Chapter 45 Chapter 45 My childhood sweetheart in the previous life, the clock in this life...

Qian Bing woke up in the county hospital, his chest hard and in a cast. He had been kicked about ten meters by the old donkey, breaking two ribs.

If Teacher Chen hadn't heard the noise and glanced outside, he would have vomited all the blood and no one would have saved him. The old man and the old donkey stood by and watched him vomit blood for fun.

Qian Bing's parents argued with Captain Jin outside and insisted on sending Uncle Guo to the police station. Later, Teacher Chen confirmed that it was not Uncle Guo who did it, but the old donkey kicked it itself, and it had nothing to do with Uncle Guo.

In fact, everyone in Donghe Village knew that Old Donkey and Uncle Guo were in the same boat. The key point was that the grasshopper refused to admit it, and they couldn't force Old Donkey to speak.

Qian Bing's parents couldn't convince Captain Jin, so they went to Uncle Guo's house the next day to make trouble.

When Qingmei rushed over, there were quite a few people watching the excitement at Grandpa Guo's door. Grandpa Guo was slowly saying to Qian Bing's parents, "I don't have any money, but the donkey's hoof is good for cooking. You can take it back and make soup."

Qingmei looked at the old donkey beside the millstone. It was holding a straw in its mouth, with an arrogant and complacent expression. Like Uncle Guo, it chewed it slowly, as if it were chewing not straw but the brain of a coin handle.

Qingmei saw a little movement last night, the afterimage of Qian Bing flying away. To be honest, Uncle Guo was still laughing at that time.

Qian Bing's parents pressed for money, but when they couldn't get it, they decided to slowly waste time with Uncle Guo. However, Uncle Guo was still an uncle after all, and he unbuckled his belt. When everyone thought he was being forced to hang himself, this old man actually unbuttoned his pants to urinate.

Qian Bing's parents were so embarrassed that they ran away, and the onlookers also covered their eyes and left.

Qingmei was leaning against the door frame. Uncle Guo didn't expect her to appear suddenly. He turned around in shock and quickly pulled off the belt thrown on the wall and tied it up.

"Female hooligan, don't you know how to say hello?" Uncle Guo said as he saw the old man stomping over from the side and lowering his donkey head for Qingmei to touch.

Qingmei touched it and said with a smile, "Old friend, long time no see."

The old donkey nudged her palm to show its affection.

Uncle Guo was not happy and said jealously, "Why am I so nice to you?"

Qingmei took out a piece of pork jerky from her pocket, stuffed it into the old donkey's mouth and said, "We have a good relationship."

Uncle Guo said, "Friendship is bullshit. This old man is going to lose everything."

Qingmei said, "I saw Qian Bing was going to smash the window. Guo Rong and I would definitely get hurt. He deserved the two broken ribs."

Uncle Guo said happily, "That's right."

Qingmei added, "But his injuries are too severe. He won't be able to do physical work for a year or two. Shouldn't we give him some money for his medical expenses? Even a few bucks will make it sound better."

Uncle Guo said, "Give it to me, of course. Give it to me, my life."

Qingmei said, "Actually, this is easy to do."

Uncle Guo narrowed his eyes and looked at Qingmei, thinking that she had bad intentions: "Even if it's easy, we won't do it."

Qingmei stopped smiling, figuring it would be hard to talk today, so she patted the old donkey and said, "When the old man really hangs himself, I'll come get you."

"The little girl spoke rudely." Uncle Guo said it rudely, but he didn't really mind. He had heard too many rude words.

She picked up the pipe from the millstone and turned it over, but there was no tobacco left inside.

Qingmei took two steps and took out a purse. She tore open the two sides of the purse and found good tobacco leaves with bright colors and oily surfaces inside.

"I came prepared." Uncle Guo sat down on the small stool and said, "If you have anything to say, please tell me."

Qingmei smiled and said, "It's the same thing as last time."

Uncle Guo rolled his eyes and thought for a moment, "Oh," then said, "You want me to teach them bird language? No."

Qingmei was not in a hurry. She put the purse back into her pocket and turned away. "You will have your time."

Uncle Guo smacked his cigarette holder and turned to the old donkey, saying, "She still wants to fight me. I won't teach anyone but that enemy a lesson."

Qingmei walked to the dirt road intersection and Gu Qingzhou stood there waiting for her.

She pouted, and Gu Qingzhou came over, patted her on the back and coaxed her, "Didn't it work?"

Qingmei said, "He's still stubborn."

She thought that learning English was all about context, and that she needed to practice her sense of language and grammar every day. She wasn't in Donghe Village, so the only person who could teach them was Uncle Guo.

