Chapter 054: Affection

Chen Ying's words lifted everyone's spirits. The crowd grew excited.

"Haha! Our land can be requisitioned!"

"So can ours!"

"Haha! How is the compensation calculated?"

"Yeah! How is the money calculated?"

With a new question in mind, everyone turned to Chen Ying.

"Xiao Ying, how do they calculate the compensation?" Auntie Wang asked eagerly.

After all, among those whose land met the requirements, hers was included.

Chen Ying glanced at Auntie Wang. To be honest, her first impression of Auntie Wang had been quite good—she just hadn't expected her to be so talkative. When they'd first met, Auntie Wang had even chatted with her, but after what had just happened, Chen Ying couldn't help but change her opinion.

Out of courtesy, Chen Ying smiled and didn't show any displeasure.

She replied with a smile, "For cultivated land, it's twenty thousand per mu; for uncultivated land, it's twelve hundred per mu!"

Everyone blinked, then began to discuss in hushed voices.

"Only twenty thousand for cultivated land? Isn't that too low?"

"What's wrong?"

"I heard the next village over got twenty-two thousand per mu!"

"What? Really?"

"It's absolutely true!"

"This..."

Auntie Wang jumped in again, "Xiao Ying, what's going on? The neighboring village got twenty-two thousand for their cultivated land, but you're only giving us twenty? Tell us, are you pocketing the difference?"

Chen Ying's smile froze, not quite knowing what to say.

Bang!

Uncle Zhao slammed the table. "Wang Bigfoot, what nonsense are you spouting?!"

His face red with anger, Uncle Zhao barked, "The compensation rates are set by the municipal bureau! How could Xiao Ying possibly embezzle funds?! Do you even think before you speak?"

Auntie Wang, also known as Wang Bigfoot, curled her lips. "Who knows if the two of you are in this together!"

Uncle Zhao cursed under his breath, his face darkening as if he might faint from rage.

"Wang Bigfoot, is that any way to talk?" he said furiously.

Auntie Wang curled her lips again. "If the neighboring village gets twenty-two thousand, why are we only getting twenty? Explain that!"

"I..." Uncle Zhao was at a loss for words.

Chen Ying, sensing his discomfort, patted Uncle Zhao's back and said gently, "Uncle Zhao, let me handle this."

"Alright," he agreed.

Chen Ying took up the microphone. "Here's the situation! The municipal bureau set up this tea processing factory to help Xiahe Village escape poverty! Everyone needs to understand, it's not as if we must have this tea factory here!"

The villagers frowned; they felt Chen Ying's words were a bit harsh.

Wang Bigfoot jumped up again. "Chen Ying, what do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean, we don't have to build the tea factory?"

Chen Ying frowned as well.

She had been born into a prominent family and carried a certain pride. But she was also an independent woman. She had vowed not to rely on her family, which was why, after graduation, she chose to work in Xiahe Village as the village secretary.

After being repeatedly challenged by Wang Bigfoot, Chen Ying's patience was wearing thin.

Facing this crowd of strangers, she returned to her decisive, commanding demeanor. She pulled a black hair tie from her pocket and slowly bound her long hair.

Exhaling sharply, she sat down heavily on a bench. She had been standing all this time so as not to appear arrogant, but now she no longer cared.

Chen Ying picked up the microphone. "Villagers, I've made myself clear!"

"For Xiahe Village to develop, we can't just rely on farming or odd jobs! We need to build on our strengths—like agritourism and developing scenic areas! These are all part of the plan!"

"Our Huai'an County is famed as the ancient capital of Fuxi! So developing scenic spots is essential!"

"Once the scenic area is developed, neighboring villages will surely benefit from agritourism. It's all part of the plan!"

"This isn't just our village's responsibility—it's the responsibility of all Huai'an County!"

The villagers frowned again, not because Chen Ying had failed to meet their expectations, but because her vision sounded too far-fetched, as if she were painting castles in the air.

"Stop with the useless talk!"

"That's right!"

"Why does Zhaolou Village get twenty-two thousand, and we get only twenty?"

"Exactly!"

People began to stand, led by Auntie Wang, as if preparing to stage a protest.

Auntie Wang raised her arm high. "If you don't give us a proper explanation today, we won't accept you as our village secretary!"

"That's right! We don't recognize you as secretary!" Zhao Xiao echoed.

Chen Ying took a deep breath, feeling lost and unsure of what to do.

Suddenly, a voice rang out, "Chen Ying, say what you need to say, don't be afraid!"

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that it was Zhao Feng who had spoken.

Chen Ying blinked, feeling a surge of warmth in her heart. She nodded firmly.

But Zhao Xiao and Auntie Wang were not pleased.

Zhao Xiao pointed at Zhao Feng and snapped, "Zhao Feng, why do you have to butt in everywhere?"

"Exactly!" Auntie Wang stood up as well. "Xiao Feng, you're just a youngster—who said you get to speak here?"

"Hey!" Chen Lan stood up.

She pointed angrily at Auntie Wang. "Wang Bigfoot, what do you mean by that?"

This time, Auntie Wang didn't back down. She pointed right back at Chen Lan. "What do I mean? What does your Xiao Feng mean, then?"

Chen Lan rolled up her sleeves. "Wang Bigfoot, let me tell you—Chen Ying is the daughter-in-law I've set my heart on! If you bully her, you're bullying me!"

Auntie Wang gave a mocking laugh. "The daughter-in-law you've set your heart on? Chen Ying is a city girl—do you really think she'd fall for your Zhao Feng?"

"I..." Chen Lan was tongue-tied, feeling a little guilty, but she straightened her neck stubbornly and asked, "Xiao Ying, do you have any feelings for my Xiao Feng?"

"Ah?" Chen Ying was completely caught off guard by the sudden question.

Chen Lan raised her chin. "Xiao Ying, right here today, as your auntie, I'm asking—do you have any feelings for my Xiao Feng?"

"Well..." Chen Ying's cheeks flushed red in an instant.

She glanced around at everyone present.

Now, all those who had been arguing fell silent, their eyes fixed on her.

Chen Ying was even more embarrassed.

But now was not the time to hesitate. Some things, some chances, pass in the blink of an eye. When it's time to be brave, one must be brave.

Holding her head high with pride, Chen Ying seized the microphone and declared bravely, "I do have feelings for Zhao Feng!"

The room fell silent; one could have heard a pin drop.

After saying this, Chen Ying sneaked a glance at Zhao Feng, only to see him looking down, rubbing his nose.

At this moment, Chen Ying felt both anxious and uncertain—afraid that Zhao Feng might not like her in return, and afraid that the others would laugh at her.

Her mind was in turmoil, thoughts racing.

"Haha!" Chen Lan laughed. "Everyone heard that, didn't you?"