Happy Little Farmer
Chapter 257: The Bizarre Peach Tree

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: The Bizarre Peach Tree

Yang Fan was panicked.

He really couldn’t figure out from which aspect his sister-in-law had deduced his affair with Gao Lanlan.

"Sister-in-law, I swear I didn’t," Yang Fan lamented dejectedly, "Gao Lanlan is very friendly with everyone, and she often clings to people. You can’t blame me for that."

Ye Tong nodded and said seriously, "Fanzi, you’re at the age where you start thinking about these things, and I understand. I don’t really mind who you get involved with. But with a woman like Gao Lanlan, you should keep your distance."

"She’s what they call ’flirtatious.’ One moment she’s with you, and the next she could be stripping in front of someone else. Plus, she can’t keep her mouth shut; getting involved with her could easily backfire on you."

"Sister-in-law, I really didn’t!" Yang Fan cried, his face sullen.

He had been with Gao Lanlan just once, and he thought it shouldn’t have caused any rumors, right?

Ye Tong suddenly chuckled, "I believe you, I was just giving you an example."

"You shouldn’t give examples like that; it’s too scary," Yang Fan muttered.

"If you really want to, go for Xiao Juan. I’ve talked to her before, and she has some reservations, but she would probably agree. As for the little health problem she has, it’s nothing. A surgery can fix it and won’t affect your activities," Ye Tong said.

One moment she was giving an example, and the next, she threw a bombshell at Yang Fan.

"Sister-in-law..." Yang Fan was at a loss.

He didn’t know what exactly his sister-in-law and Wei Juan had discussed, but he really didn’t dare agree.

"I’m serious, and I’m not blaming you," Ye Tong smiled slightly, "You know how Xiao Juan feels about you, and given our current situation, and her paperwork not being fully processed, let’s keep it as an undercover relationship for now. We can discuss the future later."

"Sister-in-law, let’s drop this subject, I want you right now!" Yang Fan said fiercely.

With nothing else to say, he redirected the fire towards Ye Tong again.

This tactic had never failed him, and he hoped it would work today too.

"I will give it to you, but not now. Fanzi, if you agree, I might play with you tonight. But no thinking about anything else. If you don’t agree, then I won’t do it," Ye Tong suddenly blushed, her voice getting softer.

Yang Fan’s eyes brightened, yet he felt something was amiss.

"Sister-in-law, you’re making me feel so conflicted. Okay, I agree. How could I refuse sister-in-law’s proposal?"

"Not serious at all," Ye Tong chided, "but it’s okay, I’ll handle it when the time comes."

Yang Fan meant the same, just agree for now and see later.

As long as sister-in-law didn’t distance herself from him because of this, nothing else seemed to matter.

Anyway, it seemed he had successfully bluffed his way out of the affair with Gao Lanlan.

This was dangerously close.

The tricycle stopped at the front door.

Ye Tong got off and fetched a saw and an axe from the tool shed, then said to Yang Fan, "Let’s go up the mountain and get the Thunderstruck Wood down first. I really don’t want to go up there after it gets dark."

"Alright." Yang Fan had been thinking the same.

Yang Fan drove the three-wheeler to the foot of the mountain, and the two of them took their tools and hiked up Mount Cha on foot.

The setting sun’s afterglow bathed Mount Cha in a golden hue, making it look as if it were draped in a holy garb from afar.

Every time he saw that peach tree, which had been struck by lightning countless times yet still exuded vigorous vitality, Yang Fan was always amazed by its tenacious life force.

Honestly, he felt somewhat reluctant to saw into it.

After circling the robust peach tree, which was of an indeterminate age but very thick, Yang Fan eyed a horizontal branch that had sprouted no new buds. It probably took a severe hit from the lightning.

The tree’s bark was densely marred with marks where the lightning had scorched its path, leaving the center of the trunk almost hollowed out.

"Sister-in-law, I think this branch should do," Yang Fan said.

"Cut whichever one you see fit. This tree, though still alive, probably won’t last many more years looking at this rate," Ye Tong said, feeling the charred texture of the peach tree, then muttered, "How does it attract lightning so frequently?"

"The villagers say it’s because our Yang Family ancestors did too many unscrupulous deeds," Yang Fan scoffed disdainfully. "But I think it’s probably because this tree is too spirited, and Heaven just can’t stand it and keeps targeting it."

"If our ancestors really did so many unsavoury things, they should be striking the graves, not the tree. Heaven’s aim can’t be that bad, constantly misfiring."

Ye Tong couldn’t help but laugh, "The ancestors’ graves are right beside us, be careful what you say!"

"I’m just speaking the truth!" Yang Fan immediately bowed toward the ancestral graves and grinned.

"But if a tree is spirited, it shouldn’t be targeted like this, right?" Ye Tong said, puzzled.

Yang Fan leaned closer to Ye Tong and whispered, "I heard that Heaven begrudges those that turn into monsters."

"What are you talking about, there are no such things as monsters in this world, hurry up and get to work," Ye Tong chided as she hit Yang Fan lightly.

Though she didn’t believe it, Yang Fan’s words had unsettled her.

She glanced suspiciously at the peach tree and quietly moved behind Yang Fan.

"Brother Tree, I feel like this branch is akin to a blemish for you, I’m going to remove it and exchange it for a couple of Silver Coins, you wouldn’t mind, right?" Yang Fan solemnly communicated with the tree, "If you have no objections, then I’m going to start."

"Alright, you’re silent, so I’ll take it as you agree!"

Yang Fan began sawing with the sound of the saw tearing through the air.

"Sister-in-law, do you smell a strange fragrance?" Yang Fan suddenly asked while he was halfway through.

"You smell it too?" Ye Tong asked in surprise.

Yang Fan nodded, sniffing around, "Where is this scent coming from? It’s so peculiar. It sort of smells like orchids, but also carries a hint of earthy bloodiness, and there’s some indescribable sensation."

"When plants have been exposed to the sun all day, their scent intensifies in the evening, it’s quite common," Ye Tong explained.

Yang Fan suddenly burst into laughter, "If it’s so common, sister-in-law, why are you clinging to me so tightly?"

Ye Tong was almost entirely pressed against him at this point, her hands tightly wrapped around his arm, like a small quail seeking comfort, her breasts squished out of shape.

"I..." Ye Tong leaned closer to Yang Fan, "You made it sound quite creepy."

Yang Fan patted Ye Tong’s smooth palm and chuckled, "Don’t worry, sister-in-law. Look, the sun’s still hanging over the mountain. What could be there? I was just spouting nonsense, monsters probably exist only in legends."