Chapter 35: Every Family Has Its Own Champion Scholar

  However, Dan Yong understood this Lei brother, and with a calm expression, he pulled out the rice from his shoulder, gestured with the tree branch frame in his hand, and smiled: "Don't you think you're getting smart too late? I've already finished my work, but you just realized it. This doesn't seem like the genius Lei brother of the past. Is something bothering you?"

  "That's right, since I've been troubled by emotions, my IQ has indeed decreased." Lei Dapeng plopped down beside the stove, his pleased expression evident.

  This sentence was the most shocking, Liu Cuicloud was shocked and knew who Leida Peng was referring to. She exchanged glances with Simu Xian, both staring at Wang Huating, the team leader. Wang Huating's chest heaved slightly with indignation. It wasn't a bad thing for men to admire her, but there was this foolish guy who admired her every day and even dared to say it out loud in front of everyone. She was so angry that she didn't know what to do.

  Sneaking a peek at Shan Yong, Wang Huating found that his piercing eyes were also fixed on her. Suddenly, she felt a pang in her heart, and without saying a word, it seemed like he was intentionally provoking Lei Dapeng to fire wildly. In an instant, their eyes met, and Shan Yong nodded sympathetically: "Understood, extremely understood, after all, we're brothers. So you should quickly develop your feelings; now is the time when the pavilion nearest the water enjoys the moon first."

  "Of course, emotions and ideals can't be delayed." Lei Dapeng said with a smirk, even he himself was awkward.

  Pu Sheng Simu bit her lip, her voice suppressed in her nasal cavity, really didn't dare to laugh. Liu Cuicloud also laughed, but the class monitor didn't laugh and had a somewhat displeased expression. The most embarrassing one was Wang Huating. Fortunately, Lei Ge also showed some sympathy, seeing that Wang Huating's expression wasn't good, he changed the subject: "Egg brother, let's not talk about this... Let's talk about food, are you really going to do that thing?"

  "Of course, I've been practicing that delicious dish for many years, but the problem is that it's hard to find good ingredients... The unpolluted environment here is just right, and there are plenty of them."

  "That's... there were a lot more on the tree at the head of the village."

  "Not there, by the wheat field. You'll trample the wheat and whose fault will it be? Find an open space, or it won't be easy to catch if it falls."

  "This is indeed... Or should I go look again this afternoon?"

  "No need to look, I've already spotted it, that patch at the temple entrance..."

  "That's right, there aren't many over there either."

  This said, Lei Dapeng didn't show any foolishness at all, speaking sternly and seriously, as if it were some major decision. Several people listened with a confused expression, Wang Huating, Liu Cuicui, and Ding Yizhi naturally didn't understand the secret discussion between San Yong and the others, they all looked at Si Muxian, who had an urge to mock him, smiling and speaking in a sarcastic tone:

  "They are talking about a bird in the Pycnonotidae family, which has the effects of moistening the lungs and stomach, tonifying the kidneys and benefiting Qi. It is suitable for patients with waist and knee weakness, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, etc."

  This made Wang Hua-ting and the others even more confused, but Lei Da-peng directly said with disdain: "Look at you, you're so sour, even a sparrow can be dragged on for so long? Why don't you say that it's also good for tonifying kidney and strengthening yang?"

  Si Mu Xian let out a cry of surprise, and the two girls' faces turned slightly red. But now they knew that Single Courage had been busy these days cutting branches, making mud pellets, and chopping tree forks, all in preparation for shooting sparrows. Liu Cuiyun took this opportunity to say to Single Courage: "Single Courage, with just a slingshot, can you hit a big bird? A sparrow's body has only so much meat."

  "Haha, Cuihua, you don't know this, but I'm the best at playing with this thing. My skills are honed from practice, and within 30 meters, my shots never miss. Ah, didn't I tell you about this before?" Lei Dapeng said proudly. Liu Cuicloud looked surprised and said: "Sparrows are so small, is it that easy to hit? Didn't you used to say you were shooting at the classroom and teacher's house windows?"

