Duang, another gong sounded, its lingering resonance echoing long afterward.
Lu Mingran had heard the sound of a gong before, and it was always related to monkeys. When he was a child, there was a monkey trainer at the entrance of the park who would strike a gong every day. Later, when he grew up, he was eating out one day when he suddenly heard the sound of a gong coming from outside.
He was also a monkey trainer. He went from house to house, banging a gong in front of each shop, teasing the monkey, and then fluently saying auspicious words to ask for some money.
The sound of the gongs on those two occasions was much better than the one we hear now.
Xiao Jiu banged the gong with all his might, the sound of the gong mingling with the songs of "Good Luck Comes," creating a very festive atmosphere. However, Lu Mingran felt no enjoyment whatsoever. He felt that his back was now even more painful, and it had evolved into the sensation of someone scratching his back, and that person was in even more pain than he was.
Lu Mingran suddenly started running.
Xiao Jiu, not one to back down, chased after him downstairs with a gong. Suddenly, the songs of "Good Luck" and the gong blared together, and the two of them circled the sofa, causing chaos in the house—enough to tear the roof off.
*Smack*, Lu Mingran collapsed to the ground.
Before losing consciousness, Lu Mingran half-opened his eyes and vaguely saw the hem of a theatrical costume dragging on the ground. He dared not look, and the singing in his ears faintly contained a few lines of opera lyrics hummed by a woman:
"Her face is half-veiled by a crimson veil, the peach blossoms flutter in the dark, tinged with rosy clouds; the one who picks up the hairpin will meet a flower of ill fate..."
The sound grew fainter and fainter, drifting further and further away.
*Smack*
Lu Mingran felt a sharp pain on her face.
He woke up after being slapped.
——————————
Xiao Tao was on a business trip, while Lu Mingran was currently absent from work, his company was urging him to come back, and his phone kept ringing. Xiao Jiu couldn't handle this, so she woke Lu Mingran up shortly after he fainted.
Lu Mingran wasn't afraid of work-related matters; on the contrary, he was completely immersed in the joy of surviving a disaster.
Ordinary people can't handle ghosts, but some people can. Although the system told him he wouldn't be so lucky next time.
Seeing that Lu Mingran's complexion was gradually improving and his back was no longer so hunched, Xiao Jiu asked him:
"Want to go out for dinner?"
This meal should, of course, be paid for by Lu Mingran. Lu Mingran glanced at her bank card balance on her phone and said generously, "You can choose the location."
Xiao Jiu smiled sheepishly and said that expensive places aren't necessarily good, so let's go to Meng Ji's, which is a popular restaurant among locals.
————————————————
Originally, they just wanted to eat, but Xiao Jiu insisted on ordering a few bottles of wine.
"Are you an adult?" Lu Mingran tried to stop him.
“You’re an adult now,” Xiao Jiu pried open the beer bottle cap. “It’s just a drink, don’t be so scared.”
They utter the harshest words while making the most trembling gestures.
Lu Mingran looked around.
Xiao Jiu was right. This place is full of locals, including young people and middle-aged drivers who have just finished their shifts. They come over, sit on the dirty plastic stools outside, and are offered a bowl of noodles.
They sat outside as darkness fell and the surroundings grew increasingly noisy, with various sounds mingling together, creating a strange sense of peace.
This is the clamor of the human world.
In this atmosphere, it's so easy to open up and share feelings while drinking. Xiao Jiu filled her own glass, then filled Lu Mingran's glass as well:
"Lu Mingran, you are the most interesting person I have ever met."
"You helped me once, and I helped you once. From now on, we're good friends and brothers."
In Xiao Jiu's mind, although Lu Mingran was a few years older than him, he was a pitiful figure. He was alone in another place, robbed, and possessed by a female ghost.
Lu Mingran was like a lonely little cabbage in the field, desperately needing his care and protection.
Yes, Lu Mingran is a naive girl. Yes, no one will help Lu Mingran.
At this moment, Lu Mingran had goosebumps all over her body.
Why should someone so young learn to be like those people in society, forming brotherhoods instead of learning other things?
But seeing how serious and emotional Xiao Jiu was, Lu Mingran couldn't bear to scold him, so she just kept quiet and took a small sip of wine.
Xiao Jiu continued, saying, "Lu Mingran, don't be afraid. From now on, I'll be your brother in S City. If you ever need anything, just come to me. I'll protect you, brother. I'm willing to go to great lengths for you."
For example, in this case, you see, even though I didn't have Gu He, I can still help you. Aren't I great?
Lu Mingran: ...Let's drink instead.
Xiao Jiu over there realized he was being pretentious, but what he said next was even more pretentious:
"Come on, let's not waste words, it's all in the wine."
As he spoke, Xiao Jiu raised his plastic wine glass.
