Lin Qixia pulled her to sit down on the chair opposite her: "Sister-in-law, you should rest too. I'm fine, and it's good for me to do some things by myself."
She likes to do things herself and feels a great sense of accomplishment when she finishes them.
"Okay, whatever makes you happy." He Zhilan didn't quite understand, but she didn't argue with her anymore.
Today is their last day in Xiahezhuang. Tomorrow they will pack their things and go back to Xiahe Village to celebrate the New Year.
On the eve of the Lunar New Year, Lin Qixia first held a celebration banquet at Xiahe Manor.
After all, their store has been doing well for the past few months.
This is all thanks to her employees.
"Enough with the chit-chat, everyone eat and drink to your heart's content! Have a wonderful time celebrating the Lunar New Year!" Lin Qixia greeted everyone without further ado.
Everyone responded in unison, "Yes."
Soon, a lively and cheerful atmosphere filled the courtyard, with the clatter of plates echoing throughout.
Lin Qixia was happy to see everyone in the courtyard eating happily.
Drinking fruit wine makes me feel relaxed and happy.
Suddenly, a young man in red sat down next to Lin Qixia, picked up a bottle of wine without ceremony, and took a swig. "Good wine!" he exclaimed with a carefree smile.
Immediately, many people in the courtyard turned to look at him.
Lin Qixia: "..."
Didn't this kid say he was hiding in the shadows?
"Everyone, please continue eating. He's my distant cousin, not just anyone," Lin Qixia had no choice but to make up an excuse.
Everyone in the courtyard breathed a sigh of relief and continued eating and drinking.
Huo Yanqing found him utterly intolerable, and with a grim expression, he grabbed Ning Shi and quickly took him away.
Ning struggled unwillingly: "What are you doing?"
"I'm in a bad mood, let's go outside and have a fight!" Huo Yanqing said in a cold tone.
"Oh." Ning Shi smiled with amusement upon hearing this and stopped struggling.
Soon the two of them stood on the deserted Red Street, each holding a weapon.
Huo Yanqing didn't want to say another word and rushed straight at him.
Then, as if venting his anger, he slashed at him with the knife in his hand.
Ning Shi countered the retort while mocking, "I didn't expect you to care so much about Ye Que."
"Don't call her Ye Que!"
Ning Shi's address enraged Huo Yanqing, and Huo Yanqing's moves became even more ruthless.
His knife slashed towards Ning Shi's left side, near his heart.
Ning Shi dodged slightly, looking a little flustered, and continued fighting him with a smile on his face.
The two fought back and forth like this.
After dinner, it was almost midnight.
Everyone in the courtyard dispersed, and He Zhilan went to the kitchen to tidy up.
At this moment, only Lin Qixia remained in the courtyard. She was still holding a glass of wine, her face flushed as she gazed at the moon overhead.
Even though the surrounding air was cold, the night sky was very clear.
She didn't feel cold at all; on the contrary, she felt quite comfortable.
"This is great," Lin Qixia muttered, grinning foolishly to herself.
Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly appeared beside her and swiftly snatched the wine jug from her hand.
"What are you doing!" Lin Qixia turned her head and scolded.
Then he met Huo Yanqing's cold, clear eyes.
He frowned and said, "Don't drink it, it's bad for your health."
Lin Qixia pouted reluctantly, trying to snatch it but she couldn't overpower him.
"Forget it!" she said dejectedly, turning around and going back to her room to sleep.
We need to leave early tomorrow morning; the road back to Xiahe Village is quite long.
But after taking a few steps, she stopped and turned back to ask Huo Yanqing, "Where is that kid?"
Could it be that Huo Yanqing really succeeded in killing him?
Huo Yanqing's face darkened. "Why do you care about him?"
"Hehe, then I don't care anymore, okay?" Lin Qixia forced a smile.
He then turned and left, quickening his pace to go upstairs.
She was just afraid that Huo Yanqing's dark side would grow too fast and affect her.
As for Ning Shi, he's too dangerous. If Huo Yanqing can get rid of him without any side effects, it would be a good thing for her.
"No!" The thought flashed through Lin Qixia's mind and startled her the moment it occurred to her.
Lin Qixia...when did you become so indifferent to human life?
Even if the rules of this world are indeed cruel.
Murder is wrong.
Early in the morning, the team was ready to set off back to Xiahe Village.
Lin Qixia woke up late, and only came downstairs yawning when everyone was waiting at the door.
"Xia'er, we should get going," He Zhilan said to her helplessly.
Lin Qixia replied, "I understand."
She went to check the situation inside Xiahe Manor again, confirming the condition of everything inside. She took what could be taken away and left what could be left behind to the guards Wang Dian, Wang Yu, and several other guards.
After the inspection, she walked to the line of guards and said to them, "Thank you for your hard work. I will definitely double your monthly wages during this period."
"It's alright, Miss Lin!" Wang Dian scratched his head and said embarrassedly, "Anyway, we don't have any relatives at home, so it's not very interesting to go back for the New Year."
Wang Yu also sighed, "Yes."
For a moment, their expressions showed sadness.
Because of the famine, their relatives had long since died from disease or starvation due to plague and famine.
Looking at their expressions, Lin Qixia didn't know what to say.
So she cleared her throat and said to them, "Then let's work hard and earn more money so that we'll have the chance to start a new family in the future!"
"You must strive for happiness in the rest of your lives, so that you can comfort the spirits of your parents and loved ones in heaven."
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