After being jilted, the entire neighboring village was filled with deep regret.

Chapter 8 A Son-in-Law Sent by Heaven

Shen Yi was pulled away by Zeng Kuan before he could even utter a word of refusal.

Su Tai took in everything, feeling great, and turned to leave.

Shen Yi hadn't returned by evening when Su Chunlin entered the village. Upon learning that water had come out of the well, he rushed to the well without even going home.

When Han saw him, she was overjoyed. "Husband, come quick! There's water!"

Su Chunlin handed the bundle to Han Shi, poked his head into the well, and asked, "Is there enough water to irrigate the fields?"

A person nearby replied, "It's good enough that our village has drinking water; forget about irrigation."

One person disagreed and shook their head, "If the other wells also produce water, wouldn't we be able to irrigate the fields?"

Su Chunlin nodded vigorously, "That's right, that's right! If there's water coming out of one place, there's bound to be water coming out of another place!"

With a smile, Han pulled Su Chunlin home, only asking about the situation in the county town on the way, "How's it going? Did you manage to borrow the money?"

"I made the trip and came back empty-handed!" Su Chunlin smugly hummed, looking at his bundle. "My elder brother gave me an ounce of silver and some food for emergencies. With my sister-in-law here, he couldn't go too far. Besides, the road was dangerous, so I didn't dare to ask for more. I only took a tiny bit. You don't know, I saw several people being robbed along the way. Luckily, I was dressed in rags and covered in dirt, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to avoid it."

He originally intended to play the victim, but by chance he avoided some trouble.

Only then did Mrs. Han realize that Su Chunlin was covered in filth, looking no better than a beggar, and immediately pulled him home quickly.

These past two days, Han Shi hadn't paid attention to the situation at home, nor had she kept track of the water supply. When she opened the water vat, she discovered that the vat of water she had previously stolen was still there. The river mud had completely settled to the bottom, and the water on top was very clear. Thinking that the village had already dug out water, Han Shi gritted her teeth, carried a bucket, and had Su Chunlin take it to the fields to shower. It would also irrigate the fields at the same time, so nothing would be wasted.

Su Chunlin took a comfortable bath and cleaned the water tank. He scooped out the clean water from the top and dumped all the sediment from the bottom into the fields, hoping to salvage as much of the crops as possible.

Shen Yi returned after he finished his work.

Upon seeing Shen Yi, Su Chunlin was pleasantly surprised. "What brings you here, kid?"

Shen Yi explained, "The water level of the Daxun River has dropped significantly recently, so I walked here by following the river channel."

Han hurriedly told him about Shen Yi's help in digging the well.

Su Chunlin looked grateful and asked Han to cook a pot of noodle soup. He pulled Shen Yi to sit down and said, "I haven't been home for the past two days and didn't know you were coming. You can still sleep in that room tonight, and I'll make do in the next room for the night."

He arranged everything in one go, giving Shen Yi no chance to refuse.

Shen Yi had no choice but to accept it.

It was during the meal that Su Chunlin inquired about the situation in Zhongmen Village.

Shen Yi sighed, "We still haven't found a suitable well site in Zhongmen Village. The village chief's idea is to hold on for two more days and see. I originally planned to go back first thing tomorrow morning, but Uncle Changxi won't let me leave. I guess I'll have to stay here for another two days."

"It's alright, stay here with me in Dongmen Village, don't be shy," Su Chunlin said warmly.

Han hesitated for a moment, but after the couple finished eating and went back to their room, Han immediately told them about Shen Yi's engagement being called off. Su Chunlin was furious and rushed out to ask before Han could finish, "Shen Yi, your aunt said you were jilted by the Mo family?"

Shen Yi was stunned for a moment, then subconsciously looked towards Su Tai's room, slowly lowering his eyes. "Uncle Mo came to apologize in person. The two families were never formally engaged, so it's not a big deal."

"It's not a big deal!" Su Chunlin was so angry that he jumped up and down. "You know what this marriage was all about. Old Mo Tian only betrothed his daughter to you to fulfill his promise. Now he says he'll just call it off? Did your father die for nothing?!"

Shen Yi said with a straight face, "Uncle, it was Miss Mo who didn't want to marry, so Uncle Mo had no choice but to break off the engagement."

"You're still defending him!" Su Chunlin was so angry that her face turned red. "You believe everything he says! Even if, hypothetically, that girl from the Mo family doesn't want to marry, so what? Marriage is always arranged by parents and matchmakers. Does she think she can just refuse to marry like that? When has Old Man Mo ever been so easy to talk to? He's clearly taking advantage of the fact that you have no parents!"
"No, this matter can't be left like this. I have to go to the Mo family and demand justice for you."

Shen Yi pulled back the impulsive Su Chunlin, "Uncle, I know you mean well, but forced marriages are never sweet. I heard that Miss Mo ran away from home overnight and fell into a ravine, almost dying, because she didn't want to marry me. Uncle Mo must have been frightened. He can't force his daughter to her death for the sake of a marriage."

"Who told you that?" Su Chunlin stopped in his tracks.

Shen Yi said, "Uncle Mo told me about it. I also heard some rumors when I went to Zhongmen Village to help out yesterday. People were saying..."

"What did he say?" Su Chunlin asked anxiously.

Shen Yi pursed his lips and released his hand expressionlessly. "They also said that Miss Mo was rescued by Xiong Kai from the same village. Xiong Kai carried Miss Mo home, which was witnessed by the villagers of Ximen Village. Uncle Mo's point is that Miss Mo is unwilling to marry me, and given the damage to my reputation, forcing a marriage would not be good for me either. However, he gave me a bag of grain as compensation."

Upon hearing this, Han frowned deeply. "How could it be that bastard Xiong Kai! You and Xiao Tai are really unlucky!"

Su Chunlin stroked his chin, lost in thought, and stopped clamoring to settle scores with Mo Laotian.

After Shen Yi returned to his room to rest, Madam Han lowered her voice and asked in confusion, "Aren't you going to take care of this? Shen Yi's father was your savior after all."

Su Chunlin pulled Han Shi away a little before saying, "Who said I didn't care! Look, our daughter's engagement was broken off by Xiong Kai, and there are all sorts of rumors going around. It'll be hard to talk about her in the future. I was worried that our daughter wouldn't be able to get married, but look! Heaven has immediately sent us a ready-made son-in-law!"

"You mean Shen Yi and Xiao Tai?" Madam Han covered her mouth in surprise.

Su Chunlin nodded excitedly, "Shen Yi is someone I've watched grow up, much better than Xiong Kai. I was initially disappointed that Mo Laotian got such a good deal, but things have taken a turn for the better, hehehe."

Shenjiazhuang is quite far from Dongmen Village; a round trip takes a whole day.

In the past, Su Chunlin would visit Shen Yi once a year and bring him some gifts. He had indeed watched Shen Yi grow up.

After Su Chunlin's reminder, Madam Han immediately beamed with joy, "Honey, you're so smart! How come I didn't think of that! Besides, I think Shen Yi treats our Xiaotai very well. The two of them even went out together this morning."

"Really?" Su Chunlin's eyes lit up even more.

Madam Han nodded vigorously, "But we have to find out the truth about the Mo family. If it's really as Shen Yi said, you have to go there too, have a talk with everyone, and the Xiong family has to give us something in return. We can't let Shen Yi suffer a loss."

The debts from back then haven't been settled yet, so the Mo family can't repay the life-saving debt with a bag of grain.

(End of this chapter)