When the old lady heard this, she immediately became displeased. She quickly looked at Yu Dingguo beside her and urged, “Boy from the Yu family, what are you standing there for? Hurry and go out to call people! Let everyone come and see how this wild girl beats her elders and shows no filial respect!”
Having received the order, Yu Dingguo was about to head out when a cold snort came from outside the door.
“Call who? Are the few of us not enough?”
Hearing the voice, Yu Nian’an instinctively turned toward the doorway it was Lin Zhi and the other two.
Ye Xiao was blocking Yu Dingguo from leaving, while Lin Zhi walked over to check if she was hurt. Gu Shen came in last and thoughtfully latched the courtyard gate from the inside.
Seeing this, Old Madam Wang, who had just been full of schemes, immediately sensed something was wrong.
“Y-you… I’m telling you, I’m your grandmother! You can’t act recklessly…”
Her voice was broken and trembling it was clear she was afraid. Yu Nian’an leaned down slightly in front of her, studying her.
“Back then you cut ties with my mother. Now that she’s dead, you suddenly remember me, your granddaughter? Go on what exactly do you want?”
Hearing this, the old lady immediately grew regretful and hurriedly pointed at Yu Dingguo, whose hands had already been restrained.
“It was him! It was all his idea! He said I should come make the decision to marry you off to him, and then this house would be mine.”
At this point, the old lady had completely lost her earlier arrogance. The house wasn’t as good as Yu Dingguo had described just sturdier, but small with few rooms. And from the situation now, she clearly couldn’t control Yu Nian’an.
As for the few people who had shown up, they were obviously on the girl’s side.
Having lived a lifetime, she was best at reading the situation.
“Girl, look… I’ve been out for quite a while. My family is probably getting worried. How about…” she said with an awkward laugh, inching toward the door.
Yu Nian’an gave a half-smile. “Leaving already? Not going to call everyone over to judge the matter?”
At that, Old Madam Wang stiffened and quickly forced a laugh. “No, no it was this old woman speaking nonsense!”
Seeing how adaptable she was, Yu Nian’an clicked her tongue. Since things had come to this, she let it go after all, the woman still held the title of an elder.
She nodded casually. “Since you’re in such a hurry to go home, why not leave now? Or do you want to wait and go together with this one surnamed Yu?”
Yu Nian’an cast a light glance at Yu Dingguo, and Old Madam Wang immediately rushed toward the door.
“No, no, I don’t know him well at all. Young man, could you step aside?”
The last sentence was directed at Gu Shen.
After closing the door earlier, he had been standing there. Now, seeing that she wanted to leave, he looked to Yu Nian’an. Only after she nodded did he slide the latch aside.
The moment the door opened a crack, the old lady hurriedly pushed it wide and ran out.
Once she left, Gu Shen closed the door again.
By now, Yu Dingguo had completely cowered. He hadn’t expected Old Madam Wang to be all bluster at home but useless in real situations.
If he’d known, he would’ve had her bring more family members.
Now his hands were restrained, and he had no idea who these people were whoever was holding him had such strength that he couldn’t break free.
The wound on his head throbbed faintly, and his arm burn hadn’t been treated yet. He cursed inwardly but put on a flattering smile.
“Nian’an, don’t listen to that old woman’s nonsense. We’re family how could I possibly have designs on you?”
“Yes, we are family.”
After saying this, Yu Nian’an walked up to him. His heart trembled, and he quickly turned his head aside, afraid she might slap him again.
This girl really dared to hit.
Facing his wary gaze, Yu Nian’an instead smiled. “Cousin, remember this things don’t happen more than three times. Today is the third.”
She didn’t say it outright, but Yu Dingguo understood perfectly.
He nodded frantically. “Sister, I was wrong! I won’t come trouble you again. From now on, I’ll stay far away whenever I see you!”
Yu Nian’an pointed at the injuries on his head and arm. “If Auntie sees this, she’ll be upset. Next time, don’t come again.”
With that, Ye Xiao released his grip. Yu Dingguo hurriedly scrambled up, ran to the door without looking back, and when Gu Shen didn’t move to open it, he pulled the latch open himself.
The farce finally came to an end. Yu Nian’an turned back to the others and smiled apologetically.
“Sorry you had to see that.”
Lin Zhi stepped forward, linking arms with her. “What are you saying? I should be asking you did they bully you?”
Yu Nian’an shook her head. “No. Luckily you all arrived in time, otherwise I wouldn’t have known how to handle it.”
“We just happened to pass by and heard the commotion in your yard,” Ye Xiao said as he walked to the water vat, scooped a ladle of water, and rinsed the hand he had used to restrain Yu Dingguo.
Then he added, “Your cousin doesn’t look like an easy person. You live alone, so be careful. If anything happens, come to the educated youth station to find us anytime.”
They had heard the earlier conversation between her and the old lady and naturally knew she was now an orphan without support. Not wanting to touch a sore subject, they didn’t ask further.
Though Gu Shen didn’t speak, his gaze toward her carried concern.
Yu Nian’an noticed and met his eyes. They had only known each other for a few days, yet they cared for her this much it warmed her heart.
She quickly went inside to bring out stools for them to sit on.
Lin Zhi followed to help and only then noticed the kang bed and wardrobe inside had been completely ransacked.
“These people are too much!”
Lin Zhi muttered as she folded the blankets. As for the wardrobe, it was too private, so she didn’t touch it.
After a while, the four sat in the courtyard, enjoying a rare moment of peace. By unspoken agreement, no one brought up the unpleasantness from earlier.
Then Gu Shen suddenly noticed the half-dug well. Guessing that Uncle Jianping and the others had left because of the old lady’s arrival, he pointed at it hesitantly. “This… are you still digging it?”
“Of course. But Uncle Jianping was probably angered. I’m not sure if he’s still willing to come back to work.”
At the mention of this, Yu Nian’an felt uncertain.
Old Madam Wang’s verbal attacks were fierce no one knew what harsh things she had said to drive even the good-tempered Uncle Jianping away.
The other three exchanged glances, and finally Lin Zhi suggested, “How about we go to Uncle Jianping’s place and bring him back? This isn’t your fault we’re not afraid! Besides, he’s being paid by the day.”
That was true, but Yu Nian’an still felt unsure.
Seeing this, Ye Xiao stood up first. Lin Zhi followed, pulling her along toward the door.
Gu Shen picked up the lock Lin Zhi had left by the window, stepped out last, and locked the courtyard gate behind them.