Chapter 75

Chapter 75

Tang Qingqing was preparing the New Year's Eve dinner with Old Liu. Wang Heizi had probably been tied up at home this year and hadn't come over, but Tang Qingqing didn't plan to make do. She had already thought out the menu.

Big plate chicken, four-joy meatballs, sweet and sour fish, fried lotus root patties, braised eggs, and of course, dumplings, which were indispensable for the New Year.

There was no way two people could finish all these dishes, but in this weather, they wouldn't spoil, so she could cook as much as she wanted.

The chickens were raised by Old Liu, and now that the rules weren't as strict, he lived on the hillside, far from others, making it even easier for him to manage them.

So Old Liu raised twenty chickens, a few of which had already been eaten.

Every time Tang Qingqing came back, Old Liu would slaughter the roosters that didn't lay eggs, leaving only about ten hens.

The fish was bought by Old Liu during the market day, symbolizing abundance every year.

Although their village had a river, it was small, with only little fish, not big ones.

Therefore, many people had never eaten fish, and those who had only tasted small fish.

After the reforms, someone started selling fish in town, and when Old Liu saw them, he bought one without considering the price.

Speaking of this, Old Liu was quite proud:

"Fortunately, I acted fast. Some people hesitated at first, thinking it was too expensive or unsure how to cook it. As a result, many couldn't buy any later, and some almost got into fights."

Tang Qingqing smiled, "It shows that life is getting better; everyone can afford to buy it now."

"Indeed, on market day, everyone was grabbing things like they were free. It's because they have money left in their pockets."

Old Liu felt happy inside, hoping that everyone's lives would improve, as collective well-being is true well-being.

One was busy kneading dough, the other chopping filling, when Tang Xingqiang suddenly rushed in, startling them.

"Sis!" Tang Xingqiang cried loudly.

Tang Qingqing was surprised, "What happened?"

Although Tang Xingqiang had always liked crying since childhood, those familiar with him knew he was actually quite tough. He cried just to get attention and benefits.

Once he achieved his goal, he would stop immediately without hesitation.

But hearing his current crying, Tang Qingqing realized he was genuinely upset, truly crying.

"Sis, I won't force you to come home for the New Year anymore."

Hearing this, Tang Qingqing guessed what had happened.

In the book, Tang Xingqiang's transformation was closely related to family education.

Although he gave up studying, Tang Jianjun and Zhao Dahua tried to persuade him, but only because Tang Jianguo was insistent. They didn't really insist themselves.

In fact, once they saw Tang Xingqiang earning money, they forgot everything.

Tang Xingqiang's behavior outside was also due to his family's indulgence.

Now that Tang Xingqiang had earned so much money in a short time, that couple probably had some new schemes.

Upon asking, it turned out to be true.

"Don't mind them. You must continue your studies. You have money, so ignore whatever they say. If they get too aggressive, just lie around at home and see how long they can last."

Tang Xingqiang sobbed, "They don't care about me. I'm just sad, how could they be like this?"

He had explained the pros and cons of schooling, but his parents only saw the immediate benefits and said Tang Qingqing was just trying to trick him, not wanting to share her wealth.

Tang Xingqiang got very angry and argued with his family before running out.

He felt frustrated, wondering why his parents could be so foolish, and even his second brother, who wandered around the village like an idler, thought he was capable.

He had clearly explained the benefits of education and the difficulties of business. Despite his earnings, he had seen the hardships involved.

When a shipment was delayed due to snow, he saw Wang Heizi stressed to the point of breaking out in blisters.

If it wasn't delivered before the New Year, it would be hard to sell afterward, and the goods would be stuck.

Despite his earnings, he worked extremely hard to earn them.

Some who joined Wang Heizi lacked the necessary skills and ended up earning less than farming.

But the feeling of having money was great, making the hard work worthwhile, unlike farming, where no matter how hard you worked, the yield was limited.

