Chapter 97 Her ears turned bright red
The sky darkened quickly; the sky, which had just been tinged with grayish-blue, suddenly turned completely dark.
The red brick houses in the military compound gradually faded into the twilight.
The door to the main room of the Xie family's house was wide open, and a dim light bulb hung from the roof beam, casting a faint halo of light on the square table and making the furnishings inside appear hazy.
Qiao Xingyue stood slenderly in front of the square table, holding an aluminum lunchbox in her hand.
That was meant to be used to serve food to Xie Zhongming.
The dishes on the table—pickled pork with twice-cooked pork, shredded pork with garlic sauce, Mapo tofu, shredded potatoes with green peppers, sweet potato leaves with minced garlic, braised crucian carp, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and tofu and vegetable soup—were still steaming hot and fragrant.
"What?" Qiao Xingyue was quite surprised to hear her sister-in-law Shen Liping's words. "Xie Zhongming spent three days and three nights in the swamp and was still able to subdue his enemy with his bare hands? Is his stamina really that good?"
As they were talking, the eldest brother, Xie Zhongyi, brought a steaming plate of brown sugar cakes to the table. His tall figure appeared incredibly imposing under the fifteen-watt light bulb. He smiled and glanced at Qiao Xingyue, "Of course it's true. Among us brothers, Zhongming has the best stamina, so you don't need to worry about him."
As they spoke, the eldest brother placed the brown sugar steamed cake on the table, glanced at his two sons, Xie Zhiyuan and Xie Mingyuan, who were standing to the side, and waved his hand, saying, "Zhiyuan, Mingyuan, take your younger brother and sister and go call your fourth uncle over for dinner. It's a rare opportunity for the family to get together."
Qiao Xingyue wanted to save some food for Xie Zhongming so he could sleep a little longer.
But her older brother said that it was rare for the family to get together, so she didn't insist anymore.
Indeed, although the Xie family has many members, it is rare for them to get together for a meal.
She had been at the Xie family's house for several months, and this was the first time she had met her eldest brother, second brother, and second sister-in-law.
Seeing that she seemed worried, Xie Zhongjie, the second brother, helped the old lady Chen Suying to sit at the head of the octagonal table and said with a smile, "Xingyue, when we were little, our eldest brother took the four of us brothers to secretly go into the water to catch fish. We were caught by our father and made to stand as punishment. The four of us brothers stood there for half a day and then admitted our mistake. The fourth brother was the most stubborn. He stood there for a whole day and night without closing his eyes, but he was still full of energy."
"Fourth Aunt, Fourth Uncle is here." At this moment, Xie Zhiyuan ran into the main room and said to Qiao Xingyue.
The next instant, a tall, upright figure was cast into the main room from under the lamplight outside the eaves.
As Qiao Xingyue turned her head, she saw Xie Zhongming step into the main room with one foot. Xie Zhongming said, "Second brother, what bad things have you been saying about me behind my back?"
"They said you have good stamina." Second sister-in-law Sun Xiuxiu took over the conversation and added, "Xingyue was worried that you hadn't rested well because the security department had kept you up all night, so she wanted you to get some more sleep."
Xie Zhongming's gaze passed over his second sister-in-law, Sun Xiuxiu, and landed on Qiao Xingyue. "I'm fine. My record is four nights without sleep, and I'm still energetic. Xingyue, don't worry about me. After dinner, we can go back and rest early."
His eyes were still bloodshot, but his gaze was very bright.
He had taken a shower, changed into clean clothes, and even shaved off the short, bluish-black stubble that had grown overnight, making him look even more energetic.
Everyone present noticed that he had fixed his makeup and made himself look neat and tidy.
When he returned from the security office, he still smelled strongly of sweat, but now he was wearing a brand-new grass-green military uniform shirt and had a faint scent of soap on him, clearly indicating that he had just taken a shower.
The eldest and second eldest brothers chuckled. The fourth eldest brother was indeed different now that he had a wife. In the past, he was always reluctant to wear the new military uniforms issued by the army. He would wear the old uniforms until they were washed until they were faded and the collars were frayed, but he still wouldn't wear the new ones. He wouldn't replace his old clothes until they were worn out.
