"White-collar educated youth!"

Having said almost everything, Xu Keke was about to call Xiuhong and her sister and leave when Chen Jianguo, who hadn't said much until now, stopped her.

The villagers, remembering what had just happened, chuckled to themselves.

Xu Keke pretended not to notice them and looked at Chen Jianguo with a serious expression.

Chen Jianguo, seemingly oblivious to her embarrassment, pointed to the other side of the courtyard wall and said, "Let's talk over there."

The villagers were already exchanging knowing glances.

She just wanted to leave as soon as possible. What was this guy trying to do? Xu Keke was furious with him. But at this moment, the more she said, the worse it would be. She could only glare at him from behind, pretending to be calm as she followed him to the side.

"After Xiao Han went to the commune yesterday, the commune took the matter very seriously, and the police have already detained him."

"detention?"

Chen Jianguo was tall, and he spoke to her in a low voice, leaning forward and lowering his head slightly so she could hear him. His warm breath brushed against Xu Keke's ear, and when she tried to look away, she was surprised to see him. Their faces almost touched.

Xu Keke quickly turned her face away, missing the smile that flashed in Chen Jianguo's eyes.

Xu Keke had considered taking legal action, but she didn't expect it to happen so soon.

"Yes, Xiao Han admitted that you didn't slip accidentally that day. You were knocked unconscious. This was a deliberate attack, and considering his earlier statement at the police station, the police determined it was a gang crime, and he was one of the participants. They will open a case for investigation."

Xu Keke was unaware that the reason she was handed over to the police so quickly was thanks to the previous investigation team.

When the investigation team questioned her, the letters and remittance slips she produced all bore her uncle's name. During the subsequent investigation, the commune quickly obtained all the details about her.

Now that they know someone deliberately targeted Xu Keke, how could they possibly let it go as easily as last time?

"Nobody knows Xiao Han was arrested. The commune wants you to work diligently in the village; they will begin their investigation."

"Thank you, organization, and... thank you too!" Xu Keke knew he must have been very busy at the commune yesterday, dealing with Chen Xichun on one side and Xiao Han's matter on the other.

Chen Jianguo smiled slightly and gave her a meaningful look. "Thank you!"

Xu Keke was stunned, then instantly realized he was referring to what she had just said. Xu Keke's face flushed red again, much to her dismay.

The little girl was already fairer-skinned than the other girls in the village, and when she blushed, even her exposed ears turned red. Chen Jianguo wanted to spend more time with her, but he was also afraid of provoking her. This girl was nothing like the frail, delicate people from the commune had described. If she really unleashed her little claws, she could scratch someone's face.

As the two walked back, several villagers were eager to joke with Chen Jianguo.

Chen Jianguo quickly replied, "There's been a lot going on these past few days, so let's start construction the day after tomorrow."

Then he took the people and left with Xiaodouzi by the hand.

With Xu Keke gone, the villagers could finally laugh and talk freely, especially Tiger. Even after they had walked quite a distance, Xu Keke could still hear his unrestrained laughter.

Even Xiuhong, who was standing next to her, slightly curled up her tightly pursed lips.

The next day, Xu Keke had nothing to do, so she stayed home and helped prepare lunch for Ma Yuying and the others.

Xiuhong came back from outside, took the spoon from her hand, and handed her a note.

Xu Keke opened it, and it read, "Come to the temple, and I'll give you what you want."

"Who gave it to you?"

Xiuhong stirred the porridge in the pot with a spoon, glanced at Xu Keke, and said, "It's Gao Jie. She said you had something with Chen Hong, and she got it for you."

"Didn't she say what it was?"

"Oh, I didn't ask. She was in a bit of a rush today, and she was quite dirty." Xiuhong wrinkled her nose in disgust.

Xu Keke told Xiu Hong, "I'm going out for a bit."

"Where are you going?" Xiuhong threw down her spoon and followed him out.

"A dilapidated temple!"

Do you want me to come with you?

"No need!" Xu Keke waved as she walked out. "Tuanzi is in the basket, don't forget to take food to your mother and the others."

"Okay, I'll take the food to my mother and the others right now."

Xiuhong filled a clay pot with the vegetable porridge that Xu Keke had just made, and put a few bowls in the basket. With the basket in one hand and the clay pot in the other, she headed towards the field.

As soon as she reached the edge of the field, a villager saw her and called out to the side, "Ma Yuying, your Xiuhong has brought you food."

Chen Jianguo, who was hoeing the ground, straightened up and glanced behind Xiuhong, then laughed at himself for overthinking things. There was no need for two people to deliver food.

"Where's Bai Zhiqing? Has she eaten? You two work together, and you have to be the first to do any work, understand?" Ma Yuying walked to the edge of the field, took the earthenware pot from Xiuhong's hand, and gave her special instructions.

Bai, the educated youth, always treated her like a colleague, but her mother always thought of her as a child. Xiuhong's face darkened with displeasure, and she pouted, "How could I not know? I was the one who went to pick up the books from that elementary school today."

Ma Yuying knew her second daughter was unhappy, and she knew her temper, so she nodded in satisfaction, "Good, that's how it should be. Has Bai Zhiqing eaten? Is she home?"

Chen Jianguo unconsciously pricked up his ears.

"She hasn't eaten yet. Just now, Gao Zhiqing asked me to bring her a note inviting her to the dilapidated temple."

Chen Jianguo felt a strange unease and subconsciously glanced in the direction of the dilapidated temple, where he saw smoke rising. He quickly dropped his hoe and ran towards the temple.

The dilapidated temple was on fire. Chen Jianguo rushed into the courtyard but saw no one. The temple gate was locked, and it was being held shut with wooden stakes from the outside. Smoke was billowing from the windows, which were about a meter tall, and there were still flames above them.

Chen Jianguo moved the wooden stakes aside, kicked open the temple door, and thick smoke rushed towards him.

Chen Jianguo spotted Xu Keke lying unconscious on the ground at a glance. He ran over, picked her up, and rushed outside. Just as they reached the door, the burning door frame collapsed. Chen Jianguo lowered his head, shielding Xu Keke to his chest, and rushed out. A flaming wooden stick came crashing down on them.

Chen Jianguo frowned, but still managed to carry Xu Keke into the yard.

At this moment, the villagers who had followed arrived. Behind the temple was a well, and everyone busied themselves looking for things to fetch water to put out the fire.

Ma Yuying called out to Hu Zi, "Hu Zi, hurry up and hitch up the cart! The brigade leader and Bai Zhiqing are injured."

Tiger agreed and ran off.

The horse-drawn carriage carried the two people quickly to the commune's small hospital. After providing basic treatment, the hospital transferred them to the town's hospital.

Xu Keke choked on the smoke and it took her a day to be able to speak again.