Restart life

Chapter 376 0366 [True Embrace with Women on Both Sides]

After spending the day with his great-grandmother, Chen Guiliang went home to visit his parents, grandmother, and maternal grandparents.

Farming is too tiring and yields very low returns.

The parents have given away all the more remote mountain land to others for cultivation or left it fallow. Only the dry land closer to home and a few paddy fields are still being tended.

As a result, there was too much free time during the off-season, and people were so bored that they wanted to find something to do. So my dad started a rabbit farm.

Making this thing is exhausting!

"Sigh, I don't want to do this anymore. Farming is much easier," Chen Xinghua said insincerely.

Chen Guiliang said, "If you don't want to work anymore, just take a break."

Chen Xinghua, however, didn't take the bait and started talking about his rabbit-raising experience: "It's been hot lately, and there's so much to do at the rabbit farm. Every day I have to hang up cotton blankets to fence off the rabbit farm and regularly pour cold water on the blankets. This helps to cool it down, otherwise all the rabbits would die from the heat."

"That's a really clever idea," Chen Guiliang chimed in, offering his support.

Chen Xinghua got more and more excited as he spoke: "But with all the watering, the humidity in the rabbit farm is very high, and the rabbits are prone to disease. So we have to open up a few vents and use high-powered electric fans to blow the moisture out..."

As the father and son were talking, the mother, Yao Lan, came over carrying a dead rabbit: "Another one died."

Chen Xinghua said dejectedly, "Let's give it to his second uncle. I'm tired of eating rabbit meat."

Chen Guiliang said, "Let's bury the dead rabbit. It would be troublesome if it contained germs that could infect humans."

"It can't be transmitted to people; I've asked the experts," Chen Xinghua said with great certainty.

Chen Guiliang knew that no amount of persuasion would work, because he had eaten all sorts of dead poultry and livestock since he was a child. When he was in elementary school, he even hoped that poultry and livestock would die unexpectedly, as that was one of the few opportunities he could eat meat.

The most memorable incident for Chen Guiliang was when a chicken fell into a latrine and drowned, and it took almost half a day to be discovered. Then, they fished it out of the dung and ate it.

After thinking for a moment, Chen Guiliang still said, "It's best to bury it. Rabbits aren't worth much. What if it gets sick and needs to stay in the hospital for a few days? How many rabbits would we need to buy? You're giving away dead rabbits out of kindness, but what if someone gets sick from eating them?"

“If there were any problems, something would have happened long ago,” Chen Xinghua said.

Chen Guiliang could only try a different approach: "Even if the rabbit itself doesn't cause any problems, what if that family happens to get sick? Won't they suspect it's because they ate the rabbit? Even if they don't say it, won't they resent you in their hearts?"

Chen Xinghua began to ponder.

Grandma chimed in from the side, "If you bury it, people will gossip and say you're rich and fussy, burying the rabbit and not even giving it to them."

Chen Guiliang was speechless.

Chen Xinghua suddenly had an idea: "Dig a pit, put up a warning sign next to it, saying that this is a pit for burying sick and dead rabbits, and that people should not pick up the rabbits in there to eat. If there are dead rabbits, just throw them in. If anyone wants to eat them, they can pick them up themselves. It's not my problem if they get sick from eating them. If no one picks them up after half a day, just bury the rabbits."

“That works too,” Chen Guiliang agreed.

There are legal risks involved in doing this, but they are negligible in rural areas.

"Bang!"

The sound of a sink hitting the floor came from the kitchen.

"It's that dead cat again." Yao Lan grabbed a broom and rushed over.

Grandma became much more cheerful, and even shouted with a smile, "Run, little panda!"

This time, Chen Guiliang also bought a box of cat food cans, tore open a can, and squatted outside the kitchen to wait.

A short while later, the milk cat, which had been chased away by its mother, cautiously ran back, drawn by the scent.

"Meow~~~"

It dared not approach, seemingly having forgotten about Chen Guiliang.