Now that he has a wife, he immediately took out his new military uniform.
It is said that women dress up for those who appreciate them.
The same goes for this man.
The old lady, sitting at the head of the octagonal table, was delighted to see her family so lively. She greeted everyone with extra enthusiasm, "Everyone, please sit down and eat. Don't all stand. Be quiet and peaceful. Come, sit next to Great-Grandma."
Xie Zhiyuan carried An An and Ning Ning to sit in front of their great-grandmother, Chen Suying.
Then, Xie Jiang casually led Huang Guilan to sit down at the table. The eldest brother, Xie Zhongyi, and the second brother, Xie Zhongjie, also first let Shen Liping and Sun Xiuxiu sit down.
Xie Zhongming did the same, taking Qiao Xingyue's hand and helping her to sit down first.
Qiao Xingyue then realized that all the men in the Xie family, whether it was the elder Xie Jiang, or the eldest son Xie Zhongyi, the second son Xie Zhongjie, or the fourth son Xie Zhongming, all cared about their wives first.
This is a fine family tradition of the Xie family; every man puts his wife first.
There are four long benches on the eight-immortal table. At this moment, An'an, Ningning and the old lady Chen Suying are sitting together, Xie Jiang and Huang Guilan are sitting on one bench, Shen Liping and Sun Xiuxiu are sitting on another bench, and the only remaining bench is the one where Qiao Xingyue is sitting, with one empty seat.
The eldest brother, Xie Zhongyi, pressed Xie Zhongming down to sit next to Qiao Xingyue, while he himself invited the second brother, Xie Zhongjie, and the four boys in the family—Zhiyuan, Mingyuan, Chengyuan, and Boyuan—to sit on a small stool in front of a square table.
The dishes on the small table were the same as those on the square table, only the table was smaller.
The family enjoyed their dinner together in a lively and cheerful atmosphere.
Grandma Chen Suying knew that An'an and Ningning liked to eat brown sugar steamed cake, so she gave each of the two children a piece and put it in An'an and Ningning's hands.
Watching her two beloved great-granddaughters play hide-and-seek with their brothers, their cheeks flushed and rosy, looking as adorable as the dolls holding big fish in New Year's paintings, the old lady couldn't stop smiling.
"Peace and tranquility, Uncle made brown sugar steamed cake, it's so sweet, eat more, there's still some in the pot."
Huang Guilan smiled and chimed in, "An'an, don't worry, your uncle knows you're allergic to peanuts, so this brown sugar steamed cake doesn't have peanut butter in it."
Although the eldest and second eldest brothers were sitting at a small table, they knew what their wives liked to eat. The eldest brother, Xie Zhongyi, specially picked up some shredded pork with garlic sauce for Shen Liping from the small table. The second eldest brother, Xie Zhongjie, also specially took a steaming piece of brown sugar cake from the small table for Sun Xiuxiu.
Qiao Xingyue thought that her eldest and second brothers were being so considerate of their wives in front of so many family members. She wondered how loving they must be when no one was around.
Just as Xie Zhongming was marveling at the thoughtfulness and gentleness of the Xie family men, he also served Qiao Xingyue some food.
Knowing she didn't like fatty meat, Xie Zhongming only gave her lean meat.
The family enjoyed their dinner together in a lively and cheerful atmosphere.
After the meal, the eldest brother, Xie Zhongyi, took the lead in clearing the dishes, with Xie Zhongjie and Xie Zhongming helping, not letting Qiao Xingyue, Shen Liping, and Sun Xiuxiu lift a finger.
The four boys in the family, Zhiyuan, Mingyuan, Chengyuan, and Boyuan, also helped tidy up the table and sweep the floor.
An'an and Ningning wanted to help wipe the table, but Zhiyuan patted their heads and said with a smile, "An'an, Ningning, girls' hands are too soft, how can they do these chores? You two go play over there, and after we're done cleaning up, your brothers will play hide-and-seek with you."
"Yay!" An'an clapped her hands and cheered, "It's getting dark, that's when playing hide-and-seek will be more fun."
