Insight

"Brother Man, it's not that exaggerated..." Upon hearing Man Jun's words, Fang Yi couldn't help but chuckle wryly, saying, "The grapevines are already laden with grapes, and they're on the verge of ripening. It would be such a pity to burn them down!"

As Fang Yi stepped into the courtyard, he noticed that the clusters of grapes hanging down had turned a vibrant red, and they appeared to be of a fine variety. He had even contemplated plucking a few to savor their flavor.

"But... but these things attract snakes; they can't be left alone..." Man Jun's face contorted in concern. In truth, these grapes had been planted by his parents over a decade ago, and he had never observed any signs of snakes in the vicinity.

Yet, the moment he learned of the potential threat, unease began to fester within him. He feared that one day, while passing beneath the grapevines, he might be bitten by a silver-ringed snake. It seemed more prudent to simply cut them down.

"Brother Man, with this talisman of mine, we can neutralize some of the negative energy generated by the grapes..." 

Fang Yi pondered for a moment before continuing, "If you're still worried, you can visit the herbal medicine shop and purchase realgar, atractylodes, houttuynia, half-leaf lotus, and blue wood incense. Steep them in a jar of liquor, then sprinkle that along with sulfur beneath the grapevines. For three to five years, snakes should be deterred from approaching..."

Having grown up in the mountains, Fang Yi had encountered all manner of creeping creatures and venomous snakes. However, within the vicinity of his Taoist temple, not even a cricket could be heard, as all mosquitoes and venomous serpents had been driven away.

"Alright, I'll go buy them later. How long does the liquor need to steep?" Gazing at the grapevines through the window, Man Jun still felt a twinge of anxiety, as if venomous snakes were crawling all over the trellis.

"It's not for drinking; steep it for just a day or two..." Noticing Man Jun's anxious expression, Fang Yi chuckled, "Generally, if you don't provoke a snake, it won't bite you. There's no need to worry, Brother Man..."

In this room, only Man Jun harbored fears of snake bites. The other boys, like Pang Zi and San Pao, who had grown up at the foot of the mountain, had been catching snakes to scare others since they were five or six years old, and they were unfazed by even the most venomous of snakes.

"Alright, let's tidy up the house first; it'll be better for you to stay the night..." After hearing Fang Yi's suggestion, Man Jun refrained from further protest. After all, he was in his forties; could he really be more timid than these young lads?

Moreover, the talismans crafted by Fang Yi were indeed miraculous, which bolstered Man Jun's confidence and alleviated much of his fear.

Once the snakes, insects, and rodents had been dealt with, cleaning the house became significantly easier. Strangely enough, with the talisman affixed above the doorframe, as Fang Yi and the others swept the floor, there was no need to sprinkle water; the dust did not rise, making the task quite convenient.

However, after years of neglect, Fang Yi and Pang Zi spent an entire afternoon cleaning, discarding some furniture that was beyond repair.

In the three rooms on the second and third floors, the beds, originally wooden frames with comfortable mattresses, had been thoroughly eaten away by insects. The mattresses had become rat nests, filled with droppings, rendering them utterly unusable.

Leaving Fang Yi and San Pao to continue tidying up, Man Jun took Pang Zi to the nearby second-hand market to purchase three hard beds. With summer upon them, they wouldn't need mattresses; a few bamboo mats would suffice, ensuring that the group had everything they needed for sleeping arrangements.

"Alright, everyone, there's a faucet in the courtyard; go wash off the dust. Afterward, we can head out for a meal and enjoy a few drinks..."

Seeing the transformed state of the second and third floors, Man Jun felt a surge of happiness. What delighted him even more was the sense that by inviting Fang Yi to stay, he had stumbled upon a treasure. Not to mention, in his forty years of life, he had never encountered anyone with Fang Yi's talent for crafting talismans.

"Brother Man, shall we dine at home?"

Fang Yi had little interest in the meals available outside. Having purchased some vegetables at the supermarket earlier, along with a few salted fish brought by the others, preparing a few side dishes would be quite convenient.

"Dine at home?" Man Jun paused for a moment, then replied, "That's fine, but I must clarify—I can't cook at all; I'm relying entirely on you guys..."

"Brother Man, Pang Zi is our chef; you need not worry..." San Pao chimed in, patting Pang Zi's belly. "With that much grease, I reckon his dishes won't be too bad. Pang Zi, make sure to show off your skills tonight."

"Get lost; it's Brother Yi who is the true chef..." Pang Zi retorted, slightly annoyed. While he wouldn't be modest in front of others, he knew he was no match for Fang Yi's culinary prowess.

"First, let's take a shower; we're covered in dust..."

Fang Yi was the first to step outside, heading to the courtyard faucet. After turning on the tap and stripping off his clothes, he rinsed himself off with the hose, aware that the secluded courtyard offered no view from outside.

Once refreshed, Fang Yi dove into the kitchen. Although he initially struggled with the gas stove, after Man Jun showed him how to operate it, Fang Yi politely ushered Man Jun out of the kitchen. It became clear to him that Man Jun was genuinely inept at cooking; within five minutes of trying to help, he had already broken two bowls.

Fang Yi worked efficiently, and by the time Pang Zi and San Pao finished showering, he had set out cucumber salad, fried peanuts, spicy pig ears, and garlic eggplant on the table under the grapevines.

