country bumpkin

In the fourth month of the lunar calendar, the weather is already quite warm, and wildflowers are blooming in the fields.

Under the gentle spring sunshine, all kinds of wildflowers bloom with smiles, clusters and bunches, the beautiful sea of ​​flowers giving people endless warmth and hope.

Yunya was sunbathing in the farmhouse courtyard. She was surrounded by many piglets.

She called out, "Tsk tsk tsk...tsk tsk tsk, come on, come and eat!"

She sat lazily on a stone in the yard, basking in the sun and feeding the piglets.

Watching the piglets eat so happily, Yunya felt happy too. She couldn't help but giggle.

She gently stroked the back of one of the piglets, feeling its soft fur.

Just then, footsteps sounded outside, and a young man walked in. He saw Yunya and the piglets, and a smile appeared on his face.

"Uncle, you're back!" Yunya stood up and greeted him.

"Well, how are the piglets today?" he asked.

"They're all doing well, and they're very well-behaved!" Yunya said with a smile.

A few days ago, Mu Shuyun sent word that the piglets were sick and asked him what to do. Now, seeing them so shiny and healthy, he feels much better. It seems his mother has called a veterinarian!

Kong Xiangyao looked at the healthy and growing piglets and nodded in satisfaction.

They chatted as they looked after the piglets, the sunlight shining on them, creating a warm and beautiful scene.

Yunya suddenly spoke up: "Uncle, are you coming back and not leaving again? Grandma misses you so much, she talks about you every day!"

Kong Xiangyao smiled and said, "I'll only stay for one day this time. Your uncle will earn money to buy you delicious food, okay?"

Yunya forgot everything else when she heard about food, and happily hugged her uncle, jumping and skipping around.

When Mu Shuyun returned from across the street and saw her youngest son, she was overjoyed. She cooked delicious food for him and showered him with concern.

Mu Shuyun brought out the food, and the family sat together happily. Kong Xiangyao ate while chatting with his mother and niece, recounting his experiences outside.

After lunch, Kong Xiangyao helped Mu Shuyun clear the dishes, while Yunya played with the piglets. Mu Shuyun looked at her sensible son, her heart filled with joy.

When Kong Tongming came home from get off work that evening, he had a few drinks with Kong Xiangyao. The two of them chatted and laughed, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

The next day, Kong Xiangyao bid farewell to his family, packed his bags, and set off again. Yunya held onto her uncle's hand reluctantly until his figure disappeared from sight.

She asked her grandmother with some disappointment, "Grandma, why can't adults stay home with their families every day? Why are they so busy every day?"

Mu Shuyun patted her head affectionately.

"Because people need to eat, drink, and wear clothes to live, and all of these require money, so they need to work hard to earn money. People also need to have dreams and aspirations to make life better."

Yunya couldn't understand what her grandmother was saying, but she heard about eating and drinking.

She nodded. "Oh! Right, you have to spend money to buy food. You have to earn money, otherwise you'll starve to death."

Mu Shuyun looked up at the sun, which was warm and gentle, just like people's lives—warm and comfortable.

The work in the fields was finished, and Kong Xiangdong had moved, taking with him the large pot and tools for making tofu. Everything was proceeding smoothly.

Zhou Caiyun comes to the old house for lunch every day, usually around noon or in the afternoon. She just grabs a quick bite at home in the morning because she doesn't get up until almost noon.

She didn't come all day yesterday, I wonder why? Mu Shuyun thought she would go to her house to check on her when she had time.

It was almost lunchtime, and Zhou Caiyun still hadn't arrived. Mu Shuyun started to worry. "What's going on? Yunya, come on, let's go with Grandma to your second uncle's house to see your second aunt."

Yunya ran over and followed her grandmother toward her second uncle's house.

I quickly greeted acquaintances I met on the road and hurried on my way.

When Mu Shuyun arrived at her second uncle's house, she found the door unlocked and called out several times but no one answered.

She led Yunya into the courtyard, which was in a mess. The house was also in disarray, as if it had been ransacked by a thief.

Mu Shuyun was startled and quickly looked around, only to find that Zhou Caiyun was not in the room.

She wondered anxiously, where had Caiyun gone? Had something happened to her?

Just then, she heard a faint cry for help.

