The Evil Mother-in-law: Torment Children, Work Hard, Be Rich!-Chapter 265: Seeing Off Guests

The three squatted down for less than the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before being stopped by Jingzhe.

Liu Yanhong said dejectedly, "Third Uncle, how did you find us here?"

They had hidden so deeply! Yet they were still discovered.

Jingzhe said, "I found you here by following your three sets of footprints."

As he spoke, he grabbed Liu Yanhong up like catching a chick.

Although Jingzhe was good-looking, he usually had a serious expression, so the fearless Liu Yanhong was most afraid of Jingzhe’s cold and handsome face.

Even more than he feared his County Magistrate father or his teacher at school.

Being caught by Jingzhe, Liu Yanhong even forgot to struggle and followed Jingzhe dejectedly out of the cornfield.

Liu Yanhong had been crawling around in the cornfield for quite a while, getting his clothes covered with dirt. Mrs. Han laughed, scolding and busying herself to give Liu Yanhong a change of clothes.

Tong Huaqiong put pork and some vegetables and corn from the field onto Mrs. Han’s carriage.

Mrs. Han invited Tong Huaqiong to visit the Liu family in the county, and Tong Huaqiong smiled and said she would certainly visit when she had the time.

"Grandmother, can I stay a few more days?" Liu Yanhong continued his last struggle after getting into the carriage.

"We’ll come again when your godmother’s new house is finished." Mrs. Han said.

Mrs. Han was not angry about Liu Yanhong’s reluctance to leave but actually felt quite pleased.

What does this mean? It means her grandson is being well taken care of by the Gu family, otherwise why else wouldn’t the child want to go home?

Mrs. Han now had such a high opinion of Tong Huaqiong that it couldn’t be penetrated by knives and swords.

"Then can Man Er and Yaozu come home with me?"

Liu Yanhong looked at Man Er and Yaozu, a new idea forming in his mind.

If Man Er and Yaozu went back to Pingchuan County with him, and returned to Qinghe Bay after a few days, he could openly return with them.

Man Er and Yaozu’s eyes brightened.

They had never lived in the county before.

It’s said that when festivals come around, Pingchuan County gets very lively, with fireworks shows, magic performances, tightrope walking, and even smashing large stones on the chest.

Man Er and Yaozu had long wanted to go see the sights in Pingchuan County.

"Young Master Liu, Man Er isn’t going anywhere."

The always taciturn Gu Dahuan directly refused on behalf of his daughter.

Gu Dahuan thought, despite the County Magistrate’s son calling his stepmother godmother, at the end of the day, he was still the official’s young master. What would it mean for Man Er to follow him to Pingchuan County? It would only allow people to gossip behind her back, saying she was clinging to the powerful.

As her father, he couldn’t let Man Er become the subject of someone’s ridicule and discussion.

When Man Er heard her father wouldn’t let her go, her eyes were filled with disappointment.

Liu Yueer was willing for Yaozu to go. After all, maintaining a good relationship with the County Magistrate’s son could only bring benefits without any disadvantages.

But her brother-in-law had already said Man Er couldn’t go, so she couldn’t let Yaozu accompany him either.

"Grandmother..." Man Er looked towards Tong Huaqiong, her big eyes full of yearning.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t dare let Man Er go to the Liu family.

What if she played so wildly that she took something from the space and the secret of the space got discovered?

Moreover, she decided to start tutoring Man Er and Yaozu after the autumn harvest, so the two kids couldn’t go to Pingchuan County at all.

Tong Huaqiong then said, "It’s not that your dad won’t let you go to the county, I’m going to take you to the provincial city in a few days."

Man Er thought for a moment and felt the provincial city must be larger and livelier with more fun things than Pingchuan County, so she no longer wanted to go to Pingchuan.

"Aunt Tong, you’re going to prepare the new shop in the provincial city in a few days. You must come to my house then."

Lu Zhaozhao heard Tong Huaqiong was going to Pingchuan County in a few days, so she extended an invitation for Tong Huaqiong to visit her home.

Tong Huaqiong agreed with a smile.

