Chapter 400: No more grudges

On the other side.

Qiao Hui had stayed in the military for many years. Influenced by Lin Zhao in her conduct and dealings, the dusty, timid appearance she once had had long since vanished completely.

Stepping onto the soil of her hometown, she was filled with emotion. Thinking back on the past, it felt like a dream.

With a relieved smile, Qiao Hui walked toward her home.

"... You... are you the Qiao family's daughter?" The villagers were a bit hesitant to recognize Qiao Hui when they saw her.

Qiao Hui paused, looked in the direction of the voice, and the identity of the person calling her surfaced in her mind.

"Sister-in-law Hongmei?"

"It's me." Sister-in-law Hongmei, who had come out to splash water on her private plot, responded with a bright and enthusiastic smile, "It really is you. I haven't seen you for so many years; you've changed so much."

Hearing the voice, her mother-in-law also came out.

"Qiao Hui is back..." The old woman, who looked much more aged after not seeing her for several years, spoke up, "You look plumper and your spirit is much better. Life in the military is still better."

Qiao Hui smiled, "You are also looking more spirited, ma'am."

She didn't mention a single word about the military.

"You're busy, ma'am. I'll head back first; we'll chat another day."

Nodding to the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, she walked straight toward her home.

"The military really nourishes people. When Qiao Hui left, she didn't even dare to lift her head. After staying there for a few years, she looks much more poised." The old woman's expression was complex.

Her daughter-in-law Hongmei splashed the dirty water onto the vegetable patch and said, "Sister Qiao suffered so much after marrying that man before; she has finally come through the bitterness to sweetness. I'm happy for her."

Glancing at Qiao Hui's retreating back, Hongmei turned and went back into the house.

Her mother-in-law muttered, "The way you say that, it's as if I can't stand to see people do well."

The old woman had watched Qiao Hui grow up, after all, and she also hoped she would do well. She wasn't like some people in the village who were like they had caught 'red-eye disease,' treating what others had as what they had lost, feeling sour at everyone.

Qiao Hui returned home. Her mother was in the courtyard shelling corn, and her two nephews were helping nearby.

"I wonder when your aunt will be home." Qiao Mother's brows were lightly knitted, and there was a look of worry on her face.

Her daughter hadn't returned for many years, and she had almost thought Hui resented her—

Resented her for being blind and finding her such a husband, making her suffer so much.

"Grandma, don't worry. My dad said he'll go to the station to pick up Aunt tomorrow after he finishes the farm work."

The boy's mother came out of the kitchen and heard this, and she was immediately a bit unhappy.

Pick her up for what? It's not like she doesn't know the way.

Why waste the effort? There's so much to do at home.

Thinking of the packages her sister-in-law had sent her mother-in-law over the years, she didn't say anything unpleasant.

Those packages were said to be for her mother-in-law, but her own little cubs hadn't eaten little of them either.

She was uneducated, not immoral; she couldn't do the thing of putting down the bowl and cursing the mother.

Just as she was about to say something, she lifted her eyes and saw the person at the gate.

"Sister-in-law? You're back?!"

Hearing this, the several children who were shelling corn ran toward the gate like the wind.

"Aunt! Aunt!!"

Several voices filled with excitement rang out.

Qiao Hui smiled, touched the heads of her nephews and nieces one by one, and walked into the courtyard holding the hand of the youngest nephew.

Qiao Mother stood up abruptly and walked toward Qiao Hui, looking at her the whole time, her eye sockets brimming with tears.

"Mother, I'm back." Qiao Hui saw that the hair at her mother's temples had turned white, and her heart felt a wave of soreness; she almost shed tears.

Before the tail of her voice faded, she was pulled into Qiao Mother's embrace.

The reassuring scent of sweat entered her nostrils.

"You child, to leave for so many years and not come back..." Qiao Mother pounded her daughter's back, two lines of tears falling, "You heartless stinky girl."

The old mother's fists landing on her back were very light, yet they felt like they were smashing into Qiao Hui's heart.

