CHAPTER 96: CHAPTER 91: REUNION

"Jiang Xiaoxiao, I need to talk to you."

Fang Peizhong still looked prideful, as if he was the high-and-mighty young master he used to be.

Jiang Xiaoxiao almost burst out laughing.

Was Fang Peizhong’s brain crushed in a door?

How foolish was I in my past life.

Calling this person family!

Must have been blind.

Fang Peizhong didn’t even realize that at this point, he was nothing as a young master.

Yet he still acted so above everyone, could he still think of me as the old Jiang Xiaoxiao who was submissive to the Fang family in the past life?

What a bright smile, but definitely not a kind one.

Fang Peizhong better not cause trouble for her, or she’d blacken her heart and deal with him.

If she had to use a sack or something, she could probably manage it.

"Fang Peizhong, if you have something to say, just say it in front of everyone. We’re not familiar. I don’t want to go out with you only to have people spreading rumors."

Jiang Xiaoxiao deliberately provoked him.

The incident on the road was only known by a few, most people didn’t know what exactly her relationship with Fang Peizhong was.

Fang Peizhong was so mad his nose was crooked.

"You..."

But then he thought about how he found numerous people to team up with, and none wanted him.

Whether they were polite, straightforward, or blunt, no one wanted to team up with him.

Just him and Hong Mei, how much farm work could they do together?

They’d be surviving on air!

Not to mention what they’d eat and drink involved in farm work. Couldn’t keep relying on family to send them stuff; his mother’s letters always mentioned how tough times were back home.

Meaning he should endure, and also preferably send some food back home.

Grains in the city were hard to come by.

You need tickets to buy food.

Now here he was in this godforsaken place; if he didn’t work, he might not even get to eat.

He knew deep down what kind of person he was.

Wouldn’t swallow his pride before, but now he had to go to Jiang Xiaoxiao.

If no one teamed up with him, people would laugh at him.

"If there’s nothing to say, then get going. Don’t interrupt our talk."

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s words were infuriating.

Fang Peizhong hated her guts, this Jiang Xiaoxiao was no sister of his, what sister would act like this!

"Jiang Xiaoxiao, have you forgotten what you are to me? I’m telling you, I’m your brother. Don’t forget that blood is thicker than water. If I’m having a hard time, you won’t have an easy life either. And don’t forget that after you go down to the countryside, without mom and dad’s help, you’d be stuck here for life in this godforsaken place."

Fang Peizhong said arrogantly; people here knew this well.

Who didn’t want to return to the city?

But returning was tough.

If the family couldn’t manage it, forget about returning, it would be a dead end.

But who wanted to stay here?

Fang Peizhong waited for Jiang Xiaoxiao to give in.

"Oh, sorry, but I like staying in this godforsaken place, and I don’t need anybody’s help. I’ll return if I can, and if I can’t, I’ll stay here for life. I’m happy that way, no need for you to worry.

Also, stop with the brother-sister talk, I have nothing to do with you. I remember very clearly, my so-called mother said herself, she doesn’t have a daughter like me. I’m the Jiang family’s daughter, and I’ll always be a Jiang daughter.

I have a father, a mother, and a brother, nothing to do with you, your sister is Fang Xiaohui, not Jiang Xiaoxiao. Goodbye and take care."

Jiang Xiaoxiao blocked Fang Peizhong’s idea of trying to please her.

Dream on.

Thinking she was the old Jiang Xiaoxiao, gullible enough to believe whatever was said.

Fang Peizhong wanted to say something.

Angry, mouth open to speak, but blocked so hard that he was uncomfortable.

"Alright! What’s going on here? Fang Peizhong, sit back down, we’re having a meeting. This time, I’ve brought the Eleventh Team’s captain along, too. Many of their lands border ours in the Twelfth Team. Their team is small, so we thought about joining forces, making things more organized, and it’ll be easier to work."

Li Dahu coughed and appeared.

He couldn’t stand Fang Peizhong, lazy bum, making no progress in work, yet acting cocky in front of women.

Sure enough, he was followed by the Twelfth Team’s captain and several members.

In an instant, Jiang Xiaoxiao and her group saw many familiar faces.

Song Moting, Gu Dali, along with some of Song Moting’s childhood friends, Liu Ge and Fang Ran were also among them.

They were initially assigned to the Eleventh Team.

Now, they were all there.

Fang Ran saw Jiang Xiaoxiao and felt a slight awkwardness.

He had targeted Jiang Xiaoxiao before and still couldn’t let it go.

Song Moting looked at Jiang Xiaoxiao and couldn’t help but smile.

Two months without seeing her.

This girl hadn’t tanned at all.

For those who farm, even if they don’t tan, the elements roughen their skin, yet this one was as fair as when they first met.

With elongated eyes and an innocent expression, the corners of her mouth slightly turned up, full of joy.

Seeing this expression lifts one’s spirits.

"Come, make room for colleagues from the Eleventh Team, come on, make room."

Many people started moving, many recognized faces.

Can’t pretend not to know each other.

Moving benches, carrying tables.

Several people squeezed together, freeing up quite a few seats.

Song Moting glanced at He Aiguo sitting right next to Jiang Xiaoxiao. For some reason, he felt uncomfortable.

Leading his group over, "Old He, let’s sit together!"

They had fought alongside each other when battling wolves back then.

He Aiguo quickly stood up, "Quick, move two stools over, let’s sit together. I’ve been thinking about you. It’s been so long, you’ve really tanned."

Song Moting paused, tanned?

Touched his face.

Jiang Xiaoxiao looked him up and down, smiling, nodding, "Brother Song, you really have tanned, your fair skin can’t take the sun."

This man was too handsome, good-looking enough to make one upset; a bit darker was better, made her feel more balanced.

Prettier than a woman, that’s the word, pretty!

Made people upset.

Song Moting laughed, "Darker is better, healthier."

He seated himself right beside Jiang Xiaoxiao without any hesitation.

He Aiguo had no choice but to scoot over; don’t know why, but felt as if Song Moting had some issue with him.

"Hey, Jiang Xiaoxiao, we’re meeting again! I still can’t forget your baozi and those peaches."

Gu Dali greeted her cheerfully, always reminiscing because their encounter on the road was unforgettable.

"Brother Gu, sit down, we are meant to be together, now merging the two production teams. We were just preparing to draw lots for teams, me, Brother He, and a few others, planned to work together. Now that our two teams are merging into one team.

Might as well team up with you, too. More people mean greater strength, and we’re all familiar faces."

Jiang Xiaoxiao knew these people could get things done.

The wolf-battling experience showed her these guys and Song Moting were childhood pals.

All had straightforward personalities, and by witnessing their skills back then, she knew these were the kind of people you’d want to work with.

Whether they had farm experience or not, these past two months should’ve honed their skills.

Compared to someone like Fang Peizhong, these folks were trustworthy partners.

Especially now with household contracting, it depended on individuals. If they formed a small collective.

She would rather be in a collective with them.

Besides, what could six people accomplish?

At most, twenty acres in small bits; teaming up with Brother Song and the others meant a dozen people.

They might be able to contract around 50 to 100 acres.

Then they’d truly be living well.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was also fired up.

Household contracting could transform into small collectives, not only allowing them to raise animals but also to start side ventures.

That would be a chance to get rich.

She might even be able to build her own fortune.