Chapter 118: Waiting to Get into Trouble Together 

Upon hearing Xiang Xinyao’s voice, Hu Dashan reflexively grabbed Uncle Ji, who was about to fall backward, keeping him from hitting the ground.

The next second, Xiang Xinyao and Mo Jinnan were already behind Uncle Ji.

Xiang Xinyao reached out to steady him.

Mo Jinnan lifted his foot and kicked Hu Dashan, sending him flying more than a meter away.

“Ah!”

Hu Dashan let out a miserable cry as he hit the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His eyes rolled back, and he fainted.

“Uncle, are you alright? Did you get hurt?” Xiang Xinyao asked anxiously, looking Uncle Ji over from his head to toe.

Uncle Ji shook his head. “I’m fine. Just as Hu Dashan pushed me, you arrived. He even caught me, so I’m completely unharmed.”

“What happened? Why is he here?”

“He came to steal lumber. I caught him red-handed, and he got agitated. He said he had no firewood at home and didn’t want to go up the mountain in this cold weather. I said a few words to him, and he pushed me. But I didn’t fall since you both came just in time.”

Xiang Xinyao glared coldly at Hu Dashan. “Stealing wood—how brazen!”

Uncle Ji sighed. “Sins! Hu Dashan’s out looking for work, while the two women at home don’t even gather firewood. What kind of life are they leading?”

“Whatever life they’re leading is the Hu family’s business, but stealing my wood is unacceptable. It’s not like firewood is hard to find in the mountains. Just because it’s cold doesn’t mean he can steal from others.”

Mo Jinnan walked over to where Hu Dashan lay unconscious.

Hu Dashan!

This was the man who had mistreated his fiancée for eleven years.

He deserved no mercy!

Mo Jinnan kicked Hu Dashan awake.

When Hu Dashan opened his eyes and saw Mo Jinnan’s icy expression and murderous glare, he felt a chill down his spine, breaking into a cold sweat.

Xiang Xinyao released Uncle Ji and walked over to Hu Dashan, crouching beside him with a mocking smile.

“Stealing my wood—have you ever considered the consequences?”

“Zhaodi, I—”

Before he could beg for mercy, Xiang Xinyao slapped him hard across the face.

“My name is Xiang Xinyao, given to me by my birth parents.”

“Please, I’m begging you, forgive me this once!”

Xiang Xinyao sneered, spitting out one word: “Scram!”

Enduring the pain, Hu Dashan scrambled to his feet and fled the pine grove, tripping over himself in his haste.

Mo Jinnan’s face darkened. “You’re just letting him go like that?”

Xiang Xinyao raised an eyebrow, giving a wicked smile. “Do I seem that easygoing? Stealing my wood comes with a price!”

Mo Jinnan’s eyes gleamed. “What do you have in mind?”

“You’ll find out tonight. Let’s get Uncle back home first.”

“You should head back,” Uncle Ji said. “Weren’t you planning to go to the county? Everything’s fine now. I’ll just stroll around a bit more.”

Mo Jinnan urged, “Uncle, it’s best if you return. That scoundrel’s injured and won’t be causing trouble for at least a month—unless he has a death wish. No one will be stealing the wood again.”

“Just go; I’ll be fine. If I head back now, I’ll just be sitting idle at home. I’d rather keep busy.”

Xiang Xinyao nodded reluctantly. “Alright, but please take care and come back early.”

“Got it. Off you go now!”

With that, Xiang Xinyao and Mo Jinnan started heading back.

Back at the Ji family’s courtyard, Xiang Xinyao still felt uneasy. She asked Ji Chunhua to bring along the old scholar to accompany Uncle Ji in the pine grove.

After making sure everything was settled, Xiang Xinyao finally boarded the carriage and took her family to the county.

Upon arrival, she went to find Han Dongsheng and Wu Yinghai to inform them about her upcoming trip to Bianjing.

“Big Brother Han,” she said, “I’ll bring enough seasoning for six months on the fourth day of the new year. While I’m away, if you have the chance, could you check on my new house now and then?”

“If the Ji family faces any difficulties, please lend them a hand. When I return, I’ll repay you in full with interest,” Xiang Xinyao said.

Han Dongsheng’s expression turned serious. “Xinyao, that’s not right. Even though you now have a biological brother, Brother Wu and I are also your brothers. Talking about paying us back with interest—is it because you have a real brother now that you don’t need us two sworn brothers anymore?”

“Of course not. But I can’t let you and Brother Wu be at a loss, can I?”

“Oh, cut it out! When have you ever made us suffer a loss? It’s always us benefiting from you.”

“Alright, I have to go get some New Year’s supplies now.”

Xiang Xinyao stood up, preparing to leave.

“Xinyao, come join us for lunch today,” Han Dongsheng called after her. “Think of it as a farewell meal for you.”

“Alright, I’ll be here at noon.”

Xiang Xinyao and Mo Jinnan, along with her family, strolled through the bustling county streets. They bought red paper, firecrackers, and lots of peanuts, melon seeds, candy, and pastries.

Seeing everyone carrying big bags of purchases, Mo Jinnan suggested, “I’ll ask Rufeng to bring two more carriages over. It’ll make it easier to bring everything back on the fourth day of the new year.”

“Have him bring the carriages to Fumanlou,” Xiang Xinyao said. “We’ll have lunch there and continue shopping afterward.”

Mo Jinnan nodded. “Got it.”

After he left, Xiang Xinyao led her family to Fumanlou.

They enjoyed lunch at Fumanlou, and afterward, bought even more supplies: fabric, silk thread, ready-made clothes, and some winter dates. Xiang Xinyao also bought two new sets of dishes and chopsticks—everything needed to be fresh for the new year.

The goods filled one carriage, while the other two were for people, giving them much more space than when they came.

When they returned to Dawai Village, Aunt Ji and Ji Chunhua were already busy preparing dinner.

Xiang Xinyao approached Uncle Ji. “Did the Hu family cause any trouble?”

Uncle Ji smiled and shook his head. “No, I doubt he’d dare. But your Uncle Ji spread word about it. Some of the workers from the site came by after lunch. They said they’d visit the pine grove more often over the next few days to prevent anyone from stealing the bricks, tiles, or lumber.”

Xiang Xinyao’s eyes curved into a smile. Most of the villagers knew gratitude, and it was worth all her efforts to help them prosper together.

As for the Hu family…

Hmph!

Daring to steal her wood—they would have to face the consequences.

If anyone dared to take even a brick or tile from her, she’d get back double.

After dinner, Xiang Xinyao joined both families in preparing ingredients for the next day, making sure everything that could be done ahead was ready.

In the middle of the night, Xiang Xinyao slipped out of her space, planning to head out secretly.

Mo Jinnan was leaning against the door, speaking softly, “What took you so long? I’ve been waiting.”

Xiang Xinyao frowned. “Why are you up instead of sleeping?”

Mo Jinnan raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Waiting to get into trouble with you.”

“Hehe, let’s go then!”

They quietly opened the door, stepped outside, and then closed it softly. Side by side, they headed toward the Hu family’s house.

The winter night in the village was exceptionally quiet, their footsteps echoing in the silence.

Outside the Hu family courtyard, Mo Jinnan frowned. “So, this is the family that bought you?”

Damn, they were so poor!

His fiancée had truly suffered a lot.

Xiang Xinyao nodded. “That’s right, this is the place.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“Climb up to the roof and take down their roof beam—put it in the courtyard.”