Joyful Motherhood in a Rural Family

Chapter 288: 286: A Trace of Warmth in the Blizzard

Even now, he still deludedly thinks he could continue his revenge on her, what a shameless creature! A mad dog that bites whoever it catches!

Fury racing through her, Liu Sisi turned around and left the cellar.

Outside the cellar, the blizzard was still raging, the piercing wind cutting like knives across her cheeks. She gasped for breath, inhaling mouthfuls of the dry, cold air, her clenched fists shaking uncontrollably, taking a long while before she could pacify her inner rage.

Exhaling a turbid breath, she turned around and began heading in the way of the hall.

Her steps were extraordinarily heavy, each paced out as if desiring to crush the bricks beneath her feet. She wished what she was stepping on was Old Man Li, that damned bastard!

In the hall, Mr. Land Officer was having a casual chat with Di Yelei.

“Indeed, the land in this area is quite good, all fertile fields. The surrounding area of these fields is especially advantageous, not only is there a hot spring nearby but also a small manor. Although the asking price for the land is a bit more, as long as you buy it, even if you only collect rent every month, it will still be a profitable venture…”

Land Officer’s words caused a furrow between Di Yelei’s brows.

Recently, there was indeed a large sum of silver in their home. But since they handled the engagement gifts for YingEr, he really didn’t know how much silver was left. However, there probably wasn’t enough to buy the land that came with a small manor.

Yet, he didn’t know how to bring this up with Uncle Land Officer, so he could only laugh it off.

“Uncle Land Officer, Ye Lei needs to discuss this at home with Sisi and see what she thinks. Recently we spent a lot for YingEr’s engagement gifts, so…”

Mr. Land Officer quickly nodded, “Of course, it is not a small amount of money. If you want, you can go and have a look at the location of the land. It’s exactly on the official road not far from the county, it’s really a very good location. However, the seller seems to be in a rush to sell it because he has run into some issues with his business in the capital city and urgently needs silver. But while the fertile land is excellent it does have a high asking price, so finding someone who can pay a large sum of silver before the New Year isn’t easy.”

Land Officer carefully explained the key points of the situation.

“Did the seller specify the latest date by which he needs the money?” Di Yelei knitted his brows.

Land Officer nodded, “He did mention that he hopes to settle this matter before the New Year, so he can invest the money into New Year goods. Actually! The price of this land is indeed a bit more expensive compared to other places; specifics can be discussed between the two of you…”

As Land Officer was speaking, Liu Sisi walked into the room.

At this moment, she had gradually calmed her rage, her expression softening significantly. Just as she overheard the last line of Land Officer’s conversation, her eyebrows quirked instinctively.

She tweaked the corner of her mouth, giving a light bow, “Uncle Land Officer, our late disturbance at your home, I offer my sincere apologies.”

Land Officer quickly stretched out his hand to support her, “Sisi, when you say such words, it makes me truly embarrassed! Ah!”

Land Officer let out a long sigh, “Old Man Li is old and weak, and we’ve known each other since childhood. His wife has been dead for many years and he has no children to take care of him in his old age. In my position as a Land Officer, I have provided him with some protection. Sisi, you must not take offense, I…”

“Uncle Land Officer, why are you saying this? This is simply human nature. I am not an unreasonable person; you have nothing to worry about.”

Liu Sisi smiled. As for Land Officer’s partiality towards Old Man Li, she had quite an open mind about it.

It was just like what Land Officer said. They have known each other since childhood, it’s only natural to want to protect each other.

Land Officer’s eyes turned sour, “But…sigh…” He was at a loss for words.

Seeing the situation, Di Yelei quickly smoothed things over.

“Uncle Land Officer, it’s getting late. The weather is getting colder. Perhaps it’s best for us to head home now and let you rest. Tomorrow morning we will come back and pick up the people. What do you think…?”

Upon hearing Di Yelei’s words, Liu Sisi also felt the freezing weather and plummeting temperature. Staying around would not help the situation, it’d be better to return home early.

She hastily nodded, “Indeed! We have troubled Uncle Land Officer for the entire evening, for which I feel really sorry. I quite took a liking to Min’er; she really struck my fancy. I have a pair of earrings here, consider them my meeting gift for Min’er.”

While speaking, Liu Sisi hastily took out the earrings from her inner pocket and presented them to the Land Officer.

She had brought these earrings out as a last minute consideration, suspecting they might come in handy. And indeed, they did.

“This! This… is too valuable. I cannot possibly accept….”

This pair of earrings is worth at least several taels of money!

Land Officer’s face turned bright red in embarrassment. He had behaved improperly and wronged the child in front of him; moreover, they were gifting him earrings. He felt extremely guilty.

“Uncle Land Officer, these earrings are a gift for Min’er from Sisi. You should accept them,” Di Yelei hurriedly interjected.

After much persuasion, Land Officer finally agreed to accept.

He sighed, waving his hand, “It’s getting late. I should not hold you back. You can rest assured, Old Man Li is safe in the cellar. You should return home now and come to collect him tomorrow.”

The two bowed and took their leave from Land Officer’s home.

The furious wind mixed with the heavy snow outside seemed to grow more fierce, making it impossible to keep their eyes open.

Di Yelei bent down without hesitation, “Sisi, come here, I will carry you on my back. We will be able to reach home faster this way.”

Liu Sisi, who was deliberating, promptly jumped onto Di Yelei’s back.

She quickly adjusted his hat to better cover him, “This snowstorm is severe, we need to return home quickly. We should check on the front and back of our house, I hope it doesn’t succumb to the weight of the snow.”

“You’re right! I have never seen such a heavy snowstorm in my memory. The weather is too abnormal, let’s leave quickly!”

His words resonated with Liu Sisi. He quickly stood up, and with her on his back, started walking home with long strides.

Liu Sisi clung firmly to Di Yelei’s back, noticing his heavy breathing and his deep footprints left in the snow as they journeyed towards their home.

The heavy snow transformed everything within sight into a world of white. If they were not familiar with the road, it would have been impossible to tell if the path beneath their feet was solid ground or a ditch.

One misstep would immerse one in thick layers of snow, similar to stepping into a trap layer. Struggling for a long while, the snow still encased their thighs as if they were pulling out enormous turnips.