The Little Life of a Big Landlord

Chapter 184 Bystander

(Please subscribe and support...)

(A loud plea for monthly votes! This month only has 28 days, and it's almost the end of the month! Brothers and sisters, give it your all! If you have any monthly votes, please vote for me! I still have plenty left over...)

"You said it yourself..." Auntie Pang's eyes lit up.

"Of course it was me who said it, but there's one condition: you have to go and come back quickly..." Yang Ming said with a smile.

"Okay, okay, I'll go right now..." Auntie Pang said excitedly, turning around to leave.

"Where are you going??? Old Yang hasn't arrived yet..." Yang Ming quickly called out to her.

"Look, look, I'm so happy I'm almost confused..." Auntie Fatty laughed heartily, not at all embarrassed. It would be abnormal for someone to remain calm in the face of such a wonderful thing as rejuvenation.

"Hehe, that's quite a flurry of activity..." Grandpa Huang sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) and said with a chuckle.

"That's not right. Since you're seventy years old, why did you call me 'little sister' just now? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?" Auntie Pang started to fuss about how Grandpa Huang addressed her.

"Well, I don't look young, do I?" Old Huang paused for a moment, then chuckled awkwardly.

"You do look quite young..." Auntie Pang gave Grandpa Huang a meaningful look and said with a smile.

"Hehe, being young is truly a wonderful thing. Suddenly you look more than twenty years younger. Looking back on the past, it feels like a lifetime ago..." Grandpa Huang sighed and said.

"Hehe, of course, of course..." Auntie Pang said with a smile.

Actually, she was also very excited because tonight, she would also become young again.

On the way home from the hot spring valley.

"Aunt Fenghuang, why didn't you bring Bao'er a gift?" Little Bao'er held Zhang Fenghuang's hand, looked up at her with her big, dark eyes full of disappointment.

"Bao'er, why are you asking your aunt for a gift? How rude of you!" Aunt Liu scolded her daughter in a mock manner.

"Aunt Liu, that's not right of you..." Wei Qingqing narrowed her big eyes. "Bao'er is still a child. It's normal for a child to ask a very close person for a gift..."

"Um, Bao'er..." Zhang Fenghuang said somewhat awkwardly, her eyes darting around, "Auntie came in a hurry and forgot to bring a gift. How about I give you my laptop for writing?"

"Really???" Xiao Bao'er asked, biting her finger.

"Yes, of course it's true..." Zhang Fenghuang nodded.

"Then forget it. Mom said that the netbook is Auntie's livelihood, and Bao'er can't take away Auntie's livelihood..." Bao'er said.

"Um..." Zhang Fenghuang was even more embarrassed, "How about this, Auntie will go to the county town in a little while and buy you a netbook, okay???"

"Then let's forget about it... Auntie didn't even think about Bao'er, so Bao'er doesn't need to..." Little Bao'er said disappointedly.

"How could Auntie not think of you? Auntie thinks of you every day. Auntie came back this time because she missed our Bao'er so much..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Really?" Xiao Bao asked.

"Of course it's true..." Zhang Fenghuang said confidently.

"Then why didn't you bring Bao'er a gift?" Bao'er brought the question back to the original question.

"Um... Auntie thought that Bao'er missed Auntie too. Auntie coming back to see Bao'er was the biggest gift for Bao'er. I didn't expect Bao'er to actually..." Zhang Fenghuang has never been easy to deal with. How could little Bao'er be her match? She seized the opportunity and launched a beautiful counterattack.

"Well..." Little Bao'er was still a child, how could he possibly be a match for Zhang Fenghuang? His eyes darted around for a long time, but he couldn't think of a word. He couldn't help but turn around and look at his two mothers, asking for their help.

"Phoenix, pluck a hair from her head and give it to her as a gift..." Aunt Liu said, feigning anger.

"Huh???" Zhang Fenghuang asked, puzzled...

"A gift of a goose feather from a thousand miles away is a small gift but carries great meaning..." Wei Qingqing said with a smile.

"Hehe, that's right..." Wei Qingqing chuckled.

Facing Zhang Fenghuang, Aunt Liu and Wei Qingqing were united against her; one sang and the other harmonized, their cooperation was seamless.