  Shan Yong and Si Mu Xian smiled, Wang Hua Ting and Ding Yi Zhi's eyes narrowed, but unexpectedly there was such a thing. Lei Da Peng proudly patted his chest and said: "Of course, I've been practicing since elementary school to accurately break the teacher's glass... every day I hang an eggshell to practice, by the time I graduated from high school, I basically never missed a shot. They say it's easy to hit someone's nose but not their eyes, one shot with my bow and arrow can even go through the hole in the protective net, hitting sparrows is no big deal?"

  These few people listened with a smile, the class leader and branch secretary looked at each other, lost their appetite, seemingly not very satisfied with these people's behavior. Finally, they picked up the conversation, the class leader put down his bowl and interjected, saying directly: "You guys don't just think about doing these useless things, besides, what's so good to eat about sparrows? Can't you find them at the barbecue stalls in town? They're disgusting."

  "Just one look and you can tell it's not the real deal, those skewers are just dead sparrows, the taste is far off. What was the name of that dish we made, younger brother? You remember what it was called, don't you? We had it back in our sophomore year..." Lei Dapeng asked.

  "Rise from the ashes like a phoenix." Si Mu Xian said with a sour tone.

  Wang Huating also laughed, and the rumor in the hospital was often spread that "wenqing plus two, who can defeat under heaven". One nonsense, one quoting classics, it really seemed to be the case. Now, Le Dapeng pulled out his famous phrase: "Did you hear? Phoenix meat... is better than phoenix meat, this meat is more tender and fragrant when smaller and less in quantity. At least it's much more tender and fragrant than chicken and duck raised at home or goose meat served in restaurants. Really, if you haven't tried it before, after eating that thing, try eating chicken and duck again, it's a world of difference."

  Lei Da Peng bragged for half a day, but couldn't convince the two girls who didn't care about verbal sparring. Not only did they not care, but they also thought this was too cruel. With Lei's stomach, how many innocent lives would be stuffed in there?

  Wang Hua-ting held her lecture notes in one hand and unfolded a newspaper with the other, trying to persuade him: "According to reports, a hospital in the south removed several centimeters of live worms from a patient's skull. It is said that this may be caused by eating wild animals. Eighty percent of wild animals carry various parasitic worms and endogenous toxins. Those who are infected are usually those who like to indulge in delicacies. Life on earth has survived through many years of natural selection, and we should learn to treat every life with kindness. In this regard, European and American countries have done a very good job, with perfect wildlife protection laws..."

  Speaking fluently and reasonably, the class monitor and Liu Cuicloud nodded frequently, Wang Huating's prestige among students was not low either, especially among girls, her prestige was very high. Every time she spoke, there was a kind of dignified and elegant demeanor, without any doubt. Given the passage of time, with her family background, she would be speaking as some leader in the future.

  As soon as Wang Huating said that, Lei Dapeng was hesitant and looked at Shan Yong with a puzzled expression, asking: "Egg brother, are we really so bad at studying? Have we eaten our brains?"

  This time, Wang Huating was really amused and burst out laughing. Everyone laughed too, it seems that the team leader's influence is still quite great, even Dan Yong's loyal followers are starting to waver. Dan Yong packed up his things, stood up, called out to Si Mu Xian to wash the pots and pans, and glanced at Wang Huating saying:

  "What you said is not wrong, but what you ignored is that if it were just survival of the fittest, things wouldn't be so discordant now. The toxins in meat, eggs, and grains we buy from supermarkets or farmers' markets, such as hormones, pesticides, food additives, and fertilizers, far exceed those found on wild animals. Human disasters are greater than natural ones.

  Moreover, using Western standards is even more absurd. Their premise for protecting the environment is to shift pollution to developing countries. The low-carbon scam hasn't ended yet...

  As for animal protection, which one is more ridiculous? On one hand, they protect wildlife, and on the other hand, they kill people and set fires in Iraq. Which is more important, animals or humans?

  To put it simply, if not for Western high society, China's Tibetan antelopes wouldn't be on the verge of extinction... We hunt a few sparrows, is that worth making such a big fuss?"

  This sharp tongue, however, left Wang Huating at a loss for words. She snorted and said, "I won't argue with you, just don't make trouble, tomorrow the department head and class advisor will inspect the practice points again, so don't mess things up."

  Having said that, he stood up and left with a flick of his sleeve. Liu Cuicui pouted her mouth and gave Si Muxian a look, then walked away. Class monitor Ding Yizhi shook his head and also left.

