Chapter 29 It seems something has happened to my wife.

"What... what's going on?"

Wu Yufang pulled her sister-in-law aside to ask, but her eyes kept glancing at her mother-in-law inside the house.

What happened? When she left, my mother-in-law was scolding my second uncle for doing something inhuman. But when she came back, she not only brought back a female educated youth, but her attitude also changed. She was enthusiastically tidying up the house.

The female educated youth brought back looked young, fair-skinned, and had a sweet tongue. Everyone called her "sister" and "grandmother" or "aunt."

How did this happen? Her mother-in-law went out for a while and suddenly she had a former educated youth niece?

“Oh, she’s an educated youth from Jinshi. She came all the way to our countryside. She’s so young, only eighteen. Mom saw that the girl was pitiful and that she was on good terms with my younger sister, so she took her home.”

Although Chen Meiling wasn't exactly unhappy, she still felt uneasy. There was a stranger in the house, and she felt strangely uncomfortable.

Chen Meiling complained to her sister-in-law, "Mom, this person looks tough, but she's actually kinder than anyone else. What do they say in the plays? A chivalrous heart!"

"Mom meant well, but it's just that a stranger suddenly moved into our house, even though it's a woman, and I still feel uneasy."

Wu Yufang nodded in agreement. Indeed, although her mother-in-law seemed fierce and short-tempered, she was actually a very kind person with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Anyway, she thought her mother-in-law was the best mother-in-law ever. There was no one as good as her mother-in-law in the whole village. She was capable in both domestic and foreign affairs, and she treated her daughter-in-law better than her son. Whenever there was heavy or tiring work, her mother-in-law would arrange for her father-in-law to take her husband and her second brother to do it.

She and her second brother's wife also received any good things the family received. Moreover, her mother-in-law did not discriminate against girls; the women in the family could not only eat at the table but also take charge of the household.

Not to mention when she and her second brother's wife were pregnant and in postpartum confinement, her mother-in-law was even more considerate of them than their own mother, planning everything for them.

Except for the first year when she married into the family, when she hadn't figured out her mother-in-law's personality and was afraid of her whenever she saw her!

After getting to know her mother-in-law, Wu Yufang discovered that apart from her bad temper, her mother-in-law was only critical of the matter and not personal. Her life at her husband's house was a hundred times better than at her own home!

The most obvious feeling is that in the three months since she got married, she has gained ten pounds and grown a little taller. She no longer needs to get up in the middle of the night to fill her stomach with cold water, and she can eat her fill every day without worrying about going hungry.

Her husband is gentle and reliable, without the most common bad habits of men in the village, and he is not a hands-off manager. She also has capable parents-in-law, and her younger siblings are easy to get along with. Everyone works together to make their family prosperous. Wu Yufang feels that there is no more comfortable life than this.

The mother-in-law is kind-hearted, and they have benefited from her kindness. Wu Yufang, fearing her younger siblings might get stuck on something and upset their mother-in-law, advised them:

"We're only staying here for a while. We'll move out once the youth settlement is expanded. Let's bear with it and not upset Mom while we're in this mood."

"I think Comrade Bai is alright, not difficult to get along with."

Chen Meiling nodded almost imperceptibly. She understood the reasoning, but... she lowered her voice and said to her sister-in-law, "I just feel uneasy. Comrade Bai is too enthusiastic towards Mom!"

Hearing this, Wu Yufang glanced at her sister-in-law's face and immediately understood. She patted her hand and teased with a smile, "Oh, the old vinegar at home was almost used up, and you've already spilled this new jar?"

"Sister-in-law!"

Chen Meiling stomped her foot; she would never admit that she was jealous.

"Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Is Second Sister-in-law angry?"

Cheng Cheng carried a vegetable basin out of the back garden and picked a basin full of green beans.

Wu Yufang recounted what had just happened with a smile as she walked over to help her younger sister pick green beans.

Cheng Cheng raised an eyebrow and looked at her second sister-in-law with a smile, making Chen Meiling very uncomfortable. She snorted, squatted down, and said while picking green beans, "Look at her, does Mom even care about us anymore? She's busy over there, tidying up the house for Comrade Bai!"

Chen Meiling wasn't angry, she was just a little uncomfortable. Well, she admitted she was a little jealous, but she felt much better after saying it out loud.

"Sister Cheng Cheng, do you have any rags at home? My aunt told me to fill a basin with water and wipe the bed board."

The confusion and bewilderment on Bai Sisi's face dissipated like the morning mist, her brows relaxed, her eyes became clear, and she looked firm and confident about the future.

This girl is quite resilient and strong. Cheng Cheng smiled and nodded, "Yes, I'll give it to you."

