Hua Zhiping rubbed his forehead. "Now we just hope that no one else has leaked this information. Second brother, you shouldn't go back either. The two places are so far apart. If something happens, we won't be able to help you."

Hua Guangzong shared the same sentiment, saying to Hua Xiangyun, "Your second brother will take over your grandmother's shift for now. Don't worry, once you graduate from high school, even if it means losing face, your grandfather will keep you in the city."

Hua Xiangyun said with a smile, "Grandma's job should have been given to my second brother. There's no rush for me."

Tian Guihua stroked her granddaughter's head, feeling a pang of heartache.

They said they'd figure something out later, but that's easier said than done.

Countless people are desperate to return to the city, using connections and bribing officials, but to no avail.

But this is the only way for now. Otherwise, if something really happens to Zhi'an, he will feel guilty and regretful for the rest of his life.

When Hua Zhian saw that his family had made the decision, he immediately became anxious. "How can this be? The matter shouldn't be that serious. I'll give them a few more instructions when we get back."

"It's settled then. Before the New Year, I'll have your grandma go and get the paperwork done."

You should also send a telegram to the commune and village as soon as possible, so you won't have to make another trip after the New Year.

Anyway, he was determined not to let Hua Zhian go to that place again, and it would be best to clear things up as soon as possible.

Hua Xiangyun looked at the gold jewelry on the table. "But what if this gets out later?"

Silence fell over the room. It was really possible that even if Hua Zhian stopped going to the countryside, people would still come knocking on his door in the future.

"It should be fine..." Hua Zhian's tone was somewhat uncertain. "The feng shui over there should be good. Many ancient tombs have been destroyed long ago. If you really want to investigate, every household there should have some things hidden there."

It's not that you can't punish everyone; if things really escalate, no one will escape unscathed.

They had heard of this situation before in the area, which is why they dared to keep the goods.

"That's what I hope for now, but don't get involved in this mess anymore," Hua Guangzong decided directly.

Tian Guihua pointed to the things on the table and asked, "What should we do with these things?"

Hua Guangzong rewrapped the items and handed them directly to Tian Guihua, saying, "Put these away first and see what the situation has been like in the last two years."

Once you step out this door, forget about it.

He even glanced at Hua Zhiping and said, "You can't even tell your wife."

I was also somewhat relieved that my granddaughter-in-law had gone back to her room early due to her health condition; the fewer people who knew, the less danger there was.

Hua Xiangyun returned to her room and fell into deep thought.

The Hua family really kept this secret well; no matter how much Hua Xiangyun made a fuss in the original text, no one mentioned it.

The original text is from the female protagonist's perspective, so it mainly focuses on Zhou Xiaolan. But when you're actually in the thick of it, you see much more detail.

If a few gold bracelets are enough to make her family so nervous, then she should probably keep the windfall she got yesterday to herself.

"You want me to give up my job to Zhi'an? What will happen to Xiao Guai then?" The elderly couple were left alone in the room. Tian Guihua had been holding back for a long time, but she finally asked the question.

"I'll ask Old Yu and the others for help. They won't let Xiao Guai go to the countryside." Zhi'an has only been gone for a short time, and he's already caused so much trouble for the family. How could he dare let Xiangyun go to the countryside again?

You know, they are usually very careful with their words, afraid of giving others a reason to criticize them.

“I’m afraid it won’t work,” Tian Guihua said with a worried look, unlike Hua Guangzong who was optimistic. “If all three of our children stay in the city, not only will the neighborhood committee come to talk to us, but even our neighbors will be watching us.”

"You forgot about the previous county head? Because he didn't want his son to go to the countryside, he arranged a job for him, and what happened? He got dismissed from his post after a letter of complaint."

Hua Guangzong said, "...Let's see how things go. We don't dare let Zhi'an go back in this situation. We can only get through this hurdle first."

As for Xiaoguai, even if she has to go to the countryside in the future, she can choose a place nearby.

...

Hua Zhian tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep. Coupled with several days of being on the bus, he was extremely exhausted and appeared at the dining table with dark circles under his eyes in the morning.

"Second Brother, are you having trouble adjusting to the new place and sleeping in the new bed?" Hua Xiangyun teased in a lighthearted tone.

Hua Zhian's eyes darted around. If he stayed in the city this time, he would be letting his little sister down the most.

"No, I just haven't gotten used to it yet. In the educated youth compound, so many people were lying on the same kang (heated brick bed), and I got used to the snoring." After saying that, Hua Zhian wanted to slap himself. What was he even saying?

Hua Xiangyun covered her mouth and laughed, "Second brother's habit is really strange. But if our family wants to create this condition, you'll probably have to call Dad and eldest brother to your room to keep you company."

Hua Yunping was the first to object, "Don't count me in, I don't snore when I sleep."

At this moment, Li Lijuan lifted the curtain and laughed as she revealed, "Your older brother doesn't snore, he snors like thunder."

Hua Xiangyun laughed while clutching her stomach, "Then sister-in-law can lend eldest brother out for the night, so that second brother can at least get a good night's sleep."

Li Lijuan readily agreed, "No problem, you can borrow it for as long as you want. It's rare for someone to discover this good quality in him, how could I refuse?"

Hua Xiangyun walked over and patted Hua Zhian on the shoulder, "Second brother, look, is one big brother enough? How about we call Dad too?"

Hua Baoguo dared not say that he did not snore, otherwise his wife would be the first to betray him, saying, "I'm old, my snoring may not be as loud as your older brother's, but he's enough."

The family burst into laughter, and after breakfast, they went about their own business.

Xun Liangfen was also preparing things to go back to her parents' home, and she packed a large bag after picking and choosing from various things.

"We're leaving first thing tomorrow morning, so you guys should hurry up and find a change of clothes."

Under Tian Guihua's gaze, Hua Baoguo cleared his throat and said, "Well, this year it'll just be the two of us going to Xunjia Village."

"What?" Xun Liangfen looked up at him. "They only visit their grandparents once a year, why is it just the two of us?"

When she gets anxious, Xun Liangfen speaks with a strong local accent.

Hua Baoguo said, "My eldest son's wife is newly pregnant, so she definitely can't walk that far."

The second son just got home and has his own social circle. If he goes back to the countryside for only a few days, what's the point of his return?

Xun Liangfen turned to Hua Xiangyun in the courtyard and asked, "Xiangyun isn't going. Is that what Mother wants?"

She could understand the first two, but Hua Xiangyun couldn't possibly have a reason, could she?

Hua Baoguo: "Wasn't Xiangyun injured before?"

"Injured?" Xun Liangfen found this answer somewhat laughable. "Don't forget, she also stayed in the city for two days..."

“Do I really have to spell it out for you?” Hua Baoguo said coldly. “Just because I don’t say something doesn’t mean I don’t know it.”

I refuse to believe you don't know how many difficulties Xiangyun endured while searching for her home.

Xun Liangfen, however, felt that the Hua family was making a fuss over nothing.