Chapter 10: Not Easily Trusting

Zhou Yu worked tirelessly day and night, but there were only so many people around him he could rely on, and he simply couldn’t be everywhere at once.

At first, he had only wanted to carve out a place for himself through his own abilities. Later, he was motivated by compassion and genuinely wanted to do something for the common people.

When the app “Sky Eye Check” was closed, An’an nodded solemnly and heavily. What a good person!

She twisted her little body and stretched out her small hands toward Zhou Yu, showing a pure and adorable smile while babbling “Ah ah.”

Zhao Hu thought his precious little niece was calling for him. He quickly patted her back gently and said softly, “Be good, Anbao. Uncle will be back soon.”

An’an extended a pale little hand and pressed it against his face. Before he could smile, she exerted force. Move aside! Uncles are common, but handsome uncles who give energy points are rare!

Zhao Hu suddenly felt a strong force pulling his face away!

Then An’an’s hand continued reaching toward Zhou Yu, her mouth constantly babbling, “Ah ah ah”—Come on, dummy! Hold me!

Qin Ying was afraid her precious daughter might strain her waist, so she quickly took her down from her back and held her in her arms, gently patting her: “Good girl, that’s the lord.”

She had already noticed that everyone revolved around Zhou Yu, and they all had a dignified and impressive presence.

This indicated that his identity wasn’t as simple as he claimed—just someone working at the county office.

But An’an didn’t care about any of that. She was just stubbornly reaching out to Zhou Yu.

What a great source of energy—no way I’m missing out on this!

Zhou Yu saw that An’an was fair and clean, her little face delicate like a lotus petal. Her round, bright eyes under arched brows sparkled with intelligence. Her small mouth resembled a peach blossom just about to bloom in early spring—she was absolutely adorable.

He couldn’t help but take a few steps toward Qin Ying, raising his hand to respond.

An’an’s smile grew even bigger. Yes, like that! Come, hurry up!

But Qin Ying immediately turned away with An’an in her arms. “Good girl, let’s go home and eat porridge.” She walked away briskly.

Zhao Hu also deliberately blocked Zhou Yu’s path and said, “Lord, let me take you to Old Master Chen’s house. He’s not the head of the village, but nowadays, we all follow his lead.”

Zhou Yu awkwardly lowered his hand and followed Zhao Hu.

An’an didn’t understand why her mother wouldn’t let her get close to the handsome uncle. She turned her head longingly, waving her little hands in vain. Her smile disappeared, her face fell, and she pouted in grievance as she squeezed out one word, “Hug.”

Qin Ying froze in her steps and looked down at An’an in disbelief. Did I hear that right? Did my daughter just speak?

When Zhou Yu’s group turned the corner and disappeared, An’an withdrew her hand and looked back at Qin Ying, her eyes brimming with tears, making them look even more sparkling and clear.

Her little mouth pouted, looking pitiful and aggrieved.

Qin Ying’s heart melted. She leaned down and gently touched An’an’s cheek, soothing her in a soft voice, “Sweet baby, let Grandma braid you a grasshopper to play with when we get home, okay?”

Seeing that playing pitiful didn’t work, An’an pouted again, huffed, and closed her eyes. Fine, I’ll sleep! I can have everything in my dreams anyway!

When they got home, Qin Ying was cooking porridge while chatting with Aunt Zhao, who was sorting vegetables.

“Who are these people?” Aunt Zhao felt a pang of anxiety in her heart. “Are they going up the mountain? Will our mountain crops be safe?”

“I’m thinking the same thing,” Qin Ying frowned. “The harvest is almost ready. We must find a way to stall them.”

Aunt Zhao sighed repeatedly.

After a moment of thought, Qin Ying said, “Mom, later go to Old Master Chen’s place and check things out. Huzi might not consider all the angles.

“If they can stay in or around our village for a few more days, that would be great.

“We only have two mu of land. The three of us can clean it up pretty quickly.”

Aunt Zhao immediately got up and left.

An’an pouted and gave a small humph. I already put up a visual barrier around that two mu of land. No one but the Zhao family can see it!

Hmph, not telling you!

Eh? Is this the grasshopper Grandma made? It’s really pretty—looks alive! I’ll play with it first!

An’an had been asleep for a while when Aunt Zhao and her son returned.

Aunt Zhao’s expression looked much more relaxed. “Uncle Chen suspects they might be bad people, so he’s verifying their identities. It’ll take at least two or three days to confirm.”

“Master Chen said,” Zhao Hu grinned, “before their identities are confirmed, they’re not allowed to wander around the village!”

Qin Ying finally felt relieved. Although there weren’t many villagers, it would still take two to three days for them to visit every household. After that, they’d probably be taken to see farmland, wells, ponds, and such.

These highborn lords were delicate and pampered—surely they couldn’t work hard every single day. That would give them time to harvest their crops!

After explaining all this, both Aunt Zhao and her son looked pleased.

“I checked—they don’t have the calluses of farmers on their hands. Clearly, they’re not used to manual labor. What we can finish in a day might take them two!” Zhao Hu was clearly unimpressed with Zhou Yu’s group.

Just then, someone called loudly outside the courtyard gate, “Anyone home?”

It was the man named Zhang Jinzhi. Zhao Hu walked to the courtyard impatiently and asked, “What is it?”

“Little brother,” Zhang Jinzhi grinned. “Thanks for guiding us earlier. Our master asked me to deliver a small gift as thanks.”

Aunt Zhao also came out of the house but didn’t invite him in. She refused coldly, “No need. It was just guiding the way—no big deal.”

“Madam,” Zhang Jinzhi cupped his hands and raised the basket hanging from his arm. “There’s a jin of white flour in here. You have a little child…”

Aunt Zhao hesitated slightly. Poor An’an had never tasted white flour.

Zhao Hu thought the same and looked longingly at Aunt Zhao.

Qin Ying came out from inside, gently tugged on Aunt Zhao’s sleeve, and said to Zhang Jinzhi, “Sir, such a small favor doesn’t deserve such precious things. Please take it back.”

She then whispered to Aunt Zhao, “Mom, we don’t need to be greedy. Just wait a few more days, and An’an will have good things to eat too.”

Once the millet on the mountain was harvested, they could make sweet millet porridge for An’an.

This drought was almost over. At most, they’d have to endure another year before they could buy chicks and raise them, slowly saving up eggs…

Aunt Zhao sighed softly, then resolutely refused Zhang Jinzhi.

Seeing no way to persuade them, Zhang Jinzhi touched his nose awkwardly and left.

Zhou Yu raised an eyebrow when he saw him come back with the gift untouched.

“Young master,” Zhang Jinzhi sighed helplessly, “that household has a lot of pride. They absolutely refused to accept it.”

Zhou Yu couldn’t help but smile. He waved it off, “If that’s the case, then forget it.”

They did have official letters to prove their identity, but Uncle Chen had spoken frankly: “Things are chaotic out there—robbery, murder, you name it. I have no way of confirming whether those papers really belong to you.”

Some of Zhou Yu’s men looked displeased, but Zhou Yu didn’t mind. He pulled Uncle Chen aside and chatted casually to learn more about the village.

Uncle Chen was an old fox. He rambled on about ancient stories, never mentioning anything about recent events in the village.

He even secretly organized a few people to take turns guarding outside his home—just in case.