Inviting the Moon to the Farmhouse

Chapter 133 Xia Lanyue couldn't dodge Jiang Di in time

Xia Yao pushed open the courtyard gate and went inside. In the courtyard, Xia Huifang was picking rice with a bowl.

Seeing that Xia Yao had closed the door slightly and Xia Lanyue was nowhere to be seen, Xia Huifang asked, "Why did you come back by yourself? Where is she?"

“She walks slowly and is behind,” Xia Yao replied.

"Come sit down," Xia Huifang gestured to the stool next to her, indicating for Xia Yao to come over. "Did you see Li Chuan when you went to Village Chief Zhao's place today?"

Xia Yao shook his head.

“I heard from your aunt that Li Chuan was expelled from the party for some reason. It seems to be true?” Xia Huifang looked at Xia Yao.

Xia Yao didn't look at Xia Huifang, and replied, "Village Chief Zhao asked me if I wanted to become a village head?"

Xia Huifang stopped what she was doing. "What was your answer?"

I said I'd think about it.

"Don't you want to take the imperial examination anymore?"

Xia Yao shook his head. "I did think about it, that's why I said that." After saying that, he got up. "I'm going back to my room to change my clothes."

"Go ahead," Xia Huifang said, glancing at Xia Yao's soaked clothes before lowering her head to continue picking rice.

Xia Lanyue stood outside the door, her eyes gradually dimming. If Xia Yao became the village magistrate, could she ask him for help to release Dai You ahead of time?! But Xia Yao's words just now indicated that he didn't want to become the village magistrate. Thinking about it, that made sense. He had studied hard for the imperial examinations; how could he give up his dream for that? Thinking of this, Xia Lanyue felt her hope shattered once again.

For several days, Xia Yao taught at home during the day and was unable to take care of Xia Lanyue, so she went to town alone to visit Dai You.

Dai You was in much better condition. He had wiped his face and looked refreshed, and his hair had been tidied up.

After Dai You finished eating, Xia Lanyue left with the food box.

These past few days, she deliberately avoided Wang Xiang's shop and took a detour to Zhao Lizhang's place, thinking that going back would be the same, but today, she was still caught by the cunning Jiang Di.

"Dai Xiyue, stop right there."

She was taken aback at first, then turned her head and saw Jiang Di not far away. She immediately smiled and said, "Oh, it's you, Jiang Di."

Jiang Di, however, walked towards her with a stern face. "I heard you've been in town these past few days. Why haven't you come to see me?"

"I... I just thought you're usually busy, so I didn't go over," Xia Lanyue said with a sheepish smile.

Dai You wasn't buying it at all. "Tch."

"Since we've run into each other today, why don't we go sit in the shop for a while?" Xia Lanyue asked with a smile. "How about it?"

"Let's go".

And so, Jiang Di and Xia Lanyue arrived at Wang Xiang's shop one after the other. The shop was very busy, and since it was crowded, they went straight up to the second floor.

Seeing that Jiang Di's expression was still not good, Xia Lanyue poured him a cup of tea, "Manager Jiang, have some tea."

Jiang Di took it. "Don't you consider me a friend anymore?"

"How could that be?" Xia Lanyue said. "I've only been away for a few days, don't overthink it."

"Are you still angry because of what happened to my mother?"

Xia Lanyue was taken aback. What was this all about? "No, no, really not," she said, then changed the subject, "Did you call me for something?"

"Can't I contact you if there's nothing wrong?" Jiang Di muttered to herself, but Xia Lanyue still overheard her.

"Yes, yes," Xia Lanyue said, looking at the people coming and going downstairs. "I heard business is very good. How are the rice cakes selling?"

"You heard about it?" Jiang Di asked, puzzled.

"Huh?" Xia Lanyue was taken aback. Jiang Di seemed unaware that she had been here. Had Wang Xiang not told him? "You, you told me at Xia Yao's house last time."

“Oh, I called you to ask if you still need to rent a house? My aunt lives alone. She has three rooms in her yard, which are empty anyway. You can go and stay with her. You don’t need to pay rent. You just need to help her clean the yard on weekdays,” Jiang Di paused for a moment, “The main thing is, I feel at ease if you live with her.”