"It's far away, it's not easy to make a trip back." Qiao Hui said in a muffled voice, "Mother, Zhaozhao said that in a few more years, transportation will be convenient, and I'll be able to come back often!"

Qiao Mother let go of her daughter, looking at her the whole time, unable to take her eyes off her.

"How long are you staying this time?"

Qiao Hui said, "I can stay for a little less than half a month."

"Only a few days." Qiao Mother said with reluctance.

"There's no way, Xiang Yubao and the others still have classes." Qiao Hui helped her mother sit down, took a moment to nod to her sister-in-law, and then continued, "The children's studies cannot be delayed."

Qiao Mother was different from other rural women; she had a good relationship with Song Xiwei and was deeply influenced by her, knowing that reading more books had no downsides.

"That really can't be delayed, it's just that you've finally come back, and Mother can't bear to let you go."

Qiao Hui's heart warmed, and she smiled, "Qian Bao and Seeing Yaobao have started school, the family can spare people, I will come back often in the future."

She had saved all the wages Zhaozhao had given her over the years; to her, it was a huge sum of money, and she could afford the tickets.

"The round-trip tickets cost a lot of money, earning money isn't easy, you should just write letters back often. Mother knows you're doing well, and that's enough." Qiao Mother felt heartache for her daughter earning money not being easy.

Lin Zhao wasn't a difficult person to get along with, Qiao Hui thought to herself, and she wasn't having that hard a time either.

"I have my own judgment."

Qiao Sister-in-law asked curiously about the Gu family's affairs, all of which Qiao Hui brushed off casually, using the excuse that military matters required confidentiality.

Hearing this, Qiao Sister-in-law didn't dare to ask anymore.

"Sister-in-law must be hungry, right? I'll go cook you a bowl of noodles to pad your stomach first."

Without waiting for Qiao Hui to answer, she turned and entered the kitchen.

"Sorry to trouble you, Sister-in-law." Qiao Hui said politely.

When she first divorced and returned home, her sister-in-law had said a few unpleasant things. She could understand it, but there was a knot in her heart.

Once married, the husband's family isn't her home, and the maiden home isn't her own home either.

Divorce is the same.

"Aunt, you don't need to feel embarrassed." Qiao Hui's eldest nephew said, "My mother hasn't eaten little of the things you sent back; it's only right for her to cook noodles. What trouble is there?"

"Aunt, I've grown up, I can earn full work points, I can support you. This is your home, don't feel like you're living under someone else's roof." He added.

After his aunt left, he found out his mother had said things disliking his aunt, and he was so angry he could die, resenting his mother.

Didn't you see his mother had restrained herself a lot? If his mother didn't admit her mistake again, he wouldn't call her mother.

Qiao Hui's heart warmed as if she had tucked a hot water bottle into her chest in the middle of winter, "You're still growing, don't push yourself so hard, Aunt can support herself."

The youth said, "I just want Aunt to know that this will always be your home, there will always be a room for you. I've grown up, I can protect Aunt now!"

He was raised by his aunt and would always remember his aunt's kindness.

Qiao Hui's eyes turned red, and her nose was so sore she couldn't speak.

"Dashan has grown up."

Dashan looked at the smile on his aunt's face and scratched his head uncomfortably.

He was almost at the age to get engaged, of course he had grown up.

Qiao Mother said, "Dashan is a person with a conscience. Have you seen that new room?"

"I saw it."

"Dashan saved money to build it for you." Qiao Mother knew her daughter was uneasy and tried every way to put Qiao Hui's heart at ease, "Dashan said that room is yours, and no one else can live in it."

She pulled her daughter into the new room.

"The bed and wardrobe inside were made by your brother finding someone; I also added a little. No one has lived in this room; it's left for you. No matter when you come back, you'll have a place to stay."

Qiao Hui looked at this new room, her eyes aching severely.

The house was just an ordinary mud-brick house, the walls were pasted with newspapers, the floor was level, and the windows were opened wide, surprisingly and extravagantly fitted with glass.

"The glass was sent by your Aunt Song." Qiao Mother said.

Dashan said from behind, "Aunt, do you like it? If there's anything you don't like, tell me, and I'll change it after you leave."

