Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

The day after the hot spring was opened, at six o'clock in the evening, Lin Chen's villa was brightly lit, so bright that it was dazzling inside and out.

The room was bustling with noise and chatter, even more lively than a New Year's banquet.

Lin Chen specially set up two tables today to celebrate the discovery of hot springs in the well behind the mountain.

The people sitting at the main table were Chang Gui, Accountant Xu, Wang Laoqi, Liu Neng, Zhao Si, and Wang Yun, who were village cadres and people with whom they had good relationships.

The other table was full of young people: Xie Yongqiang, Liu Yishui, Zhao Yutian, Liu Ying, Xiangxiu and her husband, Xie Xiaomei, Wang Xiaomeng, Chen Yannan and a few other close friends sat together, making it a very lively place.

Chang Gui stood up straight, saying that Ivory Mountain was really going to have a change of fortune this time. He kept nodding to the people around him, looking very pleased with himself.

Once all the dishes were served, Lin Chen stood up with a glass of baijiu in his hand, raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet.

The noisy living room quickly fell silent. Everyone stopped eating and turned to look at him, waiting for him to speak.

"Everyone, calm down for a moment, I have something to say."

Lin Chen smiled and said loudly:

"I've invited everyone here today simply to celebrate. As you all know, we've discovered a hot spring on the back of Ivory Mountain!"

He glanced around at everyone present and then said:

"Although I spearheaded the drilling of this well, the benefits don't just go to me. The village can develop tourism and other industries in the future; it's a good thing for the whole village!"

Lin Chen's gaze fell on Xie Yongqiang, and his tone immediately became much more serious.

"The one who deserves the most credit here is not me, but Yongqiang."

Lin Chen said frankly:

"He's been working on the construction site on the back hill every day, exposed to the wind and sun, getting up early and working late, not eating well and not sleeping soundly. He's completely worn out. Come on, everyone, let's raise a glass. This first glass is to Yongqiang! Thank you for your hard work these past few months!"

Xie Yongqiang hurriedly stood up and waved his hands, repeatedly declining:

"No, no, no, Brother Chen, don't say that! I was just keeping an eye on things on-site for you. You were the one who really paid the money, took the risks, and shouldered the pressure. How could I dare to take credit for that!"

Lin Chen picked up his wine glass, placed it in his hand, and clinked glasses with him. Xie Yongqiang felt as if the heavy burden on his heart had finally been lifted. The feeling in his heart was indescribable.

People at both tables stood up and raised their glasses, the glasses clinking loudly, and everyone took a big gulp.

After a glass of wine, the atmosphere in the room immediately became lively, with people talking, chatting, and joking around.

After several rounds of drinks and most of the food eaten, the alcohol took effect, and the conversation flowed freely. They sat around the table, chatting about the hot springs and the future development of the village, becoming more and more excited as they talked.

Just as everyone was having the most enthusiastic conversation, Chen Guiying, holding a glass of beer, suddenly raised her voice and shouted, completely drowning out the noise in the room.

"Lin Chen! I'm going to tell you the truth, and you might not like what I'm about to say!"

Chen Guiying has a loud and clear voice; the moment she opened her mouth, the entire audience fell silent.

"This hot spring well, to put it bluntly, was boiled down by Yongqiang. He suffered a lot guarding the mountain! If you ask me, he deserves half the credit. You two are as close as brothers, so you should just split the well in half! Otherwise, all his suffering would have been for nothing!"

The moment those words were spoken, the room fell completely silent.

The sounds of chopsticks clattering against bowls, the voices of conversation, and the boisterous drinking all suddenly ceased.

Everyone in the room was stunned, their eyes darting back and forth between Lin Chen and Chen Guiying. Zhao Yutian frowned, about to speak, when Liu Yishui stopped him, whispering:

"Now is not the time for you to speak."

Xie Yongqiang's face turned red with anxiety. He kicked Chen Guiying under the table and growled in a low voice:

"What are you babbling about?!"

Chen Guiying glared at Xie Yongqiang, puffed out her chest, and looked unconvinced. She felt that what she said made sense. If they didn't fight for something now, Xie Yongqiang, with his honest nature, would never get anything in the future.

Lin Chen's smile didn't fade at all, nor did he get angry. He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, looked up at Chen Guiying, and made a joke.

"Oh my, nothing's even happened yet, and you're already protecting your man?"

A joke made everyone at both tables laugh, easing the tense atmosphere a little.

Chen Guiying was a little flustered. Her relationship with Yongqiang hadn't been made clear yet. Just as she was about to open her mouth to defend herself, Lin Chen spoke first. His tone was still calm, but the firmness in his words was clear to everyone.

"Since you say that, it means Yongqiang didn't choose the wrong person. I've seen all the suffering Yongqiang has endured, and I know how hard he's worked. I certainly can't let him work for nothing."

