When Xu Qingning woke up, it was already evening.

In the living room were red basins, red thermos flasks, and other items that Xu Jianguo and Jiang Yumei had bought from the supply and marketing cooperative, clearly intended for Tang Wenya's wedding.

The male and female protagonists in the original book got married before taking the college entrance exam. They were very affectionate and even had a son during the winter break.

Meanwhile, Xu Qingning was still toiling away in the countryside, doing farm work and being ridiculed by others.

Jiang Yumei was cooking in the hallway, while Xu Jianguo assisted her. The two were all smiles as they chatted and cooked, their relationship loving and harmonious.

Jiang Yumei was both guilty and excited: "I was thinking of waiting until Ya Ya graduates from university before talking about marriage. Who knew that Xiao Tingshen actually wanted to get married before going to university? It's clear that he really cares about our Ya Ya."

He felt guilty because he had to keep Tang Wenya's pregnancy a secret from Xu Jianguo, but he was also excited because his daughter was getting married.

She married Xiao Tingshen, whom they all liked.

“Yes, Xiao Tingshen comes from a good family and is really good to Ya Ya. If he wants to get married, we can’t refuse.” Xu Jianguo was also quite surprised by Tang Wenya’s marriage to Xiao Tingshen, but since he could get related to Xiao Tingshen’s family, he had no reason to object. “As long as Ya Ya is willing, we won’t make things difficult for Xiao Tingshen. The dowry and such will be just a token amount.”

Thinking of Xu Qingning, he felt another surge of anger.

If she were as sensible as Ya Ya, studying properly, or even dating and getting married, he wouldn't have sent her to the countryside. That brat is pregnant out of wedlock, and doesn't even know who the father is…

“That’s what I think too.” Jiang Yumei nodded repeatedly. She appeared calm, but she was more anxious than anyone else. “We’re marrying off our daughter, not selling her. As long as the Xiao family has shown their sincerity, that’s enough.”

Xiao Tingshen said that in addition to the three major items—a bicycle, a sewing machine, and a watch—the betrothal gifts would be handled according to the highest standards of Jiaodong City, including a dowry of sixty yuan and a pig's leg.

This made Jiang Yumei very happy.

After finishing discussing Tang Wenya's matter, Jiang Yumei wiped her hands on her apron and hesitated before speaking, "As for Qingning... I heard from Wenya that Qingning came back this afternoon, and it seems she didn't go for an abortion."

Xu Jianguo frowned: "You don't need to worry about Qingning's matter. Let her handle it herself."

He gave all the money to Xu Qingning so that she could get this over with as soon as possible. If she dared not go, he would force her to have an abortion.

He had already spoken to the educated youth office and said that Xu Qingning would be allowed to go to the countryside in two months.

“I’m partly responsible for what happened to Qingning,” Jiang Yumei said with a guilty look. “I didn’t know anything about it…”

“It’s not your fault. She’s twenty years old and an adult.” Xu Jianguo was angry, but getting angry wouldn’t solve anything. “Tomorrow I’ll have Liang Yufeng come and go to the clinic with her. Even if any rumors get out, she can go to the countryside to avoid trouble. She’ll be fine when she comes back in a while.”

Liang Yufeng is Xu Qingning's aunt and also works at the No. 3 State-owned Cotton Mill. She doesn't live in a tenement building, but lives with her mother-in-law's family in an old house in a nearby urban village.

Emotionally, Xu Qingning is closer to her.

"Alright." Jiang Yumei nodded, then couldn't help but bring up what happened at noon, feeling a little wronged. "You saw it yourself, Qingning didn't believe me. It would have been better if her aunt had gone with her."

"Then it's settled." Xu Jianguo's mood improved when he heard Jiang Yumei say that. He patted Jiang Yumei's shoulder and said gently, "I was also wrong about what happened at noon. I won't be so impulsive in the future. When Liang Yufeng comes, let Qingning talk to her. We don't need to worry about it anymore."

