Zhang Rou’s words moved Luo Yanran, at least a little.
She had to admit that Jiang Chen’s actions today had genuinely surprised her.
Luo Yanran had never imagined that the guy who had “run away” back then would ever return, much less expect him to help her out of two massive crises on his very first day back.
However, the moment he reappeared, the events from five years ago also resurfaced in her mind.
It made her reluctant to forgive him just like that.
Noticing Luo Yanran’s expression, Zhang Rou threw her hands up with a smile.
“I’m just saying.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what to do.
But since he did help you out today, you should at least go say thank you.”
“I’ll think about it after we get back,” Luo Yanran replied, letting out a heavy sigh.
She looked somewhat conflicted.
“If you aren’t going to, then I will!”
Zhang Rou flashed a grin at her, then jogged ahead.
“Even though his main intention was to help you,” she called over her shoulder, “he still helped the whole village weather a storm today.”
Watching Zhang Rou run up to Jiang Chen, chatting and laughing with him, Luo Yanran felt a complex swirl of emotions.
She trailed silently behind them.
It seemed as though she was afraid of walking side-by-side with him, yet a larger part of her simply wanted to eavesdrop on their conversation.
On the way back.
Zhang Rou patted Jiang Chen’s shoulder.
“Jiang Chen, were you scared facing those people from Liu Family Village just now?”
Jiang Chen grinned.
“Of course I was.
Good thing I managed to bluff Liu Jinshan.
If they had all rushed me at once, you guys would be carrying me to a doctor right now!”
“HAHA!”
Zhang Rou chuckled.
“No way.
You looked like you had everything completely under control.
How could you possibly be scared of Liu Jinshan!”
“Well, I’m a man.
I can’t say I can’t do it when it counts!” Jiang Chen shrugged with a smile.
Zhang Rou glanced back at Luo Yanran, then teased, “Say, if Liu Jinshan and his guys had actually beaten you up just now, do you think Yanran’s heart would ache for you?”
Jiang Chen pondered for a moment.
“Definitely.
She’s my wife.
How could it not?”
“You keep calling her your wife, but Yanran doesn’t even see you as her boyfriend!”
“It’s a long road ahead.
I’ll just take it one step at a time!”
Zhang Rou nodded and leaned in close to his ear, whispering, “I can help you, you know!”
“Really?” Jiang Chen’s eyes lit up.
“That would be fantastic!”
“However…” Zhang Rou gave him a meaningful smile.
“I won’t help you for nothing!”
“Name your terms!” Jiang Chen said. Enjoying the story? Read on at g.com.
Zhang Rou rubbed her hands together, looking at him somewhat sheepishly.
Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.
“Just so we’re clear, as a married man, my services are strictly professional.
I don’t sell my body!”
Hearing this, Zhang Rou playfully punched his shoulder in exasperation.
“What are you thinking?
I just want you to do me a favor!”
“What kind of favor?” he asked.
“Xianhuang Village is economically backward, and we don’t have any reliable sources of income.
I was thinking, since you and Yanran both came from the city, you have broad horizons and real skills.
Could you maybe give me some ideas from time to time to help improve Xianhuang Village?” She sighed.
“Even though I studied outside for a few years, my practical abilities and experience are still lacking.
Like today—if you hadn’t stepped in, I really wouldn’t have known what to do.
Honestly, I’m a pretty terrible interim village chief.”
Jiang Chen smiled.
“You want to modernize the village and lead everyone to wealth?”
“You could say that,” Zhang Rou nodded.
“That will require some careful thought.
Actually, Xianhuang Village is in a pretty good geographical location, and it has unique resources we could utilize.
It wouldn’t be impossible to transform this place.” Jiang Chen paused for a moment before continuing, “How about this?
It’s getting late today.
Tomorrow, you can show me around the area, and then I’ll give you some of my suggestions.”
Hearing this, Zhang Rou was overjoyed.
“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear!
When the time comes, I’ll call Yanran along and give you two some alone time!”
As they spoke, they arrived back in the village.
Zhang Rou waved at Jiang Chen.
“See you tomorrow, bye!”
“See you tomorrow!”
Jiang Chen and Zhang Rou had kept their voices very low during their conversation.
This was actually intentional on Zhang Rou’s part.
As a result, Luo Yanran, who was trailing behind them, hadn’t heard a single word.
Right now, although she feigned indifference, she was dying to know what the two of them had been whispering about.
Lost in her thoughts, she completely missed that Jiang Chen had suddenly stopped walking.
When she finally looked up, she slammed hard right into his back.
“OUCH!”
Jiang Chen turned around, and Luo Yanran hastily took two steps back.
Seeing her clutching her forehead, Jiang Chen laughed.
“My dear wife, even if you wanted to back-hug me, there’s no need to be so enthusiastic!”
“Who wants to hug you!” Rubbing her sore forehead, Luo Yanran shot him a glare.
“If you didn’t want to hug me, then why did you throw yourself at me?”
“I…
I just wasn’t looking!” Her small face flushed red as she continued walking forward.
However, she stopped after just two steps. The source of this chapter is g.com.
She turned back to ask, “How do you plan to deal with that land?”
Jiang Chen shrugged with a smile.
“I gave it to you, so you can do whatever you want with it.
Just leave a little plot for me!”
“You rented it from Liu Jinshan.
Why would you give it to me?”
“You don’t want it?
Then I’ll go return it to Liu Jinshan.” Jiang Chen made a pained expression.
“That’s half a million!
With that kind of money, I could build a fancy two-story house right here!”
Normally, Luo Yanran would have definitely told him to return it.
After all, she didn’t want to owe him anything.
However, that land was the sole source of income for everyone in Xianhuang Village.
She couldn’t afford to be so selfish.
Her lips parted slightly as she asked, “Then…
can that land be given to the villagers?”
Jiang Chen spread his hands.
“Like I said, the land is yours.
What you do with it is your business.”
“And if I let the villagers farm it, would you be mad?” she pressed.
“Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?”
“What’s the truth?
And what’s the lie?” Luo Yanran asked.
“The truth is that I’d be mad.
They were willing to throw you to the wolves just to protect their own interests, and that’s something I can’t tolerate.
The lie is that I wouldn’t be mad.
After all, this place is your new starting point.
If you want to gain a foothold here, you need to acquire more resources to grow your influence.
And this land is just something easily attainable anyway.
If you want to give it away, then so be it.”
“Easily attainable?” Luo Yanran was taken aback.
“That’s half a million!”
“It’s just money.” Jiang Chen smiled nonchalantly.
“Besides, in less than three days, Liu Jinshan will take the initiative to return that half a million back to me!”
Luo Yanran looked up, taking in his confident expression.
“You’re bragging.
Liu Jinshan is a penny-pinching miser.
Half a million isn’t a small sum; how could he possibly return it to you willingly?”
“Then…
care to make a bet?” Jiang Chen asked with a playful grin.