Lu Zhaozhao then said to Taohua, "Taohua, you should come too. You haven’t been to my house yet."

Taohua said, "Alright, as long as your brother won’t blame me for encouraging you to do business."

Like Liu Yanhong, Lu Zhaozhao didn’t want to leave the Gu family, but she had decided to learn business, so she needed to go home and convince her brother quickly.

Mrs. Han again held Tong Huaqiong’s hand and spoke for quite a while, reminding Tong Huaqiong to make sure to visit the Liu family if she went to Pingchuan County, and also asking Tong Huaqiong to reserve a pig for her to kill for the new year.

Tong Huaqiong agreed to everything.

Seeing the sun had risen, Taohua and the others went to the shop in town, and only then did Mrs. Han and Lu Zhaozhao leave.

"I’m so tired, I need to take a nap."

As soon as Mrs. Han and Lu Zhaozhao departed, Tong Huaqiong flopped onto the bed.

She slept from then until past noon.

Gu Dahuan had long ago made lunch. Seeing his stepmother asleep in the room, he didn’t wake her but kept the dishes warm in the pot.

Tong Huaqiong awoke thoroughly refreshed, and stepping out into the courtyard, she felt entirely invigorated as the autumn wind carried the scent of chrysanthemums and grass.

"Grandmother, you’re awake, there’s food in the pot." Man Er noticed Tong Huaqiong waking up and wanted to help serve her food.

Tong Huaqiong said to Man Er, "No need to serve me, I can do it myself."

She went to the kitchen, lifted the pot lid, finding it warm with porridge, buns, and stewed ribs inside.

Tong Huaqiong brought the meal to the courtyard and began eating ribs in the autumn breeze.

Just as she was eating, someone knocked on the door.

Man Er ran to answer and called to those outside, "Aunt Cao, Chun Ni."

Tong Huaqiong wondered why Mrs. Cao and Chun Ni had come to her house at this time.

"Is your grandmother at home?" Mrs. Cao asked.

"She’s home," Tong Huaqiong called aloud from inside.

Mrs. Cao brought Chun Ni into the courtyard. Tong Huaqiong looked up at the mother and daughter coming in.

Mrs. Cao’s eyes were red, and Chun Ni’s face was wet with tears.

"Aunt Tong, sorry to disturb your meal."

Mrs. Cao said awkwardly, seeing Tong Huaqiong with chopsticks in hand and food in front of her.

Tong Huaqiong waved her hand and said, "It’s no bother, have you eaten?"

"No..."

Mrs. Cao interrupted Chun Ni and hastily said, "We’ve eaten."

Tong Huaqiong didn’t expose Mrs. Cao’s lie, stood up to bring Mrs. Cao and Chun Ni inside the house, instructed Man Er to close the door tightly, poured two bowls of tea, and handed them to Mrs. Cao and Chun Ni.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t know what troubles the mother and daughter were facing, but she could tell from Mrs. Cao’s expression they were probably facing unbearable difficulties.

This difficulty didn’t need much thought and surely came from Tian Fugui and Granny Luo.

Tong Huaqiong didn’t return to the courtyard but sat directly in a chair inside the house watching Mrs. Cao, waiting for her to speak.

"Aunt Tong, please finish your meal first," Mrs. Cao said softly.

She seemed to be enduring with great effort.

Enduring pain, enduring tears.

Tong Huaqiong said, "I’ve eaten enough, just tell me what’s on your mind."

The people were right in front of her, seeming so sorrowful. How could she continue eating?

Mrs. Cao wouldn’t speak up.

Tong Huaqiong couldn’t bear the waiting and urged, "Whatever you have to say, say it."

Mrs. Cao’s face was full of shame, and she stammered, "Aunt Tong, I really feel embarrassed to say."

Tong Huaqiong asked directly, "You brought Chun Ni here because you’re facing trouble, right? Did Tian Fugui hit you?"

As soon as these words were out, Mrs. Cao couldn’t hold back her tears, and Chun Ni started crying out loud.

It seemed Tong Huaqiong guessed correctly.