To his parents and elder brother, it seemed like doing business was easy money, which was ridiculous.

Even the youngest in the family understood this, yet they couldn't grasp it.

The more he explained, the more they thought he was like Tang Qingqing, neglecting the family, infuriating him.

Tang Xingqiang, who had never lost an argument, was speechless with his own parents and brother.

Running here, he grew angrier, eventually turning into sadness.

He couldn't understand why his parents didn't consider his well-being, despite loving him. In reality, they were holding him back.

In the entire brigade, if anyone studied as well as him, they would be supported at all costs.

Not only his parents but even his grandmother, who supported education, had changed her stance, leaving him feeling cold inside.

Especially when he saw Tang Qingqing, he felt even more wronged.

Some things, you don't feel the pain until they happen to you.

Tang Qingqing found a towel and filled a basin with water.

"It's the New Year, stop crying and wash your face first."

Tang Xingqiang's little face was all streaked from crying; he must have been running and crying at the same time, not even looking where he was going, making his clothes dirty too.

After Tang Xingqiang washed his face and hands, most of his anger dissipated. He still remembered to politely greet Old Liu and apologize for disturbing him during the New Year.

"Sis, why is it so hard talking to idiots? No wonder you usually don't bother talking to Mom and Dad; it can really drive you crazy!"

Once Tang Xingqiang's emotions stabilized, his mouth started spewing venom again.

Tang Qingqing wasn't actually avoiding home for that reason, but she didn't explain.

"We're preparing the New Year's Eve dinner. Why don't you join us tonight?"

Tang Xingqiang looked at the dishes they were preparing, which were still in their semi-prepared state, not yet cooked.

But knowing Tang Qingqing's cooking skills, he couldn't help swallowing his saliva. However, he shook his head and said:

"No, I only came here because I was angry. After all this hard work, buying so many things for home, I'd be losing out if I didn't eat more there!"

Tang Xingqiang shook his hair and said angrily, "If I don't go back, they might think I'm scared. Hmph, anyone who tries to stop me from going to school is trying to cut off my future. I, Tang Xingqiang, won't let them control me!"

"If your family gives you trouble, come to me if you need any help. Regardless of anything else, as long as you and Xingsheng want to go to school, I'll make sure you both finish your education."

Tang Xingqiang shook his head: "Sis, don't worry. I can handle it. I just needed to clear my head, and seeing you made me feel better."

Tang Qingqing laughed: "I've become a calming presence now."

"That's right. Seeing you reminds me that I shouldn't listen to them, or I'd be doomed."

Ever since Tang Qingqing started rebelling, her life has gotten better.

Now, when Tang Xingqiang introduces himself as the brother of 'Heroine with Sharp Eyes,' people look at him differently.

And as a rural girl—no, a rural child—how many of them are as accomplished?

Their village hasn't had any petty thefts in recent years, all thanks to Tang Qingqing.

As for those who say a girl doesn't need to strive so hard and should marry well, Tang Xingqiang scoffs at such talk.

He firmly believes what Tang Qingqing once said: "Rely on mountains, and they may crumble; rely on people, and they may run away."

If marriage could solve everything, Aunt wouldn't have been beaten by Uncle.

Since they threatened us, Uncle has indeed been more subdued, but Aunt's life hasn't improved much.

She can't stand up for herself and remains powerless at home, even with her brothers' support, which is limited.

Anyway, if it were Tang Xingqiang, he couldn't live like that.

"Sis, just wait and see. If they don't let me study, I'll tear the roof off our house!"

Tang Xingqiang came and left in a hurry.

Tang Qingqing and Old Liu exchanged glances and smiled helplessly.

Old Liu frowned slightly: "This kid coming over reminded me of something."

"What?"

"You'll be eighteen soon. I don't believe they haven't thought about it."

Tang Qingqing was taken aback. She started school late, and although she skipped grades, she wasn't young anymore.