Chen Guiliang pushed the cat food can a little further out: "Panda, come and eat."

The cat finally succumbed to the temptation, cautiously approached, tentatively licked it, and then began to devour it.

After finishing the cat food, the little guy happily circled around Chen Guiliang, occasionally scratching his owner's trouser leg with his paws.

“Your eldest uncle’s family is back,” Chen Xinghua said.

Chen Guiliang asked, "You're not working anymore?"

Chen Xinghua said, "They were owed wages for more than a year and couldn't get them. During the Spring Festival, the government launched a special campaign to rectify the situation, and at least they got back a few months' worth of wages. But their child is about to enter high school, and since they can't take the college entrance exam in another city, the couple didn't want to work anymore."

Chen Guiliang didn't have a good impression of his maternal uncle's family, but he didn't have any ill feelings towards them either.

The main problem was that his uncle was too selfish. He wanted to take advantage of everything and would complain even after getting something for nothing. So Chen Guiliang chose to stay away from him.

But since they're relatives, I should bring some gifts when I come back this time.

He took the gifts he had brought for his younger uncle and gave them to his older uncle's family, while secretly giving his younger uncle some cash.

My maternal grandparents are in good health. As soon as Chen Guiliang showed up, they asked my uncle to kill a chicken and insisted that their grandson stay for a meal.

My uncle married a widow and had a son who can now walk.

After staying at home for a day, Chen Guiliang called Yang Shuo and drove to the city to pick up Tao Xue and take her back to Beijing.

"Senior, over here!" Tao Xue waved excitedly.

Compared to her high school days, Tao Xue is now a little fuller. She used to be quite thin, but now she's just the right size.

But while her body gained weight, her face became thinner.

Her baby fat is gradually disappearing, and she is showing signs of developing a V-shaped face.

Girls change a lot as they grow up, becoming more and more beautiful.

"Why don't you stay in Beijing? Isn't it too hot to go back to your hometown for summer vacation?" Chen Guiliang asked.

Tao Xue laughed, "It's so comfortable at home! Someone cooks for me every day, and it suits my taste better than any restaurant in Beijing. By the way, my novel is finished! My first completed novel is born!"

"How many words?" Chen Guiliang asked again.

Tao Xue stuck out her tongue: "Over 90 words. The results are not bad, with an average of over 2000 subscriptions when it was completed."

Chen Guiliang couldn't help but complain: "With your constipation-like updates, 2000+ average subscriptions is indeed not bad."

Tao Xue said, "When I came back from this summer vacation, I also went to an online writer's gathering. Unfortunately, I didn't meet any top writers; everyone I met was about the same level as me."

Yang Shuo was driving in the front, while the two of them sat in the back chatting.

After telling Chen Guiliang about her recent situation, Tao Xue snuggled into his arms and fell asleep. This girl was like a sloth; she liked to cling to Chen Guiliang, and every time they met, she wanted to hug him after only a few words.

The car swayed and rocked on the road, and Chen Guiliang soon fell asleep from the swaying.

I woke up groggily and found that we were not far from Chengdu Airport.

They drove the car to the airport parking garage, where the driver sent by Bian Jingsong had been waiting for a long time. The car was borrowed, and now it was being returned to its rightful owner.

We arrived in Beijing close to evening.

As soon as he stepped out of the airport, Bian Guanyue called to ask if Chen Guiliang had arrived yet.

She probably made a lot of calls, but Chen Guiliang couldn't get through to her on the plane.

"Um...we've arrived. We just got into the taxi at the airport," Chen Guiliang said, unsure of what to do next, and changed the subject, asking, "Do you volunteers get a night off?"

Bian Guanyue said, "Of course we have to change shifts. My legs are so tired from standing all day."

Chen Guiliang continued to talk to her, making small talk and joking around.

After going around in circles for a while, Bian Guanyue took the initiative to ask, "Tao Xue came back with you, right?"

"Hmm," Chen Guiliang replied, forcing a smile.

