Chapter 111 Dad, you won't abandon us again, will you?
In Qiao Xingyue's hands, she was still holding more than twenty bundles of "Da Tuanjie" (a type of currency) wrapped in canvas by the Chen family, as well as some gold and silver jewelry, and various kinds of grain coupons, cloth coupons, non-staple food coupons, and so on.
This money must be sent out tonight and then stored in a safe place.
Seeing the three members of the Chen family with tears in their eyes and the somber atmosphere, Qiao Xingyue felt truly distressed.
She didn't want to disturb the family of three, but the situation was urgent, so she had to speak up:
"Uncle Chen, we need to transfer this money out of the way as soon as possible. I'll give this money to Aunt Hongmei and ask her to pass it on to Uncle Huang. Is that alright?"
Chen Shenghua wiped away his daughter's tears, turned to look at Qiao Xingyue, and quickly nodded, "We have to hurry."
Qiao Xingyue nodded, "It's getting late now, and there aren't many people outside. I'll go to Aunt Hongmei's house through the back door of your house to avoid being suspected of sneaking around."
Chen Shenghua couldn't help but admire Qiao Xingyue's caution, and looked at her with gratitude in his eyes, "Xingyue, thank you so much for coming over to remind our family. I didn't expect this either."
Chen Shenghua was only thinking about settling things off with Wang Shufen and Chen Jiahui. First, he wanted to divorce Wang Shufen, and second, he wanted Jiahui to marry his old comrade's son the next day, thus avoiding being implicated along with him. In his anxiety, he never considered transferring the family's money first. If the authorities took action, both the Xie and Chen families' wealth would be confiscated.
Qiao Xingyue stood up, carrying a bundle of money, and said decisively, "Uncle Chen, don't be so polite with me. Jia Hui, wait for me at the back gate of your house. I'll go to Aunt Hongmei's house to say a few words and then come over. I have something to tell you."
Chen Jiahui nodded, watching Qiao Xingyue leave through the back door with her canvas bag. Before leaving, Qiao Xingyue looked around to make sure no one was passing by, before heading towards the Jiang family's courtyard.
The Jiang family and the Chen family live not far apart.
Qiao Xingyue walked lightly under the dark shadows of the trees.
It's around 8 or 9 pm now.
Lights were on in every household.
Everywhere you look, you hear the chirping of cicadas and the croaking of frogs, and occasionally you can hear a dog barking in the distance.
A bright moon hung in the sky, illuminating the muddy path of the courtyard with a clear, frosty glow. The shadows cast by the sycamore trees along the courtyard wall were so dark that it was impossible to see any human figure beneath them.
Qiao Xingyue arrived at the Jiang family's residence with utmost caution.
Despite this sudden turn of events, the Jiang family was not affected. Jiang Beisong and Jiang Beiyang had already helped the Xie family transfer their wealth to Huang's uncle.
Qiao Xingyue had just entered the courtyard when the two brothers returned home one after the other.
"Bei Yang, this is twenty-two bundles of 'Da Tuan Jie' from Uncle Chen's family, along with some gold and silver jewelry and banknotes. Please help me deliver this to Uncle Huang. Thank you for your trouble."
Jiang Beiyang nodded. "Okay, don't worry."
“Xingyue, Zhongming should have already returned to your new house. Leave this to me, you should go back quickly, he must be worried since he can’t see you.”
"Don't worry, I'll chat with Jia Hui for a bit and then go back."
"Okay, don't take too long. Zhongming will definitely worry if he can't see you."
At this critical moment, the Jiang family's willingness to go to such lengths for her was something Qiao Xingyue greatly appreciated. If others knew that the Chen and Xie families were about to face serious trouble, they would probably avoid them like the plague.
With tears in her eyes, Zhang Hongmei grasped Qiao Xingyue's hand. "Xingyue, how is your mother? I was thinking of going over to comfort her, but I thought your family must be in a mess right now, so I didn't dare to cause her any trouble. Xingyue, tell your mother that it's precisely at times like these that she can't panic. Think about how to deal with it."
Jiang Degui: "Don't worry, with Xingyue around, his family won't be in chaos."
When he received the news, even Jiang Degui did not think of asking the Chen and Xie families to transfer their assets immediately, but Xingyue did, which shows that she had a clear mind and was rational and calm even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of her.
Jiang Degui couldn't help but admire him.
Chen Shenghua also admired Qiao Xingyue.
At this moment, in the main room of the Chen family, Chen Shenghua praised, "Xingyue is not like a woman who grew up in the countryside and never went to school. She is more knowledgeable, intelligent and decisive than Liping, the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xie family, who studied abroad."
Wang Shufen wiped away the tears that were still wet at the corners of her eyes. "You wouldn't still doubt that Xingyue isn't Fatty at this point, would you?"
"She is Fatty, but she is not Fatty."
It's simply unbelievable.
Chen Jiahui wiped away her tears and stood up. "Dad, I'm going to wait for Xingyue outside the back gate. She said she has something else to tell me. Wait for me to come back."
Under the cover of night, after leaving the Jiang family's house, Qiao Xingyue arrived at the back gate of the Chen family's house.
Chen Jiahui craned her chin and peered out. When she saw Qiao Xingyue, she quickly went up to her and asked, "Xingyue, what else did you want to see me about?"