However, everyone else had also been delayed, so she wasn't considered old at school. Time flies, and sometimes she forgot how old she was.

"They can't control me now."

"But as long as they're your parents, they can still control some things, especially in the countryside."

Tang Qingqing's expression darkened. These past few years, her life had been easy, with no one controlling her. But that didn't mean Zhao Dahua and Tang Jianjun had no way to deal with her.

As long as they were still her parents, it would be troublesome.

They hadn't caused trouble because the cost of a confrontation was too high, so they backed off temporarily.

"We're not afraid of them, but we need to stay alert," Old Liu added.

"Now that you're older, have you thought about finding your birth parents?"

This question had always troubled Tang Qingqing, yet she had to face it.

"Master, I want to wait until after the college entrance exam." Tang Qingqing suppressed her complex emotions. "If I can get into university, I won't be afraid of anything."

Tang Qingqing felt her current strength wasn't enough, or she didn't know how to face her birth parents.

At first, she had some thoughts, but the longer she waited, the less desire she had to reveal the truth.

"You need to keep this in mind. But remember, relationships develop through interactions, even with your own parents. Especially since they have raised another daughter for so many years, the feelings are likely complicated."

Whenever Old Liu thought about these matters, he felt conflicted, so he never pushed.

He was also worried that recognizing her birth parents might cause even greater harm, which would be counterproductive.

But if she didn't acknowledge it, it would mean letting that couple continue to bear the name of Tang Qingqing's parents, which was infuriating to think about.

"Master, you don't have to worry. With you by my side, nothing can bring me down."

Old Liu smiled upon hearing this.

"You just know how to say nice things to cheer up this old man."

"Master, everything I say is from the heart!"

"Alright, alright. It's the New Year; let's not talk about these troubles. Instead, why don't we discuss some interesting cases?"

Tang Qingqing often talked to him about her cases, and Old Liu always offered his guidance after listening.

Now, Tang Qingqing's tracking skills were on par with Old Liu's, but being young and less experienced, she still had much to learn from him.

Old Liu no longer associated tracking with the memory of his deceased son as he used to, and he was more than willing to discuss these matters with Tang Qingqing.

Without passion, one cannot master a craft. He had only given it up because of his overwhelming grief.

This year, only an old man and a young girl stayed up for the New Year, and Old Liu insisted on waiting until midnight before going to bed.

Tang Qingqing tried to persuade him, but he wouldn't listen.

This year, both Tang Qingqing and Old Liu bought firecrackers and fireworks. The New Year wasn't any less lively despite their small numbers, and they still celebrated joyfully.

The next morning, Tang Qingqing ate tangyuan before heading home.

Upon returning, she didn't rush to her own place but went to greet her uncle and aunt first.

Tang Qiaoqiao saw Tang Qingqing and rushed over, "Sis! We bought fireworks this year too. I've been waiting to set them off with you!"

Despite their tight finances, Uncle and Aunt didn't want Tang Qiaoqiao to miss out on anything.

Even though they only bought the cheapest sparklers, it was enough to make Tang Qiaoqiao very happy.

Tang Qingqing ruffled her hair and then went inside to greet her uncle and aunt.

Aunt gave her a red envelope with a smile, and Tang Qingqing accepted it gracefully, wishing them good fortune.

"Children grow so fast. I remember you were just a little thing yesterday, and now you're all grown up," Wang Siimei remarked.

When she first married in, Tang Qingqing was very thin and timid, fragile like a delicate flower. Holding her required utmost care, as if she might break at any moment.

Now, she had blossomed into a beautiful young woman, poised and capable, clearly someone who could handle responsibilities.

If not for Tang Qingqing, their family might be in a very different situation.

Tang Qingqing stayed for a while and then went to greet the neighbors with Tang Qiaoqiao.

Seeing Tang Qingqing, Zhao Dahua's expression was not pleasant, but considering it was the New Year, she refrained from saying anything harsh.