After a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, Bian Guanyue's voice finally came through: "Have her come over with Yang Shuo. We can have dinner and watch the Olympic opening ceremony together."

Chen Guiliang asked, "Is it convenient?"

Bian Guanyue said, "Today is special, it's not good for you to accompany anyone else." Chen Guiliang was instantly moved; she was so understanding!

After hanging up the phone, Chen Guiliang said to Tao Xue, "Senior Bian wants us to come together. Don't say anything strange, okay?"

Tao Xue lowered her head in silence, then suddenly looked up and smiled, "Of course I have to coax her. Senior is a very nice person, and I've always liked her a lot."

Chen Guiliang thought to himself: No way!
……

Bian Guanyue only cooked two dishes and stood there in a daze, holding her phone.

She didn't know what was wrong with her, but she invited Tao Xue to her house for dinner as if by some strange impulse, which seemed to have a hint of trying to please Chen Guiliang.

Logically speaking, Chen Guiliang should be the one trying to please her, since someone who's two-timing is in the wrong.

But she didn't want to put Chen Guiliang in a difficult position.

Anyway, having already accepted this relationship and given almost a year to adjust, Bian Guanyue has completed her self-PUA (manipulative tactics).

A woman with a "love-obsessed" mindset will lower and lower her standards once her bottom line is crossed.

After thinking for a moment, Bian Guanyue walked to the refrigerator, where the takeout phone numbers of nearby restaurants were posted.

There are many IT professionals in this neighborhood who don't want to cook or go out, and most of the restaurants nearby offer delivery services.

When Chen Guiliang, Tao Xue, and Yang Shuo arrived, a table was already set with food.

"Please sit down, the Olympic opening ceremony is about to begin." Bian Guanyue said calmly, behaving like a hostess.

Tao Xue complimented her rather exaggeratedly, "Wow, senior's cooking skills are really good!"

Yang Shuo kept his eyes down, seemingly lost in thought, like an old monk in deep meditation, calmly navigating the chaotic scene. He was a driver, detached from worldly affairs.

Yang Shuo thought to himself: I shouldn't have come to this kind of occasion.

Bian Guanyue personally poured wine for Yang Shuo: "Thank you for your hard work, Brother Yang. You drove me here and there. Drinking tonight is fine. I've prepared two guest rooms."

"Thank you." Yang Shuo quickly accepted the glass by clinking his hands together.

Bian Guanyue asked again, "Does Tao Xue drink?"

"Have a drink," Tao Xue said, offering her a cup.

Chen Guiliang remained silent; anything he said at this point would be wrong.

Why didn't Chen Guiliang try to get tickets for the opening ceremony?

It's because I don't know who to watch the opening ceremony with!
He originally planned to take Tao Xue to the hotel first, spend some time with her, and then rush over to be with Bian Guanyue. Unfortunately, his current skill level is too low; he still has a lot of room for improvement before becoming a master of time management.

After eating and drinking for a while, Yang Shuo took his leave first: "I made an appointment with my girlfriend, and I only just remembered. If I don't go apologize soon, it'll be all over! Sorry, you guys continue."

Chen Guiliang warned: "Take a taxi, don't drive."

"Understood, understood." Yang Shuo quickly left.

The remaining three continued.

To ease the tension, Chen Guiliang quickly poured them drinks, hoping they would get a little tipsy and then there wouldn't be so much trouble.

They probably didn't know how to get along either, so they drank the wine that Chen Guiliang poured for them.

Alcohol is indeed a wonderful thing. After a bottle or two of beer, although I wasn't drunk, I became more casual in my speech.

After a while, Bian Guanyue stood up, supporting herself on the table: "I'm not drinking anymore, I'm going to lie down on the sofa for a while."

Tao Xue covered her forehead: "I'll go too."

The two of them went to the sofa one after the other and sat down and lay down close together.

As the alcohol took effect, Chen Guiliang mustered his courage and walked between them, forcing his way into a seat.

Bian Guanyue's cheeks flushed red, and she glared at him.

