Chapter 75

"Hey—Mom, whose eagle is this, so disobedient!"

In the morning, just after getting up, Zhang Tianyuan was still tidying up his copy of a painting inside the room, putting it into a bamboo tube for better preservation. Even though it was just a copy, if it were to be seen by an expert, it might fetch a good price.

Suddenly, he heard someone shouting outside. No need to ask, it was Xu Gang again. He was so used to this voice that it was like a callus on his ears.

"I say, why don't you go and keep your wife company in the morning instead of coming to tease my eagle," Zhang Tianyuan scolded with a smile.

"Hehe, look at this, good brother, Wenya told me yesterday that she likes this eagle and wants to buy it for 500,000. Can you sell it to me?" Xu Gang laughed.

"Get lost! You're crazy for money. If you want to sell it, catch your own. I won't sell Xiao Shenluo to anyone," Zhang Tianyuan scolded.

"Alright, if you don't want to sell, that's fine. Why so aggressive? It's strange, this eagle suddenly turned completely white, looking so beautiful. Could it have leukemia?" Xu Gang smacked his lips, still staring at the little eagle, almost drooling.

Before Zhang Tianyuan could respond, the little eagle suddenly flew up and pecked at Xu Gang. The eagle knew its limits and didn't peck at vital areas like the eyes, just at Xu Gang's shoulders and back, causing pain but no serious harm.

"Quick! Brother! Control this feathered beast!"

"Serves you right for bothering it." As he spoke, Zhang Tianyuan waved at the little eagle, which flew to him and landed on the railing beside him, looking quite pleased with itself.

"Ah, you feathered beast, you're just like your owner, showing off for what?" Xu Gang shook his head and sighed.

"Hey, you didn't come here just for Shenluo, did you? What do you want?" Zhang Tianyuan asked.

"Um, it's not me, but your dream girl has something to say." Xu Gang nodded. "Professor Wang came this morning, saying that the Liu family called him because they couldn't get through to Liu Mengxun."

"It seems that in this modern society, it's impossible to stay reclusive. Not using phones here really causes some trouble," Zhang Tianyuan shook his head helplessly. People always have some things they can't avoid in life, no wonder it's called "living under duress."

"Right, it seems that the old man of the Liu family is sick again. The family called Liu Mengxun to send something back to the island as soon as possible, and he might leave today. Mou Ying is worried and wants to go with him," Xu Gang explained.

Hearing this, Zhang Tianyuan's first thought was to go with Liu Mengxun, but after calming down, he could only shake his head. He was nothing now, what could he do at the Liu family? Be looked down upon?

He didn't chase Liu Mengxun to be humiliated, but after spending these days together, he had gotten used to her company. Suddenly having to part ways, he really felt a bit reluctant.

Just as he was about to ask more, Zhao Danfeng helped Zhao Shenluo into the small courtyard where he lived. After just one night, Zhao Shenluo's complexion had recovered remarkably fast. Although he was still thin, he looked spirited and no longer sickly.

"Brother Zhao, why are you here?"

"Why not? I came to thank you. Yesterday was so busy with the reunion with Danfeng that I didn't have time to thank you, my great benefactor. Benefactor, please accept Shenluo's gratitude!" As he spoke, Zhao Shenluo knelt down, and Zhao Danfeng followed.

Zhang Tianyuan quickly ran out of the room, saying, "No, no, this is not the way to do things these days!" He ran to Zhao Shenluo and helped him up, adding, "Meeting you, Brother, is already a blessing for me."

Zhao Shenluo didn't kneel again, not wanting to make Zhang Tianyuan uncomfortable. He smiled and changed the subject, "I heard you like antiques?"

"Yes, Danfeng told you?"

"Sort of. How about joining a 'market day'?"

"Market day?"

Zhang Tianyuan was a bit confused. He understood the term "market day," where people would gather in the city to buy and sell things, forming a temporary market. But what did Zhao Shenluo mean by this?

"You really haven't heard of it. The antique world isn't as calm as it seems. Everyone wants to make big money and avoid high commissions and taxes. Over time, large-scale underground markets have formed in several major cities across the country. These markets always exist, but they're not usually so lively. You're lucky; it's the annual market day for the underground market in Nandu. On this day, antique dealers from all over the country, even from abroad, will come to Nandu. If you really like antiques, you can't miss this market day," Zhao Shenluo explained.

