Chapter 2899

"Besides, even if we knew, we couldn't help much. For now, we can only watch helplessly," Yan Zhong said. He always thought things through carefully.

At this critical stage, one had to protect oneself first to protect others. If you couldn't even protect yourself and rushed to save others, you weren't a hero—you were a fool.

While the Yan family discussed this, Old Zhang arrived at Yan Village under these circumstances.

The people of Yan Village were united. Even if there were conflicts, they resolved them internally. Usually, outside units wouldn't bother them. However, every village was now assigned a few "reformers," so there was no choice. Old Zhang was sent down after Yan Tiehu subtly intervened.

Old Zhang was assigned to the most backward thatched cottage in Yan Village.

It was backward but not dilapidated. The previous owner was a widower who died without heirs. The villagers carried his body out, leaving the house empty. Few people lived there.

Houses left empty for too long would naturally deteriorate, lacking life. So when Old Zhang arrived and was assigned there, no one in Yan Village objected.

Moreover, this house was the oldest in the village, so there was no sense of special treatment.

But for Old Zhang, it was the best arrangement.

Taking advantage of the quiet night, Yan Zhong secretly visited him.

"Old Zhang, why were you so confused this time? You got dragged in by your son," Yan Zhong said. He never thought Old Zhang was a confused man.

Old Zhang sighed. "Forget it. It’s done. Fortunately, I saw the signs early and left myself a way out."

Yan Zhong glanced at him. "Regardless, this is a blessing in disguise."

Old Zhang nodded. "By the way, I heard you have a granddaughter?"

"Yes! My Guai Guai is so obedient. She’s almost two months old and growing well." Yan Zhong’s face lit up with joy at the mention of his granddaughter.

"You finally got your wish. You’ve wanted a granddaughter for ages," Old Zhang said, knowing Yan Zhong’s situation.

Yan Zhong laughed. "Keep a low profile here for a while. I’ll arrange some work for you, like feeding cows or cleaning the shed. It looks dirty, but it’s much better than working in the fields every day. You need to put on a show."

"Don't worry. Since I’m here, I know I’m safe. But many people are watching me," Old Zhang said. "It’s a pity I can’t see your granddaughter."

"There will be a chance," Yan Zhong comforted him.

Yan Village seemed unchanged by Old Zhang’s arrival. Life went on as usual, with people going out to work and earn work points every day.

Time flew, and autumn harvest arrived. By then, Yan Xiwan was nearly five months old.

With the harvest season, the whole family was busy. Even Grandma Yan prepared meals and soup for everyone daily.

So, Wang Suyan carried Yan Xiwan to the fields.

Wang Suyan wasn’t entirely at ease, so she let her sit in a shady spot nearby and gave her a small piece of sugarcane. She couldn’t eat it yet, so she just sucked on it.

Yan Xiwan couldn’t do much about her tiny body. Fortunately, she had always played the role of an obedient child. Sitting in a bamboo carrier, watching everyone work was fun enough.

"Suyan, your daughter is so well-behaved," a woman working nearby said enviously.

"Yes. I’ve had four children. The first three were good, but none are as obedient as our Guai Guai," Wang Suyan said, her face full of satisfaction.

Since having her daughter, their family’s condition had improved. Last month, Yan Tieniu became a tractor driver, a very popular job in the countryside.

To be a tractor driver, one had to know how to drive and repair tractors.

Yan Tieniu had always been curious about such iron machines. When they recruited drivers recently, he learned to drive in just one day.

Thus, he became the only tractor driver in the village.

"Now that your An Niu has risen, your life is getting better and better," another woman said happily.

Wang Suyan smiled. "Sister A Chun, you flatter me. Your A Qiang is also capable. Everyone in these villages knows it."

A Qiang’s full name was Yan Qiang, A Chun’s husband, a carpenter.

In these times, skilled craftsmen were quite well-off.

A Qiang’s skills were famous in the area, so his family lived comfortably. They weren’t rich, but they had enough to eat and wear.

A Chun laughed. "Of course, my A Qiang is good." She added, "By the way, Suyan, if you go back to your娘家 (natal home), could you ask about a girl named Wang Jinhua in Wang Village? She lives at the end of the village. I heard her father is a mason."

"What? Are you looking for a match for your A Jie?" Wang Suyan asked, continuing her work.

"Yes. A Jie is nineteen this year and will be twenty next year. It’s time to start looking," A Chun said.

"Okay. I’ll ask when I visit Wang Village in a few days," Wang Suyan replied.

"If it works out, I’ll treat you to sweet soup," A Chun said with a smile.

"No need for you to spend money. If it happens, it’s A Jie’s fate," Wang Suyan said kindly.

Hearing her mother chat with others, Yan Xiwan admired the skill involved in human interaction. There was still much for her to learn.

"Sister." A little boy approached, seeing Yan Xiwan in the carrier.

"Sister." The boy looked at Yan Xiwan, her eyes sparkling. Attracted by her cuteness, she reached out and pinched her face.

She was just a child and didn’t know her strength. Yan Xiwan felt uncomfortable and burst into tears.

"Yan Xiaopang, how dare you bully my sister!" Yan Zhixin came over, followed by Yan Zhishan.

Yan Zhishan put his hands on his hips, looking at Yan Xiaopang with displeasure. "Yan Xiaopang, you bullied sister. Brother will hit you."

Yan Zhixin snorted and asked Yan Xiaopang, "Why did you bully my sister?"

"I didn’t bully her," Yan Xiaopang said, feeling wronged. He just wanted to play with the cute Yan Xiwan.

"If you didn’t bully her, why is my sister crying?" Yan Zhixin asked, unhappy.

"Brother, sister’s face is red. Xiaopang hit her," Yan Zhishan observed carefully.

Yan Zhixin looked. Indeed, there were red marks on her sister’s face. She had clearly been bullied.