Tang Xingqiang winked at Tang Qingqing, and from his smug look, it was clear he had settled the matter.

That sly fox; he never got tricked himself.

Old Lady Wu looked Tang Qingqing up and down and said, "You're a grown woman now, not a child anymore. This year, don't throw tantrums like last year."

Tang Xingqiang replied, "Grandma, who in our brigade is more capable than my sister?"

"Being capable doesn't mean you can't act childish."

"Well, you have to see what kind of capability it is. Who else could handle my sister's skills without losing composure? They'd probably get angry and start yelling after a while."

Old Lady Wu frowned, "I say one thing, and you have a whole bunch of replies ready. It's the New Year, and you're making me unhappy. All my usual kindness toward you has been wasted!"

"You're the one not saying nice things during the New Year, and then you blame me for following your example."

Old Lady Wu waved her hand, "Go play. You're all such nuisances; looking at you gives me a headache."

Tang Xingqiang jumped off the bed and said with a smile, "Grandma, you forgot something important!"

"What is it?"

"You haven't given me and my sister our red envelopes yet, Mom and Dad haven't either."

"Off with you, you're already earning money; why do you need red envelopes?"

Tang Xingqiang pouted, "I'm just seeking good luck. Why can't I have a red envelope?"

In the end, Old Lady Wu reluctantly gave red envelopes to Tang Xingqiang, Tang Qingqing, and Tang Qiaoqiao.

Zhao Dahua refused, not giving them any, nor did she give one to Tang Xingsheng.

She felt that Tang Xingsheng's education had already cost the family a lot of money and caused many problems, so he didn't deserve a red envelope.

As they left, Tang Xingqiang opened his red envelope and found only one cent.

Tang Qingqing's was even worse—it was empty!

"Grandma is really too stingy! I gave her fifty cents yesterday!" Tang Xingqiang was furious.

Tang Xingsheng said, "She gave it to Second Brother."

Tang Xingqiang's eyes widened, "What!? Are you serious?!"

"I saw it with my own eyes. That's why Second Brother disappeared early this morning with money in his pocket. Mom and Dad also gave him twenty cents."

Tang Xingqiang was livid, "That's so unfair!"

He now truly felt the grievances Tang Xingsheng had endured over the years.

"Are they out of their minds? I'm so capable, and yet they treat me like this! Second Brother is such a ghost of a person, and they still dote on him."

Tang Xingqiang simply couldn't understand what his parents and grandmother were thinking. He was the most promising male in the family, yet he was placed behind Tang Xingwang. This was too unfair.

Tang Qiaoqiao: "Grandma and your aunts also dote on you. While you've been away, they've been very worried about whether you're eating and dressing well at the commune."

Tang Xingsheng bluntly said, "They do it to show off, spreading rumors everywhere."

Tang Xingqiang's mood worsened even more.

Tang Qingqing rubbed his head: "It's the New Year. Why are you thinking so much? They just think you've earned money and don't want you to have too much cash on hand."

One could say that Grandma Wu and Tang Jianjun's couple were shortsighted, but to claim they didn't care for Tang Xingqiang would be unfair.

They had the common flaw of many elders—thinking themselves the heads of the family, not respecting their children's wills, and always trying to arrange their children's futures based on their own life experiences.

To say they deliberately hindered Tang Xingqiang from studying to ruin his future is unlikely.

Their limited perspective only allowed them to see the present.

Tang Xingqiang was indeed capable, but they still saw him as just a child.

On one hand, they thought their child was the smartest and best; on the other, they believed he was too young to understand anything and needed to listen to them.

"But it still bothers me."

Thinking about the empty red envelope Tang Qingqing received earlier made him feel even worse.

Since Tang Qingqing registered with the Public Security Bureau, she hadn't brought home few things. Over the years, the total amount wasn't small, enough to make any family ecstatic.

But in their household, even the New Year's red envelope was empty. It was hard to know what to say.

