Crazy Nezha

Li Liqing sat imposingly outside the shed, sipping his tea.

Neither the father nor the son spoke.

When Li Liqing saw his son's indifferent attitude, he wanted to get angry, but when he saw Yin Jianshe lying in the coffin, he held back. Death is a serious matter, and relatives and friends would be coming in the next few days. If things got out of hand, he would lose face. Everyone has their own sense of the bigger picture.

Yin Guizhi knelt in front of the brazier and burned paper money for her second brother.

At this moment, Li Tianbao's aunt and uncle also arrived. Upon hearing the devastating news, the couple could hardly believe it.

When Yin Guizhi saw her eldest sister arrive, her eyes couldn't help but redden again.

Uncle-in-law spoke a few words to Li Tianbao, seemingly to comfort him, and then went to burn some paper money and such. He then pulled up a stool and sat down next to Li Liqing. The two brothers-in-law chatted casually.

Li Tianbao made tea for his uncle but not for his father because his father already had tea leaves in his thermos.

Li Liqing didn't care. From the moment they entered the room, neither father nor son had spoken a single word to each other.

Uncle asked, "Tianbao, is the skit still going on?"

Li Tianbao said, "My friend and I started a media company together. We have a script that's under review. Once it's approved, we'll invest in it and act in it ourselves."

My uncle exclaimed in surprise, "Wow, you've made something of yourself! You've started your own business?"

"Yes, it's a partnership. It's Yang Zijie, you've met him before, do you remember?"

My aunt's husband was curious and went to the film set to watch Li Tianbao film. He remembered and said, "Oh? The kid whose family owns a sheep farm?"

"Hmm! Joy Media..."

Li Liqing snorted and interrupted, "Where did you get the money to start a company?"

Li Tianbao sneered, "I'm investing in a cash position; I contribute manpower but not capital, and I receive dividends."

Li Liqing said in a deep voice, "Are you cut out for business? Society is complicated. Can you really succeed in a partnership? Be careful not to get scammed!"

My aunt's husband advised, "What are you doing, brother-in-law? How can you talk to a child like that? Tianbao, you're much better than your cousin!"

Li Liqing: "How can he compare to Jiahao? Jiahao is an international student."

Li Tianbao's cousin is Zhang Jiahao, who is eight years older than him. He now lives in Xida and works for a biotechnology company.

Uncle wanted to say something, but in the end he shut up. He knew that this topic could not be extended any further. It was very hurtful for a child's self-esteem for his father to praise other people's children and belittle his own child in front of relatives.

"I deeply regret sending my son abroad to study, which has resulted in my husband and I only seeing him once a year! If there's anything at home that requires a younger person, I still have to rely on Tianbao. Tianbao, you're just better than your cousin!"

Li Liqing scoffed, saying calmly, "What makes him strong?"

Uncle said, "Tianbao, don't listen to your dad's nonsense. That's just how he is; he can't say the right thing."

Li Tianbao looked indifferent and said, "I haven't felt anything for a long time."

"It's all because his second uncle spoiled him when he was a child!" Li Liqing didn't want to talk about it. He put his thermos on the table, tapped it, looked at his son, and said, "Pour me some water."

Li Tianbao said, "My hand hurts, I can't fall over."

Li Liqing's face darkened; he felt he had lost face in front of his brother-in-law and was somewhat angry.

Uncle quickly took a big gulp of tea and casually said, "Let's go burn paper money for Jianshe." He was trying to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Li Tianbao quickly picked up the thermos and poured water for his uncle, saying, "Uncle, let me add some water for you."

Li Liqing stood up expressionlessly and said calmly, "Li Tianbao, I am your father. I am selfless towards you. I don't expect you to be outstanding in the future; I only hope that you can be like me, a man who stands tall and takes responsibility!"

Li Tianbao asked, "How am I not taking responsibility?"

"You're still a long way off. When I was your age..."

