Chapter 105: Can You Do Me a Favor?

Chapter 105: Can You Do Me a Favor?

On the day of returning to her family's home, He Tingyue instructed He Feiyan to go to the canteen to get some dishes for lunch.

He and Jiang Yu were returning to her family in South River Village for lunch and then heading to Ya Xiangling's place for dinner.

Fortunately, the three younger siblings at home were old enough and didn't need constant supervision.

Originally, they planned to each ride a bicycle to avoid the hassle of carrying someone else.

However, when they were about to leave, Tong Fang came by with his son, who wanted to visit his grandparents, and asked to borrow a bicycle from He Tingyue.

Tong Fang's wife had passed away early, and he hadn't remarried. Instead, he hired a fellow villager to take care of his child and would often take the child to visit the grandparents.

Since Tong Fang didn't ask for much, He Tingyue couldn't say no and lent him the bike.

He Tingyue was happy to share the bike with Jiang Yu.

As they were leaving, Zeng Chang walked out with his hands behind his back.

"Little He," Zeng called.

He Tingyue turned to look at him, "Uncle Zeng, what's up?"

"You're heading to Funan Commune, right?"

"Uncle Zeng, just get to the point. My wife and I are in a hurry," He Tingyue replied.

Zeng Chang worked as a kitchen assistant at the Second State Cotton Mill. Though it wasn't a high position, he liked to put on airs.

The young people in the courtyard respected him as an elder, figuring it wasn't worth arguing over small stuff.

But Zeng Chang didn't know his place and, feeling important, started acting like he was a big shot.

"I'm also heading to Funan Commune and can go together with you."

Jiang Yu asked, "Uncle Zeng, what business do you have in Funan Commune? Visiting relatives?"

Zeng Chang puffed out his chest, "I need to chat with your village secretary."

"You know the village secretary?" Jiang Yu was surprised.

Zeng Chang chuckled, "Old Chen? He only throws his weight around in front of you guys. I used to call him 'Second Fool.' We were good buddies when we were young, even when he was just a kid."

He was about to continue sharing stories with Jiang Yu when He Tingyue pedaled the bicycle and, in the blink of an eye, left the courtyard and the alleyway behind.

Zeng Chang's face turned red with anger, and he spat, "Big deal, you’ve got a bike!"

As he trudged to the bus stop, breathing heavily, He Tingyue and Jiang Yu had already bought tickets, secured good seats, and were on the bus.

By the time the bus left, Zeng Chang hadn’t shown up.

"Strange, didn't Uncle Zeng say he needed to talk to our village secretary?" Jiang Yu wondered.

He Tingyue calmly said, "Don't bother about him."

As the bus drove away, Jiang Yu thought she heard Zeng Chang panting in the distance.

She glanced out the window and happened to see him angrily kicking a stone post by the roadside. The post didn’t move, but he ended up hopping around, clutching his foot.

Jiang Yu chuckled. "He’s pretty funny."

The bus wound through the mountain roads, a route Jiang Yu knew all too well.

Unexpectedly, this time, it was a trip back to her hometown, stirring up a lot of emotions.

Jiang Yu looked out the window as the bus suddenly stalled, and the driver struggled to restart the engine.

Master Zhang called out, "Looks like the bus is broken. I’ll check it out. Just stay put."

The passengers grew anxious when they heard the bus was broken.

"What’s the deal? I’ve got dinner waiting at home!"

"When will it be fixed? If it can’t be, how are we supposed to get home?"

"Someone should send a vehicle for us! Forget fixing the bus!"

Master Zhang, irritated by the complaints, shouted back, "Out here, where am I supposed to find someone to call? You’re not the only ones in a hurry—I am too!"

He Tingyue patted Jiang Yu’s hand. "Stay here, honey. I’ll go check it out."

"Alright, be careful."

As soon as He Tingyue got out, he spotted a tractor rumbling past.

Zeng Chang was sitting on it, waving and laughing at him.

"Hey, Little He, your bus broke down? Need a lift?"

He Tingyue shook his head. "No need, Uncle Zeng. You go ahead."

"Alright, I’ll be on my way then!"

Uncle Zeng, looking pretty pleased with himself, drove off laughing.

Fortunately, with He Tingyue’s help, the bus roared back to life amid cheers from everyone.

Master Zhang patted He Tingyue’s shoulder with a smile. "Brother, you’ve got some great skills!"

He Tingyue, with a faint smile, said, "I’ve had some experience. Master Zhang would’ve figured it out eventually."

Steady as a mountain, he remained humble despite the praise and walked straight back to Jiang Yu’s side.

"You’re really amazing." Jiang Yu gave him a thumbs up.

He Tingyue held her hand and smiled. "I just have more experience than others."

Like driving—how many people never get a chance to experience it in their lifetime?

Fortunately, everything went smoothly after that, and the bus didn’t break down again.

The two of them reached Funan Commune and carried their things all the way back to South River Village.

At the village entrance, they ran into Uncle Zeng again.

"Little He, you've finally made it!"

He Tingyue replied coolly, "Uncle Zeng, don't you know where Secretary Zhang's house is? I thought with your relationship with Secretary Zhang, you'd know."

Zeng Chang chuckled awkwardly, "South River Village has changed so much, I kind of forgot for a moment."

Jiang Yu pointed the way for him, "It’s on the way to my place, Uncle Zeng, come walk with us."

"Alright!"

The three of them walked forward, but Jiang Yu didn't know that someone had been following her since she entered the village.

"They're here?"

"Sis Li, you mean the guy with Jiang Yu?"

Jiang Li nodded excitedly, "That's him! Ershuan, if you can get him to the water pond, this five cents is yours!"

Ershuan clutched the five cents, already imagining the ice pop he could buy!

"Sis Li, are you lying to me?"

"Why would I lie to you? If you follow my plan and help me, I’ll throw in another two cents!"

Ershuan pocketed the five cents and ran off.

He had already asked his buddy to follow the guy.

"Big Cannon, where's the man?"

"Brother Ershuan, he's heading to Secretary Zhang's house!"

Ershuan frowned, unsure how to handle this. "I'll go check it out first."

As he ran over, he saw Zeng Chang being kicked out by Secretary Zhang.

"We've long since cut ties! What are you doing here today, trying to act chummy? Scram, don't think you can get something for nothing with just two ounces of brown sugar, treating me like a fool to be deceived by you!"

After getting kicked out, Zeng Chang cursed, spat on the ground, and muttered under his breath as he left.

Ershuan stood there for a while. He hadn’t gotten a good look from afar earlier, but he knew Jiang Yu had been walking with him and had asked Big Cannon to follow them.

But now, seeing him up close, he realized it was just an old man.

He couldn't help but wonder, did Sis Li really take a fancy to this man? He doesn’t exactly look young.

"Uncle... Grandpa!" The greeting felt wrong, so Ershuan changed it.

Zeng Chang stopped, "What is it?"

Ershuan looked up at him, noticing he was not only old but also kind of ugly up close.

"Can you help me with something? It's urgent."

Zeng Chang thought, what trouble could a child possibly have? Probably something like retrieving a kite.

"Alright, what is it?"

"Come with me to the water pond!"