Chapter 2836
They Need This More Than Anything
Chapter 2836 They Need This More Than Anything
Siheyuan.
It was the height of summer. In the early morning, the sunlight pierced through the unwashed sky and fell unreservedly on the ground, slowly warming everything on earth like a steamer.
Gradually, people who couldn't stand the high temperatures began to hide indoors, while those who couldn't stand the stuffy heat indoors chose to sit in the shady areas of the corridor or at the head of the house.
The middle courtyard, under the big locust tree.
Yang Xiaotao lay on the chair, and in addition to the chirping of cicadas in the trees, he also heard a series of chirping sounds.
Then I saw the old Taoist priest standing next to the chair, holding a silver clipper in his hand. With a quick twist of his hand, the hair was cut off and then pushed from the back of the head to the top.
"Old man, did you lubricate your clippers? Ouch~ they're pulling my hair, it hurts."
Yang Xiaotao felt a sharp pain coming from the back of his head and spoke up. Then, seeing his hair falling out in a rustling sound, he said worriedly, "Hey, hey, I want a buzz cut, a buzz cut, not a bald head. Old Taoist, be careful."
The old Taoist priest's hands never stopped moving as he skillfully maneuvered the clippers.
"Old Taoist priest, I'm talking to you."
Seeing that the old Taoist priest remained silent, Yang Xiaotao gave him some more instructions.
"I said, why are you making such a fuss? Just sort it out however you want."
The old Taoist priest said irritably, then looked at Duanwu beside him, "Look how energetic our grandson is."
Why is there so much fuss when it comes to you?
"He's not even as good as a child."
Yang Xiaotao glanced at Duanwu, who had just gotten a haircut. His head was covered in hair, making him almost bald.
The guy was still grinning foolishly, completely unaware of how important hair is to a man.
"Forget it, I shouldn't have listened to your nonsense."
Yang Xiaotao originally planned to get his hair done at a barbershop and take a bath at a public bathhouse while he was at it.
Over the past month, I feel like my whole body is twisted up, and nothing feels right.
Zhou Kui was watching his daughter lead his son as they walked. Now that Xiaoyu was going to school, she could help take care of her younger brother at home, which saved Zhou Kui a lot of trouble.
"Tao, Brother Tao, this is well-reasoned, very good."
Zhou Kui chuckled and walked over when he heard the music. Seeing that Yang Xiaotao's thick hair had suddenly become a buzz cut, he still gave him a couple of insincere compliments.
The old Taoist priest was even more smug upon hearing this, "How about that? Even the most honest person in our courtyard says it's good, what else can you say?"
Yang Xiaotao rolled his eyes. "He says anyone is fine."
Hearing this, Zhou Kui smiled and then added, "That's right, very good."
Yang Xiaotao was speechless. "Fine, you guys figure it out."
The old Taoist priest used the clippers even more smoothly after hearing this, while poor Yang Xiaotao kept grimacing, as the clippers were really out of oil.
"All right."
With a triumphant shout, the old Taoist priest quickly finished cleaning up Yang Xiaotao's mess and then stood aside admiring his masterpiece.
Ignoring everything else, Yang Xiaotao went to the water tank next to him, glanced at it, and then straightened up, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
The old Taoist priest leisurely tidied up the hair on the ground, not forgetting to praise, "How is it? Don't you look particularly energetic?"
"They look like father and son, both are very energetic."
"Isn't that right, Kui Zi?"
Yang Xiaotao glanced at Duanwu and already knew what his head looked like.
puff
Laughter suddenly came from behind him. Yang Xiaotao turned around and saw Cuiping and Ran Qiuye standing at the door.
That laugh must have been Cuiping's.
My own wife wouldn't be so shallow.
But what does it mean that Ran Qiuye's lips are turned up?
This woman, she's forgotten how powerful her man is after just a few days without being disciplined, hasn't she?
Ignoring the old Taoist priest, Yang Xiaotao went to the hand pump well and waved to Duanwu.
I ran over immediately for the Dragon Boat Festival, very happy that I have the same hairstyle as my dad.
As the Dragon Boat Festival approached, Yang Xiaotao washed his hair and then washed the Dragon Boat Festival dumplings again.
"I have to say, you two, father and son, look like they're related."
Cuiping spoke casually from the side, and Yang Xiaotao was already used to this woman's personality.
"Nonsense, of course he's her biological son."
After saying that, he didn't even bother to wipe himself with a towel. He just touched it a couple of times, and it dried quickly on the sunny ground.
"Where's your husband, Lao Yu? I haven't seen him lately."
Yang Xiaotao asked casually, then went to the yard, picked two cucumbers, washed them in the water, broke off one piece and handed it to Ran Qiuye, and the other to Cuiping.
Cuiping took the cucumber and started eating it, saying, "Who knows where it has died."
"I don't care about his affairs."
Yang Xiaotao took a couple of bites of cucumber and said, "So he doesn't care about your affairs either."
Cui Ping rolled her eyes at Yang Xiaotao. "Do you think it would be a good thing if he interfered in my affairs?"
