You said you were going to make games, how did you become the richest man without doing anything?

Chapter 584 Folklore
On a rainy night, the air was filled with a damp atmosphere. The streetlights of the Hidden Mist Village cast a hazy glow in the mist, adding a touch of mystery to this remote mountain village.

Granny Rong was hunched over, the wrinkles on her face particularly deep in the dim light. She hesitated, her eyes revealing a sense of embarrassment: "...but, where is..."

Wang Lina quickly waved her hand and smiled gently. Dressed in a simple white shirt and jeans, she looked capable and approachable. "I don't mind. It's just another neighbor."

Tang Yin stood aside, his gaze sweeping thoughtfully over the village's scattered houses. In the night, the buildings seemed to be telling a secret. "By the way, what exactly is a dormitory?"

Chen Xiang was silent for a moment. She wore a plain dark dress, and a complex expression flashed in her eyes. When she spoke, her voice was low and gentle. "...That's a place prepared for children who will eventually leave the Hidden Mist Village."

"Anyone who lives in Kirigakure will be a Kirigakure member their entire lives, but children are an exception." Chen Xiang's tone was filled with helplessness. "Therefore, for Kirigakure, it is a very special place, and the people of Baifeng Village have tacitly accepted this."

Tang Yin nodded thoughtfully, pondering to himself. Perhaps behind this rule lay Baifeng Manor's long-standing hierarchical control over Wuyin Village. No wonder Granny Rong was so embarrassed about the overnight stay; this involved far more than just a matter of accommodation.

Xia Hui stood beside the SUV on the side of the road, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her delicate profile. She said softly, "It's nothing. I'm used to sleeping in the car." She turned to Zhou Zhengxiong and spoke with concern, "Zhou Zhengxiong, you should sleep in the trailer. After all, you've been driving all the time. Besides, the car is more than enough for me alone."

Zhou Zhengxiong stood there, his slightly furrowed brow revealing his inner struggle. The night wind rustled the corners of his clothes, making a slight sound in the silent night.

Chen Xiang looked at this scene and couldn't help but suggest: "Why not exchange them?"

Wang Lina looked around, her eyes settling on the vaguely visible slope in the distance. "The mobile home is probably up there... It's a bit... letting a girl spend the night there alone..."

There was an indescribable awkwardness in the air. Everyone was racking their brains for the current predicament, but could not find a suitable solution.

At this moment, Zhou Zhengxiong suddenly stepped forward and stood in front of Grandma Rong. His tall figure cast a shadow under the streetlight, but his posture was unusually respectful: "I'm sorry."

Granny Rong was startled by his sudden action: "...What's wrong with you?"

Zhou Zhengxiong's voice was low and sincere. "If there are other empty rooms, could you make some accommodations for her?" He paused and continued, "Although it's for work, she's still unmarried. As her partner, I don't want to see her forcing herself any further."

He bowed deeply and said earnestly, "I will do my best to express my gratitude. Please."

Moonlight poured down like water, and Zhou Zhengxiong's burly figure bent deeply at this moment. His movements were solemn and respectful, as if he was not facing an old woman from the village, but a respected elder.

Although Zhou Zhengxiong had bowed deeply, his towering stature still gave off an oppressive vibe. Granny Rong had to tilt her head slightly to see his expression. A flicker of emotion crossed her wrinkled face, and her voice softened. "...Indeed...it's just..."

Just as Granny Rong's attitude was beginning to soften and the atmosphere was subtly developing in a positive direction, a resounding voice suddenly broke the tranquility of the night.

"Hey, Tang Yin! You're just getting back now!" Zhao Gang's muscular figure strode over from the cafeteria, his face filled with dissatisfaction. "Where was Sister Chen Xiang hanging out while she was cooking? You dared to leave her alone without helping? You're quite the nerve!"

Wang Lina's eyes lit up, as if she had grasped a life-saving straw. She quickly waved to Zhao Gang, her voice filled with joy: "Oh, Brother Gang, you came at the right time!"

Zhao Gang looked confused and slowed down his pace. "Ah? What happened?"

With Zhou Zhengxiong's earnest plea and Zhao Gang's help, Grandma Rong finally softened her stance. Perhaps the term "unmarried girl" touched a soft spot in her heart, and she looked at Xia Hui with a touch of kindness and concern.

Of course, it's undeniable that Zhou Zhengxiong's intimidating physique did have a subtle deterrent effect. But the most crucial factor was the sound reasoning and sincerity of his approach. Coupled with Zhao Gang's timely intervention, they finally convinced the stubborn old man.