"I want to cut off a tuft of hair from both of your heads, make it into a pig bristle brush, and give it to Bao'er as a gift..." Zhang Fenghuang said with a mischievous smile.

Aunt Liu and Wei Qingqing exchanged a glance.

"...Hit her..." Aunt Liu said.

"Beat him up..." Wei Qingqing also said.

"Haha...you two just wait for me to cut the pig bristles. Be careful when you sleep tonight. We're heading back now..." Zhang Fenghuang laughed and led Xiao Bao'er to speed up. The two who wanted to bully her could only watch from behind.

"Don't run away..." Wei Qingqing and Aunt Liu laughed and chased after him.

After lunch, Aunt Pang went to the city to run errands in Old Yang's car, while Grandpa Huang strolled around by himself and went to Liu Family Village to chat with Yang Zhengfang. Wei Qingqing and Sister-in-law Liu, however, snuggled up on the kang (a heated brick bed) and whispered to each other.

"Yang Ming, what's going on between you and Aunt Liu???" Yang Ming rarely had the chance to go for a walk with Zhang Fenghuang. The two walked side by side on the path in the back garden.

"Me and Aunt Liu???" Yang Ming looked quite surprised. "What? What happened???"

"Pretending! Still pretending with me..." Zhang Fenghuang looked at Yang Ming with disdain, "Do you think I'm blind or something???"

"Hehe, there's nothing we can do about it..." Yang Ming gave an awkward laugh.

"What do you mean there's nothing you can do? Can't you even refuse?" Zhang Fenghuang pouted and said irritably.

"Are you kidding me??? Sometimes, circumstances push you and force you to do this. Now I finally understand what it means to be 'a man in the world, unable to control his own destiny'..." Yang Ming said helplessly.

"Tch, you clueless idiot, you know about the situation now??? You know about the underworld???" Zhang Fenghuang looked at Yang Ming with surprise. "Do your aunt and uncle know about you and Aunt Liu's affair???"

"Hmph hmph hmph..." Yang Ming snorted twice, "Would I dare tell them???"

"Such a big thing happened so suddenly, and it's not even a mistress you're keeping outside. Aren't you going to tell your uncle and aunt?" Zhang Fenghuang said.

"I'll tell you everything..." Yang Ming rolled his eyes. In the countryside, once a family has separated, the son usually lives on his own and won't bother them if anything happens.

"Tch, if you had a child with Aunt Liu, let's see what you'd say then..." Zhang Fenghuang said, pursing her lips.

"Hey, Liu Sao and I are completely innocent. We absolutely never had that kind of relationship..." Yang Ming immediately declared.

"I believe you if you say that, otherwise Wei Qingqing would have torn you apart, wouldn't she?" Zhang Fenghuang nodded repeatedly. "However, things will be different after a while. You might not be able to control yourself. Aunt Liu is so beautiful, with such a great figure... well, she just has a bit of fat around her waist..."

"You're judging others by your own standards. Do you think I'm that kind of person?" Yang Ming rolled his eyes.

"You can know a person's face but not their heart. How would I know what kind of person you are?" Zhang Fenghuang smiled slyly.

"I..." Yang Ming paused, then rolled his eyes and said, "I offered my heart to the bright moon, but the bright moon shone on the gutter. Phoenix, I've always considered you my confidante..."

"Come on, you're the best at talking nonsense..." Zhang Fenghuang remained unmoved. "Besides, you never follow the usual path, always finding a breakthrough from unexpected places. You don't need to waste your energy on me..."

"Taking the unconventional path???" A bead of sweat appeared on Yang Ming's forehead. "Who told you all this?"

"Who else could understand you so well besides your precious wife?" Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Hehe, indeed, my wife understands me best..." Yang Ming smiled with satisfaction, deftly changing the subject: "By the way, why did Phoenix suddenly come back???"

"Why? Of course, it's because work is going badly. I had high hopes for a book that I published, but after two months, it hasn't even gotten 10,000 clicks. And one of my good friends actually said that I've lost my old cunning. Damn it, was I really that cunning before???" Zhang Fenghuang was furious as she said this.

"Ahem, not just insidious, but extremely insidious, exceptionally insidious..." Yang Ming coughed twice and said softly.

