My Taoist nun girlfriend is from the Republic of China era, 1942.

Chapter 77 Traitors and Bloodsuckers

At 2 p.m., the vehicle exited the highway, and the words "Tangyin" appeared on the roadside sign.

Chen Xiaomiao clung to the car window, straining her eyes to look out, trying to find familiar traces of the past.

What catches the eye is a wide and smooth asphalt road, with rows of neatly trimmed green trees planted on both sides, contrasting with the buildings that rise from the ground.

Occasionally, there are a few antique-style buildings with blue bricks and gray tiles, with upturned eaves and corners. At first glance, they have a certain ancient charm, but they also have an indescribable awkwardness.

“Lu Yuan, this place… why does it look like a stage for a theatrical performance? All the houses are built the same way.”

Chen Xiaomiao pulled her head back, her face full of confusion.

In her memory, Tangyin County was a dirt road mixed with livestock manure, where you would be covered in dust on sunny days and mud on rainy days.

The shops all had wooden facades and cloth banners, selling all sorts of things... On market days, people from all around would come pushing their wheelbarrows, making a great commotion.

It was definitely not like what she saw before her; clean and tidy, yet strangely unfamiliar, it made her uneasy.

"Nowadays, when developing tourism, people like to build houses like this, calling it an antique-style street."

Lu Yuan slowed down the car: "It looks impressive, but it's really just so-so."

Chen Xiaomiao said "Oh" and didn't say anything more, but the light in her eyes dimmed a little.

Lu Yuan saw this but didn't offer much comfort. He simply asked gently, "Are you hungry? Let's find somewhere to eat something."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiaomiao's stomach rumbled at just the right moment.

"You just promised to drink spicy soup!"

"Okay, plenty."

Lu Yuan smiled and agreed. Following the navigation, he navigated through many twists and turns until he found a restaurant with a small storefront.

Before even entering, a strong aroma of pepper, vinegar, and various spices wafted into my nostrils.

That's it!

Chen Xiaomiao perked up, pushed open the door, and called out to the proprietress who was busy behind the stove, "Auntie, two bowls of spicy soup, with extra vinegar!"

The voice was clear and crisp, with an authentic local accent.

The proprietress assumed he was a local and didn't ask any further questions.

Soon, two steaming bowls of hot and sour soup were served.

The broth is thick and contains gluten, kelp strips, daylily buds, etc. A layer of bright red chili oil floats on top, and a drizzle of fragrant vinegar completes the dish, making it incredibly fragrant.

Chen Xiaomiao couldn't wait to scoop up a spoonful and put it in her mouth.

Sour, spicy, numbing, salty, fragrant... five flavors explode on the tip of the tongue, the scalding soup slides down the throat, and a warm feeling rushes straight to the limbs.

Lu Yuan asked curiously, "How was it?"

Chen Xiaomiao opened her eyes, let out a long breath, and had a complicated expression on her face.

"It's delicious, the taste is really good, and the ingredients are plentiful."

She nodded, then scooped up another spoonful and savored it carefully.

After a long pause, he added in a low voice, "It's just... the taste is a little different from what I used to drink."

The spicy soup I remember wasn't so fancy; it was just some gluten and chopped vegetable leaves, with a stronger pepper flavor and a milder vinegar taste.

Those were rare treats in those impoverished years, food that could warm the body and fill the stomach, and every sip was cherished.

The bowl in front of me is full of ingredients and tastes delicious, but it's not the taste I remember.

"More than eighty years have passed, how could things not have changed?"

Lu Yuan tore open a fried dough stick, soaked it in the soup, and gently comforted her, "People change, things change too, and the old flavors may only remain as memories."

Chen Xiaomiao didn't say anything, just kept her head down and sipped her soup.

She understood the reasoning behind Lu Yuan's words, but despite understanding, she couldn't help feeling disappointed.

After finishing a bowl of spicy soup, Chen Xiaomiao's little mood was not diluted at all. On the contrary, the hot soup fermented it into a stronger and more intense mood.

She sat there, poking around in the empty bowl with a spoon, as if searching for something unseen.

After paying the bill, Lu Yuan sat back down opposite her.

"I am full?"

"Ah."

Chen Xiaomiao responded listlessly.

"I still need to figure out the specific way to get to Huangya Village. Shall we rest in the county town for today and head over there tomorrow morning?"

Chen Xiaomiao nodded, still looking listless.

Seeing her wilted appearance, Lu Yuan thought he should find something to distract her.

He opened his phone's map and pointed to the icon: "Since we're just killing time anyway, I'll take you to meet your fellow townsmen."

"Fellow?"

"Yue Fei, Yue Fei Temple, is that alright?"

"OK! OK! OK!"

That was the great hero in the storiesteller's tales, a loyal and patriotic hero, a figure of great power and prestige... She had heard many stories of Yue Fei defeating the young Liang Wang when she was a child.

Yue Fei Temple is not far away, only about a ten-minute drive.

