Chapter 166

I felt more at ease keeping an eye on things myself, so I got up with a thud.

Only after leaving the room did I learn that Shen Yi'an and Lin Yu had left.

Jiang You: "?"

It wasn't that they were reluctant to part with them, but rather that things were just so strange.

She returned to her room and subconsciously turned on her phone, where she saw several messages from Shen Yi'an sent at 5 a.m.

[Youyou, my grandpa suddenly called me back. It happened so suddenly, and it's still early, so I didn't want to disturb your rest and wanted to say goodbye in person.]

[The original plan was to stay for a week and go home before the Lunar New Year, sigh... By the way, please consider my suggestion carefully.]

[Also, I suspect that my early return home was likely orchestrated by Xia Bei; he might come to your house...]

Jiang You didn't continue reading; his heart sank as soon as he saw the name Xia Bei.

She was able to resist Shen Yi'an only because of Xia Bei's influence; if pushed too far, she would get together with Xia Bei.

But in front of Xia Bei... thinking about what the other party had done... Jiang You patted his face to force himself to calm down. Don't be nervous, don't be nervous. Shen Yi'an said that he might come, not that he definitely would.

The other party is a very busy person and definitely doesn't have time.

Jiang You comforted her, and her pale face regained its color. After lunch, Jiang's mother told her to go to her second uncle's house and bring back five bundles of cabbage.

Aunt and Uncle are relatives on Jiang's mother's side, while Uncle and Uncle are relatives on Jiang's father's side.

Jiang's father was not liked by his grandparents. The house and land he was allocated were in some remote corner. They wouldn't even accept it if he offered it to others to grow vegetables for free. Jiang's father was always obsequious and smiling when he was out in public, never daring to utter a single complaint.

Jiang You arrived at his second uncle's house and took the cabbage from his second aunt.

Even though Mom had already given them money, her second uncle's family acted as if they were there to take advantage of her, their mouths and faces were so awful.

If you're so capable, spit out the dozen or so sausages you took from her house for free!

She cursed her father in her heart, but showed no emotion on her face. Anyway, if she argued with her second uncle, her parents wouldn't side with her.

"A big coward begets a little coward, and the whole family is a coward." On his way home, Jiang You suddenly thought of this saying and chuckled softly, a bitter laugh tinged with self-mockery.

Halfway there, across the shimmering pond, a large, dark crowd had gathered on the opposite bank of the paddy field.

They were almost all dressed in black, carrying either folders or briefcases, and a few of them were pointing at the fields with tablets.

Jiang You stood there, stunned. The man in the center of the crowd lowered his eyes and flipped through the documents in his hand. Seemingly noticing the gaze, he suddenly turned his head to look over.

The gold-rimmed glasses reflected a cold light, giving his peach blossom eyes a scholarly air, as if ink-soaked rice paper had been dripped with water, blurring the sharp edge between his brows and eyes.

The moment their eyes met, the man's gaze softened, leaving only a gentle, warm smile.

His thin lips moved slightly, and even across the vast pond, Jiang You could feel the alluring sweetness emanating from him, like a venomous snake flicking its tongue.

"Xia Bei..." Her throat tightened. Damn it! It was Xia Bei!!!

Only then did he realize what was happening. He picked up the cabbage, turned around, and left, almost running home.

He put down the cabbage, seemingly having lost all his means and strength, and sat idly in a chair.

Xia Bei raised an eyebrow slightly, slowly taking off his glasses and tidying himself up: "We should choose a more secluded place to plant trees. I think this spot is very good."