"You..." Zhang Fenghuang's forehead creased with exasperation, "Couldn't you be a little more subtle???"

"Why be reserved? Your name, Zhang Fenghuang, is already known to everyone. Are you afraid I'll speak my mind?" Yang Ming laughed.

"You're being too harsh..." Zhang Fenghuang pouted and muttered.

"That's true. I've read your book. Although the writing isn't great, every sentence has a hint of conspiracy. If you suddenly change your style, people definitely won't accept it. It's like a grown man suddenly acting coy and pretending to be a woman. It's so cringe-worthy! You know, the biggest highlight of your book is actually that constant sense of conspiracy. That's the kind of charm that can make countless girls infatuated..." Yang Ming said.

"Is it really that hard for me to change my style?" Zhang Fenghuang's face fell.

"It's not difficult... You can change your identity and start over..." Yang Ming said.

"Huh??? Am I even alive? Do you know how hard it was for me to become a contracted writer back then??? If you asked me to do it all over again, I don't have the confidence to do it all over again..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Hehe, you're really too stupid..." Yang Ming shook his head and chuckled. "Even though you're a struggling writer, you still have some fans, right? You may not be a goddess-level author, but after being in this business for so long, you must know a few god-level figures. If you release a new book, get these goddesses to recommend it a few more times, and your book will be a hit. Then, just beg the editor for a few more recommendations..."

"Hiss... What you said actually makes a lot of sense..." Zhang Fenghuang gasped, her eyes lighting up.

"Isn't that the solution?" Yang Ming laughed.

"You know what... this method is actually quite reliable..." Zhang Fenghuang nodded repeatedly.

"Of course..." Yang Ming smiled smugly, "You'd better hurry back and get ready..."

"What am I supposed to prepare when I get back? I'm an online writer, and wherever there's internet is my workspace. I'll just cultivate my inspiration at your place..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Huh?" Yang Ming was taken aback. "Cultivating inspiration in our home??? What do you mean??? Your new novel isn't going to be a rural-themed one, is it???"

"Bingo, you got it right! Want a reward? A sweet kiss..." Zhang Fenghuang said with a smile.

"I wouldn't dare take it. If it leaves a mark and our Qingqing finds out, she'll tear me apart!" Yang Ming said with a smile, waving his hands repeatedly.

"You don't dare to take it, so you want it? Yang Ming, I've noticed you're not honest at all..." Zhang Fenghuang smiled mischievously and whispered, "It's okay, just consider it a secret loss for me. I'll secretly give you a sweet kiss, and I'll make sure your wife doesn't know..."

"Really..." Yang Ming's eyes lit up, his gaze sly.

"Of course..." Zhang Fenghuang said casually.

"Okay then, hurry up and secretly give me that sweet kiss..." Yang Ming leaned his face closer.

"I...you wish...you even want to take advantage of me? Are you out of your mind???" Zhang Fenghuang, without batting an eye, slapped Yang Ming's head away, then casually strolled along the path with her hands behind her back, enjoying the scenery along the way.

Yang Ming had long anticipated Zhang Fenghuang's reaction. This girl, unless she meets someone she likes, will never blush, even if she suddenly sneaks into the men's restroom.

Yang Ming chuckled and followed.

"How did you manage to make it so hot here?" Zhang Fenghuang asked as she strolled around casually.

"Hehe, the secret method, I will never tell you..." Yang Ming laughed.

"You're so stingy. I was just a little curious, but you brought it up like I was begging you..." Zhang Fenghuang rolled her eyes in dissatisfaction, but didn't press the matter further.

"Your place is so beautiful, it's really a wonderful place. I've made some money, so why don't you help me choose a place so we can be neighbors?" Zhang Fenghuang said.

"Forget it, just let Qingqing have a couple of days of peace and quiet, so she doesn't treat you like a thief..." Yang Ming said.

"Tch, what have I ever stolen??? Why are you treating me like a thief..." Zhang Fenghuang was clearly dissatisfied.

"It's not that you've stolen anything, it's just that you're so charming that many women are unconsciously captivated by your allure..." Yang Ming said smugly.

