Chapter 21

“Did you need something from me?”

Tang Wan didn’t even invite her in, making Lu Huaimei’s impression of her worsen.

Afraid her mother might see her, Lu Huaimei quickly stepped into Tang Wan’s room.

“I need to discuss something with you.”

“Go ahead.”

Tang Wan folded her arms and found a stool to sit on, not bothering to entertain Lu Huaimei.

For people who disliked her, Tang Wan saw no need to put on a friendly face.

Lu Huaimei choked on her words for a moment before getting straight to the point. “You and my third brother are not suitable for each other.”

“I’ve already said it before. If you have opinions, keep them to yourself or talk to your brother about it.”

Tang Wan rolled her eyes with annoyance. “What makes you think you can influence me?”

“My third brother is so infatuated with you that he can’t tell north from south. Only if you willingly let go will this end.”

The sheer foolishness in Lu Huaimei’s clear eyes made Tang Wan question how someone as sharp as Wang Dani could have a daughter like this.

She couldn’t help but laugh. “Your brother and I are already legally married. If we divorce, I’ll be a second-hand woman.
I’d have to be out of my mind to listen to you. If there’s nothing else, please leave quickly.”

“You—”

Unable to reason with Tang Wan, Lu Huaimei huffed in frustration. “Do you know how long Sister Hongying waited for my brother?
She waited for three years—she’s practically an old maid now!”

“Not my problem.”

Tang Wan elegantly rolled her eyes again, walked to the door, and made a “please leave” gesture to Lu Huaimei.

Lu Huaimei, powerless against Tang Wan, stomped her foot in anger. Just as she stepped out the door, she was met with Wang Dani’s murderous glare.

“Mom…”

“You silly girl! You really don’t know what’s good for you, do you?”

Wang Dani grabbed Lu Huaimei by the ear and gave Tang Wan an apologetic smile. “Third Brother’s wife, don’t mind her. She’s not right in the head.”

She then picked up the big broom from the yard and chased Lu Huaimei around, hitting her as she ran. People saw it happening, but everyone pretended not to notice. They knew stepping in would only earn them a share of the beating.

In the second branch’s house, Wang Shuhua suddenly remarked, “Looks like Mother is very satisfied with the third sister-in-law.”

“How could she not be?”

Lu Huaide scoffed. “Father arranged this marriage. Back when he was alive, Mother always indulged him.
Even if Father had found a hideous woman for Third Brother, believe me, Mother would have insisted he marry her without question.”

He clearly understood Wang Dani well.

Wang Shuying looked surprised. “I didn’t expect Mother to be such a romantic.”

“Of course,” Lu Huaide said confidently. “Mark my words, anyone who dares trouble Third Brother’s wife will be dealt with one by one by Mother.”

Wang Shuhua: …

Tang Wan, unaware of the gossip in the second branch, was in no mood to return to her space after being disturbed by Lu Huaimei.

Instead, she stood in the Lu family’s private plot, her eyes shining as she looked at the thriving vegetables.

Her space had a lot of bare land. If she could grow vegetables there, she’d have fresh produce anytime.

“Third Brother’s wife, what are you looking at?”

Wang Dani, feeling relaxed after disciplining Lu Huaimei, walked over to Tang Wan. Tang Wan gave her a bright smile.

“Mom, your vegetables are growing so well. I was just thinking that when I go to the army, I don’t know if there will be a private plot there.
If there is, I’d like to learn from you how to grow some myself.”

“Oh, we rural folks all know how to grow vegetables.”

Wang Dani, flattered by Tang Wan’s praise, said cheerfully, “When you and Third Brother leave, I’ll give you some seeds to take with you.”

Excited, she began sharing her gardening tips with Tang Wan.

In the second branch’s house, a few people sitting by the window watched the harmonious interaction between Wang Dani and Tang Wan.

Lu Huaide had a smug expression. “See? Mother and Third Brother’s wife are so close.”

“Maybe it’s because your third sister-in-law is so likable?”

Wang Shuying genuinely hadn’t seen her mother-in-law this amicable before. While her mother-in-law hadn’t treated her poorly during her own wedding, she’d never smiled so brightly.

“I wouldn’t know,” Lu Huaide said indifferently. He wasn’t concerned about it—after all, the third brother’s wedding wouldn’t affect him since they wouldn’t be living at home.

Before long, it was time for the big family dinner again, and Lu Huaijing returned home in a rush.

The food was prepared by Wang Dani, and given the commotion earlier that afternoon, everyone ate quietly, not daring to stir up trouble.

After dinner, Wang Dani assigned tasks to each of her sons to ensure that tomorrow’s feast went off without a hitch.

Later, Lu Huaijing took Tang Wan for a walk around the brigade to digest their meal. Tang Wan looked thoughtfully at the lush, green mountains surrounding them.

In stories about people who travel back in time, they often explored the mountains seeking treasures. Tang Wan, too, wanted to check out the mountains.

However, ever since arriving at Shiping Brigade, she’d been so busy she hadn’t had the time.

“I’ve set up traps in the mountains. Let’s go take a look,” Lu Huaijing said, noticing the curiosity in her eyes. He went home to grab a flashlight and then led Tang Wan toward the mountains.

It was nearing dusk, and the roads were mostly empty. Tang Wan followed close behind Lu Huaijing.

They didn’t venture deep into the mountains, just a bit past the edge. Lu Huaijing had dug some traps there before but hadn’t checked them in a while since he was often away.

As expected, one of the traps had been covered with dirt and flattened, leaving nothing inside.

“I’ve asked my eldest brother a few times to check on them, but I guess he didn’t dare come,” Lu Huaijing said with a wry smile, unaware that Lu Huairen had once encountered a wild boar there and had been too scared to return.

“It’s fine if there’s nothing,” Tang Wan said nonchalantly. In the growing darkness, there wasn’t much to see, so she was already thinking about heading back.

Just as they were about to descend the mountain, a rustling sound came from nearby. Lu Huaijing quickly positioned himself in front of Tang Wan to protect her.

“Shh…”

“It’s a deer,” Tang Wan whispered, grateful for her keen eyesight. Knowing her limits, she stepped back when Lu Huaijing pulled out a slingshot.

“I’ll wait here for you.”

“Alright, don’t wander off.”

Lu Huaijing didn’t plan to stray far. If the deer ran too fast, he’d rather let it go than leave Tang Wan alone.

As he focused on capturing the deer, Tang Wan glanced around. If any wild animals appeared, she was prepared to escape into her personal space.

Thwack!

After a few well-aimed shots from the slingshot, the deer collapsed unconscious.

“I’ll go pick it up,” Lu Huaijing said, jogging toward the deer. Tang Wan nodded. She wanted to follow but accidentally kicked something and nearly tripped.

When she looked down, she saw the corner of a wooden box protruding from the dirt. Her first thought was treasure!

The recent rains had likely washed away some of the surface soil around the tree, revealing the box.

Seeing that Lu Huaijing hadn’t returned yet, Tang Wan quickly retrieved a shovel from her space and dug a few times.

When the top of the wooden box was exposed, she touched it and sent it into her space. She couldn’t let Lu Huaijing discover it.

However, the moment the box disappeared, it left behind a large hole, and she nearly fell into it.

“Tang Wan?”

Lu Huaijing returned to find Tang Wan crouched in front of a pit, staring blankly. She awkwardly stood up.

“I thought this was one of your traps,” she said.

“It shouldn’t be,” Lu Huaijing said, examining it closely with a puzzled expression. Had there been such a big hole here earlier?

For a moment, he wondered if his memory was playing tricks on him.