Chapter 502 - 263: Jiang Guoqiang: I Won’t Stop You and Yixia Anymore

Chapter 502: Chapter 263: Jiang Guoqiang: I Won’t Stop You and Yixia Anymore

"Did your leg get cold from going in the water just now?" Jiang Guoqiang suddenly asked.

"No, I’m tough," Lu Fan said with a smile.

Jiang Guoqiang glanced at him, the corner of his mouth twitching as if holding back a laugh.

He stood up, went to the kitchen, and returned with a basin of hot water, which he placed by Lu Fan’s feet.

"Soak your feet," he said, then turned and left the main room.

Lu Fan stared at the basin of hot water, taken aback for a moment. Then he took off his shoes and put his feet in.

The water was scalding, so hot he winced, but his heart felt warm.

Pan Lanfang came out after making the bed. Seeing him soaking his feet, she smiled and said, "That’s your uncle for you. He may not say much, but he knows what’s going on."

Lu Fan nodded but didn’t speak.

Pan Lanfang sat down next to him and lowered her voice. "Xiaolu, what did your uncle say to you today?"

"Nothing much. He just asked about my company and about Sifan," Lu Fan replied.

Pan Lanfang nodded and sighed. "That’s just how he is, not one for words. But letting you stay for dinner and spend the night... it means he’s not as angry with you anymore."

"I know, Aunty."

"Just give him a little more time. He’ll come around," Pan Lanfang said, patting his hand.

"I’m not in a hurry, Aunty," Lu Fan said with a smile.

That night, Lu Fan lay on Jiang Ming’s bed, listening to the sound of the wind outside.

The village was quiet at night, with only the occasional, distant bark of a dog.

He rolled over and stared at the ceiling.

When Lu Fan got up early the next morning, Pan Lanfang was already busy in the kitchen.

Jiang Guoqiang was chopping wood in the courtyard, the axe falling with a steady rhythm.

After washing up, Lu Fan went into the courtyard and stood next to Jiang Guoqiang.

"Uncle, let me do that." He reached for the axe.

Jiang Guoqiang didn’t let him and just kept chopping. Lu Fan stood beside him, bending over to gather the chopped wood and stack it in the corner.

Just like yesterday, the two of them worked in silence—one chopping, the other gathering.

After the wood was chopped, Pan Lanfang called them to eat. Congee, steamed buns, and pickled vegetables—a simple meal.

The three of them sat in the main room eating. Jiang Guoqiang had two bowls of congee and three steamed buns, then wiped his mouth and stood up.

"I’ll walk you out," he said to Lu Fan.

Lu Fan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

The two of them left the courtyard gate and walked along the small path toward the village entrance.

After walking for a bit, Jiang Guoqiang stopped, fumbled in his pocket for a pack of cigarettes, and pulled one out to light.

He offered the pack to Lu Fan, who also took one and lit it.

The two men stood by the side of the road, smoking and looking out at the fields in the distance.

"You should get going," Jiang Guoqiang said.

"Okay." Lu Fan nodded.

Jiang Guoqiang didn’t move. He took another drag from his cigarette and slowly exhaled.

He looked into the distance, his voice low. "I won’t stand in the way of you and Yixia anymore. But you remember this: if you dare treat her badly, I’ll risk this old life of mine to settle the score with you."

Lu Fan looked at him and said earnestly, "Uncle, you have my word. I won’t."

Jiang Guoqiang didn’t look at him. He stubbed out his cigarette and turned to walk back.

Lu Fan stood where he was, watching his retreating figure.

He walked slowly, his back slightly hunched, the hem of his military greatcoat swaying in the wind.

Reaching the courtyard gate, Jiang Guoqiang stopped, glanced back at him one last time, and then pushed the gate open and went inside.

Lu Fan stood by the road for a long while before turning and walking toward the village entrance.

His car was parked at the village entrance. He got in, started the engine, and drove out of the village.

In his rearview mirror, he saw a figure standing under the old locust tree at the village entrance.

Wearing a military greatcoat and a wool hat, holding a long-stemmed pipe.

It was Jiang Guoqiang.

’It was as if his eyes held a hint of hope and blessing.’

’Of course, the stubborn old man was still angry deep down.’

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PS: I’ve started a new book!~ My mom hasn’t been well recently, requiring frequent hospital visits. Her insurance only covers inpatient stays, so we can’t get reimbursed for her treatments. Because of this, I’m under a lot of financial pressure, so my only option is to write a second book at the same time~

I’ve started it under a different pen name. If you have time, please check out ’In a Small County, Starting with a Beautiful Woman Begging for Emergency Treatment’~~ It’s an urban novel that focuses on complex relationships and has a harem storyline~

The link is below!! Please check it out~