Li Min was severely reprimanded by her older brother.
He warned her that if she didn't want to continue their relationship, she should let Chen Suozhu go. He would help Chen Suozhu find someone else, and she shouldn't ruin the Chen family.
"The Chen family is also your sister-in-law's maternal family. Her relatives there only exploit her. She feels indebted to Grandpa Chen and even more so to Suozhu."
"What are you doing? I think you're getting out of hand because you haven't been disciplined in three days. Do you really think Chen Suozhu can't find another woman to have two sons with if you leave him?"
"Where did you forget the logic about sons and daughters that your sister-in-law mentioned? Do you really think it's solely due to your womb?"
"You are forbidden from going home and embarrassing me. Our father is a servant to the Xiao family. How much lower is my status than your sister-in-law's? If you don't bring me honor, you'll just disgrace me!"
"You stay home and take care of An An. Have Suozhu come over to work every day, and bring Xiao Fu along. You just stay home and cultivate yourself."
"If I find out you've been visiting people, or inviting friends over to play, you better watch out. I'll deal with you then."
"Don't forget Zhang Fangcao's fate. Don't forget how Accountant Li's family fell. Flattery only destroys people; it doesn't educate them."
After scolding his sister, Li Zhengguo walked out of the main hall and took the little nephew, Chen An, from Chen Suozhu, who was waiting in the courtyard.
"Suozhu, these are things women do. Your wife and my wife don't have the same temperaments. You can't learn from me."
"Minmin cannot be indulged. If you keep indulging her, I'll directly separate from you. You'll do your own thing, and I won't work with someone so clueless about everything to make money."
Li Zhengguo handed the nephew to his sister. "From now on, you're confined to quarters."
Chen Suozhu was dragged away by his brother-in-law to work and could only reluctantly look back at his younger son. He had been taking care of him for two months and truly hated to part.
...
After the lunch break, Grandpa Xiao wanted to inspect the land.
Tian Jing accompanied him and Uncle Xiao.
She explained the issues with the foundation in Kufushan Village to them.
She also pointed out families with good relationships and those with the worst relationships to Uncle Xiao, so he would remember that conflicts weren't exclusive to large compounds.
Ordinary people also had them, all driven by profit, just with different methods.
Of course, the outcomes differed. After ordinary people fell out, they wouldn't speak to each other when they met.
Turning a corner at the village entrance, they saw a scene of bustling activity.
Grandpa Xiao smiled, "So many people? It seems Tiantian and Zhengguo have good relationships."
"It's all for profit."
Tian Jing spoke about last year's watermelon incident. "... This year, they're cultivating seedlings themselves since I'm not home. Hehe..."
"Tiantian," Grandpa Xiao said earnestly, "You also said it's for profit. The common people have suffered enough. I've never been in financial hardship, but I've seen many things."
"When forced, they would sell their children to maintain basic life for the family."
"They see hope in you. Even if some become ungrateful after becoming rich, you can't condemn everyone now."
Tian Jing thought, Grandpa's soft heart is a habit he'll never change.
"Grandpa, they must be taught a lesson. You might pity them, but the pitiful often have hateful qualities."
"Yes, yes," Grandpa Xiao agreed. "Those who deserve a lesson should get one, and those who can be helped should be helped."
"We'll discuss it next spring."
Tian Jing changed the subject. "Here, Brother Zheng said he wants to cast a platform first... Do you have any opinions, Grandpa?"
Grandpa Xiao was surprised. "That will be a huge amount of work! And how much rebar and cement will you need to buy?"
"Brother Zheng will figure these things out. Grandpa, just offer your opinions."
"It's difficult for you. How about I pawn a piece of jade?"
"Grandpa~" Tian Jing said with a smile, "We're not short of money. Even if we were, we could borrow. Don't worry."
Grandpa Xiao confirmed multiple times that his granddaughter could afford it before he was relieved.
"A Yuan, starting tomorrow, tell A Guang to come work here."
"Yes, yes."
Xiao Shuyuan was very excited. Just hearing about it made him imagine the beautiful courtyard house that would soon be built.
...
