Ji Xingmi had been quite busy these past few days. In addition to reading documents, she was also busy with farming. Elder Hua initially thought it was just a whim, but after the rain stopped, she really started planting.
She wasn't content to work alone; she roped in Deng Caiyun, and even Elder Hua was dragged into working for two days. Just as they were enjoying themselves, Elder Ye arrived with Ye Yu, who brought many things for Ji Xingmi, all prepared by her mother.
Elder Hua was also happy to see the newcomers. Now she had company to fuss over, and wouldn't have to tire out his old bones anymore. Elder Hua asked Ye Yu to keep Ji Xingmi company, while he went into the study with Elder Ye. Ye Yu saw the people busy in the field and walked over to stand beside her. He tried to speak to her several times, but his throat felt constricted, and he could only watch her.
Ji Xingmi found his demeanor a little strange and directly asked him, "Second Brother? What's wrong? You just arrived and you're standing here like a statue, watching me? Did you do something to offend me?"
Ye Yu was trying to figure out how to start the conversation. Since Ji Xingmi asked first, he thought he might as well tell her directly. However, before he could utter a word, a loud argument erupted from the study, drawing everyone's attention. Before they could fully react, Secretary Sun came looking for Ji Xingmi and pulled her into the study.
Ye Yu couldn't just enter, so he waited in the courtyard, clenching his fists as if enduring something, contemplating how to minimize the harm of the situation.
Upon entering the study, Ji Xingmi was startled to see Elder Hua clutching his chest, sweating profusely and unable to speak. She quickly asked Secretary Sun to loosen his clothes, then rushed out to clean her hands before giving him acupuncture.
Fortunately, Elder Hua's health had been good recently, and with Ji Xingmi's acupuncture, he managed to recover. Seeing Elder Hua comfortable, Ji Xingmi was about to give him some instructions when he grabbed her hand, his eyes reddening. Elder Ye, standing nearby, also looked at Ji Xingmi in the same way. Ji Xingmi suddenly had a bad premonition, looking from one to the other, trying to decipher something from their expressions.
"Grandpa Hua, why are you looking at me like that? Have I done anything bad recently to upset you?" Ji Xingmi's voice trembled slightly.
Elder Hua didn't know how to tell her, so he handed the documents brought by Elder Ye to Ji Xingmi. Though bewildered, Ji Xingmi took the documents and began to read. It stated: Former Shicun Village, a pigsty shack caught fire. Two dead, one injured! The deceased were Ji Shiyun and Li Licheng. Young educated youth Gu Jingnian was injured while rescuing people and is hospitalized. He has now been transferred to the Beijing Military Region Hospital, and his life is not in danger for now!
Ji Xingmi was stunned, and the papers slipped from her hands. She looked up at Elder Hua, trying to glean something from his eyes, but Elder Hua averted his gaze.
"Xing'er, this matter~" Elder Ye tried to say something, but Ji Xingmi paid no attention. She didn't ask them any further questions. Instead, she turned and left the study. Elder Hua and Elder Ye, both worried, asked Secretary Sun to follow her. They exchanged a glance and sighed. Finally, Elder Hua said, "I'll go take a look!" and walked out. Elder Ye shook his head, unsure what else he could do, and followed Elder Hua.
Just as everyone expected Ji Xingmi to become emotional and wondered how to comfort her, Ji Xingmi remained calm. She emerged from the study, saw Ye Yu standing in the courtyard, and walked towards him.
Ji Xingmi approached Ye Yu and said, "Second Brother, what did you want to tell me just now?" Ji Xingmi felt that Ye Yu's earlier hesitation was likely related to this matter. He must have visited the Ji family, so perhaps he had different information.
Ye Yu, unaware that Ji Xingmi already knew the news, was still debating how to convey it. Ji Xingmi seemed to sense his hesitation and directly said, "I know something happened at Grandpa's place! Tell me what you know."
Seeing her demeanor, Ye Yu immediately shared all the information he had received. His news came from Gu Jingnian, as Ji's mother was a surgeon there. Another piece of information was that the Feng family had declared their intention to arrange a marriage with the Ji family. This rumor was spreading like wildfire, and with it becoming widely known at this time, it clearly indicated a premeditated plot.