Tian Jing and Li Zhengguo were back.
After a cheer from the village, they were left in disarray.
Everyone knew that this year's melons were finished, and neither Li Zhengguo nor Tian Jing could save them, unless it were divine intervention.
...
Li Aiguo, who had shamelessly begged and borrowed to buy an old residential plot and then bought a new one, was tending to cotton fields on the new plot.
While the villagers flocked to plant watermelons, he did not.
Last year, Li Zhengguo, rather than letting his elder brother join him, had preferred to fully support him alone. He knew then that his elder brother held a new grudge against him.
So, this year, while the villagers planted watermelons, he diligently planted cotton. *Kan*
Village Chief Ou had said that cotton would also be centrally purchased.
He planted cotton on the six *fen* of the new residential plot and the three *fen* by his doorstep.
South of the new residential plot, which was considered his contracted land by the village, he planted soybeans. He saw his elder brother planting soybeans on the hills.
He could sell them together.
Li Zhengguo and Tian Jing had returned, and he wanted to greet them. But he knew that he was the type of person unwelcome by the couple.
In recent years, he had thought it through and seen things clearly.
He envied, was jealous of, and hated his cousin Zheng Guo, especially after his cousin married Tian Jing.
Regarding Tian Jing's affections, at that time, he felt that with his status and appearance, he had a better reason than his cousin to have such a beautiful wife.
After thinking it through, he couldn't help but mock himself. He was like a toad then, hopping around after Zhang Fangcao.
Zhang Fangcao had hopped into prison.
His world had turned dark.
In recent years, when his elder brother went back to see their parents, his father still let him in.
When he returned, his father would immediately slam the door shut. Occasionally, his mother would come to see him and his daughter.
However, after it was revealed that Zhang Fangcao had used him and his father to harm their paternal uncle, his mother stopped visiting.
He knew it was his father's prohibition.
This matter had become an unresolvable knot for his father.
At this moment, he heard Li Min's voice and looked up. He only saw a cold, stern figure walking beside Li Min. If it wasn't Tian Jing, who else could it be?
...
Li Min led Afeng towards the east, passing Sister-in-law Niu's house, and called out.
After hearing a response, she explained to Afeng Sister-in-law Niu's character and their relationship.
Sister-in-law Niu came out, inviting Li Min and her guest in. Li Min waved her hand, saying she still needed to buy chickens.
Sister-in-law Niu did not insist, only inviting Afeng to visit again.
Afeng nodded faintly and continued walking with Li Min.
Li Min explained, "We're going to Doctor Yang's to buy chickens. Don't underestimate his apprentice; he's cold and distant, but he does housework better than I do. Not only does he raise chickens, but he also raises pigs. Since he arrived, Doctor Yang has visibly gained more than ten catties."
"Li family child, are you badmouthing me again?"
A voice came from behind. Li Min quickly turned around, "Doctor Yang, have you been gathering herbs again? Doctor Yuan will glare at you~"
"You child, don't talk too much."
Doctor Yang said, taking down the basket from his back and hanging it on Li Min's shoulder.
Li Min shouldered the basket, "Doctor Yang, you won't fool Doctor Yuan like this. I don't even recognize medicinal herbs. Also, I'm a mother now, stop calling me a child."
Doctor Yang chuckled, "In my eyes, anyone under forty is a child. By the way, Li family child, who is this child? She looks like my apprentice."
"This is the cook my little sister-in-law's maternal grandfather brought. Her name is Afeng. Afeng, this is Doctor Yang."
Afeng nodded to Doctor Yang, "Doctor Yang."
Doctor Yang stroked his goatee and scrutinized Afeng, "You? Your surname is Yuan?"
Afeng trembled all over, "You? How did you know?"
"My apprentice's name is Yuan Man."
"A'man? A'man is still alive? Where is he? Where?"
"Nonsense, my senior brother entrusted him to me, would I let anything happen to him? Come, I'll take you to him."
Afeng shook off the stunned Li Min and caught up with Doctor Yang.
Li Min: "..." What's going on?
...