  The camp was divided into two, and only these three were left. Because of Wang Huating's sake, the feelings between the brothers seemed to have a slight crack, at least Lei Dapeng was wavering, wanting to follow Wang Huating, but couldn't bear to leave Egg Brother and the delicious food that Egg Brother was about to cook. Si Muxian saw through it and asked Lei Dapeng with a smile: "Second brother, one side is brothers, one side is women, now it's time for you to make a decision... either I go with Old Big, or you stay with Zhu Shu."

  "How can that be? Eat well, play well, die quickly... How could good things be lacking for me, why bother him so much?"

  Lei Dapeng finally made up his mind, not standing on the woman's side or Egg Brother's side, but still standing on the stomach's standpoint.

  ………………

  ………………

  There were many disputes among classmates, but they did not affect the friendship between them. In the afternoon, it seemed as if nothing had happened, and after finishing class, Zhang Changgen rode his old bicycle home. From his point of view, with the arrival of several high-caliber interns at Luan Institute, the burden of teaching was greatly reduced, which saved a lot of trouble, especially Wang Huating, Ding Yizhi, Si Muxian, and Liu Cuiyun. Compared to them, Daxiong and Da Peng were much stronger, but they also had their uses, at least in terms of logistics work, which was done quite well. No one complained about food or sleep, which saved a lot of trouble. The old man hummed a country tune as he slowly rode his bicycle home.

  After school, Lei Dapeng and Shan Yong started cooking dinner. Ci Muxian helped with fetching water, while Ding Yizhi was a bookworm who wasn't good at household chores. The two girls were also a bit spoiled, used to having everything ready for them. Except for preparing lessons, they would usually take a walk around the village near school. Today was no exception. Carrying their washbasins, they took advantage of Shan Yong and Lei Dapeng's cooking time to go wash clothes by the small river about a mile away.

  The most beautiful countryside scenery is the one that has not been affected by urbanization. At least, Wang Hua-ting thinks that even among the top ten charming cities, there may not be such clear water, green trees and quiet environment. Along the way, little lambs bleat back to their pens, old hens cluck and lead a group of chicks back to their nests, villagers driving carts greet the two teachers with a smile, and the tall donkey snorts loudly, looking very majestic. The rural children who have just finished school are also busy, running around in the fields, either helping with farm work or playing in groups by the trees and rivers.

  Two people got into the river, found a familiar shallow spot, half-leg deep, where they could clearly see the sand and stones at the bottom. The clothes that had been soaked were now being washed with soap, and the river water immediately produced a layer of white foam. In this river, there were still groups of tadpoles and small fish swimming around. Sometimes, when you scooped up a basin of water, you could catch several of them. Wang Huating was washing clothes, taking in the scenery, and unintentionally saw that Liu Cuicui was washing a shirt with Sima Xian's name on it. She laughed and asked: "Hey, Cuicui, have you already started doing his laundry? How far have things progressed between you two?"

  "Ah, Hua Ting, don't laugh at me, if you want to find someone to do your laundry for you, there are plenty of people who'd be willing," Liu Cuicui said with a smile. This unassuming girl's romance was just like her appearance - quiet and unobtrusive, seemingly already ripe and ready to fall into place. Every time she saw her exchanging sweet glances with Si Mu Xian, it even made Wang Hua Ting feel a little envious.

  Upon hearing this, Wang Huating said with a self-deprecating tone: "What? You're talking about Lei Dapeng?"

  "Hehe, don't mind him, Hua Ting Jie, Da Peng is just a simple guy, actually quite honest, don't take it too seriously. He really does have a crush on you, and even our class monitor has a crush on you." Liu Cuiyun said.

  "Cut it out," Wang Hua-ting said with a smile.

  "You can tell from his eyes. Our class monitor is a recognized talent, he just doesn't like to talk much." Liu Cuicui said.

  Wang Hua-ting shook her head, smiled wryly, and that class leader from Yun City, hundreds of kilometers away from Lanzhou, had deliberately stayed behind for an internship. What was the point of it all? She couldn't help but notice. However, that solemn and unsmiling class leader, apart from studying, really didn't give her any other feelings to cultivate.

  Noticing the change in the team leader's expression, Liu Cuicui quietly approached and whispered: "Hua Ting sister, you like Jian Yong, right?"

