Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

"He dug through the soil and rubble with his bare hands, and all ten of his fingers were worn raw, with blood mixed with mud. It looked terrifying. In the end, he managed to drag Wang Dana out from inside."

"It was during that accident that Lin Zhenguo's right hand was hit by a falling rock, breaking two of his finger bones. Although the injury healed, it left him with a chronic condition. His fingers could never straighten and remained bent, making it impossible for him to do any heavy or strenuous work."

"It's all just a cruel twist of fate."

Wang Changgui shook his head and sighed:

"It's because he's disabled and can't do manual labor in the fields that he was forced to go out and make his way in the world, to work hard in Shenzhen. If it weren't for this incident, he would most likely be like us, spending his whole life tending to a few acres of land in the village."

After hearing this long-forgotten story, Xie Dajiao was stunned and remained silent for a long time before nodding.

"So that's how it is. No wonder Wang Dana has been thinking about Lin Chen for so many years. He's quite a loyal and righteous man!"

After crying, most of the knot in my heart that had been accumulating for years was finally untied.

Looking at Wang Dana, whose eyes were red-rimmed, Lin Chen felt a warmth and reassurance in his heart. He raised his hand to help him up and smiled as he asked Wang to stay.

"Grandpa, don't just stand at the village entrance, come on in and sit at my house for a while."

Wang Dana had recovered by now, and without refusing, nodded and said:

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you. Let's go upstairs and chat. I'd also like to see what your place is like."

Wang Dana and his son drove after Lin Chen home. Once the excitement was over, the villagers went about their own business, but there was still no shortage of private gossip.

Wang Changgui stood at the entrance of the grocery store, watching Wang Dana leave. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask, "Brother, have you forgotten about me?" But in the end, he didn't say anything and went home with his hands behind his back.

Lin Chen's courtyard was spotless and his house was bright and clean, all thanks to the two women.

Once inside, Wang Dana looked around, his eyes filled with satisfaction, nodding repeatedly. It was rare for a young man to do something like this; he had expected it to look like a pigsty.

"Good, really good. This house is tidy up. You can tell it's a house that people live a good life. Your father was always clean and tidy. He always stood at attention when he did chores. You got that from him."

Without any ceremony, he took off his shoes and sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed). His casual demeanor made him look nothing like a big boss; he was just a typical old man from Northeast China.

Wang Musheng also joined in, sitting properly on the edge of the kang (heated brick bed) without saying much.

Lin Chen picked up the water glass on the table, poured a glass of water for each of the father and son, and then jokingly said with a smile:

"Grandpa, it's been so many years. You've changed a lot. You've become quite well-off. But your accent hasn't changed at all. It still has that picky, foreign accent."

Wang Dana picked up his water glass, took a sip, and upon hearing this, laughed heartily and waved his hand:

"I can't change it, and I don't want to change it. This is how my life will be."

Wang Musheng, who had been holding back for a while, finally seized the opportunity to speak, leaned forward, and slurred:

"Brother, we've been so busy chatting that I haven't introduced myself yet. My name is Wang Musheng, you can just call me Big Brother."

Hearing this, Lin Chen couldn't help but chuckle and immediately reached out to shake his hand.

"Alright, brother, this is the first time we've met. Let's keep in touch more often."

The three of them sat down around the kang table and chatted casually about their recent situations, the changes in the village, and their experiences working away from home over the years. There was no awkwardness at all; on the contrary, they became even closer.

The room was a little stuffy, so Lin Chen reached out and picked up the remote control, turning on the air conditioner.

As soon as the cold wind blew out, Wang Dana immediately raised his hand to stop it, his tone carrying the characteristic chatter of the older generation:

"Turn it off, turn it off. Don't rely on this stuff so much when you're young. It's bad for your health if you blow on it too much, and your joints will easily get cold. All of this will come back to haunt you when you get old."

As he spoke, he got up and went to open the window:

"What a beautiful day! A gentle breeze is much better than any air conditioner."

Wang Musheng pouted, glared at him, and then turned to Lin Chen to complain:

"Don't listen to him, bro. Look at your age. There's a generation gap between you and us. He's just old and doesn't have the energy anymore. We young people are different. Who can stand it without air conditioning on this day?"

"Leave it on, don't worry about it!" Wang Musheng stopped Lin Chen, preventing him from turning off the air conditioner.

Lin Chen watched the father and son bickering, just smiled and shook his head, not getting involved. He reached out and took out a cigarette, handed one over, and lit it for Wang Dana.

Wang Dana took a drag of his cigarette, his brow furrowing slightly. He glanced at the cigarette in his hand, then looked at Lin Chen, his tone slightly reproachful:

"Why are you smoking this kind of cigarette? It's so cheap."

He turned and called out to Wang Musheng, who was sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed):

"Are there any more Zhonghua cigarettes or that liquor someone gave you in the car? Unload them all, don't leave a single thing behind, and bring them all inside!"

"Okay, sure!"

Wang Musheng nodded, got up, and went out to get busy.

"Huh? No need, sir, really no need, it's all the same to me."

"How can that be the same? If it's given to you, you should accept it. Why are you being so distant, letting him stay in the South for several years!"

