No matter how he had to explain things when he got back, he still had to deal with the current situation. Du Xiangqian scratched his head and said to Chen Shuning with a silly smile, "Comrade Chen, could you pretend you don't know anything about this? Otherwise, I won't be able to explain it to Brother Chaoyang when I get back. He repeatedly told me not to let anything slip, but... but look at me now, if I can't even handle this little thing, I really won't be able to explain it when I get back."

Upon hearing this, Chen Shuning refused without hesitation, saying, "How can that be? Helping me buy this coal is already a huge favor. Besides, Brother He even paid for it himself, right? Comrade Du, if it were you, would you pretend not to know?"

Chen Shuning could probably understand why He Chaoyang did this. He probably felt that he had been entrusted by her brother to take care of her, but he was also worried that there was a difference between men and women. If he really just casually gave her things, he probably didn't want it to have a bad influence.

She could understand, but she couldn't pretend not to know and accept this kindness without any burden.

At this moment, she was already worrying about how to return the favor, and she also had to return the money and tickets for buying coal to He Chaoyang.

She was already doing them a huge favor by helping her with these arrangements, and she couldn't let them spend any more money.

However, she doesn't have any coal coupons. We'll ask her how many coal coupons she used later, and she might have to pay with money in the end.

Thinking of this, Chen Shuning ignored Du Xiangqian's unpleasant expression and decisively asked, "By the way, Comrade Du, how much did all this coal cost in total? Also, I don't have any coal coupons. Do you think I should use other coupons instead, or should I just give you the money directly?"

Upon hearing this, Du Xiangqian's face darkened even further, and he looked like he was about to cry as he said, "Please don't, Comrade Chen. If I take this money back, Brother He will definitely scold me. Actually, it's not much money. Brother He has already given it to me. It doesn't matter which of you gives it to me, so you don't need to go through the trouble of giving it to me again."

Chen Shuning was a little confused by these words. What did you mean that I am the same as so-and-so? They are completely different, okay?

He Chaoyang was only helping her out of respect for her brother. If she were to shamelessly accept the coal without paying, she would truly lose face for her brother as well.

So when he heard Du Xiangqian's words, his expression turned somewhat ugly, and he said firmly, "Comrade Du, I don't know what Brother He said to you, but I must give you this money. If you don't want the money, then please take this coal back. I can't accept so much stuff from someone for no reason."

Seeing Chen Shuning's dark face, Du Xiangqian became even more anxious, and took several steps back as if he had been frightened.

He shook his head repeatedly and said, "That won't do. Brother Chaoyang told me to make sure the coal is delivered to you. If I really take it back, it won't just be a scolding. Brother Chaoyang will definitely beat me up. Comrade Chen, please don't get me into trouble."

Having known He Chaoyang for five or six years, he knew better than anyone that the usually cold and aloof Brother He had never cared for any girl like this before.

That's the star performer in their arts troupe, always fawning over Brother Chaoyang, but Brother Chaoyang has never even given him a second glance.

This time, it was rare to see Brother Chaoyang so attentive, instructing him on what kind of coal to buy, what kind of furnace to weld, and how to speak when he arrived.

It's obvious that Brother Chaoyang likes this girl, but he's messed things up. What will he say when he goes back?

Chen Shuning didn't expect such a strong reaction from this person. She was amused and pointed at Du Xiangqian, saying in an annoyed tone, "Look at what you're saying. Anyone who doesn't know better would think Brother He is some kind of unreasonable person. You're making it sound so scary. Alright, don't worry, I'll write a letter later and explain the situation to Brother He. You can help me return the money to Brother He and say that it was my idea. He won't be unreasonable and make things difficult for you."

By the way, it's been snowing these past few days, so it's been inconvenient for me to go to town. Could you please take some things to Brother He for me?

He wasn't unreasonable, but he was genuinely terrifying, okay? His nickname, "Living Yama," wasn't given lightly, okay? Although Du Xiangqian was secretly cursing him in his heart, he didn't dare to say a single word out loud.

At least this lady is willing to write a letter to explain on his behalf, so Brother Chaoyang shouldn't be too angry, right?

With that in mind, Du Xiangqian quickly told Chen Shuning how much money he needed to buy the coal, then urged him to go inside and write a letter, while he resigned himself to continuing to help move the coal.

He wanted to get back as soon as possible. This old lady in front of him was not someone to be fooled. Based on the principle that the more he said, the more mistakes he would make, and the less he said, the fewer mistakes he would make, he would rather finish his work as soon as possible and go back.

Chen Shuning didn't care how things were done here. Judging from the situation, Brother He must have already explained how to do it. What she needed to do now was to quickly prepare some things for He Chaoyang to take back.

And these workers, coming to deliver things to me in this heavy snow, even though it's partly due to He Chaoyang's favor, I still need to express my gratitude.

Back in the room, I started weighing things up. Time was tight, and there was definitely no time to make something on the spot. I guess I could only look for ready-made decorations.

Before that, Chen Shuning washed a small basin of red dates and boiled a large pot of red date and ginger tea, which is perfect for drinking when it's cold.

She just saw that most of these people had water bottles on them, probably because they often travel long distances.

She would fill a pot of red date and ginger tea for each person, and she also had ready-made pancakes and braised meat in her space, but it wasn't appropriate to give them to these people so openly, since it wouldn't be good to flaunt her wealth.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!