She was about to get up when someone next to her moved faster than her!

Chen Meiling: "I'll do it. You don't know where the bed cleaning cloth is."

Bai Sisi immediately followed, beaming with joy, and said affectionately, "Sister Meiling, thank you! You're so kind. I'm new here and I met Sister Chengcheng, then Auntie and all of you. You've been so good to me..."

Chen Meiling was forced to listen to a string of compliments, and the corners of her mouth involuntarily turned up. When she realized it, she immediately turned her mouth down.

He thought to himself, "This girl looks young, but she's not simple-minded at all. Humph, flattering her won't work. She's an expert at flattery, especially when it comes to flattering her mother-in-law!"

As Chen Meiling thought this to herself, she couldn't help but show it on her face. Suddenly, she heard the girl say, "Sister Meiling, I brought a few boxes of Wan Zi Qian Hong Moisturizing Cream. It can moisturize and nourish the skin. It's a specialty of our hometown and is especially popular among the women there. I'll give it to you in a bit."

Upon hearing this, Chen Meiling was taken aback. She had naturally heard of the brand "Wan Zi Qian Hong" before; it was even more expensive than Snow Cream!

She couldn't help but smile, her expression reserved and somewhat embarrassed: "This isn't right, Comrade Bai. You brought it all this way; you should keep it for yourself."

"It's alright, Sister Meiling, don't be so polite with me. I'm afraid you'll laugh at me, but when I see Auntie and Sister Chengcheng, it's like seeing family. I treat you like my own sister. Sister Meiling, you can't be so polite with me!"

Bai Sisi linked arms with her, her attitude intimate and her face full of trust and reliance.

Chen Meiling found it difficult to refuse, but her expression was a little strange. Was this girl too outgoing and too naive? Her silly appearance was rather worrying.

I feel like I could be scammed if I'm not careful. I don't know how the girl's parents could let their daughter go to the countryside.

Chen Meiling, in a daze, carried the basin of water into the room, and a moment later, a small black tin box covered in flowers was stuffed into her arms.

She glanced at her mother-in-law, not daring to accept the gift, but the girl grabbed her hand and shook it, her voice sweet and coquettish: "Sister Meiling, please accept it, I beg you!"

Bai Sisi acted coquettishly towards her, feeling at ease, and naturally revealed her innocent and charming side.

"Auntie!"

She also slipped a box to Xu Fengying, being rather unreasonable, insisting that they accept it.

Xu Fengying accepted it. Everyone has their own destiny and their own way of surviving. Although this girl is young, she is clear-headed and insightful.

Refusing would be too distant, and the girl would probably feel uneasy staying there. It would be better to accept the gift generously and take good care of her in the future; it would be good for both of them.

Seeing her mother-in-law nod, Chen Meiling accepted the gift and helped wipe the bed board and move the bedding.

Bai Sisi took two more boxes out of her bag and gave them to Sister Yufang and Sister Chengcheng. Luckily, she had the foresight to buy ten boxes of Wan Zi Qian Hong moisturizing cream and put them in her bag before leaving, and now they came in handy.

While Wan Zi Qian Hong might be hard to find elsewhere, Jinshi is the birthplace of this product, and the factory is located there, so there's no shortage of buyers.

She even felt she hadn't brought enough; she should have stocked up more. No, she had to write a letter home and ask her mother to send her some more.

"Xiaoxiao, your name is Jiahui, right?"

Bai Sisi grabbed a handful of White Rabbit milk candies and gave two to each person.

Little Lingxiao took the candy with both hands, but didn't unwrap it immediately. He raised his round little face, his eyes curving into crescents, and said in a clear, sweet voice, "Thank you, Auntie Sisi~"

She had seen this before; her mother had given it to her. It was White Rabbit milk candy, very delicious, sweet, and had a milk flavor!

Cheng Jiahui glanced at her younger sister, then quickly looked at the two candies in her hand. Her sister called her aunt, so she would call her aunt too.

"Thank you, Aunt Sisi!"

"You're welcome!"

Bai Sisi grew increasingly fond of the two children, especially Xiaoxiao. At the same time, she became more and more curious about her aunt's family. The fact that they could raise such well-behaved and polite children showed that the adults were also reasonable people.

I felt happy and glad that I was the first person to greet Comrade Cheng and meet his family. I wondered how Li Xue and Chen Menglan were doing.

Bai Sisi then beckoned a few boys over, handed them candy, and asked them their names and ages.

Chen Meiling glanced out the window. This girl wasn't stupid; she didn't seem to have any ulterior motives.

