Jiang Ming looked at his yard with some suspicion, yes... it's here.
But why is something wrong?
The area in front of the door was clean, with no weeds or dead leaves... it was even cleaner than when he lived at home.
Even the wooden door that was kicked in by someone when he was running around all night has been repaired and reinstalled. It is quite strong to the touch and is much stronger than before...
"Is it possible that someone has taken over the magpie's nest?" Jiang Ming said to himself, is Jiang Da's reputation as a villain no longer good?
However, when he opened the door and walked into the courtyard, it was just as he had first imagined. There were dry grass everywhere and rotten branches and leaves piled up in several layers.
"It seems that I am worrying too much..."
At this moment, a burst of voices sounded not far away.
"Dad, the meal is ready."
"Don't panic, wait until I finish repairing this chair in Old Wang's house..."
Jiang Ming turned around and looked. In another small courtyard next to him, a young girl wearing coarse cloth clothes with a somewhat delicate appearance was carrying food under the eaves and handing it to an old man with gray hair.
The old man's body was stooped and his hands were calloused. It looked like he had worked hard all his life. He was immersed in dumping a broken wooden chair. He glanced at the rice bowl and continued to dump...
"Huh? Is there anyone living here?" Jiang Ming raised his eyebrows.
Jiang Ming learned from the memory of his predecessor that no one had lived in the yard next door for more than ten years. It was so dilapidated that no one was willing to clean it up even if he had just moved to town. He might as well build a new house.
At this time, the girl also noticed Jiang Ming, and quickly waved her hand and said: "We are newly moved here, my name is Li Qingqing, and this is my dad... Please forgive me if I disturb you."
Jiang Ming smiled and said: "I would also like to thank you for helping me clean the front door and repair the courtyard door."
The neighbor on the other side is a fat woman, but she doesn’t have the kindness to do this. It’s okay if she doesn’t take out the garbage at Jiang Ming’s house...
"Ah, how do you know we did it?" Li Qingqing said in surprise, then smiled sheepishly:
"After we moved in, we were cleaning, and I saw grass growing in front of your house, so I just cleaned it up. However, I didn't dare to enter the yard for fear that the owner would be angry when he came back..."
"And that door was built by my father. Is his craftsmanship good?" Li Qingqing said, his tone inexplicably proud.
"It's simply amazing." Jiang Ming praised seriously, said a few more polite words, and finally sent over some dried wild mushrooms to express his gratitude...
There was a mess inside and outside the house. Jiang Ming simply didn't bother to clean it up, so he threw away the medicine basket and walked out the door.
In the town, there is a lively scene everywhere. This year... the people in the city behave like the people in the city, and the people in the town behave like the people in the town...
A pig is cut into fine pieces, some only need half a catty, some only take the skin, and some just buy some fat and are satisfied...
There are more wild vegetables in the mountains, dried and pickled... steaming, cooking and boiling are just a few more dishes. As for frying... that must be done by those who can afford the fat...
If anyone could put out a few dried hares and pheasants at this time, it would be enough to occupy the highest point of contempt among the neighbors...
After all, it is said that you have to rely on the mountains to survive, but not everyone can survive in the mountains...
…
The tavern is the same as before, but it seems more dilapidated.
Lao Zhoutou looks even older. Now he can no longer even drink "tongue". He can only drink a glass of medicinal wine to nourish his body, and then his granddaughter will help him go home.
"Hey, this is what martial arts practitioners are like. When you get old, you will be in danger of life and death when winter comes..." There was no one in the store, so Old Jiangtou stood up and sat at the same table with Jiang Ming, and sighed: "I hope Old Zhoutou can live a few more years."
…”
"I think back then, Lao Zhoutou and I could drink ten kilograms..."
Lao Jiangtou kept chattering, talking about the past, and boasting about some real or fake things... Jiang Ming didn't talk to him, and drank sip after sip of wine.
It is not easy for the older generation to find someone who can listen to them... At this time, all you have to do is listen.
As he talked, Lao Jiangtou got a little drunk and fell asleep on the table...
Ah Fei, carrying a towel on his back, came over after clearing several wine tables, shook his head helplessly and said: "Several old people have left this winter, and Master Jiang seems to have lost most of his energy..."
The two of them worked together to lift Lao Jiangtou to the bed in the inner room, and then sat back at the wine table.
"How's the marriage going?" Jiang Ming asked.
Ah Fei chuckled: "On the 19th of the twelfth lunar month, we will set up two tables of food in my courtyard. Brother Ming, you must come!"
Jiang Ming clapped his chopsticks: "What nonsense are you talking about? I already have all the money, so why don't you go? You want to take advantage of me, right..."
"How dare you, little one?" A Fei played with his treasures and then said, "By the way, have you met your new neighbor?"
Jiang Ming nodded: "He's a nice guy. He fixed all my doors."
"Who says it's not the case? Old Li Tou's carpentry skills have spread throughout Pingan Town, and many people are looking for him to repair wood and make furniture."
A Fei shook his head: "And his daughter Li Qingqing... If she doesn't get married soon, she will have a banquet one day later than me."
Ah Fei mentioned his name again. Jiang Ming had met him a few times. He couldn't say he was very outstanding, but he was quite honest.
Life in the town is like this. There is no one who is picky and picky about the right people. It’s pretty much just make do...
…
The days are approaching the New Year's Eve, and Jiang Ming has completely relaxed. He pulls weeds at home and goes to town to buy some wine and meat to prepare for the New Year.
We get along very well with the new neighbors. Old Li Tou and Li Qingqing often come to help Jiang Ming clean the yard.
Jiang Ming is also very interested in Old Li Tou's carpentry work. In his spare time, he will follow Old Li Tou on the streets and learn carpentry work...
For Jiang Ming, just practicing cultivation on the road to immortality is too boring. Learning some skills can add a bit of fun. He even plans to find an opportunity to learn the brewing technology secretly hidden by Lao Jiangtou...
The nineteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
A Fei officially got married, wearing unpatched clothes, and the bride covered her head with a red cloth, and was sent into the bridal chamber in a lively manner.
Lao Zhou was ill in bed and could not come to the wedding banquet, so Jiang Ming paid his share of the money.
The twentieth day of the twelfth lunar month.
Jiang Ming and A Fei came to Lao Tou Li's house together, preparing to drink Li Qingqing's wedding wine. The young man had no father or mother, so he could be regarded as marrying into the Li family.
Everything was normal at the banquet. Jiang Ming also met Li Qingqing's brother. He heard that he was working as a servant in a big family in Fucheng. He took a leave of absence today for his sister's wedding.
However, her brother only showed up once and offered a toast to each table, and then disappeared again soon after.
"Why is this brother so mysterious..." A Fei asked curiously.
Jiang Ming was about to speak when there was a sudden noise outside the hospital, and then there was a scream.