Chapter 278

Chapter 278

Wang Shoucheng coughed heavily and cleared his throat: "Old Fifth's wife, why didn't Qingqi mention to me that you're planning to go back to the village? You didn't tell him, did you? He is your husband, after all; you should at least discuss it with him."

"You can't make all the decisions by yourself."

"I don't mind you going back to see your mother, but..."

Before Wang Shoucheng could finish, Zhou Jiaojiao was already upset, glaring at her husband.

Wang Qingqi, feeling the intense gaze, became nervous and had to lie: "Dad, you misunderstood. Jiaojiao did tell me. And isn't it good to go back once in a while? My wife has good luck; she might even find some ginseng in the mountains."

Thinking of the extra income, Wang Shoucheng was also tempted.

Looking at Old Fifth's wife and then at his son, he thought for a moment: "Alright, but you shouldn't go to the mountains alone. Let Second Sister-in-law, Third Sister-in-law, and Fourth Sister-in-law accompany you."

More people might bring better luck.

As for his sons, they couldn't go.

If they got injured, they wouldn't be able to work, and Old Fifth's wife was quite unpredictable.

He didn't trust his sons to go with her.

Wang Shoucheng's thoughts were clear.

Zhou Jiaojiao sneered but said nothing.

After all, when his mother-in-law was abandoned without any guilt, he had blamed everything on her.

Not to mention others.

Similarly preparing to return to the village were Bai Xiuxiu and Wang Qinghe.

In their home on Wutong Street, Bai Xiuxiu was getting ready for the things she needed to take back to the village to visit Aunt Jinhua and the gifts for Old Zhang.

She also packed some items for their trip to the mountains.

Outside, Wang Qinghe was chopping wood.

Bai Xiuxiu turned on the radio they had bought half a month ago to listen to some music.

Her mother, Wei Pozi, helped her pack the things they would take back to the village, laughing at how much she was bringing: "If someone didn't know, they'd think you were going on a long journey, carrying so many things."

"Who knows when we'll leave the county? I don't get to see Aunt Jinhua often. She takes good care of me.

Without her, I wouldn't have my current job or the opportunity to improve myself.

So I need to bring her more things."

Thinking of Aunt Jinhua, Bai Xiuxiu felt endless gratitude.

Wei Pozi had heard her daughter talk about Aunt Jinhua a few times and agreed that she was a warm-hearted person.

"You should say goodbye properly. Even if you move far away, don't lose touch. By the way, it's New Year's Day today, so we should make dumplings.

I'll go knead the dough later. Don't leave everything to your son-in-law."

Wei Pozi felt happy inside. Her two daughters had suffered as children, but they had met many good people as adults.

"Okay, I understand." Bai Xiuxiu finished packing and helped her mother.

Since they weren't working today, they ate dinner early.

After having the New Year's Eve dumplings, the family chatted for a while and went to bed early.

But the provincial capital was bustling this evening.

That night, after eating the New Year's Eve dumplings, Qi Yingying was dragged by her son to his future father-in-law's house to discuss matters.

Qi Yingying was not happy about going to the Xu family today.

Why couldn't it be another day?

Why did it have to be now?

When they arrived at the Xu family's door, Qi Yingying was even more upset.

Although she had been there once before, the last time the house, though old, was relatively clean. This time, it looked like they hadn't bothered to tidy up at all.

The house was in disarray, making Qi Yingying frown.

"Aunt Qi," Xu Niandi had been waiting for her and quickly came to greet her.

With a forced smile, she said, "Aunt Qi, my parents are waiting for you inside. By the way, where's Uncle He? Isn't he coming today?"

"Uncle He is busy and goes to bed early. We've already discussed everything between the families. I'm here today to talk about the new dowry and... that job." Mentioning the job, Qi Yingying really wanted to vent her anger.

Initially, she didn't want to help with the job.

Helping her daughter-in-law was one thing, but helping an outsider?

That was out of the question.

But... she couldn't resist her son's constant whispers in her ear.

So she finally agreed.

Qi Yingying stepped into the Xu family's door and immediately regretted agreeing so readily.

She shouldn't have agreed at all; she should have even broken off the engagement.

Inside the Xu family's house, a new round of arguments began.

Early morning.

Bai Xiuxiu sat on the back of Wang Qinghe's bicycle early in the morning and followed him back to the village.

Her house had already been sold to Aunt Jinhua's sister, so upon returning, she went straight to Aunt Jinhua's house.

It was the middle of winter, and it was New Year's Day.

Chen Jinhua wasn't working today and was tidying up the yard.

"Aunt Jinhua," Bai Xiuxiu called out as she got off the bicycle.

Chen Jinhua's face lit up when she saw Bai Xiuxiu: "Oh, Xiuxiu! How long has it been since you last visited me? And Qinghe, come inside quickly, it's too cold outside."

Chen Jinhua invited both of them into the house.

Seeing the things Wang Qinghe was carrying, she became a bit unhappy: "Why bring things with you?"

"Aunt, we rarely visit you, so we can't come empty-handed. Besides, we don't know how many more times we'll be able to visit." Bai Xiuxiu said, handing over the cured meat and eggs she had brought to Chen Jinhua.

Chen Jinhua was taken aback: "What's going on? Did something happen to you two?"

Bai Xiuxiu didn't hide anything from Chen Jinhua about what Old Wang's family had done.

She and Wang Qinghe took turns telling the story, filling in the gaps where one left off.

After hearing everything, Chen Jinhua was so angry that she almost rushed out to confront Old Wang's family.

"What kind of people are they? They're lucky they ran away fast. Otherwise, I would have made them pay! I've seen ruthless people, but never this ruthless. At least you two are doing well now." Chen Jinhua said, feeling a bit sorry for the young couple.

There weren't many people who truly cared for this young couple.

Although they had their biological parents in the provincial capital, those parents had other children too.

Life there wouldn't necessarily be much better for them.

After all, they hadn't been by their side for so many years...

"Xiuxiu, Qinghe, if you're not happy in the provincial capital, come back. Our village will always have a place for you!" Chen Jinhua said with tears in her eyes.

Hearing this, Bai Xiuxiu was deeply moved: "Thank you."

"Wife, guess who I saw coming back at the village entrance?" The voice of the village chief called from outside.