Tang Yin stood aside, watching the scene thoughtfully. He knew that whether in the Hidden Mist Village or elsewhere, getting people with different opinions to reach a consensus was not an easy task. This was especially true when it was difficult to come up with a valid reason, which required wisdom and patience.

When the topic turned to why Tang Yin hadn't helped with the cooking, he calmly explained that it was Qian Jin's arrangement. While everyone looked surprised, they seemed to accept his explanation. To cover up his lie, Tang Yin even fabricated the detail that Qian Jin had asked him to help out because he was shy. After all, he couldn't let anyone know that he was the one behind all this.

Finally, Granny Rong pulled a bunch of keys, gleaming with verdigris, from her apron pocket and handed them to Tang Yin. The keys shone dimly in the moonlight, as if carrying some heavy mission.

After bidding farewell to the cafeteria crowd, Tang Yin led the reporters to inspect the dormitories. The conditions in the dormitories were surprisingly good. Not only were they clean and tidy, but they were also fully equipped with amenities. The gas stove shone with a faint metallic sheen, the tap water flowed, and brand new bedding was neatly folded in the corner. Everything was just as Tang Yin had expected.

His own little room was also kept reassuringly tidy. All he had to do was borrow some bedding from the cafeteria and fill his water bucket, and he was ready to settle in. The only thing he had left was the mobile home, which looked like it needed some serious tidying up. Looking through the dusty window, Tang Yin saw the clutter piled high in the room and couldn't help but sigh.

Xia Hui spread the straw mat on the floor, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "Oh, it's a rare opportunity to stay here for a night, I might as well take this opportunity to experience the daily life here. It's a pity that I can't write it into a report." There was a hint of regret in her tone, but she still maintained the curiosity unique to reporters.

Watching them gradually adapt to the environment, Tang Yin secretly hoped that they would receive some safer interview assignments in the future. The night breeze blew in through the cracks in the broken window, bringing with it the fragrance of the distant forest.

Xia Hui seemed to sense the concerns of the people around her and lowered her head slightly: "I'm sorry, all my commissions are in places like this..." There was a hint of apology in her voice.

Zhou Zhengxiong leaned against the door frame, his tall figure almost blocking the entire entrance: "Actually, this place is not bad. I bought insurance, and besides, it is at least safer here than on the battlefield." His tone was understated, but it revealed his extraordinary experience.

Tang Yin looked at Zhou Zhengxiong's burly figure and thought that this seemingly clumsy big man had experience as a war correspondent, so his skills must be quite good.

Zhou Zhengxiong suddenly turned to Xia Hui, his voice full of concern: "But, Xiao Q, you are a woman, right?" Xia Hui immediately showed an impatient expression: "I told you not to mention this. Gender is not important at work." She seemed a little impatient as she adjusted the straw mat.

"However, when in dangerous areas, women are indeed at higher risk of injury than men." Zhou Zhengxiong's tone was filled with worry.

Xia Hui stopped what she was doing and looked at the moonlight outside the window: "...There's nothing we can do about it. Whether it's a safe job or a good man, no good thing will fall from the sky." There was a hint of helplessness and open-mindedness in her tone.

"It's really difficult." Zhou Zhengxiong sighed lightly.

Tang Yin observed their interactions and finally understood their relationship. This wasn't simply a romantic relationship, but a partnership built on mutual trust and respect. Xia Hui was like a flame that never extinguished, while Zhou Zhengxiong was the rock that silently protected her.

"No way, Xia Hui, you're so beautiful, you must be very popular, right?" Tang Yin suddenly interrupted. In the moonlight, Xia Hui's profile was indeed particularly attractive.

Xia Hui smiled and shook her head: "I am very immune to sweet talk."

"No, no, no. If I weren't so down and out now, I would have taken the initiative to pursue you a long time ago." Tang Yin said half-jokingly.

Xia Hui was amused. "Ahaha, what an honor. Tang Yin, how old are you?"

"Twenty years old."

"Well~ I'm going to be 30 this year, what a pity." Xia Hui said with a hint of self-mockery.

Tang Yin looked at Xia Hui's smile and thought that being unmarried at thirty was nothing in today's society. Besides, he was always more interested in women with stories and personalities. The moonlight cast a soft halo over Xia Hui's features, as if confirming this thought.

