After waiting a while with the person and the ox, the banquet started calling out.

Chen Niu reached out and gave the little ox a push. “Qian Niuhua, let’s go.”

“Moo moo.”

I wouldn’t move.

Shi Qian didn’t want to get up either—let alone go anywhere.

He hadn’t even seen him properly yet and was already feeling sad.

Chen Niu had no choice but to squat up himself, pat the grass beneath him, and then reach out to tug at the little yellow ox. “Get up, Qian Niuhua.”

“Moo moo.”

I still won’t.

Shi Qian stared at Chen Niu with his big, shiny black eyes, then let out a long sigh, venting his unhappiness.

Chen Niu looked at the sulky little ox: ?

I should be the one feeling sad.

He never expected that this delicate little calf couldn’t handle a setback. But after facing a rather unpleasant truth, he just collapsed.

Still, I couldn’t drag him.

Chen Niu simply squatted down again, continuing to ponder life.

Perhaps, burying oneself in study is useless after all. Not “useless” in the absolute sense, but useless when it comes to the person he cares so deeply about.

After all, it’s not like it fills your stomach.

Shi Qian could see Chen Niu’s silent, contemplative profile.

Chen Niu’s face was lean, like a narrow ridge between rice fields, neat without a single stray hair.

Honestly, he was often quiet—not because he loved talking.

Most of the day, he worked. Besides that, burying himself in study was like a newly discovered hobby. Other times, he simply kept silent company.

Yet occasionally, like now, his emotions would show. Shi Qian could read his “thoughts” then.

Shi Qian couldn’t figure out what fueled Chen Niu’s obsession with and longing for “love.”

In terms of interaction, the two young men barely had contact; in terms of background, it was just that Lin Nanyin had accidentally come to Shengli Village; they hardly even spoke much…

Until a voice called out, “Dinner’s served,” waking Chen Niu.

Chen Niu raised his hand and patted the little calf’s backside: “Let’s go!”

He didn’t even wait to see if Shi Qian got up, finished patting, and ran off.

Shi Qian angrily got up, chasing after him.

The red ribbon tied to the little calf fluttered as it ran across the fields—a rare splash of color in winter.

Curious children looked up, genuinely delighted.

Shi Qian kept showing off: “Moo, moo.”

So they did like him a little, after all.

After attending the wedding, the production team officially got a holiday—a rare few days off within the year.

The villagers could laze at home or gather to roast sweet potatoes.

Coincidentally, Xu Youguang also mentioned to Chen Niu about recruiting for the patrol team.

But in the end, it wasn’t related to Chen Niu; they were recruiting young men from another village.

So Chen Niu, like Lin Nanyin, missed out on a good “job.”

Shi Qian also noticed that Chen Niu had developed a liking for going out, seemingly wanting to explore the mountains.

But the deep mountains were inaccessible; after a tiring round, Chen Niu only managed to gather some small nuts and a wild rabbit—less than the amount of grass Shi Qian had eaten.

Chen Niu was a little disappointed.

Any dreams of striking it rich with a backer were shattered.

Two days later, the mobile cinema came to Shengli Village.

They toured the surrounding areas to show movies—an enjoyment that probably only happened once or twice a year.

The screening was set at the spacious grain-drying yard; aside from the wind, there were no major issues.

Before nightfall, people from nearby villages came, carrying small stools and slowly surrounding Shengli Village.

The locals, wanting good spots, ate early and went out.

Zhang Peiyue didn’t originally want to go, but when she turned around, the little yellow calf had picked up a stool and walked out first.

It even impatiently looked back, nudging: “Moo, moo.”

Hurry up!

Chen Niu also invited her: “Grandma, come see, it’s close anyway.”

“All right then,” Zhang Peiyue coughed, “Just watch over me, don’t let anyone shove me and mess up my shoes.”

The three of them simply went out.

At the grain yard, Shi Qian deftly squeezed into the crowd.

People from other villages were surprised: “Why is the cow out here too?”

The villagers of Shengli just called it a fuss.

“This is Qian Niuhua. The little calf we reported to the village, do you know it?”

“It’s smart, different from other cows.”

A young man curiously asked, “How’s it different?”

Shi Qian looked at him and let out a long “Moo—.”

Here, take a closer look.

With a friendly gaze, the other person touched its nose and said, “Yeah, it’s a bit different, seems pretty gentle.”

Chen Niu followed behind, taking the old lady to the best viewing spot, then slipped away.

Young people like him could just squeeze into any spot; no need for a stool.

Shi Qian wasn’t happy about following Chen Niu into the wind, so he lay down up front.

When the movie started, he regretted being too close.

But the old film was good too—the Railway Guerrilla kept everyone cheering, and Shi Qian felt satisfied just watching the crowd enjoy it.

It was like northerners enjoying watching southern snow.

Exciting.

It even stirred some long-lost enthusiasm.

Not being with Chen Niu, Shi Qian didn’t see—Chen Niu had gone behind the white screen after the movie.

Back home, Chen Niu couldn’t hold it in late at night, and Shi Qian learned that Chen Niu had gotten a little tip—apparently, the cinema team was looking for another projectionist.

Seeing Chen Niu excited for once, Shi Qian felt it made sense.

A job opportunity—of course it excites him.

Moreover, he was a young man full of longing for love, likely feeling insecure about his own situation.

