Mu Chen had no idea that Ah Zhuang's big mouth had already spread the word to him.
He returned to the orchard, and it was already getting dark.
Tonight, it's A-Dong and A-Gan from Hei-Wu Village who are guarding the forest.
A-Dong and A-Gan wanted to talk to Mu-Chen, but then decided against it.
Mu Chen was busy for another two days.
I witnessed the saplings grow every day and paid no attention to the rumors about him these past two days.
On the fifteenth day, Ah Zhuang came early in the morning to invite Mu Chen to Phoenix Mountain to snatch a wife.
Mu Chen didn't go.
Although he made up an excuse, he still thought about the saintess.
He dared not confess his feelings. Even though he was confident in pursuing the saintess, he was indeed not worthy of her. He needed to work harder to improve himself.
That evening, Mu Chen and A Duo had just finished dinner when A Rong arrived with his men.
Even Chief Tang came along.
As soon as the Miao people of Quedong Village entered the orchard, they heard someone playing the lusheng (a traditional reed pipe instrument) from the thatched hut.
Under the hazy moonlight, the melodious sound of the flute flowed gently like a stream.
"This tune, although not from our Miao people, is very special."
It's surprising that Ah Rong, such a simple and honest man, would have such a remark.
Even Chief Tang was secretly surprised. He asked Miao Lang beside him, but Miao Lang shook his head and said he had never heard of it.
A moment later, the lusheng music stopped, and Mu Chen, standing in front of the thatched hut, sang in the Miao language:
I hope that fifty years from now...
You can still be by my side
Sitting in the rocking chair with you
Feel the gentleness of the sunset.
Listen to the gentle breeze blowing.
Listen to the river flowing slowly
Let's talk about the old days again.
…
"These lyrics, how come..."
The Miao man who spoke had clearly heard the rumors circulating in the village these past few days, but he didn't finish his story.
"Arong, is this really true?" Chief Tang asked his son.
Arong shook her head, "I don't know! I haven't seen Achen behave anything unusual either."
"Then... how come those rumors are described in such a detailed and convincing way?"
"It was all said by Azhuang from Heiwu Village."
"Old Mu's grandson? That little beast—"
Chief Tang was so angry that he trembled all over.
If this is true, that's fine. But what if it's just rumors spread by strangers? Wouldn't that ruin my granddaughter's reputation?
"Grandpa Tang, you've arrived." Duoduo ran over by the moonlight and shouted to Mu Chen, "Brother, the grandpa from Que Dong Village has arrived."
This shout startled Mu Chen.
Because his lyrics were full of images of a saint.
"Grandpa Tang, please have a seat."
There was no electricity on the mountain, so they still used kerosene lamps.
Mu Chen invited Chief Tang to sit down in the thatched hut, and then took out a plastic bag that he had prepared beforehand.
"I was originally planning to visit you tomorrow, but since you're here, here you go."
"This is---"
"Didn't I promise to build a house for Quedong Primary School? Here's 100,000 yuan, that should be enough, right?"
"One hundred thousand?"
Chief Tang opened the bag, and sure enough, there were ten stacks of 100-yuan bills inside.
Ah Rong and the others, who had just entered the thatched hut, were all taken aback.
They had initially thought Mu Chen was just talking nonsense while drunk.
"Ah Chen, you're really donating! You haven't even built a house yet." Although Chief Tang knew some big shots in the county, this was a stack of banknotes, and his hands were visibly trembling.
Mu Chen nodded, "My clansman has already arranged for someone to repair my old house in the village! As for buying Uncle Arong's land to build a house, didn't you help me with that, Grandpa Tang?"
"But this is 100,000, that's too much."
"Not much, I have enough money here! But I have one request."
"you say."
“Every penny of this money must be used to ensure that the children can go to school.”
"That's it? Don't worry, don't worry, I'll keep an eye on it myself."
"Thanks."
Mu Chen poured wine for everyone.
After several rounds of drinks, Chief Tang thought for a while before asking, "Achen, are you helping our Que Dong Village so much because you have ulterior motives that we don't know about?"
"No! Of all the surrounding villages, only Heiwu Village and Quedong Village are the closest. I hope the children can have access to education."
Is that all?
"Um!"
Mu Chen seemed not to have considered the implied meaning in Chief Tang's words. He sighed softly and said, "Don't be like me, forced to drop out of school early! We Miao men and women should all leave the mountains, see the prosperity outside, and come back after completing our studies. Together, we can contribute our modest efforts to the development of the Miao village."
"Good, good, good! Good Ah Chen, I knew I hadn't misjudged you, Grandpa Tang."
Chief Tang patted Mu Chen's shoulder heavily.
The Miao men in the thatched hut were completely unaware that Tang Mo, who was about to enter, had overheard everything they said.
Tang Mo was moved.
Because her goal was the same as Mu Chen's: to learn more knowledge and contribute to the development of the Miao village.
"Then... Ah Chen, I heard you didn't go to Phoenix Mountain to kidnap the bride today, why didn't you go?" Ah Rong couldn't help but ask directly.
The dozen or so people inside the thatched hut pricked up their ears, and even Tang Mo outside held her breath.
Mu Chen downed two large bowls of rice wine, then shook his head with a smile.
"Ah Chen, say it! I, Tang A-ye, have never treated you as an outsider," Chief Tang said impatiently.
Mu Chen found it difficult to speak, but finally he said, "To be honest, Grandpa Tang, I already have someone in my heart! But I am not good enough for her."
"Which family's daughter is she?"
Yours.
"I won't say anything more. Saying it will only make people laugh at me, or even cause misunderstandings. I don't want anyone gossiping behind my back and tarnishing my feelings for her."
"If you don't want to talk about it, then don't! I'll arrange for someone to come and build you a house in the next couple of days. What's your budget?"
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