Early in the morning, Lu Jun arrived in the small town. Chen Jian thought he was here to pick up his dog, but then he saw his colleague and Lao Ding from the town management office in the car.
He was here for work.
The Lantern Festival hadn’t even passed, but the workaholic and his colleague had already finished their New Year celebrations.
The moment Shiwu saw Lu Jun, it went crazy, wagging its head and tail. Its tail swung its butt along with it, like a propeller. Mushroom watched from the side, very confused, but also actively cooperated, barking and wagging its tail along.
“Thanks a lot,” Lu Jun said, squatting down and hugging Shiwu’s neck. He also managed to spare a hand to stroke Mushroom’s head a few times.
“It’s actually quite well-behaved,” Shan Yu said. “If you’re ever out of town in the future, just send it over.”
“If you say that, I’ll really send it over from now on,” Lu Jun said.
“Send it,” Shan Yu said. “It’s been working for us these past few days. Guests all have to take a few pictures when they see it, and it even knows how to pose.”
“I teach it when I have nothing better to do at home,” Lu Jun said with a smile.
You have nothing better to do?
Chen Jian was shocked to hear this on the side. A person who works until two in the morning still has free time…
“We’ll go to Shannan later to see those steles,” Lu Jun said. “The video footage from last time wasn’t enough. I brought people over this time to film more carefully.”
“Chen Jian should come along,” Shan Yu said, glancing at Chen Jian. “You’re familiar with that area, right?”
“Pretty much,” Chen Jian nodded.
“Have you had breakfast?” Shan Yu asked Lu Jun and the others. “If not, we have some simple things here.”
“We’ve eaten. Lao Ding hasn’t, right?” Lu Jun said.
“Xiao Chen, can you get me a couple of buns or pancakes or something?” Lao Ding said. “Something I can take with me.”
“It’s fine. You can go inside and eat. We’ll wait for you,” Lu Jun said.
“No, no, no, no, no…” Lao Ding waved his hands.
Lao Ding had lived quite a comfortable life at the management office for many years. It didn’t matter to him whether the small town had tourists or not. He spent his days drinking tea, strolling around the town, and sending notifications to the merchants in the WeChat group.
Since Lu Jun arrived, his work had suddenly become much busier. In the past, he would take at least twenty minutes for breakfast, something hot, with both liquid and solid food…
Now, he could only have the two buns and a cup of soy milk that Chen Jian had packed for him.
Fortunately, the soy milk was made by Zhao Fangfang, very fragrant and rich, much better than the kind sold at the breakfast stalls.
Just as the group was about to get in the car, He Liang suddenly appeared outside the gate of Dayin’s courtyard.
“Boss Shan,” he greeted.
“Morning,” Shan Yu responded.
“Director Lu,” He Liang accurately identified Lu Jun in the crowd and walked into the courtyard with a smile. “You’re here so early?”
Lu Jun didn’t speak, just looked at him.
Chen Jian had always thought Lu Jun was quite approachable and didn’t put on any airs. It was only now, facing the uninvited He Liang, that he suddenly felt the “leader” aura from Lu Jun.
“And you are?” Lu Jun’s assistant took a step forward and looked at He Liang.
“I’m the owner of Liangye next door, He Liang,” He Liang said, taking out his business card and handing it over. “One of the organizers of the bonfire festival…”
Lu Jun didn’t take the business card. His assistant took it. “Is there something you need?”
“No, no,” He Liang said. “I heard Director Lu was here, so I thought I’d see if there’s anything I can help with…”
“Who did you hear it from?” Lu Jun asked, looking at him.
He Liang was stunned. He probably hadn’t expected Lu Jun to be so blunt. He glanced at Shan Yu with some embarrassment.
What are you looking at?
Are you trying to say Shan Yu told you?
Chen Jian stared at He Liang.
“Did you see someone over there?” Shan Yu said.
“Yes, yes,” He Liang nodded vigorously. “Someone from our side saw them and told me. That’s how I heard, so I hurried over…”
Chen Jian couldn’t help but glance at Shan Yu. Ever since Shan Yu had arrived, he had never given He Liang any face. Now, just as Chen Jian was waiting to see He Liang make a fool of himself, he didn’t expect Shan Yu to give him a way out.
“Mhm,” Lu Jun responded and said no more, turning to get into Shan Yu’s car.
“You drive,” Shan Yu instructed Chen Jian, then pulled open the back door and sat down.