Shi Qian didn’t doubt the recruitment news; the cinema team really seemed busy.

They finished the movie in Shengli Village today and had to rush to another place tomorrow—so busy there was no rest.

But he was skeptical about the gift-giving channel Chen Niu asked about.

A good job, of course, he’d go all out.

But from just a few words from the projectionist, it didn’t seem reliable at all.

Chen Niu mostly didn’t believe it either, knowing in his heart it was unreliable, yet couldn’t help imagining: if he got a good job, maybe… he could finally dare to promise Lin Zhiqing something.

Unable to suppress his thoughts, on the 20th of the lunar year, during the big market for New Year goods, Chen Niu pocketed the remaining money from last time and went out.

Shi Qian, seeing him touch money, couldn’t help but fret: “Moo, moo.”

Take me with you.

Take him along—if something happens, at least they could get the money back.

Chen Niu didn’t resist and whispered, “Alright, I’ll take you. But I’m just going to check something. Don’t go tattling to Grandma.”

Shi Qian nodded.

Who would he tell anyway? There was no need.

One person and one cow gave a quick word to the old lady and headed out.

Zhang Peiyue was basking in the sun, wondering where young people got so much energy. “Go then! No lunch will be saved for you at noon.”

“Moo-moo.”

Goodbye, Grandma.

Shi Qian nuzzled the old lady’s hand and followed Chen Niu outside.

Once in the city, unfamiliar with his surroundings, Shi Qian just followed Chen Niu’s lead.

After asking around for directions, they took a relatively quiet alley.

Going even deeper, they eventually reached the riverside inside the city.

It was the festive season. The main streets were bustling, but here in this alley, the tranquility hit them, and the gurgling river sounded crystal clear.

What was strange, however—Shi Qian actually heard several small children softly sobbing.

He listened carefully and confirmed he wasn’t mistaken.

Perking up his ears, Shi Qian nudged Chen Niu with a kick. “Moo-moo?”

Chen Niu looked puzzled. “What is it?”

“Moo-moo.”

Follow me.

Shi Qian moved ahead and began leading the way.

Deep in the secluded alley, the courtyard walls weren’t even taller than Chen Niu. The eerie atmosphere made the tall young man glance around nervously, giving him a slightly suspicious air.

If anyone saw this little yellow cow leading the way, they’d probably find it even more bizarre.

But for now, one person and one cow were completely unaware, only approaching a certain house.

The houses in this area were old, some almost empty, in urgent need of repair. During the day, no one came out, and occasionally, the cough of an elderly person could be heard.

At the courtyard wall, Chen Niu finally heard some crying and immediately became alert.

Shi Qian was almost certain they had stumbled into a “melodramatic” situation.

Chen Niu, standing tall, also drew the attention of the two elderly people inside the courtyard.

In rough voices, they demanded, “Who are you?! What are you doing near our house?”

“Get lost! Trying to steal in broad daylight? I’ll call the cops!”

“Go away!”

Chen Niu felt something was off.

He didn’t look like a naturally good person, but he’d never been treated with such hostility.

Shi Qian swished his tail at Chen Niu.

Following the cue, Chen Niu said, “I’m catching a cow. In broad daylight, how could I be a thief?”

The old man inside widened his eyes, furious. “What cow?”

“Moo-moo!”

It really was a cow.

After listening for a few more sobs and realizing there weren’t many people inside, Shi Qian aimed for a nearby door and charged forward.

With a loud crash, the door was knocked open, and a strong little yellow cow burst into the old courtyard.

“The cow! The cow really came in!” the old lady shouted.

“Quick, drive your cow out!”

The wide-eyed old man panicked a bit, fumbling for a stick.

Shi Qian ran straight for the sound of the shed. As he approached, two people—a man and a woman—jumped out, trying to block him.

Chen Niu quickly intercepted the stick-wielding old man, but still looked slightly uneasy.

Shi Qian didn’t need anyone to worry about him.

He ran fast, could make sharp turns, and had enough strength to knock the man down with a single hoof.

Then he pushed open the door, revealing a pair of bound sisters inside, along with three or four children.

Seeing this, Chen Niu shouted, “Human traffickers!”

The younger man and woman tried to escape, but Chen Niu swung the stick, knocking them down.

Shi Qian stood at the doorway, preventing any counterattack.

Half an hour later, one person and one cow arrived at the police station.

The officer on duty happened to be Zhao Kang’s master—the old cop Chen Niu had met before.

The old cop asked Chen Niu, “Where have you been?”

Chen Niu: …

He looked at the cow. “My cow ran away.”

But the old cop recognized the cow. Looking seriously at Shi Qian, he asked, “Qian Niuhua? Tell me, where did you go and what did you do?”

Shi Qian answered honestly: “Moo-moo.”

Chen Niu had taken a wrong route to deliver the gift.

Unfortunately, the old cop didn’t understand, wasting Shi Qian’s earnest efforts.

Facing the two big, messy people, the old cop could only shrug. You couldn’t force someone doing good deeds to confess whether they intended to do bad.

After everything was settled, Shi Qian and Chen Niu were escorted out of the police station.

Shi Qian inhaled the cold air, pointed with his chin in the right direction to deliver the gift, and asked Chen Niu, “Moo-moo?”

Still going to deliver it?

Chen Niu rubbed his arm. “Let’s just go home honestly.”

After ending up at the police station, he didn’t dare deliver it again.