Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Ma Kang was left speechless when he heard Sun Li’s words.
Was he causing trouble for Ye Ling?
Was Ye Ling timid?
“What?” Ma Kang wanted to shout in anger, “Sun Li, your whole family has been deceived by this terrifying woman!”
“It’s alright, Auntie Sun. You must be tired since you just returned from your trip. There’s hot water in the kitchen. When Secretary Ma leaves, I’ll bring you a basin of hot water to soak your feet. You can rest in the house. I’ll take care of Secretary Ma,” Ye Ling said gently.
Sun Li immediately shook her head and said, “It’s alright, dear. I’m not tired. Adult matters should be handled by adults. Since Secretary Ma has come to my house, he can tell me what he needs. You can go rest in your room. By the way, I’ve bought several types of popular fabric from the South. We can go to town later to have them tailored into new clothes for you once Secretary Ma leaves. You can choose the designs you like in my room.”
Ma Kang stood there dumbfounded, watching the two women exchanging words as if they were ignoring him like an invisible person, not bothering to conceal their disdain.
Ma Kang had been a village cadre for over twenty years, a symbol of authority wherever he went. He had never experienced such a situation before.
He was so angry that his face turned red. His nose, with its large pores, slightly contracted, and his lips trembled. “Both of you! Alright, I’ve noted this. Ye Ling, you’ve truly opened my eyes. I now understand what kind of person you are, and I’ve underestimated you!”
Without giving Ye Ling and Sun Li a chance to continue mocking him, Ma Kang flung his sleeves and left the Wan family.
Although Ma Kang tried to maintain his composure, his body trembled slightly due to his anger, making him appear somewhat comical and disheveled.
Seeing Ma Kang leave, Ye Ling heaved a sigh of relief and thanked Sun Li,
“Thank you, Auntie Sun, for helping me just now.”
Sun Li must have realized that Ma Kang was here to cause trouble for Ye Ling, so she told Ye Ling to return to her room to protect her.
Sun Li chuckled. “I didn’t do much. We’ve certainly upset Ma Kang. I doubt he’ll have much of an appetite when he gets back.”
Ye Ling couldn’t help but smile when she thought of the two of them taunting Ma Kang.
She affectionately held Sun Li’s arm and asked, “Auntie Sun, why did you return so late? The other tea pickers have already come back.”
If it weren’t for Aunt Hua assuring the Wan family that Sun Li was doing well in the tea garden, Wan Hai and the others might have thought something had happened to Sun Li.
Sun Li unpacked her belongings while explaining, “I should have returned earlier, but the tea garden owner noticed I was quick at work and asked me to stay and help with the tea leaves. He paid me well, so I decided to stay longer. I figured I’d return early, but I also thought Min Nan and the others were annoyed when I saw them. I thought it was better to stay a few more days.” Ye Ling asked with concern, “Auntie Sun, how did your hand get burned? And it looks like there are sunburn marks on your face.”
Sun Li quickly reassured her, “It’s nothing. We rural folks work under the sun and on the land. Injuries are unavoidable. The wounds will heal quickly. Don’t worry.”
Ye Ling sighed and made a mental note to gather some suitable herbs from her small world later to make an ointment for Sun Li’s burn wounds. She also had some flowers in her herbal field that could be used to make moisturizing flower soap.
Sun Li sat down and unpacked her items, mentioning, “You must have had a hard time feeding those ‘pigs,’ right? I noticed there was marinated meat under the eaves. You’re indulging their appetites!”
Ye Ling laughed and said, “Not at all. I’m only responsible for cooking. They do the dishwashing. I’m not tired at all.”
Sun Li continued, “Hmph, that’s good. Lingling, take a look at what I bought for you. There is snowflake cream, hair oil, fabrics, and some bracelets. Choose what you like.”
Ye Ling was surprised by the pile of gifts Sun Li had brought. She replied,
“Auntie Sun, I don’t need so many things.”
Sun Li insisted, “Lingling, girls your age should dress beautifully, like flowers. Don’t hesitate to accept. You’ve been taking care of Min Nan and the others while I was away, and I want to thank you. These items aren’t expensive, they’re just a small token of Auntie Sun’s appreciation. As long as you like them, I’ll be very happy..”