The temple was built in a grand style, with red walls and green tiles, solemn and dignified.

Although Tangyin intends to develop into a tourist city, it has never been very famous. As New Year's Day approaches, the entrance to the scenic spot is deserted, with only a few tourists taking pictures.

Lu Yuan bought the tickets, and the two of them stepped through the gate one after the other.

Ancient cypress trees tower in the courtyard, and the winter sun shines through the sparse branches, casting dappled shadows that make the surroundings even more tranquil.

Chen Xiaomiao, unlike her usual lively self, slowed her pace and tilted her head back, curiously examining the eaves and brackets of the palace.

After passing through several courtyards, we arrived at the main hall.

In the center of the hall, a tall and majestic painted clay statue of Yue Fei stands, clad in armor, his eyes piercing as he gazes into the distance.

Above the statue hangs a huge gilded plaque that reads: "Return Our Rivers and Mountains!"
Chen Xiaomiao stood in front of the statue, looking up at it, her small mouth slightly open, unable to speak for a long time.

After a long while, she suddenly took two steps back, straightened her clothes, and bowed respectfully to the statue.

The movements were devout, without a trace of jest.

On their way out, the two saw a sculpture at the doorway with its hands tied behind its back, its upper body bare, and its head bowed in a long kneeling position.

Chen Xiaomiao rushed forward, pointing at Qin Hui, who was in the lead, her anger rising.

"It's this traitor! Lu Yuan, tell me, how could there be such a wicked person? He's killed such a good hero!"

She clenched her fists, bit her lip, and her eyes blazed with fury.

Although the Song Dynasty is far away, she personally experienced the chaos and turmoil that occurred more than eighty years ago.

Sometimes, the traitors who lead the way are more hated than the Japanese soldiers...

Suddenly, Chen Xiaomiao remembered something and asked curiously, "Speaking of which, Lu Yuan, what was the final fate of that traitor surnamed Wang?"

Lu Yuan smiled and said, "He died in the Japanese homeland, yet he thought of returning to his roots, only to be ground to dust in the end."

"it is good!"

Chen Xiaomiao cheered loudly: "People remember it all. People like Wang Han and Qin Hui, even if they were glorious in life, in the end God will not take them away, but people's hearts will."

Lu Yuan didn't say much about Chen Xiaomiao's consistently simple values.

As we left Yue Fei Temple, the sky was already setting in the west. The winter sun hung lazily on the horizon, casting streaks of orange-red clouds.

Chen Xiaomiao's mood had improved significantly, and she walked with much lighter steps.

After leaving Yue Fei Temple, the two returned to the car. Just as Lu Yuan was about to start the engine, his cell phone suddenly rang.

The call was still from an unknown number.

Lu Yuan answered the call, his tone indifferent: "What is it now?" "Mr. Lu Yuan, I'm sorry to bother you again."

Lin Ling maintained her usual businesslike tone: "You mentioned last time that you wanted to meet with our team leader. Is it convenient for you now?"

"It's inconvenient, I'm not in Jiangcheng."

"we know."

Lin Ling's answer made Lu Yuan's heart skip a beat, and he subconsciously looked up.

Not far ahead, on the roadside, was an old Wuling Hongguang, covered in scratches and mud.

The car window rolled down, and a middle-aged man leaned out, grinning at Lu Yuan, his front teeth dazzlingly white in the setting sun.

beep beep beep——

The Wuling's horn blared loudly on the empty street.

Although Lu Yuan was not very comfortable, he still got out of the car with a stiff upper lip and told Chen Xiaomiao, "Wait for me in the car and don't go anywhere."

Chen Xiaomiao, not understanding why, obediently nodded: "Okay."

Lu Yuan crossed the road, opened the sliding door of the Wuling Hongguang, and sat inside. A smell mixed with tobacco and dust hit him.

The driver was a rough-looking man in his fifties, with dark skin and deep wrinkles. He was wearing an old down jacket that had been washed until it was faded and the cuffs were torn.

He looks no different from an experienced worker from the countryside who came to the city to work; there's no indication that he's an "elite" with an annual salary of five million.

"Great, great!"

The driver spoke in a Yuzhou accent exactly like Chen Xiaomiao's, warm and simple.

Lu Yuan asked in surprise, "Are you their team leader?"

"Team leader?"

The man paused for a moment, then suddenly realized and slapped his forehead: "Oh—you mean my younger brother? He's the one who asked me to come pick you up."

He started the car and drove off, his steps unsteady.

"My name is Lü Xin, and my brother's name is Lü Lei. We are both from Huangya Village."

Lu Xin began to explain to himself: "More than forty years ago, my brother and I were orphans in the village, and we couldn't even get enough to eat."

Later, Mr. Chen returned to the village and built factories and started breeding, leading the whole village to prosperity and even providing us with education.

My younger brother is very smart and got into a good university. Mr. Chen then sent him abroad to broaden his horizons. After he came back, he worked for Mr. Chen.