As for Uncle Guo's level, she had no idea. But anyone who had been banished to such a remote corner for nearly twenty years without redress must be no ordinary person. Speaking a few words of English, especially at the current exam level, was a piece of cake.

Gu Qingzhou smiled and said, "In fact, people with such stubborn personalities are always serious about learning."

Qingmei tilted her head to look at him, and Gu Qingzhou lowered his head and whispered a few words in her ear. Qingmei's eyes lit up: "You have a plan."

At noon that day, Uncle Guo was still at home eating lunch by soaking rice crusts in cold water.

Qingmei came to his house with her two daughters.

Uncle Guo said warily, "What are you doing here again? To see the old man hang himself?"

Qingmei carried half a bag of corn and went straight to find the old donkey without saying a word to him.

When he got to the old donkey, he patted his head and said, "Old friend, how about we grind some fine cornmeal today?"

The old donkey sneezed loudly, lowered his head and obediently let Qingmei put the saddle rope on him.

Qingmei put the harness on it swiftly, and then scooped up a handful of golden corn kernels and put them into the trough where it was eating: "Eat first, then you can work. I feel bad to see you working so hard."

Uncle Guo's mouth was almost crooked. He turned to look at Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan, who were sitting in front of the stone table with English dictionaries pulled out. He said immediately, "Hey, I won't teach you."

After Qingmei finished talking to the old donkey, she came over and sat opposite him, smiling sweetly and saying, "Please don't teach me."

Uncle Guo didn't want to be near her, feeling annoyed. He stood up and walked to the doorstep, sitting with his legs crossed.

Zhao Xiaoxing suddenly asked Qingmei, "What are the vowels?"

Qingmei said, "Ah uh Ai oh woo."

Zhao Xiaoxing nodded and said sincerely, "Ah uh Ai oh woo."

Uncle Guo nearly choked on his puff of smoke and sat up straight, his eyes almost popping out of his head. "Aeiou," the five vowels, how could this guy pronounce vowels in pinyin?

Xiaoyan waited for a while and asked, "How do you pronounce ON?"

Qingmei said: "This is simple, it's called Ang~ Laolu Ang Ang Ang~"

Xiaoyan also read it again: "Ang ang ang ang ~ I remember it."

Uncle Guo closed his eyes and thought that he should not remember this. He would just remember to visit his grave on this day next year.

He immediately realized what Qingmei was up to.

But I can't bear Qingmei misleading young people like this!

Although there is nothing wrong with people like Zhao Xiaoxing, there is still Xiaoyan.

Uncle Guo feels that rice crusts soaked in cold water are inedible because his stomach feels uncomfortable after eating them.

He endured it for half an hour, but couldn't stand it anymore. He stood up and walked to the stone table. He pointed at Qingmei who was singing and reciting nonsense and said, "Shut your ass mouth."

Qingmei turned around and complained to her old friend: "Look at how he discriminates against you."

"Shut it!"

Qingmei: "Oh."

Uncle Guo finally had a moment's peace of mind. He turned around and saw the old donkey facing him with its rear end. He calmly shifted his seat to ensure that it was his arm, not his ribs, that was broken.

Qingmei took advantage of his unpreparedness and quickly winked at Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan.

Uncle Guo turned around and saw it, and he felt a chill in his heart. He held his breath and asked Qingmei, "Do you really need me to teach you? Or are you going to send it right under my nose to piss me off?"

Qingmei nodded: "Yeah."

Uncle Guo said, "What benefits can I give you?"

Qingmei said, "Yeah."

Uncle Guo was annoyed: "Speak."

Qingmei said, "I'll give you the tutoring fee."

Uncle Guo said, "I won't bow down for a few pieces of silver."

Qingmei said, "I don't have five dou. Your teeth are not good, so I'll just give you leftovers for one meal a day."

Uncle Guo was startled for a moment, then laughed and said, "You are the one who makes me angry, but you are also the one who understands me."

Qingmei said, "After all these years, you shouldn't be so cautious, right?"

Uncle Guo said, "You know nothing."

Qingmei laughed and said, "I don't know anything, haha."

Uncle Guo laughed again: "Hey, I'm still mad at you. Let's not talk anymore. Prepare dinner and come over tonight."

Qingmei said, "Okay, my family has good food, and the leftovers are also oily."

Uncle Guo said, "We have enough toilet paper at home."

Qingmei rolled her eyes and was spotted by Uncle Guo again. While he was silent, Qingmei quickly called Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan to run out of the house.

Zhao Xiaoxing ran a few steps and saw that Uncle Guo didn't catch up. She finally dared to speak: "This uncle is really an uncle."