An An and Ning Ning love playing hide-and-seek the most.
However, when Qiao Xingyue lived in Kuncheng with An An and Ning Ning, the village children didn't like to play with them, saying they were bastards without a father.
At that time, An An and Ning Ning suffered some grievances outside, but they were very sensible and didn't tell Qiao Xing Yue when they got home.
Qiao Xingyue saw the village children playing hide-and-seek in front of the haystack several times, while An Anning was isolated to the side, looking at them pitifully.
At that time, Qiao Xingyue was filled with bitterness.
Now it's all right.
No one dared to say that An An and Ning Ning were bastards without a father, and that they had four older brothers who doted on them.
Life is getting better.
The men in the house, being soldiers, were quick and meticulous in cleaning up the dishes and wiping the stove, as if they were completing a task. They cleaned the cement stove until it was shiny and spotless.
After tidying up, the family sat around the square table to discuss the wedding banquet for Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming.
The Xie family consulted Qiao Xingyue on every step of the process.
Qiao Xingyue felt the importance and respect that the Xie family placed on her.
Finally, Xie Jiang, who was taking notes, looked up at Qiao Xingyue sitting to his side and asked cautiously, "Xingyue, logically speaking, we should have Lao Si go to Chadian Village to bring your family over for the banquet. But your family doesn't like you at all. Whether or not to let your family attend, Dad has to ask for your opinion."
"No need." Qiao Xingyue's voice was crisp and clear, with her decisiveness. "Zeng Xiuzhu is currently in jail, and Liu Dazhu and Jinhua are just like Zeng Xiuzhu. They don't treat me like a sister; they only want to use me as a cash cow. We don't need to associate with these kinds of relatives anymore."
Cut it off when it's time to cut it off.
Compared to the Xie family, the original owner's family was worlds apart.
Qiao Xingyue doesn't look down on people from poor backgrounds. The problem is that Zeng Xiuzhu and her son and daughter-in-law are greedy, inhuman, and have no moral bottom line.
In contrast, the Xie family members, besides being cultured and well-mannered, place the greatest emphasis on etiquette, morality, family ties, harmony, unity, and mutual assistance and consideration.
Qiao Xingyue wants to completely sever ties with Zeng Xiuzhu.
Seeing her determination, Xie Jiang nodded. "Xingyue, if you don't want to associate with them, then don't. They kicked you out while you were pregnant; they clearly didn't care about your life or death. You're better off without family like that."
Huang Guilan chimed in, "Xingyue, you'll have your parents and the fourth child in the future. We'll take care of An'an and Ningning together, and life will only get better."
Shen Liping chimed in, "Yes, Xingyue, and your older brother, Zhiyuan, Mingyuan, and I will all cherish An'an and Ningning."
Sun Xiuxiu, the second son's wife, chimed in, "Xingyue, and second brother and sister-in-law, Chengyuan, Boyuan. When the third and fifth sons come back, they will also stand up for you. With such a large family, no one will dare to bully you three in the future."
These words sounded incredibly real.
Qiao Xingyue felt a lump in her throat, and her eyes suddenly welled up with tears.
What incredible luck she must have had to find such a wonderful in-law family like the Xie family.
Outside the courtyard, the laughter of several children playing hide-and-seek filled the air. The children would sometimes dart into the main room and hide in the inner room, and sometimes dart out, without disturbing the adults who were discussing the wedding banquet in the main room.
It's getting late.
The heavy night was like thick ink slowly spreading, soaking the Xie family's red brick building into a pitch-black mess.
Xie Jiang glanced at his watch. The discussion had already reached nine o'clock in the evening. He put down his pen, looked at the wedding banquet details carefully recorded on the document, and looked at everyone. "It's getting late. Xingyue, Zhongming, you two should go back and rest."
“Eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, there are only two rooms upstairs, and they might not be enough for everyone. We have two spare rooms over there. Why don’t you let Zhiyuan, Mingyuan, Chengyuan, and Boyuan sleep there?” Qiao Xingyue offered.
This Xie family's two-story building has a total of four rooms.
After she and Xie Zhongming moved out, there were two empty rooms upstairs.
