Chapter 97 Gossip
A full moon hangs high in the night sky, the moonlight is bright and clear, and the clouds under the moon seem to be coated with a layer of silver.

Chen Mo, Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing were sitting on the terrace on the second floor, enjoying the pleasant evening breeze and chatting.

There is no dazzling colorful neon lights of the city, no noisy flow of traffic, only sporadic fireflies and the crisp chirping of cicadas.

Sit leisurely in the evening.

At this moment, a quarrel in the next yard broke the silence.

"Let me go back to school or I'd rather die!"

"It's not a big deal. Is it necessary to make such a big fuss?"

"That's easy for you to say. I've lost my reputation and become a laughing stock in the whole school."

"Isn't it just that you had diarrhea and pooped in your pants during class? Who cares about you?"

"You keep talking! If you keep talking I'll die now!"

"Even if you die, you have to finish high school before you die."

Accompanied by the sound of quarreling, a teenager ran out of the house.

As soon as the boy ran into the yard, he noticed Chen Mo and the other two who were watching on the second-floor terrace next door, attracted by the sound of their quarrel. The boy was instantly petrified.

Xie Zhiyao came out of the house and noticed this situation.

At this time, outside the wall, there were a few little guys who were peeking around and then they crouched down and sneaked away.

Chen Nanxing recognized him. This young man seemed to be the one chasing the horse on the street two days ago.

"What a coincidence, we meet again, thank you, boss." Chen Nanxing took the lead in breaking the awkwardness.

She only now realized that Xie Zhiyao lived next door, and couldn't help but sigh that the village was really small.

"Ah, have you eaten?" Xie Zhiyao reacted quickly.

"I've had dinner." Chen Nanxing nodded in response.

"Did you hear what happened just now?" the young man suddenly asked.

"You're impolite." Xie Zhiyao first said to the boy, then introduced him to Chen Mo and the others, "This is my younger brother, Xie Zhiyuan."

"Um, what happened just now..." Xie Zhiyao wanted to confirm.

"This wall is indeed not very soundproof." Chen Nanxing said tactfully.

"Could you please keep it a secret?" Xie Zhiyao asked.

"Of course you can, but I just saw a few children squatting outside the wall," Chen Nanxing reminded.

Hearing this, Xie Zhiyuan instantly felt disheartened and walked back to the house in a daze.

Xie Zhiyao sighed lightly upon seeing this, he also knew that this matter could no longer be concealed.

Those kids were the village's little ear-telling gods. Whatever they heard, they would quickly learn it and tell their neighbors without restraint.

I have nothing to do and take my time. When I sleep, the sun is already red outside the window.

After waking up naturally, Chen Mo stretched his body and walked downstairs.

In the courtyard, there was still only Master Ma meditating under the tree.

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing went to visit the ancient city early in the morning. Chen Mo felt that the only treatment he would get if he went there was to carry bags and take photos, so he decisively declined.

After simply filling his stomach, Chen Mo made a cup of tea and sat alone in the yard, looking at the clear blue sky, the floating white clouds, listening to the rustling of leaves and the tinkling of wind chimes, feeling peaceful and comfortable.

When you wake up, there is tea; when you are hungry, there is food; when you walk, you can watch the flowing water; when you sit, you can watch the clouds.

Chen Mo likes this leisurely and slow life more and more.

At some point, Master Ma came over with a cup of tea and sat down next to Chen Mo.

"Master Ma is not meditating, is he taking a rest?"

“Meditation is also rest.”

"Not practicing?"

“Practice is in the heart.”

"Why?"

"Whether walking, sitting, standing or lying down, all are forms of spiritual practice."

“Then why do we need to meditate?”

“Meditation allows the body to rest.”

"Isn't it okay to lie down?"

"Lying down, it's easy to get sleepy and fall asleep."

"I see."

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing, best friends, were walking hand in hand around the ancient city, tasting delicious food, such as tofu, Thai-style pounded chicken feet, bait, grilled milk fan, fried potatoes, and Yunnan ham.
Chen Nanxing also enriched the material library at the same time.

After eating and shopping, the two of them went shopping, buying straw hats, bamboo bags, and ethnic-style shawls.
The dazzling array of clothing made the two of them dazzled.

When the two returned to Yunmiao Village, the sun was already setting.

At the store at the entrance of the village, Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing received a message from Nana, asking them to help buy two light bulbs.

"Hello, take two light bulbs."

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing walked into the store.

"OK, wait."

The little girl with short hair is still in the store.

The girl took a light bulb from the shelf and handed it to Xu Hongdou, "Are you the tenants of Fengyuan?"

"Yes, how did you know?" Xu Hongdou was a little surprised.