Upon hearing this, Yang Xiaotao was truly speechless and didn't know how to respond.
After a long pause, he gave a thumbs up and said, "Cuiping, from now on, if anyone says you're stupid, just kick them."
"What?"
"Because you're not stupid, you're wise in disguise."
Cuiping grinned smugly at Ran Qiuye and said, "Listen, your husband always speaks so pleasantly."
Ran Qiuye was both amused and exasperated; this was truly 'great wisdom appearing as foolishness'.
"I'm going to take a stroll in the West Sea."
After greeting Ran Qiuye, Yang Xiaotao picked up the fishing rod he had prepared and pushed his bicycle outside.
"Come back early, it's hot outside."
Ran Qiuye called out from behind, but Yang Xiaotao waved without turning his head, "I'll be right back. We'll have fish for lunch."
After saying that, he had already passed the Intermediate People's Court.
Ran Qiuye was about to go back to her room to tidy up when she saw Cuiping resting a finger on her chin and asking seriously, "Qiuye, why do I feel like your husband isn't speaking like a human being?"
West Sea.
Yang Xiaotao pulled up his fishing rod again, and amidst the envious glances around him, he put a foot-long carp into the bucket. After looking at the full bucket of fish, and thinking about the need for sustainable development in the future, he got up to leave.
"Xiao Yang, are you going back?"
Just as Yang Xiaotao was about to get up, his third uncle, Yan Fugui, immediately asked with a smile, "You've only been here a short while, why don't you sit a little longer?"
Although she said that, she secretly looked at Yang Xiaotao's bucket with envy.
I arrived before dawn, but there were only two or three small fish in my bucket. Meanwhile, Yang Xiaotao's bucket was full in less than half an hour.
They come here to fish, while others come here to buy fish. How can they be the same?
"That's enough, we won't be able to hold any more fish!"
Yang Xiaotao said casually, putting away his stool and fishing rod, picking up his bucket and standing up, "Uncle, it's past ten o'clock, you should go home early!"
"It's too hot, you're likely to get heatstroke."
Yang Xiaotao kindly advised him, and Yan Fugui readily agreed, "Okay, okay, I'll leave in a bit!"
Then, watching Yang Xiaotao leave, he picked up a stool and went to where Yang Xiaotao had been sitting.
His face lit up with excitement, "I've finally run into you, how can I go back?"
Based on his years of fishing experience, as long as he could keep up with Yang Xiaotao's pace, he was sure to have a good catch.
"Today will definitely be a very rewarding day!"
Yan Fugui rubbed his hands together happily, then hooked an earthworm onto the fishhook and hurriedly threw it into the water.
Yang Xiaotao returned to the courtyard house and saw the old Taoist priest giving a haircut as soon as he entered the middle courtyard.
Pushing the cart up to the front, Yang Xiaotao glanced at it curiously, then stopped and asked, "Old Taoist, you've pushed it too long. Make it shorter." The old Taoist stopped, looked at Yang Xiaotao, then at Yu Zecheng sitting down, and said, "Long? Then make it shorter."
Hearing the old Taoist say this, Yu Zecheng quickly raised his hand and said, "No, no, no, I feel fine right now."
"That's good, that's fine."
After saying that, he glanced at Yang Xiaotao again and immediately understood what the guy meant.
This is because they can't stand seeing others with long hair; it's about sharing hardships.
"That won't do. It's so hot. Old Taoist, cut it shorter so it'll be faster to wash your hair that way."
Yang Xiaotao was talking with a grin on his face when Yu Zecheng quickly said, "Yang Xiaotao, hurry home and cook, don't cause trouble here."
"Old Zhang, let's hurry, I need to talk to this guy about something."
The old Taoist priest remained unhurried upon hearing this, saying, "It's alright, we can just go and eat after he's cooked."
"Don't move, I feel like it's still a bit long here."
"Don't move!"
Yang Xiaotao's voice came from the side, while Yu Zecheng looked helpless.
Upon entering the courtyard, Yang Xiaotao heard the voices of children coming from the next room.
I was wondering why there were no children in the yard, but it turns out all the kids in my house ran inside.
Yang Xiaotao glanced at the situation inside through the window.
I saw a group of children gathered around the television, shouting from time to time.
Two figures were holding game consoles and shouting excitedly.
You don't even need to look to know that besides Duanwu and Xingxing, there's no one else.
During this time, Yang Xiaotao was busy with work, and Ran Qiuye was also busy with the affairs of the rural middle school, so the children at home were left to herd sheep.
As for Xingxing, ever since she found out that the Yang family had a game console, she has been riding her bicycle over whenever she has free time.
The adults in the family can rest assured.
Seeing that a group of children were focused on the television, Yang Xiaotao did not disturb them and went straight into the living room.
"Secretary Tang."
Upon entering the living room, Yang Xiaotao saw Ran Qiuye and Cuiping talking to Tang Mingyue. He greeted them somewhat awkwardly.
"Minister Yang!"
Tang Mingyue subconsciously ran her hand through her hair. "I'm back from fishing."
"Ah, I caught quite a lot this time."