  "Ah?!" Wang Huating was startled, her clothes almost drifting away with the river current. She was frightened and quickly covered it up, "Nonsense! I just like Lei Dapeng but don't have feelings for him. Look at his arrogant personality."

  "He's really something... With just one call to action, half of the school's students supported him. You were there that day too, I reckon he'll become the dream lover for many girls now, haha, anyway, Si Mu Xian is completely devoted to following him." Liu Cuiyun said with a smile.

  "Who cares." Wang Hua Ting said casually, washing clothes absent-mindedly, without noticing that her soap had slipped onto the stone.

  Having guessed the thoughts of the team leader, Liu Cuicloud smiled secretly in her heart, but didn't expose it. After a while, it was Wang Huating who couldn't hold back and asked Liu Cuicloud: "Cuicloud, do you know that Zuo Xiying, the daughter of Professor Zuo who taught us philosophy...and him?"

  It's not clear, but Liu Cuicui had already guessed the meaning of Zhi Shu. To say who was closest to those three, it would be her. Smiling, she replied: "I'm not too sure either, I heard from Mu Xian that they met Left Professor and his daughter while fishing at Zhangze Reservoir... then somehow Left Professor, a foodie, ended up having dinner at Dan Yong's house in Xiangmadian Village... later that day you saw it during the lecture, Dan Yong mustered up the courage to pursue her... strangely enough, it seems he succeeded, Mu Xian said Dan Yong took Left Xiaojie on an electric bike for a ride around Lucheng City all day."

  Liu Cuicloud seemed to know that it wasn't comprehensive, but enough to make Wang Huating feel jealous. Some women with excellent conditions have no feelings for men who are too obedient. Wang Huating is one of them. Shan Yong led the brothers to skip class, fight, sit still, and cause trouble. Such a brilliant person can't be low-key, and it's unknown when that brilliance will shine into this girl's heart. Liu Cuicloud's few words made Wang Huating snort in disdain: "He's bragging and you guys believe him. You probably don't know the background of the Zuo family? Although Zuo Nanxia is a professor, his eldest daughter Zuo Xierong is the chairman of Tianji Aluminum Zinc Chemical Industry... Otherwise, why would the municipal leaders come out to welcome her when she returns to her hometown?"

  "Ah! Such a big deal. Doesn't that mean Wang Yong has risen to the top overnight?" Liu Cuicui said with a hint of gossip, and Wang Huating asked back: "Do you think it's possible? Why would he return to the countryside if he's going to rise to the top?"

  "That's also true." Liu Cuicui said, thinking that Shan Yong and Lei Dapeng, plus Si Muxian, were still not out of their mischievous phase, always thinking about eating or playing in different ways. Upon further thought, she added: "Maybe it's just for fun, those few are more skilled at eating and playing than anyone else, whoever is with them won't go wrong. Isn't this also a way to whet one's appetite?"

  "These few, wherever they go are pests." Wang Hua Ting commented, feeling quite disheartened. Can't manage these few pests, and also let a certain pest not like herself.

  Liu Cuicloud naturally couldn't be fooled by that little thought, and after thinking for a moment, she said softly: "Sister Hua Ting, I think you're being too closed off."

  "No way, I participate in charity events no less than anyone else." Wang Huating said.

  "I'm not talking about appearance, but the heart...” Liu Cuicloud said, looking at Zhi Shu who was stunned and looked at herself, and then said what she had been wanting to say for a long time: "Actually, you and he are the same, both with a glorious surface but lonely hearts. You're the class monitor and student union president, more glorious than that girl in school, but who really cares about you and likes you? Besides your parents, do you think there's anyone else?... Zhan Yong is the same too, with a group of friends around him, but when something happens, he's the one who bears it alone. He even took the blame for Lei Dapeng's mistake, he's actually lonelier than anyone else. Haven't you noticed that since the incident at school, he's been speaking less and less?"

  This sentence seems to have hit Wang Huating's heart, countless lonely nights of tossing and turning, perhaps it was the feeling of lacking warmth and care. Is he also like this? If they are all like this, how tragic life would be! Looking at Liu Cuicui, she may not be good-looking or from a good family background, but compared to Wang Huating's excellence, she can feel happiness more easily, such as happily washing clothes for Simu Xian.

