Chapter 64: Chapter 58: The MVP is Tiegen
"Candy!"
Seeing the candy in the package, Tiegen, who was off to one side, jumped up and rushed over. He shoved a large hand inside, grabbed a handful, and then bolted for the door.
The whole thing happened in a flash, leaving Tang Mo stunned.
However, Village Chief Shen Qing and Shen Xiaodong showed no signs of displeasure. Instead, they watched Tiegen’s retreating back with fond affection.
’Even if he isn’t the brightest, isn’t it inappropriate to take so much candy at a time like this?’
’You have to understand, high-calorie candy is a luxury these days. The attitude of the chief and his son is really quite strange.’
Seeing Tang Mo’s surprised expression, Shen Qing explained,
"Please don’t mind him. I watched that boy, Tiegen, grow up. He may not be particularly smart, but he’s exceptionally kind. He’s contributed more to Taoyuan Village than anyone else. Even if we gave him the entire package, it would be well-deserved."
Perhaps because he knew Tang Mo would be staying for a while, and to help her better integrate into life in Taoyuan Village, Shen Xiaodong gave Tang Mo a brief summary of Tiegen’s story.
It turned out Tiegen wasn’t born in Taoyuan Village. He had been abandoned there when he was just over a year old.
At first, no one could understand why someone would abandon a perfectly healthy baby boy. But as time went on, they gradually noticed Tiegen’s delayed speech and finally understood why.
At the time, Village Chief Shen Qing took Tiegen to the hospital for an examination. The results confirmed he had a congenital developmental delay. It was a relatively mild case, but it was incurable.
After that, Tiegen stayed with the village chief’s family. Everyone in the village knew his story and doted on him as if he were their own godson. You could say it took a village to raise Tiegen.
Although he was a bit slow, Tiegen was incredibly kind and simple-hearted, and his strength was astonishing.
Ever since he was old enough to understand, he helped every family in the village with their chores. All it took was a single ask, and he would do anything.
Later, when the era of famine began, every household in the countryside had a fair amount of stored grain. Under the unified leadership and distribution of the village chief, everyone made it through those most difficult days.
Aside from a few newborns who couldn’t survive due to a lack of milk and formula, and a few frail and sickly elders, everyone else survived to the present day.
The village was already short on able-bodied laborers, and Tiegen’s Strength Attribute Value had skyrocketed to an unprecedented level. As a result, most of the village’s defenses and housing—eighty percent of it—was built by Tiegen, bit by bit, day by day.
The mutant beasts that launched a surprise attack before the perimeter fence was complete were also wiped out by Tiegen and a few other men.
You could say Tiegen is the village’s guardian. Without him, Taoyuan Village wouldn’t be the peaceful place it is today.
Recalling the tall tree trunks she had seen surrounding the entire village, Tang Mo found it almost impossible to imagine that such a massive undertaking had been mostly completed by a single person.
Not only that, but he had repeatedly driven back mutant beasts, protecting everyone in the village.
Tang Mo couldn’t help but be amazed. ’Calling Tiegen the MVP of Taoyuan Village is no exaggeration at all.’
If that was the case, then forget a few pieces of candy—Tiegen deserved everything the village had to offer.
"With a son-in-law like that, you must be very pleased, Village Chief," Tang Mo said politely.
Now she was starting to understand why Shen Xiaodong kept such a close eye on Tiegen for his sister.
’If a powerhouse like that really ran off with someone else, she’d cry her eyes out.’
"My daughter and Tiegen were betrothed as children. It’s a little embarrassing to admit, but my daughter is quite outgoing and matured early. When she was eight years old, she told us she wouldn’t marry anyone but Tiegen."
Shen Qing said with a smile, as if he had read Tang Mo’s mind.
Though dressed in a long robe, he didn’t possess a shred of old-fashioned, conservative thinking. On the contrary, he seemed quite amused by his daughter’s childhood proclamation.
"Dad, where did Tiegen get this candy?"
Speak of the devil. A crisp, feminine voice grew closer.
Shen Xiaotang strode into the room, holding a handful of candy in one hand and dragging Tiegen—who was a head and a half taller than her—with the other.
As the girl walked in, Tang Mo was inwardly impressed.
The girl seemed to have inherited all her father’s best features. Although she wasn’t tall, she was very slender. Her large eyes were set in a small, chubby-cheeked face that made you want to protect her.
And yet, her voice and movements were sharp and decisive, without a trace of the delicate airs of a young girl.
Shen Xiaotang and Shen Qing looked like they were from two different centuries. She wore a short, padded jacket with skinny pants and leather ankle boots—a very fashionable look.
"Let me introduce you. This is my daughter, Shen Xiaotang. Xiao Tang, this is Tang Mo, a guest who will be staying with us for a while. She brought all these things," Shen Qing said, making the introductions.
"Oh, a guest! Hello, I’m Shen Xiaotang." Shen Xiaotang placed the candy from her left hand on the table and reached out to give Tang Mo a firm handshake.
"That candy is for you. You should eat it."
Tiegen looked a little upset when he saw Xiao Tang put the candy he had given her back on the table.
"What’s there to eat? Let me ask you, did you go out to work again today? Didn’t I tell you to rest for a couple of days? What’s this about?"
Shen Xiaotang glared at Tiegen, but her hand holding his never loosened its grip.
"You napped for too long. I got bored, so... I just went for a walk."
Tiegen didn’t dare to meet her gaze as he spoke quietly.
"Xiao Tang, be a little gentler. Stop bullying Tiegen all the time. It’s a good thing you have him; with that temper, what other man would dare marry a tigress like you? You’re going to scare Tiegen off."
Shen Xiaodong knew his sister’s temper all too well and always took Tiegen’s side.
"He wouldn’t dare!"
Shen Xiaotang pulled Tiegen’s entire arm into her embrace, her voice rising another notch.
"That’s right! I’m not going to run away. I still have to marry Xiao Tang!"
Tiegen patted Shen Xiaotang’s hand, giving her a firm, reassuring look.
Watching the bickering couple present a united front, Shen Xiaodong decided to bow out.
’I’m the third wheel here.’
"Alright, stop messing around. Xiaodong, take Tang Mo and get her place set up. It’s getting dark, and you won’t be able to see much longer."
The village chief urged everyone to get on with their business. He had to go check on his chickens, so he told them all to get going and stop cluttering up the place.
Shen Xiaodong led Tang Mo out of the chief’s house. As they walked, he greeted villagers they passed, introducing Tang Mo to them. Everyone he spoke to looked at her with friendly eyes.
After about five hundred meters, they reached a small house built from wooden planks. Shen Xiaodong told her this was where she would be staying.
"The door locks from both the inside and the outside. The key is on the table inside. A simple house like this doesn’t hold heat very well. There are some blankets and quilts on the bed. If you need more, just come find me," Shen Xiaodong explained thoughtfully.
"I’ll bring you lunch every day. If you plan on going out, just let me know, and I won’t come by. If you need anything, you can find me or ask Aunt Zhang next door. Anyone will be happy to help you."
After thanking him, Tang Mo saw Shen Xiaodong off. Then, she eagerly opened the door to the house that would likely be her home for a long time to come.
After all the delays, she had far too many things she was eager to do.
