The Fitter Master in the Courtyard: Surrounded by Dead Men

Deng Gang instinctively pinched his thigh hard, and the sharp pain pulled him back from his daze—it wasn't a dream.

"Shall we continue the game?"

Yang Ping put away his fishing rod and calmly turned his gaze to Deng Gang.

"I surrender."

Deng Gang's voice was somewhat hoarse.

He was speechless at being defeated by such tactics.

After a moment of silence, he suddenly took a step forward, his tone almost pleading and resolute: "Comrade, can you teach me this method? What are your conditions? Just name your price."

"This method,"

Yang Ping paused, his gaze sweeping over the other person's anxious face, and slowly said, "It shortens one's lifespan."

He spoke calmly, but he knew in his heart that it wasn't himself who was suffering the loss.

The price of Jing Hongfu's life was visible aging, as if ten years had been instantly taken away.

Saying this now is simply to make the person in front of me back down.

……

Watching Deng Gang and his group disappear into the distance at the end of the riverbank, Yang Ping felt a slight relief on his shoulders.

Fortunately, the other party didn't pester me, otherwise I really wouldn't know how to refuse.

"Yang Ping,"

Yan Fugui leaned closer, his face still showing surprise and doubt. "The fishing method the old man passed down to you, really... really will shorten your lifespan?"

"Third Uncle,"

Yang Ping chuckled and shook her head. "Deng Gang was momentarily confused, but how come you're making the same mistake? There's no such thing as fishing shortening your lifespan!"

Yan Fugui was speechless for a moment, then raised his hand and slapped his forehead.

Yes, if fishing really shortens one's lifespan, then Deng Gang, who has fished for half his life, would probably be long gone...

"So, what exactly is your technique...?"

He pressed on, unwilling to give up.

Yang Ping simply smiled, did not answer, and turned to pack up her fishing gear.

The river surface was ruffled by the wind, and the shimmering waves reflected the slightly lazy afternoon sky.

Yang Ping's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable certainty. "Whether one's heart is sincere or not, one knows best in one's own heart."

Deng Gang's schemes weren't many, but they were just enough for him.

After he finished speaking, he said no more and walked straight to the pile of chips placed to the side.

He first carefully put away the thick stack of ten-yuan bills before calmly examining the rest of the receipts.

Yan Fugui opened his mouth, but the words were cut off by the colorful tickets in front of him.

"From... bicycle ticket!"

Yan Fugui's breath hitched, his eyes fixed on one of the photos.

This thing had appeared in his dreams countless times.

For an ordinary teacher like him, waiting for seniority and job assignment was harder than waiting for the stars or the moon.

The hardships he endured for the bicycle he had saved up for over five years are something only he can truly understand in the quiet of the night.

Looking at Yang Ping, he had only sat by the river for an afternoon, yet he easily acquired a heavy stack of banknotes and these enviable tickets.

Comparing myself to others, the pent-up frustration of the past five years resurfaced, leaving me with a sour and unpleasant feeling.

Yang Ping ran her fingers over the tickets: bicycle tickets, sewing machine tickets, watch tickets… quite a complete selection. It seemed that the "Fishing King"…

They have considerable wealth.

In the distance, Yan Fugui was staring blankly at the air, his face filled with desolation.

He looked away and called out, "Uncle, don't just stand there, pick up a couple of fish to take home."

Consider this a token of my gratitude for lending me the fishing rod.

"Okay, okay!"

Yan Fugui suddenly snapped out of his daze, the gloom on his face vanished, and he took a few steps toward the fish basket, his eyes gleaming.

He picked through the fish, one large and one small, deftly skewered a handful of tough grass stems through their gills, and held them in his hand, his face beaming. "The small one's great for soup! The big one... well, let's see who needs it, maybe we can exchange it for some change."

Seeing his expression, Yang Ping's lips curled into a faint smile. "Then I'll trouble you again to find a sturdy rope and help me string the rest together."

"Don't worry, just watch!"

Yan Fugui responded with great enthusiasm.

Yan Fugui responded and then went back to work in the haystack.

