Chapter 55

Xiaopang gave Lei Huanxi the most precious gift.

This gift was something that no amount of money could measure.

For the first time experiencing the wonders of the water world, Lei Huanxi played in the water for more than two hours.

Xiaopang stayed by his side the whole time, using his body to demonstrate various poses and correcting Lei Huanxi's underwater movements.

After all, this was a dragon acting as a coach!

Even the world's top athletes, with the best training teams, equipment, and ample funding, could hardly find a dragon to be their coach.

In just two hours, thanks to his extraordinary underwater survival skills and the training from Xiaopang, the world's best swimming "coach," Lei Huanxi not only learned how to turn in the water but also mastered movements that were ten times more difficult.

Lei Huanxi even felt that a fish pond was no longer enough to satisfy his desire to swim.

Thinking that he had been in the water for too long and that someone might come and discover him, he reluctantly got out of the water. Xiaopang, who had just completed his evolution and had been playing with Lei Huanxi for so long, was also a bit tired. He attached himself to Lei Huanxi's shoulder.

Back at the villa, Lei Huanxi put Xiaopang in the seawater. Two dragon fish immediately swam over, swallowing and spitting out Xiaopang. Xiaopang closed his eyes contentedly and enjoyed it...

The next morning, Shi Shunzhong's call woke Lei Huanxi from his sleep.

Shi Shunzhong, unable to hide his excitement, told Lei Huanxi that although the three conditions he proposed were considered too absurd by the higher-ups and were rejected, the persistent Shi Shunzhong found Director Xie Kunhong and Coach Peng Zewei. After a rational argument, he gained their support.

However, the condition was the same: in the swimming selection competition next month, Lei Huanxi must achieve outstanding results; otherwise, even if he were a genius, they would have to reluctantly give up on him.

After delivering this good news, Shi Shunzhong required Lei Huanxi to start training with him by next Tuesday at the latest and to master the essentials of swimming.

Lei Huanxi calculated that he had agreed to meet Jiang Bin on Monday, so he could handle both matters at once. He readily agreed.

Yawning, he got up, washed up, made breakfast, and went out to call Xiaopang to eat.

In a hurry, he went to the fish pond to feed the fish. By the time he finished, it was almost noon.

Being a fish farmer was not easy, especially with a ten-acre fish pond that only Lei Huanxi took care of. It was quite tiring. Should he hire someone?

If he often went to Yundong, what would happen to the fish pond if he was away for a few days?

Lei Huanxi had this thought in mind.

His stomach growled, and he was too lazy to cook again, so he decided to go to Zhunan Town to eat.

As soon as he arrived in Zhunan Town, he went straight to Dong Shanbei's house. Seeing that Grandpa Dong was about to cook, he quickly told him not to and said he would buy some ready-made dishes from the market, and the two of them would have a drink.

As usual, they set up the table at the door. Most people in the town ate this way, greeting familiar faces and sharing a piece of pig's ear, which made the atmosphere very warm.

"Where's Brother Hong? I haven't seen him for a few days," Lei Huanxi poured wine into the two bowls and asked casually.

"He wants to do big business and has gone to another place, apparently to invest in some project," Dong Shanbei took a sip of wine and chewed on a piece of goose neck with relish. "I told him, 'Your fruit business is doing well, why aim so high? Everyone wants to get rich, but you need to seize the right opportunity, right?' But he wouldn't listen to me. He said he would make at least a few million this time. When I asked him what the project was, he was vague and wouldn't say."

Lei Huanxi smiled. He could do anything, just not get involved in pyramid schemes.

He had a classmate in college who got obsessed with it. The person became crazy, talking about the benefits of his "business" and how he could get rich.

Lei Huanxi didn't know if he got rich, but he never heard from that classmate again.

"Huanxi, you are a down-to-earth person," Dong Shanbei said happily when he mentioned Lei Huanxi. "I heard you leased a ten-acre fish pond? That's great. This business may not make you rich, but with hard work and honesty, you won't have to worry about food and drink, right?"

Lei Huanxi smiled and nodded.

He didn't tell Grandpa Dong that his ambitions were not just that.

Dong Shanbei suddenly changed the subject, "Huanxi, can you manage a ten-acre fish pond by yourself? Raising fish seems simple, but there are many nuances."

This hit a sore spot for Lei Huanxi, and he immediately poured out his troubles.

