Li Zhiyuan pointed out the crux of the problem to Zhao Yi: "It's because of you. You've always treated your companions as accessories and consumables."

Zhao Yi nodded thoughtfully: "You're right."

Changing the topic, Zhao Yi continued: "Don't laugh at me, those two sisters may be silly, but I'm really starting to feel like they truly care about me."

Li Zhiyuan: "Because you find it difficult to care about others, naturally you don't easily believe that others would truly care about you. People who are too smart usually have a detached nature."

Zhao Yi: "When you're around, using this to describe me feels a bit inappropriate, I almost feel like I'm overstepping."

Li Zhiyuan: "I've been told the same."

Cui Cui's grandmother, Liu Xiazi, used to say this about herself more than once, back when she hadn't yet had cataract surgery and couldn't see clearly that she hadn't walked far.

Zhao Yi: "It's actually a pretty good feeling. Those two silly girls are genuinely willing to die for me, plus they're not only good-looking but also twins."

Li Zhiyuan glanced at Zhao Yi, who now seemed like he was forcing himself to graze.

Zhao Yi: "Li, aren't you going to ask me which one I'll choose?"

Li Zhiyuan: "So, which one will you choose?"

Zhao Yi: "Only children make choices. I want them all!"

Li Zhiyuan: "Are you planning to marry into their family?"

Zhao Yi: "Once I reveal some of my future plans to the Chen Family Head, the Chen Family won't dare mention me marrying into their family."

Mr. Zhao plans to set things right with Zhao Zheng of Jiujiang, but if he marries into the Chen Family, it would be like giving the Chen Family a way to exploit him.

Talking, the two of them braved the rain and walked back.

They knew there were police cars in the yard, but before entering, they saw Mr. Zhai's figure on the second-floor balcony, who also noticed them.

Zhao Yi whispered: "While on night watch, I listened to the old man lecture for a long time, and it almost put me to sleep."

Li Zhiyuan reminded him: "During the day, try to ground my identity more in reality, add more context. Once we get to Fengdu, it will allow us to 'meet' more naturally and reduce any awkwardness."

Zhao Yi: "You value him that much?"

Li Zhiyuan: "Yes, his status is on par with my teacher, both are leading figures in the field."

Zhao Yi said dismissively: "Leading figures? Can they suppress Fengdu?"

Li Zhiyuan: "Yes, they can flood Fengdu."

Zhao Yi: "..."

After pausing for a few seconds, Zhao Yi caught up quickly and asked hurriedly: "So, is this your confidence and reliance?"

Li Zhiyuan: "Yes."

Zhao Yi: "When did you know about this?"

Li Zhiyuan: "A long time ago, Brother Liangliang told me. He advised me to go to Fengdu sooner if I ever intended to, as it won't be the same place if I go too late."

Zhao Yi: "Damn, after running the Jiang route is over, I'm going to apply to study at the Water Conservancy University as well."

Li Zhiyuan: "Alright, junior."

After going upstairs, Mr. Zhai came over proactively and asked: "It's raining, what did you go out so early for?"

Zhao Yi: "My brother said he wanted to check out the water levels after the heavy rain and the nearby hills. I didn't feel comfortable letting him go alone, so I went with him."

"Oh?"

Hearing this, Mr. Zhai was quite surprised and immediately bent over, looking at Li Zhiyuan:

"Child, why are you interested in these things?"

Zhao Yi took the opportunity to answer: "My brother loves water conservancy. Since he was very young, he said he wanted to study at a university, learn to build dams for flood control and power generation."

Zhao Yi's words were the most fitting, and when they get to Fengdu, they could be framed as a beautiful misunderstanding. If Li Zhiyuan explained it himself, it would seem deliberate and unjustifiable.

Mr. Zhai smiled warmly, gently patted Li Zhiyuan's shoulder, his eyes full of kindness and appreciation.

Zhao Yi was very familiar with this look, it's the same expression the old folks in the family have when they see a talented young person.

"Child, with such aspirations from a young age, a promising future awaits you."

Seeing both of them drenched, Mr. Zhai didn't say much more, urging them to change out of their wet clothes to avoid catching a cold.

The noise from entering the room woke up Tan Wenbin, who looked at the two of them and asked:

"Brother Xiao Yuan, did you two go out?"

Zhao Yi: "Yes, something happened with Meng Meng."

Tan Wenbin: "How is Meng Meng now?"

Zhao Yi: "Already buried."

Tan Wenbin: "..."

Zhao Yi cherished the opportunity to tease Tan Wenbin.

But he quickly explained the cause and effect.

Tan Wenbin breathed a sigh of relief, saying: "Once our journey is over, Meng Meng should be able to recover. This way, it's good, avoids the risk of going to Fengdu."

Zhao Yi shook his head: "I don't see it that way."

Li Zhiyuan, after showering and changing clothes, came out and said: "There's no water in the thermos. I'll need to go downstairs to refill it."

The room had a shower, just like Grandpa's house, with a bucket hung high and a rubber hose extending down.

Zhao Yi: "I don't need to shower, I'm already dry. I practice martial arts, so I'm not easily prone to catching colds."

Li Zhiyuan looked at Tan Wenbin: "Brother Binbin, no one here has seen you before, make sure to be cautious when the day breaks."

Tan Wenbin: "Understood, Mr. Zhao has already reminded me."

Li Zhiyuan lay back on the bed, closed his eyes, and fell asleep again. Rest was his top priority now.

By the next morning, it cleared up for a while, but by noon, it started pouring rain again.

News from the provincial road ahead indicated that just after clearing the previous landslide section, two more landslides occurred, so traveling today is definitely not an option.

Li Zhiyuan slept until the afternoon, and upon waking up, his vision returned to color, eyesight restored to normal.

He woke up to find that Run Sheng and Lin Shuyou had also woken up.