Xu Lanzhi's reaction was indifferent, which made Erzhuzi feel somewhat disheartened. But then he thought to himself, he couldn't even believe his own thoughts, so how could Xu Lanzhi know them?

Now, Xu Lanzhi is the renowned Madam Xu, no longer the destitute little girl she once was, nor the young widow who suffered hunger and hardship with her daughter. The distance between them has grown ever wider, and even just thinking about her makes Erzhuzi feel as if he is defiling Xu Lanzhi.

Erzhuzi bid farewell to Xu Lanzhi and left with a heavy heart.

This novel was first published on: Tadu Novels@app

Xu Lanzhi stared blankly at Erzhuzi's back, wondering if her life would have been different if Erzhuzi had been the one to save her.

She truly envied Hongying, who dared to love and hate so passionately and selflessly. Xu Lanzhi believed that Hongying would definitely succeed; it was only a matter of time.

Erzhuzi spoke to Hongying several times, but Hongying ignored him and continued to do as she pleased. Erzhuzi couldn't do anything about it and had no choice but to let her be.

One night, a sudden storm broke out. Erzhuzi was worried that the upstream reservoir dam would collapse and wash away the crops in the fields, so he got up to release the floodwater.

After a night of commotion, the crops were saved, but Erzhuzi got soaked and fell ill as soon as he got back.

When Xu Lanzhi heard about it, she brought a doctor to see him. At this time, Hongying, who was familiar with the place, changed Erzhuzi's clothes, made ginger soup for him to drink, and took meticulous care of him.

Xu Lanzhi felt a little embarrassed, gave the doctor a few instructions, and then left.

Erzhuzi said, "I'm fine. Although the peanuts weren't washed away, the field is full of water. If we don't drain the water, the crops will drown. I'll get up now and call everyone to go drain the water."

As soon as he finished speaking, Hongying scolded him, "Why are you being so stubborn? Your foot is still swollen from the fall last night, and you can't even get out of bed. The crops are important, but you also need to take care of your health. Otherwise, you'll suffer for the rest of your life if you develop a chronic illness!"

"It's not as serious as you make it out to be. I just twisted my ankle. The fields really can't be left without me, I have to go right now!"

First published on: Tower > Read Novels

Xu Lanzhi quickly said, "Alright, if you're not feeling well, just rest. Leave the work in the fields to me, I'll go check on it!"

Erzhuzi said worriedly, "Sister-in-law, you're not fit to go to the fields. Besides, the fields are all muddy and the roads are difficult to walk on. You can't go!"

Hongying said sarcastically, "Sister-in-law is the boss, so naturally she has to take charge of things in this situation. Don't worry about it!"

Erzhuzi got angry: "I'm talking to my sister-in-law, why do you keep interrupting? If you have nothing better to do, go down into the water with the others and use a hoe!"

"They were just worried about you, and you've taken their kindness for granted!" Hongying was also annoyed.

Seeing the two of them singing in unison, Xu Lanzhi felt that she was superfluous in the room. She forced a smile and said, "Hongying, Erzhuzi's injury is all because of our family. We'll have the doctor prescribe some medicine later. You can stay here and take good care of him for the next couple of days."

After saying that, he looked at Erzhuzi and said earnestly, "Zhuzi, you've worked hard all year and haven't had much rest. Take a few days to rest and recuperate. I'll take care of things in the fields!"

Erzhuzi said worriedly, "Sister-in-law, please be careful. It's still raining outside. Put on your raincoat and hat, and don't get wet. Also..."

Erzhuzi kept going on and on, which made Hongying a little jealous. She said sarcastically, "Madam Xu isn't a three-year-old child. Why do you need to give her such detailed instructions? Take care of yourself first!" After saying that, she subtly pinched Erzhuzi's injured leg, causing him to break out in a cold sweat from the pain.

Xu Lanzhi noticed these little gestures and thought the two of them were flirting, so she wisely left.

QQ

Erzhuzi watched Xu Lanzhi leave, still feeling uneasy, and lifted his foot to chase after her: "Sister-in-law, I'll go with you!"

As a result, Hongying pressed him firmly onto the bed and said irritably, "Stop shouting. Your sister-in-law left a long time ago. You're limping around, and she finds you an eyesore. You should just lie down and get better so you can catch up with your sister-in-law!"

