Tao Chunhe nodded to indicate he understood.

Tao Yanzhen didn’t show any emotion at all, so even Meng Lin, who grew up with her, didn’t notice anything.

Lunch was steamed buns, and there were leftovers, sorghum rice was soaked in water directly to make congee, and a few eggs were fried, along with a plate of shredded potatoes.

"You two should go rest, you still have work to do later, and I’ll head back after I finish eating."

Wang Menglin nodded, and the two girls returned to their room.

"Xiao Chun, we got word from home that that man has been detained."

"It should be that way. What about the woman? How is she doing?"

"Not sure, haven’t heard anything."

"Ha ha, still true love, huh. Uncle Jin, is what I asked you to deliver arriving soon?"

"Yes, I got a call, it’s already handed over, and none of them can escape."

"Since they dared to act, let them pay the price."

"Does Meng Lin not have any issues?"

"Her? If she objects, I won’t acknowledge her anymore." Tao Chunhe said it carelessly, but Jin Erlin knew, despite being young, he was indeed ruthless.

"Keep a close watch over there, and make sure he sees that woman and those two children being trampled in the mire.

In the end, I don’t want them alive, just him living, that’s the least I can do for Aunt and Meng Lin."

Jin Erlin thought to himself, you’d be better off letting him die. But he said it so righteously to torment him.

"Understood, everything’s arranged over there, we don’t have to dirty our hands, someone else is more than willing to."

Tao Chunhe understood what Jin Erlin meant, his daughter was very pretty and loved to show off a bit too much, many people were already paying attention to her, and now that there’s an opportunity, who wouldn’t take advantage?

"Let me know immediately if there’s any news over there, I’m waiting for good news."

"Sure, got it. The two people sent over will return only after the matter is resolved."

At this moment, the work bell rang. Jin Erlin quickly tidied up, "Alright, I gotta go."

The three siblings went to wait for job assignments.

At this time, Guodong and Li Xue also arrived.

Tao Yanzhen immediately spotted him, though she thought she didn’t pay attention to him, the moment he appeared, she would immediately notice.

Tao Yanzhen felt bitter inside, her conscience wouldn’t allow her to sabotage others’ relationships, yet her heart wouldn’t obey.

Aunties saw the young couple come over, kindly teasing, "Guodong, just came back and already working?" They used to call him Lv Zhiqing, but ever since he became the son-in-law of Li Family Village, they called him Guodong.

"Second Aunt, I’m not tired."

"Guodong, are you working for your own points or helping out our Xue?"

"Ha ha, I’m helping my wife."

This evoked a burst of laughter.

Tao Chunhe watched from the side, chatting with his two sisters, "This Lv Zhiqing is quite good-looking, truly a handsome man."

"Indeed." Meng Lin was surprisingly in agreement.

Only Tao Yanzhen stayed silent, but didn’t show anything unusual.

Li Cunshan came over to assign work, those who didn’t finish in the morning continued, and those done were given lighter tasks.

Li Xue’s work spot happened to be right next to the Tao Family Brothers and Sisters.

Tao Yanzhen felt this was heaven showing her reality. She was increasingly frustrated, watching their interaction, knowing they truly loved each other.

It’s a cruel fact, one that must be accepted.

Tao Chunhe started working side by side with Lv Guodong.

"Hello, I’m the new Zhiqing, Tao Chunhe, these are my cousins, Wang Menglin and my sister Tao Yanzhen."

Guodong paused his work, smiling and speaking to Tao Chunhe, "Hello, I’m Lv Guodong, also a Zhiqing."

He merely nodded to the two girls without speaking.

He’s living with Wei Kaiyun, so he knows better than to casually talk to female colleagues. It used to be fine, but now that he’s married, he should avoid unnecessary contact.

Wang Menglin nodded slightly as well, Tao Yanzhen forced a smile, feeling it was so fake and bitter.

The two boys found common ground, talking about things far and wide.

Tao Yanzhen felt more satisfied with Lv Guodong, yet he wasn’t hers. Truly unfortunate timing, perhaps this isn’t quite the right term, but it’s all she could say.

Li Xue was naturally a shy girl, so the three girls remained silent.

Tao Chunhe also appreciated Lv Guodong, he was insightful, not just handsome.

Tao Chunhe himself was particularly striking, and he and Lv Guodong were evenly matched, appealing to different tastes.

The two were chatting and laughing, attracting much attention.

Pan Xiaoying watched from one side. She felt excited, knowing she had no chance with Lv Guodong—he never talked to them, plus he was married.

But Tao Chunhe was still single. Although she looked average and didn’t compare to his two sisters, she was a decent-looking girl.

So she speeded up her work task, hoping to catch up to them, starting with conversation.

She wasn’t alone in her thoughts; three other old Zhiqings had the same idea.

The two newcomers kept their heads down, focused on their tasks, knowing that Tao Chunhe was not just a smiling face.

They spent days together, fully aware that he was rather cold, just with a different exterior.

They had witnessed him scold someone, but didn’t dare confront him.

"Guodong, come have dinner at my place tonight, I’ve arranged for a big rooster from the chicken farm."

"Thanks, Tao Zhiqing, maybe another time, I’m quite tired."

Tao Chunhe knowingly nodded; staying here for such a long time had truly drained him.

"Alright, visit when you get a chance."

Who knows what Jin Erlin was thinking? Why didn’t he build a house near Wei Kaiyun’s?

"Tao Zhiqing, you’re quite adept at this work."

"I used to do it at home, so I’m familiar."

"It took me a long time to adjust when I first came. I was especially frustrated, wondering why I was so clumsy; I kept damaging the seedlings and got penalized often."

Tao Chunhe laughed, seeing Lv Guodong’s naive and silly manner, feeling this friend could be worth keeping. A genuine person.

"It must’ve been really hard for you back then?"

"Wasn’t it? Sister Xiaoli and my sister were both better than me. The village chief saw that I really couldn’t manage, so sent me to clear weeds in wild land, telling me to practice until I could work on crops.

Back then, I was quite discouraged. Just a dead object, I couldn’t even manage a little hoe?"