Chapter 111 p2: Orange Candy
Old Bai was living a comfortable life now, like an old child. Unless it was something necessary, he would do as he pleased. He thought his son was old-fashioned and didn’t have that fierce fighting spirit. On the contrary, he liked his proud grandson more, especially since his grandson was also sensible and had a good image outside. He was satisfied with him no matter how he looked at him.
When they went to ride the horse, Bai Jingrong also went to have a look. When he had joined the army, the army was already fully mechanized. Besides the honor guard, there were no military horses, so he had also not had any contact with such a tall and beautiful animal.
The black horse, Wule, was very handsome. Its lively pupils seemed to be talking to you when they looked at you. It would tilt its head and sway a couple of times, letting out a soft snort. Just standing there made you feel that it and the surrounding scenery had become a painting.
Bai Jingrong had originally thought that the little black horse was close to people and was also relatively easy to control, but after trying for a little while, he found that that was not the case.
This little thing was just like a larger version of Bai Luochuan, the childhood version. Bai Jingrong’s tone was strict and he was very controlling. It would just stare at people with wide eyes, its nose snorting. It actually understood everything you said, but it would just turn its head and not communicate with people, which was both infuriating and funny.
In the end, it was Bai Jingrong who gave in and said in a sorry state, “I still have something to deal with. You can play by yourselves.”
Luo Jiangjing held her husband’s hand and winked at her son, reminding them, “Take Wule out for a run, but don’t run too far. If you’re not coming back for lunch, call back. Don’t let Grandpa wait for you.”
Bai Luochuan nodded. “I know, Mom.”
Bai Jingrong stood to the side. Seeing that he had no intention of calling him, he also had a headache and left with his wife.
Mi Yang looked at the departing Political Commissar Bai, then at Bai Luochuan, who was still stroking the little black horse as if no one else was around. He thought that the horse was really like its master. This beautiful and willful spirit was simply amazing, exactly the same.
The horse riding instructor had also arrived. Mi Yang was learning seriously, and Wule also recognized him. The man and the horse were very cooperative and good. There was no problem with walking slowly. It was just that when he was trotting, Mi Yang was still a little stiff. Bai Luochuan saw this and also got on the horse, holding him from behind and taking him for two or three laps before he slowly relaxed.
The master smiled. “Luochuan is a good rider. He’s already graduated. I think you can even teach people for me.”
Bai Luochuan said modestly, “I only know the basics. I still have to learn from you.”
Mi Yang turned his head to look at him, a little curious, and couldn’t help but whisper, “You can talk to others properly. How come when you run into Uncle Bai…”
Bai Luochuan pulled on the reins, and Wule immediately stopped. Mi Yang was suddenly swayed and bumped into his arms, hearing Bai Luochuan say, “Don’t mention him. I don’t want to talk to him these few days.”
Mi Yang chuckled but also nodded, going along with him, “Alright, alright, I’ll listen to you.”
Only then did the young master Bai feel a little more comfortable. He took Wule out to play for a while. The place where Wule used to run freely had now become a part of the tourist attraction, but there was also an empty space nearby. The soil was a little softer, and there were no gravel or anything, which was very suitable for Wule to run in circles.
Mi Yang was also much bolder with him. After running two laps, he felt that he could also do it and asked to try it alone.
Bai Luochuan got off the horse, reminded Mi Yang of some basic movements, and then rubbed Wule’s nose with his hand. He said to it, “Run slowly. Don’t let him fall, you hear me?”
The black horse twitched its ears, looked at him with its beautiful big eyes, and gently rubbed against its little master.
It probably really understood human nature and understood Bai Luochuan’s words. When Mi Yang was riding alone, the black horse ran much slower and was also more stable. Sometimes, when Mi Yang’s balance was not very good, it would even take the initiative to stop and let him adjust, which was very obedient.
Mi Yang sighed with emotion in his heart and also felt a little sympathetic for the Political Commissar Bai who had just left.
Wule was so well-behaved that Mi Yang couldn’t help but take out two candies from his pocket, peel one and put it in his own mouth, and hold the other in his hand to feed to Wule. After eating one candy, Wule was even happier and also became closer to Mi Yang. When it ran, its tail and the long mane on its neck would sway, soft and beautiful.
Mi Yang had had his fill of fun. After running for about enough, he rode Wule back. Bai Luochuan was talking to someone in the back. It was only when he got closer that he found that it was also an acquaintance, Zhao Haisheng.
“…Don’t, don’t worry. There are absolutely no stones. My little brother knew your family was coming to walk the horse, so he was afraid of hurting Wule. He comes to pick them every day, one by one!” Zhao Haisheng grinned and patted his chest in guarantee. “He’s very meticulous. I’ll vouch for him!”
Bai Luochuan nodded. “Then thank you.”
Zhao Haisheng was taller and stronger than two years ago, even a little taller than the young master Bai. Now, in his teens, he was already over 1.8 meters tall, standing there like an iron tower with a steady presence. Hearing him, he shook his head. “Don’t, don’t be so polite with us! It’s a life-and-death friendship. My little brother and I owe you for the rest of our lives. It’s what we should do.”
He said it naturally, without much emotion in it, just that one sentence.
Mi Yang rode over on his horse. Bai Luochuan walked over and reached out a hand to help him. “Slowly.”
Zhao Haisheng was about to go forward to help. He was tall and could have carried him down in one go, but Bai Luochuan stopped him. “Let him practice slowly by himself.”
Zhao Haisheng said “oh” and scratched his head, standing to the side.
