Chapter 44 – Let Yan Dabao Handle the Inspection

As Yi An’an watched Yan Dabao hobble away, she recalled what Zhan Nan Hui had said the previous night. Why was he so sure that Yan Dabao hadn’t taken the watch? Could Yan Dabao’s injuries have something to do with him?

Yi An’an glanced at the missing watch notice. No matter what, she had to find a way to recover it.

Not long after Yi An’an left, Chen Sisi stood in front of the missing watch notice. She sneered and tore it down, viciously throwing it to the ground.

Now that Yi An’an had lost Zhan Nan Hui’s mother’s heirloom, Chen Sisi didn’t believe he would ever forgive Yi An’an!

Chen Sisi quietly touched the watch on her wrist, her face brimming with a victorious smile, and headed straight to the pigsty.

Zhan Nan Hui was feeding pigs when he saw Chen Sisi approach. He frowned with impatience.

“Nan Hui, you lost your watch? I saw that Yi An’an put up a notice at the village entrance to find it,” Chen Sisi said cheerfully. Seeing the blanket inside the pigsty, she felt even more pleased and moved closer. “You fought hard to keep that watch all those years ago. You only lent it to her, and she didn’t even treasure it!”

Zhan Nan Hui said nothing and continued pouring feed, loudly banging the trough to drown her voice.

“That was your mother’s keepsake! The only thing she left you, and she just lost it like that. So irresponsible!” Chen Sisi persisted, circling behind him, twirling in her new skirt to catch his attention.

Yi An’an had arrived outside the pigsty at that moment. She hesitated, then stayed outside, just in time to hear what Chen Sisi said.

“How do you know Yi An’an lost the watch?” Zhan Nan Hui suddenly looked up, staring coldly at Chen Sisi.

Chen Sisi froze, her eyes flickering. “If she didn’t lose it, why would she try so hard to find it? Last time, she was the one wearing it.”

Zhan Nan Hui glanced at her skirt and sneered, “That watch was for the Zhan family’s daughter-in-law. Whether she wears it or loses it, it has nothing to do with you.”

Chen Sisi blushed in embarrassment. “Nan Hui, I’m just heartbroken for you. Even in such hard times, you didn’t sell that watch—it means everything to you! I’m sad for you, and this is how you treat me?”

Zhan Nan Hui said coldly, “I don’t need your sympathy.”

Chen Sisi’s eyes filled with tears. “Nan Hui, what do I have to do for you to forgive me? I told you already—I’m still a virgin, really!”

She grabbed his hand and tried to press it to her chest.

Zhan Nan Hui immediately raised the pig-feed stick and placed it between them.

Some feed splashed onto Chen Sisi’s new skirt. She stepped back quickly, heart aching for the stained dress, but held herself back.

“Chen Sisi, there are some things I don’t want to spell out, because I can’t even bring myself to say them. But if you keep pestering me like this, don’t blame me for being harsh!” Zhan Nan Hui said sternly. “Why don’t you let Yan Dabao go get checked—right at the Yan family’s front gate!”

Chen Sisi’s face went pale. So he had known about that incident all along and simply chose not to speak.

Was it because he didn’t want to say it—or because he couldn’t be bothered?

Outside, Yi An’an listened with great satisfaction.

So Zhan Nan Hui wasn’t clueless after all!

“Honey!” Yi An’an poked her head in with a sweet smile. “Chen Comrade is here too? Didn’t I already tell you not to bother my husband while he’s studying?”

Yi An’an swayed her hips as she entered and placed a food box on the shabby table nearby.

Chen Sisi quickly pulled herself together. No matter what, Zhan Nan Hui hadn’t caught her red-handed. As long as she didn’t admit anything, she’d be fine. Besides, he had moved his blanket to the pigsty, so he must be at odds with Yi An’an. She had to take full advantage of that.

“Nan Hui, it was Yan Dabao who harassed me. Didn’t you go get revenge for me? Thank you for that. I’ll come back to ask you about the question later—I’ll be going now!” Chen Sisi said in a soft voice, loud enough for Yi An’an to hear. “Oh, and I’ll keep an eye out for your watch too!”

With that, Chen Sisi turned and walked past Yi An’an, giving her a smug smirk before striding off arrogantly.

Yi An’an frowned slightly. If she hadn’t overheard everything outside, she might’ve been fooled by Chen Sisi!

“I made meat and walnut dumplings. Come eat!” Yi An’an opened two covered bowls from the basket—steam still rising from the dumplings.

Zhan Nan Hui nodded and took the food outside.

Yi An’an followed with a small wooden stool.

The midday sun was warm, bathing them in a gentle light.

Yi An’an squinted, feeling drowsy. She glanced at his broad, strong shoulders, really wanting to lean on them.

Zhan Nan Hui ate the dumplings heartily, looking very content.

“I’m really sorry about the watch…” Yi An’an said quietly. “But I’ll do everything I can to find it.”

“It’s just a material thing,” Zhan Nan Hui replied softly.

Yi An’an blinked in surprise. She hadn’t expected him to be so understanding—she thought he would keep ignoring her.

Zhan Nan Hui quickly finished and handed her the bowl and chopsticks. “It’s dirty here. You should head back early.”

Yi An’an looked at the pigsty. Though it had been cleaned as best as possible, the smell was still overpowering.

“Where are the piglets? I want to see them!” she asked suddenly. “You’ve been staying here for days. They must’ve been born already, right?”

Zhan Nan Hui hesitated. The piglets had been born days ago—he was just using this as an excuse to avoid cold showers.

“Over there…” he pointed.

Yi An’an went to see the piglets and smiled. “Since they’ve been born, come home tonight. It’s damp, cold, and smelly here—no place for a human to sleep!” she said, picking up his bedding. “I’ll take it home and air it out. It smells terrible!”

Zhan Nan Hui tried to stop her, but she carried it off anyway.

He frowned slightly. Looks like he’d have to go home tonight.

Later, Chen Sisi, after a bit of hesitation, pestered the injured Yan Dabao into arranging for someone to drive her to town using the village tractor.

Compared to her chance to go to school, what was one Zhan Nan Hui?

That watch could change her future—she had no intention of returning it!

That afternoon, Zhan Nan Hui quietly changed into black clothes, put on a black hat, and snuck into town using the small trail.

By dusk, Chen Sisi returned—looking troubled.

That evening, Yi An’an made two dishes and a soup, waiting for Zhan Nan Hui to come home for dinner. But she waited and waited, and still he didn’t show up.

Just as she was about to check the pigsty, Zhan Nan Hui walked in—smiling.