The Happy Farmer Wanderer-Chapter 175: Passion Like Blazing Fire_1

After a refreshing cold shower, Li Qing didn’t stay long at home before heading to Wenguan Garden.

Upon arriving at the garden, he was somewhat shocked to find that not only were Tian Yue’e and Yang Xuelan there,

but Gao Li was there as well.

Moreover, judging by the bag beside him, he had clearly picked quite a lot already.

This was unprecedented for Gao Li, who would rather die of laziness than lift a finger.

It seemed the allure of money was still quite powerful.

Li Qing greeted everyone and deliberately passed by Han Mei, stealthily grabbed her pert behind, and then quickly scurried away to climb an unpicked Wenguan Tree.

Han Mei was both shy and angry, glaring at Li Qing with murderous eyes, but a flirty charm hid in the corner of her eyes.

Their own Wenguan Forest was Li Qing’s true income without the need for any capital investment.

Although Yang Xuelan and her husband, as well as Tian Yue’e, were helping out, they weren’t being paid extra for their labor.

Working until six o’clock, Li Qing told everyone to rest early and quietly sought out Han Mei.

Before he could get close, Han Mei glared at him fiercely, "No more foolishness, or I won’t let you have any!"

Li Qing quickly raised his hands, laughing, "Sister-in-law, I won’t be handsy, I just want to talk to you about something."

Han Mei gave Li Qing a coquettish glance, "Speak!"

"Sister-in-law, have dinner on your own later, I need to pay a visit to Hu Wei’s place," Li Qing said.

"What are you doing at their house?" Han Mei frowned slightly.

"Fat Hu can’t stand to stay in the village any longer and is leaving tomorrow. He asked me to have dinner at their place tonight and to chat," Li Qing sighed, "I’m practically mortal enemies with Hu Youyu, yet I get along quite well with Hu Wei. This situation is pretty awkward for me."

Han Mei thought for a moment and said, "In this case, you can only deal with each independently. As long as Hu Wei can put things aside and not hold grudges, continue as you were before."

"Then you should go early. I’ll call Yang Xuelan and her husband to go have dinner at your place later."

"Alright," Li Qing agreed, then whispered, "Sister-in-law, you’re too tempting, you can’t wear something so tight next time."

"You’re asking for a beating," Han Mei said shyly and angrily, raising her little fist.

Li Qing chuckled and ran off.

After storing the newly picked Wenguan Leaves at home, Li Qing headed to Yu Lan’s house.

The setting sun cast a golden light, and smoke from the kitchen chimneys curled up into the air.

The clear chirping of the cuckoo echoed between the crisscrossing lanes and paths.

Li Qing, bathed in the golden sunset, stepped through the gates of Yu Lan’s house.

Wafts of delicious cooking, along with the sound of a spatula flipping food in a pan, came from the kitchen.

Just as Li Qing was about to peek into the kitchen to check on Yu Lan, he spotted Hu Wei tidying up things in the living room.

Hesitating for a moment, Li Qing still decided to enter the living room first.

"You’re already packing up?"

Upon hearing Li Qing’s voice, Hu Wei turned around, "Have a seat."

There was more cheerfulness on his face compared to the morning, and he didn’t seem as downcast.

"I should tidy up early to avoid losing anything at the last minute," Hu Wei said and pulled out a box of alcohol from under the coffee table, opening two bottles and placing them in front of Li Qing.

"Today, let’s drink to our hearts’ content, brother."

Li Qing was taken aback, opened his beer, "Then let’s not waste words, let’s start with one."

"Cheers!" Hu Wei shouted, clinking his bottle with Li Qing’s.

Neither used a glass as they both drank straight from the bottle.

Hu Wei chugged most of the bottle in one go, let out a long burp, and slapped his thigh, exclaiming, "Refreshing!"

Li Qing watched Hu Wei intently for a moment and said, "Think it over again, stay and help me!"

"If you think the salary is too low, name your price, as long as I can afford it."

Big Mouth grinned and started laughing, "Brother, you’re way too righteous, giving me so much face."

"Honestly, your offer is so tempting, but staying in the village... it’s suffocating."

"Qingzi, do you understand that feeling? It’s like even breathing feels oppressive."

How could Li Qing not understand?

"Have you ever counted how many nicknames people in the village have given me over the years?" Li Qing said with a self-deprecating smile, "Things like ’Short-lived ghost’, ’Bringer of death’, ’Jinx’, ’Sweeper star’; there are so many I can’t even keep track, but I’ve endured them all."

Hu Wei was stunned for a moment and smacked his lips lightly, "Qingzi, I’ve never been like you, I really don’t have your kind of tolerance."

Li Qing was once again left speechless.

If you can’t even deal with your own issues, then escaping really seems like a good choice.

"But if you leave, all the pressure will be on your stepmom alone, are you okay with that?" Li Qing said.

In his heart, he had already treated Yu Lan as his own woman.

Yet, in reality, Yu Lan was always Hu Wei’s stepmother.

"So, this drink is not only for us two to celebrate our past, but also for me to ask a favor of you!" Hu Wei said.

Li Qing looked at Hu Wei, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"You have prestige and status in the village now, and I want to ask you to help my stepmom under appropriate circumstances," Hu Wei said earnestly, "You ask if I’m worried? Of course, I am, but I have no choice."

"People are already eyeing the little property my family has, and with you and the village chief stepping in, it’s more reliable than me. I know exactly how much influence I have and what I’m capable of."

"Come on, let’s drink to that!"

Feeling a mix of emotions, Li Qing looked at Hu Wei somewhat helplessly, "With you here, you can take charge."

"I can agree to help you, but the village chief and I will always be outsiders."

"After I leave, my stepmom will call the shots at home," Hu Wei said, "and with you and the village chief stepping in, there should be no problems."

"I’ve said all that needed to be said, now let’s drink!"

Li Qing reluctantly clinked glasses with Hu Wei.

Hu Wei’s bottle was already finished, and he opened another one.

"Come on, let’s enjoy ourselves today!"

"Cheers!"

...

"Hold on, I need to take a piss."

Hu Wei staggered to his feet.

In just a short while, he had downed a total of six bottles of liquor.

Although Li Qing hadn’t drunk as much as Hu Wei, he still polished off three bottles.

After Hu Wei left, Li Qing walked into the kitchen.

Just as he entered, a soft embrace suddenly flung itself into his arms, followed quickly by warm and tender lips pressing against his, as a nimble tongue eagerly twined into Li Qing’s mouth.

Li Qing responded passively, his hands resting on Yu Lan’s curvy hips.

Yu Lan’s kiss was especially intense, like a tempestuous storm.

"Touch me!" she panted into Li Qing’s ear, her voice urgent.