Lei Huanxi, who seemed to have anticipated this, smiled and listened to Lei Huanxi. "You're running back and forth between Yundong and Xiantao. You can't just let the fish pond go, can you? How about I introduce someone to you?"

"Introduce someone?" Lei Huanxi was taken aback. "Who?"

"This person's surname is Ye, and his name is Ye Tianlong," Dong Shanbei hesitated. "His ancestors were all fish farmers, and he inherited the trade. His fish-farming skills are top-notch, and he is hardworking and loyal. But he has a short temper, which led him to spend a few years in prison..."

Dong Shanbei explained the situation to Lei Huanxi.

It turned out that Ye Tianlong had leased more than ten acres of fish ponds in another village and was living a comfortable life. One day, after drinking a lot, he went to check on the fish pond and encountered two fish thieves.

He was already short-tempered, and with the influence of alcohol, he grabbed a pole and rushed over. One thief ran away, and the other was caught and beaten. Coincidentally, he hit the thief on the head, knocking him unconscious.

He sobered up in shock and called the police in a panic.

The situation developed beyond his imagination. The thief was severely injured with brain damage, and Ye Tianlong was charged with excessive self-defense and sentenced to two years in prison.

After two years in prison, his wife left with their child, and the village reclaimed the fish pond. He went from a well-off life to having nothing.

When he tried to find a job, he only knew how to raise fish, and when people heard he had been in prison, they immediately rejected him.

Lei Huanxi hesitated.

It wasn't that he looked down on Ye Tianlong, but his short temper and tendency to cause trouble when drunk were concerning. What if he caused some trouble?

As if sensing Lei Huanxi's doubts, Dong Shanbei said, "This person has completely changed since he got out of prison. Let me tell you one thing..."

On the first day out of prison, Ye Tianlong got drunk and went to his wife's parents' house.

His wife's family was terrified, thinking he would do something drastic.

But Ye Tianlong knelt down and bowed three times, saying, "I was wrong before. Even if you divorce me, I won't blame you. I just ask you to take good care of Niu Niu, don't let her be cold or hungry."

Niu Niu was his daughter.

After saying this, Ye Tianlong left.

Hearing this, Lei Huanxi understood everything.

"Such a cheerful man before," Dong Shanbei sighed. "But now? He's always quiet and reserved. I know his father, and it's hard to see him like this. Huanxi, for my sake, give him a chance. He has a good character, his temper has changed, and he's an excellent fish farmer. What do you think?"

Lei Huanxi thought carefully. Grandpa Dong's recommendation was definitely reliable, and he did need such a helper. "Alright, Grandpa Dong, when is he free to come and see me?"

"Not some other time, today," Dong Shanbei pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. "Call this number for me."

The call connected, and Lei Huanxi handed the phone to Dong Shanbei. Dong Shanbei said, "Tianlong, come over quickly. Lei Huanxi wants you."

After he finished, Lei Huanxi realized, "Grandpa Dong, did you plan this all along, setting a trap for me to jump into?"

Dong Shanbei chuckled...

Less than 20 minutes later, a tall man hurried over.

He was about 1.85 meters tall, broad-shouldered and muscular. Dong Shanbei introduced him as Ye Tianlong, who was only 33 but looked much older, as if he had weathered many storms.

Ye Tianlong came over, said nothing, picked up Dong Shanbei's wine bowl, raised it to Lei Huanxi, drank it in one gulp, and then bowed respectfully to Lei Huanxi.

"Don't, don't do that," Lei Huanxi was taken aback; this was the first time someone had bowed to him.

"Tianlong, sit down," Dong Shanbei gestured for Ye Tianlong to sit. "We're all family here, no need for formalities. If you have any requirements, just tell Huanxi."

"I don't have any special requirements," Ye Tianlong said in a low voice. "Just provide food and lodging. The place doesn't need to be big, just a shed by the fish pond, which I can build myself. I'll do all the work. Pay me once a year, and the amount is up to you. I won't argue over a single cent."

"Don't call me Lei Boss, I'm not a boss. Call me Xiaolei," Lei Huanxi thought for a moment. "For food, you can cook for yourself, and I'll cover the costs. For lodging, I have an old house, over 100 square meters, which should be enough for you."

"No, that won't work," Ye Tianlong unexpectedly said. "I heard from the old man that it's a new fish pond that needs constant supervision. I must build a shed by the pond to respond to any issues immediately. Lei Boss... Xiaolei, I have more experience in this area."

Lei Huanxi immediately took a liking to this straightforward man.