"Mom, don't say that. We're all family. I've come fully prepared for this trip to the countryside. Please accept this."

"I'm rushing to take the afternoon off so Dad can get some rest. He'll be mostly better after taking his medicine and having a good sleep."

"Don't skimp on the meat I brought. It's especially important to get enough nutrition right now. I'll bring more things to visit you when I have the chance."

"Nian Nian..."

"mom!"

Jin Xiangyu wanted to say something more, but Ye Nian'an interrupted her sharply.

“My daughter has grown up and had already considered all the circumstances before going to the countryside.”

“Before you went to the countryside, you gave me most of your valuables. Dad also liked to donate money when he was working, so you had little to save.”

“This time, it’s time for your daughter to repay your kindness. We are a family, and we should support each other and get through this difficult time together, shouldn’t we?”

Faced with Ye Nian'an's righteous and stern words, Jin Xiangyu was at a loss for words.

"Mom, listen to Niannian. This girl has really grown up. If you refuse again, you'll be letting her down."

“We do need these. Dad went back to work after only a few days of rest, and if he doesn’t recover quickly, I’m afraid he might develop a chronic illness.”

As the eldest son, Ye Yao spoke up to persuade him.

"Okay, Niannian, thanks to you, your dad doesn't have to worry anymore."

"That's right, Mom!"

After Ye Nian'an and Chu Yan had been sitting for several hours, it was already 4:30 in the afternoon.

During this time, Ye Nian'an made an excuse to go to the toilet, and when no one was paying attention, she frantically poured spiritual spring water into the Ye family's well, pouring in as much as she could.

The effects of this spiritual spring water will definitely help my family members adjust their health, improve their skin, and prevent them from getting sick so easily.

Ye Xiang's acupuncture treatment is over. She just needs to have dinner, take her cold medicine, and get some sleep. Her complexion should improve a lot.

"Nian Nian".

Chu Yan spoke softly.

"I understand, Brother Yan."

Ye Nian'an took a deep breath and stood up: "Mom, we have to leave, otherwise it won't be good if the workers see us when they come back."

"Is it already that late?"

Jin Xiangyu was reluctant to part, holding Ye Nian'an's hand, her eyes unconsciously reddening again.

Even though it's only been a few months, it feels like centuries have passed.

We've only been chatting for a few hours, and now it's time to leave again.

I don't know when we'll meet again.

In the countryside, you have to work; you're not in control of your own destiny.

Ye Nian'an and the others have just arrived and have a few days to rest.

In addition, crossing the back mountain is fraught with danger, and it will take so much time to avoid being noticed...

well!

Jin Xiangyu dared not let Ye Nian'an see that she was in pain, lest it cause her precious daughter unnecessary trouble, so she turned to look at Ye Hui.

"Second brother, you are familiar with the situation in the back mountain, go and see Niannian and Chu Yan off."

"good."

Ye Hui led Ye Nian'an and the others out through the back door, along a small path, and up the back mountain.

After dropping him off for several kilometers, Ye Nian'an stopped and said, "Alright, Second Brother, that's enough. You should go back now. Yan-ge and I will get back safely."

"Niannian, please take good care of yourself. When I have the chance, I will cross the mountain to find you."

"Second brother, the back mountain is dangerous. If you are not familiar with the area behind it, please don't do this."

Ye Nian'an was genuinely afraid that the tragedy of her past life would repeat itself.

“Niannian is right. I’ll come with you again when I have time. I’ll show you the terrain of the back mountain as soon as possible and make some marks so it will be easier to come and go.”

"Okay, I understand, Yan... brother-in-law."

Ye Hui still couldn't shake the habit of using the term of address, and scratched the back of his head sheepishly.

In his heart, Chu Yan was truly an all-around great older brother.

"Second brother, please take good care of yourself. We're entrusting Mom and Dad to you."

“I’m not worried about your and Third Brother’s physical strength, but it’s Eldest Brother and Dad. They’re used to teaching and educating people, and they’re not good at hard labor. We’ll have to help them out more in the future.”

"And Mom, she's always been pampered by Dad and loves to look pretty. I can tell she's feeling a bit down, so you should spend more time with her."

Ye Hui nodded: "It's good that you're here, Niannian. Mom looks much better now."

"Don't worry, I will come to see you often."

In the very end, Ye Nian'an gave Ye Hui a hug.

Ye Hui gently embraced Ye Nian'an and said firmly, "Don't worry, Nian'an, we're all family. I'll protect them no matter what."

"Yes, with my second brother around, I've always felt at ease."

After parting ways, Chu Yan took Ye Nian'an's hand and finally made it down the back mountain before dark.

Ye Nian'an pursed her lips: "Brother Yan, I have an idea... I'll tell everyone when we get back."

"good."

Upon hearing this, Ye Nian'an smiled and looked at Chu Yan's profile: "Aren't you curious? Why don't you ask him first?"

"What you're thinking must have its own logic and considerations. If you want to talk about it, I'll listen."

Chu Yan's answer was textbook-perfect and perfectly suited her taste.

"It won't make a difference if it takes a little longer, so I'll tell you first, okay..."

When Ye Nian'an and Chu Yan returned home, Chi Xinyao and the others had been waiting for them for a long time.

Although many educated youths saw Ye Nian'an and Chu Yan returning hand in hand, they didn't think much of it and assumed the young couple had just gone for a stroll nearby.

They had no idea that this morning they had crossed the back mountain and gone to Hongqi Brigade in Houpu Township to look for their parents.

Chi Xinyao quickly stepped forward and took Ye Nian'an and Chu Yan's hands, looking them over from head to toe. After confirming that her son and daughter-in-law were alright, she finally felt relieved.

"Mom, let's go inside and talk."

"good."

Chi Xinyao nodded; she had a lot of questions she wanted to clarify.

Lin Xiaojiao happened to come out and saw this scene. Seeing that the Chu family had closed the door tightly, she spat a mouthful of phlegm on the ground.

Those who knew them thought they were being sent to the countryside, while those who didn't thought they were on a picnic.

"They said they'd take a break, and three days were wasted just like that. All they did was repair the house."

"When will these capitalists change their ways? Living with these kinds of people in the educated youth settlement is really bad luck!"

Just then, Leng Zhaodi came out and, upon hearing Lin Xiaojiao's words, immediately frowned: "Lin Xiaojiao, what nonsense are you spouting?"

“Sister Nian’an and her family are from military backgrounds, not capitalists!”

Lin Xiaojiao was afraid of Ye Nian'an, but she was not afraid of Leng Zhaodi.

Now that the Chu family was gone, she seemed to have found a perfect opportunity. She immediately put her hands on her hips and shouted arrogantly.

"A soldier? That's an even more serious problem. I've never heard of many military families being demoted! They must have done something wrong!"

"They might have colluded with spies, betrayed the country, and sold secrets!"

"In my opinion, the country is too lenient. They should just be executed instead of being sent to the countryside."