Tang Xingqiang hadn't felt this deeply before, but after visiting the commune, he realized how petty his family's actions were.

"Come on, don't think so much at your age. You might stop growing if you worry too much. It's the New Year; we should just enjoy ourselves!"

Tang Qingqing led a group of children playing outside. This year was a warm winter, and the sun made it not too cold, so many children came out to play.

Soon, a string of children followed Tang Qingqing, laughing and playing nonstop.

Yang City.

Firecrackers sounded outside, and the laughter of children filled the air.

The atmosphere at Director Tang's house wasn't good, and this New Year was bound to be joyless.

"Dad, Mom, I've made this decision after careful consideration. You can't just dismiss it without listening. That's a fascist approach!"

Tang Jixue spoke fearlessly despite his parents' livid faces.

Tang Jianguo, enraged, grabbed an apple from the coffee table and threw it at him.

Tang Jixue caught it and smiled, saying, "Dad, I'm almost twenty..."

"You'll always be my son, even when you're eighty!" Tang Jianguo slammed the table.

Su Rong was also exasperated with her son. The smartest in the family, he hadn't studied properly and failed his retake exams, not even getting into a technical school!

He spent his days hanging out with a group of unsavory friends.

Now he wanted to go south to do business, claiming there were new policies and great prospects there.

As if gold lay everywhere, waiting to be picked up.

Worse, Tang Jixue quit the job he'd secured! He acted first and informed them later.

Thinking about this, Su Rong resented her husband.

If they had directly arranged for Tang Jixue to work at their Machinery Plant, none of this would have happened.

But Tang Jianguo didn't want people to think they treated the Machinery Plant as their personal property, so he arranged for Tang Jixue to work as a temporary worker at the Textile Factory.

Not only was the Textile Factory far from the Machinery Plant, but Tang Jixue's position was merely a laborer.

Though temporary, he could be promoted if he performed well. But it was too demeaning.

No wonder Tang Jixue secretly quit and wanted to start a business.

If not for that stubborn principle, Tang Jixue would have been under their watchful eyes, unable to cause trouble.

"Tang Jixue, if you dare sneak out of this house, don't ever call us parents again!" Su Rong threatened sternly.

The more pressured Tang Jixue felt, the more he wanted to rebel.

"You can't do this. I'm not your possession. I can decide my own future."

Tang Jiquan frowned: "What reliable things have you done these past years? All you do is cause trouble and hang out with street ruffians. If you were more responsible, we wouldn't oppose you so much."

Tang Jidong added slowly: "Third Brother, don't let your enthusiasm cloud your judgment."

The family's opposition left Tang Jixue both angry and frustrated.

At this moment, Tang Zhenzhen's clear voice rang out:

"Mom, Dad, I think it's great that Third Brother has such aspirations. I believe he can succeed in the south!"

Tang Jixue was moved to tears: "My little sister understands me best! Little Sister, if I get rich, I'll buy you whatever you want!"

Tang Zhenzhen smiled brightly. "Brother, I believe in you!"

Although some things deviated from what was recorded in the books, Tang Zhenzhen still had high hopes for Tang Jixue.

Third Brother was indeed very smart and had indeed made money outside.

The clothes Tang Zhenzhen was wearing now were bought by Third Brother for her, expensive but worth it.

The fabric and style were both excellent, distinctly different from many of the design-less clothes nowadays.

Fashion is a cycle, and this outfit would still be fashionable decades later, perfectly matching Tang Zhenzhen's taste.

She decided to buy it the moment she saw it.

Tang Jixue going south, she could only support him!

As a future business tycoon, although he failed to get into university due to a mistake, his abilities were undeniable.

Everything requires talent, and Tang Jixue had a natural knack for business. Not going to university might not necessarily be a bad thing; going south earlier could help him seize opportunities sooner.

Now is the time when even pigs can fly, let alone someone with great business acumen like Tang Jixue.

