Chapter 146: Chapter 146: The Quota to Return to the City

Zhao Nuanyue felt a warmth in her heart. She smiled faintly and said, "Thank you, everyone, for your concern. Actually, Miao Dahai called us over to discuss what happened with Zheng Delin and his group today. They suffered a setback in Nianqiao Village, so Miao Dahai decided to go to the county town tomorrow to explain the situation. We can’t let them beat us to it and twist the story, leaving us with no chance to defend ourselves."

"Oh!" Yang Guanghui nodded. "Yes, you’re right. We can’t let the authorities only hear their side of the story. Uncle Miao should definitely go. If he doesn’t, it will make it seem like Nianqiao Village is in the wrong."

Li Qiong glanced at Zhao Nuanyue, then at Hua Yusen. "Nuanyue, are you going?"

"I’m not going. I fell in the water today and have a fever, so I need to rest for a couple of days," Zhao Nuanyue replied. "Hua will go with them to keep an eye on things. We can’t let those people cause trouble for our village."

Yang Guanghui looked at Hua Yusen with admiration. "Hua, you’re really something else. But when you get there, try not to stick your neck out too much. After all, we’re outsiders here. Our roots aren’t in this place. If trouble starts, we won’t be able to find anyone to help us."

Hua Yusen nodded. "Of course. I won’t be leading the charge."

"Good. Just be careful," Yang Guanghui added. "It’s getting late. Nuanyue isn’t feeling well, and Hua has to get an early start tomorrow. We should all turn in and get some rest."

"Right, right," Li Qiong agreed. "Nuanyue, take some medicine before you sleep. I’ll get up and make breakfast tomorrow, so you don’t have to wake up early."

It was supposed to be Zhao Nuanyue’s turn to cook the next day, but since she wasn’t feeling well, Li Qiong took over to let her get more rest.

"Thank you, Li Qiong," Zhao Nuanyue said gratefully. She always kept a mental note of the kindness people showed her, and she resolved to treat Li Qiong even better in the future.

Everyone went their separate ways, and Zhao Nuanyue returned to her room to rest.

Lying in bed, Zhao Nuanyue’s heart soared. ’So this is what people think of me. They see me as this outstanding and capable.’

’This is a good start. But if I want to see this through to a good end, I’ll have to overcome countless hardships and trials.’

’But I’m ready,’ Zhao Nuanyue thought, confident she could face even fiercer storms. She wouldn’t be alone on the path ahead. She had her younger brother, she had Hua Yusen, and she had Elder Gu and the others. And on top of all that, she possessed a special ability that was hers and hers alone.

Yang Guanghui and Hua Yusen were sharing a room. Both were exhausted, and soon, the sound of snoring filled the air.

Hua Yusen’s heart was ablaze with sweet affection, and his sleep was blissful. Even if he had to face a mountain of blades and a sea of fire tomorrow, at least he had today’s happiness.

When Li Qiong and Wang Yuan returned to their room, they immediately burrowed under the covers, which had been warmed by a bottle of hot salt water.

"Wang Yuan, why are you still awake?" Li Qiong asked. "It’s getting late, and we have work tomorrow!"

Wang Yuan stared blankly for a moment, then silently took off her clothes and slipped under the covers.

Li Qiong blew out the lamp and prepared to sleep.

But beside her, Wang Yuan tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep, sighing under her breath.

"Wang Yuan, what in the world is wrong?" Li Qiong asked. "You’ve seemed out of sorts all day. What’s going on?"

"I-It’s nothing!" Wang Yuan explained hastily. "Really, it’s nothing. I’m probably just tired from work. I don’t feel very well, either."

In the darkness, Li Qiong frowned.

’Wang Yuan isn’t physically sick,’ she thought. ’Something is weighing on her mind.’

’But what could it be?’

Li Qiong didn’t understand, but then she recalled how Wang Yuan had been brooding ever since losing her innocence. After all, it must have been a devastating blow for her.

’But what’s done is done. Time can’t be turned back, so all she can do is accept her fate.’

Wang Yuan didn’t dare to toss and turn anymore. She lay on her side, trying to even out her breathing, but her mind was in turmoil.

Earlier that day, during a break from work, she had gone to the water’s edge to wash her face and had unexpectedly run into Liu Lanhua.

Liu Lanhua had blocked her path, and Wang Yuan had been terrified, assuming the woman was up to no good again.

"Wang Yuan, wait! Just hear me out," Liu Lanhua had said urgently. She had gone to great lengths to find a chance to speak with Wang Yuan alone and couldn’t let it slip away.

Of the group, Liu Lanhua had observed that Zhao Nuanyue was sharp and Li Qiong was frank, but Wang Yuan had a weaker character and was easily persuaded. That was why Liu Lanhua had been keeping an eye on her.

Wang Yuan took two steps to the side, putting some distance between herself and Liu Lanhua, and frowned. "W-What do you want? You’ve already made my life miserable enough. Won’t you just leave me alone?"

Hearing this only made Liu Lanhua happier. ’So, Wang Yuan is afraid of me. That might just be an advantage.’

"Don’t be afraid. It was all a misunderstanding before. Wang Dadan was the one who wanted to harm you, not me," Liu Lanhua said. "The person who framed you and Li Qiong wasn’t me, it was Widow Qian. She’s Wang Dadan’s lover. Since Wang Dadan had taken a fancy to you, she obviously wasn’t happy about it, so she plotted to make you too ashamed to stay in Nianqiao Village."

Wang Yuan was skeptical. She had been burned too many times before to trust anyone easily.

"What is it you really want?" Wang Yuan asked, frightened. "If you’re not going to say anything, I have things to do. I’m leaving."

Liu Lanhua hurried over to block her path again. "Of course, I’m here with good news! You saw Zheng Delin today, didn’t you? He brought so many helpers, and he’s very powerful in the county town. As long as you agree to cooperate with us, we can get you a spot to return to the city."

A spot to return to the city... It was what Wang Yuan dreamed of day and night. But hearing it from Liu Lanhua’s lips made it impossible for her to accept. She had been hurt too many times; she had to be cautious.

’This Liu Lanhua is a sly old fox. I can’t let her trick me.’

"Stop talking. I won’t... I won’t believe you," Wang Yuan refused. "You snuck over here to find me and are using a spot to return to the city to tempt me. You just want me to do your dirty work. I don’t believe you for a second!"

With that, Wang Yuan ran off.

Liu Lanhua shouted after her, "If you don’t agree, you’ll never leave Nianqiao Village! You’re not a virgin anymore. You’ll never find a good husband here. Your life will be ruined!"

Hearing Liu Lanhua’s words, Wang Yuan faltered. The threat had clearly hit a nerve.

"That’s none of your business," Wang Yuan called back without turning, and kept running. But her face was streaked with tears, her heart filled with despair.

Although Liu Lanhua hadn’t convinced Wang Yuan, she had seen a flicker of weakness in the girl’s expression. ’So the little fool is still hopeful about her future. Hmph. Once she’s truly desperate, she’ll come crawling back for my help. And then, she’ll do whatever I say!’

The reason Wang Yuan couldn’t sleep was because of those six words: "a spot to return to the city."

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