Ye Yingfeng leaned over curiously but didn't notice anything amiss.
Feeling that he had been too hasty, he stood there awkwardly.
Wu Yangping could tell that Qin Yihuai was the leader of this group. If he didn't say a word, no matter how much he pleaded, these people wouldn't agree.
He fixed his gaze on Qin Yihuai and waited silently for him to speak.
"Go on," Qin Yihuai said indifferently, uttering just four words, which left Wu Yangping at a loss.
His body trembled, and his voice quivered.
"Although this place seems fine, it's actually the source of the draft. Even the tiniest gap can affect the temperature."
He stepped forward, pressed himself against the outer wall of the brick kiln, made a space with his hand, and put his eye close to it.
"If you don't believe me, come and take a look. You can see the light coming through from inside."
Ye Yingfeng leaned in and imitated his action, putting his eye against the wall.
Sure enough, he could faintly see the light from inside.
Even Li Feilong couldn't help but exclaim after taking a look.
"Indeed, a long dike may collapse because of an ant hole."
Qin Yihuai squinted his eyes, looking at the crack on the brick kiln, lost in thought.
Then he looked at Wu Yangping and spoke softly.
"Seems like you have a way to solve this?"
Wu Yangping nodded like a pecking chicken and flattered his way to Qin Yihuai's side.
"Actually, it's very simple. We just need to patch it up."
Seeing that Qin Yihuai didn't respond for a long time, he thought his explanation was too abstract, so he added a few more words.
"To put it simply, we can cover the drafty areas with clay and then lay a layer of straw on it. This can solve most of the problems. If we want to completely fix it, we'll have to rebuild it."
Given the current situation in the village, rebuilding was nothing but a pipe dream.
Moreover, it was getting colder and colder, and building houses was an urgent matter.
So Wu Yangping was sure that Qin Yihuai wouldn't take such a risk and waste time.
"In that case, do as you said. Start the work early so that everyone can move into warm houses."
After saying this, he turned around and left.
Ye Yingfeng and Li Feilong followed closely behind, not caring whether Wu Yangping was keeping up or not.
On the way, the three of them were silent. Ye Yingfeng looked at Qin Yihuai's furrowed brows and started to ponder.
Qin Yihuai seemed cold on the surface, but in fact, he was sincere to others.
This was the first time Ye Yingfeng had seen him so cold.
Li Feilong didn't dare to say a word beside them. He thought he had offended Qin Yihuai, so after much hesitation, he chose to keep his mouth shut.
It wasn't until they got back to the yard that Ye Yingfeng spoke up.
"Do you think there's something wrong with Wu Yangping?"
Qin Yihuai gave him a look and then nodded.
"Yes. His explanations were too perfect, which makes me suspicious."
Ye Yingfeng sank into thought, carefully recalling when and where Wu Yangping had appeared.
As well as what he had said and done.
After thinking it over, he indeed found it very strange.
"He said he lived in the brick kiln, but the brick kiln was mistakenly thought to be a place for praying, and people often went there to pray. How could no one have noticed him?"
Moreover, the stockade was lively every day. With people on night watch and the place well - lit at night, it was impossible for him not to be discovered.
But he showed up just when they were about to build a new village, and he was full of skills.
It was hard not to suspect that he had appeared on purpose.
"It's like when you're just about to doze off, someone brings you a pillow. But we don't know whether there's cotton or a knife inside the pillow."
The people in the stockade, including Li Feilong, were getting friendlier and friendlier to Wu Yangping.
Even though Li Feilong was a bit hostile towards him, most of it was out of jealousy.
"Forget it. Don't think about it anymore. As long as we're careful enough, we won't let him take advantage of us."
Just as Qin Yihuai finished speaking, the door opposite suddenly opened.
Ye Zhinan ran out, clutching a thick stack of papers in her hand.
There was weariness on her face, looking as if she hadn't slept for a long time.
"This is the statement I've written. Take it to Prefect Shen. Even if he doesn't agree, I've tried my best."
Only then did Qin Yihuai notice that the paper was densely written with delicate regular script.
It was obvious how much effort she had put into it.
Besides the statement, there were many examples and even drawings.
Ye Yingfeng was amused by her. He examined the things in front of him over and over again and laughed so hard that he couldn't straighten up.
"For such a small matter, do you really need to write more than ten pages? People who don't know might think you're going to take the imperial examination."
Ye Zhinan gave him a fierce glare and then turned her gaze to Qin Yihuai.
My brother doesn't understand these things. In the end, it's still up to you to decide.
Qin Yihuai flipped through it briefly and then put it aside.
"The matter of the brick kiln has been decided. We went to take a look during the day. It's indeed in ruins, but Wu Yangping said it can still be used after repairs."
Ye Zhinan's eyes lit up, but then they dimmed again.
She knew she had no right to blame him, but she still mumbled aggrievedly.
"You didn't even take me with you..."
Qin Yihuai looked at her, and his heart tightened inexplicably.
His slender fingers tapped rhythmically on the table a few times and then stopped.
Maybe one should speak out what's on their mind.
"I didn't take you with me because I heard you sleeping in the room. And I rejected your proposal at that time to tell you not to be swayed by others."
Ye Zhinan blushed, and then quickly regained her composure.
She preferred this Qin Yihuai who spoke his mind to the one who kept his emotions hidden.
Even if he was giving her a stern lecture.
"I was just too concerned about the village and got carried away. Didn't I also come up with a solution for you?"
Qin Yihuai looked at her with a firm expression.
"Nothing and no one should make you lose your composure. From now on, staying calm will be your capital to survive. If you panic, others will take advantage of your weakness."
Ye Zhinan was silent for a long time after hearing this. She lowered her eyes and thought about what he had said.
Even though she had lived two lifetimes, the people she had come into contact with were all kind - hearted.
In the past, in the deep mansion, her parents doted on her and her brother took care of her. Her life wasn't extremely prosperous, but it was at least comfortable.
Even when she went out to practice medicine, she had her master with her.
She thought she was well - versed in the ways of the world, but she had never known the darkness of human nature.
"I understand. Thank you for the advice."
It was hard to tell whether she was discouraged or had gained some insight, but anyway, she hung her head and closed the door.
Ye Yingfeng looked at Qin Yihuai with a hint of blame in his eyes.
"You should be more tactful when you speak. After all, she's a girl and the apple of our Ye family's eye. If you keep this up..."
The words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.
It seemed that, without knowing when, he had started to cultivate Qin Yihuai as his future brother - in - law.
Ye Yingfeng shook his head. This thought was dangerous and had to be nipped in the bud.
Qin Yihuai raised his eyebrows slightly, seeing Ye Yingfeng acting strange all of a sudden.
"Keep this up and what?"
"Nothing. Just take care of yourself."