Chapter 179

Chapter 179

"Yes, it’s settled. Director Old Wang said she would help me with the grain and other matters. She asked me to come back this afternoon to wrap up my work here at the Women's Federation." Bai Xiuxiu couldn’t hide her smile as she thought about working in the county, which would make everything more convenient.

"That’s good, that’s good. Now you’ll be a city dweller. If you need anything, just let Auntie know. Come back to the village when you have time. In the fall, I’ll take you into the mountains to find some wild delicacies so others won’t talk about you being idle."

Chen Jinhua looked at Bai Xiuxiu as if she were her own daughter.

For some reason, she felt an inexplicable closeness.

Bai Xiuxiu was both moved and warmed by Chen Jinhua’s words: "Auntie, I don’t know how to thank you."

"If you want to thank me, go help Miao Miao; she’s exhausted today. You’ve done most of your work, and I can hand over the rest to Miao Miao. Xiaohui took the day off; she tends to overthink things, so I had Miao Miao do your tasks."

Chen Jinhua glanced at Liu Xiaohui’s empty seat; she had been there early in the morning but left after Director Old Wang mentioned that Bai Xiuxiu’s matters were almost settled.

Originally, Miao Miao was supposed to take the day off, but because of Liu Xiaohui, she had to bring Miao Miao back.

"I’ll go help her then." Bai Xiuxiu left the children in the room under Jinhua Auntie’s watchful eye and went out to assist Miao Miao.

As soon as she stepped out, she saw Zhou Jiaojiao standing at the entrance of the brigade headquarters.

Zhou Jiaojiao’s gaze was venomous enough to make one shiver.

Zhou Jiaojiao was furious, cursing viciously in her heart. Seeing Bai Xiuxiu come out only made her feel worse.

She had just heard from a girl who was familiar with Bai Xiuxiu that Bai Xiuxiu might be going to work in the county. Why should someone like Bai Xiuxiu deserve such an opportunity?

Moreover... she had another dream last night. In it, Bai Xiuxiu died two years later, and she obtained a treasure from Bai Xiuxiu.

But she hadn’t seen Bai Xiuxiu with any treasure recently. The treasure in her dream was vague and indistinct, leaving her frustrated and anxious.

The only certainty was that once Bai Xiuxiu died, her life would improve.

Bai Xiuxiu was truly her nemesis!

"Xiuxiu Sister, you’re out? Come help me with the calculations," Miao Miao called out upon seeing Bai Xiuxiu.

Without hesitation, Bai Xiuxiu went over to assist.

After a moment’s consideration, Zhou Jiaojiao approached: "Sister-in-law... I heard you’re going to work in the county. Is it true?"

"How did you hear that? Were you eavesdropping on our conversation?" Miao Miao was furious; she had just discussed Bai Xiuxiu’s situation with an elderly woman.

Ignoring Miao Miao’s remark, Zhou Jiaojiao looked expectantly at Bai Xiuxiu: "Sister-in-law, you’re not with the Women’s Federation anymore, right? Could you speak to Jinhua Auntie about filling the vacancy in our village’s Women’s Federation? You know I’ve had quite a bit of education.

I can do everything you can do.

I will certainly work hard for the village.

If I get a job, I can better support my family.

Mother has already been sent away because of you, so we must take care of Father..."

Zhou Jiaojiao’s voice trembled with emotion, loud enough for everyone to hear, hoping to put pressure on Bai Xiuxiu.

If Bai Xiuxiu refused, it would make her appear ungrateful.

Who wouldn’t criticize her then?

Zhou Jiaojiao’s plan seemed solid, but Bai Xiuxiu was shocked. Had Zhou Jiaojiao finally lost her mind?

How had Zhou Jiaojiao managed to progress so smoothly before, relying solely on luck?

Could she really say such things?

Shocked, Bai Xiuxiu frowned and spoke no less loudly than Zhou Jiaojiao: "Old Fifth’s wife, what are you saying? How can you ask me to convince Jinhua Auntie to give you the Women’s Federation position? There are many people in our village. Are you the only one who’s educated?

Don’t other families have educated young women too?

Do you think this is a job you can inherit?

The Women’s Federation of our brigade is not something I can decide.

If I asked Jinhua Auntie, would that be fair to others?"

Zhou Jiaojiao couldn’t believe Bai Xiuxiu had refused. Her expression turned cold with humiliation and resentment.

Bai Xiuxiu continued: "Also, don’t blame me for sending your mother away. She conspired with human traffickers and got herself arrested. Do you have anything else? If not, please step aside and don’t hinder our work."

"You’re really strange, always pestering Xiuxiu Sister about your own problems," Miao Miao spat, disapproving of Zhou Jiaojiao.

Zhou Jiaojiao regretted approaching Bai Xiuxiu. How could someone so ruthless ever help her?

She wouldn’t let Bai Xiuxiu off easily. She needed to dig deeper into the secrets her in-laws had kept from them.

Zhou Jiaojiao slunk away.

Bai Xiuxiu helped Miao Miao get through the busiest part of the day and hurried back before it got dark.

Zhou Jiaojiao had faced rejection from Bai Xiuxiu and was mocked by Chen Jinhua, leaving her in a deep funk.

She had been working tirelessly these days, earning quite a bit of money, all of which was taken by Old Wang's family.

Now she still owed money to her in-laws and to Bai Xiuxiu!

Thinking about this, Zhou Jiaojiao felt suffocated. Wasn't she supposed to be the luckiest one? How did things turn out like this?

The more Zhou Jiaojiao thought about it, the more resentful she became.

Carrying a heart full of grievances, she returned to Old Wang's house. Seeing her father-in-law and Aunt Qiu chatting and laughing in the courtyard, she sneered inwardly and coughed loudly.

At her cough, Aunt Qiu immediately looked awkward and walked away.

Wang Shoucheng was clearly displeased. "Why are you back? How was the black market today? Although we don't need to go into the mountains anymore, we can't have idle hands in this family. Old Fifth's wife, you're different from others."

Zhou Jiaojiao forced a smile. "Dad, you're right. Actually, I wanted to ask you something. You and Mom always kept it a secret—was Big Brother really your biological son? If not... could we contact his real parents?"

"What are you trying to do? Are you crazy? What nonsense is this? Your big brother is my son." Wang Shoucheng's hair stood on end.

What was Old Fifth's wife up to?

"Please don't misunderstand, Dad. I was thinking... Big Brother doesn't even know who he is. If his parents are influential, couldn't we get some benefits from them? If they ask, just tell them that Big Brother is dead."