Hearing these words, Xia Lanyue felt a warmth in her heart. Jiang Di was still so concerned about her affairs. If Wang Xiang hadn't said those things to her, she would have readily agreed, but now, what should she do?! After thinking for a moment, she said, "Jiang Di, I can't leave the Xia family yet."

"Why?" Jiang Di asked, puzzled.

"Yeah, why?" She didn't know why either! Xia Lanyue thought for a moment, "Because Xia Yao threatened me and wouldn't let me leave. You know, he's a really bad person."

“Then you absolutely cannot stay there,” Jiang Diteng stood up.

Xia Lanyue was stunned. What kind of ridiculous reason did she come up with? It only made Jiang Di more worried. "No, it's not that bad. I have something on him, so he won't do anything to me."

Jiang Di sat down again. "What leverage?"

"I can't say right now, but don't worry, I'll be fine," Xia Lanyue said.

"Can't I tell either?" Jiang Di asked, somewhat disappointed.

"That's for now, I'll tell you later," Xia Lanyue said with a smile.

Jiang Di sighed, "Alright, I have something else to tell you."

Xia Lanyue looked at him with a puzzled expression.

"The matter with Li Zhuang, the rice cake poisoning incident, I found out that it was Manager Song next door who bribed Li Zhuang. Li Zhuang himself has health problems and gets sick from certain foods. They used this illness to frame you," Li Zhuang said.

Xia Lanyue understood; no wonder she also found it strange. Then she thought of something else, "Is this related to Xia Yao?"

"Xia Yao?" Jiang Di was taken aback, then thought for a moment, "There shouldn't be one. What? What else do you know?"

Xia Lanyue smiled and shook her head, "It's nothing, just asking."

"By the way, are you short of money? When will I give you the money from selling rice cakes?" Jiang Di asked.

"To be honest, we really do need it," Xia Lanyue said with an embarrassed smile.

"Hehe," Jiang Di chuckled, took out a purse from his pocket, and handed it to Xia Lanyue, "Here's two strings of cash, take it first."

"So much? You can't have earned this much in just a few days, can you?" Xia Lanyue didn't dare to accept the offer.

“Of course we make money! We make about 300 coins a day,” Jiang Di said.

“But these three hundred coins belong to both of us, no, and also to Wang Xiang, so we can’t give them all to me,” Xia Lanyue said.

"No need to calculate his share. Use this money first, and we can set aside my share later."

Xia Lanyue thought about it and agreed. Anyway, she had business here and wasn't worried about making money. She stopped refusing Jiang Di and said, "Okay, I'll take it. Thank you." Xia Lanyue happily took the money and put it in her pocket.

“Look, you’re being polite to me again,” Jiang Di said with a smile.

With the money in hand, Xia Lanyue felt more confident, knowing that even if she left the Xia family at any time, she could afford to stay in a dormitory.

Another day passed, and Xia Lanyue arrived at the Zhao Li Chief's residence on time as usual.

Perhaps because he was in a good mood, Dai You's condition was getting better and better.

But today, just as Xia Lanyue finished visiting Dai You and was about to leave, she was stopped by a village security guard.

"Is there something you need, brother?" Xia Lanyue asked.

"Miss Dai, this way please. The village chief has some questions to ask," a village security guard said, pointing to the front hall.

Xia Lanyue, unaware of what was going on, followed the village guard into the front hall.

Inside the house, Village Chief Zhao sat behind the table in the main seat, with Li Zhuang standing beside him.

When Xia Lanyue saw him, she was furious again. "What? I'm not selling rice cakes anymore, why are you looking for me?"

“This has nothing to do with rice cakes, it’s something else,” Li Zhuang said.

Xia Lanyue frowned. Judging from Li Zhuang's expression, it seemed like he was planning something to trick her again. While she was still wondering about it, Li Zhuang spoke up.

"I caught this woman having an affair with Xia Yao!" Li Zhuang shouted.

"What?!" Xia Lanyue exclaimed in surprise. "Don't talk nonsense."