As for me, I'm slow-witted and not cut out for it. I'm still raising cattle and pigs in the village.

After saying that, Lü Xin chuckled, his smile simple and honest.

Lu Yuan then asked, "Is Huangya Village... very wealthy now?"

"Rich, very rich!"

When Lü Xin mentioned this, his voice rose eight octaves, his face full of pride: "Every household has built a small villa, and the village children's schooling is completely free from elementary school to high school!"
Elderly people aged 70 and above can receive subsidies of over a thousand yuan every month without doing anything!
"This is all thanks to Mr. Chen!"

He then added, "But Mr. Chen instructed us to keep a low profile, quietly make our fortune, and not be too ostentatious."

In previous years, when reporters tried to interview us, we managed to evade them all.

The van made several turns before finally stopping in front of an ordinary teahouse.

A man stood at the door, looking to be in his early forties. He resembled Lü Xin somewhat, but his demeanor was completely different.

He was dressed in a plain jacket and jeans, with sharp eyes, a straight back, and a calm and capable demeanor.

It must be Lü Lei.

Seeing the van come to a stop, Lü Lei quickly stepped forward, opened the car door for Lu Yuan, and said with an extremely sincere smile, "Boss, I'm so glad to see you!"

Lu Yuan wanted to refute the use of "boss," but ultimately, he couldn't bring himself to hit someone who was smiling, so he politely replied, "Hello."

"Quickly, please come upstairs."

Lu Lei gestured for Lu Yuan to go inside, then turned back and called out to the car in dialect.

"Brother, go and arrange the banquet for tonight, pick out the best dishes!"

"I know!"

Lu Xin responded, stepped on the gas, and the van sputtered away.

The second floor of the teahouse has private rooms, decorated in an antique style.

Lu Lei personally brewed a cup of hot tea for Lu Yuan, the aroma of which wafted through the air.

He sat down opposite Lu Yuan, hesitating to organize his thoughts, but after opening his mouth, he could only manage a bitter smile and a helpless sigh.

Lu Yuan picked up his teacup, blew on the steam, and spoke first: "Don't you have anything to say to me?"

Lu Lei shook his head, his expression frank: "Lin Ling has probably told you everything she could to advise you. She has made contingency plans from logical, legal, and emotional perspectives. If I say anything more, I'm afraid I'll just annoy you again."

"Is my inheritance really that important to you?"

Lu Yuan put down his teacup and looked directly at Lü Lei.

"Very important!"

Lu Lei frankly stated: "Mr. Lu, to be honest, ever since Mr. Chen passed away, we've been plagued by troubles."

When Mr. Chen was alive, his reputation was like a golden plaque, and no one dared to act recklessly.

After he passed away, I relied entirely on his legally binding will to maintain the status quo and cope with the pressure from all sides.

If you are determined not to inherit, and the will becomes invalid, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on.

"What kind of pressure?"

"It's too complicated to explain in a short time; it involves too many things."

Lu Lei refilled Lu Yuan's teacup: "But if you just nod, then all the pressure will be gone."

The way I helped Mr. Chen in the past is how I will help you in the future, and you have no need to question my loyalty.

My brother and I owe our lives to Old Mr. Chen. If I dare to play any tricks, my brother won't let me off the hook, even without you lifting a finger.

"Your brother?"

Lu Yuangang could tell from the car that Lü Xin didn't look like an ordinary farmer.

“My brother helped Mr. Chen deal with a lot of tricky problems in the past, so he was imprisoned for a few years and just got out the year before last.”

Lu Yuan pondered for a while, then asked, "What will be the consequences if I insist on not inheriting?"

Lu Lei's expression darkened: "For you personally, it may not be a big deal. It's just a matter of returning to your original peaceful life."

But for Huangya Village, it could be devastating.

To put it bluntly, Huangya Village appears to be a place where all villagers are getting rich together, but in reality, it's just a bloodsucking worm clinging to Mr. Chen.

There are many similar bloodsucking worms, such as that old lady Zhou Chunyan...

Now that Mr. Chen has passed away, naturally some people want to get rid of all the bloodsucking worms.

Lu Yuan picked up his teacup again, neither agreeing nor refusing.

He asked softly, "Could I go and take a look at Huangya Village first?"

Lu Lei suddenly looked up, and a glimmer of light instantly flashed in his dim eyes, as if he had seen hope.

"Yes! Of course! I'll personally show you the way!"

　Due to certain pressures, there is an important change to the setting of this book (the relationship between Chen Xiaomiao and Lu Yuan's maternal grandfather). You can turn to Chapter 2 for details.

　　However, the main storyline and other settings will remain unchanged; it's just that the characters are addressed differently. Please continue watching as usual.

　　Also, don't worry, this story will still focus on Lu Yuan and Chen Xiaomiao's story and won't involve any other random or inexplicable elements.

　　The inheritance is mainly related to Lu Yuan's maternal grandfather, which will be addressed in the following chapters...

　　Finally, as usual, I'm asking for your monthly votes to keep reading!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)