"Yes."

Liu Yang was somewhat taken aback by the favor of being entrusted with this task.

He and the village chief were both candidates in the last village chief election, and at that time he even said, "How can a woman be the village chief?" Logically, it would be good if the village chief didn’t hold a grudge against him. Unexpectedly, she not only didn’t hold grudges, but today gave him a task, looking like she intends to use him as a deputy with full trust.

Qin Yao smiled faintly, her encouraging gaze sweeping over Liu Yang, then looked at each of her former competitors in the election.

"No matter what minor disagreements we had before, our ultimate goal is for the Liu Family Village. We hope our Liu Family Village becomes more prosperous and stronger."

"Individual power is limited. To build the entire Liu Family Village well, we must unite!"

"Minor bickering day-to-day doesn’t matter, but at critical times, I hope we all can stand together against outside threats, eliminating any potential dangers to our village!"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Liu Yang felt a flush of hot blood rising; this time, he was truly convinced by the new village chief.

Being defeated by her was not shameful at all.

Qin Yao waved her hand, "Let’s break up, everyone be sure to lock your doors these few days, and keep a good watch over your belongings so as not to give evildoers an opportunity."

Once the villagers dispersed and only the clan leader and Liu Yang, who was still deeply moved and unable to extricate himself, were left in the ancestral hall, Qin Yao specifically went over to Liu Yang, giving him a heavy nod:

"Brother Liu Yang, I have always noticed your silent dedication to the whole Liu Family Village. Even if you don’t say it, I know that in our entire Liu Family Village, only you are diligently working hard for the elders and fellow townspeople."

Saying this, seeing Liu Yang trembling all over, looking like he was about to cry with emotion, she patted his arm and reminded him:

"Those small people always act despicably. This time, we may scare the grass and startle the snake, provoking their rebellious feelings. Be extra careful these days. Best not to walk at night; if you must, remember to bring a companion."

Liu Yang choked up as he replied, "I’ll be careful, village chief can rest assured."

Qin Yao nodded, "I have always been at ease with you."

Liu Yang was famous in the village for being straightforward, inflexible kind. In the eyes of others, a bit too much, always insisting on every detail, making him not very likable among the villagers.

Especially during the annual grain tax collection, he was most resented.

But Qin Yao thought he was perfect like this.

Having Liu Yang in charge of verifying worker identities ensured that none would get away!

"The hour is late, Clan Leader, Brother Liu Yang, please go back and rest soon. I’ll extinguish the lights in the ancestral hall and head back too," Qin Yao said with a smile.

The clan leader nodded gratefully to Qin Yao and called on his eldest son, who was recognized for the first time and thus cried with joy, to go home with a helpless smile.

Qin Yao was the last to leave, extinguishing the candle, checking the doors and windows, locking the ancestral hall’s door, and walked home lightly under the especially bright moonlight today.

The holiday at Ding Clan School had ended, and the children had to go back to class.

Being woken up early in the morning, Qin Yao was still a bit dazed, instinctively yawning as she asked, "Where’s Ah Wang? Isn’t he supposed to take you to school?"

Da Lang helplessly reminded her, "Mother, Uncle Ah Wang already left for Yingtian Prefecture with Father yesterday."

Si Niang held up three fingers, "It’ll be at least three months before they come back."

Second Lang and Sanlang nodded, "Yes, three months."

Qin Yao shook her head, fully awake, resigned to getting up to take the kids to school.

By the time they picked up Jinhua and Jinbao at the old house, it was already late. The two were secretly shedding tears, afraid that they’d get their palms smacked by the teacher for being late to the academy.

Fortunately, Third Aunt’s driving skills remained wild as ever; although the ride was a bit bumpy, she managed to get them to the school safely just before the bell rang for class.

The returning students swarmed into the school, quickly restoring an ultimate quietness.

The school gate closed with a "boom", jolting Qin Yao back to her senses. She then reversed the cart and slowly headed home.

It’s really quite strange not having Ah Wang around.

Liu Zhong was recently caught up in the new product development team by Yun Niang and was also extremely busy. The responsibility of picking up and dropping off the kids at school would fall on Qin Yao for at least half a month.

It’s okay sending them, but picking them up is a bit troublesome since the watermelon and vegetable fields left by Ah Wang still need tending.

Qin Yao suddenly realized that besides Ah Wang, she really didn’t have any other helpers available.

Thinking of the two scouts of unknown purpose in the village and the looming storm in the county, she really felt uneasy about entrusting the task of picking up and dropping off the kids to anyone else in the family.

The big green ox, having sprinted all morning, had used up a lot of energy and returned lazily carrying the mistress, just making it back to Liu Family Village by noon.

As the ox-cart passed by the entrance of the stationery factory, Qin Yao’s peripheral vision suddenly caught a glimpse of Yin Le on the riverbank, wearing an apron, rolling up her sleeves to wash vegetables.

She was working diligently while reciting the words she had learned, occasionally pausing to use her fingers to draw on the vegetable leaves, full of energy.

Qin Yao thought to herself, not knowing where this girl got her endless energy from.

The two were one on the road and one by the riverbank, the ox-cart moving slowly and quietly. Yet, Qin Yao instinctively held her breath, wary of being noticed by someone.

Unexpectedly, Yin Le might have installed a ’Qin Yao locator’ on her, suddenly standing up and shouting excitedly, "Manager Qin!"

Alright, it’s settled, it’s you!

Qin Yao shouted softly, and the big green ox eagerly stopped in place.

"Manager Qin, I already recognize..."

"Come to my house after finishing work this afternoon."

The ’nine hundred and twenty-eight words’ Yin Le was about to say were swallowed back, staring blankly at the ox-cart continuing to move forward slowly, taking a full half minute to gasp strongly, lest the sudden surprise knock her out cold.

On the departing ox-cart, Qin Yao listened to the silly laughter from the riverbank, shaking her head, wondering if her decision was right.

Forget it, it doesn’t matter. As long as it catches mice, any cat will do!

Thinking of Yin Le visiting in the afternoon, Qin Yao hurriedly finished her lunch upon returning home and started preparing early.

She never had an apprentice before, but hasn’t she seen pigs running if she hadn’t eaten pork?

Following the model, she earnestly prepared an altar and even asked Mrs. Li to arrange some melon seeds, candies, and pig’s trotter, looking the part.

Seeing this setup, Mrs. Li guessed what Qin Yao intended to do, and seeing her earnest to the point of appearing slightly nervous, couldn’t help but find it oddly endearing.

"Why did you suddenly decide to take an apprentice, madam?" Mrs. Li asked with some envy.

Qin Yao was looking for a chair that would make her appear dignified when she sat down and replied genuinely, "Lack of manpower."

Mrs. Li was momentarily taken aback, wondering if she wasn’t considered a person?

Or maybe the ’manpower’ the madam referred to was different from what she had in mind?

Qin Yao raised her elegant eyebrows; of course, it was different. She needed obedient and capable manpower.

Also known as - Ah Wang’s replacement.