She understood the principle of "he who eats another's food is bound to him, he who takes another's money is bound to him," so she turned around and went into the kitchen to gossip with her sister-in-law and younger sister, lowering her voice to say, "An educated youth has also moved into my second uncle's house. He's a man, quite tall, and handsome."

"I think Wei Hong seems to have taken a liking to him."

Upon hearing this, Cheng Cheng looked up at her second sister-in-law, who had sharp eyes!

"Really? Don't talk nonsense. Wei Hong isn't engaged yet. Don't let anyone hear about it."

Wu Yufang disagreed.

"Really! How could I be wrong?"

Even though Chen Meiling lowered her voice, it didn't stop her from speaking with great enthusiasm and eloquence, recounting all the details she observed and her analysis.

While reducing the sauce over high heat, Cheng Cheng scooped out the minced meat and green beans, placing one in a large bowl and the other in a small bowl. The large bowl contained more green beans and less minced meat, while the small bowl contained more minced meat and less green beans.

After plating the dish, Cheng Cheng picked up the bowl of minced meat and green beans and said, "I'm going to the old house to take this to Grandpa and Grandma."

"Okay, go ahead."

Without even looking up, Wu Yufang asked her younger brother and sister-in-law while tending the fire, "Really?"

Her tone was filled with deep regret. If she had known the threshing ground was so wonderful, she would have gone too. She could have cooked dinner when she got back!

If you walk about 500 meters to the left after leaving the house, you'll find the brigade leader's house, which is also the second branch of the Cheng family.

Ge Qiuju looked unwell. With a sullen face, she pulled her daughter back into the house and closed the door.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

Cheng Weihong looked a little impatient and shook off her hand. She was having a good chat with Qi Zhiqing when her mother interrupted her and pulled her into the house without saying a word. What would Qi Zhiqing think of her?

"You still have the nerve to ask me what I'm doing? I'd like to ask you what you're trying to do!"

"I'm asking you, tell me honestly, why did you let Qi, the educated youth, live in our house?"

Cheng Weihong rubbed her arm, which was aching from her mother's grip, and said without hesitation, "Dad is the brigade leader, and our family is supposed to house the educated youth. Mom, isn't your question obvious? If there's nothing else, I'll go out first."

This brat still wants to hide it from her. Ge Qiuju was furious. Her daughter's behavior clearly showed that she was falling in love. She wasn't blind, how could she not see it?

"I'm asking you, what do you mean by that Qi Zhiqing? Tell me the truth, or I'll go out and kick him out right now."

"mom!"

Cheng Weihong stamped her foot and stood in front of her mother. Seeing that she could no longer hide it, she simply admitted it.

"Mom, I like Qi Zhiqing and I want to marry him."

"you--"

Ge Qiuju was so angry she almost fell over. She touched her daughter's forehead and said, "You don't have a fever. Why are you talking nonsense in broad daylight?"

Cheng Weihong slapped her mother's hand away. "Mom, I'm serious."

"You don't have a fever, so why are you out of your mind? Do you even know Qi Zhiqing? Do you know what kind of person she is? Do you know anything about her family? You say you like her and want to marry her? I think you're crazy!"

Cheng Weihong didn't care and said anyway, "I fell in love with Qi Zhiqing at first sight. I'm hopelessly in love with him and I want to marry him."

"Mom, you should treat the educated youth better, or you'll drag your daughter down."

Ge Qiuju was furious and sneered, "It's not even a hint yet, and you're already siding with outsiders. I've wasted my life giving birth to a daughter like you."

Cheng Weihong didn't react to these words, remaining unmoved. Instead, she smiled and said, "So, Mom, you have to help me get rid of this marriage as soon as possible. Then Qi Zhiqing won't just be a stranger; he'll be one of our own."

Ge Qiuju: "..."

I'm so angry I want to beat this girl to death! How could I have given birth to such a troublesome brat? She's just deliberately trying to annoy her!

"What do you see in him? He's just a decent-looking guy, but he's a former educated youth sent to the countryside. Do you think he'd be interested in you? Even if he were, he's an educated youth with no house or land. Where would you live after you get married?"

“Listen to your mother. Before you get too deeply involved, give up on this idea as soon as possible. I’ll have your aunt find you a city person.”

Cheng Weihong lowered her eyelids. She would never listen to her mother again in this lifetime. She wanted to take charge of her own life!

No matter how much Ge Qiuju tried to reason with her, the girl wouldn't listen, which made Ge Qiuju furious!

“Qi Zhiqing, why don’t you stay in my younger brother’s room? Let my younger brother vacate his room so he can stay with my older brother.”

After coming out of the house, Cheng Weihong remained enthusiastic, even more so than before, with a more straightforward and passionate attitude.