Xiaoyan asked, "Will he stop teaching us again?"

Qingmei said, "He promised to teach, and he will. Go back and prepare good food. People of culture value this. From now on, treat him as your teacher and show him more respect. Especially Xing'er, don't talk back."

"I didn't dare to speak today." Zhao Xiaoxing said, "Then what are you going to do?"

Qingmei said, "I'm going to the brigade headquarters to inquire about Qian Bing's situation. We can't let their family harass Uncle Guo anymore."

After Qingmei finished talking to them, she walked to the fork in the road, separated from them, and went to the brigade headquarters alone.

Coincidentally, I met Chen Qiaoxiang on the road.

She had changed into clothes that young women wear, and was walking towards them from a distance, holding her belly. Qingmei almost didn't recognize her when she first saw her.

Chen Qiaoxiang has been eating delicious food and drinking spicy drinks at home every day recently. Her stomach has not grown much, but her body has grown all the weight. She looks like a dough that has risen.

She and Aunt Huang had just returned from the supply and marketing cooperative. Aunt Huang, with a look of heartache on her face, helped her walk home.

Chen Qiaoxiang and Qingmei passed each other, neither of them giving each other much glance.

Qingmei went to Captain Jin's office and saw Grandma and Grandma Ying there.

Captain Jin smiled at Qingmei, then said to Grandma and Grandma Ying, "Grandpa Guo isn't to blame this time, but he owns the old donkey, so he's responsible for the injury. However, Teacher Chen testified that Qian Bang intended to injure someone but was stopped in time by the old donkey. We don't have to pay a penny. After Qian Bang recovers, we'll apologize to Guo Rong."

After hearing the accurate words, Grandma and Grandma Ying held hands and supported each other to stand up. Grandma said with relief: "Since Captain Jin said so, it is a done deal. I am relieved now."

Grandma Ying also said, "He's very old, childless, and has no one to talk to him about it. He himself is too embarrassed to do it, so we have to help ask a few more times. Thank you, Captain Jin, we will go back now."

"Please walk slowly, both of you." Captain Jin saw Qingmei was about to go out with them, and he understood that this was also for Uncle Guo. After hearing that Uncle Guo was fine, he also left.

Qingmei and her grandmother parted ways with Grandma Ying at the intersection. Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan returned home, anxiously awaiting the results. They were both delighted to learn that Grandpa Guo was alright.

Zhao Xiaoxing said, "Should we go and inform him?"

Grandma said: "No need, Grandma Ying has gone home."

Xiaoyan thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll cook. Sister Xiaomei asked me to make something delicious. I might as well make a couple of dishes to go with the wine, and let Uncle Guo have a couple of drinks tonight."

After the meal was ready, Zhao Xiaoxing and Xiaoyan carried a basket and brought it to Grandpa Guo.

Qingmei and Zhao Wuhe went to Qian Bing's house to find his parents. First, they wanted to tell them the outcome of the incident, and second, they wanted to warn them that Qian Bing had intentionally injured someone first, and if they continued to harass Uncle Guo, they would sue him.

Before leaving, Zhao Wuhe gave them two yuan as nutrition expenses, which was considered to be the most kind thing he could do.

After dinner, Qingmei didn't dare to kill a chicken, so she asked Zhao Xiaoxing to catch one and kill it. She would make some ginseng chicken soup from a hanging stove and take it to her uncle at the PLA Hospital the next day. After that, she and Gu Qingzhou would go to the army that afternoon.

Zhao Xiaoxing came back with two chickens after killing them, and said proudly, "I'll give one to my uncle tomorrow, and we'll drink the remaining one together. Don't think about giving good things to others when your family hasn't even had them yet."

Zhao Wuhe felt that what Zhao Xiaoxing said was absolutely right. Her daughter-in-law was the type who would never take advantage of others with words. She would rather Qingmei be like Zhao Xiaoxing, with a stronger mouth and a stronger body, so that she would be healthier.

Stewing one pot is stewing, stewing two pots is also stewing.

Qingmei slowly fanned the fire with a palm-leaf fan, while Gu Qingzhou sat opposite her and watched her.

Zhao Xiaoxing, who originally wanted to talk to Qingmei, felt that the atmosphere was inexplicably charming, so she decided not to go over and disturb her.

On Sunday morning, the ginseng chicken soup, still warm on the stove, was served on the table.

Everyone drank a bowl and it tasted really delicious.

What Zhao Xiaoxing found unbelievable was that Qingmei didn't add any salt to the chicken soup at all. She used a low heat to bring out the aroma of the ingredients. After sitting on the stove overnight, the chicken bones could even be chewed and eaten.

