Country Love: Xie Dajiao, 37, is pregnant!

Wang Changgui dawdled on his way home from the village office, his mind racing with anxiety as he pondered what to do, his head throbbing with worry.

But as soon as he pushed open his own gate, he was completely dumbfounded.

The huge courtyard has been completely renovated, with clotheslines densely covered with clean sheets, duvet covers and clothes, water droplets dripping down the edges.

Beside the well in the courtyard, Wang Yun was squatting in front of the washbasin, his trousers rolled up and sleeves rolled up, washing clothes with his head down.

She handled a large basin of heavy clothes with ease, her movements of scrubbing and wringing water were crisp and efficient. She could wring out bed sheets all by herself without needing two people. When she exerted force, you could see the strong, layered muscles in her forearms, which showed that she was someone who did manual labor all year round.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead and trickled down her cheeks, but she didn't bother to wipe them away, focusing only on working quickly.

Without exaggeration, Wang Changgui felt that if they really fought, he might not be able to beat her.

Hearing the sound of the courtyard gate, Wang Yun immediately straightened up, wiped the sweat from his face, turned to look at Wang Changgui, and spoke in a loud and cheerful voice, showing no sign of formality:

"Changgui, you're back. I heard from Qi Santai that you've been transferred to work in town, so I came here to help you tidy up your house. You're a grown man, and the house is so messy with no one taking care of it."

Wang Changgui quickly snapped out of his daze, forced a polite smile onto his face, and hurriedly waved his hand, saying:

"Oh dear, look at you, you're so sorry. You came all the way from town to help me with the work. What if you get exhausted? Go and take a rest!"

While exchanging polite greetings, my heart was pounding with apprehension.

"What rest? You call this 'resting'? You call this tiring work?"

Wang Yun didn't take it seriously at all, waved his hand and continued washing clothes, his hands never stopping, his tone exceptionally boastful:

"When I was young, I did all the farm work myself. I could do everything from spring planting to autumn harvest. This little bit of laundry and housework is nothing to me. You just focus on getting back to work. From now on, I'll take care of all the housework. You don't have to worry about anything!"

Her honest and assertive words left Wang Changgui with mixed feelings, unable to tell whether he was moved or worried. He wished Xie Dajiao had said those words to him.

While she was busy, Xiangxiu returned from the clinic. As soon as she entered the courtyard, she saw the unfamiliar woman working in the yard and was stunned for a moment, looking at her curiously.

Wang Changgui quickly stepped forward to introduce them, trying to hide his embarrassment:

"Xiangxiu, this is your Aunt Wang Yun, Mayor Qi's sister. She's here for a visit."

Wang Yun immediately smiled and nodded, quickly wiping the water stains off his hands on his apron, and praised Xiangxiu:

"This must be Xiangxiu, right? She's really pretty, as delicate and beautiful as a little flower. You can call me Auntie or Mom, it's fine. Come inside and rest. I'll finish washing these two pieces of clothing, and then we can chat inside."

Chang Gui coughed twice and said to Xiang Xiu:

"Just call me 'Auntie,' that's fine..."

Xiangxiu obediently responded, greeted him with a smile, then moved closer to Changgui and whispered:

"Dad, I think Aunt Wang Yun is a really good person. She's efficient and hardworking, and so capable. With her helping to take care of the house, I can rest assured when I get married. It's much better than you just making do on your own."

Xiangxiu genuinely thought it was a good thing, simply hoping that someone in the family could lend a hand and make life more lively. Little did she know the torment her father was going through.

Wang Changgui could only manage a forced smile and mumble a couple of "uh-huhs" in response, but the gloom in his heart didn't dissipate at all.

Before long, night fell, and darkness enveloped the entire Ivory Mountain.

Wang Yun's cooking is truly exceptional. The dinner she prepared smelled wonderful: authentic flatbread, fish sauce, dipping vegetables, and a huge pot of pork ribs stewed with green beans. The aroma filled the entire courtyard.

After the meal, he didn't slack off at all, washing pots and pans, cleaning the stove, and keeping everything spotless inside and out, without letting the father and son lift a finger.

It was already past eight o'clock in the evening, and it was pitch black outside, but Wang Yun showed no sign of leaving. She sat calmly on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), holding a needle and thread in her hand, slowly mending the buttons on her clothes. Her demeanor was composed and natural, just like the lady of the house.

Wang Changgui sat on the opposite stool, a cigarette between his fingers, smoking one puff after another in silence. He was restless and uncomfortable, his eyes constantly glancing at the clock on the wall, his heart burning with anxiety.

He couldn't bear it any longer. Taking advantage of a moment when Wang Yun was busy with her work, he secretly reached out and tugged at Xiangxiu's sleeve, signaling her to come out. When she came out, he lowered his voice and said:

"Girl, go and ask Wang Yun if he's going back to town tonight. It's getting dark, we don't want him to miss the bus."