The eldest and second eldest sons' families brought back a total of eight people, which is definitely not enough room for everyone to sleep.
Shen Liping thought, "Today is the first day that Lao Si and Xingyue are moving into their new house. Should we let the children go and disturb them?"
She called the six children who were playing hide-and-seek outside back, squatted down and held An Anning's little hand, "An Anning, do you want to sleep next to your brothers tonight?"
An'an and Ningning played hide-and-seek for two hours, and now their rosy little faces are covered in sweat.
Shen Liping wiped the sweat from the two children's foreheads. "If you want, your aunt can move the table and benches in the main room later and lay out three mats here so you and your brothers can sleep on the mats together, okay?"
In the summer, An'an and Ningning like to sleep on a cool mat laid on the ground.
It's not only cool, but also a lot of fun.
The two children clapped their hands and shouted in unison, "Yes!"
Shen Liping turned to Qiao Xingyue and said, "Look, both kids want to sleep with their brothers. Don't worry, I'll give An'an and Ningning a bath and wash their hair in a bit. You and Zhongming can go back without worry."
How could Qiao Xingyue not know that her sister-in-law was creating an opportunity for her and Xie Zhongming to be alone together?
Today, my two sisters-in-law have been working hard all day buying furniture and tidying up the yard for her.
How could she bear to let her sister-in-law help take care of An'an and Ningning again?
She took An An and Ning Ning's little hands and said decisively, "Sister-in-law, we won't trouble you. Zhongming and I will take An An and Ning Ning to sleep here. It's quite a hassle to bathe and wash their hair."
"Mom, I want to stay and sleep with my brothers. Zhiyuan promised me and he'll even tell me a story."
The two children shook off her hand and rushed to Xie Zhiyuan, the eldest, holding his hands on either side.
Xie Zhiyuan held his younger sisters' hands, looked at Qiao Xingyue, and pleaded on their behalf, "Fourth Aunt, please let An'an and Ningning stay. I can't bear to part with them either. We've come all this way so easily."
An'an looked at her with pleading eyes, "Mommy, please."
Qiao Xingyue looked at An An and Ning Ning, "Didn't we agree to sleep with Daddy?"
“Daddy will sleep with you.” An’an held Xie Zhiyuan’s hand. “My sister and I will sleep with our eldest brother, second brother, third brother, and fourth brother.”
Huang Guilan smiled and agreed, "Xingyue, let the two kids stay here. You two should go back quickly. Zhongming was kept up all night by the security department last night, so go back and rest early."
Qiao Xingyue then nodded.
The two walked out of the Xie family courtyard together, side by side, and headed back.
The evening breeze carried the fragrance of old locust leaves, and the glow of the old streetlights fell just at their feet.
It was quiet all around.
Only a few occasional barks could be heard from afar.
Walking to Qiao Xingyue's left, Xie Zhongming not only stood tall and straight like a pine tree, but his shadow in the dim light was also stretched incredibly long, making Qiao Xingyue next to him appear even more petite and delicate.
His strong, powerful arm accidentally brushed against Qiao Xingyue's soft arm.
Xie Zhongming's chest suddenly felt like it was pounding with the weight of a rabbit.
On the way back, he deliberately slowed his pace and touched her arm several times, wanting to hold her small hand. Several times she either raised her hand to brush her hair or reached out to pick leaves from the roadside.
The little hand wasn't being held.
My heart was pounding.
Qiao Xingyue tucked a stray hair behind her ear and let her slender, soft arms hang down.
A large hand suddenly reached out, exerting some force as it went out, but when it grasped Qiao Xingyue's hand, the movement was extremely gentle.
His palms were calloused, but they also carried the steadfastness of a soldier.
Although he firmly grasped Qiao Xingyue's hand, Xie Zhongming's heart leaped into his throat. His palms were sweating, but he deliberately put on a calm face, staring straight at the courtyard wall in front of him, and said in a steady voice, "Xingyue, there are stones on the road. I'll hold your hand so you don't fall."
Actually, there was a barely perceptible nervousness in his voice, and even his ears were bright red...
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