Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

"You dare!"

Liu Neng was so angry at Liu Ying that he jumped up and down, his face turning bright red.

"As long as I, Liu... Liu, am alive, you can forget about marrying a cripple! I'm the one who decides this marriage. I said let's... let's wait and see. If his leg really can't be cured, we'll break off the engagement immediately, no room for negotiation!"

Seeing that the father and daughter were about to have a falling out, Li Xiulian quickly stepped forward to separate them. While gently patting Liu Ying's back to calm her down, she turned to patiently persuade Liu Neng, who was still angry:

"Alright, stop arguing with the child. Children are sentimental, so don't push them too hard."

"I think we should hold off on letting Yingzi go to the hospital rashly, so that the child doesn't end up in a difficult position."

Let's find a reliable, articulate person to go to the hospital and ask the doctor in person whether Yutian's leg injury can heal completely and whether there will be any aftereffects. Once we have accurate information, we'll make a decision, okay?

After listening, Liu Neng stroked his chin thoughtfully for a long time before his tense expression gradually relaxed, and he nodded in agreement.

"That's fairly reliable. When I went to see Yutian a few days ago, I was too embarrassed to ask the doctor if I would be disabled in front of Zhao Si and his wife."

Li Xiulian glared at Liu Neng:

"If you had asked back then, you would have been a real idiot, wouldn't you have just been asking for a fight?"

"That's right, I'm not stupid. The most suitable person in the village is Xie Dajiao. She's been a matchmaker and errand girl all year round. It's best to let her inquire. I'll go find Dajiao for help right now."

After saying that, Liu Neng hurriedly headed towards Big Foot Grocery Store with his signature small, quick steps.

In the quiet early morning, Xie Dajiao took a clean rag and wiped the snacks and drinks on the counter and shelves little by little. She looked rosy-cheeked and worked with ease and grace.

Liu Neng pushed open the door and entered the store. He immediately peeked out and looked around to make sure no one else was there before shrinking his neck and approaching the counter. He rubbed his hands together, looking awkward and embarrassed.

Xie Dajiao caught a glimpse of his guilty look out of the corner of her eye, and couldn't help but stop what she was doing, laughing and teasing him:

"What's wrong, Liu Neng? Why are you acting so suspiciously today? You came into my shop looking around like that. What are you afraid of? Just say what you need to say. There are no outsiders here."

Liu Neng coughed awkwardly, lowered his voice, and looked worried:

"Big Foot, I've come here today because I really need your help. Yutian has been hospitalized for three days, and I've been so worried about him every day that I can't eat or sleep properly. I feel like I have a huge weight on my mind."

Xie Dajiao said with a smile:

"If you're worried, go to the hospital to see him. After all, he's your son-in-law. Even though you're not married, everyone in the village knows about your relationship."

"You...you...please don't interrupt. I went with you last time, and I was too embarrassed to ask the doctor in front of everyone whether Yutian's leg would be permanently disabled. I'd like to ask you to take some time to go to the hospital for me and find out the truth about Yutian's injury, okay?"

After hearing this, Xie Dajiao immediately put down the rag, frowned, and asked:

"Liu Neng, what do you mean? What if there's something wrong with your leg?"

"Look at you, why are you getting so worked up? I have no choice. She's my only daughter. If something really happens to Yutian's leg, it will affect Liu Ying's entire life..."

Xie Dajiao thought it made sense, and finally couldn't persuade Liu Neng otherwise, so she had to agree to go and ask around on his behalf.

Liu Neng was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly, his tone exceptionally polite:

"Oh, Big Foot, you've really done me a huge favor! Once this is all settled, I'm definitely going to splurge at your store."

Xie Dajiao rolled her eyes at him:

"Whether you make a purchase or not is another matter. If I close down, will I be unable to do business? Don't you have to give me the profit from this half-day? I won't ask for more, just give me fifty yuan."

Upon hearing this, Liu Neng felt as if a piece of his flesh had been ripped out.

……

At the same time, a car slowly stopped at the entrance of Liu Yishui's farm, raising clouds of dust.

The car door opened, and Xie Xiaomei stepped out. Her simple and neat outfit gave her a refreshing and generous temperament, exuding the clean and efficient demeanor of a city professional, which contrasted sharply with the simplicity of the village.

Liu Yishui, who was in his office, immediately ran out upon hearing the noise. The moment he saw Xie Xiaomei, his face instantly lit up with a sincere smile, and he quickly went to greet her.

"Xiaomei! You're finally back! I thought you wouldn't finish the procedures until tomorrow, but you arrived a day early!"

Xie Xiaomei smiled faintly, her tone relaxed and natural:

"I've finished handing over all my work in the city, so I decided to come over early. What, you're not welcoming me back to the village?"

"Welcome, welcome!"

Liu Yishui immediately greeted them warmly:

"Come inside and have some water and rest."

The two entered the tidy office. Liu Yishui poured a glass of water and handed it to them, her eyes full of expectation, and frankly stated her difficulties:

"Xiaomei, as you can see, I'm planning to expand the scale of the farm this year. Everything needs to be expanded, and there's a lot of work on my shoulders. I can't handle it all by myself."

"You graduated with a degree in animal husbandry and previously worked at the city's agricultural and animal husbandry bureau. Your major is relevant to your job, and you are skilled in both technology and management. I've been wanting to invite you to come and help me manage the factory for a long time. Now that you're back, you can help relieve some of my burden."

Xie Xiaomei held the water glass and calmly began to speak:

"Actually, I didn't plan to go back to the city after I came back this time. I have already taken a leave of absence without pay and I plan to stay in Xiangyashan for a long time to develop my career."

Liu Yishui was so excited after hearing this that he almost jumped up, his face beaming with joy:

"Really? That's fantastic news! I'll make you the deputy manager of the farm, with full responsibility for management and technology. Your salary will be higher than what you'd earn in the city, plus a year-end bonus. How about it? If you think deputy manager is too low-level, I can even give you the manager position!"

Xie Xiaomei looked at him carefully and explained the rules beforehand:

"No way, I can stay and help you, but let me make this clear: I always keep my personal and professional life separate, and I have very strict management requirements on the field. If you become lax or fail to manage properly, I will criticize you without any leniency."

"No problem, I'll cooperate 100%!"

Liu Yishui patted his chest and assured them, overjoyed:

"I'll throw a welcome dinner for you at the cafeteria tonight! Oh, and where's your luggage? I'll help you tidy up your dorm."

Xie Xiaomei gently shook her head in polite refusal:

"No need to trouble yourself. I haven't brought my luggage yet. I need to go to my aunt Xie Dajiao's place first. I can stay at her place tonight."

"Is Xie Dajiao your aunt?"

Xie Xiaomei said with a smile:

"What, you're only finding out now? My dear aunt!"

"Look, this is even better!"

Liu Yishui chatted with her about the factory's problems and development. Seeing that it was getting late, he personally took her to Big Foot Grocery Store.

Xie Dajiao wasn't idle either; she had already arrived at the hospital.

She went straight to the orthopedic ward to visit Zhao Yutian. The ward was filled with the strong smell of disinfectant. Zhao Yutian was lying on the bed, his entire leg wrapped up, his face pale and haggard, and he had no energy at all...