Tao Xue didn't move or say anything.

As athletes from one country after another entered the stadium, Chen Guiliang first extended his right arm and embraced Bian Guanyue. Then, he tentatively reached out his left hand to interlock his fingers with Tao Xue's.

Bian Guanyue was a little drunk and confused, and didn't notice the little movement at all. He stared at the TV screen with his eyes half-closed.

Chen Guiliang, taking advantage of the situation, then embraced Tao Xue.

Bian Guanyue finally realized something was wrong and struggled to get up, but Chen Guiliang's right arm held her tightly.

"Sweetie, watch TV."

This was the first time Chen Guiliang had taken a firm stance when the three of them were together.

He felt he had been too soft before, which had made things unclear, and now he was clearly trying to have both women on his left and right.

As it turns out, relationships between men and women are like a war; whoever is more powerful calls the shots.

Chen Guiliang had been probing for a whole year, and the enemy's intelligence was very clear.

Bian Guanyue is very stubborn in front of her parents, but she is always weak-willed when facing Chen Guiliang. She is determined that Chen Guiliang will not give up, so she can only keep compromising, with her bottom line being to become his official girlfriend and future wife.

Tao Xue's thoughts are somewhat complicated; she probably doesn't even know what she wants herself. Sometimes she acts like a scheming woman, but in reality, she has no scheming at all; it's all just impulsive, muddled behavior.

Now that Chen Guiliang has launched a strategic offensive, they have actually avoided battle and retreated.

Tao Xue was the first to surrender; she had always been submissive in this relationship. Her previous proactive behavior was actually a cover for this submissiveness.

Chen Guiliang forcibly embraced her, and Tao Xue leaned against him.

Bian Guanyue struggled a few times but then stopped moving, as if she had been drinking and had no strength left. But she was secretly pinching Chen Guiliang's thigh to vent her anger.

Based on Chen Guiliang's understanding of Bian Guanyue, the fact that she was willing to pinch her thigh to vent her anger proves that she has compromised again.

If nothing is expressed and all emotions are bottled up inside, it is Bian Guanyue who is resolutely resisting.

Of course, I'm in a semi-drunk state right now, and I don't know what will happen when I wake up tomorrow.

"Did you know that there are lottery betting games for the Olympics?" Chen Guiliang started making small talk.

Bian Guanyue responded with a soft "Mm".

Tao Xue asked, "Is it the same as betting on sports?"

Chen Guiliang said, "There are many ways to do it. For example, you can choose any 5 events and guess the total number of medals the Chinese delegation will win in those events. You can also guess the champion of a single event. How about we go buy lottery tickets tomorrow and see who has the best luck?"

"Okay!"

Tao Xue, with her childlike nature, immediately became interested and even became much more alert.

Bian Guanyue was still sulking: "I don't have time to go buy it, I'm going to be a volunteer."

Chen Guiliang said, "I'll buy it for you. We'll guess who will win the first event. Whoever guesses correctly can make a request to the other two."

Although Bian Guanyue was drunk and her mind wasn't quite right, she was still quite sober—anyone who's been drinking knows this. She said irritably, "I know what you're trying to do."

"Just say whether you agree or not. If I'm right, it's fate," Chen Guiliang said shamelessly.

The first day included events such as shooting, weightlifting, judo, fencing, and cycling. Although Chen Guiliang did not remember the specific gold medal winners, he did remember that the first gold medal of the 08 Olympics was won by a Czech athlete.

Bian Guanyue, being a volunteer, knew very well that tomorrow's match wasn't anything particularly high-profile. She retorted defiantly, "Then let's just try our luck. If I guess right, you'll be sorry!"

Chen Guiliang said, "It's a deal!"

Then he asked Tao Xue, "Are you going to bet?"

"Sure, I can just buy whatever I want," Tao Xue said with a grin.

Chen Guiliang continued chatting with them, having already taken his time with one on each side, and dared not have any further improper thoughts.

(End of this chapter)