Boss?
When there’s a leader in your car, you’re letting your ‘assistant’ who just got his license less than a month ago drive?
“Mhm,” Chen Jian could only respond. He couldn’t say much in front of Lu Jun.
Shan Yu sat in the back to make it easier to talk to Lu Jun. If he didn’t drive, he would have to sit in the back and talk to Lu Jun… which was no less difficult than chatting with President Liu…
Driving was easier.
He got into the driver’s seat. Lao Ding sat in the passenger seat.
Lu Jun’s car followed behind theirs, with his assistant and a colleague inside.
As the two cars drove out of the courtyard one after another, He Liang stepped aside with an awkward yet resilient smile, watching them leave.
“Should we go directly to Shitoubao?” Chen Jian asked.
“Mhm,” Shan Yu responded. “Is that place called Shitoubao?”
“Yes, it’s all rocks,” Chen Jian said. “But we usually just call that area Shannan.”
“There are only a few households left in the village now,” Lao Ding explained. “Director Lu should have seen it when he visited last time. That area is all hilly land, nothing can be grown there. It’s very poor.”
“Yes,” Lu Jun looked out the car window. “The old village here is the same, maybe a little better.”
“We’re now counting on tourism to boost the economy for everyone,” Lao Ding said. “The New Year period was pretty good. Boss Shan’s guesthouse business was quite good, right?”
“Not bad,” Shan Yu said. “But there aren’t enough special tourism projects, and there are too few farm-to-table restaurants. A lot of tourists want to come for the New Year, but where to eat is still a problem.”
“The first batch of people needs to make money before others will follow,” Lu Jun said. “Someone still needs to take the lead.”
“I’ll be meeting with the leaders of a few villages in the next few days,” Lao Ding said. “It’s also very promising for the young people in the village to come back and start their own businesses.”
Chen Jian listened to the discussion in the car while keeping his eyes on the road. With Shan Yu there, he was quite relaxed in this kind of situation. He didn’t need to say much, just answer a couple of questions if asked.
But if Shan Yu wasn’t there…
He really wouldn’t know how to continue the conversation.
At times like this, he could understand Sanbing’s confusion.
From the small town through the old town to Shannan, it was only about a half-hour drive. That’s why Lu Jun had always planned to develop Shitoubao, this ancient village, as a whole with the small town—a cultural journey of steles among the red-leaf mountain forests.
Chen Jian used to come here to play often as a child. When he was at an age where he didn’t have to worry about anything and only cared about having fun, Shitoubao was a magnificent place.
Tall various stone carvings, sculptures, steles, memorial arches… he loved to climb them. When he reached the top, he would feel very accomplished.
After he grew up, he had basically never come back.
When he came today, he found that everything seemed different from his memory.
It had shrunk.
All the stones seemed to have shrunk. The stone lion that used to take him a long time to climb with difficulty now leaned against the pillar of the memorial arch, only reaching his shoulder height.
And those steles that he had to brace himself on both sides and hold his breath to climb were now just within arm’s reach.
The group walked around the village. Even the village itself seemed to have shrunk. The already small number of households in his memory had decreased even further. Lao Ding asked an old man who was feeding chickens in front of his house, and found out that there were only about ten households left in the village now, all of them elderly.
Lu Jun’s colleague brought a camera and a drone. They set up their equipment in an open space in the village and began filming.
Lu Jun and Shan Yu slowly examined the steles and stone carvings one by one. Chen Jian followed behind, listening and occasionally taking a few pictures with his phone.
From the inscriptions on the steles, this village had existed since the Ming Dynasty, a truly ancient village. However, it was small and poor, and the protection was not in place. Many old buildings had already been damaged. You could still see dismantled parts on the side of the road, stone windows with carved flowers, and foundation stones covered in mud.
“Is this a stone drum?” Lao Ding asked, leaning in to look at a foundation stone.
“It’s a column base,” Shan Yu said. “A foundation stone for supporting a pillar.”
“Oh,” Lao Ding nodded.
“Boss Shan seems to have done some research,” Lu Jun said.
“Not really. I just saw it somewhere and remembered it,” Shan Yu smiled.
There were also some broken steles on the side of the road. Lu Jun and Shan Yu stopped to look at them together. The inscriptions on them were blurry, with no beginning, end, or punctuation. Anyway, Chen Jian couldn’t understand them.
