Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Aunt Hua looked at the lavish spread on the table, her eyes squinting with delight as she commented while eating, “Our Lingling is skilled in medicine, cooks delicious food, and is so beautiful. I wonder which lucky young man will have the privilege of marrying you in the future! ”
At that moment, several pairs of eyes around the dining table turned toward Min Nan.
Min Nan’s hand holding the chopsticks stiffened for a moment. Although he Imew Aunt Hua’s direct implication was to help their relationship, he still felt quite embarrassed.
Wan Hai noticed a faint blush on Ye Ling’s cheeks and knew that Aunt Hua’s blunt remarks had startled a city girl like Ye Ling. He quickly said, “Lingling is still young, why rush things? Aunt Hua, you should be more concerned about my marriage. Look at me. I’m this old, and you haven’t introduced me to a girlfriend yet. ”
Aunt Hua huffed in a haughty manner and after a few seconds, her expression turned serious. “By the way, I remember that the youngest daughter of Li the Butcher in Lotus Village is already of marriageable age…”
Her husband, Tie Niu, chuckled helplessly and cast a sympathetic glance toward Wan Hai.
After finishing the meal, most of the dishes on the table were empty. There was hardly any leftover food. Ye Ling was about to start clearing the plates when a large hand suddenly reached for a plate next to her. A deep, magnetic voice sounded, “I’ll take care of it. You go rest.”
Ye Ling turned her head and almost bumped into the man’s chest. She caught a whiff of alcohol on his breath.
She quickly took a step back, a bit concerned. “You’ve had quite a bit to drink too. Are you sure you’re not drunk? I can wash these few dishes. It won’t take long.”
Min Nan didn’t say anything. He simply gathered the plates and chopsticks from the table and headed into the kitchen.
The sound of washing dishes soon emanated from the kitchen.
Ye Ling smiled helplessly and felt a warm sensation in her heart. She saw Yu Huan and Wan Xue sitting in the yard, looking at the stars. She fetched a chair and joined them.
Yu Huan and Wan Xue were discussing whether a bright star in the sky was part of the Cygnus constellation.
Seeing Ye Ling approaching, Yu Huan said, “Lingling, it’s so dark outside, and I don’t dare to go back alone.”
Ye Ling was about to suggest finding someone to escort Yu Huan back when she suddenly felt her arm being embraced by Yu Huan. Yu Huan shook Ye Ling’s arm and said, “Can I sleep with you tonight?”
Ye Ling hesitated for a moment and said, “But what about the dormitory manager… ”
Yu Huan gritted her teeth and said, “She received so many gifts from me. I have to stay outside for at least three nights to make it worthwhile!”
Ye Ling smiled helplessly and said, “Alright, you can stay here. It’s not cold right now, and one blanket is enough. I’ll heat up some water, and you can freshen up in the backyard later.”
Ye Ling stood up and walked into the kitchen, where she saw Min Nan putting away the cleaned dishes and chopsticks.
“By the way, Yu Huan is going to sleep with me tonight. Big Brother Min Nan, I’ve already heated up the water. Do you want to help Wan Hai and Wan Feng wash their faces?” After updating Min Nan about Yu Huan, she asked.
Wan Hai and Wan Feng were both drunk and had been carried to their bedroom by Tie Niu after dinner.
Min Nan, seemingly indifferent, replied, “No need to bother with them.”
“Alright then. Big Brother Min Nan, do you want to take a bath now?” Ye Ling asked.
“You two go ahead.”
Ye Ling carried a basin of water to the backyard, quickly finished her bath, and then called Yu Huan to do the same. Afterward, they returned to the room and lay side by side on the bed.
In the living room, Min Nan sat in a chair, supporting his forehead, lost in thought about the events of the day.
After he arrived at the village committee, he found that Wang Gang and his men had been detained. He initially thought the village committee would immediately report the mine incident to the county government. However, to his surprise, the village committee did not send anyone to report the specific situation to higher authorities.
Min Nan immediately approached the village chief, Li Dong, to inquire about the situation.
After a moment of silence, Li Dong lowered his voice and said, “I don’t have the authority to decide on this matter. What I can tell you is that both the village committee secretary and the captain want to keep this matter under wraps. You know, if this is reported to the county government, who knows how many people might lose their jobs, and the reputation would be ruined too….”