C19 Unwilling to Give up

The small face, slightly flushed from work, showed a hint of impatience in Xinrann's eyes—or so Lee Chang'an thought.

"Xinrann, I'm worried Fann Jian might give you trouble. I couldn't rest easy, so I came to check on you."

"I'd be over the moon if you didn't come looking for me. As you can see, I'm doing just fine, so you should leave."

With that, Xinrann had no intention of engaging further with Lee Chang'an. Dressed like that to work in the fields—was he here to experience life?

Seeing that Xinrann wasn't welcoming him, Lee Chang'an rolled up his sleeves and pant legs, lining up beside Xinrann to pull weeds.

Xinrann, wanting to distance herself, moved over to stand near Guo Shaoan, placing him between her and Lee Chang'an.

Lee Chang'an's presence quickly caught the attention of Branch Secretary Lee. From the moment Lee Chang'an showed up, Branch Secretary Lee's expression soured. His disappointing son seemed determined to infuriate him by liking the girl from the Fang family. The Fang family was dirt poor, and if Lee Chang'an married that girl, how much grain would their family have to give up each year?

"Lee Chang'an, why aren't you staying at school? What are you doing out here in the fields? You're an educated man—get back there immediately!"

Branch Secretary Lee shouted from a distance, loudspeaker in hand, directing his words toward Xinrann. Xinrann couldn't help but rub her ears, the scene reminding her of the street vendor from her childhood who sold rat poison. His loudspeaker played "The Only Mother in the World," while he shouted about his poison being guaranteed to work or your money back.

The loudspeaker's blare sparked a bit of entertainment among the villagers, and someone spontaneously started singing a love song:

"... The wheat is green again, thinking of my sister brings tears to my eyes."

My brother's heart is full of you, afraid of missing out and growing old.

It takes a hundred years to share a boat; meeting each other is destiny.

Brother wants to hold your hand, sister, don't be shy.

Brother thinks about you every day, why leave me alone?

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The singer's name is Alfie. He can sing, play instruments, and do it all, but he's not really a master of any. His deep voice and lyrics that fit the moment made Branch Secretary Lee's face even darker. Wasn't this just causing trouble?

"Alfie, stop singing. You're making up nonsense, and it sounds terrible. If you don't pull the weeds properly, don't expect any work points," Branch Secretary Lee shouted through the loudspeaker, making the villagers laugh uproariously. Alfie stopped singing, chuckled sheepishly, and quickly bent down to pull weeds. His down-to-earth tenor made Xinrann chuckle. Wow, it's the first time she's heard someone improvise a song like that. Even though Xinrann didn't understand a word, the rhythm was quite catchy.

"Chang'an, please, just leave. You're making it really hard for Xinrann," Liu Yu'e pleaded, knowing that Branch Secretary Lee already had a grudge against their family because of the kids. She didn't want Chang'an to make Xinrann's life any harder. Liu Yu'e looked at Chang'an with a face full of pleading, while Chang'an looked back, unwilling to give up.

"When Xinrann was waiting for you, you didn't come. Now that she doesn't want to see you, you shamelessly hang around her. If you're so capable, shut these gossiping women up and stop them from slandering Xinrann," Faang Qingqing said coldly, venting her frustration by vigorously hoeing the ground.

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