Li Tianbao interrupted, "Dr. Jiang said, don't let others define you, be yourself! I know what kind of person I am, your definition doesn't count!"

Li Liqing said, "Jiang Baiyue is a fraud! In my opinion, she's no different from someone selling health supplements. I haven't even settled accounts with your mother about this yet, what kind of quack psychologist did she hire?!"

"You don't understand anything, and we can't agree on anything!" Li Tianbao didn't want to argue, so he told people to move the table. The items were gradually placed in place, and the mourning hall was decorated in a proper manner.

"Ahhh—Second brother!! How could you leave like this! My second brother!!" From inside the shed came the aunt's heart-wrenching wails!

There are two major events in life: funerals and weddings.

These kinds of things need someone to take the lead and manage the overall situation. The owner of the funeral home came over and asked, "Do you have a digital photo of your second uncle?"

Li Tianbao knew that this was to have the photos developed and used as a memorial portrait.

"Let me find it, I'll send it to you in a bit."

"Okay, the tent is all set up now. We'll be going now and come back first thing tomorrow morning. Call me if you need anything."

Li Tianbao escorted the person to the entrance of the courtyard and said, "Thank you for your hard work. As for the expenses..."

The boss waved his hand and said, "No rush. You're Yang Zijie's good friend, we're all on the same side. I'll make a list when we get back, and we'll save money wherever we can... By the way, I know someone in the cemetery business, let's talk about it tomorrow."

"Okay, thanks."

"Xiao Li, you're great. It's not easy to have this kind of responsibility at such a young age." The boss's words were not flattery, but came from the bottom of his heart.

After watching the funeral company staff leave, Li Tianbao turned around and returned to the courtyard.

It was already past midnight, and apart from some relatives and neighbors, Yin Guizhi and Li Liqing's colleagues and friends had not been notified yet.

"Son, you've really grown up and can handle things now." Yin Guizhi wrapped a white cloth around her own head and then wrapped it around Li Tianbao's as well.

These items were all delivered by the funeral company, along with candles, incense, paper money, and the like.

As Yin Guizhi watched her son calmly and methodically coordinate with the funeral company and arrange the funeral in an orderly manner, she felt very gratified. However, looking at her second brother lying there, she burst into tears again.

"Mom, you all go back. I'll keep watch by myself tonight."

"I'll sit for a while longer."

"Don't tell Chen Rui about this yet, it's too late. Let's talk about it tomorrow during the day."

"well……"

Around 1 a.m., Li Tianbao insisted that his mother and aunt go back home, but they refused, saying they wanted to stay a little longer.

In the courtyard, a gentle evening breeze blew, and mournful music drifted from the speakers.

Li Tianbao, leading his dog and sheep, pulled up a wicker chair and sat in the yard, looking at the moon in the sky. He asked himself, "What did it feel like when my second uncle died?"

Xiaotian said, "I've heard that before a mortal is about to die, they can briefly review their entire life!"

Leopard Head lay down beside him, while two little lambs ran around Li Tianbao's legs as if they were playing.

Xiaotian placed his paws on Li Tianbao's legs, his ears twitching, and he barked every now and then.

"Third Master, my back is so itchy, can you scratch it for me?"

Li Tianbao brushed the fur off the husky's back and whispered, "After the funeral, I'll take you for a bath."

Inside the shed, Li Liqing watched his son's close relationship with the sheep and dogs, his face turning ashen with anger. What was most infuriating was that his son would occasionally mutter to the animals under his breath!

Director Chen even suspects his son has special abilities and can talk to animals. I think he's got a problem with his brain. Li Tianbao is just having an autistic episode. It's really shameful!

I can't keep this sheep. If my colleagues and friends come over tomorrow, won't they laugh at me? Who keeps sheep at home? If someone is so lonely that they talk to animals, won't people misunderstand and think I have a bad family background? No, no, keeping a dog is fine, but keeping a sheep is absolutely out of the question! I have to get rid of it!