Chapter 293

Hu Wenhua followed closely behind Ding Jiajia, step by step. His burly physique and fierce appearance made Fan Erzhu and Fan Sanzhu, who were walking on either side of Ding Jiajia, feel uneasy, prompting them to occasionally turn their heads to glance at Hu Wenhua.

“Uncle, Jiajia is from our village. We’ll accompany her. You should head back,” Fan Sanzhu couldn’t help but say.

His second brother didn’t seem to get it either and was also crowding around Ding Jiajia. However, compared to Hu Wenhua, his second brother wasn’t worth mentioning. The priority was to get rid of Hu Wenhua first.

Fan Erzhu thought about how both he and Sanzhu had insulted Ding Jiajia before. Apologizing to her now wouldn’t be embarrassing, but Hu Wenhua was a different matter. They had to send him away.

With this in mind, he put on a broad smile, “Uncle, rest assured, I remember everything you told me last time. From now on, not only will I not bully Jiajia, but I’ll also treat her very well! You can go handle your business.”

Hu Wenhua’s gaze fell on the delicate figure ahead, and he replied in a rough, muffled voice, “I have no business.”

He had originally wanted to take this opportunity to explain the hairpin incident to Jiajia but didn’t expect these two nuisances to show up. Seeing their attitude, it seemed they were interested in Jiajia? Ha, although he himself wasn’t an ideal match, he thought even less of these two nephews. They weren’t good enough for Jiajia or any decent girl for that matter.

“How can you say you have no business? Your second uncle and aunt are buying bricks and tiles to build a house and hiring people to process medicinal materials. The village is selling rabbits; every bit of it makes money and relies on you,” Fan Erzhu said sourly.

He thought about how his grandmother was asking for work for them. Once he started working, he wouldn’t be earning any less than Hu Wenhua! With money, he looked at the figure of Ding Jiajia ahead, imagining she would see him in a better light.

Hu Wenhua didn’t take the sour words to heart. Although he was about the same age as them, he had been taught since childhood to act as a senior and had always conducted himself accordingly. He didn’t bother to argue with them.

Moreover, he had realized that making more money changed his perspective. Previously, he didn’t argue due to seniority; now, with savings and a steady income, he found it unnecessary. Time spent bickering could be better spent making money.

Ding Jiajia, at the front, furrowed her beautiful willow-leaf eyebrows. Unable to hold back any longer, she turned and said, “That’s because Brother Hu is capable. Otherwise, why would he be the only one in the village?”

Fan Sanzhu scoffed. Why else? It was because of their second uncle’s influence! After all, the rabbit breeding stock was exchanged at their second uncle’s house. The villagers earned money while giving Hu Wenhua a share out of respect for their second uncle.

Hu Wenhua heard the address “Brother Hu” and couldn’t help but smile. Hearing her defend him, his grin nearly reached his ears. The hairpin incident must have caused her uncle and aunt to blame her, yet she still spoke up for him. Jiajia was truly kind, and it was all his fault!

Fan Erzhu, quick to adapt, said, “Jiajia is right. Being able to earn money is a skill. Soon, I’ll be making money too. When I get paid, I’ll buy you white bread buns—no, meat buns!”

Straightening his back proudly, he added, “Big meat buns, pure meat without a bit of filler.”

Fan Sanzhu, not to be outdone, leaned in to curry favor, “And me too! I’ll buy you whatever you want, Jiajia. White buns or bread, anything you like!”

Fan Erzhu and Fan Sanzhu couldn’t bear to part with their mother and grandmother, but they were willing to buy things for Jiajia. This showed how much they cared for her. Then again, they realized they still needed to buy something for their grandmother. After all, it was thanks to her that they got this job, and future opportunities would also depend on her. So, buying her a white bread bun would be a good gesture. Being able to eat white bread buns would surely make their grandmother feel appreciated.

Ding Jiajia’s heart raced as she recalled the dates and colorful sugar balls that were never missing. Brother Hu—after her father had returned the hairpin—continued to send her pastries and candies, which made their meetings less awkward. Despite initially thinking he had no romantic interest in her, he kept sending twice as many treats as before after each rabbit sale. Was he a fool? Such expensive pastries and candies, bought in abundance, and she had nothing to offer him in return. Why did he continue to send them?

She wanted to tell him to stop, as what he had already given her was more than enough. However, with Fan Erzhu and Fan Sanzhu by her side, there was no chance for a private conversation.

Just as she was about to refuse, Fan Erzhu spoke up, “My mother said we have plenty of fields and strong laborers at home, so we’ll have at least one full meal every day, and during the busy farming season, three meals a day!”

“My mother also said that pregnant women should be treated well and exempted from farm work!” All they needed to do was take care of the household chores, which weren’t exhausting—just cooking, cleaning, and doing the family’s laundry. These tasks wouldn’t affect the baby, according to his mother, who believed that a wife shouldn’t be overly pampered but should still do her share of work.

On the village path, Wang Chunhua stopped in her tracks, standing on tiptoe and craning her neck to hear more clearly, afraid to miss a word. Fan Sanzhu nodded vigorously, “Yes, my mother said anyone who gives birth to our family’s eldest grandson will be a hero!”

Though his mother had added that even heroes shouldn’t get too proud.

“And my mother said once we start making money—”

The two brothers took turns, highlighting the best aspects, feeling confident that Jiajia must be thoroughly impressed.

“No need to buy me white bread buns or meat buns. I don’t like them,” Ding Jiajia responded lightly.

She used to think the buns and bread from the provincial capital were the best, until she tasted the food made by Sister Shuiqing. Even the buns and bread made by Shuiqing were several times better than those from the provincial capital! So she was speaking the truth.

How could anyone not love white bread buns and meat buns? Fan Erzhu and Fan Sanzhu immediately understood—she was rejecting them. Their admiration for Jiajia grew even more. Any other girl would have eagerly accepted, but not Jiajia. She could resist temptation just to leave a good impression on them.

On the village path, Zhang Chunhua gulped down a large mouthful of saliva. The buns and meat buns from the provincial capital, and Jiajia said she didn’t like them! She was being so fake. Wait, the Fan brothers were going to buy these for Jiajia? Why? Could it be they were considering a marriage proposal?

Thinking carefully, it wasn’t impossible. After all, with four sons, Sun Jinhua must be anxious—otherwise, she wouldn’t offer such good conditions. Eating three meals a day, being exempt from farm work, having a boy and becoming the hero of the entire Fan family, and eating white flour and meat… Jiajia was foolish not to seize the opportunity!

In an instant, Zhang Chunhua thought maybe Hu Wenhua wasn’t the only option.