Chapter 24 - 24 24 It seems, this is not a misunderstanding!

Words : 1507 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

24: Chapter 24 It seems, this is not a misunderstanding! 24: Chapter 24 It seems, this is not a misunderstanding! In order to maintain Wang Yongzhu’s persona, Ming Zhu didn’t dare to speak too much. She just nodded her head and, imitating Wang Yongzhu’s previous lazy tone, ordered, “After we eat, you three split the work. Jinguan and Jinpan go pick up some pine leaf soil, and Jinhua, accompany me to tidy up the firewood shed later.” The three Little Beans looked excitedly at each other and nodded their heads eagerly. Working in the fields in the morning was both tiring and boring, constantly under Grandma’s watchful eye. The Little Beans were both fearful and exhausted. Listening to Ming Zhu, they almost wanted to cheer. Working for the old cousin was both easy and fun, Grandma wouldn’t scold them, and there would be delicious food, how blissful! Old Wang Laozhu and Old Granny Zhang, who followed behind on their return, heard a bit of the conversation. They thought Ming Zhu wanted the three Little Beans’ help with some work, and seeing the children’s excited demeanor, they couldn’t be bothered to intervene. With much of the fieldwork done, the little ones couldn’t really be of help. Taking them to the fields would require supervising them too. It was better to leave them at home, helping Ming Zhu with some tasks and preventing them from running around causing trouble. Jindou and Jinhu looked enviously at their younger siblings. They also wanted to follow the old cousin and wondered if she still needed help. Were they the kind of nephews who could work well and just needed to be fed? After the meal, everyone went back to the fields, leaving Lady Jiang to clean up the kitchen. She still had to feed the pigs and chickens, sweep the yard, and tend to the vegetable garden. Her busy day made her no more relaxed than those working in the fields. Jinguan and Jinpan had gone up the mountain for the pine leaf soil. Having finished up in the kitchen and fed the pigs and chickens, Lady Jiang was about to sweep the yard when Ming Zhu’s eyes lit up, recalling her spick-and-span mission. She quickly said, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry about the yard for now. I need to plant some mushrooms later, and I haven’t decided how to clean up the yard yet. You go ahead with your tasks. I’ll have Jinhua and the others take care of it later.” Lady Jiang wouldn’t have dared to go against Wang Yongzhu’s wishes before, let alone now. She was the absolute executor of whatever the young mistress said. She simply nodded obediently, “Alright then, I’ll go tidy up the vegetable patch first. Just call me when you need help with the house.” As Lady Jiang headed to the vegetable patch behind the house, Ming Zhu walked around the yard a few times and formed a plan. She then called over Jinhua, who had been standing by, and they started cleaning up earnestly. As for Jinguan and Jinpan, they headed up the mountain with their baskets on their backs. The two clever Little Beans, thinking of the precious Yellow Pine Mushrooms Ming Zhu wanted to grow, recalled the local farmers’ saying that the soil where something grows is the most suitable for it. Therefore, they headed straight to where they had previously picked Yellow Pine Mushrooms, selecting soil mixed with rotten pine needles to fill their baskets. In an effort to impress their old cousin, the Little Beans filled their baskets to the brim. Unlike pigweed, the soil-laden needles were heavy for children of their age. However, they couldn’t bear to dump any out, so they just gritted their teeth and slowly made their way down the mountain, step by step. Jinpan, being younger, had a basket that was too heavy. After walking only a short distance, he stumbled and began to roll downhill. Jinguan, frightened out of his wits, dropped his basket and attempted to grab his brother. In the blink of an eye, a dark figure darted past him, and scooped up Jinpan, who was about to hit a rock. Jinpan, who had been dizzy from the fall, steadied himself after being seized. When he looked up, he saw it was Song Chongjin, who had broken off the engagement with the old cousin. Now, the words of gratitude were stuck in his throat, not knowing whether to say them or not. Logically, I definitely have to thank him for saving my life, but just last night I promised Granny to pee in front of the Song family’s doorway every day from now on, so what should I do now? Scared out of his wits and feeling like his brain wasn’t working, Jinpan froze. Fortunately, Jinguan, who had hurried over, saw what happened. Regardless, it was clear that they should first express their gratitude, “Thank you, Uncle Song, for saving my little brother.” Then she slapped Jinpan on the back, “Jinpan, haven’t you thanked Uncle Song yet?” Only then did Jinpan come back to his senses, his face pale, and he quietly thanked Song Chongjin. Song Chongjin naturally recognized that this was a child from the Wang family, and he didn’t take it to heart. Everyone was from the same village; if something like this happened, you had to lend a hand. However, having just broken off his engagement with the Wang family, he also felt somewhat awkward and didn’t linger, only cautioning them, “The mountain paths are steep and slippery, you should be more careful when going up and down the mountain in the future.” Both Jinguan and Jinpan nodded, still shaken. Song Chongjin himself was also on his way down the mountain, and since there was only one path, it wouldn’t be good to leave right away. He thought it best to escort the two children safely down the mountain before parting ways. Seeing that the two children had recovered and had picked up their baskets to carry again, especially the younger one, looking at the trail of pine needles and soil they had scattered, it was hard to tell if he was scared or anxious, as his eyes were almost red. Feeling rather curious, he hesitated for a moment before asking, “What’s the matter?” Jinpan felt regretful and, since Song Chongjin had just saved him, didn’t take offense, casually replying, “This is what Old Granny had us carry up the mountain, and now it’s all scattered, how will I explain this to her—” Would Old Granny be disappointed in him? Would she no longer want his help in the future? From then on, would he not be able to drink sweet soup or eat eggs, and even the meat from the market tomorrow, he might not get to eat! Thinking about this, Jinpan was both afraid and anxious, and his tears suddenly started flowing. Song Chongjin understood immediately upon seeing this. Everyone knew about the affairs of the Wang family; Wang Yongzhu was the prized child of the family, and the rest were seen as less important. This was probably yet another task Wang Yongzhu had set for the children. Seeing how frightened the child was, it was clear how harshly Wang Yongzhu usually treated them. The children who narrowly escaped death weren’t relieved to be unharmed; instead, they were worried about being punished when they got back, and were so scared, they cried! He himself felt guilty yesterday for calling off the engagement, thinking Wang Yongzhu wasn’t that hateful and that he had probably misunderstood her. Now, it seemed, this was no misunderstanding! Song Chongjin couldn’t quite articulate his feelings, feeling both angry and somewhat relieved. When it came to calling off the engagement, no matter how much he had opposed it before, his mother had agreed behind his back. Since he had requested to call it off, he was at fault. He had thought that if he ever had the chance, he should make it up to Wang Yongzhu, but now it seemed, there was no need. Such a woman, cruel-hearted and without a shred of compassion for her own nieces and nephews, deserved to taste the bitter fruits of her own actions! Jinguan didn’t understand why Song Chongjin’s expression had suddenly darkened, but she still comfortingly patted Jinpan on the shoulder, “What’s there to cry about? I see you still have half a basket left, that should be enough. Let’s go back and show Old Granny; if it’s not enough, we’ll just make another trip up the mountain. Is this little thing worth crying over? Aren’t you embarrassed?” Jinpan wiped away his tears, “I just expressed my willingness to Old Granny yesterday, saying that I could do any work she gave me, but now I’ve messed up, what if Old Granny gets angry and doesn’t want me helping her anymore? I haven’t even had the eggs and meat she promised yet, wahh—” The sorrow surged from deep within.

Chapter 24 - 24 24 It seems, this is not a misunderstanding!

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