But Lu Jun and Shan Yu could pretty much read them smoothly. It was probably about the founder of the village transporting grain for a certain battle…
Lao Ding listened with great interest, asking a question or two from time to time.
Chen Jian remained silent.
It was only at this moment that he felt that even with the same high school education, the gap could be so large.
And that wasn’t the reason for his silence. After all, he had always known there was a gap between him and Shan Yu.
What silenced him was… jealousy.
It was very absurd.
When he saw Shan Yu and Lu Jun discussing so enthusiastically, he felt a strong sense of unease.
And a thick sense of jealousy.
That’s Lu Jun, Chen Jian, the leader of the city’s culture and tourism bureau. What does this have to do with anything!
But they were getting along very well.
Lu Jun is working. He’s a workaholic who sleeps at two in the morning…
But he seems to be single.
Right, a person who is so busy with work that he doesn’t even get married…
But they were getting along very well.
Shan Yu is also cooperating with the city’s work…
But they were getting along very well.
Chen Jian could clearly explain every point he cared about in his mind, but this feeling still couldn’t be eliminated.
Damn it.
This was what it meant to be jealous.
For the first time in his life, he knew what it felt like to be jealous.
It was truly something else.
In such a situation, at such a moment.
To have such a bizarre experience.
“That lion…” Lao Ding was very eager to learn, fully immersed in asking questions. “Is it also from the Ming Dynasty?”
“This one should be from the Qing,” Lu Jun said. “Ming Dynasty lions are more ferocious, with a stronger sense of muscle and power.”
“Oh…” Lao Ding nodded and walked around the lion.
When Chen Jian was a child and climbed this lion, he thought it was very thin, looking like a dog.
Tsk.
He learned something new.
“Director Lu has really done his research,” Shan Yu said.
Of course, he knows everything.
“I didn’t know much before,” Lu Jun said. “I did some promotion for a few ancient villages before, so I learned a little… It’s a bit of a pity here. The preservation is too poor…”
“But there are still many old houses,” Shan Yu said. “We can combine it with the concept of folk old houses.”
“Mhm,” Lu Jun nodded.
Speaking of folk old houses, the group started walking towards the area where the old houses were concentrated.
Chen Jian followed at the back of the group.
Lu Jun and Shan Yu were discussing, Lao Ding was learning, Lu Jun’s colleague was taking pictures, and his assistant was taking notes.
The only person with nothing to do was Chen Jian, who was strolling at the back.
Or rather, not even an assistant. At best, he was a driver.
Lu Jun and his colleague went into an uninhabited courtyard. Chen Jian didn’t follow them in, but stood on the roadside outside, waiting and taking some pictures with his phone.
Although he didn’t understand those things, the scene of this row of desolate and peaceful old houses was still very beautiful.
He casually opened the video camera and slowly recorded a shot from near to far.
“Your technique is pretty good,” Shan Yu’s voice came from right behind his ear.
Chen Jian jolted violently, almost throwing his phone.
He reflexively jumped forward a step before turning his head to see Shan Yu standing behind him with a smile.
“Are you crazy?” Chen Jian scratched his neck, glanced into the courtyard next to them—everyone was still inside—and lowered his head to turn off the video.
“Why didn’t you go in?” Shan Yu walked over to his side.
“I’m tired of looking at these things from my childhood,” Chen Jian said. “It’s you city people who find them novel.”
Shan Yu didn’t speak, just smiled.
Chen Jian looked at him. “What’s wrong?”
“What’s wrong with you?” Shan Yu asked in a low voice.
“I’m fine,” Chen Jian said.
“Really?” Shan Yu tilted his head and stared at him.
“Go do your business,” Chen Jian turned his head away. “What are you doing here chatting with me?”
“Business is too tiring,” Shan Yu said. “I’m here to find some warmth from you.”
“There is none,” Chen Jian said. “My heart is as hard as iron right now.”
Shan Yu started laughing, and even laughed a little too loudly without controlling himself.
Chen Jian didn’t laugh or make a sound, just lowered his head and opened the camera to continue taking pictures.
“Chen Jian,” Shan Yu’s voice dropped.
“Hm?” Chen Jian responded.
“This is my first time in a relationship too,” Shan Yu said. “I don’t have much experience…”
“Yes, it’s a process of accumulating experience,” Lao Ding’s voice came from the courtyard. “I also need to learn more…”
“When we get back, you’re going to tell me what’s wrong with you,” Shan Yu said quickly. “Or I’ll…”
“Or you’ll what?” Chen Jian immediately asked.
