The Happy Farmer Wanderer-Chapter 228 People in the Play_1

Yue’er’s ears were so keen that they scared Li Qing into a jump.

He sighed quietly without changing his expression and said, "I did intend to say that, but it wasn’t about being pregnant."

"Then what is it that has nothing to do with you?" Yue’er insisted tenaciously, "If Yang Xue Lan’s pregnancy has nothing to do with you, when these two statements are connected, there must be something significant!"

"Stop making a fuss, her pregnancy definitely has nothing to do with me; I was just thinking about Old Kong the Third’s case. Even though he was sentenced, I still feel uneasy. The man is too cruel in his methods." Li Qing guiltily grabbed at an excuse.

Yue’er’s eyelids lifted slightly, her face full of suspicion, "But why do I feel like you’re lying?"

"Enough already, Qingzi couldn’t possibly have anything to do with Yang Xuelan," Han Mei spoke up, helping Li Qing smooth things over.

But Han Mei’s words only made Li Qing feel more guilty.

"Exactly!" he said emphatically, lowering his head to continue peeling garlic.

The corners of Yue’er’s mouth curved up slightly as she stared at Li Qing for a good while.

Li Qing was almost scared to death.

Not only did Yue’er have a pair of dog’s ears, but her nose was that of a dog as well.

Her sense of smell was truly too sharp.

...

The drama troupe had entered the village.

As the financier, Li Qing, accompanied by the village elders, went to the temple to offer sacrifices.

Only after the completion of those ancient ceremonies did the troupe start performing to the sound of gongs.

Li Qing didn’t know when these ceremonies began, only that they had always existed.

He just followed the village elders in a confused manner.

Before the golden gongs were struck, the square was already filled with people, men and women, old and young, each with their stools and sitting mats.

The particularly well-informed vendors had already set up their stalls early on the edge of the square.

There were sellers of snacks, fruits, and all kinds of toys to amuse children.

And for the adults, there were fake antiques unearthed just last week.

These vendors had always been mysterious figures in Li Qing’s eyes.

Even now, he had yet to figure out why these people were so well-informed.

Wherever there was a temple fair or a major performance, they were the first to swarm in.

"When the Great Marshal Wang gives the command, let no cries of ’awe’ hold you back!"

On the stage, Judge Bao called out, instantly igniting the enthusiasm of the villagers seated below.

The theater company had an unbelievably strong fan base on this land.

Li Qing stood on the very edge of the square because, having been immersed in it since childhood, he could understand the Qinqiang opera.

But he didn’t actually like it.

While others watched out of nostalgia, he merely watched for the excitement.

"Why don’t you go inside and find a seat?" Yue’er squeezed next to Li Qing and teased with a giggle, "As the big boss who funded this, you should be sitting in the front row."

"I’m fine here at the back, where’s my sister-in-law?" Li Qing asked.

"You’ll never guess where your sister-in-law went," Yue’er said with a secretive air.

"Could it be that she went on stage?" Li Qing joked.

Yue’er’s eyes widened suddenly, and she gave Li Qing a thumbs up, "You guessed it right. Your sister-in-law actually went on stage."

"What?" Li Qing was startled.

"The leading lady from the troupe got heatstroke, and she’s been vomiting and having diarrhea," Yue’er explained, "Your sister-in-law and I just happened to be helping them with their costumes, and when she heard, she volunteered to give it a try, and she actually did it."

"You hired the troupe, and it looks like your sister-in-law is going to earn a buck from you, haha."

Li Qing was immediately embarrassed.

Han Mei could sing opera, which Li Qing knew, but she rarely showed off her voice.

"This time, by sheer happenstance, it seems my sister-in-law got to fulfill a little dream," Li Qing said with a smile.

"She’s performing in the next act, as Dou’er. When the time comes, you should stand at the front to show your sister-in-law some solid support," Tian Yue’e said, her smiling eyes curved like crescent moons.

Li Qing nodded, "Of course."

There were three performances today.

In the afternoon, "The Case of the Beautiful Zombie" and "Injustice to Dou’er," followed by an evening performance of "The Assembly of Double Dragons."

Li Qing was looking forward to Han Mei’s portrayal of Dou’er.

Whether or not he understood was irrelevant, who performed was what mattered.

By the end of "The Case of the Beautiful Zombie," the square was already packed with people.

The crowd was so dense you couldn’t even squeeze a foot in.

Here, it was commonplace for people to traverse over hills and dales for seventy to eighty miles just to watch an opera.

After much effort, Li Qing and Tian Yue’e finally managed to squeeze to the very front.

The drumbeats intensified, and the erhu wept and wailed melodiously.

The curtain rose.

Han Mei emerged on stage in a white costume, her expression sorrowful as she began to sing plaintively.

"My mother-in-law left to collect a debt and has not yet returned, leaving me alone to brood, my eyebrows tightly knit together."

Tian Yue’e commented, "Looks like the troupe leader was worried about your sister-in-law’s performance. She started directly from the fifth act."

Not quite understanding, Li Qing felt that Han Mei sang beautifully, her mournful expression was utterly captivating.

"Do you know what this act is called?" asked Tian Yue’e with a light laugh.

Li Qing shook his head, unaware of even the total number of acts.

"This act is called ’Teasing,’" said Tian Yue’e with a playful smile.

Li Qing turned to look at Tian Yue’e, "Are you suggesting I tease you?"

"Do I need you to tease me? With just one look from you, I’d strip immediately," Tian Yue’e whispered into Li Qing’s ear.

Li Qing squinted his eyes and immediately shot Tian Yue’e a look.

Her words instantly fanned the flame in Li Qing’s heart.

"Are you serious?" Tian Yue’e quietly asked.

Li Qing nodded, "How great is this opportunity? Everyone’s here; we can go home and take our time!"

"Not watching your sister-in-law’s performance anymore?" Tian Yue’e glanced towards the stage and pouted.

"We’ll leave after it’s finished. My sister-in-law probably won’t be back so soon," said Li Qing.

"That’s for sure; removing that makeup is quite a hassle. I’ll leave first, and you come after a while," Tian Yue’e said in a hushed tone.

A quiet heat rose in Li Qing’s heart.

Even though he had been with quite a few women by now, none was as satisfying as Tian Yue’e.

Her voluptuous breasts and smooth hips seemed endlessly alluring, no matter how much he played with them.

After Tian Yue’e left, Li Qing waited a little longer but couldn’t contain the excitement within. He squeezed his way out of the crowd.

The village was eerily quiet—nearly every man, woman, and child had put down their work to watch the opera.

To be cautious, Li Qing deliberately took a detour before slipping into Tian Yue’e’s house.

No sooner had he stepped through the gate than Tian Yue’e suddenly appeared from the side, "I locked the door."

After quickly securing the door, Tian Yue’e’s heated body pressed eagerly into Li Qing’s embrace.

"Let’s go to the bedroom." 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Li Qing’s hand had already snuck up Tian Yue’e’s skirt, eagerly frolicking with impatience.

"Hmm..."

Tian Yue’e let out a soft moan, her body melting into Li Qing’s embrace.

Her eyes were sultry silk, corners of her mouth lifted in a shy smile, "Can you tell what’s different about me today?"