Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Xie Xiaomei leaned back on the sofa and watched TV for a while. Seeing that it was almost time to cook, she stood up and said with a smile:

"You two can chat and work on it here. I'll go cook. I've already blanched the ribs; they just need to simmer for a while."

Wang Xiaomeng immediately stood up and waved her hand hurriedly:

"Xiaomei, I'll do it, you can rest!"

Xie Xiaomei smiled, reached out and pressed her shoulder, gently tucking her back onto the stool, and said frankly:

"No need, no need. You've come all this way, just sit quietly and chat with Brother Chen."

Xie Xiaomei remained remarkably calm, showing no temper whatsoever. She saw no need to compete with Xiao Meng for attention, and found Xiao Meng's quiet, obedient, and sensible demeanor rather pleasing to the eye.

Wang Xiaomeng was slightly taken aback, feeling that Xie Xiaomei had changed, becoming somewhat unrecognizable. She wondered what had happened during the time she hadn't been there, but this feeling was quite nice.

Before long, the small kang table was filled with items.

The stewed green beans and pork ribs are perfectly seasoned, along with a simple home-style side dish that looks incredibly appetizing.

Xie Xiaomei picked up her rice bowl, first filling it to the brim for Wang Xiaomeng, then placing the largest piece of pork rib into her bowl, and said with a smile:

"Eat up, Xiao Meng, try it while it's hot. You work hard at the tofu shop from dawn till dusk every day, eat more today and replenish your energy."

"Thank you, Sister Xiaomei. Your cooking is amazing! It tastes so much better than what I make."

Wang Xiaomeng held the bowl, her face slightly flushed as she spoke. She used to think of Xiaomei as a rival, but it seems she had been overthinking it.

"It's not about skill or anything, it's just everyday cooking. I've had your cooking before, so please don't be shy."

Xie Xiaomei waved her hand, turned to look at Lin Chen, and sincerely praised him:

"Brother Chen, Xiao Meng is really capable. She's just a young girl, and her business is growing bigger and bigger. She's also incredibly hardworking."

"Among the young people in our village, I admire her the most. She is down-to-earth, hardworking, quick-witted, and learns everything very fast, grasping things as soon as she learns them."

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen gave Xie Xiaomei a strange look, nodded, and casually picked up a piece of food for Xiao Meng.

"Xiao Meng is indeed capable, better than many young men in the village. If your tofu shop encounters difficulties in the future, or if you want to expand into new businesses, just tell me directly. Don't be shy. I'll contribute money if I have it, and I'll contribute my strength if I have it."

Wang Xiaomeng, head down, was eating her rice when Lin Chen said something that almost made her choke. She laughed and said:

"Everything is fine so far, there are no difficulties, it's just... I really have a hard time using that computer, I'll have to come and learn from Brother Chen more often when I have time."

"What's the big deal?"

Xie Xiaomei immediately chimed in, her tone exceptionally forthright:

"You can come anytime you want, every day. I always have to go to the farm to work and I don't have time at home. You can come over and chat with Brother Chen to relieve your boredom."

Wang Xiaomeng felt warm and touched. She looked up at the gentle and generous Xie Xiaomei, and then at the composed Lin Chen beside her. All her previous anxiety vanished. She had previously regarded Xie Xiaomei as a rival in love, but she never expected her to help her like this.

The three of them sat around the table, chatting about village life and the tofu shop's business. They ate much more comfortably than last time.

After the meal, Wang Xiaomeng rushed to clear the table, wash the pots and pans, and did the washing and cleaning in a very efficient manner.

Xie Xiaomei didn't argue with her, but leaned against the door frame and chatted with her. After they finished tidying up, the two of them stayed with Lin Chen for a long time until Xie Dajiao came back, and then Wang Xiaomeng went home.

Xie Dajiao was starving, so she sat on the kang table with her legs turned to the side and started eating. Lin Chen brought her a glass of water and asked:

"Why are you so late coming home today?"

"Hey, don't even mention it. I was trying to introduce Zhao Yutian to someone, and I actually found a suitable one. I'll pick an auspicious day in a few days and take Zhao Yutian over to meet her."

Lin Chen asked, somewhat surprised:

"Zhao Yutian? Are you sure you're not mistaken? Wasn't he and Liu Ying getting along quite well?"

Xie Dajiao shrugged and said:

"Well, who knows what happened? Zhao Si came to me, and when he comes to me, I have to take it seriously. You can't question my professional abilities."

She took a bite of food and sighed:

"Marriage isn't just a simple matter between two people; it involves two families. No matter how good the relationship between the two individuals is, if both families are at odds with each other, it's all for nothing..."

Lin Chen agreed with what she said, turned on his computer, logged into QQ and left it running, thinking that he would ask Zhao Yutian what was going on when he saw him tomorrow.

Xie Dajiao's shop was the village's information exchange center; no secrets could be kept there. Even if no one asked, Xie Dajiao herself would tell the news. Ever since she heard from the village women that Zhao Yutian was going to the stone cave for a blind date, Liu Neng's sleep that night was completely ruined.