Qiao Hui turned and hugged her eldest nephew, "I like it, no need to change it, I like everything about it. Dashan has a heart."

A big young man blushed, "I was raised by Aunt, I remember it all. If I didn't remember your kindness, what would be the difference between me and a white-eyed wolf? Aunt, rest, I'll go see if my mother has finished cooking."

Watching his retreating back, Qiao Hui smiled.

Looking around the room, her heart felt unprecedentedly relaxed.

"Mother, why do I feel Dashan is acting strange?"

Qiao Mother was silent for a moment, pulled her daughter to sit down, and explained the reason to her.

"Dashan found out that when you first returned to your maiden home, your sister-in-law spoke harshly, and he was furious. After you left home, he put his whole heart into earning money."

"That boy didn't know where he found out that the county pharmacy was buying venomous snakes, and the price wasn't low, so he actually hid it from us and went to catch snakes, almost losing his life..."

Qiao Hui's face turned pale.

She was filled with lingering fear.

"Catching venomous snakes? How did he dare!"

Qiao Mother sighed, "He said he wanted to build a room for you. He said his mother didn't act like a human, bullying her sister-in-law, so he wanted to build a room that belonged to you, to keep you far away from your sister-in-law."

When this scene happened, the atmosphere was very tense.

Her son almost beat his eldest grandson, and after Dashan was pushed to the limit, he loudly said the words that had been suppressed at the bottom of his heart.

Her daughter-in-law only then knew that Dashan resented her and almost harmed her son... If she hadn't realized her mistake, the knot in Dashan's heart might not have been untied even now.

"Dashan he..." Qiao Hui's emotions were complex and hard to describe, "I didn't know."

Qiao Mother stroked her daughter's hair and said, "Your sister-in-law sometimes speaks harshly, but she has no bad intentions. Don't hold grudges against her, okay?"

The bedding in this room was all her daughter-in-law's apology.

She could understand her daughter-in-law; she was worried that having a divorced sister-in-law would affect her daughter's engagement.

It's normal for people to say a few unpleasant things when they are annoyed.

Qiao Hui smiled, her eyes full of relief, "No more grudges. I also have problems."

She was divorced and abandoned, which indeed had an impact on the engagements of her nephews and nieces.

There's no way, the countryside is just like this.

After Qiao Hui finished her noodles, Qiao Eldest Brother returned.

The honest and simple brother saw his sister back and smiled, revealing a mouthful of white teeth.

"I'll go kill a chicken."

He put down his farm tools and rushed to the backyard.

Qiao Hui stepped forward and gripped his arm.

"Brother, no need to kill a chicken, keep the chicken to lay eggs, I brought meat when I came back."

Qiao Eldest Brother's tired face was filled with smiles, "Coming back is enough, why bring meat? Keep the money and tickets for yourself, don't spend them recklessly."

Little Shan sucked on the candy in his mouth and said loudly, "Aunt also brought candy, milky-scented candy, so delicious."

"Your aunt is good to you, you must be filial to your aunt when you grow up." Qiao Eldest Brother habitually brainwashed his son.

"..." Qiao Sister-in-law couldn't help but curl her lips.

It was precisely because of this that the son she had given birth to through life and death regarded his aunt as more important than her, his mother.

It made her so angry.

Even so, Qiao Sister-in-law didn't dare to say anything else; the commotion her husband and son had made earlier had scared her to death!

Her sister-in-law was a good person, good to her husband and children, nothing to hold grudges about.

It was also because Qiao Hui left home early; distance makes the heart grow fonder. If she had stayed at home, it might have been another scene.

Lin Zhao's family lived in the village for more than half a month and it was time to set off back to the military region.

Gu Chenghuai rode his bicycle to the county and booked the train tickets.

He had his officer's ID, so booking tickets went smoothly. He still bought sleeper tickets, which were very expensive, but made people feel very at ease.

Learning the departure time, Lin Zhao calculated in her heart and gave an order, letting the children pack their things.

