n

n

n

n

n

n“How did this happen?”

n

nThe Chief did not understand him. How could the mountains be owned by other people?

n

n“Then Jiuyue… No, why did Old Tu build a house on the mountain? No one stopped him. Did you ask?” he asked.

n

nThe mountains near the An Clan Village were all part of the Lianjing Mountain Range. Did they all belong to one person?

n

nIf so, how did An Jiuyue manage to live on the mountain? Someone must have known about it when An Tu built the treehouse. Did no one object to it?

n

n“I—” The Junior Officer opened his mouth.

n

nHe did not want to mention this to the county official because he did not want to cause trouble for An Jiuyue, but he could not help it.

n

nHowever, he was confused by the response he received.

n

n“I did mention it, but they said it concerns the higher-ups, so it’s not something low-ranking officials like them can interfere with. They told me not to get myself in trouble and to leave just like that.”

n

nThere was a look in the Chief’s eyes.

n

nThis suggested that An Tu was permitted to build a treehouse on the mountain. He must have been capable if he could do that on a mountain range belonging to someone else while the other villagers could not.

n

n“You should keep an eye on those gossipy people in the village next time. Don’t provoke Jiuyue.”

n

nIf An Tu was capable, how could An Jiuyue not be? It was better for them not to provoke An Jiuyue.

n

n“Can the people in the village be controlled?” The Junior Officer shook his head with a smile. He felt that the Chief had hit the nail on the head.

n

nIf they could control these people, they would not be gossiping all the time.

n

nBesides, if they were to interfere more and tell them to keep their mouths shut, rumors that An Jiuyue had a relationship with them might circulate in the village.

n

nThe thought of it gave him a headache.

n

nWhy can’t they live their own lives? Why must they act as if they will only feel better if others are worst off?

n

nIn his opinion, none of them lived comfortably either. He was worried.

n

nThe Chief agreed and could only say, “Alright, let’s pretend we don’t know anything.”

n

nWhat else could he say? All of them were talkative. They could not do anything to them.

n

n…

n

nOn the mountain…

n

nAn Gouzi stomped his feet in anger when he saw that the straw shed was larger than his house.

n

nHowever, when he looked at An Jiuyue’s back as she walked towards the straw shed to help, he gave up on his anger.

n

nHe could not afford to offend this woman. He could only work without complaint. Would he be willing to be beaten up if he did not do a good job?

n

nHe wondered what this woman grew up eating. Her arms were so strong it hurt when she hit him. He was still breaking out in cold sweat from the pain.

n

n“Brother Dog, didn’t you say you can’t get out of bed? Why are you here?” An Feng tossed a tree branch he had brought back aside and ran over with concern.

n

nAn Gouzi was speechless.

n

nHow can I not be here? If I stay in bed anymore, An Jiuyue will really make me stay in bed forever.

n

nHe was just being lazy. He did not want to be crippled.

n

n“I rested for a while and am much better. I rushed over to help you.”

n

nHe spoke kindly despite his thoughts, acting as if he could not bear to let his brothers share his burden.

n

n