“Okay, let’s do it this way.” Jiang Yumei was very satisfied with Xu Jianguo’s arrangement and repeatedly instructed, “Tell her what you have to say. She only did this because she was confused for a moment.”

Dinner consisted of stir-fried bean sprouts, pickled vegetables, corn porridge, and a plate of sweet potatoes, about seven or eight in total.

Xu Qingning picked up a bowl of corn porridge and slowly drank it. She didn't have much of an appetite; she hadn't eaten lunch and didn't feel hungry.

But she still had to eat for the sake of the baby in her belly.

Tang Wenya kept glancing at the unknown character Xu Qingning. Could it be that she also had a system with her?

The system proactively explained: "No, this system is the only system in this book, and it only provides services to the female protagonist."

"Qingning, your aunt will come to accompany you to the health center for surgery tomorrow. It's not too late for you to rest at home for a while before going to the countryside." Xu Jianguo said calmly while eating. "When you get to the countryside, work hard and don't cause any more trouble."

"Your father will find a way to transfer you back in six months at most," Jiang Yumei added. "Tomorrow I'll buy a chicken to nourish you, and tell everyone I was sick..."

"Okay," Xu Qingning replied perfunctorily, too lazy to continue the conversation. After finishing her meal, she got up, went back to her room, locked the door, and began packing her luggage.

Whether Zhao Jingyu acknowledges it or not is no longer important.

She has fifty yuan in hand right now, which should be enough to cover rent, furniture, and living expenses for two or three months.

Perhaps because she had taken a nap in the afternoon, Xu Qingning couldn't sleep after finishing her tidying up and lying in bed. She tossed and turned, thinking about her current situation. Since such an unbelievable thing as transmigrating into a book had already happened, complaining was useless.

The right approach is to strive to secure as many resources as possible for yourself.

"A poor home makes for a rich road." If you're planning to move out, you have to be prepared to start from scratch.

Thinking of this, she quietly sat up and climbed off the bed. This time she moved out and didn't plan to come back. She also had to pack up and take the autumn and winter clothes in the closet with her. The lower bunk was empty. Tang Wenya hadn't gone back to her room, so she must have already gone to sleep in Jiang Yumei's room.

Every time Xu Jianguo was on duty, she would go to sleep with Jiang Yumei. The mother and daughter had endless things to talk about. It's so good to have a mother.

Xu Qingning had very few autumn and winter clothes. In autumn, she had two faded blue coarse cloth square-neck suits, and in winter, she had only an indigo cotton-padded jacket, a pair of plaid cotton-padded trousers, and a pair of black cotton-padded shoes, all of which were bought for her by her biological mother when she was alive.

After that mother and daughter married into the family, Xu Jianguo's favoritism turned. Whenever Xu Qingning had something nice, Xu Jianguo would say that Tang Wenya had been pitiful since childhood and force Xu Qingning to give it to Tang Wenya...

Xu Qingning's mind raced. She quietly opened Tang Wenya's wardrobe. Tang Wenya had taken it from the original owner, so it wasn't unreasonable for her to take it back for the original owner, right?

In less than half an hour, she had packed all her luggage.

There was also a Butterfly brand sewing machine against the wall, which was a memento left by her mother, Liang Yuling. She would try to take it with her once she was settled.

At night, my dreams are chaotic.

One moment I dream of her giving an acceptance speech at an international fashion show, where she is a glamorous fashionista, surrounded by admirers. The next moment I dream of her being pinned to an operating table, struggling desperately, but no one cares.

I woke up covered in sweat.

It was already daylight.

Footsteps could be heard in the hallway.

Jiang Yumei got up and cooked breakfast, which consisted of corn porridge, steamed buns, and pickled radish.

Xu Jianguo was on duty last night and came back early. He chatted with Jiang Yumei for a few minutes, then went inside to change into his work clothes and took out a newspaper from his bag to read.