“I’ll show you how we city people make a scene,” Shan Yu said, then turned and walked towards the courtyard gate. “If we develop these folk old houses, we can connect them with the old village over there…”
“Right,” Lao Ding said. “There are also many old houses in the old village. The villagers just set up their own stalls or simple restaurants. There’s a lack of planning.”
“Mhm,” Lu Jun nodded. When he saw Chen Jian standing outside the gate, he asked, “Manager Chen probably doesn’t feel much when he sees these things, right? He’s used to them.”
“I still feel something,” Chen Jian said. “Although the feeling might be different. When I look at these things… it’s the feeling of home, I guess. It’s very familiar.”
“That’s a very interesting perspective,” Lu Jun looked at him. “A journey back home. Manager Chen is a very thoughtful person.”
How did you figure that out?
Chen Jian smiled without saying anything, not knowing what to say.
“Shan Yu sent me the ideas you collected before…” Lu Jun said.
Oh, so Chen Jian is Manager Chen, but Boss Shan is just Shan Yu.
…Wait a minute.
What ideas? And he sent them to Lu Jun?
“So some things still need a local to notice them,” Lu Jun said to Lao Ding.
“Right, right,” Lao Ding nodded. “And he’s young, with a flexible mind.”
Chen Jian looked at Shan Yu. Shan Yu smiled.
Chen Jian realized. The notepad he had sent to Shan Yu that day—Shan Yu hadn’t gone to President Liu to brag, but had gone to Lu Jun instead.
After spending two hours in Shitoubao and Lu Jun’s colleague finished taking pictures, they drove back.
“Does Director Lu have any plans for lunch?” Shan Yu asked.
“I do,” Lu Jun said. “Pick up my dog, and go back to the office.”
Shan Yu started laughing.
“We’ve talked enough for today. No need to arrange for a meal,” Lu Jun said. “At the end of the month, President He and his team are bringing an experience group over. Hosting that group well is worth ten meals.”
“Alright,” Shan Yu nodded with a smile.
When they got back to Dayin, Hu Pan had already brought Shiwu to the front yard, and its luggage was all packed.
But when he got out of the car, Chen Jian saw that the person holding Shiwu’s leash was actually Xiao Dou’er.
“Xiao Dou’er? You’re back?” he called out.
“It’s me!” Xiao Dou’er ran over, holding Shiwu’s leash. “Happy New Year, Brother Chen Jian!”
“Hey, Happy New Year,” Chen Jian hugged her. “Come inside later, brother will give you a red envelope.”
“Happy New Year, Brother Boss,” Xiao Dou’er turned back and shouted at Shan Yu.
“Happy New Year,” Shan Yu came over and stroked her little braid.
Xiao Dou’er was a polite child. The Lantern Festival hadn’t passed yet, so in her mind, she had to wish everyone a happy new year. So she turned to Lu Jun, who had just gotten out of the car.
“Dou’er! Let’s go,” Chen Jian quickly picked up Xiao Dou’er and turned to go inside.
But Lu Jun had already gotten out of the car and was smiling at Xiao Dou’er.
“Happy New Year, Uncle!” Xiao Dou’er shouted crisply.
“Happy New Year,” Lu Jun responded with a smile, waving at her. Then his hand went into his jacket. “Come here.”
“No, no, no…” This time, even the usually calm Shan Yu was anxious, directly blocking Lu Jun. “Director Lu, this isn’t appropriate…”
“It’s appropriate,” Lu Jun said, taking out a red envelope and handing it to Xiao Dou’er. “I always keep some for children. It’s the New Year, after all.”
Xiao Dou’er was a smart child. She could already understand Chen Jian’s and Shan Yu’s reactions.
“Thank you, Uncle,” she said, putting her hand in her pocket. “I don’t want it.”
“Now look what you two have done,” Lu Jun looked at Shan Yu.
“Take it, Xiao Dou’er,” Shan Yu smiled.
Xiao Dou’er hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took the red envelope. “Thank you, Uncle!”
Lu Jun was actually a pretty nice person.
Chen Jian thought to himself as he watched Lu Jun’s car drive out of the courtyard.
But he quickly became unhappy again.
It’s precisely because he’s a nice person!
So!
He glanced at Shan Yu.
Shan Yu was also looking at him. When their eyes met, he poked him directly on the forehead, and as he walked into the house, he threw out a sentence, “You’re it.”