Just then, a car slowly drove up to the side of the road.

The car door opened, and a middle-aged man got out. He looked around, and his gaze fell on the earthen pit filled with fish next to Yang Ping's feet. His eyes lit up, and he strode over in a few steps.

"Young man, are you selling this fish?"

Several plump fish were splashing and swishing their tails in the pit. He could see them clearly, and a look of joy appeared on his face. He asked a question.

"Sell!"

Yang Ping answered decisively.

There are so many fish, he can't possibly eat them all by himself.

Looking up, I saw a face that seemed familiar.

His heart skipped a beat—wasn't this the big boss who always protected Sha Zhu in that drama? And here he was!

"Comrade, you...recognize me?"

The middle-aged man clearly noticed his momentary daze and casually asked.

"I think I met him once at the Hongxing Steel Rolling Mill."

Yang Ping responded.

He wasn't sure whether he had seen it or not, but the steel rolling mill was definitely in the area under this leader's jurisdiction.

"Are you a worker at the steel rolling mill?"

The senior leader looked slightly surprised.

"Yes, my name is Yang Ping, and I've been working at the factory for over three years."

Yang Ping answered frankly.

Knowing the other person's identity and influence, he first introduced himself and made an impression, thinking that if there was an opportunity in the future, they could get to know each other better.

"So it was you!"

Upon hearing this, the senior leader couldn't help but re-examine the young man before him, admiration welling up in his eyes. "That genius who passed the Level 6 fitter exam at the age of twenty? Truly... a young talent with extraordinary bearing."

Coincidentally, it was he who personally signed the document that approved Yang Ping's promotion despite the unusual circumstances.

He always valued talent, so he readily approved the request. He never expected to see him in person today, by the river in the countryside.

"You flatter me, sir."

Yang Ping smiled and pointed to the fishpond, "You can take all these fish. I'll keep three small ones to take home."

Since that important person was in such a good mood, he naturally couldn't appear stingy.

"How can that be? If you're here to buy fish, you have to follow the rules. I won't take advantage of you. The big ones are 50 cents each, and the small ones are 30 cents each. I'll take them all."

The other party, however, insisted on refusing.

Yang Ping initially wanted to refuse, but ultimately couldn't resist the other party's insistence and accepted twenty-seven yuan.

Three plump fish and four slightly smaller fish, a total of seven fish, were put into the other person's bamboo basket.

Of the remaining three, two were for him to take home, and the other was originally for Yan Fugui.

For convenience, he sold Yan Fugui's big one as well, intending to give it directly to that person and then pay Yan Fugui a replacement himself, but unfortunately he couldn't find a suitable opportunity.

"Yang Ping, I'm heading back now. Let's find some time to have a meal together another day."

The important man took his leave.

"Okay, take care on your way."

Yang Ping waved and watched the car drive away.

He was thinking to himself that perhaps he should let Ma Hua hone his skills. If he could replace Sha Zhu and give that person a chance to cook, then if he needed anything done in the future, he could just have Ma Hua pass on a word, and maybe that would be enough.

"Yang Ping, I really didn't realize you recognized someone like that. I was just ignorant."

Yan Fugui gazed at the dust rising in the distance and sighed once more.

On this day, Yang Ping overturned his impression of him several times, making him re-evaluate the young man before him.

"Here, five yuan."

Yang Ping handed over the money he had earned from selling the fish.

"Oh, thank you so much, Yang Ping!"

Yan Fugui immediately changed his expression, took the money, and a smile spread across his face.

Yang Ping shook his head inwardly. This old man really valued money more than life itself. The moment he heard the sound of money, he became lively.

"Okay, let's go, take me to pick out a bicycle."

He said.

"Okay!"

Yan Fugui chuckled and agreed.

I was in a good mood today. I borrowed a fishing rod from Yang Ping, and he ended up making five yuan and a fish for free.

If Yang Ping asked him to jump into Houhai right now, he would probably be happy to do so.

After getting ready, he hopped on the bicycle.

Yang Ping then sat in the back seat.

