The place where Ningwan lives is called Tan Village.
Although it’s a village under Jiangcheng, it is quite far from the city center of Jiangcheng. The people in the village are self-sufficient. For that reason, there are very few who go out to work, and hardly anyone comes to the village since it’s inconvenient to travel over mountains and rivers.
As soon as Ningwan and the others entered the village, they were spotted by the patrolling villagers.
Initially, seeing so many people arriving by boat made them vigilant, but then they saw Ningwan.
Everyone was excited.
"Ningwan is back, Ningwan is back."
The patrol shouted and ran into the village to report.
Ningwan and Zhan Hanjue heard the shouting.
Zhan Hanjue asked speechlessly, "Why do I feel is quite familiar?"
Ningwan awkwardly laughed and said, "Does it feel like the whispers of foreign invaders entering a village?"
Zhan Hanjue rubbed his nose.
Wangyue regained composure as soon as they got off the boat and said hastily, "Yes, in old war movies, villagers shouted when foreign invaders came. ’The invaders are here, the invaders are here.’ Miss Ye, why are they shouting like that for you?"
"That’s because my master and I are highly respected here, everyone respects us." Ningwan said proudly.
"Oh, I see." Wangyue nodded, believing her.
Ningwan pursed her lips in a smile and continued to accompany them further in.
However, as soon as they entered the village, they saw the village chief leading a group of people aggressively towards them.
"Ye, you finally came back. How do you have the nerve to return, where is Wu Wei from our family? Where did you send him?" The village chief questioned aggressively as soon as they met.
Wangyue hurriedly whispered, "Miss Ye, this doesn’t sound like respect."
Ningwan awkwardly whispered back, "I’m pretty familiar with the village chief uncle, we don’t need to be respectful to each other."
"If there’s anything, you can tell me."
Seeing the village chief leading the crowd past, Zhan Hanjue pulled Ningwan behind him and stood in front.
The village chief stared at him for a good while before questioning, "Who are you?"
"I’m her man, so if there’s an issue, come to me." Zhan Hanjue said.
"Her man? Ningwan, you really got married?" The village chief’s eyes widened even further.
Ningwan awkwardly laughed, "Uncle, I went back just to get married; you know that."
"But didn’t you say you wouldn’t get married and had a way to cancel the engagement?" The village chief said.
Ningwan awkwardly scratched her head.
The village chief continued, "You got married, what about Wu Wei from our family? He went out just to find you."
"Uncle, Wu Wei and I only have a sibling-like relationship, nothing more."
"That’s nonsense." The village chief loudly scolded, "That kid Wu Wei didn’t want his home for you, left after a big argument with me. Said he had to find you, even if it meant dying by your side. Now you tell me it’s a sibling-like relationship, then what does that make of him?"
"Wu Wei left after having a big argument with you?" Ningwan furrowed her brows.
"Move aside, move aside, don’t block the way. Dad, why are you angry with Ningning; it’s not Ningning’s fault."
Wu Taotao came rushing over with Ye Shao, angrily stomped at the village chief.
The village chief would shout and yell at his son, but regarding this daughter, he was always doting.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have given in to her demands to go out for school, getting her to Jiangcheng City.
So, when the daughter pointed fingers , the arrogant spirit immediately wilted.
"Sis, are you alright!" Ye Shao came over to ask.
Seeing him, Ningwan remarked while chuckling, "You even changed your clothes to the locals’ short vests, are you really planning to become a son-in-law here?"
Ye Shao’s face turned red, "When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
"Ningning, let’s go home." Wu Taotao said.
After speaking, she came over and grabbed Ningwan’s hand, telling the villagers to move aside, stop blocking the way, and pulled Ningwan away.
Everyone knew Wu Taotao was the chief’s darling, even the village chief couldn’t do anything about her, who dared to block her?
Moreover, everyone had a positive impression of Ningwan.
Previously, she treated quite a few people in the village.
Only because the village chief had issues with her, everyone had no choice but to side with him.
Now that the village chief said nothing, everyone dispersed. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵
However, some young wives and girls kept staring at Zhan Hanjue. With bashfulness and reluctance, making the men in the village annoyed.
Wu Taotao brought Ningwan home, and as soon as they entered, she couldn’t help hugging her.
"Ningning, you’ve finally returned, why didn’t you give a heads-up?"
Ningwan said, "It was a sudden decision, I didn’t expect to come back so abruptly."
"How can you not expect to return?" Wu Taotao furrowed her brows in confusion.
Ningwan didn’t explain further, quickly asked, "How have you been at home during this time? Has it been good?"
"It’s great, every day at home there’s good food and drinks, and fun. And Ye Shao is really nice, always willing to accompany me, it’s wonderful." Wu Taotao said.
Ningwan replied, "Good, forget those unworthy, you’ll have better ones."
Wu Taotao bit her lip, "How’s Leng Ziqing?"
Ningwan said, "He found Zhan Hanjue, found me too, likely investigated your information at school as well. But he only knew your rental place, your contact info, that your brother is Wu Wei, and Irene was me. It’s nearly impossible to find you."
"What’s he looking for me for." Wu Taotao smiled bitterly.
Ningwan said, "Perhaps feels there’s still regret, wants to explain some things to you! Anyway, just ignore him. At the last banquet, I saw him and Zhang Meimei very well together, lovingly arm-in-arm, at least from outsiders’ views they seemed loving, maybe they’ll marry soon."
Wu Taotao lowered her head, a hint of pain in her eyes.
Ningwan looked at her, knowing clearly the pain in her heart.
But cutting losses early could be good, avoiding unnecessary illusions.
If the time came and a search happened, one might mistakenly think he was unforgettable.
"What’s wrong?" Ye Shao came in andasked surprised at the scene.
Ningwan said, "Nothing, just some small talk. Where’s Zhan Hanjue?"
"In the back, don’t worry, he won’t get lost." Ye Shao said.
It seemed Ye Shao still had some apprehension towards Zhan Hanjue.
Ningwan quickly went out looking for Zhan Hanjue, and indeed found him in the rear. However, he was walking over while carefully observing every corner of the village, his eyes like scanners.
Wangyue was also keenly examining the village.
But more like a searchlight, looking for good food.
Seeing their state, Ningwan couldn’t help but say, "The way you two look, the villagers will think you harbor ill intentions and want to do something to the village."
"I’m just looking for good food." Wangyue, being a foodie, truly never forgot about food.
Zhan Hanjue walked to Ningwan’s side and whispered, "I’m just really wanting to see your previous living place. Didn’t expect such an environment where you once lived."