"You're so arrogant..." Zhang Fenghuang laughed and scolded, "You've changed a lot. Back then, you were such a stinking farmer, you wouldn't utter a single fart even if you shoved a stick..."

"Hehe, Zhang Fenghuang back then never thought of changing, so what? Want to get married now???" Yang Ming said with a smile.

Zhang Fenghuang blushed and said, "Stop talking nonsense... I'm not that vulgar..."

"Yes, you're not that vulgar, but why do you want to change your style? You know, your previous palace novels were quite taboo for all mothers-in-law..." Yang Ming laughed.

"Get out of here..." Zhang Fenghuang blushed, glared at Yang Ming angrily, and raised her leg to kick him.

"Hehe, I know you. The fact that you're blushing means you really want to get married. Tell me, which family's son is he? With your qualifications, it's perfectly normal for you to marry into a wealthy family..." Yang Ming said.

"Marry into a wealthy family my ass! I'm just a little envious of that silly girl Wei Qingqing who's going to be a mother, so I had some thoughts about it. Don't think I'm really infatuated..." Zhang Fenghuang rolled her eyes.

"Oh... that's a good sign. At least you have the intention. However, I think you should marry into a wealthy family in the future and show your strengths. Only in a wealthy family can you find a better stage for intrigue and power struggles..." Yang Ming smiled mischievously.

"Get lost..." Zhang Fenghuang kicked Yang Ming in the butt. "If you dare to tease me again, I'll show you why flowers are so red..." As she spoke, she picked a red wildflower from the roadside grass.

"Hehe..." Yang Ming patted his butt, "If you're really planning to get married, let me tell you, we brothers will be the ones to vet you. Any ugly or unsuitable women won't even pass our scrutiny..." The brothers Yang Ming was referring to were Zheng Dongfang and his group.

"Disgusting..." Zhang Fenghuang chuckled, moving closer to Yang Ming. "You stinking farmer, tell me, what if I were to become an unwed mother..."

"What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now??? If your dad finds out, he'll skin you alive???" Yang Ming immediately broke out in a cold sweat. He knew Zhang Fenghuang's personality well; this girl was a bit neurotic, so it wasn't surprising that she did some outrageous things.

"Don't worry, don't worry, I won't use anyone else's seed, I'll use yours..." Zhang Fenghuang smiled even more beautifully.

"Forget about it, I'm not going to go crazy with you..." Yang Ming's face darkened.

"And what about Aunt Liu? You're just going to let Aunt Liu go crazy with you..." Zhang Fenghuang laughed even more wickedly, like a fox catching a chick.

"Sister Liu??? What happened to Sister Liu???" Yang Ming's face was a little pale.

If even a young, unmarried woman can discover Liu Sao's problems, then Liu Sao's problems are urgent and need to be resolved as soon as possible.

"Don't play dumb with me. I was doing some research the other day and went to a women's forum. I found out what it's like when a woman is pregnant. By the way, not only is Aunt Liu's belly bulging, but even her pulse is uneven, one big and one small, two pulses..." Zhang Fenghuang smiled and waved two fingers in front of Yang Ming.

"That doesn't necessarily mean the child is mine, does it?" Yang Ming's face turned even paler. Aunt Liu had indeed been repeatedly telling them that the child was Yang Ming's, but the couple didn't take it seriously. However, if others had doubts, they would definitely suspect him.

"If the child isn't yours, why is Aunt Liu so close to you???" Zhang Fenghuang pursed her lips. "I bet Aunt Liu somehow got your child and then had artificial insemination..."

"This..." Yang Ming thought carefully, but he couldn't figure out when Aunt Liu had secretly done it. "Impossible???"

"It might not have been taken from you, it could have been from Wei Qingqing. Otherwise, why would Aunt Liu be so close to Wei Qingqing? If their relationship continues like this, it could become a lesbian relationship..." Zhang Fenghuang said.

"This..." Yang Ming's heart was in turmoil. Of course, he could tell that the relationship between his wife and Aunt Liu was too good, so good that it was a little strange.

"Hey... you stinky farmer, if one day I suddenly want a child, you can lend me some seeds..." Zhang Fenghuang whispered with a wicked smile in Yang Ming's ear.

P.S.: Please recommend and add to your favorites...

(End of this chapter)