Happy Little Farmer
Chapter 776

Chapter 776: Chapter 776

It was a bit late, which made Miss Dong’er seem very frustrated.

She felt downcast and muttered dejectedly, "I already ran as fast as I could. As soon as I got the notice, I rushed over without stopping, but I didn’t expect to still be a step late..."

Yang Fan smiled and comforted her, "Earlier, it was me who slowed us down. Otherwise, with your speed, you definitely would’ve made it back early. It’s not actually too late now. Why don’t you check these people again? Since the Dao Bell has the ability to bring back souls, it might also be able to uncover other issues, right?"

"We hurried to bring these people back before the rooster crowed and didn’t get to do things thoroughly. You know what kind of situations could happen in that place. What if we didn’t bring back the right people and accidentally brought something else instead?"

Even though Ji Dong’er was now listed as the River God, included among the ranks of the Mountain and River Gods,

her temperament still leaned a bit towards being childlike.

After borrowing something with great effort only to not use it, the little girl was pouting so much her lips seemed like they could anchor several mules.

"Big brother, this has nothing to do with you. It’s just that I’m too slow," Ji Dong’er shook her head and said. "Let me go check again. Since I borrowed this, I shouldn’t waste it. I should make the most out of what I’ve got."

Yang Fan nodded, "That’s absolutely true."

Ji Dong’er suddenly seemed filled with energy. She picked up the Dao Bell, weaving her way through the bustling crowd, gently shaking the bell while observing the reactions of those around her.

The people affected by the Old locust tree had all woken up by now. At this moment, they were gathering in small groups of two or three.

Although they had just experienced the same situation, everyone’s reactions were different.

For some, only a portion of their souls had wandered off. To them, what had just happened felt like almost nothing—a brief nap, and now they were awake.

For those who lost three or four parts of their soul, what they experienced felt like an incredibly vivid dream.

They couldn’t distinguish that what had just occurred was actually a real event that disappeared as soon as it came, leaving their understanding trapped within the dream state.

But for someone like Wang Daqiang, who had nearly all three souls and seven spirits dispersed, the sensation felt very clear.

They distinctly remember what had just happened.

A group of people offered completely differing accounts of their shared experience.

Those who understood the events thoroughly were desperate to share the bizarre happenings with people around them.

But those who felt nothing were adamant in their disbelief.

The crowded street was now split into countless clusters, all engaged in discussions and arguments about the incident, each stubbornly holding their own perspective.

Those who truly experienced the event found almost no one willing to believe their stories. To others, what they described seemed like lucid dreams, leading some of them to start doubting their own experiences.

Yang Fan smiled while watching this unfolding scene. Human cognition truly is a fascinating thing.

There was no need for the authorities to deliberately take any further action or conceal potential repercussions.

The words of those who had clearly lived through the event found few believers.

Ji Dong’er’s graceful figure moved fluidly amidst the crowd, the crisp and ethereal sound of the Dao Bell reverberating gently.

In the east, a pale sliver of white slowly brightened.

The day had dawned.

Yang Fan took a deep drag on his cigarette, his worn-out body lazily leaning against the dingy wall.

This place, often crowded with elegant women when nighttime fell, carried no aroma of charm and instead bore a peculiar smell. Yang Fan couldn’t quite identify it, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant.

Mr. Fan approached, helping Yang Fan up from the ground. "Come on, patient. We’re done here, we just have to wait for the payment. Judging by this time, you should be earning quite a bit. You might make yourself a nice chunk of change."

"We’re still getting paid?" Yang Fan asked in surprise.

"Who works without getting paid? We’re neither on payroll nor getting salaries. If they don’t pay, does that make any sense?" Mr. Fan retorted, irritated. "Don’t be so magnanimous, kid. The work we do is the type that risks our lives."

Yang Fan grinned broadly, "Though this job was definitely thrilling, it does pay a lot better than my main gig."

"Don’t abandon your main gig. I’m old, so I don’t care, but you still need a proper identity to cover yourself," Mr. Fan reminded him, stretching his aching bones. "Get a good sleep today, have a hearty meal tonight, and make sure to replenish yourself. This whole night of chaos almost caused my old bones to fall apart."

Yang Fan stopped walking and gazed at the approaching Ji Dong’er in the distance.

"Huh, when did that little girl get here?" Mr. Fan muttered in surprise.

"She’s been here for a while. What were you doing? That bell’s sound has been ringing the entire time. Didn’t you hear it?" Yang Fan asked, a bit surprised.

The sound of the Dao Bell was particularly unique—ethereal, crisp, and loud.

Mr. Fan had been on the street; logically, there was no reason he couldn’t hear it.

"I heard the bell. I thought it was something they arranged, so I didn’t pay it any attention," Mr. Fan replied. "The task is done. Now it’s time for rest and to divide the spoils. What else is there to do?"

"Old man, ’divide the spoils’—nice choice of words," Yang Fan said, giving a thumbs up.

Mr. Fan was simply down-to-earth.

Yang Fan wouldn’t be surprised by any fresh phrases from Mr. Fan’s mouth.

"Get lost, runt!" Mr. Fan barked with a smile, turning to warmly greet the approaching Ji Dong’er.

"Miss Dong’er, is there any oversight?"

"Hello, Grandpa Fan," Ji Dong’er politely said, smiling. "You’ve handled everything cleanly—no issues at all. I went through each person one by one; they’re all fine."

"That’s good to hear," Mr. Fan replied. "With you checking everything, I can rest assured."

There was no need for explanations; Mr. Fan had already guessed what Ji Dong’er was doing.

"Miss Dong’er, you probably haven’t had Human World’s food in a long time, right? Come on, let’s go eat something together," Mr. Fan offered.

Ji Dong’er licked her lips, "Can I have noodles? I... I don’t have money."

She seemed a little embarrassed.

The little girl felt awkward because she didn’t have any money.

Mr. Fan chuckled, "Grandpa Fan is treating. Afterwards, this kid here will get you some cash—he just earned a big pile of money."

"Thank you, Grandpa Fan. I’ll just join for a meal," Ji Dong’er said with a radiant smile.

"Don’t be polite with this kid. He just earned tens of thousands; giving you a few thousand shouldn’t be an issue. Without your help, his little life would’ve been lost here today," Mr. Fan said.

Yang Fan nodded firmly, "Miss Dong’er, don’t be shy—this is rightfully yours."

"Well... alright, but I’ll take just a little." Ji Dong’er smiled gently. "I don’t really have other hobbies. After staying inside the walls for so long and now moving into the water, sometimes my mouth gets a little greedy."