Chapter 488

Seeing Qin Huairu enter, Jia Zhangshi anxiously chased after her and asked a question.

"Huairu, how did the matter go?"

After saying that, she probably felt that asking like that showed she didn't care much for Qin Huairu, so she hastily added a sentence to cover herself.

"Mom is also worried about you; have you settled the matter?"

"It's settled; I've already gotten the leave slip from the factory office, and I can take leave tomorrow."

Jia Zhangshi's doubtful gaze.

It fell on Qin Huairu's face.

"Wasn't she supposed to go see the street director?"

"How did she suddenly get the leave slip?"

"Could it be that...?"

She began to suspect that Qin Huairu had used immoral means to obtain the leave slip.

After years as mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, Qin Huairu could hardly fail to know what Jia Zhangshi was thinking; she merely felt that she had done something wrong to the Jia family again.

From the time she married into the siheyuan until now, she had never felt at ease with Qin Huairu.

In fact, she really had done something wrong to the Jia family.

After all, just thirty minutes ago she had been engaged in licentious activities with that guy, and a faint scent still lingered on her.

She sighed, met Jia Zhangshi's gaze, and began to defend herself.

"I'm this old—who would want me? I'm just a stinking night-soil worker at the steel mill; people avoid me if they can."

Jia Zhangshi gave a bright smile and said, "Huairu, Mom doesn't mean that; Mom just thinks this is strange."

"How strange?" Qin Huairu raised her eyebrows, looking at Jia Zhangshi, "Don't you just think I traded my body for this leave slip?"

"Huairu, Mom speaks without thinking; don't hold it against her. Mom just feels our Jia family seems to have been hit by a windfall."

Seeing Qin Huairu get angry, Jia Zhangshi hurried to smooth things over, using an rather inappropriate term.

"Windfall."

"Mom, I'm telling you, our Jia family seems to really be in luck."

Qin Huairu suddenly felt she should relate the matter concerning Deputy Factory Director Li.

Some things.

In the end, they would have to be known by Jia Zhangshi.

Rather than being passive later, it's better to take advantage of the current leverage over Jia Zhangshi and speak up now.

That could be considered a sudden inspiration.

Qin Huairu fabricated a reason, embellishing and inventing her relationship with Deputy Factory Director Li as much as possible, turning the transaction into repaying a kindness.

She said that Deputy Factory Director Li had once received a favor from Qin Huairu; just now, on the way to the street office, she saw Li fall on the road, unable to get up for a moment, so she kindly went to help him up. She had originally intended to send Li to the hospital, but Li said it was fine, Qin Huairu couldn't argue with him, seeing that Li's condition hadn't changed, she took him to Li's home.

When leaving, Deputy Factory Director Li asked Qin Huairu's name, and then realized she was the person who had saved his life before; he kept her, saying he would properly repay her, and upon hearing that Qin Huairu wanted to go to Dongbei to find her son, he gave her a leave slip.

This was basically a lie full of holes.

Yet Jia Zhangshi believed it without doubt.

Mainly because that violent rainstorm was too astonishing, and Qin Huairu had once been a squad leader; during the rainy season, raising a hand to give someone a bit of convenience was perfectly normal.

People are naturally greedy.

Upon learning that Qin Huairu was Deputy Factory Director Li's lifesaver, Jia Zhangshi at once complained to Qin Huairu, resenting that she hadn't mentioned Bangeng.

"Huairu, if Deputy Factory Director Li wants to repay your lifesaving kindness, now that he's a deputy director, getting Bangeng a job at the steel mill is just a matter of a word. Yan Fugui's third son, I heard, got his position through Shazhu's connections. Li is far senior to Shazhu, the canteen chief; if he put in a word, Bangeng would at least be a squad leader. Why didn't you mention Bangeng?"

According to Jia Zhangshi's thinking, if Bangeng entered the steel mill, that widow would naturally be unworthy of him; she would surely try to ditch the widow, then set up a good match for Bangeng, and Qin Huairu would give her job to Bangeng's wife, making the Jia family a doubly employed household envied by everyone in the siheyuan.

Seeing Jia Zhangshi so eager, Qin Huairu dropped the idea of keeping secrets, recounted Li's promise to her that he would get Bangeng a job at the steel mill, and urged Jia Zhangshi to be careful, absolutely not to speak of it before it was settled.

Jia Zhangshi nodded vigorously, then walked over to the wall where the portraits of Old Jia and Little Jia hung, clasped her hands, and muttered to the double Jia: "May heaven bless us, may the Jia family rise; Bangeng must not marry a widow," and similar whispers flew from her mouth into Qin Huairu's ears.

