Chapter 448: Chapter 435: Can Only Help Up To This Point

Perhaps, she had finally gotten over that hurdle in her heart?

If she could get past that, it means she had moved on. As time passes, feelings would surely fade and eventually, be forgotten completely.

After all, not all first loves ended up being the unforgettable marks etched into one’s life. Especially as time goes by, with people around, the things one can’t live without end up being merely white rice and mosquito bites.

Zhuang Qingning felt lighter in her heart, smiling slightly, “That seems to be the case.”

“Well, you guys carry on, I’ve to go now. I have to go to the town and there’s someone with a hurt leg coming for medicine this afternoon, can’t delay it.” Zhuang Qingning picked up her medicine box, opened the umbrella and left.

“Take care, Brother Wencheng.” Zhuang Qingning watched Zhuang Wencheng leave before heading inside to check on Zhou Daya.

Zhou Daya was sitting on the bed looking very pale. She scooted over when she saw Zhuang Qingning come in, “Little Sister Ning, come sit.”

“How are you feeling, Sister Zhou?” Zhuang Qingning sat down and reached to touch Zhou Daya’s forehead, “You don’t seem to be running a fever anymore.”

“Yes, my fever subsided last night, but I’ve been feeling dizzy and lethargic,” Zhou Daya replied, “It’s likely I’ll have to take several doses of the herbal soup to recover.”

“You just need to rest for a few days more, and you should be okay. Don’t worry about the workshop. I’ll be looking over it,” Zhuang Qingning reassured her with a smile, “Take your time to recover, Sister Zhou.”

Upon hearing Zhuang Qingning mention the workshop, Zhou Daya nodded silently. After a brief pause, she took Zhuang Qingning’s hand, “Little Sister Ning, thank you.”

This incident with Zhao Ziping was infuriating and she may have fought back, but the rumors that followed were enough to destroy her reputation.

Despair had enveloped Zhou Daya then.

A deeper despair than the one she felt when Qi Shen and Qi He falsely accused her of being betrothed to the Water Ghost, which would have cost her life.

This despair pushed her to the edge of a precipice. Zhou Daya could clearly visualize the abyss beneath her feet, the consequences of jumping, and she was even prepared to leap.

But Zhuang Qingning pulled her back, transforming the precipice into a smooth path, and letting her see the dawn.

She was grateful to Zhuang Qingning, from the bottom of her heart.

“They say that gratitude for great favor is often left unsaid, but Sister Zhou, since you’re thanking me, why not make it more substantial?” Zhuang Qingning blinked playfully, “Why don’t you just offer yourself to me? How about that?”

Zhou Daya was amused by Zhuang Qingning’s unseriousness, and her imminent tears turned into laughter. She quickly wiped her eyes, “If I offer myself, would you dare to accept?”

“Well, if you put it that way, I might not dare to.” Zhuang Qingning giggled and pointed towards the kitchen, “If I accepted, I don’t know if I could make it out of this courtyard.”

Zhou Daya understood who Zhuang Qingning was referring to and her face flushed instantly.

Whose feelings could Zhuang Sifu possibly be hiding?

He often lingered around her for no apparent reason and he even stood up for her this time.

A man with a straightforward personality who hardly ever retorted when scolded, Zhou Daya could barely imagine him throwing a punch at Zhao Ziping.

At that moment, Zhuang Sifu walked in with a bowl of medicine, “The medicine’s ready and it’s cooled down a bit, want to take it now?”

Zhou Daya’s face, already as red as an apple, flushed even more as Zhuang Sifu handed her the medicine.

“You can leave it…”

Before Zhou Daya could finish her sentence, Zhuang Qingning stood up, “I won’t disturb Sister Zhou’s rest. I have to see Uncle Village Chief. I’ll leave now.”

As she walked out, she advised Zhuang Sifu who was passing by, “Brother Sifu, take good care of Sister Zhou.”

“Right…” Zhuang Sifu quickly nodded, then paused, puzzled.

Asking him to take care of Zhou Daya, what did that mean? It sounded like there was a hidden meaning in her words.

Zhuang Sifu looked up with surprise, only to find Zhuang Qingning had already disappeared. When he turned to look at Zhou Daya, their eyes met, and both turned bright red.

I can only help you this far.

Outside, Zhuang Qingning opened her oil paper umbrella and walked away contentedly, believing she had admirably concealed her actions.

Braving the drizzling rain, she arrived at Zhuang Jingye’s house.

As soon as Mrs. Ye saw Zhuang Qingning arrive, she hurriedly came out to greet her, “Miss Ning is here.”

“I have some matters to discuss with Uncle Chief.” Zhuang Qingning had barely finished speaking when she heard voices from the hall, “Is there a guest here?”

“The village chief of Zhaojiazhuang, he’s talking with your Uncle Chief,” Mrs. Ye answered, “It seems like he’s here to apologize.”

Zhuang Qingning had heard just yesterday that Zhao Qiancheng had been reprimanded and replaced by Ding Gaochang.

The new Village Chief was named Zhao Dacai. Zhuang Qingning wasn’t sure about his character, but rumor had it that he was better than Zhao Qiancheng and carried quite a bit of clout in Zhaojia Village.

He had only assumed his position yesterday, and today he came to apologize to Zhuang Jingye. It seemed that Zhao Dacai was rather efficient.

While Zhuang Qingning was pondering this, Zhuang Jingye called out to her from the doorway of the hall, “Ning’er is here? Come in. I heard your voice and thought I was mistaken. But sure enough, you’re here.”

“Good timing, Zhao Chief is here. He was saying he wants to find you later too.”

“You come in, I’ll go and make you some hot tea.” Mrs. Ye entered the kitchen with a smile.

Zhuang Qingning, on the other hand, went into the hall.

“You must be Manager Zhuang.” Upon seeing Zhuang Qingning’s arrival, Zhao Dacai stood up, bowing, “I’ve heard much about Manager Zhuang.”

“Chief Zhao is too polite.” Zhuang Qingning smiled faintly, “I had some urgent business with Uncle Chief and didn’t expect Chief Zhao to be here as well, I hope I’m not intruding.”

“No need to be polite, Miss Ning. Zhao Chief was actually planning to look for you as well.” Zhuang Jingye gave Zhao Dacai a smile.

Zhao Dacai rushed to say, “Yes, we’ve apologized to Chief Zhuang properly, and I was intending to do the same to Manager Zhuang.”

“The previous events were due to the wrongful intentions of Zhao Qiancheng and Zhao Zian. They tried to lay hands on the village workshop and even tried to tarnish Miss Zhou’s reputation with rumors when they were exposed. That can’t be justified.”

“These two have been punished according to the clan rules and also penalized in the county magistrate’s office. They got what they deserved.”

“Although these events did not take place when I was Chief, both Zhao Qiancheng and Zhao Zian are from Zhaojia Village. Their misconduct represents my failure to administer them properly. And so, I’d like to apologize on their behalf and on behalf of those who caused trouble from Zhaojia Village, Manager Zhuang.”