Chapter 416 The Shang Family Settles in the Bai Rong Production Brigade
"Are you sure we're living in the Bai Rong Production Brigade from now on?"
Third Master Shang looked at Zi Yisheng, his eyebrows raised.
"Didn't we ask Young Master Zi for a hand? Being close by means we can look out for each other."
It was completely unnecessary. Zi Yisheng found Third Master Shang quite distasteful.
"We don't have any homesteads available here, so we'll have to build on the other side of the village, where it's quiet and undisturbed."
"That's fine. As long as we have a place to stay, we'll have to trouble Young Master Zi with many things. If there's a chance in the future, we'll definitely repay Young Master Zi's kindness."
This was exactly what Zi Yisheng wanted to hear. The men of the Shang family were quite capable, they just looked a bit disheveled now.
"Then we'll build you a courtyard, so you don't attract attention right away. I'll get your household registration sorted out tomorrow, but you'll have to use new names."
Third Master Shang didn't care about such things. Changing a name was nothing as long as their lives were intact.
Qi Xuan was still worried about Shang Shaoyan's safety. He had completely disappeared, and she had no clue where to look for him.
Qi Xuan wanted to ask Third Master Shang, but there were always people in the room, so she could only wait outside the door.
Qi Luquan, seeing his granddaughter's pathetic state, was so angry he wanted to disown her on the spot. She was a disgrace to the Qi family. He slammed his own door shut, unable to bear the sight any longer.
Did Qi Xuan not know her grandfather's thoughts? She touched her nose sheepishly, knowing she'd have to coax him later.
Qi Xuan waited until the crowd dispersed. She gently knocked on the door and slipped into Third Master Shang's room.
Third Master Shang looked at the young girl who had saved him. A very good child.
"Miss, why are you here?"
Qi Xuan was direct, and immediately asked everything she wanted to know.
Third Master Shang finally understood. His son had been taken a liking to by this girl. He remembered that his son had been recuperating in the Bai Rong Production Brigade, and perhaps some story had happened between them.
"Miss, my son is not a good choice. Perhaps you should reconsider."
Qi Xuan, who had been eagerly awaiting an answer, was stunned. What did he mean? Was he helping his son reject her?
Qi Xuan was actually very disappointed. Shang Shaoyan didn't like her, and now even his father didn't. How bad was she?
But Qi Xuan had her pride. Even though she still had feelings for Shang Shaoyan, it didn't mean she could never forget him.
"Uncle, I used to like Shang Shaoyan, and he rejected me countless times. It's impossible for me to say I have no feelings for him now, but I have indeed given up. I followed him this time just to help him, not with any intention of pestering him in the future."
This was not what Third Master Shang was thinking. He just wanted to remind the young lady in front of him to be more discerning. His son was not a good match because he was heartless, or at least, in his opinion, his son's heart was not with women.
"Oh, Miss, don't misunderstand. That's not what I meant. I just think you're a good person, but my son isn't someone you can entrust your life to. I don't want you to suffer in the future, so..."
Qi Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he didn't dislike her, that was fine.
"So Uncle also knows that your son isn't good. He's so cold-blooded and speaks so cruelly. If I weren't thick-skinned, I would have jumped into the river already."
"Hahaha, and you're still persisting?"
Qi Xuan hesitated, and finally shook her head.
"I'm not persisting anymore. From now on, Shang Shaoyan is just an ordinary person I know. It's just that I can't let go immediately. It will get better with time."
Third Master Shang sighed inwardly. He didn't know how he ended up with such a cold-hearted son. He and his wife had a very good relationship, yet their son hadn't learned anything from it.
"He hasn't learned how to like someone yet, and he might not even know what liking is. It's good that you have this plan. You can't let him hold you back."
In fact, Third Master Shang had no idea that his son had already opened his heart, but he had fallen for someone he shouldn't have, and had rationally let go of that affection.
"I can't agree to what you said earlier. Shaoyan has his own plans. Going with him might not help him, and could even be a hindrance."
Directness. When direct people converse, they can speak so without reservation.
Qi Xuan didn't care about Third Master Shang's words, only feeling disappointed that she couldn't help Shang Shaoyan one more time. Alas, she hoped he would return safely.
Even if there was no hope for the two of them, at least she could see him safe. Her desires were not many!
Second Master Shang and his wife, Weng Jing, had recovered considerably, but they were still unable to get out of bed. Usually, Aunt Zhen and Asen took care of them.
