Transmigrated as My Aunt in the 70s
Chapter 98 - 092 Rising Suspicion

Chapter 98: 092 Rising Suspicion

"Great-grandpa, Grandpa Tang," Tian Xinhua greeted them, and the Old Man put down his sickle. "What’s the matter? What’s happened now?"

"No, nothing. I just thought of something and came over to tell you, great-grandpa." Tian Xinhua paused to catch his breath.

"Go ahead," said the Old Man, knowing his grandnephew wouldn’t speak without a reason. He casually tossed aside his sickle and, along with Tang Tieshan, headed for the shade of a tree.

"I just realized something isn’t right. Although Gao Hongmei has always been at odds with Ah Nan, she used to hold back and wouldn’t dare to provoke Ah Nan. At most, she would just ignore Ah Nan. Given Gao Hongmei’s straightforward nature, she must have been warned by her elders not to provoke Ah Nan."

On hearing Tian Xinhua’s analysis, the Old Man’s expression became serious, signaling Tian Xinhua to continue. Encouraged, Tian Xinhua went on, "But Gao Hongmei at noon was vastly different from before. Not only did she provoke Ah Nan on her own, but she also dared to curse so vilely. I think Gao Hongmei must have received some kind of directive or hint, feeling she no longer needs to treat the Tian Family with the same caution as before, and that’s why she dared to be so bold."

At last, Tian Xinhua let out a sigh of relief and said, "So, I think the problem must lie with Gao Yuzhu. I just can’t see through him. I believe he must be plotting against our Tian Family or trying to bring us down, I just haven’t figured out what approach Gao Yuzhu is planning to take."

Tian Xinhua looked somewhat apprehensive, unsure about his own conjecture, and he anxiously awaited the Old Man’s reaction.

Tang Tieshan looked at the Old Man with envy, "Old buddy, your grandnephew is really something. If this were wartime, he’d definitely be a master strategist! Oh my, why does all the good fortune fall on your Tian Family? A beautiful granddaughter, a clever grandson, your ancestors must have accumulated merits for eight generations."

The Old Man smiled proudly but humbly replied, "Isn’t your Qiubai a talented person as well? Let’s not flatter each other. Come on, Old Tang, analyze with us. What exactly is Gao Yuzhu planning to do?"

"Xinhua should also join in the counsel. Young people think faster. Like today, neither of us old folks realized something was wrong. The young man deserves some praise."

The Old Man did not skimp on praising his grandnephew. He truly felt gratified. Generally, it’s considered a great blessing for a generation to have just one outstanding descendant, and with Ai Guo in the previous generation, this generation seemed to have more than one. Like Shouhua, Xinhua, and Jianguo, these three kids were decent, and the younger ones were still a bit too young. In a few years, it will be time to see again. It looks like Ah Nan really is a child who brings good fortune. It seems the Tian Family is indeed living up to the old master’s words, flourishing for at least a hundred years!

Tian Xinhua, having received praise, had sparkling eyes and a hint of pride on his face. The Old Man chuckled and shook his head; the boy was still young after all. At that moment, he offered guidance:

"A true mastermind will never let others know what they’re thinking. Even if you wish you could kill someone, you still have to pretend to be their good friend. That’s true skill. I, your great-grandpa, have yet to reach that level of mastery. Now, it’s up to you young ones to see if you can achieve it or not?"

Tian Xinhua immediately contained the expression on his face and returned to his usual impassive self. The Old Man nodded satisfactorily, thinking the kid could be taught after all, and thus, the Tian Family’s second little fox was brought up by the Old Man.

Tang Tieshan watched with amusement as the Old Man advised his nephew. Old Tian was really amusing—didn’t he just suffer a few losses at the hands of Old Zhang? To remember it for so many years? Old Zhang, named Zhang Zimo, was also their brother in arms, who, unlike the rest of them rough folks, was educated abroad and a professor at Beiping University no less.

Back in the military, Old Tian and Old Zhang were long-time partners, one a division commander and the other a staff officer. Old Tian often called Old Zhang a cunning fox, while Old Zhang nicknamed Old Tian as stubborn. Although they frequently bickered, their bond was the strongest, true brothers in life and death.

It seems Old Tian wants the Tian grandsons to learn from Old Zhang! But Old Zhang is indeed quite remarkable, maybe he should also teach Qiubai a thing or two? (Mr. Tang, your grandson is already a fox, there’s no need for more lessons.)

The two old men and the young one sat down on the ground and started discussing. The Old Man thought hard and couldn’t come up with any ideas. Such analytical work really required Old Zhang, that old fox—he could definitely get to the bottom of it within ten minutes. Ah, who knows how Old Zhang is doing now? But that old fox shouldn’t be having too bad a time, the Old Man consoled himself.

Tang Tieshan thought of a method Old Zhang once mentioned, and said, "Since we don’t know how Gao Yuzhu will make his move, let’s reverse-engineer. If Gao Yuzhu’s goal is to bring down the Tian Family, he must find something to use against them. That’s his pretext. Now we need to figure out what aspects of the Tian Family might Gao Yuzhu tamper with?"

Turns out Tang Tieshan’s approach was quite effective. The Old Man and Tian Xinhua immediately had clearer thoughts, and they thought of the same thing as Tang Tieshan did. The three looked at each other.

Tang Tieshan felt a bit embarrassed, "Looks like I’m holding you back, Old Tian. Maybe I should head back to Beiping."

"What are you talking about? Do you think I, Tian Liu Jin, am afraid of trouble? Since I dared to bring you here, brother, I was prepared for this. Gao Yuzhu just wants to be the king of Yuequan Village, hmph, wishful thinking! Xinhua, you and your brothers keep a close watch on Gao Yuzhu during this time; I don’t believe he can be squeaky clean."

The Old Man was fired up by his old friend’s words, face red and neck thick with anger, "Even if Gao Yuzhu is clean water, I’d dye him black. Old Tang, don’t you ever mention going back to Beiping again. Are you even the same Tang Tieshan who fought the enemy alongside me if you’re scared of a little insect? I was thinking of finding out about Old Zhang’s whereabouts so I could bring him over too. How great would it be for the three of us to stick together!"

The Old Man puffed his cheeks and glared, barking orders at Tian Xinhua as if he had returned to the days when they galloped across the battlefield. Old Tang’s pride and ambition were also stirred by him, and he declared to the Old Man, "Deal! Let the young ones like Xinhua take the front, and we two old guys will back them up and crush that insect."

"That’s my true brother, Tian Liu Jin! Xinhua, off you go and keep us informed!" The Old Man seemed to be in high spirits, even adopting a theatrical tone in his voice.

Tian Xinhua obliged in cooperation, "Understood! Your subordinate departs!"

The Old Man and Tang Tieshan looked at each other and laughed, going back to cutting grass. The water buffalo ate a lot, so they had to cut extra for the animal’s midnight snack. These four buffalo were treasures of the village and had to be well cared for. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to vote for it using recommendation votes and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)