He tossed and turned on the kang (a heated brick bed), his body twisted like a pretzel, staring at the ceiling until the rooster crowed. He felt suffocated and increasingly angry.

If Zhao Yutian arranges this marriage, then Liu Ying will have no chance at all. His daughter has been longing for Yutian for so many years, only to have a girl from another village steal her away. Where will Liu Neng put his face then?

No, we absolutely cannot let this happen!

Liu Neng's brilliant mind raced, and he came up with a terrible idea overnight.

They're going on a blind date in a few days, right? Before that, I'll make a trip to Shidong to brainwash the Li family, give Zhao Yutian a good dressing down, and ruin the marriage!

As dawn broke, dew still clung to the roadside grass, and a cool breeze was quite refreshing. While most of the villagers were still in bed, Liu Neng couldn't wait to get up.

He didn't dare to make a big fuss, so he rode his bicycle furtively, afraid of being spotted by the villagers, and pedaled hard along the narrow paths between the fields, heading straight for Old Li's house in Shidong.

When he arrived at the gate, he first peeked into the yard to make sure no one was there, then pretended to be taking a stroll, squatted down by the wall, took out a soft pack cigarette, lit it, and slowly smoked it.

Old Li was digesting his food in the yard when he saw someone squatting at the door. He looked closer but didn't recognize him; he wasn't from the village. He casually struck up a conversation:

"Who are you? What are you doing wandering around our village so early in the morning instead of sleeping?"

Liu Neng immediately put on a fake smile and stretched his neck to chat:

"Hey...brother, I just got up early and had nothing to do, so I thought I'd take a walk and get some fresh air. Your corn is growing pretty well this year, looks much better than ours in the village!"

The two chatted about this and that, about the weather, about farming, and rambled on for a long time.

Liu Neng hesitated for a long time before lowering his voice, leaning closer mysteriously, as if to say, "I'm telling you my innermost thoughts, so don't tell anyone else."

"Brother, I have something private to tell you, you...you...you better keep your mouth shut and don't tell anyone."

Old Li was taken aback by him:

"What's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious?"

"I heard that your daughter is going on a blind date with Zhao Yutian from Ivory Mountain, is that right?"

Old Li nodded and puffed out a puff of his cigarette.

"Yes, Xie Dajiao was the matchmaker. She said the two kids would meet in a couple of days. The harvest season is almost here, so we're thinking of settling things down as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Liu Neng immediately perked up and began to make up stories, but his tone was very sincere:

"Brother, I really have to give you some good advice: don't be fooled by the matchmaker's sweet talk. That Zhao Yutian kid is really no good!"

"You're an outsider and don't know the details, but I've been Old Zhao's neighbor for so many years, how could I not know? He broke his leg before, and now he looks fine, but if you look closely when he walks... you can see that he's limping, and he can't do any heavy or strenuous work at all!"

"Besides, that guy is incredibly lazy. He just loafs around at home all day, doesn't farm properly, and doesn't earn any money. His family's life is just too... too ordinary. If your daughter really marries him, she'll definitely suffer and toil away, and her life will be ruined. Listen to me, you should call off this engagement as soon as possible!"

Liu Neng was spouting nonsense, vividly criticizing people, when Old Li's wife came out of the house carrying a large basin of dirty clothes.

She stood at the door, arms crossed, and looked Liu Neng up and down with his shifty eyes. She burst out laughing on the spot.

"I finally understand you completely. You're not offering any kind advice. Is it because your own daughter has taken a liking to Zhao Yutian and you're afraid our daughter will snatch him away? So you got up early today to spread rumors and sabotage the marriage?"

Liu Neng was completely dumbfounded. "How did you know?" His eyes widened, his mind went blank, and he couldn't process what was happening for a long time before frantically waving his hands.

"Hey, hey, sister-in-law, don't talk nonsense. I'm just trying to be helpful. I know Zhao Yutian's family situation all too well. They're just an ordinary farming family. What good conditions could they possibly have?"

"You don't know anything!"

Old Li instantly flew into a rage, slamming his pipe against the wall with a loud crash, and yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Xie Dajiao already told us that Zhao Yutian has a brother named Lin Chen, who is one of the top bosses in the surrounding area. He's very wealthy and has a wide network of connections!"

"With such a big shot backing him up, he can easily pull Zhao Yutian along, and that kid will be set for life! How could his future be anything but bright? You think you can fool us old folks with your petty, narrow-minded schemes? Get the hell out of here! If you keep babbling in front of my house, I'll just grab a broom and beat you up!"

After that conversation, even Liu Neng, with his thick skin, couldn't hold back any longer. He stammered and couldn't say a word. It was incredibly awkward!

He never expected that Zhao Yutian would actually benefit from Lin Chen's influence. He got up early, traveled such a long way, and went to great lengths to sabotage the marriage, only to end up listening to others brag about Zhao Yutian for free. It was all his own fault, and he made a fool of himself.

Liu Neng, feeling embarrassed, awkwardly backed away, muttering under his breath:

"If you don't want to talk, then don't. Why are you so angry? Can't you just talk things out?"

Not daring to linger for even a second, they turned and left dejectedly, like a scolded child.