Second Master Shang was filled with gratitude towards Zi Yisheng and the Ye family upon learning that his younger brother was also safe. He even regretted having made things difficult for Young Master Zi regarding the black market.
Third Master Shang's injuries were slightly less severe. After Qi Xuan left, he immediately went to see his second brother and sister-in-law.
Second Master Shang held his younger brother's hand, his eyes filled with unwillingness.
"How did it come to this? Do we have any news of the eldest?"
Third Master Shang sighed and patted his second brother's hand.
"Shaoyan is still trying to find a way. It's already a miracle that we're alive. Think about Young Master Zi. He's more powerful than us, yet he abandoned everything and hid here early on.
I know you're unwilling and want to fight back, but how can we fight against the prevailing situation with our current strength? It's better to lie low for now. There will be opportunities to return someday."
Weng Jing, who was beside them, slapped her husband crossly.
"You're not as sensible as your younger brother. How can you compare yourself to Young Master Zi? Look how comfortable he is now. If you hadn't ignored Shaoyan's advice, would we have had to send both children away?
I might not even have the chance to see my children again. It's all your fault. If you had retired earlier, I could have stayed with the children forever."
Second Master Shang was a bit of a chauvinist. His wife had embarrassed him in front of his younger brother. Although he didn't dare to retort, his face had turned completely dark.
Weng Jing wasn't known for her good temper either. After decades of marriage, she knew exactly what her husband had eaten just by the sound of his fart.
"How dare you be angry? If you have the ability, go find the children. If you don't, then listen to me."
Third Master Shang was used to his second sister-in-law scolding his second brother. His second brother only had a tough exterior, but couldn't last three seconds against his second sister-in-law. However, it didn't stop him from finding amusement in his second brother's plight.
When the elders of the Shang family were sent away, he had indeed considered retiring. But his second brother didn't believe their words and even said Zi Yisheng was too spineless, a disgrace to men.
Now, it wasn't just spinelessness, but complete loss of face and dignity. Not only did he drag Shaoyan down, but they were also hiding at Young Master Zi's place.
"Look at you, throwing tantrums at the slightest provocation. The children are fine abroad. What good would it be for them to stay with us?"
"Bah! Second Master Shang, no one is looking after them abroad. If anything happens to the children, I won't live anymore, and you'll have to follow me."
Third Master Shang saw that his second sister-in-law wasn't stopping anytime soon. He could only pat his second brother's leg and stand up to leave, lest he get caught in the crossfire.
The New Year quickly passed, and it was Ye Shengge's birthday again. Her second birthday in this world, she was seventeen!
Second Madam Shang, Weng Jing, had now changed her name to Zhao Jing. Second Master Shang was now Li Erhu, and Third Master Shang was Li Sanbao. The names were both down-to-earth and sounded like the leaders of a mountain stronghold.
The three of them had recovered significantly. Ye Shengge used the knowledge she learned at Mi Province University to purify the medicinal herbs she had, making them more effective. The three of them had served as her guinea pigs.
The three of them woke up early, changed into new clothes, and with gifts prepared by Asen, they went to the main hall.
They had fled in such a hurry that they had almost no money. It was only after Shang Shaoyan transferred money to Zi Yisheng that they were somewhat relieved, and it also let them know that Shang Shaoyan was still alive.
Ye Shengge didn't plan a big celebration, just a good meal at home. Due to the previous disaster, the fields had just been planted, and the crops were only just sprouting. Everyone was severely lacking in grain and vegetables, and their lives were not extravagant.
So, Ye Shengge decided to let her elder brother go out and "bring back" some good things to let everyone have some meat.
Honestly, since arriving in this world, aside from the grain, the other supplies she had prepared had been consumed very little.
Before the disaster, there were many capable people in the family. If they wanted meat, they would hunt in the mountains, and they even had the black market sending things home from time to time.
Ye Shengge took out the most oil and seasonings. Today, she planned to take out some of the meat from her space and let Chef Gong show off his skills.
The other families also arrived at the Ye house one after another. Once everyone was assembled, the Ye family's main gate was securely closed.
The main hall of the Ye family was where Ye Shengge received gifts, while the kitchen was the domain of Gong Wentao and a group of helpers.
Dozens of people made merry from morning till late night, and countless bottles of wine were consumed.
Ye Shengge's birthday party quickly went off track. After sending their blessings to the birthday girl, there was nothing left for her. Ye Shengge didn't care at all. In her previous life, she had celebrated her birthday grandly every year, but it was actually meaningless.
