"Alright, leave this to me." Yang Dayong went up to Yang Lichun, who naturally resisted and struggled, but she was no match for Dayong. Dachuan and Dayong quickly subdued her and took her away to the authorities.
Once Lichun had been taken away, Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an returned Land Officer Yang home before heading back to the third branch of the family.
Ms. Wang was at home, using the cloth she’d bought last time to sew some clothes. Because the Qingrui brothers had taken a leave from school, they were now playing with a few chow chows.
"We owe today’s success to these puppies!" As she said this, Chuxia went over to pick up one of the dogs and pet its head.
At this, Zi’an laughed and said, "That’s all thanks to your training. Otherwise, how would they be so clever?"
"That’s true. We should reward them with some extra bones at dinner time." Chuxia suggested, holding the little chow chow.
She remembered that Ms.Hua Junior’s family was now in jail and said to Zi’an, "Brother An, now that Ms.Hua Junior and Ziyong are locked up, they’ll surely be driven out even if they’re released. We’ve got to retrieve your father’s items from their possession when we talk to our grandfather."
Chuxia thought about the pretty good house that used to belong to Ms.Hua Junior, which was much better than the two thatched cottages Zi’an had. Even the courtyard was bigger. It frustrated her that such a place had been occupied by such a person for so long.
"We’ll see what grandfather says." Zi’an gave an understanding nod. It was his father’s property, after all, and he had never given up hope of reclaiming it.
Since Ms. Wang hadn’t been to the village, she heard about Yang Dongzhi being found from Yang Qingrui, but the details were unclear. Hearing her children’s conversation, she asked, "What’s going on? Why is Ms. Hua Junior being driven out too?"
"Didn’t my younger brother tell you that Yang Dongzhi was captured by Ms.Hua Junior’s oldest son and Burly Lu?"
Ms. Wang shook her head at this.
So, Chuxia recounted the full story to her. Ms.Wang bit her lower lip irritably after hearing it.
"That’s too cruel! How can people from the same village behave this way..."
Chuxia, seeing her mother’s indignation, thought to herself that if she knew that Yang Dongzhi was no longer a virgin, this would really make her mad.
Eventually, Chuxia couldn’t bear her mother’s anger any longer and interrupted, "Mother, neither Zi’an nor I have eaten yet!"
"My, I had completely forgotten! I kept the food and dishes warm on the stove, waiting for your dad to come back for dinner. They should still be hot."
Saying this, Ms. Wang got up to go to the kitchen. Zi’an and Chuxia tagged along. After they finished eating, Chuxia went to check up on Old Yang in the adjoining room.
When Chuxia walked in, Old Yang was leaning against the bed, lost in thought.
"Grandfather, are you feeling better? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
Seeing Chuxia come in, Old Yang blinked his cloudy eyes and shook his head. "I’m fine. Just lost some blood, it’s no big deal."
"That’s good. If you feel unwell, let us know. If you want anything to eat, tell my mom. She will make it for you."
Old Yang didn’t have much energy. He remained silent, only nodding his head in response.
Seeing this, Chuxia said, "Grandfather, don’t worry about the old house in the future. Just live with us in the third branch of the family. And don’t worry about the fourth branch as well. Fourth Uncle has his own thoughts. As for what you told me last time, I will keep it in mind. If there’s any danger to life, I will definitely not stand by."
What she was referring to was the concern Old Yang expressed last time about taking care of the fourth branch of the family. She really had no wish to do so, but in consideration for Old Yang’s feelings she added that last sentence.