Every seven days, Tian Jing would visit her grandfather and bring Ah Guang food, vegetables, and clothing.
Ah Guang suggested he could clear a piece of land to grow vegetables.
Tian Jing told him to wait until spring the next day, as it was too late for this year.
Xiao Bai happily ran around, catching insects and butterflies, bringing life to the quiet valley.
Tian Jing remained worried. "Ah Guang, be careful. If you feel anything is wrong, hurry back to the cave."
The ladder to the cave had a soft ladder at the bottom, which could be retracted at any time. Above five meters, it was made of rock steps that she and her husband had "chopped" out.
Ah Guang nodded. "Captain Zeng's people come by for a patrol every day, so don't worry."
The special forces team also came to check? Tian Jing felt relieved and reminded Ah Guang to tell her if he lacked anything.
...
Li Da Niu's wedding was set for September 26th, the second day of the intercalary eighth month.
She didn't plan to invite villagers, so she didn't mind it being a busy season.
She only invited her paternal uncle's family and her maternal uncle's family.
When Zhang Fang Cao was informed by the villagers, she was stunned. Then, she took the wages she had saved for the year and gave them to Tian Jing, asking her to pass them to Li Da Niu.
Tian Jing refused. "Zhang Fang Cao, ever since you left Li Ai Guo, I haven't paid attention to what's happening on Li Ai Guo's side."
"I never expected that when Li Ai Guo was living alone, he would abuse Da Niu to vent his anger."
"Your fault was completely transferred to Da Niu by Li Ai Guo."
"You think your year's salary can compensate for anything?"
"Let alone a year's salary, even ten or decades of salary cannot compensate for the emotional damage."
"Just because you regret it doesn't mean the harm you caused has disappeared."
"No matter how detestable Li Ai Guo is, your actions also caused harm. He transformed from a victim into a perpetrator."
"It's like you, who always framed me, and then I transformed my identity to frame you."
"I know you understand that your later mistakes were orchestrated by someone, and you also know who it was, you just lack evidence."
"The hatred is in the past, but it doesn't mean we can live in peace."
"Live your life seriously, and don't disturb others."
...
Li Da Niu's wedding was simple. They walked from Ge Bi Bi to pick up Wei Xiao Yong and circled past the village entrance, taking the road from the village head to the village end, and then returned home.
Along the way, the villagers maintained silence, offering applause.
There were only six tables for the banquet.
Li Zheng Guo, Li Li Guo, Li Jian Guo's families, along with village committee cadres, took two tables. The retired soldiers took four tables.
Even though they weren't invited, villagers still offered gifts.
Li Da Niu didn't want to accept them, but Ouyang Mei Hua helped her.
"These are the gifts your father gave out, accept them. You still live in this village, don't isolate yourself."
Tian Jing also agreed and asked Zhou Cheng Bin to run errands, driving to the county to buy candy, handkerchiefs, and cakes.
They were wrapped in handkerchiefs and distributed to each family.
Wei Xiao Yong had always supported Da Niu. Da Niu's resentment would not be resolved overnight; it would take time.
Zhang Fang Cao watched from afar. Seeing Wei Xiao Yong's care and thoughtfulness towards Da Niu, and seeing the smile on Da Niu's face, she turned and left.
The next day, the village committee received Zhang Fang Cao's resignation request.
Vice-Mayor Ou wanted to persuade her, but Li Zheng Guo approved it.
Taking her last month's salary, Zhang Fang Cao couldn't help but cry.
Her tears had long since run dry.
The villagers only realized Zhang Fang Cao had left three days later.
Tian Jing also only learned of Zhang Fang Cao's departure when she heard the villagers discussing it.
She asked her husband for the reason.
Li Zheng Guo shook his head. "No reason. She wanted to resign, and I approved it, that's all. Should I beg her to stay?"
Tian Jing told her husband about her confrontation with Zhang Fang Cao.
Li Zheng Guo comforted her. "Don't think too much about it. It has nothing to do with you. It's better for her not to be here in her final days."