"I heard it from Aunt Agui. My name is Xiaoqin. What are your names?" The little girl sounded a little familiar.

"Xu Hongdou."

"Chen Nanxing."

"Your names are so nice. I also have a foreign name."

After Xiaoqin finished speaking, she looked at Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing expectantly.

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing looked at each other, somewhat confused.

Xiaoqin blinked, "Aren't you going to ask me what my name is?"

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing were both amused by the little girl.

"What's your name?" Chen Nanxing asked.

"Candy, how about it? Fashionable, right?" Xiaoqin said happily.

"Very fashionable." Chen Nanxing gave a thumbs up.

"Since you live in the courtyard, do you know Ayuan who lives next door to the courtyard?" Xiaoqin suddenly asked.

"We know each other, so what's wrong?" Chen Nanxing wondered.

"Then do you know about A Yuan?"

"what's up?"

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing looked at each other and already had a guess in their minds.

"It's about Ayuan's diarrhea. Don't you know about it?"

"I'm not sure, what happened?" Chen Nanxing pretended to be ignorant.

"I heard that Ayuan had diarrhea and pooped on the teacher, but some people said he pooped in front of the school gate." Xiaoqin shared the news she heard.

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing looked at each other in bewilderment. How could this news spread so quickly and so widely?

"That's unlikely. Who told you this?" Chen Nanxing asked.

"I also heard it from some aunties in the village." Xiaoqin said.

"Isn't it because you live close to me? I want to see if you know some inside information. Was it pulled at the school gate or on the teacher?"

"We're not too sure either." Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing both shook their heads.

Although the two heard the "truth" last night, it is useless to say anything in this situation.

Besides, saying that Xie Zhiyuan peed in his own pants is not much better. It would be better to say that he peed on the teacher.

At least this could mean that Xie Zhiyuan was being naughty on purpose.

“How much are two light bulbs?”

"You are tenants of the courtyard. If I don't make money from you, forty."

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing returned to the windy courtyard.

Chen Mo saw the two people packing their bags when they came back, and he knew that he was right not to go. And seeing that they were full of energy and seemed to be still wanting to go, it was obvious that they came back because of time constraints, not because they were exhausted.

Chen Mo hurriedly stepped forward and took the bag from Xu Hongdou's hand, showing his thoughtfulness as a boyfriend. This is called tenderness at the doorstep.

"Are you tired?" Chen Mo asked with "concern".

"It's okay, but there are too many things and I can't hold them all with my hands. If you came with us, we could go shopping for a while longer." Xu Hongdou rubbed his shoulders.

"I will definitely do that next time." Chen Mo promised solemnly.

"Hongdou, Nanxing, did you buy light bulbs?"

Nana and Da Mai came out.

"I bought it. Here." Xu Hongdou took out the light bulb.

"Great, I'll transfer the money to you later."

"It's okay. It's not much money."

"Yes, let's put things one way or the other. This is natural damage due to aging. I'll ask Sister Xiaochun to reimburse me." Nana said with a smile.

Chen Mo was responsible for changing the light bulbs because he was the only man here.

"Okay, let's try it." Chen Mo got down from the chair and clapped his hands.

Barley, who was standing aside, pressed the switch and the kitchen was instantly bright.

"Where's the other one?"

"On the terrace. I'll take you there."

Nana led the way with a flashlight.

Xu Hongdou, Chen Nanxing and Damai went to sit in the yard.

"Da Mai, do you usually replace the light bulbs by yourselves?" Chen Nanxing asked.

"Normally Nana would ask Mr. Xie to exchange her, but Mr. Xie went to find his brother and hasn't come back yet." Damai said.

"Mr. Xie?" Chen Nanxing asked in confusion.

"Mr. Xie lives next door."

"Xie Zhiyao?"

"Yes, we all call him Mr. Xie."

"Then why is he the one to make the change?" Chen Nanxing asked curiously.

"He is the boss of this Youfeng Courtyard." Da Mai said as a matter of course.

"Isn't the boss Xiaochun?" Xu Hongdou asked.

"Sister Xiaochun helps General Manager Xie with management." Damai shook his head.

"What about Feng Restaurant?"

"It's also Mr. Xie's."

"The horse farm, Youfeng Courtyard, Youfeng Restaurant, the embroidery workshop, and the tie-dye workshop are all owned by Mr. Xie. There is also an e-commerce warehouse." Damai counted on his fingers and listed them.

Xu Hongdou couldn't help but laugh, "So what's advertised in that brochure are all Xie Zhiyao's own businesses."

"So you said just now that he went to find his brother?" Chen Nanxing asked.

"Oh, Mr. Xie's younger brother, Xie Zhiyuan, ran away from home after someone found out that he had pooped his pants."

"Running away from home?" Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing were both a little surprised.