Rather than wasting time here, it's better to go and strive early, to make wealth early.

Everyone's gaze turned to Tang Zhenzhen, even Tang Jianguo, who usually treated her kindly, frowned.

"Zhenzhen, don't talk nonsense."

Su Rong: "Zhenzhen, stop indulging your Third Brother."

"Dad, Mom, Third Brother is an adult now and can take responsibility for his actions. You should try to trust him and believe in him."

With support, Tang Jixue felt more confident.

"If even Zhenzhen says so, what else do you have to say!"

Tang Zhenzhen has always been very smart and highly sensitive to policy changes.

Previously, she predicted that the college entrance examination would be reinstated, which happened soon after.

Unfortunately, Tang Jixue hadn't studied well before, and on the day of the first exam, he was late because of an incident and couldn't enter the exam hall, resulting in no score for the first subject, forcing him to give up.

During the second exam, he suffered a concussion from a fight just before the test, affecting his performance terribly.

Tang's elder brother: "Zhenzhen, this situation is different. We're not sure about the situation in the south, and if something happens, we won't even know where to find him."

Tang Zhenzhen said seriously, "Elder Brother, Dad, Mom, I think we should try to trust Third Brother. Times have changed, and we can't keep looking at things with old perspectives."

Tang Jixue added, "I know I'm usually unreliable, but I'm not fooling around. Da Gang and I have planned everything out."

Su Rong, who was slightly swayed, frowned again.

"How can you still hang out with Da Gang? If it weren't for him, you wouldn't have gotten into fights..."

"Mom, why bring up ancient history? It wasn't Da Gang's fault; I acted on my own accord."

"If he hadn't led you astray, how would you have wandered around? I repeatedly warned you to stay away from those people, but you never listened!"

Tang Jianguo said, "If you want to venture out, give me a detailed plan, and stop hanging out with Gangzi and his gang. If you need friends, find reliable ones, not these unreliable ones."

Tang Jixue wanted to say more, but Tang Jianguo wouldn't allow further discussion.

"Before then, study hard and take the exam again this year! Otherwise, I won't issue you a certificate."

Without a certificate, one cannot move forward, leaving Tang Jixue feeling helpless.

Feeling dejected, Tang Jixue thought the New Year wouldn't be enjoyable. He had promised his friends confidently but failed to deliver.

If he broke his word, how could he face them in the future?

"Young Brother, are you still worried?"

Seeing his younger sister, Tang Jixue sighed deeply.

"Aren't you asking a rhetorical question?"

"Do you really want to go south?"

"Aren't you stating the obvious? I quit my job, which I could have turned permanent next year. Do you still doubt my determination?"

Tang Zhenzhen thought for a moment. "If I help you get the referral letter, how will you thank me?"

Tang Jixue's eyes lit up. "Little Sister!"

"Shh—keep it down."

Tang Zhenzhen stepped outside, ensuring no one was around.

Tang Jixue, extremely excited, said, "Little Sister, you're my real sister. You must help me."

"Rest assured, even if everyone opposes, I'll support you."

Tang Jixue, deeply moved, said, "Little Sister, you understand me the most in this family."

"Just remember me when you become rich."

"I definitely won't forget you. I might forget anyone else, but not you."

Satisfied with this answer, Tang Zhenzhen said, "After the New Year, I'll try to get it for you."

"What are you going to do?"

Tang Zhenzhen smiled and said, "Don't worry about it. I'll get the letter with the official stamp."

Tang Jixue's eyes flickered, and he immediately knew what Tang Zhenzhen was planning.

Tang Zhenzhen could freely enter Tang Jianguo's office. When Tang Jianguo wasn't around, she could easily take out the official seal and stamp the letter without much difficulty.

"Little Sister, you're my savior!"

Tang Zhenzhen beamed, "If you remember my kindness, when you make money, buy me a courtyard house in the capital."

