Xu Wenwan shifted a little, and then shifted again.

The donkey cart wasn’t very big to begin with, and soon she was right next to Leng Yuan.

Leng Yuan suddenly looked at Village Chief Xu. "Uncle Xu, I want to go into the mountains tomorrow. Could you ask Zhong Shan if he wants to come?"

Village Chief Xu lowered his head in shame. Hearing Leng Yuan’s words, he hurriedly replied.

"Okay."

’He felt truly awful.’

His daughter was trying to ruin the relationship between Leng Yuan and his wife, yet Leng Yuan still remembered to take Zhong Shan into the mountains. The thought moved Village Chief Xu.

’He knew exactly what his own son was capable of.’

The boy was a farmer with plenty of brute strength, but he knew nothing about hunting. He only ever managed to catch any prey because Leng Yuan took him along.

The more he thought about it, the more ashamed he felt. He had to keep a close eye on Xu Wenwan and absolutely could not let her do anything to destroy someone else’s marriage.

As he was thinking this, he looked toward his daughter.

He saw that his daughter, who was originally sitting next to him, had somehow scooted almost right up against Leng Yuan.

Not only was she almost touching him, she also had an infatuated smile on her face.

That smile sent a shiver down Village Chief Xu’s spine.

He didn’t care that the donkey cart was still moving. He stood right up and yanked Xu Wenwan to the side.

Chen Beiguo and the accountant were startled. Chen Beiguo quickly reined in the donkey, while the accountant steadied Village Chief Xu.

"Village Chief, what’s wrong?"

Village Chief Xu pushed Xu Wenwan aside, ensuring she couldn’t get close to Leng Yuan, before feigning an explanation.

"My head feels a bit dizzy. I almost tumbled off just now. It’s probably the cold wind. How about I sit in the middle?"

The accountant and Chen Beiguo didn’t suspect a thing.

"Alright, be careful then."

The two of them helped Village Chief Xu to the middle. Now, it was Village Chief Xu sitting right next to Leng Yuan.

Once everyone was settled, the donkey cart started moving again.

Xu Wenwan was absolutely furious.

She had just gone to all that trouble to scoot next to Leng Yuan. Just when she was about to succeed, her father had yanked her to the other side.

’All that effort for nothing!’

On top of that, her father was now sitting next to Leng Yuan, completely boxing him in. It was impossible for Xu Wenwan to try to move over again.

’Some headache.’

’He’s clearly just trying to hold me back.’

Xu Wenwan was furious. ’Is he my father or my enemy? Why does he always have to ruin everything for me?’

Leng Yuan’s expression didn’t change from beginning to end.

This time, Village Chief Xu didn’t lower his head. He stared fixedly at his daughter, determined not to give Xu Wenwan the slightest chance to pester Leng Yuan.

Xu Wenwan: ...

Her father was watching her like a hawk, guarding against her as if she were a thief.

Xu Wenwan was so angry she could have ground her teeth to dust. Leng Yuan was right there, so close, but her father lay between them like a great river. She couldn’t even touch the hem of his clothes.

The more she thought, the angrier she got, yet there was nothing she could do. Xu Wenwan’s eyes began to redden, and tears instantly welled up.

Not wanting to lose face, she turned her head away so no one would see.

Village Chief Xu: ...

He pretended not to see and turned his face away, but his heart grew even heavier.

’Once we get back, I should have Yun Hao come propose soon!’

’Once she’s married off, I won’t have to worry anymore.’

’It’ll save her from causing a scene and making a complete fool of herself.’

「For the rest of the journey, everyone was unusually quiet.」

Chen Beiguo and the accountant were sitting up front. After leaving the County Town, the frigid wind rushed into their mouths every time they tried to speak, so they had no choice but to stay quiet.

Leng Yuan was a man of few words to begin with.

Village Chief Xu stared intently at his daughter, his eyes sharp.

「They finally entered the village.」

The accountant was the first to get off the cart.

His house was conveniently located right at the village entrance.

Then Leng Yuan jumped down as well. "Brigade Leader, Uncle Xu, I’m heading back too."

Chen Beiguo spoke up. "I’m heading into the village anyway. I can give you a ride."

Leng Yuan shook his head. "I’m going to see Chen JianShe."

Chen JianShe’s house was in the other direction, so it wasn’t on the way.

Xu Wenwan watched Leng Yuan about to leave, her eyes filled with longing. If everyone else hadn’t been there, she would have jumped down and followed him in a heartbeat.