Fortunate Life of the Rural Beauty
Chapter 170 - 169: Suspense

Chapter 170: Chapter 169: Suspense

In Yiran Courtyard, Dabao and Chu Hanyan stood eagerly under the porch, anxiously staring at the entrance. One was dressed like a blue balloon and the other like a red balloon. Their eyes were like big grapes and their little faces like red apples.

Looking at them, Chen Afu’s heart was as sweet as honey, dispelling all the frustrations in her chest. It felt like she had moved from a living hell to heaven in an instant; the contrast was immense.

She felt fortunate to have a family who loved her and the little treasures she loved even more.

She stopped a few meters away from them, crouched down and extended her hand with a smile, "Come here, my two precious ones."

Dabao and Ms. Chu communicated with a glance and walked towards Chen Afu with giggles. Dabao could have sprinted over, but he waited for Ms. Chu, matching her pace.

Finally, they reached Chen Afu and together jumped into her warm embrace.

Chen Afu held them tightly, kissing each one, and said with a smile, "It’s so wonderful to have you both."

Dabao chuckled and kissed Chen Afu’s left cheek. Chu Hanyan, grinning widely, pecked Afu’s right cheek.

Overjoyed, Dabao made another lunge to kiss Chen Afu. He was so enthusiastic that he knocked Chen Afu over, who still held onto the children. They all tumbled and ended up in a giggling heap on the ground. Chu Hanyan’s laughter was distinctively clear.

Chen Afu gazed at Chu Hanyan in astonishment, "Oh my goodness, your laughter is so beautiful. It’s like music to the ears."

Dabao echoed in surprise, "Yes, yes, Sister Yan’er, your laughter sounds so beautiful."

Hearing this, Chu Hanyan giggled. She said, "I like...Auntie...and Dabao....and Daddy too."

Hearing this, Dabao said cheekily, "I like Mommy, Sister Yan’er, and Uncle Chu."

Chu Hanyan laughed even more sweetly at Dabao’s comment, with curved eyebrows and eyes revealing her small, white teeth. Her dimpled smile was simply irresistible.

Seeing Chu Hanyan like this, Madam Luo, who was standing on the side, dried her tears with her sleeves. Of everyone present, she was the most aware of the hardships Chu Hanyan had faced. She had never imagined that Chu Hanyan could ever be this happy. Even if Chu Hanyan wasn’t the most intelligent, she was now normal, capable of getting married and becoming a mother in the future.

Mrs. Wei and Mrs. Song were extremely pleased. They had never expected Chu Hanyan to recover so quickly.

Mrs. Wei had her own unspoken grievances. Yesterday, she had been scolded by her father-in-law, Manager Luo. She had helped Chen Afu find a suitor, who was her distant relative. The suitor came from a reputable family who owned a shop. However, since he had many brothers, the family lived frugally. He was a decent and hardworking young man. When he heard that the woman was beautiful and came from a wealthy family, he was willing to betroth her.

Mrs. Wei was very excited when she spoke about this at dinner yesterday. To her dismay, her father-in-law immediately put on a stern face and publicly scolded her for the first time. He accused her of overstepping her bounds, and losing her sense of duty as a servant....She felt unjustly treated. She was merely trying to help, yet she was accused of overstepping. Both Chen Afu and she were servants in Tang Garden. How could she be accused of neglecting her duty as a servant?

Now, seeing the closeness between Chen Afu and Chu Hanyan, seeing Chu Hanyan grow healthier each day, and seeing Chen Afu’s radiant beauty, she suddenly understood her father-in-law’s meanings.

Could it be... did the master have his eyes set on Chen Afu?

Even if Chen Afu was currently a country girl, and even if Chen Shiying recognizes her, she wouldn’t have a high enough social status to be the master’s wife.

However, she considered herself to know Chen Afu quite well. Despite looking like a mere peasant girl, Afu was stubborn and had a lot of self-respect. She firmly believed that even if Afu chose to never marry, she would never become someone’s mistress.

If the master indeed has such intentions, it’s not going to be easy!

When they had had enough fun, Chen Afu got up from the ground. Clapping her hands, she called the children, "Okay, kids, line up. Let’s start practicing our martial arts."

After leading the children and animals through their martial arts training, snowflakes began to flutter down from the sky again. They entered the warm room where they let the children build with blocks while Chen Afu sat on the side, staring blankly.

Fighting really takes up a lot of energy.

After work, Chen Afu ran into Manager Luo in the Outer Court. Luo approached her and asked, "I heard that Mrs. Chen has been to your house?"

Chen Afu nodded, "Yes, and I drove her away again."

Manager Luo hesitated a bit before adding, "If she comes to cause trouble in the future, don’t oppose her. Just let someone call me. I’ll drive her away. I won’t be polite with her any more."

Chen Afu initially wanted to say that she didn’t have any relations with the old woman, so there was no need to talk about defiance or obedience. However, considering people’s way of thinking in those times, she did not want to explain too much. She smiled and said, "Alright, thank you, Uncle Luo."

In the ensuing days, Chen Afu continued her regular work, led the children in martial arts, told stories, and played with blocks. The Chens’ second house continued to live its harmonious life without mentioning the things about their real father and daughter. Even Alu, who was very curious, quietly asked Mrs. Wang about it, but got scolded.

Mrs. Wang said, "What nonsense. Of course, your sister is your real sister, your father’s real daughter."

On the day when Granny Chen came, Alu was in the east wing, and he did hear something. After Mrs. Wang clarified, he was convinced. He believed that his sister must be his real sister, his father’s real daughter.

In the twinkling of an eye, it was the twenty-eighth day of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. Chen Ye and Granny Chen were looking forward to Chen Shi’s family returning. They had already arranged for Chen Ming and his family to have dinner with them on this day.

Chen Afu came back from work at Tang Garden to return to Lu Garden. This time, she only brought Zhui Feng back. She allowed Qi Qi and Hui Hui to stay at Tang Garden and play with Chu Hanyan.

The main house followed the habits of country folk, hardly paying any attention to birds, dogs, or other such pets. They mostly fed them the leftovers from people’s meals. Zhui Feng didn’t mind, and Wang Cai had grown used to it, but Qi Qi and Hui Hui, who had been treated like noble young masters, certainly wouldn’t be happy with such treatment. Their sharp tongues would definitely let some profanities fly if they felt neglected.

In Lu Garden, everyone was waiting for Chen Afu and her son. Seeing them return, everyone set off towards the village with Zhui Feng, Wang Cai, and Chu Xiaoniu. Chu Xiaoniu even carried a basket with two pieces of cured meat and a lamb rib.

It was already pitch dark, with a cold wind blowing and small flakes of snow drifting down. As they walked back to the village, everyone was in high spirits, letting out joyous peals of laughter. Chen Ming was particularly excited, as he hadn’t seen Chen Shi in a long time.

As they approached the main house, echoed laughter could be heard even before they opened the door. When they knocked and entered, Chen Aman jumped out and after greeting Chen Ming and Mrs. Wang, she took Chen Afu’s hand and said, "Sister Afu, I missed you so much."

Chen Afu smiled and said, "I missed you too."