CHAPTER 263: CHAPTER 261: ZENG LIU’S REQUEST

The matter of Chen Xin recruiting the two nephews of his second uncle spread quickly, becoming known throughout the entire village.

Regarding this matter, the relatives naturally did not dare to express any grievances against Chen Xin. Even if they had complaints, they dared not show it, as Chen Xin was their only hope of leaving the mountainous village; resentment towards him could not be directly expressed.

However, there were no kind words for the second uncle among the relatives.

Evidently, everyone felt that the second uncle was exploiting his position for personal gain. Relying on his status as the village chief and his close relationship with Chen Xin, he deliberately sent his own two nephews to Chen Xin first.

For a while, the shelter was filled with gossip about the second uncle, and the things being said were quite unpleasant.

Regarding this situation, the second uncle naturally had anticipated it. Since he had made such a decision, he was also prepared to face the subsequent effects that would arise from it.

Having been village chief for many years, the second uncle was experienced in handling such matters.

Although the villagers were all relatives, humans naturally have varying degrees of closeness, and even amongst relatives, personal interests are put first.

When personal interests are at stake, not only harsh words but even pointing fingers and cursing are light acts.

The second uncle had experienced many such things in his youth and was well-versed in handling them. After all, having been the village chief for so many years, he didn’t rely on being a peacemaker who urged retreat.

There were instances where people pointed fingers and threatened to smash pots and pans at home, yet back then, the second uncle was able to handle those people, and of course, he wouldn’t be intimidated by mere gossip now.

Therefore, although the situation caused some ripples, it didn’t have a significant impact overall.

The matters in the village naturally were suppressed by the second uncle, who couldn’t affect Chen Xin. After completing all the preparatory work, Chen Xin was ready to set off and head back.

The original recruitment plan didn’t continue beyond the two brothers recommended by the second uncle to Chen Xin.

Initially, Chen Xin did agree to take the young finance student with him, but unfortunately, the young man wanted to bring along his parents and an aunt, which was beyond what Chen Xin could accommodate, so he had to refuse.

As for the brothers Han Ping and Han Ze, they didn’t have such troubles. In their previous conversations with Chen Xin, they had already explained their situation. Their father had died when they were young, and they were solely raised by their mother, who also supported them through schooling.

This was why the elder brother Han Ping did not go to college but joined the army, while the younger brother, Han Ze, attended a technical school. It wasn’t because they couldn’t get into university but because they genuinely couldn’t afford it.

Even Han Ze’s technical school education was funded by Han Ping’s savings from his service in the army.

Although the brothers didn’t have high educational achievements, they worked diligently. Han Ping consistently excelled in the army each year, and if not for worrying about their aging mother, he could have had a better development in the military instead of retiring to take care of his mother and farm.

Meanwhile, Han Ze, although not returning home to care for their mother like his brother, continuously worked hard in the city, sending money back home for his brother to take care of their mother, while he lived frugally.

However, unfortunately, their original shelter collapsed. The fit and strong young brothers managed to escape with their mother, but she could not hold on against age, harsh cold conditions, and passed away before rescue arrived, leaving the brothers to seek help from their second uncle.

Some of this information came from the brothers themselves, while some parts Chen Xin learned by asking village members through his parents.

In Chen Xin’s eyes, these brothers were very filial and reliable, and that was the main reason he agreed to take them along; the second uncle’s recommendation merely gave him a reason to consider giving them a chance.

So, in the end, although many wanted to leave with Chen Xin to Xiang Province, he only planned to take the two brothers.

He asked Han Ping to inspect the vehicle thoroughly, confirming everything was in good condition and the preparatory work complete, only then did Chen Xin plan to set off.

As Chen Xin got Han Ping into the car, seated in the front passenger seat, and prepared to drive off, intending to teach Han Ping how to operate the vehicle, Han Ping noticed a truck coming to the shelter.

"Mr. Chen, it’s a truck delivering supplies to the shelter," Han Ping informed Chen Xin upon noticing he was also watching the truck.

"It has nothing to do with us, ignore it. Now, let me teach you how to drive this vehicle." Chen Xin just took a glance and then disregarded it, focusing instead on teaching Han Ping how to drive: "This vehicle is voice-activated, so you need to record your voice into the control panel to gain access privileges."

Han Ping listened attentively to Chen Xin’s instructions, cooperatively recording his voice in the control panel.

However, even though Chen Xin ignored the delivery truck, the person getting off it walked straight towards them and knocked on the car door beside the driver’s seat.

