Chapter 97: Could it be that you still think Qiao Ge would refuse?

When Huang Juan came to work in the afternoon, she didn't see Lu Qiaoge. Just as she was feeling puzzled, she didn't expect Sister Qiao to come over and ask for leave on her behalf: "Qiao Ge said she's going to the department store to check on the situation at the food section; it will take about two hours."

Huang Juan had no choice but to let Sister Qiao go about her business.

Old Hu held his large tea mug and whispered, "You should have spoken directly to Qiao Ge this morning. If the factory manager calls me this afternoon and we haven't mentioned it yet, wouldn't that be a bit awkward?"

It would look as if we don't value it at all.

Heaven knows, when facing a blind date candidate like Qin Hengzhi, how could there possibly be any lack of interest?

Huang Juan: "... How can I just grab someone and talk to them about a blind date? Don't I need to find a suitable time and place? I can't just say it in front of everyone, can I?"

Old Hu thought about it and agreed that this made sense.

Just a moment ago, the Wei family had caused such a scene, and after watching the excitement, Sister Qiao had taken Qiao Ge and left.

There really hadn't been a suitable opportunity.

However, he asked Huang Juan out of curiosity: "What do you think Qiao Ge's reaction will be?"

Huang Juan also looked at him strangely: "Could it be that you still think Qiao Ge would refuse?"

Old Hu shook his head: "That's hard to say."

"How so?"

"This little comrade Qiao Ge has a very unique style of doing things. Sometimes she doesn't play by the rules. Who dares to be certain?"

Huang Juan laughed.

That really was true.

Even she herself wasn't sure what Lu Qiaoge's reaction would be after hearing that the person being introduced to her was Qin Hengzhi.

But she certainly wouldn't be like some girls, both surprised and delighted.

That girl is someone who can keep her cool.

Afterwards, the two of them started talking about Wei Qiang.

Huang Juan said: "I know Wei Qiang has a bad temper, but everyone says he's straightforward and simple-minded. But looking at him today, he doesn't seem so simple-minded after all."

Old Hu glanced at Huang Juan.

He had to admit that sometimes men and women look at problems from different angles.

He also knew what Huang Juan was worried about.

"For the time being, their marital relationship should be fine. This isn't a remote place where oversight is weak. Even if Wei Qiang has other thoughts, he wouldn't dare to go too far, unless he doesn't want his job anymore."

"But if he forces Zhang Quan to take the initiative to propose a divorce, could our neighborhood office really refuse to process the paperwork for them?"

Old Hu was stunned for a moment; this also made sense.

He frowned, remaining skeptical: "If he dares to lay a hand on Zhang Quan, the organization won't just stand by and watch."

Huang Juan sneered: "He's not stupid either; how could he lay a hand on a patient? But he can use other methods. Treating Zhang Quan the same way he treated Old Man Wei and Mother Liu today—isn't that achieving his goal in a roundabout way? I'm just worried he'll follow suit, and Zhang Quan isn't as cunning as he is."

Old Hu went silent, because he couldn't refute Huang Juan's words.

Today, Wei Qiang had indeed acted very cleverly.

He had severed ties with that family of bloodsuckers right here at the neighborhood office.

They weren't biological father and son, so this kind of relationship was easy to sever.

Although he didn't know the details, the neighbors knew what Wei Qiang had been like since he was a child.

From now on, Old Man Wei's family wouldn't dare to pester Wei Qiang regardless of how well he lives.

Of course, Old Man Wei's family is now afraid that Wei Qiang will pester them.

After all, their family now has a patient who cannot take care of themselves and a child who is only five years old.

Old Hu muttered to himself: "I heard from Wei Qiang's unit leader that he wasn't a very outstanding person. He didn't have much cunning. Could he have been provoked into this?"

Huang Juan was noncommittal; who knows?

Meanwhile, Wei Qiang had already arrived home. Zhang Quan was resting with her eyes closed, and Xiao Bao had been sent to kindergarten.

Hearing the sound of the door opening, Zhang Quan opened her eyes.

Wei Qiang stood at the doorway, frozen for a moment, before saying in a hoarse voice: "Xiao Quan, you're really smart. I did as you said, and the reaction on their side was exactly as you predicted. It's impossible for them to take out the gold bracelet, and they don't want to take care of you and Xiao Bao either, but they were worried about people gossiping, so they simply took the opportunity at the neighborhood office to sever all ties with me."

Zhang Quan looked at his expression and, discovering he wasn't sad, breathed a sigh of relief.

She said gently: "That's for the best. Otherwise, it would have been very awkward for you to interact with them in the future."

Wei Qiang looked at Zhang Quan with admiration. People who have attended technical school are just different. Although Zhang Quan is average-looking, her brain is truly smart enough.

Wei Qiang sighed with regret: "Actually, I thought at the time, if my aunt could give me one of the gold bracelets, I wouldn't mind continuing to be filial to them. Because logically, the gold bracelet should have been yours in the first place."

Zhang Quan looked at Wei Qiang with some surprise.

People of this era basically met through introductions.

Her family was ordinary, she was ordinary-looking, and she and Wei Qiang had also gotten married after being introduced by others and feeling it was good enough.

After marriage, like most families, she took care of the children, did housework, and went to work. Women, after getting married, don't they all live like this?

At this moment, Zhang Quan's mood was somewhat complicated, but for some reason, a warm current spread through her entire body. This was the first time she had felt this way since she became paralyzed.

Zhang Quan smiled gently at Wei Qiang. Then she said to him: "Don't worry, when there's an opportunity, I'll go and inquire about the matters regarding your father and mother."

Wei Qiang's eyes lit up. Zhang Quan's social skills were better than his; it would be much easier for her to inquire about things than him.

Wei Qiang reached out and somewhat stiffly tidied up the stray hair on Zhang Quan's forehead.

He said frankly: "Although I can't guarantee that I will take care of you until the end of time and never change, I can swear to you now that even if I have other thoughts, I will never do anything to wrong you while we are married."

Having said this, he paused: "If that day really comes, I promise I will arrange for you to be well taken care of."

Zhang Quan had known this truth for a long time.

They are both only in their twenties and still young.

Their feelings aren't that deep.

They are just the most ordinary couple in this world.

And how many loving couples abandoned each other without hesitation when disaster struck? That was a common occurrence just a few years ago.

Not to mention that she is in this state now.

Zhang Quan felt that as long as she could think it through, she could accept it. Now, seeing this, it was indeed so.

She smiled and said: "Okay!"

When that day comes, let him be free.

Qiao Ge was right; she is supported by the state. No matter how long she lives, as long as she gets sick, there's a place to get treated, and if she has nothing to eat, someone will give her a bowl of rice. That is enough for her.

Wei Qiang didn't feel a sense of relief; his mood was very complicated.

He said gloomily to Zhang Quan: "I'm going to cook."

Wei Qiang hadn't cooked since they got married; Zhang Quan basically did all the cooking.

But he knew how to cook, because he had learned to wash clothes and cook since he was ten years old.

At that time, many people said to Old Man Wei: "People say the youngest son and the eldest grandson are the most precious, how come you've reversed it?"

Wei Qiang clearly remembered that so-called uncle saying: "Boys shouldn't be pampered; make him able to do everything so he can marry a wife in the future."

Everyone praised the uncle for his advanced thinking and positive attitude.