When A Guang and Master Zhao returned, Li Zhengguo had already made three bed boards.
The three of them carried one board each to the village committee office.
The two offices had already been tidied up and cleaned.
The educated youth dormitory was being dismantled, so there were plenty of stones and dried mud.
Master Yang and his two apprentices worked together, and simple beds were soon made.
Village Chief Ou helped buy new mats from villagers.
Li Zhengguo went home to get clean bedsheets, and the accommodation for the three of them was settled.
He then went with Master Zhao to look at the materials left from dismantling the houses.
...
Ouyang Meihua and Le Xia, with their swollen bellies, came to the Li family.
"Tian Jing."
"Sister-in-law Tian."
Tian Jing quickly pulled out chairs for the two pregnant women to sit.
"Why are you here? Who accompanied you?"
Ouyang Meihua gestured outside, "Lin Si came. He brought Lin Wu to help by the river."
"By the river?"
"Yes, the large plot of land at your place is being dismantled."
"Oh? So fast?"
It seemed she would have to go into the mountains tomorrow.
"You don't even know about your own affairs?"
"I thought it would start tomorrow."
"With the good weather, it's better to get it done early," Ouyang Meihua replied indifferently, then began to talk about a matter that was stifling her.
"These ignorant villagers, I really don't know what to say to them..."
"Did you know that last year's melon merchant found the village? He saw the melon fields and shook his head."
"He then came to my house asking if I still had the same kind of melon this year. He said he'd buy all of it for two mao five. I slapped my thigh and told him that this year, there's only this kind of melon."
Ouyang Meihua said, patting her belly with less care.
Tian Jing's eyelids twitched at the sight. "Your hands are too restless. If Da Mai sees it, he'll scold you again."
"Don't mention Da Mai. I'm so worried. We'll talk about this quietly later. Now, I'll tell you another piece of news."
"What news?"
"Le Xia, you tell her. I need a drink of water."
Le Xia put down her water cup, "Sister-in-law Tian's water still tastes the best."
Of course, she had added ginseng essence to the water tank, hadn't she?
After two months away from home, not only had her mother-in-law's spirits declined, but Li Min and Suo Zhu's spirits had also weakened.
Now that she was home, she couldn't directly use ginseng essence for her maternal grandfather's body. So, it had to be mixed with water.
Fortunately, there was also ginseng wine to go along with it.
Le Xia continued, "Fang Qiuhong gave birth. She had a baby boy."
Tian Jing was stunned. "She really managed to keep it?"
"Hmph!" Le Xia was displeased. "Sister-in-law Tian, you should tell Brother Zhengguo to criticize Si severely."
Tian Jing didn't understand. "What's wrong? Why is this suddenly related to Si?"
Le Xia looked annoyed. "Si not only secretly gave Lin Er another dose of that medicine but also stole my apple juice for Lin Er."
"Fang Qiuhong gave birth to a baby boy with all his limbs intact, and her tail is practically in the sky. She's still in confinement. After her confinement, who knows what kind of face she'll put on?"
Tian Jing frowned. "I remember Fang Qiuhong was supposed to give birth next month, right?"
"Yes, she was premature."
Tian Jing's lips curled up. "Then you shouldn't be angry with Si anymore."
Ouyang Meihua, who was more familiar with Tian Jing, saw her exhibit this schadenfreude smile and asked Le Xia on her behalf, "Why?"
Tian Jing sneered. "Heh heh, whether the baby has problems will only be apparent after six months. There's no reason for a premature birth. Just wait and see."
Le Xia became worried again. "Will there be problems?"
Ouyang Meihua hit her out of frustration, "You should worry about yourself."
Tian Jing didn't understand. "What's wrong with Le Xia?"
"I don't know who started it, but many women look at her belly and say it looks like a girl."
"A girl is fine," Tian Jing defended Le Xia. "Lin Guangde said that both boys and girls are the same, and he won't be bothered. Si is not under any pressure."
Le Xia also nodded. "Yes, we're not under pressure. A boy or a girl is fine, as long as they're healthy."