Chapter 14 – Love is a Light… That Turns You Green

While the family was eating, Jiang Daguo glanced at his own mother.

“Mom, was what you said earlier really true?”

Wang Yingxiu knew her sons well—excluding the youngest.

“It’s pretty much spot on. Don’t overthink it. Just use your brain. Why would they pass up swapping out a boy and go for a girl instead?

They already had a girl themselves. Isn’t it obvious they were targeting you? Now hurry up and eat!

Tomorrow, take your sister around the village to get her familiar with the place.

Your grandfather and the others probably found out because Xiaolu blabbed. The rest of the village doesn’t know yet, so make sure to stop by the village chief’s place too.”

The next day, Jiang Niannian spent the whole day wandering the village with her brother.

It was basically like walking a dog—Jiang Daguo would explain the situation, and then all the aunties, uncles, distant relatives, and elders would scrutinize her.

Jiang Daguo ended up explaining the same thing several times until his mouth was dry and sore.

Thankfully, Jiang Niannian wasn’t socially anxious and had a strong heart—she could even chat casually with chickens.

“Oh my, you really are a city girl—your skin is so fair and well-kept, nothing like us, weathered and sunbaked. Xiaolin must’ve lived a good life in the city.

But your daughter’s not as lucky. If she’d grown up in the city, she could’ve married a city man. Now that she’s in the countryside, she can only marry a rural lad.”

Jiang Niannian: …

She was stunned by this auntie’s logic. What kind of theory was that?

Who taught her that?

Just then, the auntie’s hen clucked and strutted out from the yard.

[Cluck cluck, your grandson’s been sneaking my eggs again. Complains all day that I don’t lay enough, and now that I laid some, he’s still stealing them?]

Jiang Niannian glanced over—sure enough, there was a little boy sneaking away with an egg.

“Whatever kind of man I marry in the future, that’s not something Auntie needs to worry about. You should be more concerned with your eggs!

Just now, I saw a little kid sneak off with one. Pretty sure it was your grandson!”

The auntie immediately turned and rushed back into the yard to check on her eggs.

Jiang Daguo, who had been standing next to Jiang Niannian, was curious.

“How did you know her grandson took the egg?”

Jiang Niannian replied, “The chicken told me.”

Jiang Daguo realized he shouldn’t have asked.

“I admit my attitude toward you yesterday wasn’t great, but I did personally take you around the village today.

You’re not still holding a grudge, are you?”

Jiang Niannian wasn’t holding any grudge—she didn’t even know why he brought it up.

“Nope.”

Jiang Daguo: “Then why’d you say the chicken told you?”

Jiang Niannian: “Because it did!”

She sighed. “By the way, where’s Big Bro’s fish pond? Take me to have a look!”

The two of them walked to the fish pond. Jiang Dafeng, their eldest brother, was tossing worms into the water and chopping up veggie leaves to feed the fish.

“Little sis, what brings you two here?”

Jiang Niannian looked over the fish pond—it was pretty big.

“I just wanted to see if there’s anything I can help with.”

Jiang Dafeng waved her off. “I can handle it. I just need to scatter these worms.

Over there, I’ve been raising worms using corn stalks and rotting leaves—specifically for feeding the fish.

They can also be used to feed the chickens. Mom said she wants to expand and raise a hundred or so chickens, so I’m planning to increase the worm farm too.”

Jiang Niannian was impressed.

“Big Bro, you’re really talented. You even thought of this!”

A bit embarrassed by the praise, Jiang Dafeng smiled.

“Just tinkering.”

It was Jiang Niannian’s first time seeing a worm farm. She walked over to take a closer look.

Suddenly, a tabby cat leapt out and meowed.

[I’ve been keeping watch here the whole time—didn’t see anything suspicious!]

Jiang Niannian patted the cat on the head.

“I heard from the village chief’s dog, Da Huang, that the other side might make a move in the next couple of days. Keep an eye out tonight.”

[Meow meow, okay—but where’s the fish you promised me?]

Jiang Niannian turned to her brother.

“Big Bro, can you get me a fish? This cat wants one. It said it’ll guard the pond tonight, and if someone tries to poison the fish, Da Huang will let us know first thing.”

Jiang Dafeng: “Huh?”

Jiang Daguo facepalmed.

“Little sis, you’re just trying to feed the cat, aren’t you? What’s this nonsense about poisoning?

You’re gonna scare people. That stray cat probably just wants an easy snack.”

Jiang Dafeng stood up to go catch a fish.

“One cat won’t eat much. I’ll get one for it.”

Jiang Niannian gave the fish to the tabby.

“My big brother is really nice. Later, bring another cat to help out. One isn’t enough.”

She then turned to her brother.

“Big Bro, do you know anyone who has dogs? Let’s raise a couple ourselves.”

“That might be tricky. These days, not many people raise dogs or cats anymore. I’ll ask around for you.”

Jiang Niannian figured one cat wasn’t enough to guard the pond—she didn’t know when the other side would strike.

Even if Da Huang volunteered for night duty, if poison really was involved, one cat and one dog wouldn’t be enough.

“Bro, the tabby says someone’s going to poison the fish. You and Second Bro should take turns guarding the pond at night for the next few days.”

Jiang Daguo didn’t buy it. His little sister couldn’t possibly understand cat-speak, right?

He figured she was just making stuff up and fear-mongering, so he rolled his eyes.

“Little sis, can you not spout nonsense? ‘The cat said’—you’re too much.”

Seeing he didn’t believe her, Jiang Niannian rolled her eyes right back at him. Then the tabby said:

[If he doesn’t believe you, tell him to check the forest behind the village. His girlfriend is currently making out with your cousin there!]

Jiang Niannian was stunned. That juicy?!

She turned to stare at Jiang Daguo’s head.

“Second Bro, have you ever heard this phrase?

‘Love is a light… that turns you green with fright.’

Right now, your head’s looking a little green.”

She added casually, “This cat says your girlfriend is kissing our cousin in the woods behind the village.”

Jiang Daguo instantly erupted.

“Nonsense! Fangfang and I are doing just fine!”

He lifted his foot to stomp the cat, but the tabby quickly jumped away and crouched into a defensive stance.

Jiang Niannian grabbed her brother.

“Second Bro, what are you doing? If you don’t believe it, let’s go to the woods and check. I just got back—I don’t even know where it is. You can take me.”

Seeing this, Jiang Dafeng left the fish and quickly followed them toward the woods.

Jiang Niannian turned to the tabby.

“Mimi, go find Da Huang and tell him to bring backup to the woods—there’s a hot scoop to catch!”

[Mimi on the job—mission guaranteed!]

Meanwhile, at the village chief’s home, Jiang Weiguo was chatting with the village chief. The original plan was for Jiang Daguo to stop by after taking a walk around the village, but they hadn’t shown up yet.

Instead, the village chief’s dog was barking like mad, tugging at the chief’s pant leg.

Da Huang had once saved the chief’s life, so seeing the dog act like this, the village chief immediately followed.