Chapter 293 - 293 Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
293 Harvesting Sweet Potatoes
After Shen Yan settled Lu Shan, he stood up and pointed at Guan Lei, “Come with me. We’ll work on the fields.”
Guan Lei quickly got up with his tools, ready to work in the fields with Shen Yan.
Shen Xi was about to follow them when both Shen Yan and Guan Lei spoke in unison, “Xixi, sit down.”
“Dad, Guan Lei’s a guest,” Shen Xi reminded tactfully, “It isn’t right to expect him to man the fields. Let me go instead.”
Before Shen Yan could express his displeasure at the idea, Guan Lei reacted in his stead. How could Shen Xi treat him as an outsider or a guest?
“Auntie and I hit it off well,” Guan Lei said angrily, “She wouldn’t treat me like an outsider, would she?”
Lu Shan was quite pleased with Guan Lei’s well-behaved disposition, and she nodded. “That’s right. Guan Lei isn’t a guest; he’s family.”
Shen Yan felt like he was going to die of jealousy. He grabbed Guan Lei by the arm and dragged him toward the field. “Let’s go! Family… We’re family!”
Guan Lei was confused by the sudden action but allowed himself to be led away. In the blink of an eye, the duo arrived before the sweet potato field.
“Kid, are you hitting on my wife? Speak! What are you trying to do? You weren’t like this the last time you visited.” Shen Yan glared at Guan Lei, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Shen Yan deeply regretted allowing Guan Lei to stay with them.
Guan Lei recalled the last time he had visited. What was he like? He could not remember.
It seemed he had been a little too attentive, but could he be blamed? If he wanted a shot at courting Shen Xi, shouldn’t he please his future mother-in-law?
However, his future father-in-law did not appear too pleased with him.
Guan Lei mulled over the issue before replying, “Uncle, I felt bad for troubling you yesterday. I wanted to do something to repay you. I don’t have any designs against your wife.”
Shen Yan sized Guan Lei up suspiciously. “You’re not pulling my leg now, are you? You might say you have no other intentions, but I find that hard to believe.”
‘Of course, I have other intentions,’ Guan Lei thought. ‘I want to court your precious daughter, but I can’t say it out loud!’ Instead, Guan Lei responded, “Uncle, you saved my life. I would be sleeping on the streets if it had not been for you. I’m very grateful for your kindness.”
Guan Lei sensed that his words had grown less callous. If it were before, he would never have been able to say such flattering words.
Love could change a person.
Shen Yan’s expression brightened. If Guan Lei was only nice to Lu Shan because of what happened the previous day, Shen Yan could live with the boy’s actions. Everything was fine so long as Guan Lei was not there to steal his wife.
Shen Yan patted Guan Lei on the shoulder. “It’s good you know your place. Coveting what is not yours is a grave sin.”
‘Oh no! Does my future father-in-law not approve of me?’ Guan Lei thought. ‘Is he warning me to stop dreaming about Shen Xi?’
How could he let the matter rest at that?
Guan Lei immediately looked Shen Yan in the eye and said, “Don’t worry, Uncle. I’m very capable. My family comprises people who can do more than collect garbage. Besides, I’m very strong! I’ll do my best to watch over her. Let me help you harvest the sweet potatoes. I’ll be done before you know it.”
Shen Yan smiled indulgently. “Come, let me see your prowess.”
Guan Lei was rendered speechless. How could he possibly know how to harvest sweet potatoes? He had said what he did as a pa.s.sing remark to prevent Shen Yan from thinking he was useless and unworthy of Shen Xi!
Guan Lei laughed hesitantly, his eyes scanning the ground for sweet potatoes. Where were they? Had they not grown yet? The field was empty.
Shen Yan smirked when he noted Guan Lei’s embarra.s.sment. Guan Lei could not even harvest sweet potatoes; how could he compare with himself? Lu Shan could never love a useless man like Guan Lei, and the thought caused pride to surge in his veins.
Shen Yan squatted on the ground and pulled out a sweet potato. After demonstrating it a few times, he handed the produce to Guan Lei. “Do you know what to do now?” he asked.
Guan Lei did his best to force a smile, answering obediently, “Uncle, you’re amazing! I think I’ve gotten the hang of it.”
“Humph! At least you aren’t a lost cause. Let’s begin.” Shen Yan returned to his previous squatting position, pulling out sweet potatoes one at a time with Guan Lei’s help.
Li Zhe, who was in the vicinity, pulled his a.s.sistant aside and pointed at Guan Lei. In disbelief, he asked his a.s.sistant, “Is the person harvesting sweet potatoes Guan Lei?”
The a.s.sistant shared Li Zhe’s incredulity. Who would have thought the all-powerful Young Master Guan of Beijing would be picking sweet potatoes in a field?