The Magnificent Son-in-law

"Xiao Feng, take a look at that container parked over there," Zhao Guo'an said.

"Container?" Xiao Feng glanced over, puzzled, "What's the issue?"

He noticed a dark shape beside the wheel but wasn't sure exactly what Zhao Guo'an was referring to.

"What is that thing tied to the wheel?" Zhao Guo'an couldn't help but ask.

Xiao Feng examined it closely for a while and replied, "It looks like a monkey."

"It's not a circus, why would someone performing tricks bring a monkey?" Zhao Guo'an pursued.

"Do you see that chubby guy standing over there?" Xiao Feng said expressionlessly, "That's right, the one who just asked what happened this morning."

Zhao Guo'an nodded, "I see him."

Xiao Feng patted Zhao Guo'an's shoulder, saying, "Go ask him yourself."

Realizing Xiao Feng was teasing him, Zhao Guo'an hurriedly said, "I'm talking about serious stuff here, stop joking."

"Nonsense!" Xiao Feng retorted in irritation, "I don't run a circus, how would I know why they brought a monkey."

"..." Zhao Guo'an was instantly choked up; this argument was too darn logical to refute.

Nevertheless, he still felt the monkey was suspicious, but couldn't pinpoint exactly where the issue lay.

Accompanied by some tacky music, various acts started to unfold, with cheers and applause rising in waves. The audience's spirits were high, and those performing the acrobatics were indeed putting in great effort.

In the cold winter night, a shirtless man wrapped steel wires around his neck, and before the performance, someone even handed the steel wires to the front-row audience to inspect, calling it a high-difficulty act.

But little did they know, these performances involved techniques; although visually intense, mastering the key points makes them easy to perform, somewhat akin to magic.

Xiao Feng took just one glance and found it unimpressive, but he wasn't idle enough to reveal secrets to the audience present.

They were also earning a living, neither stealing nor robbing; there's no need to ruin someone else's income.

Of course, when faced with that couple selling fake medicine in the morning, although they didn't steal or rob either, such situations are beyond tolerable.

After the steel throat performance, a nearly two-meter-tall man approached the front-row audience, holding a long spear: "Come on, everyone can check to see if the tip is iron."

As he spoke, as if to prove he wasn't lying, he pulled out a magnet.

"Thud!"

The magnet instantly clung to the spearhead, and the man started circling around the front-row audience.

When he reached a little girl, she slightly backed away and tugged at Xiao Feng's leg.

Xiao Feng lowered his head and listened as the little girl said, "Brother Xiao Feng, I kind of don't want to watch anymore."

This was very unexpected for Xiao Feng, prompting him to ask: "Do you feel the performances aren't exciting enough?"

The little girl shook her head, "No, it just seems like these people are treating life too frivolously, I feel it's not good."

Xiao Feng gently rubbed the little girl's head affectionately, "Alright, then let's go."

Turning around, he saw layers of audience members surrounding them; they could force their way through, but it would definitely cause a commotion.

At this moment, the sharp-eyed chubby ringmaster noticed the situation with Xiao Feng and approached, "Oh, you actually came, thank you, thank you, not only did you come yourself, but you brought friends to support us, I appreciate it. Are you looking to leave?"

Xiao Feng nodded in admission, "Indeed, I have something to attend to."

"I see..." The chubby ringmaster's eyes darted quickly as he said, "Are you tired from standing? How about I get someone to bring over some chairs for you to sit down and watch."

"No need to bother," the little girl declined.

The chubby ringmaster chuckled wryly, "Truth be told, you've seen it yourselves, making a living in this line of work isn't easy, it's mainly something young people do. Apprenticing for over a decade, enduring hardships and scoldings, working tirelessly.

After mastering the skills, one can run for twenty to thirty years, and then it's pretty much time to retire.

You leaving wouldn't matter much, but a gap would open in the crowd, and surely some people would follow suit.

So, if it's not extremely urgent, would you mind staying a bit longer? I'll talk to the folks below and cut a few acts, bringing up the finale sooner.

Of course, you won't be standing for nothing; after the performance, I'll give each of you a small gift as a token of thanks for your support."

Everyone exchanged puzzled glances, feeling they had gained insight; this was truly the art of conversation, every word is flawless, even facial expressions and tone were spot on.

Having said so much, everyone felt somewhat embarrassed to leave, and Xiao Feng nodded, "Alright then, we'll stay a bit longer."

"Great, thank you, thank you!"

The Boss kept nodding and bowing repeatedly with gratitude; whether the show would really be shortened, no one could tell.

About twenty minutes later, the chubby ringmaster appeared on the carpet in a new outfit, and in his hand, he led a monkey whose eyes were not as lively as those commonly seen on TV, but rather seemed numb, perhaps resigned.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the finale of tonight's performance is coming up. Let me have the staff arrange the stage."

The chubby ringmaster, dressed in brightly colored, festive attire, began sharing some sob stories to set the stage for the impending fundraising moment while others set up the props.

Once everything was in place, the chubby ringmaster let go of the rope he held and flicked his whip into the air.

"Thud!"

At the sound, the monkey squatting on the ground bolted onto the tightrope, but instead of walking across, it held onto the edge of the wood and crawled from one end to the other, extremely skilled in its movements.

"Bravo!"

Another wave of cheers erupted, applause like a mountain crash.

Meanwhile, Zhao Guo'an watched the monkey crossing the tightrope with focused attention, his eyes reflecting deep thought...

After descending from the tightrope, the monkey dashed into a metal hoop, its legs continuously running, making the hoop spin in place.

"Louder applause from everyone, and I'll have the monkey perform a fire hoop jump for you!" the chubby ringmaster announced, raising his hands.

The already enthusiastic audience now clapped even more vigorously.

The chubby ringmaster smiled, seemingly satisfied with the live effect, and raised his whip to flick it again.

"Thud!"

At the sound, the monkey reacted with a start, sprinting swiftly towards the fire hoop, leaping through it, landing, and rolling several times on the carpet.