"What would you do with that old house?"

"It may be an old house now, but who knows about the future! Anyway, you have to promise me."

"Alright, alright, isn't it just a courtyard house? If the Forbidden City were for sale, I'd buy it for you when I get rich!"

Tang Zhenzhen walked out of Tang Jixue's room and bumped into her second brother, which startled her.

"Second Brother."

Her second brother glanced at Tang Jixue's room.

"Second Brother, I just went to comfort Little Brother."

Her second brother nodded and said, "Zhenzhen, how are you doing in the Art Troupe? I heard from Mom that you're not happy there."

Tang Zhenzhen pursed her lips, her expression turning sour.

"If you're unhappy, you can choose to leave. Don't worry about Mom; I'll explain it to her."

Tang Zhenzhen quickly shook her head, "Second Brother, I'm doing fine and don't want to leave the military."

"Really?"

"Really, it's just tiring to practice every day, but otherwise, everything is fine."

"If anything happens, talk to Second Brother. Don't keep it inside."

Tang Zhenzhen smiled, "Second Brother, don't worry. No one will bully me."

Once back in her room, Tang Zhenzhen's smile faded.

She had become Tang Zhenzhen, but she hadn't become the lead dancer in the Art Troupe like the original Tang Zhenzhen.

Practicing was too exhausting, and even missing a single day showed.

"If only I had the protagonist's aura, I wouldn't be so miserable!"

Tang Zhenzhen was frustrated. Her body lacked the protagonist's exceptional talent, and becoming an excellent dancer required immense effort.

At the beginning of training, Tang Zhenzhen felt like she was dying, and each time she stretched her legs, they didn't feel like her own anymore.

The work in the Art Troupe was nothing like she had imagined. Every day involved hours of rigorous training, not just gracefully dancing and showcasing charm.

Every day ended with her drenched in sweat, or else she couldn't pass.

As a lazy homebody who wouldn't even go downstairs to throw out trash, she didn't want to complete such strenuous daily practices. It was simply too tiring.

She had taken over the life of the protagonist but couldn't relax and dance casually as the protagonist did. The requirements were so strict, unlike what she read in the book, which left her feeling resentful.

"Transmigration God! You've let me transmigrate, yet you deliberately make things difficult!"

If not for the fact that the male lead was impressed by the female lead's dance during their first encounter, Tang Zhenzhen wouldn't continue dancing. Singing or acting would be much easier.

The meeting between the male and female leads was approaching, and Tang Zhenzhen was both excited and troubled.

When reading the book, she had liked the male lead but disliked the female lead, often giving her negative points for being unbearable.

She thought the female lead was too pretentious, spoiled, and ungrateful.

If she could be with the male lead, she would happily stay at home as a devoted wife and mother, letting him pamper her and winning effortlessly, without any unnecessary trouble.

But to attract the male lead's attention, she needed to practice, or she wouldn't get the chance to perform that dance. Otherwise, the plot might deviate again.

If she had directly transmigrated into the female lead instead of the supporting character, none of this would be happening!

Tang Zhenzhen took a deep breath. Once she got through this stage and successfully met the male lead, she would never again put herself through such hardship!

Rongshan Brigade.

On the fifth day of the New Year, Aunt Tang Fengzhi, who rarely returned to her natal home, unexpectedly came back, surprising and delighting the Tang family.

Aunt Tang Fengzhi was the second oldest in the family, older than Tang Jianguo.

This visit was a triumphant return, laden with numerous gifts.

She wore a new coat, and despite her age, she still looked beautiful.

Since Tang Fengzhi lived far away, she rarely visited. Tang Qingqing had seen her only a few times in her life.

Tang Qingqing was playing outside with a group of children when someone shouted that Tang Fengzhi had returned, handing out candies along the way.

The children, who had been playing, immediately scattered, leaving only Tang Xingsheng and Tang Xingqiang by Tang Qingqing's side.