Bai Luochuan let Wule go and let it graze nearby. He and Mi Yang walked and chatted with Zhao Haisheng. These playmates in Shanhai Town might not know much about the outside world, but they were very clear about the affairs of the town. After listening for a while, Bai Luochuan couldn’t help but look at Zhao Haisheng with new eyes and asked him, “How do you know everything? It’s like you have electronic eyes.”
Zhao Haisheng said with a chuckle, “Qisheng told, told me. His ears are good. He listens a lot, and he doesn’t like to talk to others, so, so he just told me!”
Mi Yang also couldn’t help but ask him, “Did someone also go and steal my grandma’s tree?”
Zhao Haisheng nodded. “Yes, but, but they didn’t succeed! Wang Bing’s family is next to Grandma Cheng’s. After his mom saw it, oh boy, she beat the person, beat him until he almost went to the hospital!”
Mi Yang said, “Did you call the police?”
Zhao Haisheng said, “We did. The thief called himself. The police came, and he was still crying, saying, saying that if they had come a step later, he would have been beaten to death. That bastard is a coward. He can’t take a beating.”
Bai Luochuan said, “Did you find out why he came to steal the tree?”
Zhao Haisheng said, “We did. He’s a habitual offender. That person was casing the joint at first. Wasn’t everyone, everyone moving at that time? They got a big car and said they were helping people move, but in the end, they, they took everything. There was no place to find them. This time, he was greedy and had his eye on that old tree. It seems the city construction bureau was buying…” He gestured and added, “A tree this thick, it’s almost two thousand. It’s expensive!”
Mi Yang was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry. “It’s that big, and they still dared to do it?”
Zhao Haisheng nodded. “They did. That idiot went to dig a hole during the day. Auntie Wang, one, one rolling pin down, and his leg was broken.”
Mi Yang heard this and it sounded familiar. He remembered that in the past, when Wang Bing had been skipping school and going to the internet cafe for a while, when his mom had caught him, she had also hit his leg first. He was in so much pain he couldn’t run, and he was half-crippled, left to be dealt with slowly. Just thinking about it, he could imagine how miserable the little thief was at that time. And Auntie Wang’s voice was also good. She would shout for people as she was hitting him. He estimated that in the end, she was not the only one who had hit him.
Bai Luochuan was still asking him for the details on the side, asking if he had a criminal record, and it looked like he wanted to check again.
Zhao Haisheng really knew everything and whispered a few words to him. His words were few but to the point, and he also provided a lot of useful information.
Zhao Haisheng said to him, “My uncle works at the police station. I’ll take you there later. I’m familiar with that place.”
Bai Luochuan nodded. “Okay.”
The two of them arranged a time. Mi Yang also wanted to go but was stopped by Bai Luochuan. “You shouldn’t go. If you go, your grandma will definitely know. Don’t let the old lady worry again. I’ll just go and confirm it. Don’t let there be any more trouble in the future. There are only old people at home, and we’re not at ease outside.”
Bai Luochuan was meticulous. Mi Yang thought for a moment and then agreed.
Actually, Mi Yang was also scared. When he thought of the half-joking words his third aunt, Cheng Ru, had said when he had first arrived, he suddenly understood a little. Cheng Ru had bought the house next door and would also come home every few days, probably to watch over the old lady, for fear that something would happen to the old lady at home. The Cheng sisters had a good relationship and had not become distant because of the distance. The ones who were far away would mail money and things, and the ones who were close would run around diligently, all wanting to take good care of the old lady at home together.
Cheng Ru was a fast talker and also straightforward. She never complained a single word to her sisters and had silently shouldered many things. When her sisters came back, she was always the one who received them with a smile, busy with everything.
After walking the horse, Bai Luochuan was about to go out with Zhao Haisheng.
It was Zhao Haisheng’s first time in the Bai family’s old residence. He stood downstairs and waited for him, looking a little reserved.
Bai Luochuan went up to change his clothes and also got his phone. Mi Yang asked him, “Are you sure you don’t need me to go with you?”
Bai Luochuan shook his head. “No need. I’m just going to ask. I’ll be back soon.”
Mi Yang said, “Then I’ll be at home. If you need anything, just call.”
Bai Luochuan had already reached the door when he heard him say this and stopped. He closed the door again and beckoned for him to come over. “There is actually something.”
Mi Yang went over. “What?”
Bai Luochuan held his chin and lifted it a little, asking him, “What did you and Wule sneak to eat just now? I saw it.”
Mi Yang smiled. “Orange candy.”
Bai Luochuan’s Adam’s apple moved a couple of times. For some reason, he suddenly thought of the dream he had last night. It was also orange candy flavor in the dream, the sweet and sour kind. His fingers rubbed Mi Yang’s chin. “Little Good Boy, I also want to eat candy.”
Mi Yang said, “There’s no more. I ate it all on the way.”
Bai Luochuan lowered his head and kissed him, whispering, “I don’t believe you. I want to check.”
Mi Yang hooked his neck and leaned over, opening his mouth for him to check. The young master Bai only tasted a little bit of the orange candy’s sweetness and, not satisfied, chased after him again.
When he went down, he was delayed by five minutes. His expression was normal as he said to Zhao Haisheng, “Sorry, it took a little longer to change my clothes. Let’s go now.”
Bai Luochuan and Zhao Haisheng went to the local police station to check the case file and also used their family’s connections to look at the previous cases of the few little thieves. After confirming that they were just a few habitual thieves and had no prior record of injuring people, they were relieved. But as they were flipping through it, they did see that in their confessions, they had mentioned being beaten several times—thieves who had not succeeded in stealing and had been beaten several times, it was probably just this group.
Zhao Haisheng summarized and mocked the other party with one word, “Stupid, stupid thief!”