Erzhuzi also felt pain in his feet and couldn't move, so he had to give up.

The doctor prescribed medicine, and Erzhuzi went to pay the consultation fee. The doctor said, "Madam Xu said that all expenses will be charged to her account. Everyone says Madam Xu is generous and kind, and I've seen it for myself today. No wonder her family's business is so big!"

The doctor kept praising Xu Lanzhi, and Hongying's face grew increasingly unpleasant. She said coldly, "Why do you talk so much nonsense? Are you busy treating the patient or praising the boss's wife?"

The doctor was also good-natured. He smiled and said, "Young man, you're very lucky! One is gentle and elegant, the other is a fiery little pepper. I wonder which one you prefer!"

Erzhuzi shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Doctor, no wonder you got scolded. You really have no restraint when you open your mouth. That gentle and dignified one is my boss, and this fiery little firecracker was sent by my boss to take care of me. You're overthinking it!"

Hongying was a little annoyed. She said unhappily, "Brother Zhuzi, I came to take care of you willingly. No one arranged for me to come. If you continue to mock me with that doctor, I won't take care of you anymore!"

"Brother, I've left the medicine here for you. I'm leaving now. Too much good stuff is hard to digest. Good luck!" After saying that, the doctor slung his medicine box over his shoulder and slipped away!

Now only Erzhuzi and Hongying remain, and the atmosphere is somewhat awkward. Why did Erzhuzi have to do that in the first place? He really shouldn't have been so quick to talk back and spout nonsense with that doctor. Now he and Hongying are staring at each other, their tongues tied in knots.

First published on: -TaDu Novels@

After a long silence, Hongying spoke up: "Weren't you quite eloquent with the doctor just now? Why are you suddenly mute?"

Erzhuzi didn't respond, only saying, "Hongying, you've had a hard day too. It's not good for your aunt to keep watching the children. Go back to your sister-in-law's house!"

Hongying said angrily, "You might as well not say anything. Every time you talk, you try to kick me out. Don't worry, I'll leave on my own when I'm better. I'll stay at your house for the next few days!"

Erzhuzi panicked: "This won't do! If others find out you're staying at my house, I'll never be able to clear my name! No way!"

Hongying leaned in close, turned Erzhuzi's head around, and they stared at each other.

"Erzhuzi, I'm not in a hurry, why are you? Let me tell you, if I don't want to clear my name, I'm going to stick with you, so what!"

Hongying's face was pressed against Erzhuzi's face, and her hot breath hit him. Erzhuzi felt very awkward and turned his head to try to get away.

Hongying had anticipated his move, so she grabbed Erzhuzi's head with both hands and pulled it forcefully towards her chest. Erzhuzi fell into Hongying's soft embrace without any warning.

Erzhuzi was both surprised and embarrassed. He pushed Hongying hard with both hands, and she was knocked to the ground and fell on her bottom.

Hongying felt extremely ashamed. After all, she was quite pretty, and the men in the village looked at her with burning eyes.

口口五六三七四三六七五

Just a smile from me and they're completely mesmerized, losing all sense of direction.

This blockhead, he just kept pushing himself up like that, and instead of showing any remorse, he went and killed him like that.

Hongying was both angry and annoyed. She scolded, "Erzhuzi, is your heart made of stone? Even a stone should be warmed up by now!"

Erzhuzi acted rashly and lost control of his strength. He apologized, saying, "Hongying, I'm so sorry. Something soft was pushing against me, and I was so scared that I lost control and hit it a little too hard. I'm so sorry!"

Hongying was speechless. This Erzhuzi must be over thirty years old. Even if he's never eaten pork, he's still seen pigs run. Everyone says a woman's embrace is a haven of gentle comfort, but why is he acting like he's seen a ghost?

Hongying was so annoyed by his obtuseness that she laughed. She muttered, "You still haven't gotten it under control? Any other man would have forgotten his own name by now. Erzhuzi, are you really stupid or just pretending?"

Erzhuzi was completely confused. He confessed, "I really am stupid. If it weren't for my sister-in-law taking care of me and giving me work, I would still be that poor boy that everyone despises!"

Hongying's anger, which had just subsided, flared up again: "You keep talking about your sister-in-law. You know she's your sister-in-law, so why are you still thinking about her? Let me tell you, whether you're really stupid or pretending, I'll make you see the truth sooner or later!"