Ma Liu volunteered, "Girl, how about I go with you? You've just recovered, I'll lend a hand so you don't get too tired."

Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head. "You should stay at home. Life in the city isn't as good as you think. It's better to live in the countryside."

Qiao Jie chimed in from the side, "You shouldn't go over there and cause trouble. The girl is going there to do something important. Remember Jiang He? If that kid's problem isn't resolved, he'll be sick sooner or later."

Although Lao Hou said he would handle it, nothing has happened. I'll send the girl over to check. That kid is just like the Jiang family—petty and vindictive. Now that he's in power, do you think he'll let us live comfortably?

"Qiao'er, go back and find out how Jiang Hong is doing. That girl seems a bit strange to me; she's not like a normal girl."

Not only Qiao Jie, but everyone present agreed with the old man's statement.

They had all heard about Jiang Hong's situation. To be honest, most people would run away as fast as they could, let alone come back and swagger around in front of their old neighbors.

That takes a lot of mental strength. Anyway, the people present all admitted that they couldn't do it. Since they couldn't do it, how could Jiang Hong do it? That's why they were suspicious of her.

"Okay, I'll keep an eye on things when we get back. As long as she doesn't scheme against me, we can all go our separate ways. But if she helps Jiang He, then don't blame me for being ruthless."

Qiao Jie and Ma Liu knew Jiang Qiao's character. This girl was also very protective of her own. You think she didn't have any thoughts about letting Jiang He threaten her so openly?

"Then you should be more careful."

Stone spoke up from the side, "Sis, do you need me to go over and help?"

Jiang Qiao chuckled and ruffled her younger brother's short hair. "You should stay home and keep Grandpa and the others company. Remember, don't leave our village. Bad guys don't have stickers on their faces."

"Mom, Aunt Jian, if you need anything, please go back inside and write it down so I can bring it back with you."

Jian Ling was worried about her husband. "Go back and see if Lao Zhou is back yet. If he is, have him come over. I haven't seen him in a long time. Also, I don't know what's going on with Grandpa Hou. Go back and keep an eye on things."

Wen Jingwan was a little worried. She didn't have enough tickets, but she didn't need to worry about money because Jiang Qiao's salary covered it.

After finishing writing the note, Wen Jingwan pulled her daughter aside and started talking about the lack of tickets.

"Why don't you go back and borrow some from your neighbors? We can save up and pay them back later."

Jiang Qiao felt a pang of sadness at Wen Jingwan's cautious demeanor. Back when she went to recognize her relatives, her mother was so generous and forthright. Now that life was tough, where was the same bold and forthright Wen family's eldest daughter she used to be?

Smiling, she pulled Wen Jingwan's hand and sat her down. "Mom, don't worry about this. I'll get the tickets once I get to the city. And don't worry about the money. You can spend my salary without worry. I still have money, but I've saved it all. I'll bring some back later. Our family isn't short of money. Buy whatever you want. I don't have any other skills, but I really don't care about these things."

Wen Jingwan also knew that her daughter was not short of money. She had given her a considerable dowry back then, and she had heard that her father had also given her a lot.

But back then it was back then, and now it is now. I feel like I only have one daughter, and I can't just let it go like that. Spending my daughter's money makes me feel guilty towards her.

"Mom, don't overthink it. My maternal grandfather gave me a lot back then. I just don't care to take it out. If I really took it out, do you think I would be a rich man?"

"We just need to keep things in mind. These little things are fine as they are; maybe in a couple of years, something else will be in fashion."

As they were talking, a car horn sounded outside. Who would come to their house at this time?

Ma Liu eagerly opened the gate in the yard, and the old man was somewhat stunned when he saw the person getting out of the car.

"You, why are you back?"

The people who got out of the car were Ning Hao and Gu Zhixuan, but all three of them looked quite disheveled, as if they had been in a fight.

"Grandpa Liu, don't ask anymore. Is there any food? We've been traveling all this way, we're starving!"

"Yes, yes, yes, come in quickly—"

When Qiao Jie, who was chatting in the yard, saw the three children in such a disheveled state, the old man's eyes reddened.

"What, what's going on? Did they get into a fight?"

Jiang Qiao came out and glanced at the three brothers' condition, then sighed, "Grandpa Qiao, don't ask anymore. Let them wash up quickly. Grandpa Liu, I'll go help—"

Ning Hao looked at his fiancée gratefully. Luckily, she came out. He didn't know how to tell the old man. He guessed that Jiang Qiao probably knew the gist of it, but she probably hadn't told her family.

The three brothers eventually finished washing up. After they sat down, Qiao Jie still asked worriedly, "Zhixuan, aren't you supposed to be at work? Why did you come back with me? Where's your dad?"

Gu Zhixuan's eyes were a little red. "My father is under investigation. If Ning Hao hadn't arrived in time, my brother and I would probably have been arrested too. Even so, we still got into a conflict with someone."

Jiang Qiao and Ma Liu came out carrying the heated food. "Come on, eat first. We'll talk after you've eaten your fill."

The three brothers were clearly starving; Ning Hao and the others wolfed down their food, barely having time to talk.

The two old men felt sorry for her, and not only them, but Wen Jingwan and Jian Ling were also worried.

"Eat slowly, no rush. There's more, Stone, go get some water for the brothers."

After Ning Hao and the others had finished eating, he finally had time to look Jiang Qiao over. "Are you really better? You can walk on your own now?"

Jiang Qiao nodded. "I only recovered these past two days. I was just planning to go into the city tomorrow, but I didn't expect you to come back at this time."

Tell me, what exactly happened between those two? And what about my uncle? What happened? It shouldn't be just a matter of class background; it shouldn't have come to this."

Ning Hao sighed, "It's not just a matter of background; your uncle's affairs from many years ago have been dug up again."

Ma Liu was puzzled. "Didn't someone testify that Zheng Kai was an underground party member back then, but he lost contact with his superiors? Later, even without a contact person, Zheng Kai still helped our people. How come there's been another twist to this story?"

Ning Hao gave a wry smile. "I checked. The person who testified for my uncle back then has also been beaten up. I guess someone took this opportunity to cause trouble."

I've asked many people, and Chen Fang has also come forward, but unfortunately, they just won't let me see them. I don't know what's going on here.

I reckon your uncle definitely won't give in. He survived ten years in prison; he certainly won't admit to this. I'm just worried he'll suffer in there."