She had made up her mind. Since her mother had already seen through her intentions, and perhaps Qi Zhiqing had also noticed them, there was no need for her to hide it anymore.

She would pretend that she had fallen in love with Qi Zhiqing at first sight. There's a saying that goes, "It's easy for a woman to pursue a man." She didn't believe she couldn't win over Qi Zhiqing!

Anyway, it will be several years before the Qi family is exonerated in the previous life.

Ge Qiuju heard this as soon as she stepped out. She glared at the brat and forced a smile. "Yes, let Wei Dong live with Wei Bei. Qi Zhiqing, you can live in Wei Dong's room."

Qi Jinyuan glanced at the other person, then his gaze fell on Cheng Weihong, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

He naturally noticed that the occasional adoring glances from the other person seemed to carry something else in them.

He had seen many people like this, but for him now, the advantages outweighed the disadvantages, so Qi Jinyuan pretended not to know about the subtle conflict between the mother and daughter.

A gentle smile appeared on her face. "Okay, thank you."

Compared to the polite, distant, and dramatic atmosphere of the second branch of the Cheng family, the atmosphere of the first branch of the Cheng family was much more relaxed and harmonious.

"Sisi, try this. Don't be shy, make yourself at home."

Xu Fengying stood up, picked up her bowl, and scooped out a large spoonful of minced meat and green beans.

"Thank you, Auntie!"

Bai Sisi's eyes lit up as she looked at the extra meat in her bowl. Her heart warmed, and she smiled sweetly, feeling grateful and amazed!

She seems to have really hit the jackpot; otherwise, how could she have met such kind people as Comrade Cheng and his family?!

-

The next morning, the newly arrived educated youth gathered together and went with the brigade leader to collect their grain.

On the way, everyone talked about the places they were staying, and some of them were really hard to describe.

Wang Yuan: "I had a big man sleeping next to me, and his snoring was like a train. I couldn't sleep all night! And he didn't even wash his feet before getting into bed; they were incredibly smelly!"

Fan Yifeng: "The old lady I stayed with was so stingy! Last night I only ate a wild vegetable bun, and I was so hungry in the middle of the night that I got up to drink water. Even so, the old lady said that when I got my food back, I would have to pay her back double."

Feng Shuangqing: "They made me stay in the woodshed, feeding me mosquitoes all night. My body was covered in bites..."

Chen Menglan said angrily, "The place I stayed was like a robbery. They secretly went through my luggage while I was away. Luckily, I put all my important things in a suitcase and locked it up."

Li Xue sighed, "I share a room with the Wang family's daughter. They didn't rummage through my things, but their son keeps staring at me, and I'm a little scared."

"Sigh, when will the educated youth settlement be expanded? I don't want to stay at their house for another second longer."

Bai Sisi listened to the experiences of the other educated youth in silence. She and Qi Jinyuan were the only ones who remained silent.

Needless to say, everyone with eyes could see what happened yesterday with Qi Jinyuan; the brigade leader's daughter was very fond of him.

Qi Jinyuan must be getting good treatment living at the brigade leader's house. They are in dire straits themselves and have no time to worry about him.

So, their gaze turned to Bai Sisi, the youngest person present.

Li Xue: "Sisi, how are you doing staying at Comrade Cheng's house? Are Comrade Cheng's family members easy to get along with?"

Chen Menglan continued, "I heard from the family I'm staying with that the Cheng family is difficult to get along with, especially Comrade Cheng's mother, who is quite unreasonable and will start a fight at the slightest disagreement. Sisi, are you alright?"

Li Xue: "I've heard about it too. Their family members are unreasonable and very aggressive. Do you want to find another family to stay with?"

Bai Sisi shook her head, "No need!"

Chen Menglan: "Sisi, don't be afraid, we'll help you talk to the captain later."

"No, no, no! You really don't need it!"

Bai Sisi shook her head and waved her hands repeatedly, saying, "I'm really fine. My aunt is a very nice person and easy to get along with. She's not the kind of person you're talking about. Don't worry, I'm very happy living at the Cheng family's house. They take good care of me."

She doesn't want to leave!

After receiving this month's food rations, with only a few days left in the month, Bai Sisi quickly left with her belongings.

Back at the Cheng family home, Bai Sisi handed half a bag of grain to Xu Fengying.

She ate with the Cheng family and didn't plan to cook for herself. After dinner last night, she discussed it with her aunt and decided to continue eating with them.

Actually, Bai Sisi felt a little embarrassed, because in the end, she was the one who benefited.

However, her aunt agreed, and she breathed a sigh of relief, deciding in her heart that she would definitely repay them properly when she was able to do so in the future.

