Chapter 49: Can You Repair a Tractor?

“Chubby?”

“Yes, yes, chubby, probably around 160-170 pounds, just over 20 years old, not too old.”

If Qiu Yinuo were here, she would surely want to gouge out Secretary Yang’s eyes.

She clearly weighed only 149 pounds, so how did she suddenly gain over 20 extra pounds?

The villagers from Ping’an Village thought for a moment. Among the young, chubby wives in their twenties, the only one who could fit that description was the eldest daughter of Qiu Laoer’s family. No one else was as fat as her.

“Is the person you’re talking about Qiu Yinuo?”

The village head of Taolin Village looked at Secretary Yang. “Is that her name?”

“Not sure. I didn’t even ask for her name that day. Oh, what’s wrong with my head? Let’s go ask Old Zhang, the one who drives the ox cart. He’ll know who that chubby wife is.”

“Well, just go to Qiu Yinuo’s house. I heard Old Zhang is having a meal at their place.”

“What?”

Could people in Ping’an Village be so friendly that they could just eat at someone else’s house without any issue?

Before they could ask for directions, the person who had been leading them hurried off to the bathroom. “Go straight down this road, turn right at the end. When you see the new big tiled house, that’s the Qiu family’s house. I really need to go, so I won’t take you any further.”

“No need, no need! Go ahead!”

Following the directions, Secretary Yang and Village Head Lin made their way to Qiu Yinuo’s house.

The courtyard was bustling, and the two exchanged glances, wondering if they had come at an inconvenient time.

“Is anyone home?”

Village Head Lin knocked several times on the small, makeshift wooden door. After a few minutes, someone finally came to open it.

When he saw Jinzi, Secretary Yang immediately became excited. “Village Head, that’s the brother of the lady we’re looking for! We’ve got the right person!”

Jinzi recognized Secretary Yang. “You’re Secretary Yang from Taolin Village. Are you here to see my sister?”

“Exactly, we’ve come to see your sister.”

Jinzi opened the gate and shouted into the house, “Sis, the Village Head from Taolin Village is here to see you.”

His voice was deep and strong, so loud that it not only called Qiu Yinuo out but also alerted several of the village officials.

Everyone put down their cups and collectively made their way to the Qiu family’s courtyard.

Village Head Lin looked at the crowd and suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed. “We apologize for the unannounced visit. I hope we’re not disturbing anyone.”

It was his fault for not clarifying things before showing up at their door.

“Village Head Lin, what brings you to Ping’an Village?”

In recent years, Taolin Village had been thriving, gaining favor with higher-ups. Rumor had it that someone in the city government was related to them. Villages like theirs—neither remarkable nor terrible—had all been trying to build ties with Taolin, but none had succeeded.

Seeing Village Head Lin suddenly appear in Ping’an Village made several of their officials excited.

Without even asking what they were there for, everyone warmly welcomed them into the house and even insisted on seating them in the main spot.

Village Head Lin immediately spotted Qiu Yinuo. It was hard not to notice her with her large figure.

He walked a few steps forward, wearing a friendly smile. “You must be Comrade Qiu Yinuo!”

Everyone suddenly realized, yes, Jinzi had just called out that the Village Head from Taolin was looking for Qiu Yinuo.

But why was the Village Head from Taolin Village looking for Qiu Yinuo?

Although both were village heads, when Ping’an Village’s head met the one from Taolin, they couldn’t help but feel a bit inferior in terms of presence.

From the moment they showed up at her door, Qiu Yinuo had known they were there for the tractor issue.

Qiu Yinuo handed Erbao to her mother. “Help me watch the baby for a while.”

Cheng Hongying instinctively stopped her. In a low voice, she asked, “Did you get into some trouble?”

“…Do you think I’m Jinzi?”

“So it’s Jinzi who caused trouble? The village head came to find you?”

Qiu Yinuo was at a loss for words. “Stop overthinking. No one’s caused any trouble. I think Village Head Lin needs something from me.”

Cheng Hongying’s mouth twitched. “…”

This girl could lie without even blushing. The village head, such an important figure, needed something from her? What a dream.

Qiu Yinuo didn’t care about her mother’s expression and calmly gestured for Village Head Lin and Secretary Yang to sit at the table with the village officials.

Village Head Lin quickly patted the seat beside him. “Come, Comrade Qiu, please sit.”

If it had been anyone else, they would have been nervous. But Qiu Yinuo didn’t show any anxiety; her calmness was more commanding than the village head’s.

Sitting on one side was Qiu Yinuo, and on the other side was the village head from Ping’an Village. The table was surrounded by village officials, and even the elderly Grandpa Qiu felt a bit suffocated.

Most families would be lucky to even have their village head visit for a big event. But today, not one, but two village heads came to their house. With envious eyes on them from others, Grandpa Qiu felt quite proud.

“Jinzi, get another set of chopsticks and bowls for Village Head Lin and Secretary Yang!”

Jinzi snapped out of his daze and quickly turned to get the tableware, placing it respectfully.

Qiu Yinuo didn’t bring up the tractor issue. Since it wasn’t a transaction, raising the topic herself would only make people doubt her abilities.

“Recently, my family rebuilt our house, and I’m really thankful to all the uncles, brothers, and neighbors who helped us. Everyone worked hard. Now, everyone, eat and drink well, and don’t hold back.”

Village Head Lin lightly tapped his forehead. “Oh, how careless of me! I came so hastily, I didn’t even bring a gift.”

Wow!

That was something—what kind of influence did she have to make the village head of Taolin Village regret not bringing a gift?

Everyone at the table had different thoughts as they ate, and even after the meal ended, no one was eager to leave.

It wasn’t until Ping’an’s village head noticed that Village Head Lin had something he wanted to say to Qiu Yinuo that he began to usher everyone out, leaving behind only a few key officials.

Village Head Lin felt a bit awkward asking a younger person for help, but the room was now quiet with just the few of them, so he finally spoke up.

“Comrade Qiu, we had a technician come to check the tractor, and the issue is exactly as you described. Replacing the engine is really too much of a burden for us.”

Qiu Yinuo smiled and nodded without responding.

The other people in the room were puzzled. Was the tractor broken?

But what did that have to do with Qiu Yinuo from their village?

“I also heard from Secretary Yang that you have some knowledge about tractors. We came here today to ask if you could help us repair our village’s tractor.”

At these words, everyone present gasped, their eyes wide with disbelief, staring at Qiu Yinuo’s face.

Qiu Yinuo replied, “I need to inspect it again before I can give you an answer.”

Qiu Yinuo didn’t immediately agree, which actually put Village Head Lin at ease. At least it showed she was a cautious person.

Village Head Lin was overjoyed. “Comrade Qiu, when do you think you could go and take a look?”

“Today is a bit busy, but tomorrow should work.”

“Of course, tomorrow I’ll stay in the village and wait for you.” Before leaving, Village Head Lin politely shook hands with Village Head Sun from Ping’an Village. “Village Head Sun, whenever you have time, bring the other officials to our village. I’ll make sure to treat you all well.”