Lu Mingran was helpless against this kind of immature, delusional kid. Since the other person was in high spirits, he didn't want to spoil the fun, so he raised his glass and clinked it against Xiao Jiu's, repeating like a broken record:
"Alright, enough talk, it's all in the wine."
Good heavens, I hope you really won't talk nonsense after you finish this drink.
Lu Mingran doesn't drink alcohol and hates it; he finds alcohol too bitter.
Xiao Jiu across from him was clearly also drinking for the first time. He frowned but still gulped it down. Compared to him, Lu Mingran was very careful with her intake and swallowed slowly, little by little.
When only a little bit remained, Lu Mingran closed his eyes. At that moment, he heard the people around him suddenly burst into laughter:
"Young master, instead of going to your place tonight, you're here for a late-night snack?"
The response came from a deep, pleasant male voice: "Yes. I'm here to see Boss Lin."
"Haha, has Boss Lin gotten into trouble lately?"
The voice stopped answering others and moved towards Lu Mingran.
At that moment, Lu Mingran suddenly remembered something: Mengji Restaurant is very close to the river!
Lu Mingran almost choked. He opened his eyes in a panic and immediately saw someone he really didn't want to see.
Gu He. He was like the characters in novels, appearing quiet and composed, with eyes as serene as an ancient well. When he looked at you, it was as if he could see right through you.
Lu Mingran spotted Gu He.
Gu He also saw him.
According to the setting, although Lu Mingran and Xiao Tao look different, in Gu He's eyes, he is Xiao Tao himself.
A hint of surprise flashed in Gu He's eyes, then he curled his lips and strode towards them.
As they walked, he kept saying, "Little Tao?"
Lu Mingran: ! What brings you here?
Brother, big brother, big brother, can't you just let me wander out there alone, quietly fend for myself?
Ahhh, don't come any closer!
Perhaps it was because Lu Mingran's expression became somewhat ferocious that it immediately attracted Xiao Jiu's attention.
Now, Xiao Jiu also turned her head to look at Gu He.
Gu He was well-known, and even though Xiao Jiu had never met him or knew him, she already knew who he was from other people's discussions.
He was initially happy because this was the first time he had been so close to Gu He, but soon, as Gu He drew closer, a question mark appeared above Xiao Jiu's head.
Is he going to come to our table?
Oh, did I go to the wrong place?
Also, he was calling Xiao Tao. Who is Xiao Tao?
When Gu He walked up to Lu Mingran and familiarly put his arm around her shoulder, Xiao Jiu's head was filled with question marks.
At this moment, Gu He also noticed him, looked at him with the same puzzled gaze, and then looked down at Lu Mingran, whose expression was extremely unnatural.
After holding back for a long time, Xiao Jiu was the first to speak:
"Mr. Gu? You are Gu He?"
Gu He nodded.
“Then,” Xiao Jiu looked at Lu Mingran, “do you know Mr. Gu?”
Hearing his words, Gu He laughed. He found the young man's question extremely interesting.
"Of course I know him. He's Xiao Tao, my good brother."
Author's Note: Xiao Jiu, do you want some barbecue? How about grilled cabbage?
Chapter 33 Want to take care of your brother? No way (4)
After Gu He finished speaking, he smiled and looked down at Lu Mingran.
On the other side, Xiao Jiu could no longer drink and began to question the meaning of life.
Huh? Where's the pitiful, helpless little cabbage we were promised?
Xiao Jiu then realized that just as he approached the small cabbage, intending to use the umbrella to shield it from the wind and rain, a much larger cabbage suddenly appeared behind it. The larger cabbage could easily cover the smaller one, leaving him completely unaffected.
So here's the question: why did this person named Xiao Tao hide his identity from him and ask him for help? He could have just asked Gu He.
Could it be...?
Xiao Jiu's pupils contracted.
Could it be that from the moment we met, he set his sights on the eight fans who were my family's heirloom in my live stream, and wanted to get close to me, become my assistant, and then follow me to great fame and fortune?
Across from her, Lu Mingran saw Xiao Jiu's shocked expression and thought, "Oh no, he probably thinks I'm playing a trick on him, trying to get free food and drinks and even a gong to bang on."
The two of them stared at each other, while behind Lu Mingran, Gu He was also full of questions.
"Xiao Tao, who is he?" I didn't know you had such a friend.
Fortunately, just then, Mr. Lin, the shop owner, heard that Gu He was looking for him and came out to greet him. Hearing the voice, Gu He patted Lu Mingran on the shoulder and said:
"I need to take care of something first, I'll come find you later."
After Gu He left, the two of them were like fish that had been holding their breath for a long time, vying to blow bubbles. For a moment, their words were mixed together, and neither could hear the other.