His scathing and merciless scolding made Lin Jiudong's shoulders tremble in fright.
Her eyes instantly reddened: "Brother, I just... I just thought that when we go to the capital, I could—"
"What do you mean, 'can't'? You're still trying to deny it. Do you think we don't know what you're thinking?" He Zhilan questioned her angrily.
Lin Jiudong was speechless after being scolded, and looked at Lin Qixia with teary eyes.
He clenched his fists silently, feeling incredibly frustrated.
"Don't look at me like that, little sister. I really had no other choice but to tell my older brother and sister-in-law." Lin Qixia said with an innocent expression.
Lin Jiudong's expression turned ugly upon seeing her manipulative demeanor.
After standing there stunned for a moment, she stamped her foot and said, "Fine, I won't go! I don't expect you to help me anymore, Lin Qixia!"
Then she turned around and ran away crying.
Leaving Lin Qixia and her elder brother and sister-in-law standing there, Lin Qixia sighed, "Sigh, she really is—"
"Xia'er, you don't need to worry about her." Lin Xiao said angrily, "She's too naive. If we give her money to go to Kyoto, who knows what trouble she'll cause for our family!"
Lin Qixia nodded slightly: "I understand, brother."
After Lin Jiudong's outburst, the remaining members of the Lin family lost their will to stay there.
Lin Qixia bid farewell to the village chief and the others, intending to return home.
"Oh? You're leaving already?" The village chief was somewhat surprised that they were leaving so early.
Lin Qixia said apologetically, "I'm sorry, Village Chief, we have things to do back home."
"I see." Chen Weizhong hesitated for a moment with slight regret, but still replied politely, "If that's the case, then there's nothing I can do. I—"
He seemed somewhat troubled as he said this.
"Does the village chief have anything else to tell me?" Lin Qixia noticed this and simply asked him.
Chen Weizhong waved his hand, "I dare not confess. I just thought that this year, our village not only had a bumper harvest thanks to Miss Lin's help in saving the crops, but also that many people from other families worked for your family in the second half of the year and earned a lot of money, so everyone's life has improved."
"We owe it all to you, and I want to thank you on behalf of everyone."
As he spoke, Chen Weizhong, whose hair was gray, made a gesture as if to bow to Lin Qixia.
Lin Qixia quickly stopped him, "Village chief, you're too kind. Helping to save the crops was just a small favor."
"As for hiring villagers to do the work later, it was just an equal partnership, and no one owed anyone anything."
Chen Weizhong hadn't expected Lin Qixia to speak so righteously and dignifiedly.
His aged and weary face now held an appreciation for the younger generation: "Lin girl, you have such a broad mind; this is true talent."
"It is a blessing for our village to have two talented women like you and Gu Yatou."
Lin Qixia had initially enjoyed Chen Weizhong's compliments, but when he mentioned Gu Ciyu, her expression faltered.
Fortunately, Lin Qixia concealed her unease without making a sound, then bid farewell to Chen Weizhong and the whole family went home.
By the time I got home, it was past midnight.
Lin Qixia yawned: "It's getting late, I'm going to sleep now."
Lin Xiao and He Zhilan responded, and even though they still seemed to have something to say, they didn't stop Lin Qixia because they noticed her expression.
"Let's talk about it tomorrow," Lin Xiao said to his wife, He Zhilan, in a low voice.
Night fell silent, and the sounds of fireworks gradually faded away.
After returning to her room, Lin Qixia tidied up a bit and then lay down to sleep.
I slept soundly through the night, and when I woke up the next day it was already the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Last night's heavy snow covered the ground with a thick layer. When I opened the window, everything outside was white. Only the lanterns hanging in the distance and the newly pasted Spring Festival couplets stood out brightly in red.
It was a scene of great joy and celebration.
After getting up, Lin Qixia changed into a new outfit.
Wearing a red jacket and skirt made her complexion look even better.
Squeak—
As she opened the door, she happily shouted, "Happy New Year!"
She didn't want to meet Huo Yanqing's deep eyes the next second.
Huo Yanqing didn't expect Lin Qixia to open the door suddenly. His hand, which was about to knock, froze in mid-air. The girl in front of him had bright eyes and her crescent-shaped eyebrows were smiling.
The boy's chaotic thoughts calmed down the moment he saw her.
"Did you need something from me?" Lin Qixia asked him, puzzled.
Huo Yanqing, "I'm thinking of investigating my background after the New Year. I hope you'll—"
"Do you want me to let you leave?" Lin Qixia interrupted, "You don't need to ask me, of course I agree."
Huo Yanqing: "..."
"What's wrong?" Lin Qixia saw his brows furrow and instantly wondered if she had guessed wrong.
Huo Yanqing said in a deep voice, "I hope you will come with me."
"Why?" Lin Qixia asked, puzzled.
With Huo Yanqing's abilities, he should be able to handle this.
He doesn't need my help, does he?
Huo Yanqing, "Because—"
He glanced at the wall not far away, and Lin Qixia followed his gaze and saw the figure in red.
She suddenly realized, "So it's because of him. Are you afraid that he will hurt me after you leave, so you don't feel comfortable leaving me here alone?"
Huo Yanqing's expression already answered for him: Lin Qixia had guessed correctly.
"You—" Lin Qixia tried to say something to him again.
Suddenly, He Zhilan's voice came from the kitchen not far away: "Xia'er, you're up. Quickly wash your face and come get some food. Let's have breakfast."
"Coming!" Lin Qixia immediately turned around and responded.
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