the future, just let me know."

Yan Sen looked at Xu Si, and the smile on his lips became sincere.

He picked up his Coke and clinked it heavily against Xu Si's glass.

"I won't say a word to you. I'm going to find my sister Baobao. Sister Baobao, you have to protect me if I need anything in the future."

"Okay, I'll take care of it."

The small private room was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

"Wood, roast two more pieces of meat, it's not enough, I'm still not full."

"...Baby, you've practically eaten everything on this table, and you're still not full?"

"Hurry up, get it done faster."

"Boss lady! Let's order! No need for menus, just bring me a book!"