"Yes, it seemed that the person was missing in the morning, and the clothes in the room were gone." Damai nodded.

"Da Mai, I see you never go out all day, how do you know everything?" Xu Hongdou asked curiously.

"Hehe, Nana told me everything." Da Mai smiled embarrassedly.

"When we were having supper, Nana would tell me all the gossip in the village."

Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing have seen that the walls of this village are really leaky on all sides.

If something happens, the whole village will know about it. Even someone like Da Mai who never leaves the house has a source of information.

The sky gradually turned pale, the morning sun was dazzling, the rooster stretched its neck and crowed, the birds chirped in the treetops, and a new day began.

Today, Xu Hongdou got up early, which was rare for her, to go jogging with Chen Mo.

In the past, Chen Mo always ran alone. After running, he would buy breakfast and bring it back so that Xu Hongdou could eat it when she woke up, and Chen Mo would go back to take a nap.

Xu Hongdou wore a light gray and white jacket, her hair tied into a ponytail, and a white hat. She looked pretty and dashing.

When Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou went downstairs, they met Ma Ye who was about to start a new day of meditation.

"Morning, Master Ma."

"Morning, are you guys going out for a run?"

"Yes, life lies in movement." Xu Hongdou nodded and smiled.

"No, life lies in stillness." Master Ma gently raised his half-long head.

"Life lies in breathing." Chen Mo ended the opposing debate with one sentence.

Who is in favor? Who is against? They were both speechless.

Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou jogged along the village road, ran to the edge of Erhai Lake, and then ran along the Erhai Lake.

As the sun rises, the sea surface ripples and the floating light sparkles. Seagulls gather on the beach, circling low in the sky, chirping incessantly, or resting on the reefs, gently combing their feathers.

"so beautiful."

Xu Hongdou put her hands to her mouth and called softly. Her fair and delicate face was shining in the morning light, and her ponytail swung back and forth with her steps.

Chen Mo's heart was also shaken. The scenery was beautiful, and the people were even more beautiful.

After running, Chen Mo and Xu Hongdou went to the market to buy vegetables and had a bowl of fresh rice noodles.

The two of them chatted while eating.

"I heard from Da Mai yesterday that the kid from the yard next to us ran away from home."

"why?"

Chen Mo never cared much about things that had nothing to do with him.

Chen Mo just treated Xie Zhiyuan's matter as a fun thing that night and didn't take it to heart.

Two people drinking tea and talking in the yard:
Master Ma closed his eyes and didn't care about what was happening outside the courtyard.

Chen Mo, on the other hand, was not concerned about what he saw.

"What happened that night spread throughout the village," Xu Hongdou said with a bit of sympathy.

Chen Mo understood, "Children aged sixteen or seventeen have the strongest self-esteem."

"Yes."

While chatting, the two finished their meal and Xu Hongdou did not forget to pack a portion for Chen Nanxing.

The "rumors" in the village were still spreading, and as a few days passed, Xie Zhiyuan had not been found, and there was more and more gossip in the village.

That day, Damai explained the latest "rumors" to Xu Hongdou and Chen Nanxing.

"Mr. Xie and his brother are actually half-brothers. Xie Zhiyuan is the child born to Mr. Xie's father after his mother passed away and Mr. Xie's father remarried."

"So now people in the village say that because they are not born of the same mother, Mr. Xie doesn't care about his brother's life or death at all."

"Some people also said that Mr. Xie was beaten by his stepmother in the past, so he has a bad relationship with his brother."

"Not really, right? When I looked at them that day, they didn't look like the two brothers had a bad relationship." Chen Nanxing recalled.

"I don't know about that." Barley shook his head.

Xu Hongdou thought for a moment and said, "It shouldn't be hard to find someone with a name and surname in today's society."

"Xie Zhiyuan is still a minor. I guess his phone card and bank card are bound to his family's ID card. Besides, cell phones are now tracked, so there's no reason why he can't be found."

Chen Mo, who was standing by, couldn't help but shook his head as he listened to these people's speculations and analysis.

"You guys are just worrying about other people's problems. Their parents and brothers are not worried at all, but you are more concerned than them."

"If I really couldn't find him, I would have called the police a long time ago."

"You mean to say that the person has been found? If you've found the person, why not bring him back?" Chen Nanxing was puzzled.

Barley thought for a moment and said, "Actually, if you think about it carefully, bringing people back won't solve any problems. It will only satisfy the curiosity of bystanders."

Xu Hongdou nodded. "The problem now is not the gossip in the village, but how Xie Zhiyuan himself views this matter."

Chen Mo rolled his eyes, "What I mean is that what you are doing now is the prototype of the village intelligence organization in twenty years."

(End of this chapter)