Qin Huairu sighed inwardly, finished washing up, and was about to go to sleep.

Jia Zhangshi, acting nervously, ran to Qin Huairu's bed, claiming it was a mother‑daughter heart‑to‑heart, insisted on sleeping together, not allowing Qin Huairu to object, her plump body slipped into the quilt, and then she urged Qin Huairu, her daughter‑in‑law.

Qin Huairu gritted her teeth, also crawled into the quilt, and the two women began to heart‑to‑chat, talking about all sorts of random things—how the Jia family should be, how Bangeng should be in the future, how to get Bangeng back, how to make Bangeng ditch that widow, how to prevent the widow from bringing her child along.

During the idle chatter and aimless talk.

Jia Zhangshi, whether intentionally or not, brought up You Fengxia, telling Qin Huairu that a distant relative had come to Shazhu's home, that in that violent rainstorm the whole family had perished, leaving only a young lady named You Fengxia.

Qin Huairu didn't think much of it.

At that time, many people died.

Those who survived were just lucky.

"Whether it's You Fengxia or not, what does it have to do with me?"

Having expended too much energy at Deputy Factory Director Li's place, she was also tired and didn't want to get involved in these baseless rumors.

But she hadn't expected Jia Zhangshi to grab her up and stare at her solemnly.

"Mom, it's almost eleven; tomorrow I still have to go to the steel mill to get leave approved, and this afternoon I'll take the train to Dongbei to pick up Bangeng—you've wanted Bangeng back for a long time, haven't you?"

"Huairu, Mom certainly wants Bangeng back, but there are some things we need to discuss."

Qin Huairu thought it was about the widow.

Jia Zhangshi had told her many times that it would be best for Bangeng to divorce the widow, and even if they couldn't divorce, they couldn't bring the widow's child back.

In Jia Zhangshi's own words, the Jia family's money would not be used to support another widow's child.

So she just replied with a quick "I know" to placate Jia Zhangshi.

But she hadn't expected that what Jia Zhangshi said to her was completely different.

"Huairu, the matter Mom wants to talk about isn't that; Mom wants to discuss You Fengxia in the rear courtyard."

"Mom, You Fengxia just moved in today; we hardly know her. Is it too early to talk about You Fengxia? She lives in the siheyuan, but she has no relation to us; besides, she lives in Shazhu's house, not ours."

Huairu, you've misunderstood what Mom meant.

So what do you say, what's wrong with You Fengxia?

Qin Huairu had thought that Jia Zhangshi envied the He family and You Fengxia, and would curse Shazhu or You Fengxia with foul language.

But she didn't expect Jia Zhangshi to have such big ambitions—she actually started scheming to take Shazhu's family property.

'Huairu, this is what Mom thinks: You Fengxia is good‑looking, although she's a country girl, but she is now a distant relative of Shazhu. Leaving aside other matters, just those houses Shazhu owns in the courtyard put us far behind—last night they even sold for a high price of one thousand yuan. You Fengxia is also the only child of Shazhu's distant relative in this world. If Bangeng marries You Fengxia, that's also the good fortune You Fengxia earned in her past life. Then our family and Shazhu's family would become in‑laws; would Shazhu's family have to give us a house?'

Qin Huairu watched Jia Zhangshi, who was busy scheming for her own benefit.

People felt a little numb.

This old lady.

Really bold to think that.

Bangeng hasn't come back yet, and he hasn't divorced the widow, but Jia Zhangshi has already begun scheming about You Fengxia, hoping to use Bangeng's marriage to You Fengxia to obtain a house from Shazhu's family.

'Mom, do you think this is possible?'

'What's impossible?' Jia Zhangshi put on an air of bestowing a great favor on You Fengxia, saying, 'When Bangeng returns, he'll be a city kid, a formal worker at the steel mill; what does You Fengxia have? Just a country girl—marrying her to our Bangeng is her fortune, and it's our Bangeng giving her a chance to eat city‑bought grain.'

'Mom, your idea isn't bad, but don't forget that Bangeng still has a widow wife; if she doesn't let go and comes back with him, then You Fengxia will surely find out about this.'

'So you need to be firmer about this: go to the Northeast, find Bangeng, and tell his wife straight out that our Jia family doesn't like widows who bring children; if she insists on coming with him, we won't support her child.'

'What if the widow doesn't want the child?'

Jia Zhangshi was stunned on the spot.