Before long, Wang Musheng carried cigarettes and liquor into the house. Ten cartons of Zhonghua cigarettes and a case of high-end liquor were neatly arranged on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

Looking at the pile of cigarettes and alcohol, Lin Chen couldn't help but laugh and tease:

"Sir, it looks like you've switched to the tobacco and alcohol business?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Dana laughed and retorted:

"You're talking nonsense, kid. What kind of person do you think I am now? Why would I need to do this kind of small business?"

"These were all gifts from friends I work with. I have a huge pile at home, so just keep them and enjoy them as you please. Don't be shy, I'll bring you more when you're done!"

After exchanging a few casual words, Wang Dana changed the subject and began to inquire about personal matters, his tone carrying the concern of an elder:

"By the way, Xiaochen, you're twenty-five this year, right? You're not young anymore. Why haven't I heard from Changgui that you're married? Or that you don't even have a boyfriend?"

Lin Chen smiled faintly:

"No, sir. I haven't met the right person yet. I've been working hard to start my own business these past few years, and my mind has been focused on making money to support myself. I haven't had time to think about these things."

Wang Dana immediately objected:

"Nonsense! You just have high standards and didn't put in the effort to find the right person!"

Lin Chen, afraid that he would continue to worry, quickly changed the subject:

"Grandpa, it's been so many years. I hope Grandma is doing well. I was in a bad mood at the funeral last time, so I didn't ask you about these things."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dana waved his hand and said:

"It's long gone, not many years ago, it's no longer here."

Lin Chen was taken aback upon hearing this and quickly asked:

"So you've been living alone all these years?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at Wang Musheng:

"What about my older brother? Where does my sister-in-law work?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Musheng's face immediately fell, and he replied in a slurred, unclear voice:

"Don't mention it, brother. The three of us are all bachelors, and we're all pretty tough, none of us have gotten married."

Wang Dana immediately raised his hand and slapped him, cursing:

"Don't talk nonsense! Do you think your brother is comparable to you?"

"Xiao Chen is steady and doesn't want to settle for just anyone. She knows what she's doing. You, on the other hand, are just hopeless. You're all talk and no action. What girl would want you?"

After saying that, he immediately looked at Lin Chen and said with a serious expression:

"By the way, Xiao Chen, you know a lot of people in the village. Could you keep an eye out for your brother and introduce him to a reliable, steady, and good-tempered girl in our village or the surrounding hamlets?"

Lin Chen was both amused and exasperated. He wasn't even married yet, and he was already helping others with introductions.

"Sir, would my older brother be interested in a girl from the countryside?"

"What are you talking about? Rural girls are great these days. They're simple, capable, family-oriented, and honest. As long as they're good people, their conditions don't matter. Your uncle's family has the conditions to back it up."

"OK."

Lin Chen smiled and nodded in agreement:

"Then I'll look around for you, brother. I'll let you know as soon as I find someone suitable."

Upon hearing that there was hope, Wang Musheng immediately perked up, quickly pulled out a lighter from his pocket, and eagerly moved closer:

"My brother is so considerate. Here, have another one, I'll light it for you!"

The three of them sat around the kang table, smoking and chatting enthusiastically about everyday matters.

As they chatted, Wang Dana's eyes inadvertently swept across the courtyard outside the window. The courtyard was clean and tidy, but empty, with no large objects in sight.

"Xiao Chen, now that you've settled down here, why didn't you buy a car? It's so inconvenient to go out and run errands."

Lin Chen explained:

"I bought it, grandpa. I drove my Passat back. A friend of mine has trouble commuting to and from get off work, and I don't usually leave the village, so I lent it to him."

Upon hearing this, Wang Dana flicked his cigarette ash, frowned, and said:

"You can't just lend your car out to anyone. There are too many accidents these days. Don't be shy about refusing. We Northeasterners are all about saving face. If something really happens, it'll cause trouble for everyone."

He then waved his hand dismissively:

"Besides, what's so great about driving that old, beat-up Passat? It's too low-class, and it's not comfortable to sit in."

"Alright, I'll get you a new one! Whatever model or color you like, pick whatever you like. I'll take you to town to pick it up tomorrow!"

Lin Chen was so frightened that he quickly waved his hand to stop him:

"No need, sir. I'm living a pretty stable life now. Having a car is enough for me. Our village roads are all dirt roads, so even a nice car wouldn't be able to make a difference. There's no need to waste money."

Wang Dana wouldn't listen to any advice; he was extremely stubborn.

"What's wrong with dirt roads? We can just use a high-chassis vehicle!"

He immediately turned to look at Wang Musheng and asked loudly:

"Hey Musheng, the other day you were saying you wanted to buy that... that little boat thing, I didn't buy it for you then, what was it called again?"

Wang Musheng looked helpless and corrected him, saying:

"Dad, what kind of small boat is this? It's called a Land Cruiser! You've really come up with some amazing names."

"Yes, yes, this is it!"

Wang Dana slapped his thigh and made the decision on the spot:

"This is the car! High ground clearance, and it's durable! We'll pick it up in a couple of days. Xiao Chen, don't worry about anything, just do as I say!"

Lin Chen declined repeatedly, but Wang Dana was determined to buy him a car this time, leaving him no room to object. He had already made up his mind to go back and arrange to buy the car, and no amount of persuasion would work. If Lin Chen didn't want it, he would buy it in the company's name.