"The fish is still in the pot; it'll be ready soon..." After placing the dishes on the table, Fang Yi inquired, "Brother Man, what shall we drink tonight?"

"Let's have some white liquor; after we drink, we can sleep..." Man Jun glanced up at the grapevines, still feeling a bit unsettled. He turned to Fang Yi and asked, "Brother Xiao Fang, are you certain the snake has truly left? What if it decides to pay us a visit while we're drinking?"

"Brother Man, I assure you, there's nothing to worry about..." Fang Yi replied with a smile. "Haven't you noticed that there are far fewer mosquitoes in the courtyard? I'll make another talisman for warding off spirits; I guarantee your courtyard will be safe and sound."

Interestingly enough, during this sweltering summer, there had usually been swarms of mosquitoes in the courtyard. Yet today, Man Jun had spent half the day outside without being bitten even once.

"Good, good!"

Feeling the change in the courtyard, Man Jun couldn't help but smile broadly. He dashed into the house to fetch a bottle of liquor, declaring, "Today, having encountered a master like you, Brother Fang, is worth celebrating! I've been saving this bottle for nearly twenty years; let's drink it all today..."

"Oh, Maotai!" Before Fang Yi could respond, Pang Zi exclaimed loudly upon seeing the bottle in Man Jun's hand.

"1982 Maotai; it's been eighteen years now..." Man Jun proudly lifted the bottle, reveling in the attention. "This liquor is worth at least three thousand yuan a bottle in today's market. Little Fatty, you're in for a treat tonight..."

"Brother Man, you're truly my dear brother!" 

At that moment, Pang Zi felt an overwhelming urge to embrace Man Jun's bald head. He remembered that just recently, he had been dismissed from his security job in Shanghai for accidentally breaking a bottle of Maotai while helping a homeowner carry things. Since then, he had vowed that once he had money, he would indulge in Maotai at every meal.

"Look at your lack of ambition." San Pao scoffed at Pang Zi's enthusiasm, adding, "Brother Yi has just come out of the hospital, and you're already making him work. Hurry up and keep an eye on the kitchen!"

"I'm on it; heh, I, the Fat Lord, will show you what I can do..."

Under normal circumstances, Pang Zi would have engaged in some banter with San Pao, but seeing the Maotai had extinguished any desire for a verbal spar. He turned and headed to the kitchen, calling out, "Don't drink yet; let's wait until the main dishes are served!"

To be fair, Pang Zi's three years as a cook in the army hadn't gone to waste. While stewing the fish, he also prepared Dongpo pork. When the two dishes were served together, the Dongpo pork was tender and glistening, whetting everyone's appetite.

"Wow, Pang Zi, I didn't realize you had such skill!" 

Man Jun, who usually relished meat, promptly picked up a piece and began to chew. He found the Dongpo pork to be perfectly tender, rich in flavor without being greasy, and he couldn't help but give a thumbs up.

"Hehe, Brother Man, if you like it, eat more..." 

After sitting down, Pang Zi's gaze remained fixed on the bottle of Maotai. Once they began to eat, he quickly poured liquor for Man Jun, Fang Yi, and San Pao, not forgetting his own glass.

Having spent more time in society, Pang Zi was more adept at navigating social situations than Fang Yi and San Pao. After pouring the drinks, he raised his glass and said, "Brother Man, if it weren't for you, we might have ended up sleeping on the streets. Here's to you!"

"Cheers! I'm also very glad to have met you all..." Man Jun raised his glass, saying, "From now on, consider this place your home. If you need anything, just let me know, and I'll make sure you have it..."

Man Jun was a businessman, and his success relied heavily on his keen perception. Over the past decade, he had rarely misjudged people or situations.

The reason Man Jun welcomed Fang Yi and the others into his home was that he recognized their potential to thrive in the city. While he couldn't predict their future achievements, fostering a good relationship with them was a small effort on his part.

"Brother Man, I've already troubled you quite a bit..." Fang Yi said, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Earlier, Pang Zi didn't discuss rent with you. Just tell us a number, and we'll make sure to pay you back..."

Having grown up on the mountain, Fang Yi had never spent money on goods and had always bartered with the villagers. He hadn't paid much attention to the concept of rent.

However, his first lesson upon descending the mountain was taught by Sun Lianda, who emphasized that one should never take advantage of others. So, despite his gratitude toward Man Jun, Fang Yi still brought up the topic of rent. With the brothers occupying two floors of the small building, it would be unreasonable not to contribute financially.

"Brother Fang, let's not discuss that for now..." Man Jun waved his hand dismissively and asked, "I'd like to know, how much do you usually charge for making those talismans?"

"How much?" Fang Yi was momentarily taken aback by Man Jun's question. He shook his head and replied, "I've never sold these things. If someone truly needs them, I'd just give them a few..."

"Alright, let me ask you this: can anyone make those talismans?" A smile appeared on Man Jun's face as he continued questioning.

"Brother Man, do you think drawing talismans is as easy as picking cabbage? Anyone can do it?" Even Fang Yi, known for his patience, felt a bit exasperated and retorted, "Aside from my master, I've never seen anyone else capable of crafting talismans..."

What a ridiculous notion! Fang Yi had begun drawing talismans at the age of five or six and only managed to create one seamlessly at the age of fifteen or sixteen. While he wouldn't claim that no one else could make talismans, he was certain that such individuals were exceedingly rare.