The sky collapsed, and in the blink of an eye, I found myself transported to Nanluoguxiang.

After all the goods on the tractor were unloaded.

Li Kaixin still insisted on dragging the Zhao brothers to the same morning market stall and treated them to a meal.

Although the two brothers said they had already eaten, everyone knew in their hearts that in these days no one dared to eat their fill.

Time flew by and it was almost noon. Li Kaixin, Zhou Zhiming, Wu Tian, ​​and the others had put away all the mountain produce and were preparing to cook.

Suddenly, "knock knock knock," someone knocked on the door.

Immediately afterwards, a young man in a Zhongshan suit appeared at the door, looked around, and then...

"Is Comrade Li Kaixin here?"

"That's me." Li Kaixin stood up, sizing up the newcomer. "And you are?"

"Hello, Comrade Li!"

The young man quickly stepped forward and introduced himself:

"I'm Liu, County Chief Wang's driver. He'd like to invite you to a casual meal. Do you have time?"

As he spoke, he cautiously sized up Li Kaixin.

I was quite surprised. I didn't expect that this comrade, whom the county magistrate had specifically instructed to treat with courtesy, was so young.

Li Kaixin was taken aback, but after thinking for a moment, he nodded: "Okay! Comrade Liu, please take me there!"

Judging from what this driver Liu said, it must be that County Chief Wang was treating everyone to a private meal, and since he specially sent someone to pick them up, they couldn't refuse him that courtesy.

Then he turned around and said a few words to his apprentice before following the driver, Mr. Liu, downstairs.

A nearly new Jeep was parked in front of the guesthouse. Driver Liu quickly opened the door and let Li Kaixin get in.

The car drove through several streets and finally turned into a quiet residential compound.

Several rows of neat, single-story brick houses stood in a row, with slogans painted on the walls.

The jeep stopped in front of a wooden door, and the driver, Liu, jumped out and opened the door for Li Kaixin.

"Comrade Li, this is it."

As soon as he finished speaking, the wooden door was pushed open from the inside, and County Magistrate Wang came out with a smile.

"Coach Li is here! Please come in, please come in!"

He walked up to Li Kaixin, warmly shook her hand, and led her into the courtyard.

When Liu, the driver in the back, saw this scene, he was completely stunned.

He never expected that County Chief Wang, who was usually stern and unsmiling, would be so warm towards a young man.

Li Kaixin didn't stand on ceremony and followed County Chief Wang into the courtyard.

Although the courtyard is not large, it is kept very clean and tidy, and there are vegetables growing against the wall.

At the entrance to the main house, a woman in her forties, wearing a blue apron, stood there smiling.

"Gui Mei, this is the Coach Li I told you about."

County Chief Wang introduced her with a smile, then turned to Li Kaixin and said, "Instructor Li, this is my wife, Chen Guimei."

Seeing this, Li Kaixin quickly greeted her politely, "Hello, Aunt Chen!"

"Hello, hello! I've heard Old Wang talking about you a lot these past few days, I never imagined you were still so young!"

Chen Guimei's smile deepened, and then she turned to the side and said, "Please come in and sit down. I'll serve all the dishes right away."

Without hesitation, County Chief Wang led Li Kaixin into the main room.

The room was simply furnished with an eight-immortal table, a few wooden chairs, and a portrait of a great man hanging on the wall.

On the table were a dish of peanuts, a plate of stir-fried shredded potatoes, a bowl of braised pork, and a pot of cabbage and tofu soup.

County Magistrate Wang pulled out a chair and extended his hand with a smile: "Instructor Li, please sit down! These are just some home-style dishes, please don't mind them."

"You're too kind, County Chief. This is already very kind of you," Li Kaixin said, sitting down at the table.

At this moment, Chen Guimei brought over a bowl of steamed egg custard with a smile on her face.

"The dishes are all ready, please enjoy your meal."

After saying that, he went into the side room, leaving the main room to the two of them.

County Magistrate Wang picked up his chopsticks and greeted Li Kaixin with a smile, "Instructor Li, don't just stand there, let's start eating!"

As he spoke, he first picked up a piece of braised pork with his chopsticks and put it into Li Kaixin's bowl.

"Come on, try my wife's cooking."

Li Kaixin thanked him, picked up a piece of meat, and took a bite. The meat was stewed until tender and flavorful, rich but not greasy—it was indeed delicious.

The two then ate and chatted casually.

After they had almost finished eating, County Magistrate Wang put down his chopsticks and spoke in a sincere tone:

"Instructor Li, the reason I invited you here today is twofold. First, I wanted to thank you in person for handling the Zhang Mazi matter. If it weren't for your leniency, our county would have become infamous this time."

"County Chief Wang, you flatter me."

Li Kaixin knew in his heart that County Chief Wang's invitation to dinner today was definitely not just a simple thank you.

Sure enough, County Chief Wang picked up his enamel mug, took a sip of water, and then spoke again:

"And another one is your military region's regimental commander, Lin Jianye. He hasn't had a chance to treat you to a meal yet, so he asked me to do it for you today."

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Li Kaixin's eyes: "You know Commander Lin?"

"More than just acquaintances!"

County Magistrate Wang laughed heartily, "Old Lin and I have been comrades-in-arms for many years. Later, he was transferred back to the Beijing Military Region, while I stayed to work in the local government, and that's when we parted ways."

"When I spoke to him on the phone a few days ago, he repeatedly told me to take good care of you."

After listening, Li Kaixin understood.

If County Chief Wang didn't have any connections, how could he possibly know his position in the military region?

"So that's how it is. No wonder you were able to verify it so quickly back then."

Seeing his reaction, County Chief Wang laughed and started to joke:

"Old Lin raved about you from head to toe on the phone the other day, saying you were the most sought-after person in the entire military region!"

Upon hearing this, Li Kaixin immediately touched his nose in embarrassment.

"County Chief Wang, that's just Commander Lin flattering me. It's not as exaggerated as he said."

"Please don't be modest."

County Magistrate Wang put down the enamel mug and said seriously:

"I know Old Lin. The fact that he can say that shows that you are truly capable."

Li Kaixin smiled and didn't respond.

Upon seeing this, County Magistrate Wang stopped pursuing the matter and instead asked:

"By the way, Coach Li, when does your transport team plan to return?"

"It should be in the next day or two," Li Kaixin replied truthfully.

"So fast?"

County Magistrate Wang was slightly taken aback, then sighed, "I was thinking that when we have some free time, we could get together again and have a good drink!"

He made the decision on a whim today, only going to invite people after he knew Li Kaixin had returned to the guesthouse; he hadn't made any preparations at all.

"County Chief Wang, you're very kind."

Li Kaixin smiled slightly, "I will definitely pay you a visit when I have the opportunity in the future."

"Alright! It's a deal then," County Magistrate Wang replied, without pressing the matter further.

The two sat for a while longer before Li Kaixin got up to say goodbye, and County Chief Wang saw him off to the courtyard gate.

On the way, Xiao Liu, who was driving, finally couldn't help but ask, "Comrade Li, are you related to County Chief Wang?"

"No." Li Kaixin shook her head with a smile.

Seeing that he was unwilling to say more, Xiao Liu wisely refrained from pressing him further and focused on driving.

Soon, the car stopped in front of the guesthouse.

Li Kaixin opened the car door, thanked Xiao Liu, and then turned to walk into the guesthouse.