Chapter 323: Seeing Unwillingness in Each Other's Eyes

After finishing her explanation, Ding Surong glanced at the time and saw it was getting late: "Dad, I'm heading home now; I still need to catch the afternoon bus back. Hurry up with the matter."

Ding Yuewen nodded, pulled five yuan and several coupons from his pocket: "This is all I have in my pocket; take it."

Seeing disdain flash across his daughter's face, he said: "The money is all with your mother; this is the only money I have on me."

After speaking, he coughed lightly, looked left and right, confirmed no one was around, and only then felt relieved.

Ding Surong rolled her eyes at him: "If you hadn't been messing with those rotten things, my mother wouldn't have treated you that way; you still have the nerve to speak."

"Enough, enough; how long has it been since that happened?"

"As long as you know that. You don't want to hear it, and I don't want to talk about it either; I'm leaving first."

"Pay attention to that matter; if it doesn't work, expand the scope a bit."

"Dad, not to say this, but is this matter really reliable? My time down in the countryside isn't very long; I've already asked the village for leave several times, and the village cadres are starting to hold a grudge against me."

"I am your father; how could I possibly lie to you?"

"Dad, do you think someone might have beaten us to it?"

Upon hearing these words, Ding Youwen's face instantly changed: "That is not impossible."

Ding Surong suddenly thought of something: "Dad, do you think the person who got the thing might have chopped down that crooked-necked tree?"

"Yes, it must be that; how did I not think of that before?"

At this point, the father and daughter exchanged a glance and saw unwillingness in each other's eyes.

Ding Surong was anxious; if there weren't a bus back right now, she probably wouldn't even want to go home, she just wanted to return quickly to confirm her guess.

Ding Youwen now wore a grim expression; he suspected those things had been taken by that old woman, otherwise how could such a coincidence happen?

"Dad, if that thing is really gone, can I return to Huicheng a bit earlier?"

Ding Youwen couldn't spare a thought for such matters now: "Let's confirm it first before saying anything."

He said somewhat absentmindedly: "It's getting late; hurry home so you don't miss the bus back. When it's confirmed, remember to call me."

Ding Surong wanted to say something else, but Ding Youwen had already turned and walked toward the office, so she could only swallow the words back down.

Just as she prepared to leave, she turned and said to Ding Youwen: "Dad, don't forget about my matter."

Ding Youwen didn't turn around; he only raised his hand and waved, indicating he had heard, then entered the office.

On the day Qiu Shaocheng got married, Liu's mother had gotten up early to make breakfast.

Seeing that the two sisters in the room hadn't stirred yet, she approached and knocked lightly on the door: "Liu Chuxue, get up."

The grain planted in the space was ready to be harvested; Liu Chuxue had been busy in the space all night yesterday and had slept a bit late. Hearing Liu's mother's voice, she said: "I know."

But after speaking, she rolled over and fell back asleep.

Seeing Liu Chuxue respond, Liu's mother went to her younger daughter's room: "Chunxiao, are you awake?"

"Mom, the sky isn't fully bright yet; let me sleep a bit longer."

After speaking, she pulled the quilt over her head and fell back asleep.

Liu's father entered the courtyard and heard the two of them talking: "It's still early; what's the rush?"

Liu's mother looked disapproving: "Today the Qiu family is holding a wedding; they will surely have no time for Xia Qiu. I was thinking we should go early so we can accompany her."

Hearing these words, Liu's father didn't object anymore: "Have you packed everything we're taking?"

Liu's mother nodded: "A few days ago, I went to the village and exchanged for some peanuts; I've already roasted them. I also went to Aunt Quan's house and exchanged for some walnuts from last year. Add the fifteen or sixteen eggs we've saved at home, and we'll take them all to her."

"Also, I asked Liu Chuxue to buy a piece of cloth to bring along, thinking we could give it to her so she can make a few outfits for the baby in her belly when she has time."

(End of this chapter)