"Is anyone there...?" It was as if the cry for help had been blocked.

Mu Shuyun followed the sound and found that it was coming from the cellar.

She opened the cellar lid and saw Zhou Caiyun with her hands and feet bound, her face pale, and her body injured.

"Caiyun, what's wrong? What happened?" Mu Shuyun quickly untied the rope and helped her up.

Zhou Caiyun gasped for breath and said, "There were...bad guys who broke in...I...I resisted, and they tied me up...they robbed the family of their money..."

Mu Shuyun said angrily, "These heartless bastards! Yunya, go to the village and call for help. I'll take your second aunt to the clinic first."

Yunya ran very fast and went to her great-grandfather's house and her second great-grandfather's house to call her great-grandfather Kong Tongyuan and her second great-grandfather Kong Tongcang over.

She ran to the village chief's house and called the village chief's grandfather, Kong Youliang, back home, panting heavily.

Kong Tongyuan, Kong Tongcang, and Kong Youliang hurried to the clinic together. Yun Ya followed behind the village chief, her legs moving quickly, her little steps never stopping.

The group rushed to the clinic, where the doctor immediately examined and treated Zhou Caiyun. Mu Shuyun waited anxiously, praying that Zhou Caiyun would be alright.

After a while, the doctor came out of the examination room and said with a serious expression, "The patient's injuries are not serious; they are all superficial wounds. However, because she is pregnant, we can only use some mild and non-irritating medications to apply to the wounds." Mu Shuyun breathed a slight sigh of relief upon hearing this.

At this moment, village chief Kong Youliang spoke up: "We must call the police on this matter; we cannot let those criminals get away with it!"

Everyone agreed. Therefore, Kong Youliang decided to personally go to the town's police station to report the case and request that the police launch an investigation as soon as possible.

Yunya held Mu Shuyun's hand tightly and said with a firm look in her eyes, "Grandma, don't be afraid, the police officers will definitely catch the bad guys!"

Mu Shuyun nodded, patted Yunya's head and comforted her, "Yes, our Yunya is the bravest."

After treating the wounds, Mu Shuyun helped Zhou Caiyun back to the old house. The two brothers from the Kong family had returned home. Yunya, supporting her second aunt, followed behind.

When they got home, Mu Shuyun carefully questioned Zhou Caiyun about what had happened. Zhou Caiyun recounted the events in detail.

It turns out that Kong Xiangdong received a large order yesterday. A wealthy family in town is holding a wedding banquet.

They've ordered 100 jin (50 catties) of tofu. They're hosting a tofu banquet, so they're ordering a large quantity.

Kong Xiangdong went to the market and sold his wares all morning yesterday before returning home, so Zhou Caiyun had her husband with her in the afternoon and didn't go to the old house for dinner.

The soybeans were soaked last night. This morning, before 4 a.m., Kong Xiangdong got up to start making tofu.

By the time he finished making the tofu, it was already dawn. He borrowed a donkey cart and went to deliver the tofu to the wealthy household.

It's possible that some local thugs saw us collecting the deposit yesterday. That's why we're facing this misfortune today, with them coming to our house to rob us.

Mu Shuyun gently stroked Zhou Caiyun's head, "Caiyun, don't be afraid, the police will catch the bad guys."

When Kong Xiangdong returned home that evening, he found no one home, the front gate was closed but unlocked. The yard was spotless, having already been tidied up by Mu Shuyun. The house door, however, was locked.

He figured his wife must have gone to the old house, so he went there immediately.

Upon arriving at the old house and hearing what had happened, he was furious. He was also very worried about his wife.

He gently embraced his wife, his tender eyes fixed on Zhou Caiyun. He asked, "Caiyun, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"

Zhou Caiyun shook her head, "It's nothing, just a superficial injury. It's been treated and is fine. Don't worry."

Kong Xiangdong's face was full of heartache and regret. "It's all my fault. I should have been more careful when I came back yesterday and checked if anyone was following me. It's all my fault."

Zhou Caiyun gently comforted her, "I'm fine, aren't I? Don't blame yourself, I don't blame you."

Kong Xiangdong held her small face in his hands as if it were a precious treasure and gently kissed it.

Zhou Caiyun blushed. Her heart felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey.

It was already dark. After they finished eating, they held hands and went home together...