The house is still the same house, and the vegetable garden in the yard is full of lush vegetables.

However, Mu Yi'an sensed a sense of desolation, perhaps because of the absence of children's laughter or the lack of warmth and human connection.

Humans are so easily changed by their environment. In my past life, I enjoyed living alone in that quiet, two-bedroom apartment of over ninety square meters, so peaceful that you could hear a pin drop.

Now, I'm not used to it being a little quiet!

Mu Yi'an didn't go inside. He walked around the yard for a while, then left to go back to the old house.

"Clan Chief Jiang, although it's true that your Jiang family members have made something of themselves by helping the villagers, you can't be so biased and leave us Lin family members out of it."

"Lin Lizheng, you yourself said that this is a matter for the Jiang family. What right does your Lin family have to say these things?"

Before Mu Yi'an even reached the gate of the old house, she heard a commotion in the courtyard.

“Shuyun’s family, your sister-in-law’s grandfather is here. He said that you wanted to hire people to do the work, but you didn’t choose the Lin family. He came over to argue with Third Grandfather.”

The person who stopped Mu Yi'an from speaking was one of Jiang Shuyun's cousins, within the fifth degree of kinship. Mu Yi'an seemed to have seen her before, but couldn't remember which branch of the family she belonged to.

"Sister-in-law, thank you, I understand."

Mu Yi'an found the Lin family members quite interesting, always acting as if they were something special.

"Third Grandfather, Father, Mother, I'm back."

As soon as Mu Yi'an entered the courtyard, several pairs of eyes immediately turned to look at her.

"Shuyun's family is back. Is everything settled?"

"Third Grandfather, it's all settled. My cousin from my maternal uncle's side is going. What about you? Have you made any arrangements?"

Mu Yi'an was momentarily at a loss for how to address Jiang Hua, whom her third grandfather and the others had mentioned.

"It's settled then. Your Uncle Hua asked me to thank you on his behalf. He'll work hard."

"That's good. With Third Grandfather's judgment, there's no doubt about his character."

Mu Yi'an and her third grandfather were having a lively conversation, completely ignoring Lin Lizheng.

"Clan Chief Jiang, is this the kind of upbringing your Jiang family has? Do you have no respect for your elders?"

Lin Li was furious when Mu Yi'an ignored him.

"Third Grandfather, who is this?"

"This is the village head of our Jiangjia Village, and also your sister-in-law's grandfather."

Third Grandfather didn't respond to Lin Lizheng's words, but instead introduced Mu Yi'an in a kind and gentle manner.

"The woods are just right!"

"Jiang Shuyun's family, I heard you came back to recruit people to help your fellow villagers. Why didn't you reserve a spot for our Lin family?"

Lin Lizheng is quite old, he looks to be over seventy, his hair is already gray, and his back is hunched. I don't know why he hasn't retired yet.

“Lin Lizheng, the reason I came back this time to recruit people to work is not to help my fellow villagers, but to help my clansmen.”

"Relatives, the Wang family members are also members of your Jiang clan."

“The Wang family isn’t part of the Jiang clan, but they are my mother’s family. A mother’s maternal uncle is the most important person in the family, aren’t they relatives?”

Mu Yi'an spoke with a serious expression, looking at Lin Lizheng with a very earnest gaze.

Lin Li was about to say something, but ultimately didn't. His Lin family was related to the Jiang family by marriage, but their influence wasn't that great. Even though his granddaughter was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Jiang family, it didn't seem to matter much.

"Second sister-in-law, although our Lin family is not related by blood, we are related by marriage; they are my maternal family."

Seeing that her grandfather was angry, Jiang's sister-in-law, as his granddaughter and the eldest daughter-in-law of the Jiang family, couldn't help but speak up.

"So what does my sister-in-law's family have to do with me? My maiden name is Mu!"

Mu Yi'an's words were very impolite. What relationship does your Lin family have with her, Mu Yi'an? What right do you have to interfere in her affairs?

"How dare you talk to me like that? I'm your sister-in-law."

“I didn’t say no. Don’t give me that ‘eldest sister-in-law is like a mother’ thing. Our mother is right here. I just don’t understand. I can’t even decide for myself who to do the work, so why should I trouble you all?”

Mu Yi'an glanced at Sister-in-law Jiang, then at Village Chief Lin, wanting an answer.

"They have no respect for hierarchy, they're lawless! From now on, hmph..."

Lin Lizheng uttered a sarcastic, threatening remark and left with his family.

After her grandfather left, Sister-in-law Jiang felt uneasy and realized that this was the Jiang family's territory. She was standing on the Jiang family's land and started spouting nonsense.

"Ziwen, after Shuheng returns, have him come to my house. Some things can't be left unattended forever, or they'll ruin everything."

The words of the third grandfather sent a chill down Jiang's spine, and her face turned pale.

"Shuheng's son, go back to your room and reflect on your actions. We'll talk when Shuheng comes back."

Jiang's mother was furious at her son's lack of self-control. "Really, how can he not understand things?"

Jiang's sister-in-law walked heavily back to her room, sat weakly on the bed, and seemed lost in thought.

In the courtyard, Mu Yi'an looked at her third grandfather and Jiang's father, and then remembered what Lin Lizheng had said when he left.

"Third Grandfather, Lin Lizheng is getting old, shouldn't he take a rest?"

"Yes, we'll discuss this with the Wang family later."

Third Grandfather understood what Mu Yi'an meant. In their Jiangjia Village, the three major surnames were Jiang, Wang, and Lin. The Jiang family had the largest population, followed by the Wang family, and then the Lin family. The village head was from the Lin family, the village chief was from the Wang family, and the Jiang family did not hold any official positions.

Previously, with Ziwen School and a scholar emerging from their clan, they only wanted their children to receive more education and didn't intend to compete for anything. Now, it seems that some things should be addressed.

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!