Chapter 485:

Chapter 485:

"My dear children, how's work been going lately? Look how well these two have grown—you've raised them so well. Has anyone been bothering you?" Aunt Jinhua gossiped with Bai Xiuxiu about what she knew.

Bai Xiuxiu readily replied, "Auntie, my work’s been going well, and no one’s been bothering me. The two children are also well-behaved. As for what happened with Old Wang’s family... I know about it too."

"That's good to hear. Since you're here this time, just stay at our place!" Aunt Jinhua was very enthusiastic.

"Alright, we were thinking of imposing on you for a few days. Auntie, would you be interested in going into the mountains with us again?" Bai Xiuxiu asked her softly.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Jinhua's eyes lit up. Ever since the incident where Old Wang’s family was caught stealing sheep, many people in the village had taken to going into the mountains.

However, only a few managed to catch any game, so most of them gave up quickly.

But if they went with Qinghe and the others, it would be different. Their family could bring back some meat too. With the New Year approaching, she and Old Chen were thinking of getting more meat to share with the village's elderly widows and widowers.

It was the right thing to do.

Now that Qinghe and the others were back and had brought it up themselves, it was going to be a joyful occasion for everyone!

"Of course! When are you thinking of going? Why not spend the New Year here too!" Aunt Jinhua wished they could keep going to the mountains until the New Year.

"We have to go back for the New Year, but we plan to stay here for the next few days," Bai Xiuxiu said, feeling a bit regretful. Initially, she had wanted to spend the New Year here too. But after discussing it with Qinghe, they realized that if they spent the New Year here, they wouldn't be able to go back early enough to pay New Year's respects to his teacher.

So, they had to go back.

"That works too!" Aunt Jinhua was happy, and so was Chen Zhuangshi standing next to her.

He Ming, who was following along, found the enthusiasm of these people unbelievable. At his older brother's home, he had never experienced this kind of warmth.

Even people not related by blood to his older brother and sister-in-law could be so warm. Why was there always this sense of estrangement in his parents' emotions when they went back home?

No wonder his older brother didn't want to go back. If it were him, he wouldn't want to go back either.

Qinghe and Bai Xiuxiu stayed in the village for around five or six days before they prepared to leave.

During these days, they managed to catch four wild mountain sheep, twenty-six wild rabbits, and ten pheasants.

Since Aunt Jinhua was planning to give some of the meat to the village's elderly widows and widowers, Bai Xiuxiu and the others took only one and a half wild sheep, six rabbits, and five pheasants.

Fortunately, it was already winter, so once they were frozen outside, these things were easier to carry.

Bai Xiuxiu and the others returned to the county with their haul.

She took out a pheasant and planned to visit Wang Laosan's house to inquire about Zhou Jiaojiao's situation.

She needed to know the current state of the woman who had harmed her and Qinghe in their previous life.

Qinghe didn't stop her.

When Zhao Cuihua saw Bai Xiuxiu, she was very surprised at first but then filled with joy.

"Sister-in-law... no, Xiuxiu, when did you two come back? Do you know about what happened with Old Wang’s family?" Zhao Cuihua invited the two into the house. Inside, Wang Laosan was taking care of the children.

When Wang Laosan saw Qinghe and Bai Xiuxiu, he was so startled that he stood up straight.

After a while, stammering, he said, "Big brother... I'm sorry."

That apology was something he owed Qinghe.

They had been exploiting Wang Qinghe for too long, and as all the people from Old Wang’s family were imprisoned, he grew uneasy. Afraid that it might be his turn next.

Wang Qinghe glanced at him indifferently. "We're here to ask around for information."

He would never be able to forgive anyone from the Wang family, but however, he didn’t have much enmity with Wang Laosan, and he didn’t plan to waste any more time on him.

“It’s about Zhou Jiaojiao and Dad, isn’t it? I can take you to see them!” Wang Laosan immediately offered.

He was allowed to visit.

Wang Qinghe looked over at his wife.

Bai Xiuxiu nodded in agreement.

She really wanted to see Zhou Jiaojiao in person.

“It’s still not too late. In two days, it will be New Year’s, and things won’t be as presentable then.” Wang Laosan hurriedly continued.

“Alright.” Wang Qinghe said as he put down the wild chicken.

Zhao Cuihua felt a wave of happiness; they could add more dishes to the New Year’s feast now. After they split the household, their life wasn’t bad, but they couldn’t possibly eat meat every day.

The chickens she had weren’t big enough yet!

“I’ll go with Xiuxiu, and you go with big brother to visit Old Wang.” Zhao Cuihua greatly disliked her father-in-law Wang Shoucheng.

Because of their reckless actions, her husband’s life at the factory had also turned difficult. But Wang Laosi was having an even tougher time than her husband.

After discussing it, the couple decided that each of them would take one person.

Bai Xiuxiu, of course, agreed. She didn’t want to see Wang Shoucheng either.

When Wang Qinghe went with Wang Laosan to visit, Wang Shoucheng’s expression changed drastically upon seeing Wang Qinghe, his eyes filled with murderous hatred.

“Wang Qinghe! You beast!”

“Dad, wake up! It’s you who owes big brother an apology.” Wang Laosan was stunned. What did Dad mean? Didn’t he want to leave a way out for himself?

If Dad offended big brother, wouldn’t big brother come after him for trouble?

Wang Qinghe wasn’t as angry as Wang Laosan thought.

He silently looked at the haggard and emaciated Wang Shoucheng, who was hardly in good shape, and smiled faintly. “Indeed, it’s worth coming to see you in person. Knowing that you’re living a life worse than a ghost, I feel at ease.

In this life, we will never meet again.

Wang Shoucheng, you must live well, because every day you live from now on will be torture for you.”

After saying that, regardless of how furious Wang Shoucheng became, he left.

Meanwhile, Bai Xiuxiu was visiting Zhou Jiaojiao.

Zhou Jiaojiao’s eyes turned red when she saw Bai Xiuxiu. “You? Why are you here? Did you come to laugh at my misery? Didn’t you ruin me, Bai Xiuxiu? Why did you harm me?

We had no grudges, yet you took what was mine!”

If it weren't for you, I would be living a perfect life now.

I was clearly the lucky one...

It's all because of you!

Zhou Jiaojiao shouted frustratedly.

Bai Xiuxiu felt very satisfied seeing her in there.

"You've probably misunderstood. It wasn't me who harmed you, nor did I steal your things. It was you who tried to push me into the water and kill me, and it's your own greed that got you into this situation. As for stealing your things, that's just absurd.

Zhou Jiaojiao, your life is none of my concern.

You've always had a problem with me, but it doesn't matter anymore. You might not be out for years.

And... by the time you see me again, you'll see the gap that the time you've lost has created."

Bai Xiuxiu felt happy knowing that Zhou Jiaojiao was suffering.

She was not someone to forgive easily, especially when Zhou Jiaojiao had ruined her life. If not for this stroke of luck in being reborn...

"You're not leaving! You have to save me!" Zhou Jiaojiao shouted desperately.

Bai Xiuxiu ignored her and, after leaving, went to find Wang Qinghe to meet up.