Cai Hechuan also thought it necessary to have a proper talk with Li Qiao. Openly defying his elder, was she not planning to be with him anymore?
When Li Qiao returned home, she originally planned to leave right after setting down her things, but her stepmother retained her with insincere courtesy. Then Jinhua pulled her into the room for a private chat.
The conversation revolved around Cai Hechuan.
For instance, he had two blind dates in half a month, each with family conditions better than hers.
For instance, he planned to bring her along for the new school year, to rent a place near the school.
Jinhua waited for Li Qiao to be sorrowful and desolate, waiting for her to turn sadness into joy.
But she was expressionless.
"Third sister, what's wrong with you? Heartbroken to the point of stupidity?"
Li Qiao brooded for a moment and sighed, "What can sadness change? I've realized that since I'm already married, I shouldn't have any entanglements with Cai Hechuan."
Li Qiao's transformation caught Jinhua by surprise, who criticized while stunned, "I've been worried sick about your affair, even considering using the money I've been saving for a long time to help you. I didn't expect you to back out in the end."
Li Qiao's gaze gradually sharpened, "So you want me to elope with him and be the talk of Tulou Village? Make our parents lose face?
Jinhua felt guilty, "Of course not."
"What are you two sisters up to in the room? It's time to eat." Dong Lamei knocked on the door.
"Yeah." Li Qiao was the first to leave the room.
Jinhua was entangled with Li Qiao's change, articulate and sharp, a little unlike the Li Qiao from her memories. If she didn't go with Cai Hechuan, how could she marry Qin Jin and become a rich wife?
Jinhua carefully recalled the juicy gossip between Li Qiao and Cai Hechuan from her previous life.
She indeed remembered something. In the first year of her marriage with Qin Jin, Li Qiao wore a red coat back to her parental home to visit relatives and was seen diving into a haystack at the entrance of the village with Cai Hechuan that very afternoon.
This rumor reached Qin Jin's ears. Li Qiao was beaten black and blue, crying and demanding proof, and that he should confront the rumor spreader.
Li Qiao had somebody specify the exact time slot when she and Cai Hechuan entered the haystack.
The person could not, and instead was accused by Li Qiao of spreading rumors.
In the end, the matter fizzled out without consequence. This time, she directly called Qin Jin to catch them in the act. By then, even if Li Qiao didn't run off with Cai Hechuan, Qin Jin would have to divorce her.
Wouldn't her opportunity come?
…
After the meal, Li Qiao left her parents' home and started back toward Feng Family Village the same way she had come.
She had just left the village when someone called out to her.
It was Cai Hechuan, dressed in a sharp outfit, hair meticulously combed, pushing a bicycle like a refined intellectual.
Li Qiao laughed, bending over. Was this get-up especially for her to see?
"You're still able to laugh." Cai Hechuan criticized with dissatisfaction, "My mother is almost angered to death by you. What the hell is your problem? You don't want to be with me anymore, is that it?"
After having her laugh, Li Qiao became serious again, "It seems I wasn't clear enough during my return visit."
Cai Hechuan, recalling how Li Qiao took a punch for Qin Jin, his face turned red and green with anger, finally he managed to squeeze out, "My mother wasn't wrong; you're not worth marrying."
Li Qiao rolled her eyes, how grown up and still needing mommy to differentiate right from wrong, pathetic! "Thanks to your mother for sparing me the marriage."
She walked away briskly.
Cai Hechuan clenched his teeth, was that a jibe? "Li Qiao, you'll regret it."
Li Qiao whistled.
She'd regret nothing!
Cai Hechuan was anguished; she had even learned to whistle like a hooligan! Cursed Loser Qin, corrupting good people.
Could she have slept with Loser Qin too?
Realizing this, a vein throbbed on his forehead as he cursed, "Flirt!"
Li Qiao didn't hear clearly, nor did she want to ask. After walking a bit more, she looked back to see Cai Hechuan's silhouette, riding his bike while still trying to manage his hair ruffled by the wind.
