Chapter 71 - 71 The Conspiracy in the Night

Mrs. Xu’s eyes lit up at the sight of her daughter holding the lunchbox, “No wonder people say the State-owned Restaurant treats its employees well, everyone’s eating so well, they’re breaking their necks to get in there, this really is good treatment.”

She wasn’t only able to eat there, she could also bring food home. “Won’t people talk?” she added with joy which, every few seconds, was guarded.

Xu Ying shrugged her shoulders and pushed the car, saying, “Mom, what’s there to talk about? If this food isn’t taken, it’s wasted. We’re being frugal and saving food. You know how hard it is for ordinary people to grow grains, we’re being thrifty.”

Mrs. Xu agreed and lifted her head proudly, “Exactly, our daughter doesn’t like to waste food.”

The two chatted and laughed as they returned home.

As soon as they arrived at the door, Shitou ran ahead with Hu Zi following behind, both wrapping their arms in unison around Xu Ying’s legs, “Little Aunt, I missed you so much.”

Xu Ying looked at the two little ones, delighted, “Little Aunt missed you too. Here, Shitou, take it to the table to add to the meal.”

Shitou took the iron lunchbox from Xu Ying’s hand and when he opened it on the table, the aroma instantly wafted out.

The two neighboring households, however, were in trouble—especially the Zuo Family next door. These two were young and loved to eat. They were always smelling the meaty aroma from the Xu Family, and the wife couldn’t take it anymore. “Wu Yicai, it’s been so long, since the last time we had meat at home—I ate an old hen. It’s been ages since we’ve had meat.”

Wu Yicai, referred to by name, with a sneaky look, flicked a speck of dust from his trousers and said, “Having some meat to eat is already good. Look around the village; which family doesn’t just eat a little meat for New Year’s?

If you follow me, you’ll get to eat meat once every half a month, and when you do, you get to eat your fill. Do you think I have work every day?

Now people have gotten smarter; anything they have, they hide. I follow those guys to other houses and can’t find anything anymore.”

Hearing this, Liu Haiyun’s face immediately fell. “Wu Yicai, I’ve only had a few good days with you and you’re already tired of me.

You’re telling me you have another woman outside, aren’t you? Otherwise, you would have shared the good things.”

Wu Yicai quickly protested his innocence. “Hai Yun, what nonsense are you talking about? The money I have isn’t even enough to support you, let alone someone else.

Besides, would I be stupid to leave such a beautiful wife to seek other shameless women?

I know only you truly care about me.”

These words hit home for Liu Haiyun, and she smiled sweetly and tenderly, glancing at him with feigned annoyance, “Hmph, you’d better know.”

Wu Yicai breathed a sigh of relief; his wife had finally stopped making a fuss.

Liu Haiyun, eating the flavorless greens on the table, her heart aching as she smelled the neighbor’s savory aroma, said, “Yicai, how can the neighbors afford to eat meat every day? Where do they get all that money?

Even if they had money, where would the meat tickets come from?”

Wu Yicai shook his head, he had no clue.

Liu Haiyun, seeing him like this, got angry, “You’re so capable, earning so much in a month, why can’t you let me eat meat every day!”

Wu Yicai sighed. If it were before, he definitely could have let his wife eat meat every day, but she had just had the misfortune to marry him at the wrong time.

Back in those days, he had hit a good period, busy every day, and every trip meant a big haul. At that time, he had enjoyed his days eating and drinking well.

But back then, his girl had been no good, making off with his money and leaving him in the lurch.

It was only now, with Hai Yun, that he found someone who helped him when he was at his lowest, and he always remembered that kindness.

“Enough, there might be a big job coming up in a few days. Once I get the money, I’ll buy you meat right away. In the meantime, you take this and keep it—someday it’ll be worth a lot.” Wu Yicai took out a gold nugget.

Liu Haiyun gazed at the large gold nugget that was almost as big as his own palm, and he burst into joy, caressing the gold with an affection that he couldn’t let go of.

His unhappiness vanished in an instant.

As night fell, pale moonlight washed over the earth, and the desolate grasses cast countless sinister shadows under the chilling light, appearing like ghostly flames that never ceased.

Amid the darkness, a few men stood, among whom was the one instigated by Chen Yanran to bring his cousin to deal with Xu Ying.

“Cousin, the daughter of our village chief is not only beautiful, but her family is also wealthy, and she has a permanent job. Once you succeed, good days are surely ahead.

It all depends on who acts first, and no matter who it is, we’re all family, and marrying her would be a huge win,” Dong Wenzhong’s face looked especially grotesque under the moonlight.

Anyway, he knew he could never have Xu Ying, so he might as well ruin her.

Yanran was right, Xu Ying was nothing but a fickle and flirtatious woman, professing her affection one moment and following another man the next.

The more Dong Wenzhong dwelled on it, the angrier he became, wishing he could retaliate against Xu Ying right away.

It was because of this woman that he was dizzy and exhausted from working in the fields every day.

Dong Wenqiang and his brother Dong Wenjie exchanged glances and agreed to Dong Wenzhong’s scheme.

But the inhered selfishness of the Dong Family remained the same, as Dong Wenqiang glanced at Dong Wenzhong and said, “Wen Zhong, I heard that girl was desperately chasing after you.

What does it mean to push your unwanted woman onto us? Even if we marry her, that would still be irksome!”

Dong Wenjie chimed in, “Yeah, cousin, if you don’t like that woman, just tell her clearly. Why resort to such shady tactics to deal with her?”

Infuriated, Dong Wenzhong laid bare his feelings to his relatives, openly expressing the recent changes in Xu Ying’s behavior.@@novelbin@@

Dong Wenqiang and his brother snickered at Dong Wenzhong’s revelations, then gave him a knowing look as they said, “Oh, so you have a grudge against her now!

Her father is the team leader, and we dare not provoke him. What if something goes wrong?”

Dong Wenzhong understood that his cousins were pressing him, and with firm resolve, he said, “If things go well, I’ll give each of you ten yuan.”

Dong Wenqiang and Dong Wenjie, sensing the deal was in their favor, cheerfully patted Dong Wenzhong on the shoulder, “Just wait and see, we’ll handle it.”

Having said their piece, the two vanished into the night.

Chen Yanran watched the two depart and then emerged from beside a large tree. She consoled Dong Wenzhong, “Wen Zhong, don’t be too upset.

If it wasn’t for Xu Ying pushing us, we wouldn’t have resorted to hurting her.”

Dong Wenzhong, who had felt a trace of guilt, was filled with hatred again at Chen Yanran’s words.

If it wasn’t for Mr. Xu giving him the hardest, most tiring tasks, he wouldn’t have thought to take such revenge on Xu Ying. Ultimately, it was their family’s cruelty to blame.

“Yeah, Xu Ying is too selfish. She deserves to suffer a little,” Dong Wenzhong said, looking at Yanran with a gaze full of love.

Yanran felt shy under his gaze and looked down, blushing profusely.

Seeing her like this, Dong Wenzhong felt more convinced than ever that his choice was right, and he was willing to endure hardships if need be.

“Yanran, our life might always be this tough, but don’t worry, as soon as there is a chance, I will definitely find a job,” Dong Wenzhong affirmed.

Chen Yanran nodded, her mind a chaotic mess.

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