An old iron basin sat on the wooden floor, its clear water reflecting the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window. A faint musty smell permeated the old wooden house, and spider webs in the corner swayed gently in the breeze. Zhou Zhengxiong bent his tall frame and examined the seemingly ordinary basin with curiosity. His rough fingers gently brushed the rust on the rim. "What is this basin?"

"Ah, you can use the water in the basin to wipe your body," Tang Yin explained casually, his eyes casually sweeping across the increasingly dark night outside the window. The distant mountains and forests were as black as ink in the moonlight, with the occasional cry of a night bird.

Zhou Zhengxiong straightened up and shrugged, his burly figure almost touching the low ceiling. "It shouldn't matter if I'm only staying for one day."

"I heard it's the custom here." Tang Yin's tone was meaningful, and a trace of imperceptible worry flashed in his eyes.

"Yeah." Zhou Zhengxiong responded, seemingly unconcerned. Outside, the wind grew stronger, rustling the leaves.

Xia Hui, who was standing by, became interested. Her reporter instinct allowed her to immediately notice the unusualness of the topic: "Can you tell me in a little more detail?" Her eyes sparkled with a thirst for knowledge in the dim light, and she leaned forward.

Tang Yin breathed a sigh of relief; this was exactly the reaction he'd hoped for. He began to slowly recount the information he'd gathered from Hua Lu and Qian Jin, as well as the story of the special consciousness during fog. He deliberately spoke with the tone of a newcomer, subtly hinting at the supernatural threat lurking in the village. As he spoke, his fingers unconsciously tapped the worn wooden table, creating a gentle rhythmic sound.

Xia Hui nodded frequently, clearly captivated by this information. Her slender fingers swiftly scribbled something down in her notebook, the scratchy sound of the pen swishing across the paper betraying her concentration. When Tang Yin finished, she immediately pressed for details about the four elder families, her professional instincts prompting her to delve deeper. Tang Yin responded cautiously, stating only the information he had gathered, fearing a slip of the tongue.

Xia Hui held her chin thoughtfully, the moonlight outlining a soft contour for her pretty profile: "...Well, it's very interesting. Although it is a bit like Shintoism, where are the roots of the legend and how has it been passed down?" Her voice was full of a passion for exploration, and her eyes sparkled with wisdom.

"The changing temple, the families receiving protection, the customs that only apply during foggy times..." Xia Hui continued her analysis, tapping the cover of her notebook. "But it doesn't seem like they're very welcoming to guests here. It's incredible. I can't believe such a remote village has preserved such strange customs. Could it be that this village was once a very special place?"

Zhou Zhengxiong leaned against the door frame, looking at Xia Hui who was immersed in thought, and smiled knowingly: "You are indeed suitable for this. It is worthy of your profession, Xiao Q." There was a hint of doting helplessness in his voice.

Xia Hui finally came back to her senses and smiled a little sheepishly. She tied up the scattered hair on her forehead and said, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Now that we have a place to stay and a way to deal with the fog, let's go back to work."

"Xiao Q, you can just live in the dormitory room, right? I'll live here." Zhou Zhengxiong looked around the simple room. The moonlight shone through the broken window, casting mottled shadows on the floor.

Tang Yin looked at Zhou Zhengxiong's burly figure and couldn't help but feel worried about the cramped space. "...Ah, if necessary, Zhou Zhengxiong, would you like to stay in my little room downstairs? It might be a bit cramped here."

"It's nothing, it's fine with me, no matter where I sleep," Zhou Zhengxiong waved his hand, his shadow swaying on the wall. "Besides, that little house is where you're going to live in the future, right? It's best to get used to your new home as quickly as possible."

Tang Yin looked at the honest big man in the moonlight, and thought that it was the house that Hua Lu had kindly lent him, so he really shouldn't make the decision without permission. "I understand. It seems I'm meddling in other people's business. Sorry."

"No, no, it's me who should be thanking you," Zhou Zhengxiong said seriously, "You've done a lot for us, right?"

"Oh." Tang Yin responded somewhat awkwardly, his eyes unconsciously moving to the window.

Zhou Zhengxiong crossed his arms and continued thoughtfully, "That man's name is Qian Jin, right? He doesn't seem like a very considerate person. I think you helped us get the accommodation."

"No, no, nothing like that." Tang Yin waved his hands repeatedly in denial, guiltily avoiding Zhou Zhengxiong's meaningful gaze. Moonlight streamed in through the window, casting a mysterious veil over this simple conversation. The distant barking of dogs added a touch of the tranquility and mystery unique to rural nights.

(End of this chapter)