"Only bring what's necessary, don't stuff everything inside. We're traveling light, and your father and I won't help you carry luggage, oh."

Seeing Yaobao looked up, watching Gu Chenghuai with eager eyes, her voice soft and sweet, "Daddy."

It was clearly wanting her daddy to help her carry her luggage.

Gu Chenghuai glanced at his wife and gave his daughter an expression of being unable to help, "I listen to your mother."

Seeing Yaobao's big eyes revealed confusion.

She didn't understand why her daddy changed so fast. Yesterday he said, no matter what requirements Seeing Yaobao had, as long as Daddy could do it, he would satisfy you.

Only one night had passed.

Gu Chenghuai said, "Your mother feels heartache for me, I can't hurt her heart, so... handle your own affairs yourselves."

Not daring to look at his daughter's clear and admiring eyes, he hugged Lin Zhao and returned to the room.

Gu Hangbao half-squatted down, leaned to his sister's ear, and whispered, "It's okay, Second Brother has less to bring, you can stuff your things into my luggage."

"Thank you Second Brother, Second Brother is so good." Seeing Yaobao said crisply.

Gu Hangbao held his index finger against his lips, "Keep your voice down, keep it a secret, otherwise Mother will scold me again."

Seeing Yaobao covered her mouth and said in a breathy voice, "I won't say, I won't tell anyone."

"Good."

In the blink of an eye, it was the day of departure.

After saying goodbye to the people at the old house, the family of six sat on the ox cart. They weren't in a hurry to go to the train station, first going to the Wei family to pick up Wei Yan.

When the ox cart reached the Wei family gate, the two Stones called out to people one after another. Wei Yan jumped onto the cart, sat next to Xiang Yubao, and pointed to the empty spot.

"Brother, put my luggage here." He directed.

Wei Chuan, which was Big Stone, glanced at his younger brother faintly. He really knew how to order him around.

He lowered his eyes and put down the bulging luggage.

Wei Chuan was already a big young man, half a head taller than Lin Zhao.

"Big Stone is almost as tall as his brother-in-law." Lin Zhao looked at Gu Chan.

Gu Chan patted her eldest son's shoulder, her eyes full of gratification, "Yes, Big Stone eats a lot and grows fast. Looking at this trend, he'll be as tall as Chenghuai in the future."

The third brother was even taller than her man.

"Nephews follow their uncles, eat well, and you will." Lin Zhao smiled.

Wei Chuan followed Gu Chan's looks, his brows and eyes were good-looking, his eyes were pitch black like ink, standing there in a long line, his skin color was bronze, and there was a thin layer of muscle on his body, looking very different from when he was a child.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gu Chenghuai looked at his wristwatch and reminded, "Time to go."

Lin Zhao didn't delay anymore, sat back on the ox cart with her man's support, and waved to her eldest sister's family.

"Eldest Sister, Brother-in-law, Big Stone, let's chat next time. Don't worry about Little Stone, we will send him back to the training base."

Gu Chenghuai also sat on the ox cart.

"Let's go."

With a crack of the whip, the ox cart drove forward.

Gu Chan walked forward a few steps, Lin Zhao said, "No need to see us off, Eldest Sister, go back."

"Send me a telegram when you arrive." Gu Chan raised her voice, "Write a letter if anything happens."

"Got it."

This scene was seen by the villagers.

"Little Stone is leaving again?"

Gu Chan suppressed the overflowing reluctance in her heart and tugged at the corners of her mouth, "Yeah, no way, he's a person of the country now, receiving subsidies, he has to listen to orders. It's not bad that he could stay at home for a few days!"

The person speaking couldn't help but feel sour.

Little Stone was only that small and already receiving the country's subsidies, earning more than adults.

Before, those people in the village were spreading rumors, saying Little Stone was sold by his parents... Who could have thought the Wei couple actually found him such a good future.

Playing that whatever ball could earn an iron rice bowl, this was something they didn't even dare to think about.

If they had known... if they had known Little Stone was practicing at the gate back then, she would have let her grandson follow and learn, maybe he would be receiving subsidies now too. ===== CHAPTER 401 =====