When it came to the power of gossip, Li Jintang wasn't even fit to carry the shoes of the "Village Entrance Intelligence Group."
Propaganda and public opinion were important, so Li Xiang had to win over this mysterious organization.
Of course, that was just a joke. Li Xiang was actually a very polite person.
After exchanging pleasantries with the members of the intelligence group for a good seven or eight minutes, Li Xiang received a great deal of praise.
For instance, someone praised his filial piety for coming home to care for his grandmother, noting that in ancient times, such devotion could get a person recommended for an official post.
Someone else said he was thoughtful for bringing everyone pastries, calling him considerate—unlike so-and-so from that one family who always took a detour to avoid them.
Another commented that the refrigerator he'd bought was a good choice, adding that their family had the same brand and its quality was top-notch.
And yet another told him, "Since you're staying in the village, it's about time you got married. Give me a few days and Auntie will find some prospects for you. I guarantee they'll be pretty with big hips—you'll be satisfied!"
...
The only thing Li Xiang regretted was that his grandmother, being old, having difficulty getting around, and preferring peace and quiet, had not joined this "intelligence group."
'Thinking of Grandma, all alone in the countryside, her life must be incredibly lonely. Giving up so-called "opportunities" in the big city to come back and care for her in her twilight years was without a doubt the right decision.'
After bidding farewell to the various "aunties," Li Xiang drove his three-wheeler and continued toward home.
The "intelligence post" was located under the large willow tree at the eastern end of the village, while his home was the outermost house at the western end.
He was still over a hundred meters from home when the two large Dahuang dogs resting in the shade by the gate froze for a second. Then they shot to their feet, wagging their tails and barking as they sprinted over to greet him.
Li Xiang couldn't help but grin. "I've been gone for so long, and you two still recognize me!"
These were the two loyal dogs his grandmother had raised; they were very Spiritual.
Li Xiang drove his three-wheeler toward his house, flanked by the two Dahuang dogs, who leaped excitedly to his left and right to welcome him.
His elderly grandmother heard the commotion and had already come hobbling out, leaning heavily on her cane. Upon seeing Li Xiang, her excitement was plain to see, and tears streamed down her aged face.
"Grandma, I'm back!" Li Xiang hopped off the vehicle and hurried to his grandmother's side, giving her a gentle hug.
"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back!" Grandma wiped her tears, overjoyed.
"Grandma, these are for you." Li Xiang helped his grandmother sit down in a nearby chair, then took out his gifts: six stalks of Red Ginseng, three sets of clothes, and mooncakes, peach slices, ginger cakes, and so on.
He had also prepared gifts for his maternal grandparents, which were packaged separately.
Grandma's face beamed with a smile. "My grandson has really grown up. Xiang'Er, how long are you staying this time?" The old woman thought Li Xiang was just home for a short visit.
Li Xiang smiled and said, "I'm not leaving again. I'm going to stay home, farm the land, and take care of you!"
"Huh?" Grandma was startled, but then her expression turned sad. 'It's all my fault for holding my grandson back,' she thought. 'If only I'd died sooner, he wouldn't be tied down to this countryside. He'd be in the big city, soaring to new heights.'
But she didn't know that even if Li Xiang hadn't returned, he wouldn't have been able to "soar" in the big city. Not unless the Apocalypse arrived.
For someone from the bottom rung of society like Li Xiang, a Reincarnator who possessed the Apocalypse System, the coming of the Apocalypse was his true chance to skyrocket to the top.
"Grandma, you rest first. I'll go move my things!" Li Xiang began efficiently hauling his supplies into the house.
First, he carried in the large refrigerator, found a corner for it, and set it down. He'd let it sit for a while before plugging it in later.
He moved the rest of the supplies inside as well and carried his luggage to his own room.
Grandma followed him in with her cane, looking rather apologetic. "I didn't know you were coming back, so I haven't tidied up your room." As she spoke, she set down her cane and went to the closet to get sheets and a duvet cover.
Li Xiang quickly stopped her. "It's fine, I'll make the bed myself later. Grandma, you should rest!" How could he let an old woman do the work? In his "memories," his grandmother's health was poor, and she would pass away in five years.
'Hopefully, in this life, by taking care of her food and daily needs, I can help her live a little longer.'
Li Xiang saw a large pile of gifts in the living room—grapes, bananas, milk, pastries, and mooncakes—and asked his grandmother curiously, "Who came to visit you?"
Grandma said, "Your Little Aunt came by. She made me lunch and was just relaxing here when Xiaorong came back, so she asked her to go play mahjong."
"Xiaorong's" full name was Li Rong. She was the same age as Li Xiang's Little Aunt, Li Caihong, and they were childhood best friends. Every time Li Rong returned to her parents' home, she would ask if Li Xiang's Little Aunt was back. If she was, Li Rong would definitely seek her out to hang out.
Li Xiang nodded in understanding, but then his expression darkened. He asked, "So First Aunt and Second Aunt didn't come?"
Today was the Mid-Autumn Festival. It was already so late, almost four in the afternoon. If they hadn't come by now, they probably weren't coming at all.
Grandma lowered her head, her eyelids drooping, and let out a soft sigh.
She had one son and three daughters. Her son and daughter-in-law had died in a natural disaster in '08. Since the disaster occurred far from home, their bodies were never recovered. In the end, they had no choice but to set up a cenotaph for them.
Her three daughters each had different fates. The eldest daughter married a man from a neighboring village who did business in the county. Their whole family lived in the county seat; they had a car and a house, and their lives were flourishing.
The second daughter married far away, into another county seat two hundred kilometers away. She was part of an ordinary working-class family.
The third daughter was Li Xiang's Little Aunt, Li Caihong, whose life was the most miserable of the three.
In her youth, Li Caihong was quite beautiful, but she came from a rural background and didn't have much education. And then... she was probably tricked by some good-for-nothing punk.
At the time, both Li Xiang's father and grandmother were vehemently opposed to the match, but they couldn't stop his Little Aunt, who was determined to marry him. And so, she did.