Chapter 217

Chapter 217

After all, it was just too coincidental.

"This I don't know, but I heard they're also a young couple. I forgot their surname; they're from the village as well. It seems to be because of which village they came from that people find it interesting. They say life in the villages below is better than in the county these days.

Otherwise, how could a couple come to the county?

And they even bought a house.

Many families in the county still don’t have houses.

That's why our relatives overheard this."

Ning Meimei sighed as she spoke, for she and her husband had not managed to get their own house after all these years.

Looking at Bai Xiuxiu and her husband, who were also from the countryside, they had already arranged for a house upon arrival.

If only she could arrange for a house someday, so she wouldn't have to live in the same courtyard with her mother-in-law—she would wake up smiling every day.

A young couple? From the village?

Bai Xiuxiu felt the possibility was greater now.

Probably... Zhou Jiaojiao?

But there were many communes around, so she couldn't be sure yet.

She should keep an eye out.

Bai Xiuxiu was truly grateful her mother had come. Otherwise, if Zhou Jiaojiao really moved nearby, she would worry about her two children every day!

"Older daughter, what are you doing? You blind thing, why are you going near other people’s homes? Get back here right now!" Grandma Lin shouted at Ning Meimei.

Ning Meimei didn't dare delay: "I'm leaving now. You go to work. If there's any news about the new buyers, I'll let you know right away."

With that, she ran off.

With her gone, Bai Xiuxiu couldn't gather more gossip, so she got on her husband's bicycle.

On the way, Wang Qinghe also thought the couple his wife asked about sounded like Zhou Jiaojiao and Wang Qingqi.

If it were them, he would need to be more cautious.

Yu Cheng couldn't come over as openly next time.

Arriving at the street office, Bai Xiuxiu got off the bicycle and looked at Wang Qinghe, who seemed lost in thought. She gave him a quick peck.

The sudden touch on his lips brought Wang Qinghe back to reality.

Seeing his wife, his face turned red.

He looked like the kind of boy people would describe decades later, and Bai Xiuxiu adored him.

"Don't space out. You'll be late if you don't hurry." Bai Xiuxiu urged him to leave and then entered the office herself.

As soon as she walked in, everyone noticed her.

Because she wasn't carrying her children today!

"Xiuxiu, where are your two kids?" Xiao Song wondered, thinking it was unlikely her husband was watching them since he was also at work.

"My mom came over and is helping us look after them, so I didn't bring them today," Bai Xiuxiu explained with a smile.

Xiao Song understood and felt a bit envious.

Soon, Director Wang and Xiao Tang entered, and Director Wang looked displeased. Xiao Tang, by her side, wore a stubborn expression, indicating a disagreement with the director.

Upon entering, Director Wang noticed Bai Xiuxiu without her children and found it odd: "Xiuxiu, where are your two kids?"

"My mom is watching them," Bai Xiuxiu repeated her explanation.

"I see. It's good that the kids are taken care of. This way, you can focus more on your work. Xiuxiu, you've been doing well recently; keep it up." Director Wang glanced at Xiao Tang, who still looked defiant after following her in.

"Xiao Tang, what's going on? Aunt Yang from our street was so upset she stopped me on the road. Didn't I tell you three months ago to arrange repairs for Aunt Yang's house?

Why haven't you done it yet, almost winter?

Didn't I specifically remind you last night to record it?

Is this how you work?

Why isn't Aunt Yang in your records?"

Director Wang pointed at the records Xiao Tang had just handed her, nearly losing her temper.

Xiao Tang remained silent, knowing full well Aunt Yang wasn't in the records.

Who could blame her when Aunt Yang had argued with her mother half a year ago? She had to favor her own mother, didn't she?

"I don't care what you think. Get Aunt Yang's repairs arranged immediately. Her son is serving in the army, and we cannot afford any scandal of neglecting military families." Director Wang warned Xiao Tang sternly.

Xiao Tang had no choice but to agree: "I understand..."

Seeing her attitude, Director Wang once again considered transferring Xiao Tang.

But remembering her chat with Old Du yesterday about the new person in her department, she decided Xiao Tang, though foolish, might still be tolerable.

The new person next door is called Zhou Jiaojiao. She got the job through connections.

As soon as she arrived, she acted differently from everyone else and talked about bringing everyone together to work hard.

Is this her business?

Moreover, according to Old Du, she doesn’t know anything.

Whatever you ask her to do, she’s clueless about everything.

If Xiao Tang gets transferred away and they send someone like her here, it would drive her crazy.

"Director, there’s trouble. Grandma Lin was hit by her relatives, and now she’s making a fuss." Someone came running in from outside.

Bai Xiuxiu thought to herself, isn’t this what happened this morning?

Did Grandma Lin provoke them with her words?

"Xiao Bai, come with me." Director Wang’s trust in Bai Xiuxiu had reached a high level.

Among all these people, she believed in Bai Xiuxiu’s ability to handle things.

"Alright." Bai Xiuxiu followed her out the door.

Xiao Tang felt a pang of jealousy: "It’s always her? The director only trusts Bai Xiuxiu. Why?"

"Xiao Tang, focus on your tasks assigned by the director. Otherwise, she might really transfer you away," Xiao Song said worriedly, urging her to get back to work.

On the other side, Bai Xiuxiu followed Director Wang to their neighbor Grandma Lin’s house.

Looking into their courtyard, she saw her mother leading two children over to watch the commotion.

Grandma Lin had been pushed by a younger relative and hit the door, and now she was crying and causing a scene.

Director Wang surveyed the situation and asked for details.

"Oh, what’s going on here?" As they were asking, someone curiously inquired.

Director Wang glanced over and saw that it was Old Du from the neighboring street. She was accompanied by someone who looked around the same age as Xiuxiu. Since she hadn’t seen her before, this must be the new person.

Upon seeing Bai Xiuxiu, Zhou Jiaojiao straightened up, her pride and showiness evident.

Bai Xiuxiu gave her a faint glance without saying a word.

Zhou Jiaojiao spoke first: "Sister-in-law, what a coincidence. Are you working at the neighborhood committee? Helping solve the problems of the neighbors? If you have the ability, why not start by solving our family’s issue? Ever since you sent Mom to jail, Dad has been heartbroken every day.

Please do us a favor and release Mom."