Chapter 45 The Villagers' Protection of Grandpa Yang

Before Grandpa Yang could speak, someone stood up to defend him.

"Village chief, this can't be a misunderstanding, can it? We all know what kind of person Grandpa Yang is, how could he do such a thing?"

"That's right, even if the sun rises in the west, I still don't believe that Grandpa Yang would do such a thing!"

…

Many villagers defended Grandpa Yang.

Everyone knew what kind of person Grandpa Yang was. He was honest and kind, and a highly respected elder in the village. Whenever they met, they would respectfully call him Grandpa Yang.

Just as everyone was indignant on his behalf, Grandpa Yang, who had been silent, spoke up: "I did it."

Everyone was shocked again, and Grandpa Yang admitted it.

"Uncle Yang, don't be foolish. We all believe you wouldn't do such a despicable thing," an elderly woman advised, hoping that Uncle Yang wouldn't do anything foolish.

But Grandpa Yang stared intently at the Jiang family, a glint of light flashing in his cloudy eyes, and said firmly, "I was the one who poisoned them, but I can't say why. I was wrong, and I will accept whatever punishment you deem appropriate."

Upon hearing this, the villagers felt a lump in their throats.

For decades, Grandpa Yang has been a respected elder in Hongyang Village, and everyone has developed a deep affection for him.

Although Grandpa Yang has no children, many villagers consider him a godfather.

This is inseparable from Grandpa Yang's personality and character. When he was young, Grandpa Yang made many contributions to Hongyang Village.

Even when people encounter difficulties, Grandpa Yang will help whenever he can, without asking for anything in return.

A woman holding a child stepped forward, bowed to Jiang's mother, and then looked at Jiang Mi: "Jiang family girl, look at how many of those seedlings have died. If it really comes down to it, we will raise the money for Grandpa Yang and make up for all the money you spent on planting sweet potatoes. I don't want Grandpa Yang to leave Hongyang Village. I have long regarded him as my grandfather."

There was more than one person who spoke up for Grandpa Yang.

"Yes, we don't care how much money the Jiang family's daughter has. You just need to keep track of it. If you really can't pay it back, I'll serve the Jiang family like a slave for the rest of my life. I just beg you not to drive Grandpa Yang out of Hongyang Village."

"And me, I'll do my part too!"

"I know sweet potato seedlings are expensive, but we're not afraid. Just name a price!"

…

Nearly half of the people in Hongyang Village are pleading for Grandpa Yang.

Jiang Mi was extremely shocked, staring in disbelief at this spectacular scene.

So many people in Hongyang Village pleaded for Grandpa Yang! This is enough to show how high Grandpa Yang's status is in the hearts of the villagers.

In addition, since the sweet potato seedlings were still in the trial planting stage, Zhu Qiancheng spent a lot of money to buy some sweet potato seedlings from Jiang Mi, so the villagers subconsciously felt that the sweet potato seedlings were expensive.

Moved to tears by this scene, Grandpa Yang, with his hunched back and leaning on his cane, walked out shakily.

Looking at the villagers who were thinking of him, Grandpa Yang choked up, saying, "This is a sin I committed alone, and I will bear it all myself. How can I implicate you all!"

"Uncle Yang, what are you saying? We've long considered you family. How could we be implicated?"

"Even if you, Uncle Yang, committed heinous crimes, we still believe you have some justification."

…

"Honey, although this situation is serious, I still want to plead with you on behalf of Uncle Yang." Even the usually rational Mother Jiang stood up and spoke up for Uncle Yang.

Although she had been married into the Jiang family for more than ten years, Jiang's mother still regarded Grandpa Yang as her own grandfather. She had developed a deep affection for him and naturally couldn't bear to let him leave Hongyang Village.

Given Grandpa Yang's advanced age and the fact that he lived alone, one can imagine what would happen to him if he left Hongyang Village.

Jiang Mi was caught in a dilemma.

Looking at Huo Ran watching the show not far away, she hesitated for a moment, then pursed her lips and said, "Mother, you also know that this hundred acres of land does not belong to our Jiang family. My nod is useless; it is Young Master Huo who must agree."

Jiang Mi's voice was neither too loud nor too soft; only she and her mother could hear it.

Furthermore, few people knew that Huo Ran had requested to plant dozens of acres of sweet potatoes; apart from the Jiang family, only Zhu Qiancheng knew.

Jiang's mother was somewhat disappointed, but she didn't press the matter further.

After all, the Jiang family wasn't the only one who suffered heavy losses; they had also received money, so they had to give Young Master Huo an explanation, otherwise this matter would really be unacceptable.

Just as Jiang Mi was caught in a dilemma, Huo Ran's deep and steady voice suddenly came to her ears: "Since Grandpa Yang is getting on in years, then let's take good care of him."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mi's face lit up with joy.

Has Huo Ran finally agreed to let Grandpa Yang go this time?

Looking at Grandpa Yang, whose eyes were red, she said, "Grandpa Yang, our Jiang family only wants to be a part of Hongyang Village. You are very rational, and we only hope that you can accept us as they do."

Regardless of what difficulties Mr. Yang might have, he had no choice but to give in.

If we keep pressing the issue of how the people of Hongyang Village are protecting Grandpa Yang, it will inevitably lead to a falling out with the villagers of Hongyang Village.

Now that the Jiang family has finally gained a foothold in Hongyang Village, she absolutely cannot risk such a small matter. It would be better for both sides to give each other a way out.

Grandpa Yang burst into tears, walked shakily to the Jiang family, and knelt down on both knees.

"Hey!" Jiang Mi reacted quickly and helped Grandpa Yang up: "Grandpa Yang, you don't need to do that."

Grandpa Yang is highly respected in Hongyang Village, yet now he kneels before their descendants. Isn't this shortening their lifespan?

"Sigh." Old Yang sighed, a thousand words on the tip of his tongue, but he remained silent. Finally, leaning on his cane, he turned away forlornly and disappeared from everyone's sight.

The Jiang family didn't make a big deal out of it, and because of this, the villagers of Hongyang Village had a much better impression of them.

[Congratulations, host, on completing the task. The explanation has been placed in the system repository.]

[A good woman's value today is -801. Please keep up the good work, host.]

Looking at the high number, Jiang Mi felt somewhat discouraged.

At this rate, how many tasks would she have to complete before her "good woman value" would drop to zero?

The person who poisoned the sweet potatoes has been identified, but the poison in the sweet potato field has not yet been resolved, which has greatly worried the Jiang family.

"What should we do? In a few more days, these sweet potato seedlings will probably rot and decay, eventually becoming nutrients for the soil." Jiang's mother frowned and paced back and forth in the house.

“Mother, you don’t need to worry, I have a way.” Jiang Mi stood up to comfort her mother, glancing at the taciturn Huo Ran out of the corner of her eye.

Upon hearing this, Jiang's mother's face lit up with joy, and she asked excitedly, "Really?"

Jiang Mi nodded slightly, took out paper and pen, and wrote down the method of interpretation.

Huo Ran took the note. The handwriting on it was elegant and graceful, as lively as ginger honey. He was somewhat surprised: "Miss Jiang actually writes such beautiful handwriting."

He had seen women write such beautiful characters before, but what surprised him most was Jiang Mi's background.

Hongyang Village and Qingyun Village are located in remote areas where men are respected. Very few men can be sent to school, and it is practically a pipe dream for women to receive an education.

Most people here are illiterate, let alone able to write such beautiful and graceful characters.

Jiang Mi was a little embarrassed by the praise and scratched her head to explain, "My second and third brothers occasionally come back to our hometown and teach me to read, so I know a little bit about it."