Chapter 332

“It’s only because my father and brother didn’t go. If they had, they would have contributed for sure,” Zhang Chunhua said, her confidence clearly wavering.

Her father was notoriously lazy and gluttonous, the most indolent man in the village. It wasn’t just a question of whether he’d step up in a crisis; he was unlikely to even leave the house!

As for her brother, she glanced at the frail Zhang Xiaogou beside her. Even if he went, what use would he be? He’d probably just be a burden needing protection.

Sun Jinhua also had her excuse ready. “My husband and Er Zhu, San Zhu—what could they do? Everyone else had weapons, but they didn’t. Charging in would have been suicide. Their lives are precious; what more can you expect?”

“Bullshit! Uncle Ding and Brother Jin didn’t have weapons either, but they charged in with bags of lime. Aren’t their lives precious?”

“Just admit you’re scared and stop acting pitiful! Don’t do nothing and then demand everything afterward.”

“Why don’t you mention Feng Da getting injured? Or Feng Er and Man Cang’s bravery? You just fixate on the outsiders. Is that all you can see?”

“Let me tell you, I support all twenty-three of them joining the village feast. No, they are part of our Shanshui Village! If you two aren’t happy, I support you not participating! We won’t force you to eat.”

“Right, it’s fine if you don’t eat. No one cares!”

The usually quiet men were now furious, speaking harshly. They glared at the two women, who involuntarily stepped back a few paces.

Fan Qian, who had been listening, now stepped forward and scolded Sun Jinhua, “You rude woman, causing trouble! Get back to work! If I catch you making trouble again, I’ll beat you when we get home!”

Sun Jinhua pursed her lips, clearly unwilling, but thought about the food and begrudgingly returned to washing dishes with a dark expression.

Zhang Chunhua, under the insistent tugging of Zhang Xiaogou, also sat down.

With the commotion over, Fan Qian approached Wang Guifen, grinning and thumping his chest in assurance. “Changlin’s wife, my woman was wrong this time. Don’t take it to heart. If she causes more trouble, come to me, and I’ll handle it!”

Wang Guifen snorted, unmasking his true intentions. “Don’t try to fool me. I heard everything. Why didn’t you intervene earlier? It’s obvious you agreed with her. You only stepped in when the men threatened to throw you out!”

Fan Qian looked embarrassed.

Not wanting to waste time listening to his excuses, Wang Guifen turned and walked over to Li Dani and her group.

Her father-in-law had insisted that everyone in the village attend the feast, making it lively. She saw the troublemakers as the rotten apples in the barrel, always causing problems.

Li Dani and her group, who had been embarrassed and angry, now felt moved. The typically reticent men had stood up for them, showing how well the village treated them.

Seeing Wang Guifen approach, they quickly apologized, “Sorry for the trouble.”

Wang Guifen’s demeanor softened as she smiled, “No trouble at all. The fault isn’t yours. If anything, it’s ours for not handling things better and making you feel wronged.”

Zhou Yu and Wang Qiyue’s eyes reddened as they shook their heads quickly, “No, it wasn’t your fault. We didn’t feel wronged.”

“We’re grateful you consider us part of the village. We would have understood if you hadn’t invited us.”

“That wouldn’t do. My father-in-law said not a single villager should be left out! Since you’re part of the village, you have to come,” Wang Guifen insisted, taking their hands and leading them to the prepared tables and chairs.

“You sit here and wait for the feast to start!”

Li Dani and the others felt too embarrassed to just sit and eat without helping, especially since every household had sent someone to assist.

“If the village recognizes us as part of the community, we can’t just eat for free. We should do some work. Sister Guifen, give us something to do,” Li Dani said earnestly.

Wang Guifen waved her hand dismissively. “No need. We have enough women helping. You all work hard at the herbal workshop. Today, take it easy.”

“But the mistress said we have the day off for the village feast. We can help out without any trouble,” Li Erni chimed in.

Wang Guifen remained firm. “The day off is well-deserved. It’s for you to rest. Just wait and enjoy the feast!” She knew about the day off at the herbal workshop—her daughter Lanlan worked there too. A day off was meant for rest, not for more work.

With that, Wang Guifen bustled off to continue her tasks.

Li Dani, Erni, and the others sat and watched the bustling preparations, feeling a sense of joyful inclusion. Besides them, elders from the village sat at the prepared tables, sipping tea and watching the younger generation with satisfied smiles.

Zhou Yu thought that if she could reach old age with a full stomach, children not sold due to disasters, money coming in, and the chance to attend a feast she had never dreamed of, she too would feel utterly content, with no regrets in life.

The young men set up tables and chairs, arranged cutlery, cleaned the study hall, and tended the fire…

The children were especially excited, running in and out of the study hall, helping stack cut bamboo, touching the calligraphy brushes on the tables with reverence, and eagerly fetching water when Fan Jin suggested using water as ink…

The women were busy chopping and frying. As the large iron pot heated and the fatty pork sizzled, releasing a mouth-watering aroma, everyone couldn’t help but swallow their saliva. It smelled amazing!

Everyone’s focus began to waver, glancing frequently at the pot.

Finally, when the old village chief began to speak, everyone gathered around him. Even the seated elders rose slowly and steadily, making their way to the front of the study hall.

The old village chief stood at the entrance, his tone solemn. “Today marks the first day of school in Shanshui Village and our first village feast. The fact that everyone in the village can have a meal together and that all our children can read is no small achievement.

I hope everyone works even harder for their families and the village. I hope the children cherish this rare opportunity to learn, remain humble, and study diligently!

Lastly, let me remind you that we owe today’s good fortune to someone special. If anyone dares repay kindness with ingratitude, they will not be buried in the village cemetery. I will be the first to settle accounts with them from the grave!”