"I already know where my sister has gone. I'll go find her in a moment." Mu Shi'an spoke again.
Since he said so, Song Nianchu naturally couldn't trouble the villagers anymore and simply nodded to Wu Zhenggui.
"Alright, then I'll have everyone go back to work for now. Come find me if you need anything." Wu Zhenggui said.
"Okay." Song Nianchu replied.
After everyone had left, Song Nianchu finally turned to look at Mu Shi'an.
"You said you know where your sister went. Is that true or not?"
"Do you know where Yang Dafu's house is?" Mu Shi'an asked solemnly.
Hearing this, Song Nianchu instantly understood.
"You suspect your sister went to find Yang Dafu?"
"She has nowhere else to go." Mu Shi'an stated.
"Then let's go check." Song Nianchu led Mu Shi'an to find Yang Dafu.
Yang Dafu's village wasn't very far from theirs; they arrived after walking for over forty minutes.
Yang Dafu's house was easy to find. His father held a position in the production brigade, and their home was the most impressive in the entire village.
At that moment, the courtyard gate of Yang Dafu's house was tightly shut, but faint sounds could be heard from inside, sounding very much like Mu Jingmei's voice.
Song Nianchu stole a glance at Mu Shi'an beside her; his face was so dark it looked like water could be wrung from it.
Just as Song Nianchu was about to speak, Mu Shi'an had already stepped forward and knocked on the courtyard gate.
"Who is it?" A nervous voice called out from inside.
"It's me, Mu Shi'an." Mu Shi'an didn't hide or beat around the bush, announcing his name directly.
Silence immediately fell inside the house.
"Mu Jingmei, either you come out now, or I break in. You choose." Mu Shi'an spoke again.
There was still no movement from inside.
Mu Shi'an didn't waste words, turning to look at Song Nianchu beside him.
"Please help me kick the door down."
"That's my specialty." Song Nianchu cracked her knuckles and delivered a powerful kick. Yang Dafu's courtyard gate immediately fell with a loud crash, producing a tremendous noise.
The people hiding inside were startled by the commotion. Seeing Mu Shi'an and Song Nianchu, Mu Jingmei even tried to hide further behind Yang Dafu.
Yang Dafu, who had initially wanted to hide too, stiffened. But then he thought, he hadn't done anything deceitful or underhanded, and his confidence swelled again. He puffed out his chest.
"Song Nianchu, I haven't caused any trouble in your village lately. You suddenly show up at my door, kick my gate down, do you really think our village has no one to stand up to you?"
"You haven't caused trouble? Then who is that behind you?" Song Nianchu wasn't afraid of him.
This guy was both a troublemaker and a coward. He'd never gained an advantage over her, yet he always liked to talk tough.
"Her? She's voluntarily seeing me. You can't possibly meddle in people's relationships, can you? You're not her mother." Yang Dafu glanced at Mu Jingmei behind him.
"Mu Jingmei, are you really seeing him?" Mu Shi'an stared directly at Mu Jingmei.
His gaze was utterly calm, yet it made Mu Jingmei feel an irresistible pressure. But she couldn't bear the thought of living a hard life anymore.
"Yes, I am seeing him!" Mu Jingmei gritted her teeth and declared firmly.
"See? You all heard her. She's voluntarily seeing me. I didn't force her." With Mu Jingmei's answer, Yang Dafu's chin lifted even higher.
It made his plump face even more repulsive.
Song Nianchu frowned slightly, thinking to herself that Mu Jingmei's taste was truly heavy if she could stomach someone like that.
"Are you sure?" Mu Shi'an asked again.
"I'm sure! Anyway, you all don't want me to stay at home anymore." Mu Jingmei enunciated each word.
Mu Shi'an stared into Mu Jingmei's eyes.
"You're an adult now. You are responsible for every word you say and every decision you make. If you still consider me your brother, come home with me now. If you choose to stay here, then never come crying to me in the future, no matter whether you live or die." Mu Shi'an's words were spoken slowly and deliberately, each syllable pronounced clearly, as if to ensure Mu Jingmei heard every one.
"Jingmei, you've suffered so much at home. If you go back with him, you won't even get to eat meat. Marry me, and I promise you'll have meat with every meal, and you won't have to work in the fields, just like when you were still in the capital." Afraid Mu Jingmei might actually leave with Mu Shi'an, Yang Dafu quickly tried to coax her.
He hadn't gotten what he wanted yet. If she left this time, her family would surely keep a close watch on her, making it very difficult for him to try anything later.
Hearing that she could have meat every day and not have to work, Mu Jingmei's momentarily wavering resolve immediately solidified.
"I won't go back with you! No one in that house likes me anyway."
"Fine. This is your own decision. I hope you won't regret it." Having heard Mu Jingmei's words, Mu Shi'an didn't hesitate for a second. He turned and strode away.
Song Nianchu looked at Mu Jingmei, who was willingly jumping into a pit of fire, and shook her head. Her subordinate was right; a rebellious girl could be truly terrifying.
But this wasn't her own sister. Since Mu Shi'an had left, she naturally wouldn't say anything more and turned to catch up with him.
Whew...
Seeing Song Nianchu leave, Yang Dafu finally let out a sigh of relief.
"That freak of strength Song Nianchu is finally gone." He had been genuinely afraid she might hit him.
Last time, the ribs she kicked were broken, and it took a long time lying in bed to recover.
However, the next moment, Mu Jingmei suddenly burst into tears.
"Jingmei, why are you crying?" Yang Dafu hurriedly tried to comfort her.
But Mu Jingmei only cried louder and louder, eventually breaking into loud sobs.
"Jingmei, don't cry. If your father and brother don't care for you, I will." As he spoke, Yang Dafu pulled Mu Jingmei into his arms.
Perhaps because she was so heartbroken at that moment, even though Yang Dafu reeked of unpleasant sweat, Mu Jingmei didn't push him away. Instead, she clutched his clothes tightly.
"Swear it! Swear you'll treat me well from now on, or may you be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!" Mu Jingmei said through her sobs.
"Huh? That... that's a bit harsh, isn't it?" Yang Dafu hesitated.
"You don't dare swear? Then I'm going home right now." Mu Jingmei pulled away from Yang Dafu's embrace and made to leave.
"Okay, okay, I swear, I swear." Yang Dafu quickly grabbed Mu Jingmei and raised his hand, swearing to the heavens as she demanded.
"Now do you believe me?" Yang Dafu asked.
"That's more like it." Mu Jingmei sniffled.
"In that case, how about a reward for me?" Yang Dafu said, leaning in to try to kiss Mu Jingmei.
But Mu Jingmei dodged to the side. Yang Dafu's expression immediately darkened.
"Since I've come to your house, I won't leave. But my household registration is still in Qinghe Fishing Village. You need to get my registration transferred to your village, and then marry me properly with a grand ceremony!" Mu Jingmei stated firmly.
