At the Branch Secretary’s home, the meal had just been set on the table. Read complete version only at nοvelfire.net
The Branch Secretary’s wife, Hu Shanmei, called out to the yard, "Dongzi, call your younger brother and sister back for dinner."
The Branch Secretary, who was chatting with his sons in the courtyard, tapped his tobacco pipe lightly a few times. "Alright, let’s eat."
As they sat down, Hu Shanmei began serving rice and asked, "Husband, is Chu Zhiqing really going to work the fields for work points from now on?"
Whenever Yang Gengtian discussed this matter, he felt uncomfortable. "That girl from the Xue Family can’t tolerate others, and the Squad Leader has his own agenda. Things just turned out that way."
Ge Lihua, the Yang family’s third daughter-in-law, chimed in, "It’s a waste of Chu Zhiqing’s excellent medical skills. Just you watch, Xue Linfang will regret it."
Guo Xiaoyu, the Yang family’s second daughter-in-law, who wasn’t very quick-witted, asked, "Third Sister-in-law, why would Lin Fang regret it?"
Ge Lihua glanced at her slightly slow-witted second sister-in-law. "Chu Zhiqing was pushed out by that girl Lin Fang, but Doctor Gong’s family never explicitly agreed for her to consult patients during her recuperation period. Besides, I heard from Weimin’s wife, Ma Huihui, in the fields today that Doctor Gong plans to have a good rest at home during this time."
At this point, the Branch Secretary’s wife, who had finished serving the rice, spoke up, "Everyone saw how critical Doctor Gong’s condition was that day. If it weren’t for Chu Zhiqing’s intervention, Doctor Gong might have been in grave danger. The Gong family’s children are all filial. When they say she should rest well, they mean it. Not to mention, Chu Zhiqing is Doctor Gong’s life-saving benefactor. What do you think Doctor Gong will do?"
Yang Shouguo, the Yang family’s third son, holding his bowl, remarked indifferently, "Xue Linfang overstepped her bounds. Doctor Gong would hardly be pleased. Originally, Doctor Gong didn’t have a high opinion of Xue Linfang. Had it not been for the Squad Leader intervening forcefully, it wouldn’t have been her turn. After all that time studying, she hasn’t shown much progress. Even when dispensing medicine, she needed Doctor Gong’s confirmation before letting the commune members take it. How much of a mentor-disciple bond could Doctor Gong have for her? But Chu Zhiqing is different. She has genuine skills and helped Doctor Gong. It’s not hard to guess how the Gong Family will choose. Why do you think Ma Huihui made those comments in the field today? That was to express the Gong Family’s stance. Just you wait and see."
The Branch Secretary sighed. "Enough, let’s eat. The Xue Family has brought this upon themselves. No one else can do anything about it."
After the braised noodles were ready, Yunyi brought a large basin of them next door, along with a bowl of chilled cucumber salad.
Liu Chenglin didn’t hold back. "Now I can finally have a decent meal!"
Huo Jingrui also smiled; Liu Chenglin’s cooking skills were truly dreadful. For Liu Chenglin, as long as the food was cooked, it was good enough; tastiness was out of the question.
The two enjoyed a delightful meal and then went together to return the bowls to Yunyi’s courtyard.
Huo Jingrui said, "Chu Zhiqing, there’s something we’d like to discuss with you."
Yunyi, who had already tidied up, knew their upcoming conversation needed to be confidential. "Let’s talk inside," she suggested.
Since it was already dark, special circumstances called for special measures.
Once they were inside, Huo Jingrui was captivated by the room’s decor, thinking, This Chu Zhiqing truly has an elegant and refined nature; the room is arranged so tastefully. But he quickly refocused.
Yunyi gestured to the nearby stools. "Have a seat."
She poured them each a glass of water, placed them within easy reach, and asked, "What did you want to talk about?" She had, in fact, already guessed.
Huo Jingrui spoke seriously, "Chu Zhiqing, we’ve already reported to the higher-ups about the movements of those people in the mountains and the cave you discovered. The experts should arrive tomorrow afternoon. After they settle in and rest, they will officially head to the cave the day after tomorrow. We’ll need you to lead the way then."
Yunyi nodded. "I have no problem leading the way, but I’ll need your people to handle my leave request from the village."
Huo Jingrui had already planned for this. "Tomorrow morning, someone from the county will come. They’ll tell the village that the county has temporarily requisitioned you to help translate some materials."
The moment he said this, Yunyi understood. So, they’ve investigated me thoroughly, she realized. It would be a lie to say I’m not angry, but I can also understand. "Alright, you handle the arrangements then," she said.
Though Yunyi’s expression showed no change, Huo Jingrui could still sense her displeasure. He couldn’t help but explain, "For safety’s sake, investigating your background was a necessary procedure. Please understand."