Chapter 500 - 263: Jiang Guoqiang: I Won’t Stop You and Yixia Anymore

Chapter 500: Chapter 263: Jiang Guoqiang: I Won’t Stop You and Yixia Anymore

He took a few drags, glanced at Lu Fan, and offered him the pack of cigarettes.

Lu Fan paused for a moment, then took it. He pulled one out and lit it with a lighter he fished from his pocket.

The two of them sat on the bank, smoking and watching the water in the pond.

The wind blew, wrinkling the surface of the water into a layer of ripples.

In the distance, someone was burning straw in a field. Smoke drifted up, dispersing into the gray, hazy sky.

"Instead of staying in Jinling, what are you doing running all the way out here?" Jiang Guoqiang was the first to speak, his voice hard.

Lu Fan took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "I came to see you and Auntie."

"What’s there to see?" Jiang Guoqiang snorted. "I’m doing just fine. I don’t need you to come see me."

Lu Fan just smiled and didn’t reply.

The two of them fell silent again.

After a moment, Jiang Guoqiang stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, and walked to the edge of the pond. He picked up the net and resumed scooping.

Lu Fan also put out his cigarette and followed, stepping barefoot into the water to help him pull the net.

This time, they brought up a big haul—several carp and a grass carp that weighed a good few pounds.

Jiang Guoqiang picked up the fish and put them in the bucket. The corner of his mouth twitched as if he was fighting back a smile, but he suppressed it.

"That’s enough. We’re done," he said, picking up the bucket and heading for the bank.

Lu Fan followed him out of the water, his feet covered in mud.

He scraped them on the grass, put on his shoes, and slung his jacket over his shoulder.

Jiang Guoqiang set the bucket down by the side of the road to wait for the fish buyer’s truck.

Lu Fan stood beside him. They were side by side, and neither of them spoke.

After ten-odd minutes, a three-wheeled vehicle drove up. It was the fish dealer from town.

The dealer hopped out, looked at the fish in the bucket, and quoted a price.

Jiang Guoqiang thought it was too low and haggled with him for a bit. They finally agreed on a price. The dealer poured the fish into a tank on his vehicle, paid, and drove off.

Jiang Guoqiang folded the bills, stuffed them in his pocket, and turned to look at Lu Fan.

"Have you eaten?" Jiang Guoqiang asked.

"Not yet," Lu Fan replied.

Jiang Guoqiang didn’t respond. He just turned and started walking toward the village.

Lu Fan followed behind him. One in front, one behind, they walked along the ridge between the fields.

The winter ridges were hard, crunching under their feet as they walked.

After a ways, Jiang Guoqiang suddenly stopped, pulled the pack of cigarettes from his pocket, and lit one up.

He glanced at Lu Fan and offered him the pack again.

Lu Fan took it, pulled one out, and lit it.

The two of them stood on the ridge, smoking and looking at the mountains in the distance.

"Sifan and Silu came by a few days ago," Jiang Guoqiang said.

"I know," Lu Fan nodded.

Jiang Guoqiang took a drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly. "That kid, Silu, she told me about you."

Lu Fan said nothing, waiting for him to continue.

"She said you’ve helped her a lot, and helped Sifan a lot. Said you’ve changed a lot, too." Jiang Guoqiang gazed at the distant mountains, his voice low. "I don’t know if what she said is true, but that kid Sifan never lies. The other day, his great-aunt came by and said some unpleasant things, and Sifan talked right back to her on the spot."

Lu Fan turned to look at him, a little surprised.

Jiang Guoqiang didn’t look back at him. "That kid Sifan has been strong-willed since he was little. Never one to back down. If he’s willing to speak up for you, it means you’ve really been good to him."

Lu Fan opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed his words.

Jiang Guoqiang stubbed out his cigarette, turned, and started walking again. Lu Fan followed.

When they reached the entrance to the village, Jiang Guoqiang suddenly stopped and looked back at him.

"You helped me with the fish today. I’ll remember that. But it doesn’t mean anything," he said, his attitude still hard.

"I know, Uncle," Lu Fan nodded.

Jiang Guoqiang gave him a look, then turned and entered the village.

Lu Fan followed behind him. One in front, one behind, they walked along the small path in the village.

Some of the families on either side of the path were sunning themselves by their doors; others were sorting vegetables in their yards.

When they saw them, someone called out a greeting.

"Uncle Guoqiang, is this a relative of yours?"

Jiang Guoqiang didn’t answer, just quickened his pace.

Lu Fan smiled at the person and hurried to catch up.

Arriving at the gate to their yard, Jiang Guoqiang pushed it open and went inside.

Pan Lanfang was in the yard taking down laundry. When she saw Lu Fan walk in behind Jiang Guoqiang, the clothes in her hands nearly fell to the ground.

"Xiaolu? What are you doing here?" she asked, her eyes wide with feigned surprise.

Lu Fan smiled. "I came to see you and Uncle."

Pan Lanfang glanced at Jiang Guoqiang. He said nothing, just put the bucket in the corner and went to wash his hands under the faucet.

She looked back at Lu Fan. His pant legs were half-soaked, his feet were covered in mud, his jacket was slung over his shoulder, and his hair was a mess.

"You’re..." Pan Lanfang trailed off, stunned for a moment.

"I was helping Uncle with the fish," Lu Fan said with a smile.

Pan Lanfang looked toward Jiang Guoqiang, but he didn’t turn around. He just shook the water from his hands and went into the house.

Pan Lanfang quickly put down the laundry, took Lu Fan’s arm, and lowered her voice. "Your uncle didn’t yell at you, did he?"

"No," Lu Fan shook his head. "Uncle was fine."

Pan Lanfang let out a sigh of relief, then looked at his pant legs again. "Your pants are wet. Quick, come inside and change. I’ll find a pair of Jiang Ming’s pants for you to wear."

"No need, Auntie. They’ll dry in a bit."

"How could they dry in a bit? It’s freezing out. You’ll catch your death." Pan Lanfang wouldn’t take no for an answer, pulling him toward the house.

Lu Fan let her drag him into the house. Jiang Guoqiang was sitting on a chair in the main room, holding a cup of tea. He saw them come in but said nothing.

Pan Lanfang went into Jiang Ming’s room, rummaged around, and came out with a pair of pants. She thrust them at Lu Fan. "Go change."

Lu Fan took the pants and went into an inner room to change.

When he came out, Jiang Guoqiang was still sitting there drinking his tea. He glanced at Lu Fan, then set his cup down.