"It's just candy. Look at them, you'd think their aunt had come back!"

Tang Xingqiang had little memory of his aunt; the last time he saw her was when he was three years old.

Every time she came, she would leave in a hurry and never stayed for more than two days.

Tang Fengzhi married someone from the village, and it was said that their side was very poor and extremely remote, even more so than Rongshan Brigade. It took half a day to reach the town, and finding a wife was difficult, which is why they paid a high dowry.

The reason Tang Fengzhi was married off there was because of the higher dowry money.

Tang Xingqiang asked curiously, "Sis, how did Aunt become so wealthy? I remember Grandma saying their family was very poor."

Tang Qingqing was equally puzzled. "I don't know. Maybe they've made a fortune in recent years."

The last time Tang Fengzhi visited, she tried to take advantage, but was rejected by Grandma Wu and sent away early.

Perhaps due to this reason, she hadn't returned to her natal home for many years, feeling that her family was too heartless.

"Wow, what's with all this money? Come on, let's go home quickly and see."

Upon hearing this, Tang Xingqiang became particularly excited.

Before the siblings reached their home, they saw a child holding a handful of candies, grinning widely as they approached.

Upon seeing the three of them, the child was thrilled.

"Your family is so rich! You gave me so many candies!"

Although they were the cheapest fruit-flavored candies, giving so many to one person was still quite generous.

It seemed that their aunt had been living well these past few years and was intentionally showing off this time to erase past humiliations.

As soon as the siblings entered the courtyard, they heard hearty laughter that occasionally turned into crying, indicating a lively scene inside.

Entering the house, their attention was immediately drawn to their aunt, who looked slightly plump, a sign of a comfortable life.

Seeing the three siblings, Tang Fengzhi's expression brightened even more.

Especially upon seeing Tang Qingqing, her eyes lit up, and she couldn't stop looking at her, not wanting to miss a single detail.

"Look at you! Who are you? I can barely recognize you."

Tang Xingqiang answered quickly, "Aunt, I'm Tang Xingqiang, this is my eldest sister Tang Qingqing, and this is my Third Brother Tang Xingsheng!"

Tang Fengzhi grabbed Tang Xingqiang, "Oh, look at that little mouth, just like when you were a kid, always chattering away."

She handed Tang Xingqiang a handful of candies and then another to Tang Xingsheng, better than those given to the children earlier.

She stood up from the bed and kept looking at Tang Qingqing.

"Oh, this must be Qingqing. She wasn't so noticeable when she was young, but now she's grown up to be so beautiful. I haven't seen anyone in our area who could match her beauty, not even in my own brigade."

Tang Fengzhi kept marveling at her.

Tang Qingqing frowned, feeling uncomfortable under such direct scrutiny.

"Aunt, Happy New Year."

"Good, good. I didn't expect someone like Zhao Dahua to give birth to such a beautiful child. If I hadn't come back, I wouldn't have known we had such a beauty in our family."

Zhao Dahua, who was eating an orange, froze with a smile on her face.

Tang Qingqing felt awkward and didn't know how to respond.

"Mom, Qingqing must be close to eighteen, right? Has she been engaged yet?"

Grandma Wu replied, "She hasn't turned eighteen yet, but it's coming soon. She isn't engaged yet; she's still in school."

"Going to school is great! Girls should definitely go to school! Don't listen to those nonsense about girls not needing education."

Hearing this, Tang Qingqing felt a sudden warmth towards her long-absent aunt, whom she barely knew.

Zhao Dahua pouted. "What's so good about it? Studying makes her too opinionated. When she gets married, she'll only benefit others."

"Sister-in-law, after all these years, you're still so short-sighted!"

Tang Fengzhi scoffed. Zhao Dahua wanted to retort but remembered the gifts Tang Fengzhi brought and swallowed her words.

"How can one marry well without any education? Wealthy and powerful people aren't fools; they don't want illiterates."