Chapter 138

Chapter 138

Clarification

Sensing Hu Yunlai's probing gaze, Lu Hang nodded slightly at him in acknowledgment before turning to Zhang Dabang. "Uncle Zhang, it's crowded here. Why not come to my house for a chat?"

Zhang Dabang didn’t immediately agree. Instead, he watched the harvester, which was moving faster and more smoothly, and asked, "Was this your wife's work too?"

Lu Hang glanced at Hu Yunlai but before he could speak, Zhang Dabang interrupted, "Mr. Hu is even more anxious than I am. He’s witnessed entire harvests lost because they couldn’t be completed in time. Understand?"

Lu Hang was well aware of the seriousness of the matter and couldn’t treat it lightly. He nodded slightly and said, "This is something Nan Nan should explain to you herself. After all, I didn’t witness what she did firsthand."

Lu Ming, who had seen it with his own eyes, drew back nervously. Facing two elderly men whose presence was no less imposing than his cousin’s, he didn’t dare utter a word.

He truly admired his cousin now. Even using a wheelchair, Lu Hang remained so composed in front of these important elders.

If not for gripping the wheelchair handles, Lu Ming felt he might have collapsed on the spot.

Zhang Dabang and Hu Yunlai exchanged a glance. With their vast experience, they immediately sensed something was amiss but chose not to press further. Instead, their gazes settled on the young girl by the harvester...

Meanwhile, Lu Ding was both exhausted and overwhelmed. Thanks to Lin Nannan’s showboating, he had been surrounded by questions the moment he arrived. The problem was, he wasn’t entirely clear on the details himself.

Previously, all credit for Lin Nannan’s achievements had been given to Lu Ming. When he asked about it, he learned it was intentional—to avoid drawing attention.

But no one had told him that not only had the harvester been repaired, but it had also been improved. Not only was it faster, but its other functions were more advanced too. It made him feel like the money he’d given was far too little.

Lin Nannan finished harvesting all their fields in less than half the time it had taken the previous year. Then, together with the Lu family, she bundled up the harvest to keep it safe from prying eyes.

That wasn’t all. Lu Yuan and Grandma Lu even went back to the fields afterward to pick up any fallen grains, unwilling to waste a single seed.

The other villagers watched enviously, thinking how nice it would be to get even a few seeds. But with so many people around and the Lu family not inviting anyone, they could only stare helplessly, unable to step forward.

After keeping the seeds she needed, Lin Nannan handed the rest to Hu Yunlai and walked away without another thought.

Wiping her sweat, she approached Lu Hang and said, "It’s sweltering. I’m heading back first. Have A Ming push you home."

"Alright," Lu Hang nodded, not introducing the people beside him.

Zhang Dabang didn’t mind. The young girl was dripping with sweat. If he started asking questions now, she’d probably snap at him.

Lin Nannan hurried home, unaware of the group of followers trailing behind her...

Lu Hang was about to return, with Lu Ming pushing his wheelchair. Zhang Dabang wanted to talk to Lin Nannan, Hu Yunlai tagged along out of curiosity, Wei Zhigao had to look after his teacher, and the village head had questions for Lin Nannan. So, aside from the Lu family, a whole crowd trailed behind.

Lin Nannan, already washing her hair and bathing, felt sticky and paid no attention to who had arrived. The visitors didn’t disturb her either, simply chatting in the courtyard and seeking shade...

When Lin Nannan finally emerged from the house with her hair down and saw the crowd of people in the yard, she raised an eyebrow at Lu Hang, waiting for him to speak.

"Mr. Hu and his apprentice—you know them. This is Commander Zhang’s father. Just call him Uncle Zhang," Lu Hang introduced.

Lin Nannan greeted Zhang Dabang politely, then asked Lu Hang if he was feeling well enough...

Zhang Dabang hadn’t gotten a good look at Lin Nannan earlier. Now, observing the girl standing before Lu Hang—her expression gentle, with a slight smile—he felt she looked familiar but couldn’t recall where he knew her from.

"What’s wrong?" Hu Yunlai wondered, noticing his studying her so intently and silence.

"Don’t you think she looks familiar?" Zhang Dabang asked.

Hu Yunlai glanced at Lin Nannan and shook his head. "Who does she remind you of?"

Zhang Dabang frowned, "I can’t think of it right now!"

"Maybe you’re reading too much into it. Lin Nannan has always been a local here. You wouldn’t have met her before."

Zhang Dabang disagreed with this.

When it came to Lin Nannan, he wanted the full story. So, he knew about her background—that she had been brought in from outside by Old Mrs. Lin. As for her true identity, very few were aware of it.

Zhang Dabang might’ve looked rough, but he was sharp. Knowing this concerned Lin Nannan's origins, he preferred not to reveal anything until he had figured it out himself.

Lu Hang gave a nod, signaling it was okay for Lin Nannan to know. If the situation weren’t so awkward, he might’ve even paced around.

"Nan Nan, Uncle Zhang is here for the things you made, and Sir Hu is likely here for the harvester. Just explain it to them—I’ve got your back," Lu Hang reassured her.

Lin Nannan tilted her head to glance at him, seeing how serious he was, and couldn't help but say, "They’re not gonna arrest me, right?"

The whole thing was kinda intense.

Hearing this, Zhang Dabang immediately laughed and said, "Of course not! Someone like you—we’d be lucky to have you! How could we arrest you?"

The praise was so over-the-top, even Wei Gaozhi and Hu Yunlai were floored.

"What exactly is going on here?" Hu Yunlai asked.

"First, answer the old man’s questions. We can discuss the rest later," Zhang Dabang reminded her.

Lin Nannan understood and nodded, then admitted to Hu Yunlai that she was the one who modified the harvester. She explained the principles and improvements clearly, delighting Hu Yunlai so much that, though thrilled, he kept a straight face and said, "This harvester upgrade is gonna cause a frenzy. Please keep it confidential!"

Lin Nannan was taken aback at first, then replied, "Keeping it a secret might be a bit difficult. Anyone who knows their stuff could copy it just by looking."

Just as others were surprised, Lu Ming couldn’t hold back anymore and blurted out, "Sis, only *you* can pick things up that fast. You think everyone’s some kind of genius like you?"

Lin Nannan stared at him in shock, speechless for a long moment.

"A Ming, you’re freaking her out!" Lu Hang said sternly.

Lu Ming felt utterly wronged and defended himself, "Brother, I’m the one who should be scared! What Sis-in-law said was really discouraging."

Remembering something, Lin Nannan rubbed her nose awkwardly...

Lu Hang had heard Lin Nannan mention before that she assumed others could easily learn what she knew. She just assumed if it was easy for her, it’d be easy for anyone. And the one who suffered the most from this was Lu Ming—not only did he face the blow directly, but his frustration also went misunderstood.