After the meal, Qingmei prepared the ginseng chicken soup.

Zhao Wuhe naturally also wanted to go see her eldest son. After Bao Mi drove over, they went to the PLA Hospital together.

This was Qingmei's second time coming, but Zhao Wuhe had been there several times before. She walked in front and took them to the new ward.

There was a soldier standing guard at the door of the new ward. When he saw them coming, he opened the door from a distance.

Gu Chongshan was reading a book inside, while Ruan Siqiao was taking a nap on the sofa.

Their arrival woke Ruan Siqiao up. She quickly stood up and greeted Zhao Wuhe and others, then hid in the private bathroom to check her hair.

Zhao Wuhe said to Gu Chongshan, "Your sister-in-law personally cooked this hanging stove ginseng chicken soup. You should try it now. It's very nourishing."

Gu Chongshan looked at Qingmei gratefully. He had become more fluent in his speech these days, but his face showed little expression. It was unclear whether it was because he was a serious person or because of the injury that caused his facial paralysis.

"Thank you, sister-in-law. Wait for your sister-in-law to come and serve it so we can eat together."

Zhao Wuhe said casually: "We already had it this morning."

Ruan Siqiao came out of the bathroom and said jokingly, "Have you eaten? Are you bringing the leftovers?"

Qingmei didn't say anything, just looked at her with a smile, and didn't have time to argue with her.

Gu Qingzhou walked to his eldest brother, poured chicken soup for him and handed it to him.

Seeing that no one paid attention to her, Ruan Siqiao looked at Gu Chongshan awkwardly, hoping that he could say a few words on her behalf since the atmosphere was so awkward.

After a moment, Gu Zhongshan spoke up, "I heard that your sister-in-law has been studying a lot recently. I have a lot of notes from her studies at home. If you need them, ask Qingzhou to take them back."

Qingmei was about to express her gratitude, but Gu Qingzhou said lightly: "I have already given mine to her, so there is no need for you to worry about it. It is better to keep it for your sister-in-law to see more."

Qingmei pursed her lips and looked at Gu Qingzhou, knowing that he was protecting his brother. It was just that it was difficult to tell his sister-in-law directly, so it was better to confront his elder brother.

Gu Zhongshan was calmer than Gu Qingzhou, and nodded when he heard this: "Alright."

Zhao Wuhe glanced at Ruan Siqiao and said angrily, "You really should learn from your younger brother and sister-in-law. You just eat and sleep all day long."

Ruan Siqiao was scolded in front of Qingmei and Gu Qingzhou. He was embarrassed and turned around and said he was going to get the thermos and go out.

Zhao Wuhe gave Qingmei a look and asked her to follow him.

Zhao Wuhe was used to talking casually with Qingmei, and Qingmei was also heartless, like a daughter, not taking things to heart. Suddenly, the eldest daughter-in-law was the one who took things to heart for most of the day. She didn't know if she was going out to wipe her tears.

Qingmei followed him out with the thermos, and said behind Ruan Siqiao, "Sister-in-law, is there a hot water room on this floor? Let's go together."

Ruan Siqiao turned around and looked at her quietly, saying, "Mother-in-law is so kind to you. She even let me, your eldest sister-in-law, learn from you."

Qingmei walked up to her and said, "Maybe because we spend more time together, we know each other better. Although you've been married for a long time, you've always been by my eldest brother's side, so I don't know your level of education."

Ruan Siqiao and Qingmei went to the water room together and asked, "So, are you well educated?"

Qingmei said, "It's just average. I can do some of the questions."

Ruan Siqiao didn't notice Qingmei's modesty and said with a pout, "You're the one who knows how to make her happy. I don't know what to do. I feel like she's been getting more and more resentful of me lately... but she's been very nice to you."

Qingmei really couldn't respond to this.

Qingmei thought that her complaints were because she didn't know what happened to her eldest brother before, but now that she knows, they are gone. Zhao Wuhe is straightforward and will not marry someone she doesn't like. Her own mother will still say a few words about her, so it's normal for a mother-in-law to say a few words about her daughter-in-law.

If it were someone else's childhood sweetheart, they might also mind, but Zhao Wuhe and her had a class relationship and a serious life-long friendship, so it was understandable that Zhao Wuhe was partial to her.

"Mom isn't the type to torture her daughter-in-law. Just relax." Qingmei turned on the tap, then thought for a moment and said, "Is Big Brother going to be discharged from the hospital?"

She saw that Gu Chongshan had recovered quickly; after all, soldiers had good physiques, and their Gu family also had good genes. Gu Qingzhou's pinky finger injury didn't seem to have any effect on him either.