  After thinking for a long time, until she finished washing a basin of clothes, the silent Wang Huating pulled Liu Cuicui on her way back and said: "Thank you, Cuicui, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have discovered it, I actually didn't even understand myself."

  The words were sincere, and the two girls smiled at each other. The two of them chatted and laughed as they walked back to campus, hung up their clothes, but it was already getting late. It wasn't until they put down the basin that they realized something was off. Quietly, the two of them went to the kitchen together, and were stunned. Those three pests were nowhere to be found, Class Monitor Ding Yizhi was burning with a fierce flame in the stove, this scene left the two girls speechless. Wang Huating asked in surprise: "Where are they?"

  "I'm going bird-hunting." said Ding Yizhi. He reminded the two of them: "The meal is in the pot, I've left it for you guys."

  "What's this?" Liu Cuiyun also asked strangely, as the class monitor was a gentleman who didn't get close to the kitchen.

  "They arranged for me to start a fire and boil water, I've been eating white rice for so many days, I shouldn't be ashamed not to do some work." Ding Yizhi said, very calmly, and calmly followed the instructions of the three to get to work.

  The two of them couldn't help but laugh and cry, hastily finishing their meal. When they went out, the sky was already dark, but both of them involuntarily slowed down their pace. Liu Cuicui smiled mischievously: "Why don't we go take a look... Don't look at Lei Dapeng's awkward appearance, his slingshot skills are actually quite accurate. He once hit Director Wang's glass window on the 8th floor."

  "Ah?!" Wang Huating was both laughing and crying, but still didn't know that this fool had such skills. Liu Cuicui continued to reveal more information, saying that these people had even thought about catching fish, trapping turtles, smoking otters, and even considered blowing up wild boars. The more she talked, the more surprised Wang Huating became, thinking that with just a small slingshot, they could only catch a few sparrows, which was barely enough for these good-for-nothings to eat.

  As they chatted, they actually left the campus and went to the village to find someone. They asked several villagers, who indeed saw the three of them, pointing directly at the old temple on the mountain top, saying that they saw the three people go up there. At this time, the sky was getting dark, and the two followed the chirping sound of sparrows towards the mountain. In front of the temple, there is an old locust tree, several people can't wrap their arms around it, and its history is unknown for hundreds of years. Every day when it's about to get dark, the noisy sound can be heard from miles away.

  "But it's getting dark, how can we play mahjong?" Wang Hua-ting was really puzzled.

  "I don't know either. Let's go and take a look." Liu Cuicui pulled Zhi Shu along, walking up the mountain.

  They soon arrived at the temple, and indeed all three were present. Even the female classmate didn't bother to greet them, and they just whispered to each other not to speak loudly. Then, Lei Dapeng shone a strong flashlight onto the branches above, where a sparrow was roosting in the beam of light. Shan Yong held a slingshot, pulled it back, and with a "whoosh" sound, released the pellet, which hit the bird, causing it to fall from the tree. Below, Si Muxian was holding a flashlight and quickly found the prey. As soon as night fell, the sparrows' eyesight was useless, and they couldn't fly away even if they weren't killed. In just a few shots, Si Muxian caught them in his bag.

  That sack, yes, that sack, made Wang Huating gasp in shock. It was a large burlap sack used to hold wheat in the village, and inside it was still wriggling about. In just a short while, they had already harvested quite a bit.

  Pulling the bow is a physical activity, after more than ten shots, Shan Yong handed the slingshot to Lei Da Peng, but said that Lei Da Peng has a natural advantage in shooting with his eyes at an angle, and is even more accurate than Shan Yong. Without even aiming, he shoots and hits every bird, and Si Mu Xian can't pick up the birds as fast as Lei Ge shoots them, and can't help but get scolded by Lei Ge for being a fool.

  One person shines a flashlight on the sparrows resting with their eyes closed in the tree, one person shoots and releases the arrow, and one person picks up the prey. The three people work together seamlessly, having a great time without any tension or excitement. Liu Cuicloud and Wang Huating look at each other in dismay, but they didn't expect these pest control experts to be so skilled. They are like thieves in the night, catching birds and turtles with ease, not even needing to run away. With this kind of hunting, it's no problem filling up Leigang's stomach, let alone seven or eight others...