Chen Xin rolled down the window and looked down, discovering that it was Zeng Liu who knocked on the door.

"Zeng Liu? What are you doing here?" Chen Xin asked curiously, leaning out towards Zeng Liu.

"I came with the supply truck, I have some matters to discuss with you, Mr. Chen Xin." Zeng Liu explained, noticing the vehicle was already started, she hastily asked, "Mr. Chen Xin, are you preparing to leave?"

"Yes, I’ve already picked up my parents; I’ve nearly completed everything here. But Miss Zeng Liu, you mentioned you had something to discuss with me, what is it?" Chen Xin was slightly puzzled by Zeng Liu’s sudden visit, unsure of what her purpose was.

Zeng Liu hesitated, biting her lip. Indeed, she had a matter to discuss with Chen Xin, one entrusted to her by Lao Tang and Sister Ning, but now that Chen Xin was ready to leave, it obviously disrupted her plans, leaving her unsure how to achieve her objective.

Yet Chen Xin’s inquiry offered Zeng Liu a glimmer of hope. Despite her plain appearance, this woman knew how to seize opportunities at crucial moments. Thus, she asked Chen Xin, "Mr. Chen Xin, could I come up and speak?"

"Come up? Well..." Chen Xin mused for a moment before nodding, "Come on up."

After saying this, Chen Xin motioned for Zeng Liu to enter through the living cabin’s door, while he closed the window and said to Han Ping on the side, "Han Ping, familiarize yourself with the console and equipment, I’ve given you access rights, let the console’s intelligent system teach you how to use the equipment, I’ll go meet the guest."

"Okay, Mr. Chen," Han Ping nodded earnestly.

Leaving Han Ping at the driver’s seat to familiarize himself with the equipment, Chen Xin turned back to the living cabin, waited for Zeng Liu to come on board, then closed the door and invited her to sit on the sofa.

"Miss Zeng Liu, what brings you suddenly to me? Is there something going on?" Chen Xin asked politely though a bit unexpectedly, trying to understand the reason for her sudden visit.

Zeng Liu gritted her teeth before saying, "Mr. Chen Xin, I wonder if you’re still short of manpower?"

"Manpower?" Chen Xin arched an eyebrow, watching Zeng Liu biting her lip with a look of anticipation, unconsciously touching his chin, "Manpower isn’t something I’d say I lack, but having a few more people wouldn’t be bad. Are you thinking of joining me?"

Chen Xin wasn’t surprised at Zeng Liu wanting to join him, but he wasn’t fond of the idea.

He had saved her life and taken her and her companions with him, believing that he had fulfilled his duty thoroughly. Admittedly, he had initially helped her for his own benefit in tending his fracture, but ultimately, it was a transaction. Chen Xin felt he had already paid his dues, delivering them to the town’s shelter for a new life.

Zeng Liu’s persistent entanglement felt excessive to Chen Xin, as he didn’t owe her any further obligation; if she thought she could demand anything based on past goodwill, Chen Xin considered her deluded.

However, things took an unexpected turn for Chen Xin. After receiving his response, Zeng Liu directly shook her head and explained, "It’s not me, it’s Lao Tang and Sister Ning. They’re struggling to adapt to life here and believe that following Mr. Chen Xin would lead to a better life. Hence, they asked me to find you and see if you’d consider taking them when you return."

After hearing Zeng Liu’s words, Chen Xin was surprised but didn’t reveal it. He continued touching his chin and asked, "What about you? Do you want to follow me?"

Chen Xin’s question posed a dilemma for Zeng Liu, though she eventually shook her head, honestly saying, "If there were such an opportunity, surely I’d want a better life, but Mr. Chen Xin has already helped me enough by rescuing me from that doomed city and bringing us to this town to survive. That’s already a huge favor, and I shouldn’t ask for more."

"But your two companions don’t seem to think the same." Chen Xin noted her response with some satisfaction, making her companions appear somewhat uncompromising by contrast.

Even so, Chen Xin was not swayed, as Zeng Liu’s account was only one side of the story, leaving him none the wiser about its veracity.

"Sister Ning and Lao Tang... they only want to live a better life..." Zeng Liu tried to defend them but found no words to clearly express it. Yet, recalling how they had taken care of her and their sincere request, Zeng Liu continued, "Sister Ning and Lao Tang simply want to ride on your car to San Town, Mr. Chen Xin. They are hopeful you would let them come along if they can pay for the journey."

"Hmm, paying for the ride? Sounds fair enough." Chen Xin nodded after hearing Zeng Liu, "However, I must refuse."