He had just sat down when Liang Yufeng arrived. She ignored Jiang Yumei, pushed open the door and entered the room, asking expressionlessly, "Brother-in-law, how is Qingning?"

Since Xu Jianguo remarried, Liang Yufeng has never come to their house. If it weren't for her niece, she wouldn't have come at all.

Less than a year after her sister passed away, Xu Jianguo hastily married Jiang Yumei. Ha, men!

"She hasn't gotten up yet..." Xu Jianguo found it hard to say, and pointed awkwardly to the bedroom door, "Go ask her."

Liang Yufeng has a fiery temper.

If they find out Xu Qingning is pregnant, believe me, they'll curse him and Jiang Yumei together. Ever since he remarried, Liang Yufeng hasn't given him a kind look.

Xu Qingning was surprised that Liang Yufeng arrived so early. She invited Liang Yufeng to sit down and said, "Auntie, I just have a headache, it's not that serious."

Liang Yufeng was actually quite good to Xu Qingning, but she had three children to raise and her life wasn't easy, so she couldn't take care of her niece on a regular basis.

The original owner had only so-so feelings for her and didn't have much contact with her.

But Xu Qingning didn't think that way. She was stuck with the role of a villainous female supporting character, and it was too rare to find someone who loved and protected her like this!

She will try to win over all the relatives who are kind to her; a hero needs three helpers, and more relatives mean more options!

Liang Yufeng breathed a sigh of relief: "Your dad said you were sick. I couldn't sleep all night. I asked my boss for half a day off yesterday. We'll go to the clinic for a check-up this morning."

Xu Qingning smiled and said, "Okay, I'll wash my face and we'll go now."

When she confesses to her aunt later, her aunt will scold her a few times, but she won't disregard her wishes.

Once she finds a place to live, she'll find a way to earn money so she can support herself and her child.

As soon as the two of them got downstairs, they saw a dark green Liberation truck rumble to a stop at the entrance of the building. The truck was carrying a pig and a sheep, and a big red flower was tied to the front of the truck with a red ribbon, making it festive and stylish.

A group of onlookers followed behind the truck.

The crowd followed with great interest. With such a grand display, was Xiao Tingshen here to deliver the betrothal gifts?

Xiao Tingshen and Tang Wenya were inseparable, their relationship couldn't be better.

The car door opened, and Zhao Jingyu jumped out of the driver's seat first. Upon seeing Xu Qingning, he stepped forward and looked at her thoughtfully: "Were you waiting for me?"

Seeing that he believed her, Xu Qingning secretly rejoiced, but didn't show it on her face: "What are you doing here?"

"Didn't you say yesterday that you wanted me to marry you?" Zhao Jingyu, still holding a red and gold-plated gift box, looked at her with a half-smile. "I've come to present my betrothal gifts!"

Two young men jumped out of the passenger seat, one of whom asked, "Boss, which floor should we take it to?"

"Second floor, Xu Jianguo's house." Zhao Jingyu had been here twice before and knew the way well.

"Zhao Jingyu, are you mistaken?" Liang Yufeng was a little angry. She knew Zhao Jingyu; he was a small-time hoodlum at the Ocean Company. She had never heard of him having anything going on with Xu Qingning, so why was he giving her a betrothal gift?

“That’s right, I’ve found out very well.” Zhao Jingyu’s words had a double meaning. Without looking at Xu Qingning, he waved his hand and said, “Brothers, give it your all and carry them all up.”

What's going on? Is Zhao Jingyu here to deliver betrothal gifts to Xu Qingning?

The crowd erupted in uproar.

Jiang Yumei said that Xu Qingning would be going to the countryside in two months, so why is she suddenly getting married?

Hey everyone, my new book is out! A new story, a new journey—I hope you all enjoy it! This new book is asking for your support with favorites, recommendations, and monthly votes. Thank you!