Qi Jianguo is considered one of the more promising young people. If he hadn't broken his leg before, no one in Qijia Village could compare to him.
"You're a good kid," Secretary Qi praised. "Sometimes you have to study hard. People need to eat, so they need to farm, and they need to use those machines. This is a technical job that can be a lifelong source of income."
"Thank you for the reminder, Uncle Qi. I will work harder in the future," Qi Jianguo said with a smile, then added, "I will definitely not bring shame to our Qi Family Village."
In public, Qi Jianguo was indeed a polite, hardworking, and good-looking man. He was considered one of the more outstanding young men in the surrounding villages, which was why matchmakers frequently came to propose marriage.
"It's commendable that you have this intention. Study hard; it will be very useful in the future." Secretary Qi always valued his reputation, and Qi Jianguo's words were exactly what he was thinking. In the past, the commune could allocate one or two university places, but there had been no news so far this year. He wondered if it would be possible next year. Qi Jianguo was already in high school; if possible, recommending him to attend high school would be a good idea.
Compared to those educated youth, Qi Jianguo is a native of Qijia Village. If he becomes successful in the future, he will be the pride of Qijia Village.
As for those educated youth, after they went to university, they stayed in the city. Who would go back to the countryside? They had nothing to do with Qijia Village.
Nowadays, universities for workers, peasants, and soldiers are the ones that admit students based on the principles of voluntary application, recommendation by the masses, approval by leaders, and review by the school.
This wasn't Secretary Qi showing favoritism; in fact, almost all village officials acted this way. If Qi Xiaoyan hadn't only graduated from junior high school, not high school, Secretary Qi wouldn't have thought of Qi Jianguo.
If Secretary Qi knew that it was Qi Jianguo who reported him, he certainly wouldn't think that way.
Secretary Qi, Qi Shuli, Qi Jianguo, and Niu Dajun sat at one table, sharing the half-bottle of wine, and the four of them sipped it slowly. Grandma Qi, He Tiantian, Qi Xiaoyan, and Zhao Dajiao sat at another table, eating separately, which made them feel more comfortable.
At this time, guests arrived at the house, and the children and women did not sit at the table.
Firstly, there was concern that there wouldn't be enough food, and secondly, this was the traditional etiquette in rural areas.
How can women sit at the table to eat if the men haven't sat down yet!
Having dinner with Qi Jianguo in the same courtyard again reminded He Tiantian of the stifling days she had lived in her previous life.
At that time, He Tiantian worked at the Qi family's house, cooking, cleaning, and doing farm work. Usually, it was fine; she could eat at the same table with Qi's mother and Qi Fangfang. But whenever someone came to the house, He Tiantian was the only one busy preparing food for the whole family. By the time He Tiantian finished, everyone else had finished eating, and she could only eat their leftovers.
Once, she left some food for herself, and Qi Jianguo's grandmother actually pointed her finger at her and scolded her, calling her a glutton! He Tiantian was so angry that she fell ill, doing nothing, refusing to get up, and remaining silent. Seeing He Tiantian like this, Qi Jianguo knelt down and begged for forgiveness, and she softened again, returning to her previous miserable state.
Countless nights, He Tiantian harbored resentment, but she couldn't escape the lies she had woven, nor did she have the courage to come out.
"These dishes taste really good," Qi Jianguo praised. "He Tiantian is so virtuous."
Qi Shuli had long known what his nephew was thinking. He took a sip of wine and said, "Jianguo is right. Comrade He Tiantian is a good colleague, which is well-known in our Qijia Village. She can be nominated for an advanced worker award at the end of the year."
These words can be said behind someone's back, but saying them in front of everyone, especially when He Tiantian is treating them to dinner, is unacceptable. If word gets out, what will others say about He Tiantian? Even if she is qualified for this award, people will say behind her back that she only received it because He Tiantian treated the village leaders to dinner.
“Hehe, Tianya is indeed good, but this matter concerns the entire village and needs to be discussed and decided by the village committee.” Zhao Dajiao quickly said, not wanting to continue the conversation, as it would not benefit He Tiantian at all.
"Hehe, Director Zhao is right." Qi Shuli said with a forced smile. "My nephew is known throughout the surrounding villages. He's studious, ambitious, skillful, and can even fix tractors. He's a fine young man. Director Zhao has been working with women for a long time. If you have the chance, please help me find a good girl for my nephew."
Zhao Dajiao sneered inwardly, knowing that this uncle and nephew were like weasels paying respects to a chicken, harboring ill intentions and setting their sights on He Tiantian.
"Second Uncle, let's talk about this in private. Let's not say it in front of everyone," Qi Jianguo said shyly, glancing at He Tiantian from time to time, making it clear to everyone that he had taken a liking to her.
To Qi Jianguo's disappointment, He Tiantian didn't even look in his direction, as if she hadn't heard him at all.
Qi Jianguo felt defeated!
Others noticed it too, but it's He Tiantian's own business. Besides, nowadays, free love between men and women is encouraged. Even if Qi Jianguo likes He Tiantian but she doesn't like him, it doesn't matter.
"Hehe, the Party Secretary said that Jianguo is a good young man in our village. I don't have the ability to play matchmaker," Zhao Dajiao laughed. Besides, Qi Jianguo is a good person, but Qi Jianguo's mother and grandmother are not easy to deal with. Whoever marries their daughter to Qi Jianguo will be extremely unlucky!
"Auntie, we might really need your help in the future," Qi Jianguo said softly, this time looking directly at He Tiantian.
Seeing this, Zhao Dajiao smiled but didn't say anything.
He Tiantian is so young, yet you're already eyeing her.
Besides, He Tiantian has no interest in him at all, so she shouldn't say anything.
Seeing that his nephew had made his point clear, but Zhao Dajiao seemed not to understand, Qi Shuli, feeling annoyed, said directly, "Actually, my nephew took a liking to her at first sight..."
Before Qi Shuli could finish speaking, the wine glass in Secretary Qi's hand suddenly fell onto the table, and he hurriedly said, "Oh dear, what a pity for such good wine, such good wine!"
Seeing Secretary Qi's reaction, Niu Dajun understood. He was being treated to a meal by He Tiantian, and this guy was directly asking a matchmaker to propose marriage – wasn't that too convenient? Regardless, he shouldn't have said it in front of the girl, especially when He Tiantian was hosting.
If it works out, that's fine, but if it doesn't, how will we meet in the village afterwards?
The reason for having a matchmaker is to avoid facing awkward situations directly, isn't it?
Qi Jianguo was young and didn't know, but Qi Shuli is so old and still doesn't know? It's obvious they're bullying He Tiantian, a young girl with no one to rely on!
"Hehe, Brother Qi, let's talk about this later. Let's drink and eat," Zhao Dajiao said, changing the subject. If Qi Shuli brought it up, it would make He Tiantian very embarrassed.
Zhao Dajiao is here to eat He Tiantian's food today, so she can't help but speak to He Tiantian.
Qi Shuli and Qi Jianguo looked embarrassed; it was impossible to talk about it today.
The uncle and nephew had initially planned to talk things out today, thinking that in front of so many people, He Tiantian would feel embarrassed and reluctantly agree. But unexpectedly, not only did He Tiantian not react, but Zhao Dajiao directly stopped them from saying anything. (To be continued.)
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