"Da Niu sending her off would be unwilling and stifling; not sending her off would make people call her heartless."
When Li Da Niu learned of Zhang Fang Cao's departure, she was lost in thought for a day. With her husband's encouragement, she returned to her work diligently.
...
A Feng and Zeng Jing Liang decided to get married in March of the following year, when spring blossoms bloomed.
Zeng Jing Liang's serious demeanor about getting married gave Tian Jing a headache. Wasn't this causing her trouble?
Zeng Jing Liang asked with a smile, "Team Leader Tian, in the future, should I call you Aunt or Cousin?"
Tian Jing gave him a sideways glance. The seemingly ethereal gentleman had somehow transformed into a down-to-earth uncle?
"A Feng has always called me Team Leader Tian, so you can follow her lead."
Zeng Jing Liang had another question. "What about the child? What should they call me?"
Tian Jing chuckled. "A child? When the child grows up, they might not want you as their father!"
Zeng Jing Liang was indifferent. "They're being born to pass down A Feng's skills anyway."
Tian Jing: "..." She was wrong. This person hadn't transformed into a down-to-earth uncle, but a rogue with a rascal's spirit.
"You should be called Zeng Wu Liang. From now on, you'll be your child's unscrupulous father."
"Okay!" Zeng Jing Liang agreed. "I'll ask my cousin to help me change my name."
This annoyed Tian Jing so much that she got up and left.
Li Zheng Guo glanced at Zeng Jing Liang, who had clearly picked up some bad habits from someone, and said to A Feng,
"The tourism project in the back mountain is nearing completion. I have confidence in the projects within it, but Ju Ku Mountain is too remote."
"I'd like to invite you to open a restaurant there, under the name of the Yuan family of Ku Shan Li..."
"Okay!" Before Li Zheng Guo could finish persuading her, A Feng agreed.
"Team Leader Tian's approach of donating the Xiao family's belongings made me realize that sometimes, guarding certain things is not always for the best."
"I've already discussed it with my cousin. We plan to donate the Yuan family's belongings as well."
"Of course, we will leave gold, silver, and some less valuable jewelry for our descendants."
"Therefore, opening a restaurant is perfect for me. It can earn some capital for the child and allow them to learn cooking from a young age through immersion."
A Feng, Zeng Jing Liang, Yuan Man, and Da Mai went to the capital for a trip.
A few days later, they returned with wedding necessities and the news that Zeng's parents would attend the wedding.
Tian Jing knew that if Zeng Jing Liang was getting married, Han Shu Zhen would definitely come.
Let her come, as long as she doesn't disturb her.
...
On the eleventh, County Mayor Ji led several people to inspect and experience the tourism project in the back mountain of Ku Shan Li.
Li Zheng Guo, who was extremely busy, handed over his work to Vice-Mayor Ou.
He took a few swimsuits and towels and accompanied them up the mountain.
A middle-aged couple in the group was handed over to Tian Jing by County Mayor Ji.
Tian Jing was surprised. What was County Mayor Ji's intention?
The woman smiled and extended her hand to Tian Jing. "Hello, Team Leader Tian. I am Sun Jun Li, Zhou Cheng Bin's mother, and this is my husband, Zhou Dao Wen."
Future in-laws?
Tian Jing quickly extended her hand to shake theirs. "Hello, hello. I really didn't notice just now. I thought you two were with County Mayor Ji to experience the back mountain. Come, let's go inside and sit."
Mother Zhou waved to the person behind her, and Zhou Cheng Bin ran over with gifts.
The family of three followed Tian Jing into the courtyard.
Tian Jing asked A Feng to help make tea and asked Zeng Jing Liang to run an errand to the greenhouse area to call Li Li Guo and Ouyang Mei Hua.
Ouyang Mei Hua, covered in mud, hurried over. "Tian Jing, why did you call me here so urgently? I'm planting seedlings."
Tian Jing was certain that Zeng Jing Liang had deliberately not explained things clearly.