The widow doesn't want the child.

This really left Jia Zhangshi speechless.

'If it really won't work, then secretly tell Bangeng to bring you, his mother, and sneak back together; once you're back, surely the widow won't still come along?'

Qin Huairu put herself in their shoes and thought it over.

Jia Zhangshi's proposal.

It actually has some feasibility.

There are people around who sneak back.

'I'll see when the time comes.'

'Huairu, you can't just wait and see; this must be done. Our Jia family has only one room. When Bangeng returns and marries a wife, where will we two ladies live? We can't all crowd into one room with Bangeng's wife and our whole Jia family! Some things are inconvenient; only if Bangeng marries You Fengxia can we two continue living in this courtyard house; you don't want to follow me out to sleep on the streets, do you?'

At the same time, the Jia family mother and daughter were discussing letting Bangeng marry You Fengxia.

The neighbors of the courtyard house.

They were also scheming about the same thing.

Marry You Fengxia.

One reason is that You Fengxia's looks are good.

Everyone loves beauty.

Men all like pretty women.

Another reason is that You Fengxia is a distant relative of Shazhu, which appeals to many people; as for the household‑registration issue, the neighbors don't consider it important at all.

Who is Shazhu?

Formerly the head of the steel mill's cafeteria, now the backbone of Bai Xu restaurant.

He also has another identity.

He is Liu Jianguo's elder brother‑in‑law; just this identity alone can easily place You Fengxia's household registration on the street, so there's no need to buy grain at high prices.

The Yan family.

Yan Fugui muttered something to the Third Aunt.

'Old lady, what do you think about our family becoming in‑laws with Shazhu's family?'

'Shazhu's daughter is only ten, while our Old Third is already twenty‑two.'

'I'm talking about You Fengxia.'

'You mean that distant relative of Shazhu's family?'

'Hmm.'

'Her looks are fine, but she's a country girl; if she has a child later, what about the quota?'

'You, with long hair but short sight, can Shazhu, as an older brother, just stand by and watch this?'

'If you say so, that's fine; go ask Old Third what he thinks.'

What does Old Third think?

Nonsense.

Just because of You Fengxia's looks.

Old Third will have to agree.

We have to see what Shazhu thinks.

This is about becoming in‑laws with Shazhu.

…… No.

The next day, Qin Huairu, as she wished, obtained the approval slip from Deputy Factory Director Li, and smoothly got a fifteen‑day leave form from the head of the Cleaning Section.

That day she packed a little and boarded the train to the Northeast.

On the rumbling train.

Qin Huairu gazed at the mountains and rivers flying past outside the window, and involuntarily recalled what had happened the previous night.

After going through a lot of hardship.

Deputy Factory Director Li gave Qin Huairu a promise.

As long as Bangeng returns to the Capital City, he will give Bangeng a factory admission quota for Yagangchang.

Qin Huairu's heart.

It also fell to the ground.

She did not think Deputy Factory Director Li would deceive her.

After all, Qin Huairu now lacks her former grace, yet being looked upon favorably by Deputy Factory Director Li already explains the issue.

With Deputy Factory Director Li's promise.

The danger of family ruin and death that loomed over the Jia Family also vanished into thin air.

Last night, Jia Zhangshi also discussed with Qin Huairu the matter of Bangeng marrying You Fengxia; all of this requires a precondition: Bangeng must return, and he must not bring a widow, otherwise there is nothing to discuss.

……

Inside the Siheyuan.

Jia Zhangshi stopped Shazhu's family, who had come back at noon to eat.

Shazhu looked at the dead fat woman lying across his path, feeling somewhat puzzled; the Jia Family really had nothing to talk about with him.

Nevertheless, he patiently asked a question.

"Aunt Qin Huairu, didn't you stop the wrong person?"

"What do you mean stopping the wrong person? I, this old woman, just want to talk with you, Shazhu."

"Talk about what? Borrow money? Borrow a room? I heard you bought your family's house this morning; besides, what is there to discuss about our two families' relationship?"

"Shazhu, we need to talk only because our two families' relationship is bad; grievances should be resolved, not clung to. We've lived in this big courtyard for so many years—enough is enough, we don't see each other when we lower or raise our heads. Fengxia, do you say this is the right principle?"

Jia Zhangshi faced You Fengxia, who was following behind Shazhu.

She asked with a smile.

However, the fake smile she forced onto her face made the courtyard's atmosphere inexplicably grow a bit quieter, and also made Shazhu and the others feel a little nauseated.