"Auntie, where did Sister Cheng Cheng and Xiao Xiao go?" Bai Sisi didn't see them in the yard.

"They went to the old house." Xu Fengying put on her straw hat, preparing to go out to work, and said to the girl, "Weren't you going to the city to buy things today? Go wait under the big banyan tree at the village entrance and take the tractor."

The brigade leader gave these newly arrived educated youth a day off to rest and recuperate before starting work the next day.

"Oh, right!"

Bai Sisi hurriedly went back into the house, grabbed her things, and left.

In the courtyard, Su Ninghua was teaching Xiaoxiao to paint. Cheng Cheng got interested and also started painting, but she was painting her grandparents and her baby Xiaoxiao.

Su Ninghua glanced at it, a hint of appreciation in her eyes. Little Lingxiao leaned over to look at his mother's drawing, his little face full of pride: "Mommy's drawing is beautiful~"

Cheng Cheng uses ink painting as her medium. She remembers that her grandmother taught them to paint traditional Chinese paintings when they were young. Although they are not as realistic as sketches, ink painting has its own artistic conception.

The painting vividly portrays the grandfather's strictness, the grandmother's love, Xiaoxiao's cuteness, and the joy of four generations living together.

"Cheng's drawing skills have improved."

Suning Hua commented.

Of all her granddaughters, Cheng Yatou is the most gifted. When they were little, she taught the three sisters to embroider. The eldest granddaughter's fingers were short and thick, not delicate enough, and the second granddaughter didn't like to learn and had no patience.

My granddaughter is willing to learn, but she loves to be lazy and makes demands. You have to put a carrot in front of her and crack a whip every now and then before she'll actually start learning.

She taught all three girls for a while, and Cheng's flower patterns were the most spirited!

After finishing the drawing, Cheng Cheng stopped writing and let it air dry naturally.

Su Ninghua said, "The ginseng is ready and inside. Remember to take it with you when you go back this time."

Cheng Cheng nodded, went inside to check on the prepared ginseng, and let out a small sigh!

Wow!

Looking back now, it still feels amazing. Later, she took Xiaoxiao, Ms. Xu Fengying, and Comrade Cheng Aiguo and secretly went to the back mountain again. They searched for more than two hours but returned empty-handed.

"Grandma, please divide it into four portions for me. You and Grandpa can keep one portion, give one portion to my mom, I can keep one portion for myself, and send the rest to Xiaoxiao's great-grandparents."

A few days ago, she received a large package from Beijing. It contained all sorts of things, including food, household items, and clothing. The package was packed full, and there were also two boxes of crayons inside.

My little Xiaoxiao loves her crayons so much that she counts them every day, but she's reluctant to use them and cherishes them very much.

Needless to say, it must have been Xiaoxiao's father who told the elders in Beijing about this.

Zhou Yue's grandparents, like her grandfather, were revolutionary veterans who fought against the enemy during the War of Resistance Against Japan. Cheng Cheng respected and admired them very much, and this thing would definitely be useful to them!

The granddaughter's arrangement was excellent, and Su Ninghua did not refuse her granddaughter's filial piety.

-

The midday sun poured down on the Gobi Desert without any obstruction, the sun hanging overhead like a giant fireball, the heat waves scorching.

The Gobi Desert was very quiet at noon. There were no insects chirping or birds singing. Zhou Yue sat at his desk, opened the envelope, and read the letter.

Upon seeing this letter, Zhou Yue's gaze faltered, and his brow furrowed involuntarily. It was a letter his mother-in-law had asked his wife to write. Zhou Yue read it quickly, skimming through it three times.

Several key points were extracted: First, his mother-in-law complained about his long absence from home, but Zhou Yue understood her feelings very well and felt no resentment towards her; on the contrary, he felt very guilty.

Secondly, his wife did not tell his mother-in-law that he had not returned last time due to some reason, nor did she tell her that he was going to bring them to join him in the military.

Zhou Yue was puzzled by this. Also, why did his mother-in-law suddenly ask his wife to write a letter, asking him to take his wife and daughter to join the army?

Zhou Yue sat there motionless for a full ten minutes, still unable to figure it out. He was afraid something had happened to his wife, and he couldn't sit still any longer.

He had already applied for leave to visit his family, but he hadn't applied for leave to accompany his wife to the military base until he received her reply, worried that she might not be willing to come.

It now seems that the wife was unwilling, otherwise she would have kept the truth from her mother.

Zhou Yue sat down again. There were still ten days left. The third experiment would be held in ten days. As long as the experiment was successful, he could go back.

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Author's note: Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, everyone!!!