"You guys chat, I'll go cook."
Yang Xiaotao glanced at Ran Qiuye, then took the fish to the kitchen.
Ran Qiuye reached out and grasped Tang Mingyue's hand. "Sister Tang, let's go to Yangjiazhuang when you wake up. Miaomiao will be there during the Dragon Boat Festival, and with more children, they can take care of each other."
Cuiping chimed in, "That's right, Sister Tang. With Qiuye and me watching over her, Xingxing will be fine."
Tang Mingyue nodded gently. The main reason for her visit was to discuss her child's schooling.
She was working alongside the leader, and her older sister was also busy with her own affairs. Her child was of school age, so she was thinking of finding a school that would be easy for her to settle in. After thinking about it, she came here.
"Okay, I'll talk to Xingxing about it when we get back. We'll go to Yangjiazhuang when school starts."
"You guys need to keep a close eye on this kid. He's never suffered since he was little, and now he's throwing a tantrum. I, as his mother, can barely handle him!"
Ran Qiuye nodded in agreement, "The same goes for Duanwu and the others, especially the fourth and fifth daughters. Their father spoils them rotten; he'll have ten complaints for every one thing he says."
“Yours are still young, and my Shitou is even more mischievous. He doesn’t want to go home now. Luckily, Xiaoxiao is here.”
The three of them quickly started chatting about everyday things, talking about how their children were and how annoying they were.
In the kitchen, Yu Zecheng leaned against the door, rubbing his slightly slippery head, and finally understood why Yang Xiaotao was so resentful.
Wipe
Taking a bite of the cucumber, Yu Zecheng continued, "Anyway, be careful in the Western Paradise lately."
"As for family members, we will make arrangements for them."
Yang Xiaotao was processing the fish when he heard Yu Zecheng finish speaking. Without even looking up, he said, "Can't these guys just shut up for a second?"
"Have we offended them? Have we cursed them? Have we dug up their ancestral graves?"
"Can't people just live a peaceful life?"
"After all these years, this unrealistic dream is still going on."
Speaking of which, Yang Xiaotao has encountered quite a few things over the years, and he's gotten used to it.
You can't be uncomfortable with it, because the better you do, the more people will resent you.
Under such circumstances, he had already prepared himself mentally.
As long as his family members are safe, he'll take care of whatever else comes his way.
But I just feel disgusted.
Yu Zecheng lowered his hand and felt that the back of his head had been pushed quite hard; it was now smooth and hairless.
Next time, I definitely won't listen to my wife anymore; I'll spend some money to get it done elsewhere.
"They're still up to no good."
"I always felt like I had a powerful backer, and I always felt like I would be able to come back someday!"
Yang Xiaotao shook his head. "That's called self-deception, daydreaming."
He cleaned the carp and then glanced at Yu Zecheng, saying, "Don't just stand there, lend a hand."
Yu Zecheng glanced at the stove, finished eating the cucumber, clapped his hands, picked up firewood, and started a fire.
"I'm fine, but I have a lot of family members, including children and elderly people, so you'll have to keep a close eye on them."
Yang Xiaotao started cooking, and Yu Zecheng, after lighting the fire, moved back a little from the stove, then picked up a palm-leaf fan and fanned himself. "Don't worry about that," he said, "we've mobilized quite a few people this time, and the higher-ups are taking this matter very seriously."
"If you ask me, there's no way to guard against thieves for a thousand days."
"You can't wait until they all arrive before you make a move. What if something goes wrong?"
Yu Zecheng nodded slightly, "It won't happen again."
"There are new regulations from above, so we'll handle this as a special case. Don't worry."
Hearing Yu Zecheng say this, Yang Xiaotao stopped asking questions and simply said, "Give me a box of that medicine, let's take a look at it."
Yu Zecheng narrowed his eyes. "What do you want to do?"
"I'm not doing anything, I'm just curious and want to do some research."
Yang Xiaotao spoke casually, but Yu Zecheng's expression was serious. "No, this thing can't be touched casually."
"Don't touch it either, it's dangerous."
Yang Xiaotao put down the shovel, turned his head and smiled, "Old Yu, let me ask you, is a gun dangerous?"
Yu Zecheng frowned but did not answer.
He understood what Yang Xiaotao meant and was clear about the implications of those words.
But he knew the harm that thing could cause, so he kept quiet about it.
Yang Xiaotao continued, "Old Yu, to them this thing is a gun, a weapon."
"Since they're weapons, if others have them, why shouldn't we?"
Yu Zecheng remained silent, only taking out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and smoking them until Yang Xiaotao finished cooking, still without saying a word.
The next day, Yu Zecheng delivered the confiscated 'anti-inflammatory drugs' to the airport. After a thorough inspection, the plane took off towards the northwest inland.
Watching the plane gradually disappear, Yu Zecheng recalled what Yang Xiaotao had said: since it's a weapon, if others have it, we should have it too.
Deep down, Yu Zecheng still hoped that this kind of demon would be locked in Pandora's box forever.
But if that box were ever opened one day, then...
They also need a key to open the box.