"Ah, I see. I..." Just as Zhang Tianyuan was about to respond, Liu Mengxun rushed in, ignoring everyone's gazes, said, "Sorry, I need to borrow Zhang Tianyuan for a moment!" and dragged him out of the courtyard.

Xu Gang was stunned.

When did these two become so close? They used to be so awkward and hesitant, but now they seemed like a couple in love.

Liu Mengxun was wearing tight sportswear, probably just finishing her morning run and hadn't had time to shower yet.

They say a man's sweat is smelly, but a woman's is fragrant. Today, Zhang Tianyuan felt that Liu Mengxun, with her damp hair and a sheen of sweat, exuded a youthful charm that made her even more attractive than usual.

This must be what they mean by "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." He didn't know how others saw her, but he didn't dislike the current Liu Mengxun.

"You can't just drag me out like this without giving me a chance to prepare."

"No need to prepare. I just feel a bit confused and want to talk to you."

Zhang Tianyuan opened his mouth but didn't say anything. When a woman is upset, the best thing a man can do is to be there for her, offering a shoulder to lean on. Although he was still thinking about the market day Zhao Shenluo mentioned, he decided to put it aside and focus on being with Liu Mengxun.

After speaking, Liu Mengxun's face turned a rosy red, adding to her already beautiful and alluring appearance.

"Thank you," Zhang Tianyuan said suddenly.

"Why?" Liu Mengxun was surprised, stopping and turning to look at him. "Why thank me?"

"You came to me first when you were troubled, which means you really consider me a friend. I should thank you for that," Zhang Tianyuan smiled. He was being sincere. Liu Mengxun didn't go to Mou Ying, She Lin, or Lan Fenghuang first; she came to him, showing his importance to her.

Liu Mengxun might not have realized this herself. Hearing Zhang Tianyuan's words, she was surprised and asked herself, "Could I have unknowingly fallen for this person?"

She shook her head, not daring to think further. The more she thought, the more troubled she felt.

The two didn't walk far. After leaving the courtyard, they went to the street in Wudao Village and entered a teahouse that was already open for business.

"Let's sit here and chat."

The teahouse had three floors. The third floor had only one table, originally reserved for Zhao Shenluo, offering a view of the entire village and the distant scenery. However, Zhao Shenluo had instructed that wherever Zhang Tianyuan went, it was as if he were there, and they should be treated the same. So the two went up to the third floor, sitting in a pavilion-like area, looking out at the greenery through the windows.

Because the village was in a basin, Nandu had greenery all year round. At this time, the new and old greenery together created a unique and beautiful scene.

The teahouse attendant was a young, energetic man, about 23 years old.

"Sit here and enjoy the scenery, have a cup of tea, and calm your mind. These days, people are too busy, with no time to sit and enjoy life. They're busy from school until old age, which isn't a good thing."

"Listening to you, it sounds like you've seen through the world," Zhang Tianyuan laughed. "Are you a college student?"

"Yes, I graduated from Nandu University. I tried many jobs, but they all felt like working like a horse. I hated that life. When I came here, even as a waiter, my life became peaceful and content," the young man said.

"You're lucky to find something you like. Many people aren't as fortunate," Zhang Tianyuan smiled. "But everyone has their own way of living and their own happiness. You find peace and contentment, while others find happiness in hard work and progress. Look at the elderly, who can't rest even in their old age and still want to grow vegetables to feel their lives are fulfilling."

"Brother, you have a point. You must be rich, as all of Mr. Zhao's friends are big bosses. You don't understand our lives," the attendant smiled.

Zhang Tianyuan laughed, "Do you want to be rich?"

"I think my life is good now."

"That's because you don't know what a rich life is, so you have no desire. It's like a frog at the bottom of a well, thinking the world is just the size of the well. When you jump out, you'll see there's a whole world of wonders waiting for you," Zhang Tianyuan smiled. "I also graduated from Nandu. As a senior, I don't want to say you're right or wrong. I just want to tell you that if you want to truly enjoy life, you need to create it with your own hands and become rich first."

These were Zhang Tianyuan's true thoughts. In the past, he had thought about earning a few thousand a month, buying a house on loan, getting married, and having children, living a simple life. But now, he realized that with money, the world became much more colorful.

To live well, you need to be rich first. Even in pursuing a woman, you need to be someone of high standing.