CHAPTER 48: CHAPTER 48: WHO DOESN’T KNOW WHAT’S GOOD FOR THEM?

He Chen didn’t say the last sentence out loud. When it came to Ye Manman, he always had concerns deep in his heart, fearing that overly intense feelings would scare her away.

After all, she clearly didn’t remember things from her childhood.

The past between them was not something pleasant to bring up again, and he didn’t want to remind her of those sad and hopeless days.

The next day, the rain completely stopped. Most of the houses in the village with lower terrain were largely destroyed, and no one knew how those families managed to get through the night.

For several days afterward, the village was filled with sorrow until Ye Xiaotong suddenly came to the town with Xie Fengmian to donate money.

"Everyone, if you’re free, hurry up and gather at the square. Our village has suffered badly in this disaster. The Xie Family’s farm, that raises chickens and ducks, has specially come to bring warmth to our village. Every household will receive something! Come quickly to collect it!"

The team leader shouted through a loudspeaker, alongside him, running with a proud and delighted face, were Ye Xiaotong and a smiling Xie Fengmian.

Someone ran out from a heavily damaged house, incredulously asking.

"Really? What do they have for us? We can’t go on like this, our kitchen is destroyed, we’ve been gnawing on raw sweet potatoes for three days, the children are so hungry they cry every day."

The middle-aged woman looked haggard and sallow, while a similarly pale and skinny young boy stood timidly behind her, watching them hesitantly.

The team leader felt heartbroken, just as he was about to speak, Ye Xiaotong ran ahead of him and handed the boy a piece of corn candy, her face full of sympathy.

"Here, have a piece of candy first. I’ve prepared a duck for every household. We’ll be distributing them later, and very soon you’ll have meat to eat."

She generously acted out of kindness, but the woman did not seem particularly joyful after hearing her words.

She even looked somewhat anxious.

"This... just one duck isn’t enough for us; there are six of us. It would be better to exchange it for some rice or flour, which lasts longer."

The woman spoke cautiously, noticing the abrupt change in Ye Xiaotong’s expression, she quickly pretended to smile happily.

"But having a duck is already really good. We haven’t had meat in so long. This is a chance for the family to replenish after all that suffering. Come on, thank sister."

The woman tugged at the boy behind her, and he clutched the candy tightly, awkwardly thanking Ye Xiaotong.

Only then did Ye Xiaotong’s face brighten, and she returned to Xie Fengmian with a smiling face, continuing to spread the word about their warm-hearted efforts throughout the village with the team leader.

In fact, she originally didn’t want to send ducks to the villagers who didn’t understand, those women made her extremely angry last time.

But in a past life, Ye Manman did the same.

She remembered Xie Fengmian smoothly reaching the position of mayor in the past life, largely aided by the act of extending warmth to the disaster-stricken, which helped him narrowly defeat another competitor.

She also wanted to be the mayor’s wife!

The team leader didn’t know her intentions, he diligently went house to house with his loudspeaker, soon reaching the He Family.

At this moment, He Chen had just returned from town a short while ago and was cooking, with smoke swirling inside the house and a fragrant smell in the air. The enticing aroma of the food left those who came to deliver warmth bewildered.

"Wasn’t it supposed to be a severe disaster? How come they’re eating so well?"

Xie Fengmian looked puzzled at Ye Xiaotong, unaware that this was the He Family.

Ye Xiaotong appeared puzzled as well. She knew it was the He Family and had been eager to come to their house first, thinking Ye Manman would be there with a worried expression.

But she was bewildered at that moment.

To knock or not to knock?

The three of them exchanged glances, the team leader stood firm despite the mouth-watering aroma, and resolutely knocked on the He Family’s door.

Soon, He Chen opened the door.

Seeing the visitors, he deliberately ignored the two standing behind.

"What’s going on, Captain? Is there something you need?"

When the door was closed, the aroma was already too tempting for them, and with it opened, the wonderful scent further filled their noses.

The team leader couldn’t help but swallow, involuntarily glancing toward the He Family’s kitchen.

"You’re cooking? Smells good, did you catch something again?"

He Chen acknowledged with a brief "hmm," not saying much but gestured with his eyes for the team leader to continue talking.

The team leader cleared his throat, feeling a bit abrupt himself just then.

"It’s like this, our village suffered extensive damage, and the Xie Family from the town has come here specifically to provide warmth. They’re giving each household a duck, the gathering will be at the square."

The team leader said, as if he’d just recalled their relationship, slapped his thigh, and laughed.

"Oh, silly me, I almost forgot, you two families are connected by marriage. This visit also becomes an opportunity to check on family."

As he spoke, Xie Fengmian’s nostrils nearly flared with arrogance.

He cast a disdainful glance at He Chen, eyeing his washed-out old jacket, his tone unmistakably proud.

"The captain is right, I seldom visit the village and haven’t been to their house yet. This might be a good chance while the captain handles the next few houses letting us catch up with the brother-in-law."

His tone was lofty, without considering if He Chen would welcome them inside.

The team leader, unaware of the tension between them, thought that extending warmth was good enough and left satisfied, waving goodbye.

Xie Fengmian patted his spotless new coat and deliberately trod on the ground to show off his new leather shoes before intending to step inside.

Ye Xiaotong clung to his arm, lifting her skirt like a princess visiting the countryside for the first time, critically scanning around as she followed him.

But then He Chen suddenly spoke up.

"Wait."

His hand on the door, not showing any intent to let them in, instead looking at them with an amused expression.

"I didn’t say you could come in."

Xie Fengmian paused, looking up at him.

"What do you mean by that? Are we not welcome?"

Ye Xiaotong frowned, showing her discontent toward him.

"You should be thankful we’re willing to visit your home, brother-in-law. Don’t be ungrateful, after all, in these mountains, you won’t always be able to catch prey. Eating well now doesn’t mean you’ll have meat every day, later we were planning to give your family a duck."

"Who’s being ungrateful?"

A soft, clear voice suddenly emerged from the yard.

He Chen slightly stepped aside, allowing Ye Manman to see them both.

Today she wore a newly bought milky-white long-sleeve knitted dress, adorned with exquisitely beautiful lace at the collar and cuffs.

Her slender waist loosely encircled by a thin belt highlighted her graceful figure, her long hair styled into a loose bun with a few strands draping along her face, and her makeup-free face exuded a striking intellectual beauty.

Even Xie Fengmian was momentarily stunned, staring fixedly at her, the amazement in his eyes not disguised.

Until Ye Xiaotong sharply pinched him, prompting an awkward cough from Xie Fengmian, who tried to regain his composed gentlemanly demeanor.

He Chen was already displeased with the way Xie Fengmian was staring at his wife, his face dark with anger, reasoning barely kept him from slamming the door in his face.

Ye Manman walked to the entrance, crossed her arms, and slightly curled her lips, looking at them with a mocking expression.

"Did I hear wrong? Did sister say we’re ungrateful?"