Chapter 50: Helplessness

Zhang Xiaofan stepped out of the house and came to an ancient tree in front of the door. He sat down on a stone stump, looking gloomily at the big ancient tree.

Zhang Xiaofan wanted to stay in Jiulong Village. Nowadays, many villages disappeared and merged into new villages, enabling people to lead better lives.

However, Zhang Xiaofan's persistence seemed somewhat stubborn. In fact, he wanted to preserve some things because Jiulong Village was different from other places. There were some things that people had forgotten.

"Xiaofan, are you unhappy? Who made you angry?"

At this moment, Li Xiu'e's plump figure walked gracefully over. A bamboo basket hung from her wrist, containing vegetables.

Li Xiu'e wasn't old yet. She was in the prime of her youth, like a blooming flower. However, no bees or butterflies came around. It was only because Zhang Xiaofan had chased them away.

Zhang Xiaofan turned his head and looked at that familiar and beautiful face. Her oval face looked somewhat pitiful yet plump. It was a pity that her husband died prematurely at her age.

"How did you know I was angry? I'm not angry. I'm just not feeling happy inside."

Looking at Li Xiu'e, this woman developed really well. Any man would have his heart beating faster when looking at her. It was a pity that she was his sister-in-law by name now. If he hadn't gone out for these ten years, perhaps this woman would be with him now. In a few more years, they would get married, live an ordinary life, and have children.

Spending a lifetime with such a woman would be worthwhile. After all, she was the senior sister he had a secret crush on when he was young.

"How would I not know? When you were young, if you were scolded or angry, you always liked to sit under this ancient tree. Tell your sister-in-law, what's making you unhappy?"

As expected of childhood sweethearts, Li Xiu'e was very understanding, just like when they were young. She asked gently while sitting beside Zhang Xiaofan and turning her head to look at his profile. His handsome and sharp features were very charming.

"I just have some differences of opinion with Sister Village Chief. I'll be fine after calming down a bit."

Zhang Xiaofan looked at the familiar ancient tree. Ten years had passed, and everything had changed except for the ancient tree, which remained the same as it was when he was young.

"Xiaofan, even if you don't tell me, I can tell. After all, I've been through it all. Has Shu Wan'er slept with you? You lucky devil. I'm genuinely happy for you."

Li Xiu'e spoke while looking at Zhang Xiaofan. The little brother she used to know had grown up and finally had a woman. She was genuinely happy for him, yet it also felt strange. Still, she offered her congratulations.

When she came back that day, Sister Village Chief limped and had a rosy, tender complexion, clearly having been touched by a man. Moreover, she walked with her legs apart. When Shu Wan'er first came to the village, she didn't walk like that at all. The old villagers had already spread the news, so there was nothing to hide. Li Xiu'e nodded, indicating her tacit approval, but she didn't say anything.

"Xiaofan, Sister Village Chief is so beautiful and has such a temperament. I heard her family is very wealthy. She's like a precious jade from the city. You must cherish her. It's not easy for her to come to our village and endure grievances. After all, a wealthy young lady might have a temper, which is normal. You should be more understanding.

Otherwise, if she leaves, you'll cry without tears."

Hearing Li Xiu'e's words, Zhang Xiaofan finally turned his head and looked at Li Xiu'e's beautiful face. His gaze involuntarily moved down, looking at the bulging collar of her clothes. The senior sister had grown up and developed very fully, like an inflated balloon. If you poked it gently with a needle, it would burst. He really wanted to pinch it with his hand to see if it would pop.

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan turn his head and stare at her, Li Xiu'e obviously felt a bit embarrassed. Her face turned a shade of red, but she still looked at Zhang Xiaofan tenderly. Their gazes met, filled with affection, and both of them felt reluctant in their hearts.

"I bought something for you. I didn't see you at home last night. Did you get it? If not, I'll bring it to you when I get home."

After looking at each other affectionately for a long time, Zhang Xiaofan finally sighed and spoke.

Seeing Zhang Xiaofan's gaze return to normal, Li Xiu'e was clearly a bit disappointed. She hoped that the two of them could return to the relationship they had when they were children. Why do people grow up? If time could forever stay at the moment when they were a few years old, how happy that would be.

"Xiaofan, you've worked hard. Sister Village Chief gave it to me this morning."

"That's good."

"When I get home later, I'll give you the capital."

Zhang Xiaofan shook his head and refused directly: "No need. There's no need for you to be so formal with me. After all, it's not easy for a woman to live alone here without any source of income. You helped me a lot that day. I've made a lot of money and should share some with you. If you ever need money in the future, just ask me. No matter how much, I'll give it to you."

Hearing Zhang Xiaofan's words, Li Xiu'e felt very warm inside. She was forced by her husband. No matter how well Zhang Liang treated her before, she only felt hate in her heart and had never felt warmth.

But here with Zhang Xiaofan, even though it was just a little kindness, her heart felt incredibly warm. At the same time, she also felt very distressed, hating that bastard Zhang Liang for deceiving and hurting her in the past.

If such a thing hadn't happened and she could be with her beloved Zhang Xiaofan, how happy that would be. She felt indescribable regret. Fate was really cruel and helpless.

Seeing the helplessness on the woman's face, Zhang Xiaofan finally couldn't help but speak: "Are you tired? You can lean on my shoulder."

Li Xiu'e hesitated for a moment, then leaned her head on Zhang Xiaofan's shoulder, feeling the familiar smell on his body. This was the happiest moment in her life. The two of them sat in silence, looking at the ancient tree without saying a word.

Zhang Xiaofan hadn't finished washing the dishes when he stormed out angrily. Shu Wan'er finished her work, sighed softly, and after washing the dishes, she saw several sweaty clothes thrown by Zhang Xiaofan. So she put them in a basin and took them to the ancient well to wash.

Just as she stepped out of the door, she saw the two of them leaning together quietly under the ancient locust tree in front of the door, looking straight ahead.

At that moment, Shu Wan'er felt an indescribable taste in her heart. There was anger, but more than that, she felt heartbroken. Her chest ached faintly. She didn't know why. At that moment, she really wanted to throw everything aside and go back home.

Shu Wan'er stood still, holding Zhang Xiaofan's dirty clothes in her hands. She froze on the spot, her eyes turning a bit red. Tears welled up in her beautiful eyes, seemingly about to fall.

But as an ice-cold beauty, she was used to pretending to be strong on the outside. She pinched her thigh hard with her hand, bit her lip, and pretended as if she saw nothing. She squatted beside the ancient well and continued to wash Zhang Xiaofan's clothes.

While washing the clothes, she couldn't help but let the tears fall into the basin. Seeing the two of them happily leaning together, they were the right couple. It seemed that her appearance had destroyed them.

Shu Wan'er graduated from a famous university in China and was the most famous designer in the jewelry circle. One could imagine how intelligent she was.

From the beginning, it was evident that although Li Xiu'e was married to someone else and Zhang Xiaofan called her sister-in-law, there was still a strong affection in their eyes when they looked at each other.

Fortunately, the two of them just leaned together and nothing more!