He felt that familiar, shaky feeling from the frame again, as if it were about to fall apart, but he was used to it and knew that the bike was actually very sturdy.

However, he thought to himself that if he carried someone heavier, the car might really break down.

Before long, the two arrived near the department store.

"Uncle, you should go back first. I'll wander around here for a bit and then go back later."

Yang Ping jumped out of the car and said.

"Okay!"

Yan Fugui had originally planned to go in and look at bicycles together, but after hearing Yang Ping say he wanted to go for a stroll, he changed his mind—he still had things on his bike, and he would be at a great loss if they were stolen.

"Could you please take these two fish back for me?"

Yang Ping added.

Carrying fish while shopping is really inconvenient.

"No problem!"

Yan Fugui got on the car and left.

Yang Ping strolled around leisurely.

It has to be said that the area around the department store is really lively, especially on weekends when it's bustling with people.

The building sells a wide variety of things, from large items like sewing machines, radios, and bicycles to small items like oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, needles, and thread.

The furnishings were rather cluttered, far less spacious and grand than those of later shopping malls.

Yang Ping browsed around, bought some snacks and pastries, and then strolled to the bicycle counter, handed over the ticket and money, and picked out a bicycle.

The salesperson turned to go to the warehouse to get the car, and he waited quietly on the side.

"Yang Ping, what a coincidence, you're here too!"

A crisp sound suddenly came from beside me.

Yang Ping turned his head at the sound and met Gao Yue's smiling gaze. Standing next to her was a girl with arrogant eyes and eyebrows—he recognized her at a glance as Zhou Xiaobai, another female lead in "Blood Color".

"What a coincidence!"

Yang Ping smiled gently, "I'm here to pick out a bicycle, are you too?"

Gao Yue's eyes crinkled into a smile: "Xiao Bai wanted to buy it, so I just accompanied her to take a look."

Zhou Xiaobai, standing to the side, merely raised his chin slightly, his gaze sweeping across the air, showing no intention of speaking.

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Gao Yue's face. She nodded slightly to Yang Ping, as if to apologize on behalf of her friend.

Yang Ping waved his hand dismissively: "The sales clerk went to get the goods, she'll be back in a moment."

These words were naturally meant for Gao Yue's ears, but he wanted to stay a little longer for a chat.

He remembered that Zhou Xiaobai in "Bloodstained" came from a high-ranking family compound, so it was normal for him to be a bit arrogant.

"Then we'll wait a bit."

Before Gao Yue could finish speaking, Zhou Xiaobai gently tugged at her sleeve, forcing her to swallow the rest of her sentence and say apologetically, "Let's talk later."

"become."

A pleasant ripple stirred in Yang Ping's heart—Gao Yue's willingness to talk to him more and even express apology was already a good sign.

Just then, the sales clerk pushed a gleaming bicycle out from the back room and handed it over along with the receipt: "Comrade, here's your bicycle. Please keep the receipt safe."

"Excuse me."

Yang Ping took the thin paper, his gaze falling on the brand-new, gleaming car frame, a smile spreading across his eyes.

From now on, we won't have to rely solely on our two legs to travel.

Gao Yue's gaze fell on the brand-new bicycle, and the corners of her lips unconsciously turned up. She smiled slightly at Yang Ping, her eyes revealing genuine joy.

Yang Ping nodded knowingly and then spoke.

"Then let's talk again next time, Gao Yue."

"it is good."

Gao Yue responded and turned to look at the counter.

"Comrade, I want to buy a bicycle."

Zhou Xiaobai pressed the bicycle ticket and banknotes together on the glass table.

"I'm so sorry, the last one has just been sold."

The next batch is expected to arrive in about two weeks.

The salesperson replied apologetically.

Zhou Xiaobai's expression immediately darkened: "Not a single one left?"

"It's really gone."

The salesperson shook her head.

Zhou Xiaobai had no choice but to put the ticket and money back in his hand. When he looked up, he saw Yang Ping pushing the cart out.

She almost didn't hesitate and chased after him in a few steps.