"When the hot spring project is launched, I will not shortchange you on any of the benefits that are due. You don't need to come out and ask for them on his behalf."

Lin Chen tapped his fingers on the table, his words blunt and firm:

"But let's keep things separate. We brothers know what's going on. What I gave voluntarily was a favor, but if someone else asks for it, that's greed."

"The original contract was in black and white. I was the one who transferred the land, I paid for the expenses, and I bore all the risks. If it should be split equally, why didn't anyone share the burden with me when I paid for and took on the risks? Of course, even if Yongqiang wanted to share the burden with me, I couldn't agree... after all, he's my younger brother!"

These words were spoken calmly and logically, leaving the person speechless.

Before the situation could completely freeze, Lin Chen immediately raised his glass, giving Xie Yongqiang face and smoothly smoothing things over.

"But don't worry, sister-in-law, Yongqiang is my brother. I would never mistreat him. Once the project is going well, I'll arrange a managerial position for him. He can earn a steady income, which is better than anything else. Let's not talk about that now, that's for the future. Today, let's just drink!"

Everyone quickly followed suit, raising their glasses in agreement, and the noise instantly rose again, bringing back the lively atmosphere.

But everyone present was a seasoned villager, and they all knew exactly what was going on.

Lin Chen's words gave Xie Yongqiang face, established the rules, and blocked anyone's thoughts of taking advantage or getting benefits.

Chen Guiying remained seated, her face alternating between red and white. She opened her mouth several times, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

The contract is there, and the principles and human relationships are all on Lin Chen's side. If she continues to make trouble, she will simply be being unreasonable.

She's always been a tough nut to crack in the town and village, always making a scene and never suffering any loss. Today, she's really hit a brick wall and can only awkwardly raise her glass with a forced smile.

Liu Neng glanced at Zhao Si furtively, and when their eyes met, they both saw the schadenfreude in each other's eyes.

Since Chen Guiying came to the mountain, she has had more contact with the villagers. She usually dares to talk back to anyone and no one dares to mess with her. Today, someone finally taught her a lesson.

Wang Laoqi sat beside him and nodded silently. He admired Lin Chen. He was young but steady in his work. He neither hurt the brotherhood nor caused Lin Chen any loss. He handled things perfectly.

This little incident was quickly forgotten, and the dinner party became even more lively.

Liu Neng and Zhao Si relapsed into their old habits, arguing and bickering, having a great time.

Chang Gui pulled Lin Chen aside to talk about the follow-up investment promotion, asking him to discuss it with Wang Dana. The more they talked, the more excited they became, and they were very much looking forward to it.

The younger table was even more wild, playing drinking games, laughing and shouting loudly, creating a lively atmosphere.

Xie Dajiao ran back and forth between the two tables, checking which table was missing what dishes, and then moved them around, creating a lively atmosphere reminiscent of a Northeastern Chinese banquet.

They drank until after 9 p.m., and everyone's faces were flushed from the alcohol, and they were all full and satisfied.

The group, supporting each other in twos and threes, staggered out. Once everyone was gone, the villa fell silent, leaving only a mess on the table.

Xie Xiaomei, wearing an apron, cleaned up the mess, her lips pouting, clearly still angry, even wiping the table with a hint of rage.

Lin Chen walked over and gently put his arm around her waist from behind, speaking in a calm voice.

"What's wrong? Still angry?"

Xie Xiaomei slammed the rag on the table and turned to complain angrily:

"How can I not be angry? Chen Guiying ruined a perfectly good meal! How can she be so greedy? When Yongqiang was desperate, why didn't she come up with a solution? Now that we've developed the hot springs and are making money, she immediately asks for half. She's so shameless!"

Lin Chen smiled and ruffled her hair, gently comforting her.

"Alright, stop getting angry. It's not worth it. Right now, she only cares about Yongqiang. Seeing her man suffering, she just wants to get more benefits for him. She's not a big problem, she's just too reckless in her actions."

"You know her too well. A woman raising a child and running a grain and oil shop in town, struggling for so many years, if she wasn't tough, she would have been bullied to death long ago."

He turned Xie Xiaomei around, looked at her face, and said:

"Besides, her fuss today might not be a bad thing. I can take this opportunity to make the rules clear in front of the whole village. From now on, no one can take advantage of me under the guise of friendship. It's worth it to have peace and quiet in the future for the sake of a meal."

Xie Xiaomei pouted, her anger subsiding, but she still muttered under her breath:

"It's just annoying. It's a joyous occasion, and they have to ruin it."

Lin Chen smiled and pulled her into his arms:

"It's nothing, don't take it to heart. I'm not even angry. Leave the dishes here and clean them up tomorrow. We've already enjoyed the hot springs, there are many good days ahead, it's not worth getting upset over such a small thing."

"No, you've had quite a bit to drink. Go upstairs and lie down. We'll clean up quickly; it'll smell terrible tomorrow."