Looking at Zhou Lan, she was covered in dust and grime; her clothes were washed until they were almost white. Her hands were covered in calluses from years of work.
Compared to Zhou Yan, they are worlds apart.
At this moment, Zhou Yan was unaware of what Zhou Jing'an was thinking, and continued to say to herself, "Third brother, just listen to us and come home. Otherwise, your parents will worry about your health."
Zhou Jing'an said coldly, "Are you only worried now?"
Upon hearing this, Zhou Dashan and Yao Shi's expressions changed instantly. They exchanged a glance, and then Zhou Dashan said in a somewhat ingratiating tone, "Third brother, what do you mean by that? Your father and mother have always been worried about you. We care about you every day!"
The moment these words were spoken, not only did Zhou Jing'an and Ning Huan find them unbelievable, but the villagers nearby couldn't help but sneer.
Caring every day?
Who are you kidding? Zhou Jing'an was kicked out as soon as he got sick, and they wouldn't let him go back no matter what. Now that they've just heard that a doctor has been found, they're in a hurry to take him back.
Who can believe it when they say they care every day only now?
Seeing the expressions on the villagers' faces, Yao felt embarrassed. She said to Zhou Jing'an with dissatisfaction, "Third son, your parents have raised you for so many years, would you lie to us? You are our son, would you just stand by and watch you get hurt and no one care? Come back with us right now!"
Yao's impatient demeanor completely chilled Zhou Jing'an's heart.
He clenched his fists secretly and said to Zhou Dashan and Yao Shi, "I'm not going back. Since my parents said I was capable of starting my own family when we separated, I won't go back. My eldest brother's family and my second sister still live at my parents' house."
“Our family won’t stay when we go back, and besides, I feel very reassured that they will take care of you.”
Upon hearing this, Zhou Dashan's hope was shattered. He understood the resolute meaning in Zhou Jing'an's words; his third son was definitely not coming home again.
But how could Madam Yao agree to that? She was still hoping that Zhou Jing'an would recover and become a high-ranking official so that she could earn the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree!
She was about to throw a tantrum and threaten suicide when Zhou Jing'an said, "But don't worry, Mom and Dad. Although I won't be coming home again, you are still my parents and my family. I will definitely help you if you need it. If I don't want to help, I won't do anything even if I go home."
"But don't worry, I will definitely take good care of you."
When Zhou Jing'an said this, he spoke in an extremely calm and gentle tone, but without any emotion.
Before Zhou Dashan and Yao Shi could even speak, he turned to the village chief and said, "Village chief, am I right about this?"
The village elder had long disapproved of Zhou Dashan and Yao's actions. Before Zhou Jing'an was injured, he was the best student in the academy, a student whom the teacher himself praised as someone who would surely achieve great things in the future.
The child should have been cherished long ago, but after getting injured or sick, they rushed out to help without delay. Now that they know the child can be cured, they want to take him back.
It's not that easy.
Moreover, the Zhou family is always in chaos. If Zhou Jing'an really goes back, who knows what kind of trouble he'll cause? It would be bad if he got too stressed and ruined his health.
Thinking of this, the village chief nodded in agreement and said, "Jing An is right. Now that you've started a family, moving back home would be a hassle. There's not only no room, but moving around is also exhausting. You've only just recovered a little; what if your condition worsens again?"
Then he said to Zhou Dashan, "Your family has the eldest son's family to take care of you, and Zhou Yan isn't married yet, so they can also look after her. If Jing An's family moves back, there really won't be enough room. So don't let them go through the trouble of moving back."
Hearing this, Zhou Yan was somewhat dissatisfied: "Village chief, this is ultimately our family's business, you..."
She was speaking when Zhou Dashan abruptly interrupted her and pulled her behind him.
With a forced smile, he said to the village chief, "Village chief, Zhou Yan is just a child who doesn't know any better and talks nonsense. Please don't take it to heart."
The village chief shook his head: "It's alright. Although I'm an outsider, as the village chief, I must consider the well-being of every household in the village. Regarding today's matter, not only me, but everyone else would have the same opinion."
“Jing’an has only just recovered a little. If moving around too much completely ruins his health, it would be a huge loss. Don’t you all agree?”
The village chief turned around and asked the elders who were prominent figures in the village, people who could be considered influential in the village.
They all nodded in agreement, saying, "The village chief is right. Anyway, Jing'an doesn't live far from you. We're all in the same village, so let's not make a fuss."
They weren't doing it for any other reason than hoping that Zhou Jing'an would recover quickly, pass the imperial examinations, and obtain an official position, so that the village could prosper as a result.
Zhou Jing'an looked at everyone and said calmly, "I grew up in Wushan Village. If I achieve something in the future, I will definitely remember the kindness of everyone in the village."
The village chief nodded in satisfaction, and Zhou Dashan knew what these people were thinking, but he could only go along with the village chief's words.
Otherwise, if he offended the village chief and these people, he wouldn't even live to see the day when the third brother became an official.
When Zhou Dashan and Yao Shi realized that their plans had fallen through, they didn't want to stay any longer and left under the pretext of going back to see Old Madam Zhou.
Zhou Xiaofang was playing happily in the yard when he saw his parents come out of the house. Thinking that things were done, he hurriedly ran up to them and said, "Mom, I already told those four brats that when they go home, they still have to save the good stuff for me!"
Hearing this, Zhou Dasheng was furious and yelled at Zhou Xiaofang, "Who told you to talk back!"
This shout startled not only the child, but also Zhou Dashan and Yao Shi, who were standing nearby.
Zhou Xiaofang immediately burst into tears, and Liu quickly picked her up and comforted her, "Xiaofang, be good, don't cry!"
Then he angrily shouted at Zhou Dasheng, "Why are you taking your anger out on the child!"
When Yao saw her daughter-in-law lashing out at her precious son, all the resentment she had been holding in burst forth in an instant.
"Why are you yelling at my son! If you hadn't failed to keep an eye on my grandson and let those four little bastards know beforehand that we were here to take them back, would we have been kicked out by the third brother!"
Liu was already annoyed when her mother-in-law pinched her arm, and now she shouted at Yao, "Mother, are you blaming me? Why is this being blamed on me and Xiao Fang? If you hadn't insisted that Third Brother move out, would this have happened?!"
Zhou Dashan valued his reputation above all else, and seeing that his wife was about to start arguing with his daughter-in-law, he quickly shouted, "Shut up, both of you!"
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