Corpse Recovery Diver

"It's breakfast time!"

The morning light in Grandpa's house was summoned by Aunt Liu's call.

Li Sanjiang picked up his bowl and took a few bites of porridge with some pickled vegetables, his gaze sweeping over Tan Wenbin, Run Sheng, and Lin Shuyou. He nodded silently.

The mules that had been out recently were all back in their pens today.

Counting them one by one, not a single one was missing.

After the meal, as usual, Little Yuanhou was supposed to accompany him on a digestive walk.

But today, Li Sanjiang took the initiative with Run Sheng and said:

"Marquis Runsheng, come, take me on a trip to Si'an Town."

Run Sheng was taken aback; he originally planned to return to his old home in West Pavilion today to stock up on some rice, noodles, grains, and oil for his grandfather.

After all, it had been a while since the last transaction, and theoretically, it was almost time to fetch the next batch of Jiang Shui.

He had to ensure his grandfather was settled before heading out, or else the old man might genuinely starve.

Back when Grandpa was younger, he could endure hunger better, but now that he's older, he's less resilient.

However, since Mr. Li had spoken, Run Sheng nodded and went to push out the family's tricycle.

Tan Wenbin, hands on his hips, yawned and said to Run Sheng, "I'll take a trip for you."

"Mm." Run Sheng responded, riding the tricycle with Mr. Li down the courtyard.

A while back, Li Sanjiang intended to go to Shigang Town to try his luck at a lottery, but he was delayed by the Wu family's matters and couldn't make it.

These lottery teams often relocate frequently since short-term consumer capacity in one area is limited. After two or three days, they typically move to another location.

Now, they happened to have moved to Si'an Town, which was neither too far nor too close from Si Yuan Village.

Li Sanjiang felt embarrassed letting the youngsters know he was going to play the lottery, fearing he'd set a bad example. After much consideration, Marquis Runsheng was the most suitable companion.

Once they reached Si'an, he would have Run Sheng smoke and wait from afar while he discreetly bought a lottery ticket and returned after claiming the prize.

Yes, Li Sanjiang had dreamt again last night that he won the lottery, and this wasn't the first time he'd had such a dream recently.

So this time, he wasn't aiming for anything else; even if it was just to interpret the dream, he had to buy a ticket.

Tan Wenbin lit a cigarette, saying, "Then I'll go to West Pavilion."

Yin Meng: "I'll go with you."

"I can go alone; it's just to buy some food and drinks."

"I have the experience. If you buy too much, he might sell it to play cards, and it's more likely he'd starve."

"Alright, let's go together then."

Tan Wenbin and Yin Meng headed to West Pavilion together.

In the late morning, Mr. Shan was sitting in the courtyard, having an early drink.

There weren't any decent snacks to go with the drink, just a plate of pickled radish, a dish of vinegar, a dish of soy sauce, and two smooth little pebbles.

The drink was even cooking wine from the kitchen.

No help for it; Mr. Shan only had these seasonings surplus for now.

"Hey, Mr. Shan, enjoying a drink?"

Tan Wenbin entered the courtyard swiftly, so quickly that Mr. Shan had no time to hide his snacks.

The old man's face turned a bit awkward, embarrassed to have his younger visitors see his humbling condition.

"Meng Meng, find me a clean little pebble. I'll have a couple of drinks with Mr. Shan."

"You rascal." Mr. Shan glared at Tan Wenbin, asking, "Where's Run Sheng?"

"Run Sheng is busy and can't make it today, so I'm here in his place."

While speaking, Tan Wenbin took some money out of his pocket and handed it to Mr. Shan: "This is from Run Sheng for you."

"Ah, good."

Mr. Shan took the money, feeling like a soldier stranded in the trenches finally receiving supplies, regaining his fighting spirit.

"Bin Hou, you guys sit at home for now. Have lunch here at home; I'll go buy some ingredients for you."

"Sure, Mr. Shan, you go ahead."

Tan Wenbin knew very well what Mr. Shan was rushing off to do and didn't stop him.

After Mr. Shan excitedly ran out of the courtyard, Yin Meng looked at Tan Wenbin, slightly helpless: "You shouldn't have given him the money directly."

"As long as the old man is happy. By the way, you should go buy rice, noodles, grains, and oil."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to watch Mr. Shan strut his stuff at Gambling Village."

Finished speaking, Tan Wenbin sprinted out of the courtyard, catching up with Mr. Shan and joining him at the gambling den.

Yin Meng went out to procure rice, noodles, grains, and oil, a task that required calculating the quantities accurately.

By the time Yin Meng had finished shopping and setting things up, Mr. Shan returned, looking dejected.

Yin Meng was a bit surprised: Lost so quickly?

Behind Mr. Shan, Tan Wenbin was smiling.

Yin Meng said, "Mr. Shan, everything's ready."

Mr. Shan managed a rather difficult smile for Yin Meng, then awkwardly retreated into the house.

Yin Meng went over to Tan Wenbin and asked, "All gone?"

Tan Wenbin: "Yep, all gone."

Yin Meng: "I knew he'd lose, but I didn't expect him to be so efficient."

Tan Wenbin: "It's not like he's playing blindly. He throws away small cards and doesn't bluff, but every time he gets a big hand, he gets beaten."

"Beaten?"

"Yeah, like someone's got a slightly better hand every time at the table. It's uncanny."

"He should quit gambling."

"He can't quit; losing some money playing cards isn't bad. It'd be really scary if Mr. Shan suddenly screamed about winning one day."

"What do you mean?"

"It's hard to explain."

Having spent a long time around Yuanzi, Tan Wenbin had never stopped reading and learning and had picked up some understanding of Life Chart and Feng Shui.

Compared to Yuanzi, he had a long way to go still, but in the general society, he could easily trick some nouveau riche or bumpkin bosses.