CHAPTER 694: CHAPTER 696: NOT WILLING TO COMMIT ONESELF

"Alright, alright, I’ll go early tomorrow." Hu Aihong was the first to express her stance, followed by other villagers who assured that they would definitely go tomorrow.

Liu Sanmei’s brows gradually furrowed. Seeing their happy faces and vaguely hearing that they planned to go to the factory tomorrow, she thought: Could it be that the factory is fine now? Wasn’t it said that it harmed people? How could it still be operational?

Could it just be a deception?

Liu Sanmei thought to herself.

Ji Ying hadn’t noticed Liu Sanmei. After notifying Hu Aihong, she rode her bicycle through the village, informing each household that had members working at the factory, until she arrived parched at her own doorstep, where she happened to see Zhou He with her child at the entrance.

"Mom, you’re back," Zhou He said with concern, quickly adding, "Mom, there’s warm water inside. Have a drink quickly."

"Has Zhuangzhuang been good?" Ji Ying touched her grandson’s chubby cheeks, feeling indeed thirsty.

"Good, very good indeed," Zhou He replied, her eyes landing on the smile on Ji Ying’s face, she asked, "Mom, is there good news from the factory?"

"Yes."

After drinking a large glass of water, Ji Ying felt much better. She said, "Today we clarified everything, and our factory can resume work tomorrow."

"That’s wonderful." Zhou He was genuinely happy. She had been restless these past days; seeing Xu Nianji and her mother-in-law worried sick to the point of being unable to eat, she felt particularly distressed.

"Right, let’s go have dinner in the county later to celebrate," Ji Ying added, "Nian’an and the others are back."

As she finished speaking, Ji Ying walked out intending to look for Xu Qinghe. She hadn’t yet stepped out when Xu Qinghe, knowing that the factory was safe, had come over, much relieved.

"You, said who is back?" Xu Qinghe had just sighed in relief when he suddenly realized he might have missed something.

Ji Ying grinned and said, "Nian’an and Nianhua are back. They are at the hospital right now."

"They are back?" Xu Qinghe said with joy, then worriedly asked, "Why are they at the hospital and not home? Could something have happened?"

"No, no, no."

Ji Ying hurriedly reassured him, explaining about the hospital situation, especially mentioning Pei Yicheng blocking a knife for Xu Nianhua. Ji Ying was deeply moved, saying that having someone who could protect Nianhua in such dangerous circumstances was the best possible outcome; she would have peace of mind if Nianhua were with him.

Yicheng is a good kid and definitely wouldn’t mistreat Nianhua.

"We should really be grateful to him," Xu Qinghe said, filled with gratitude for Pei Yicheng even without having witnessed the act, based on Ji Ying’s words. He added, "What are we waiting for, then? Let’s hurry to the hospital."

"Mom, we’ll go too."

Zhou He said, picking up her child and heading out the door with the others.

The group walked to the county, which was only about twenty minutes away, not too far.

"Qinghe, what do you think about Yicheng?" Ji Ying asked.

"He’s very good, risking his life to save others. We have to remember this kindness," Xu Qinghe replied, looking at Ji Ying, he asked, "It’s not ancient times anymore, so we no longer promise a marriage for a heroic deed."

Xu Qinghe thought about his own beautiful daughter, hardly willing to let her get married.

"With such a good man, if Nianhua doesn’t seize the opportunity, does she intend to stay at home forever as an old maiden?" Ji Ying glanced at him and said, "I don’t mind supporting Nianhua for a lifetime, but, after we are gone, how lonely will it be for her if she’s alone?"

Nianji is already married, and Nian’an will eventually marry too, leaving Nianhua alone; how lonely would that be?