Zi Yisheng didn't drink much. He sat with Ye Shengge, watching the others go wild. They whispered to each other, and even this made them very content and happy.
Zhao Jing was also experiencing for the first time the joy of a large family truly enjoying their current peaceful life. She was also infected by it, only missing her two children.
The day after the birthday, the gongs of the production brigade rang out. Ye Shengge also went to the brigade headquarters with them.
Chen Tangtang, Qi Xuan, and Ye Shengge were now a team of three. As long as Qi Xuan was with them, the family no longer sent anyone to escort them.
Chen Tangtang nudged Ye Shengge and Qi Xuan with her shoulder, her face full of gossip.
"Quick, look, it's An Xia. She seems to be doing very well now."
Ye Shengge had heard before that An Xia had voluntarily married Gong Wenliang. At the time, she felt that those who knew how to fight for themselves wouldn't fare too badly.
Now, it seemed that the person who used to always lower her head was finally looking at everyone on equal footing, with a faint smile on her face. Gong Wenliang followed behind An Xia, looking so cautious that it was enviable.
"That's good. As long as one's own life is going well, that's all that matters."
"Hey, why does Gong Wenliang look so cautious? Is An Xia pregnant?"
Chen Tangtang's gossipy expression made Ye Shengge look at An Xia. Seeing An Xia's hands carefully protect her stomach, what else was there not to understand?
"You're a clever one. She's probably pregnant."
"Wait, let me calculate the date. Good heavens, she got pregnant right after getting married!"
Qi Xuan looked enviously at An Xia. That girl she had caused trouble for seemed much younger than her. Now she was a mother, and she was still unwanted.
"Wuwuwuwu, I want to get married too, and I want to have a baby."
Ye Shengge and Chen Tangtang turned their heads in surprise to look at the wailing Qi Xuan. Chen Tangtang even jumped up and covered Qi Xuan's mouth.
"Can you keep it down? What kind of grown woman cries about wanting to get married and have children? Do you want to be drowned in spit?"
Qi Xuan rolled her eyes and pushed away Chen Tangtang's fat hand.
"I'm speaking the truth. I just want to have a baby and get married. If you give me a man now, I'll marry him."
Ye Shengge saw that quite a few people were already looking in their direction, so she quickly pulled the hysterical person away.
"Xuanxuan, we'll discuss it when we get home. We have to consider the genetics, we can't just find anyone."
Ye Shengge was afraid that the villagers would hear Qi Xuan's grand pronouncements and that many people would come to propose marriage. After all, they didn't know that their family was well-off. Marrying Qi Xuan would be like marrying a golden nugget, and she was indeed a golden nugget.
Qi Xuan immediately became dejected. She had only fallen for Shang Shaoyan's looks.
"Aunt, I want to have Shang Shaoyan's child. Even if we don't get married, it's fine."
Chen Tangtang suddenly looked like she had been struck by lightning. What had she heard? She wanted a child without marriage.
"You, you're such a weirdo. You've gone mad."
Ye Shengge didn't think much of it. In her previous life, there were many women who chose not to marry, and many single mothers. However, in this era, it was indeed rather unconventional. Perhaps Mi Province was more open.
Qi Xuan pushed Chen Tangtang away. Such an unpromising woman, she had been so fooled by Ouyang that she had become foolish.
"Aunt, why don't you give me some of that powder you made when Shang Shaoyan returns safely? I'll capture him and have a child without him knowing whose it is.
Then I'll let him see the child every day, without letting the child recognize him. That will be both satisfying and fulfill my desire."
Ye Shengge now felt that Qi Xuan had gone mad. Fearing that she would continue to be insane, she quickly interrupted.
"Let's go, let's go. Let's listen to what the brigade leader is saying."
Ye Shengge pulled the two of them forward. She had to find someone to discipline Qi Xuan properly when they got home, lest she really cause big trouble and couldn't even stay in the village.
"We are still short of grain and vegetables. Starting today, we will continue to clear land in the mountains to plant grain. Whoever was responsible for a plot on the mountain before is still responsible for it. The guards will remain the same, so everyone can rest assured and go up the mountain."
Ye Shengge and the other two exchanged glances. Well, it was time to get busy.
The mining in West Mountain had already begun, but the people entering the mountain this time went up from another side, and it didn't attract the attention of the villagers.
Zi Yisheng had only arranged for a few people to guard the vicinity of the foot of West Mountain, as long as the villagers didn't enter West Mountain. Fortunately, everyone in the village knew that West Mountain was not densely vegetated, so very few people went there.