Jiang Yihua, however, looked at her with a solemn expression. "Chi, I’m not kidding."
"Zishi... although he’s my brother, I can’t in good conscience tell you he’s a good person. As his older brother, I’m all too aware of his unscrupulous nature—he’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals."
"I’ve tried to help him, but a leopard can’t change its spots. He’s only become more cunning than before."
"Much of the time, I can’t prevent his schemes, and he’s clever enough not to do anything that would get him sent to the authorities. So for my parents’ sake, and for my own conscience, I have to trail behind him cleaning up his messes."
"Chi, the fact that you’re telling me this... does it mean you’ve discovered something?"
"If anything happens, you have to tell me immediately. Don’t let him make an irreversible mistake!"
Chi Yun’er forced a relaxed smile. "Brother Hua, I was just teasing you."
"Zishi is very good to me. He even told me he wouldn’t stop looking after me once he’s married, and that both he and Yumin would be there for me."
No matter how convincing Jiang Yihua sounded, Chi Yun’er didn’t dare lower her guard. ’Who knows if he’s just trying to bait me? After all, he and Jiang Zishi are family.’
Jiang Yihua nodded. Without another word, he said his goodbyes and left. He glanced at her one last time on his way out, the worry lines on his brow deepening.
Still uneasy after what Chi Yun’er had said, Jiang Yihua headed straight for the village secretary’s house.
Everyone was out in the fields, leaving only an old woman at home watching a few small children.
"Well now, Jiang, what brings you here at this hour? Are you looking for your uncle? He’s out at the fields..." The old woman greeted him warmly, grabbing his hand and immediately telling a three-or-four-year-old child to run and fetch him.
Jiang Yihua quickly called the child back, then pulled a handful of candy from his pocket for the little ones to share.
He smiled and said, "Fourth Granny Bian, it’s nothing urgent. I can just tell you. When my uncle gets back, you can pass on a message for me."
The old woman grinned widely. "Alright, go on then. But you have to stay for lunch! I’ll cook some meat for you!"
"Oh, I couldn’t possibly," Jiang Yihua said, waving his hands in refusal. "Fourth Granny Bian, there’s a ton of work at the farm. I only managed to get two hours of leave."


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