"We should discuss this today." Ruan Siqiao finished drinking water listlessly and said to Qingmei as he walked back, "We may need to mobilize troops."

Qingmei nodded thoughtfully.

When they arrived at the ward, Gu Chongshan was talking to Gu Qingzhou about this matter.

Jingshi's father is also investigating Gu Chongshan's injury, hoping that Gu Chongshan can apply to be transferred to the 014 unit.

Gu Chongshan and Gu Qingzhou belong to the same military region. As a battalion-level cadre, Gu Chongshan needs the approval of the commanders to be transferred.

"It's called a transfer, but it's actually protection." Gu Chongshan saw that the ward was full of his family and didn't say anything polite: "Father hopes that we brothers will take care of each other and work together to eliminate those who want to eliminate our family."

Qingmei was shocked. Last time, she wondered if there was someone specifically targeting the Gu family. Otherwise, there wouldn't be so many accidents happening one after another. From what Gu Chongshan said, did that mean the Gu family already had some clues?

Gu Qingzhou naturally agreed. Seeing his wife's surprised expression, he patted her back gently to comfort her. Then he restrained himself and spoke to Gu Chongshan: "There won't be any problems with Commander Wang. It all depends on whether you will release the person."

Gu Chongshan said, "I've already submitted my application. If it's preliminarily approved, I'll submit the transfer order. I don't think there will be any major problems."

Gu Qingzhou smiled and said, "I didn't expect that I didn't wait for my wife to join the army at 014, but my elder brother and sister-in-law came first."

Zhao Wuhe knew that it would be safer for the eldest and second oldest to be together than to be apart, so she felt relieved and said with a smile, "That would be great."

Qingmei also thought it was a good idea. Gu Qingzhou should not be asked to do a mission that would kill him again. She was afraid that if the other party’s plan failed, they would try another one. It would be difficult to deal with the enemy in the dark while they were in the light.

Gu Qingzhou turned to Zhao Wuhe and said, "Don't worry about Donghe Village. We have arranged people to protect and monitor it. You should do what you need to do. Everyone in Donghe Village is an acquaintance. You should be wary of strangers."

People in Donghe Village have lived there for several lifetimes, so they know everything about it and are not afraid.

They agreed on the transfer, and Zhao Wuhe would leave later. Qingmei and Gu Qingzhou came out of the hospital first.

It's only November, but Qingmei is already feeling a little cold.

When I woke up in the morning, I saw a layer of frost on the ground.

"Take me to buy some cotton first." Qingmei said to Gu Qingzhou while sitting in the jeep, "I want to make a thin cotton jacket. The wind in your army is quite strong, so I'll wear it outside."

The thin cotton jacket Qingmei wanted to make was actually a cotton vest.

Gu Qingzhou naturally agreed and asked Bao Mi to drive to the commercial building. There was a cotton shop on the right side of the commercial building, which sold both new and old cotton.

New cotton is used to make clothes, but the cotton in old cotton-padded clothes cannot be wasted. It can be recycled and made into mattresses and sold. The price is half that of pure new cotton mattresses, and they are very popular.

If you can't bear the expense of making a mattress, you can buy a bag of old cotton and make your own. There's also old cotton, damp and smelly, that's hard to clean up. It's what the cotton shops discard and throw away to burn with coal briquettes in the winter. If your family is truly poor, you can steal a few handfuls and take them home. The shop assistants won't say anything if they see you.

As the weather turned cooler, there was a long line outside the cotton shop.

Gu Qingzhou pointed to another window and said, "There's no queue for new cotton. I'll go buy it for you. How much do you want?"

Qingmei said, "Not much, two pounds at most."

Gu Qingzhou nodded, opened the door and got out of the car.

Qingmei leaned against the car window and watched him pass by. While waiting, she suddenly saw an acquaintance.

Zhong Anhua, with her bulging belly and a bag in her hand, squatted in front of a pile of discarded old cotton in a panic, plucking handfuls of cotton into her pocket.

It was freezing cold, and she wore a triangular scarf on her head, half hiding her face. If Qingmei hadn't seen the Dacron she often wore, she wouldn't have recognized her even if she had taken a closer look.

The waiter seemed to be dissatisfied with her taking too much, and stood aside and scolded her condescendingly. Another waiter saw that Zhong Anhua was pregnant and stopped the man from scolding her.

The Dacron on Zhong Anhua's body was already dirty and old. The moment she got up, Qingmei saw bruises on her face.

She noticed a military jeep parked a few steps away, and subconsciously looked over, her eyes meeting Qingmei's in the car.

Then Zhong Anhua ran away in a panic, not even taking the cotton bag on the ground.