This afternoon, Qiao Xin seemed to be walking on the paved road, which was relatively quiet. She had just gotten off a bus that she had been on for about five hours. Her right hand was dragging the suitcase she had been carrying, while her left hand held her tote bag tightly.
Qiao Xin took several deep breaths. She closed her eyes tightly, feeling the gust of wind and the fresh air in the middle of the green rice fields. Even a mountain seemed natural before her now.
Yes, she is now in her hometown. She wanted to visit her mother before she officially married that venerable Young Mr. Han. At first, Qiao Xin was hesitant, and she was so unwilling for Mother and younger sister to know about this matter. However, if she didn't tell her mother and younger sister, Xiao Chuan would be suspicious and ask about how and where her family was.
Qiao Xin never thought that her life would be like this. How could she be trapped in a contract marriage? When she imagines a perfect and happy marriage with the man she loves, but in reality, she is trapped by the man she hates so much.
Qiao Xin seemed to be crying, and she was confused by herself. She was confused by everything that was happening in her life. In the end, she is trapped in a relationship that is entirely beyond her understanding as a human.
Qiao Xin felt guilty, Qiao Xin felt guilty for toying with marriage in such a disgusting way. How could a sacred relationship she would taint with a covenant separate after someone died over it? Qiao Xin didn't expect it to happen.
"Qiao, what are you doing here? You're home?"
Qiao Xin turned her head, and her eyes fixed on her Uncle, who was pedaling a bicycle. He walked faster towards Qiao Xin then her Uncle smiled broadly. His clothes were shabby, his face was covered with sweat, and behind his bicycle was a pair of baskets filled with fresh grass.
"Uncle finished looking for grass for the horses uncle?" Qiao Xin asked, her Uncle nodding enthusiastically.
"Why do you look so thin, Qiao? Living in a big city makes you skinny like a broomstick. Come on, we have to get back home soon, your mom just got out of the hospital, and I'm pretty sure she'll be happy to see you here. How many years have you not been home? So far all you've been doing is stalling and always making excuses. Work always keeps you busy, and neglects your mother who is here. Work is always more important than your own mother." Uncle Qiao Xin continued to tell the story, the two of them immediately walking together while saying many things. Qiao Xin, who had missed her hometown, her Uncle, Mother, and younger sister, couldn't stop smiling. Especially every time her Uncle told her many things about her mother and younger sister. "You know that little bastard? Every time she goes to school, she always steals Uncle's bakpau. Making Uncle have to endure hunger until noon comes. Every time Uncle hit her in the ass, she always said, her age is the age of growth, food is very important to her. If she doesn't eat enough, how can she grow up and think fluently, she can't think when her stomach is empty. When I heard your little sister say that, I couldn't help but relent. Your little sister is exactly like you when you were a teenager, so annoying."
Qiao Xin chuckled at her Uncle's words, and she didn't expect it to happen to An Xin. The thing that made her a bad boy back then turned out to be her younger sister.
The nickname bad girl is not the right thing. When she was still alive, her late father did not have a steady job after being sick. Qiao Xin's family only had a piece of land planted with vegetables. Her mother will seek loans from neighbors or even the nearest shops if the vegetables are not yet harvested. Meanwhile, Qiao Xin and her younger sister are trying to find a side job to continue their education. That was the reason why they rarely had breakfast, except for stealing their Uncle's bak pau. But after her best friend came and lived with her, no matter what Qiao Xin's parents tried, even her family couldn't even afford to try to give their best. Every time Qiao Xin recalled that her heart became hurt and crushed because of her evil friend's actions.
"Uncle, actually I went home for a while. The day after tomorrow I'll be right back. There's something important I want to tell Mom, and also Uncle. But I'm still confused about whether Mother will accept this or not at all. I have to be honest with you, Uncle. But I couldn't tell my Mother anything really. Do you think you can talk to me about this kind of problem? I'm afraid if you find out what really happened."
Uncle Qiao Xin looked silent, and he didn't understand what his nephew was trying to say. But seeing that Qiao Xin was so severe and looked so discouraged like this couldn't be taken lightly. How could he not? He knew his nephew very well. And Qiao Xin was the type of woman who would keep things to herself if she wasn't in a rush.
"Qiao, what happened? You can talk to Uncle first before Uncle can decide if it's appropriate for us to talk to your mother. Because after all, your mother just got out of the hospital and has undergone several surgeries, her condition is still not stable let alone to discuss serious issues. So tell Uncle, is that what you wanted to tell me?"
"I'm getting married, Uncle. Next week I'm getting married," Qiao Xin replied. Her Uncle seemed silent, and her eyes didn't even blink at all. Uncle Qiao Xin never expected that his niece would come home and deliver shocking news like this. How not, Qiao Xin barely seemed to bring her lover home or anything. How could his niece suddenly get married? A thing that Uncle Qiao Xin thought if it was out of his mind at all.
"You're getting married? With whom? How can? Even though all this time you have never brought your lover to come here?"