Xiangxiu nodded and went into the house, saying in an affectionate tone:

"Aunt Wang Yun, it's completely dark. Are you going back to town tonight? If not, I'll pack your bedding and put it in my room."

Unexpectedly, Wang Yun didn't stop her needlework at all, nor did she even lift her head. Her tone was calm and natural, speaking with complete candor and without any awkwardness or formality.

"Why would I go back? There's so much chores to do at home. I'm not leaving tonight. Besides, your dad and I are both this age. What's the point of arguing about sleeping in separate rooms? I'll sleep in the same room with your dad tonight. We can lie down and chat. It'll be more lively."

These words sounded ordinary, but to Wang Changgui, they were like a thunderclap in a clear sky!

His fingers suddenly stiffened, and the cigarette he was holding fell to the ground with a "thud," scattering ash and sparks everywhere.

His whole hand trembled slightly uncontrollably, and the color drained from his face instantly; he was completely panicked.

Living in the same house?!

Wang Changgui's mind went blank, and only one thought remained in his mind:

This isn't about finding a partner to share life with; it's like sending a lamb to the slaughter! With my frail little body, facing off against the robust Wang Yun, I'm sure I won't survive this night unscathed!

Xiangxiu, who was standing to the side, was also slightly stunned. She turned around and secretly glanced at her father's flustered and embarrassed appearance, and looked at him with a bit of pity.

Inside, Wang Yun was still humming a little tune, while outside, Wang Changgui squatted on the ground, slowly picking up the fallen cigarettes, his heart pounding with anxiety.

His mind raced as he desperately tried to figure out a way to escape.

Refuse him in public? Absolutely not! Offending Wang Yun would be the same as offending Qi Santai. His not-yet-appointed position and the town job he had just secured would be completely ruined, and he would never be able to turn his life around.

But if he didn't refuse and obediently complied... just thinking about Wang Yun's physique made him shudder, and he simply couldn't handle it.

In this dilemma, Wang Changgui's eyes suddenly lit up, and he slapped his thigh, instantly having an idea!

He immediately turned to look at Xiangxiu, who was secretly laughing in the inner room, waved his hand to call her out, and hurriedly asked:

"Daughter, let me ask you, last time Lin Chen and his friends had a barbecue at home, how late did you and your group of young people drink before you finally left?"

Xiangxiu replied casually:

"Does anyone remember the specifics? Anyway, it was really late. Brother Chen has an amazing alcohol tolerance. If Xie Yongqiang hadn't been so useless that day, passing out after just two bottles, we definitely could have drunk until the wee hours. Dad, why are you asking about this?"

"I've got it! Great!"

Wang Changgui instantly perked up, immediately pulled out a wad of cash from his pocket, some in small change and some in large bills, and stuffed it all into Xiangxiu's hand. He spoke rapidly, explaining everything clearly:

"Honey, hurry up and go to the convenience store and buy some cooked food, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, then bring back two cases of beer and two bottles of liquor!"

"After you're done shopping, go and call over Lin Chen, Xie Xiaomei, Zhao Yutian, Liu Ying, and all those other young people. Tell them your dad's been promoted and transferred to the town, and we're treating everyone to a celebratory dinner tonight!"

After saying that, he added a special instruction, his face full of disdain:

"Don't call me Xie Yongqiang! Just looking at him annoys me; he's bad luck!"

Wang Changgui's eyes were resolute as he gritted his teeth and added:

"They absolutely must stay up all night drinking with me tonight, until dawn! Hurry, hurry, the sooner the better!"

Xiangxiu was taken aback at first, but then she immediately understood her father's little scheme. She covered her mouth and laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight, nodding repeatedly.

"I understand, Dad. You're so clever! That's a brilliant idea! I'll get to it right away and make sure it's done perfectly!"

Watching Xiangxiu run away quickly, Wang Changgui let out a long sigh of relief, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, and finally felt relieved.

Staying up all night drinking is better than being exhausted from sharing a room with Wang Yun! At worst, I'll go to town to report for duty with dark circles under my eyes tomorrow. Being tired and staying up all night doesn't matter, at least I can keep my health and my job security!

He managed to narrowly escape this deadly ordeal!

Hearing the commotion in the yard, Wang Yun, who was busy outside, curiously poked her head out and asked:

"Changgui, what's going on? Are you hosting a party?"

Wang Changgui immediately dropped his smug look, put on a smile, and strode out to reply:

"Of course! A promotion is a joyous occasion, we must celebrate! Invite a few younger villagers over for a drink, and you should join in too—the more the merrier!"

He smiled and responded politely, but secretly he was thinking:

This drinking party saved me tonight!

Xiangxiu arrived at the grocery store, but it was closed. Now was the perfect time for the three of them to be all lovey-dovey, since Xie Dajiao usually closed the store as soon as it got dark.

There was nothing Xiangxiu could do, so she called Lin Chen and invited all three of them over. Xie Dajiao was wondering on her way there, even if he went to work in town, he shouldn't be treating everyone to dinner so late at night, right?