Just like last time, arranging for Wen Zhqing to carry manure was because Old Man Gu is the village head, wasn’t it?
Even after that, if the educated youths want to leave Huaihua Village and return to the city, they have to be wary of Old Man Gu obstructing them.
"As for sister-in-law..."
Gu Yunzhou looked at Yang Manman, who suddenly became nervous.
"I, I haven’t offended that Wen Zhiqing, have I?" Yang Manman said.
"Sister-in-law, you haven’t offended Wen Zhqing, but sister-in-law, you are a Gu Family member." Gu Yunzhou said.
"I think Wen Zhqing might target you because you are pregnant."
Yang Manman was startled, quickly covering her belly with her hands, her eyes full of worry.
Listening to his younger brother, Gu Yunting looked at his wife’s big belly, thought of a possibility, and his face suddenly darkened.
Undoubtedly, besides the few-month-old Zhuangzhuang, the most vulnerable person in the house was, without a doubt, Manman.
If something happened to her, it would be two lives lost at once.
Thinking of this, Gu Yunting hurriedly grabbed his wife’s hand, only at ease when he felt the temperature of her hand in his palm.
"Since we know the general reason now, the next thing is to keep an eye on him." Gu Yunan said.
"I’ll keep an eye on Wen Zhqing." Gu Yunzhou said.
"In the next few days, Manman should try not to go out. If she has to go out, either I accompany her, or..."
"Or I accompany her," Yao Chunhua said.
After all, it was her daughter-in-law and grandson, Yao Chunhua certainly valued them.
"If that Wen Zhqing dares to think of anything bad, I’m not afraid of him," Yao Chunhua said boldly.
Yao Chunhua was indeed not afraid. Speaking of strength, not the three Gu brothers nor Old Man Gu was the strongest, but Yao Chunhua.
The Yao Family used to be butchers; they could butcher pigs because they were strong.
And Yao Chunhua had inherited that great strength of the Yao Family.
Her strength was greater than that of men, and she was also very courageous.
So, Yao Chunhua was not afraid of the weakling Wen Zhqing.
"Alright, let’s do that then."
-
At the Bao Family, Bao Shanyan touched her belly, watching Wen Zhqing doing laundry by the well in the yard.
Out of the corner of his eye, Wen Zhqing glanced at Bao Shanyan’s slightly protruding belly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
The child in Bao Shanyan’s belly could not stay!
Thinking of those nights he was forced by Bao Shanyan, Wen Zhqing’s face darkened.
He felt disgusted even thinking about it.
If it weren’t for the circumstances, he would have loved to get rid of Bao Shanyan now.
"Why are you standing there dazed? Hurry and finish washing; then go and cook," seeing Wen Zhqing dawdling with the laundry, Bao Shanyan kicked him.
Wen Zhqing almost fell over unprepared.
Luckily, he steadied himself with his hand.
But it landed in the water basin, soaking his coat sleeve — his only coat.
A flash of hostility crossed Wen Zhqing’s eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"Originally, you, a man, should be doing the fieldwork. Now, since my mom is out working the field and you’re doing the house chores, it’s a good deal for you," Bao Shanyan said mercilessly.
In Bao Shanyan’s opinion, Wen Zhqing was a weakling, unable to work in the field, with only a handsome face.
It was nice to have a handsome face; hopefully, their child would take after the father and be a good-looking one too.
After finishing the laundry and hanging it to dry, even though his sleeves were wet, Wen Zhqing was hurried off to the kitchen to cook, with no time to be concerned about anything else.
While cooking, Bao Shanyan did not come in.
Because Bao Shanyan had been having pregnancy reactions lately and would feel nauseous at the smell of cooking oil.
Looking at the dishes in the pot, Wen Zhqing contemplated poisoning them, to kill Bao Shanyan and her mother, and the child in Bao Shanyan’s belly, but he restrained himself.
He had the ability to procure poison, but if Bao Shanyan and her child died, he would be the first suspect.
Wen Zhqing couldn’t achieve perfect execution for now.
So he could only wait a bit longer.
But...
A charming figure flitted across Wen Zhqing’s mind!
Gu Jia Ning!
Wen Zhqing could never forget that he was suffering now due to Gu Jia Ning’s design.
Unfortunately, Gu Jia Ning had gone to the Northwest with that officer named Sheng.
But it’s okay, Gu Family is still here.
Gu Jia Ning clearly cared about her family, so if something happened to the Gu Family, she would be very upset, wouldn’t she?
Wen Zhqing indeed wanted to take action against the Gu Family, and he already had an idea about whom to target and how to do it.
Just needed to proceed.
With these thoughts, Wen Zhqing finished cooking.
Soon, Bao Yingzi came back, and they sat down to eat together.
Bao Shanyan and her mother ate heartily and quickly; Wen Zhqing couldn’t keep up with their pace in grabbing food.
However, Wen Zhqing didn’t care for it either.
In front of Bao Shanyan and her mother, Wen Zhqing had always been well-behaved, even if Bao Shanyan sometimes hit him, he endured it.
Anyway, he would pay them back someday.
After eating, Wen Zhqing was the one who cleaned up the dishes. While tidying up, he said to Bao Shanyan, "Yanzi, I plan to go to the county later. I wrote to my parents before, and they know you are pregnant, so they are very happy and might send some things. I plan to go to the post office in the county to check."
Hearing Wen Zhqing was going to the county, Bao Shanyan initially frowned, but upon hearing it was to get some things, she had no objection.
"Alright, you can go, but come back soon." After all, without a letter of introduction, Wen Zhqing couldn’t get far.
Hearing Bao Shanyan agree, Wen Zhqing’s lips curved slightly as he lowered his head to tidy up the dishes.
Soon, Wen Zhqing left the Bao Family and headed toward the county.
Unbeknownst to Wen Zhqing, a figure quietly followed him.
Upon reaching the county, Wen Zhqing first went to a secluded alley, knocked on a door, and a crack soon opened.
"Where are the things I wanted?" Wen Zhqing asked in a low voice.
"Here." The person inside didn’t show themselves but first extended a hand, "I brought them for you; where’s the money and tickets?"
Wen Zhqing handed over the prepared money and tickets; the hand took them and quickly handed a small package to Wen Zhqing.
Wen Zhqing immediately tucked the package into his coat.
He then glanced around and turned away.
However, Wen Zhqing didn’t head straight back to the village but instead went to the county compound’s gate, speaking to the guard, "Hello, could you notify Secretary Liu’s daughter, Liu Yuan, and tell her Wen Zhqing is looking for her?"
It seemed they recognized Wen Zhqing, so the guard didn’t give him trouble and went to notify her.
Soon, a girl of seventeen or eighteen, wearing a wool coat and with two braids, came running out happily.
Seeing Wen Zhqing from afar, Liu Yuan’s eyes lit up.
As she ran up to Wen Zhqing, her voice was even more cheerful, "Brother Wen, you’re finally here."
"Mr. Liu." Wen Zhqing, gentle and elegant, wore a warm and kind smile on his scholarly face, his affectionate eyes gazing at Liu Yuan, seeming to speak of infinite emotions.