Oh, original host, look at the man you loved!
Vain and preening.
Changing into two sets of brand new clothes a day but too stingy to gift a pair of warm gloves, causing me to suffer along with you.
So cold.
No money to buy gloves, no man to warm them, so I'll just tuck my hands in my pockets.
...
A national highway lies between Tulou Village and Feng Family Village.
Li Qiao came to the roadside and stopped to look around when she saw a minibus about ten meters away.
She planned to wait for the minibus to pass before crossing, but the vehicle stopped right in front of her.
The door opened, and a person descended.
It was Qin Jin, who had disappeared for half a month.
Dressed in black, tall and upright.
Carrying a large bag, she exclaimed in surprise, "Jin, where have you been these days?"
"What, you missed me?" Qin Jin was not behaving properly.
Li Qiao candidly said, "Yes." Mainly because when he wasn't home, the production team's tasks that involved lifting heavy objects all fell to her, which was too much to bear.
Also, there was the matter of buying review materials; she was worrying about how to approach Old Mrs. Qin for help, but with him, there was less psychological pressure.
Qin Jin was taken aback. The tips of his ears gradually reddened, and his heartbeat became erratic. He had fled outward because she had irritated him, and now that he just returned, she had upset him again.
A troublemaker!
He said with a harsh tone, "You miss me? Why are you here? Did you go back to your mother's house to meet your lover?"
Li Qiao felt wronged, "I really missed you. If you don't believe me, you can ask Grandma. I frequently asked her where you went. Going back to my mother's house was to deliver gifts before the New Year." She added with emphasis, "I didn't see Cai Hechuan, can you please not say such unpleasant things?"
The young girl's eyebrows and eyes drooped slightly, her voice soft, filled with helplessness.
Qin Jin felt a tightness in his chest and couldn't help but reflect on whether he had been too aggressive.
But he still insisted on being tough, "The more you say you didn't see him, the more certain I am that you did. You'd better not let me catch you red-handed!"
Li Qiao was annoyed but she needed his help for something important, and couldn't afford to fall out with him, so she patiently repeated, "I really didn't see him." She pointed to his bag, "What's in there that's so big and bulging?"
"None of your business."
Li Qiao offered to help him carry some of the things.
"No need."
The young man had long legs and a quick stride; Li Qiao had to jog to keep up with him. From a distance, she saw Peng Chunhua and Old Mrs. Qin, and a group of women gathering by her home's wall.
Qin Jin pulled Li Qiao aside, "You go ahead and send the people at the door away."
Li Qiao didn't understand. Her gaze fell on the package in his hand. Did it contain something shameful, afraid of being seen by others?
She'd ask about it later.
Obediently, she responded with an "uh-huh" and continued back.
Peng Chunhua, with sharp eyes, spotted her and laughed mockingly, "Oh, look who's back, the future college student."
"Sister-in-law, you flatter me too much." Li Qiao approached and greeted the other aunties as well.
"This morning, I saw you at the village entrance with Zou, the educated youth, and Principal Han. What were you three up to?"
Peng Chunhua deliberately said this in front of everyone, keenly observing Old Mrs. Qin's reaction. But Old Mrs. Qin was only concerned about whether Li Qiao had had lunch or not, which disappointed her greatly.
"I did." Li Qiao answered frankly, "I went back to my mother's house to deliver gifts. They were passing Tulou Village with their walking tractor, so I hitched a ride. Grandma, I have something to discuss with you, let's go inside to talk."
"What's the matter that you must talk about inside?" Old Mrs. Qin smiled at the neighbors, "I'm not chatting today, alright?"
Peng Chunhua and a few others also said they were going home.
After shutting the front door, Li Qiao lowered her voice, "Jin is back, hiding with a big bag near the threshing field haystacks."
Old Mrs. Qin finally felt relieved, as the young rascal had left a message about making money for a prosperous year and been gone for half a month.
It had her worrying all day long!
...
After about five minutes, the front door opened.