Old Mrs. An smiled and said, "In any case, I’m very grateful that you’re willing to try."

She then added, "I have to return to Xiangcheng in a couple of days, and I don’t know when I’ll have the chance to visit again. An Zhihan is all alone here and doesn’t have many friends. You know, because of what happened in the past, there’s a bit of a rift between us. I’m worried that if I’m not around, he’ll hide any trouble he encounters from me."

At this, Old Mrs. An felt rather embarrassed. She had been a commanding figure in the business world for so many years and had never once asked anyone for a favor. Today was the first time in her life she’d ever had to ask for help, and she was asking Su Qing for two favors at once.

’But she had already investigated what Eldest and Second An sent people here to do. This time, no harm came to An Zhihan, but who knew if they would send people a second time? If they truly disregarded their kinship and did something to An Zhihan, she, being so far away in Xiangcheng, would be powerless to help.’

Old Mrs. An sighed. "I was just thinking, if you have time, perhaps you could check on him for me. If he really runs into any serious trouble, I hope you can let me know."

Mrs. Lin, who was standing nearby, quickly placed a piece of paper with Old Mrs. An’s address and phone number in Xiangcheng on the table beside Su Qing.

Su Qing glanced at the address and phone number, then raised an eyebrow. "Grandma An, are you asking me to be your informant?"

"No, no," Old Mrs. An said quickly. "I don’t mean for you to spy on Zhi Han. I’m just worried that since he’s here alone, he won’t tell me if he runs into trouble. I was just hoping that if he really does encounter a problem, you could let me know. As his grandmother, I failed him and his parents back then. I just want to do what I can to make amends."

"Alright," Su Qing agreed with a nod. "If he runs into any real trouble here, I’ll let you know."

’Su Qing didn’t agree with how Old Mrs. An had handled the situation with An Zhihan’s family back then. However, she could sense that the old woman was genuinely trying to make amends with An Zhihan. If he did run into an unsolvable problem, it would almost certainly originate from the An Family in Xiangcheng. In that case, letting Old Mrs. An handle it wouldn’t be a bad idea. She had never met Old Mrs. An’s eldest and second sons, but she had met that grandson and granddaughter of hers. Anyone who could raise children like that... well, she knew Eldest An and Second An couldn’t be good people.’

’Besides, she still had a score to settle with An Zhiwei. An Zhiwei had sent people to follow her into the mountains and try to harm her. That score was far from settled.’

"Thank you." Old Mrs. An visibly relaxed and rose to her feet. "It’s getting late, so I’ll take my leave. I’m heading back to Xiangcheng in a couple of days. If you ever have the time, please come visit. It would be my pleasure to host you."

Su Qing gave a small smile. "Thank you, Grandma An."

Not long after she saw Old Mrs. An off, the village headquarters’ loudspeaker suddenly blared to life. "Su Qing, there’s a phone call for you at the brigade office! Come get the phone!"

That was how things worked in the village. Since none of the villagers had phones at home, any calls had to go through the brigade office. Someone there would then use the loudspeaker to summon the recipient. Of course, you had to pay to use the phone, whether you were making the call or receiving one, so people rarely used it unless it was an emergency.

The only downside was that the entire village now knew someone had called for you.

For instance, over at the Old Su Family’s home, Tian Aixiang heard the loudspeaker calling for Su Qing and muttered, "I wonder who that damn girl’s gotten tangled up with now. Imagine, calling all the way to the brigade office for her."

Su Lihui, who was beside her, added maliciously, "She’s definitely fooling around with some degenerate out there."

Although Su Lihui didn’t dare confront Su Qing directly anymore, he hated her guts. He blamed her for the beating he took in the mountains, for threatening him at knifepoint, and even for the fact that he didn’t get to eat any red-braised pork for the New Year. ’Just wait,’ he plotted secretly, ’I’ll find a chance to pay her back for everything, with interest.’

That was why he’d chimed in with such a nasty remark after hearing what Tian Aixiang said.

Tian Aixiang saw nothing wrong with her son’s words and chimed in her agreement. "Exactly. That wretched girl is always up to no good."

Hearing the announcement from the brigade office, Su Qing knew exactly who was looking for her.

After all, she had only given the brigade office’s phone number to one person.

Sure enough, she hadn’t been at the brigade office for long when the phone rang again. A slightly low, gravelly voice came through the receiver. "Su Qing, guess who this is."

Su Qing laughed. "Cheng Beilin, I know it’s you."

It was indeed Cheng Beilin on the other end. Delighted that Su Qing had recognized her voice, she chirped, "Su Qing, you figured me out even though I was disguising my voice! C’mon, admit it, you missed me, didn’t you?"

Su Qing chuckled. "Yes, I’ve missed you like crazy. After all, you’re the only person I gave the brigade office’s number to."

"Oh, is that so?" Cheng Beilin paused, then said excitedly, "Su Qing, see? I knew I was special to you!"

’Su Qing had to fight the urge to roll her eyes. What on earth went through that girl’s head?’

Before Su Qing could reply, Cheng Beilin continued cheerfully, "Su Qing, I have some good news! My brother and I are coming to visit you! Aren’t you excited?"

"When are you coming?" Su Qing immediately guessed that her two sets of jewelry must be ready. The Cheng siblings were probably coming to deliver them. ’She had expected Cheng Beilin to come, but she was surprised that Cheng Beize would be coming along as well.’

"In a few days," Cheng Beilin said cheerfully. "So, Su Qing, is there anything fun to do where you are right now?"

Su Qing thought for a moment. "Well, the mountains are still snowed in, so we can’t go there. But we have a Pond here that’s frozen solid. I could take you ice fishing."

"Ooh, yes! Yes!" Cheng Beilin’s voice brightened with excitement. "That sounds like so much fun! It’s a deal, then. As soon as I arrive, you have to take me ice fishing."

"Sure, no problem," Su Qing agreed with a laugh.

They chatted for a few more minutes before Su Qing hung up and paid the accountant for the call.

The Lihua Village accountant was a young man who had graduated from high school, one of the few people in the village with that level of education. His name was Zhao Ping’an. He was a close relative of Zhao Youcai and called him "Uncle."

Zhao Ping’an took the money and asked with a friendly smile, "Your friends are coming for a visit?"

"That’s right." Su Qing was in an excellent mood at the thought of getting her two sets of exquisite jewelry soon. "They should be here in a few days."

After exchanging a few more words with Zhao Ping’an, Su Qing left the brigade office and headed home. She had just reached her front gate and hadn’t even stepped into the yard when Aunt Cuihua rushed over, grabbed her by the arm, and pulled her along. "Hurry, Su Qing! Let’s go watch the excitement!"