At dinner, Mother Li was very satisfied with A Feng's cooking.
However, she knew that A Feng was hired by her younger daughter-in-law to take care of her elder in-laws, so she quietly asked her younger daughter-in-law.
"Tiantian, can I learn cooking from A Feng?"
Tian Jing shook her head. "Her cooking is a family heirloom. She feels grateful to me, so she wouldn't refuse if you asked. It's better not to mention it."
"Your cooking has a pure countryside flavor that we all love to eat. It's good to have a change of pace occasionally. Eating such refined food every day isn't what we're used to."
Even though she knew her younger daughter-in-law's words were just to comfort her, Mother Li was still very happy.
...
After breakfast the next day, Li Zhengguo took A Guang and drove the big truck to the county town.
Tian Jing took Da Mai and Xiao Mai into the mountains.
She was worried that Xiao Mai might encounter a similar situation one day.
The two sisters had been bullied since they were little. If someone suddenly appeared and saved them, it would be strange not to be moved.
Da Mai, following her mother's instructions, packed the sisters' spare clothes and followed her aunt with a basket on her back.
"Aunt, why are you bringing Li Li younger sister too?"
Tian Jing chuckled, "Hehe, I want her to witness what a true expert is like from an early age. We can't let a little bit of gratitude ferment into some messy emotion."
"Aunt~ I..."
"Don't speak yet. Listen to me."
Tian Jing interrupted Da Mai. "Aunt isn't saying your feelings will necessarily be messy, but you're only fifteen years old."
"Although your family circumstances have made you more mature than others your age, you haven't even left the village, and your thinking isn't mature enough yet."
"Consider this feeling as a crush and keep it in your heart. Restrain yourself and don't constantly try to win his affection. The term 'trying to win his affection' is hurtful to you."
"But if the villagers find out, their gossip will harm more than just you."
"In three years, when you turn eighteen, if you still feel the same way about your feelings, and if he's still single, Aunt will help you get together, okay?"
The light in Da Mai's eyes flickered out and then rekindled.
"Okay, I'll listen to Aunt."
Tian Jing extended her hands. "Come, hold Aunt's hand, and I'll help you fly."
...
Floating above the treetops, looking back at the dilapidated village, and then turning to look at the distant, mist-shrouded mountains, Da Mai felt as if a lock in her heart had been opened.
Xiao Mai, however, was screaming as she looked down at her feet.
Tian Jing found it amusing and took them on a few aerial maneuvers, which also made Da Mai scream.
Little Li Li, who was tucked into her mother's embrace, giggled.
Wow!
Standing on the summit of Eagle's Beak, Da Mai and Xiao Mai marveled at the lake.
Wow!
Now on Green Pine Rock, Da Mai and Xiao Mai were in awe of the orchard in the hot spring valley.
"Awooo awooo~"
Tian Jing howled towards the other half of the hot spring valley, her voice echoing far away.
After a moment, a 'awooo awooo' responded from a great distance.
Little Song was displeased. "Tiantian, as soon as you get back, you're calling for that guy Xiao Hei. What about me? Where have you put me?"
Tian Jing's face darkened. What kind of nonsense had this creature learned?
Ignoring the chattering Little Song, Tian Jing took Da Mai and Xiao Mai to the hot spring valley, telling them they could only soak for twenty minutes. Then, she headed towards Xiao Hei, who was running towards them with her daughter.
Xiao Hei wagged its tail excitedly.
Tian Jing comforted it for a long time, patted its back, and signaled it to lie down, then placed her daughter on its back.
Little Li Li immediately grabbed the fur around Xiao Hei's neck with her little claws.
Xiao Hei tried to shake her off, but feared it would lose its little master, so it allowed the two little claws to do as they pleased.
Little Li Li leaned forward, her whole body pressed onto the wolf's back, her little feet kicking around.
Xiao Hei looked at Tian Jing with a wronged expression.
Tian Jing smiled and cooed, "She likes you."
Xiao Hei was comforted and then relaxed its body, allowing the little one on its back to treat it like a soft bed.
When the playful Little Li Li fell asleep, Tian Jing finally picked up her daughter and released Xiao Hei.