Under the moonlight, Chen Jiahui looked sorrowful, her eyes red and still wet with tears. Her voice was hoarse, clearly indicating that she had been crying.
Qiao Xingyue knew that the matter between the Xie and Chen families had made Chen Jiahui very worried and sad. After thinking for a moment, she took Chen Jiahui's hand, sat on a rock under a tree, and spoke directly.
"Jia Hui, have you ever doubted that I'm actually not Fatty?"
The question left Chen Jia Hui somewhat stunned.
Under the moonlight, Chen Jiahui looked puzzled. "Star and Moon, what, what does that mean?"
Qiao Xingyue trusts Chen Jiahui.
Chen Jiahui is a kind-hearted, morally upright, principled, and ethical comrade who would never betray her friends.
When Qiao Xingyue first met Chen Jiahui, she learned that Chen Jiahui had a crush on Xie Zhongming since childhood. Instead of sabotaging her relationship with Xie Zhongming, Chen Jiahui even tried to bring them together. Qiao Xingyue felt like she had known Chen Jiahui for a long time.
I really wish I could make a good friend like Chen Jia Hui as soon as I transmigrated here.
So when she revealed her secret, she did so decisively and without any hesitation:
“Jia Hui, I’m definitely not Fatty. I’ll tell you something absurd: I’ve traveled from the future. I live in the new era fifty years from now. So I know what’s going to happen next.”
"If the Chen and Xie families are really to be sent down to the countryside for reform, it will take at most four more years before this movement ends. In the future, we will transition from an absolute planned economy to a socialist market economy."
"People will no longer receive supplies through rationing or coupons. At that time, there will be no more public distribution system in rural areas, and individual businesses will be allowed in cities. The economy will get better and better, and the system will get better and better."
"Those who suffered injustice during the Down to the Countryside Movement were able to have their grievances redressed."
"So don't worry that you'll have a hard life from now on; the future is still bright."
Qiao Xingyue spoke at length, and fearing that Chen Jiahui wouldn't believe her, she vividly described the future world, just as she had described it to Xie Zhongming that day. She simply told Chen Jiahui about airplanes, rockets, subways, high-speed trains, shopping malls, skyscrapers, and various technologies of the new era.
Chen Jiahui listened in a daze, finding it unbelievable, yet a strange light shone in her eyes.
"Jiahui, you don't believe me, do you?"
“I believe you!” Chen Jiahui nodded firmly. “No wonder even my dad said that although you are a chubby girl, you are not a chubby girl. You have extraordinary courage, a calm mind, and outstanding wisdom.”
Chen Jiahui firmly believed in what Qiao Xingyue said.
At this moment, the chirping of cicadas and croaking of frogs around us suddenly seemed to fall silent.
The shadows of the trees under the moonlight swayed on their faces, and the dim lights in the distance made the light in each other's eyes shine even brighter.
When Qiao Xingyue saw the certainty in Chen Jiahui's eyes, she knew it wasn't just empty words or comfort; it was genuine trust without any pretense.
Qiao Xingyue smiled knowingly.
Chen Jiahui smiled when she saw her, but her eyes were a little red. No wonder she was so different from others; she came from such a faraway place. "Xingyue, you said that your hometown in your future life is so technologically advanced that everyone has a machine? You don't need to cook, and you can order food?"
"Phone, takeout," Qiao Xingyue repeated.
Chen Jiahui nodded, her eyes red. "Yes, your hometown is so beautiful. When you come to this time and space, do you feel wronged and sad?"
"No, I have An'an and Ningning, Xie Zhongming, my parents-in-law who treat me like their own daughter, my brother and sister-in-law, and you."
Qiao Xingyue held Chen Jiahui's hand. "Jiahui, I'm telling you all this to cheer you up. Don't be sad or upset. No matter what happens, as long as the family is healthy, we can overcome any obstacle."
Chen Jiahui suddenly felt full of confidence in the future and nodded vigorously at Qiao Xingyue, "Yes, I'll listen to you. I'm not sad anymore. No matter what happens, as long as the family is healthy, there's nothing to be afraid of."
“That’s right.” Qiao Xingyue patted Chen Jiahui on the shoulder.
There was a light in both of their eyes, a light that contained trust, intimacy, and an indescribable, warm feeling of having met too late.
Chen Jiahui nodded vigorously again, her throat tightening, and all the words she wanted to say were condensed into a single sentence, "Mmm."
The wind blew again.
The shadows of the trees swayed.
Their eyes met, like two stars finally finding their path.
Chen Jiahui suddenly said, "Xingyue, are you thirsty? There's a watermelon at home, I'll go cut it for you..."
"No need, I'm afraid if I get back too late, Zhongming will be worried. We don't know what the situation will be like tomorrow, so I'll go back first. My husband looks calm and collected, but he probably doesn't have any ideas right now."
"Okay, then I'll take you there."
Chen Jiahui escorted Qiao Xingyue out of the backyard of her house.
Just then, Xie Zhongming rushed over anxiously. Upon seeing the two of them, Xie Zhongming's gaze fell directly on Qiao Xingyue, without even glancing at Chen Jiahui.
He quickly grabbed Qiao Xingyue's hand, "Where did you run off to? I went to my parents' place but didn't see you. They said you went to Uncle Chen's house, but when I went to Uncle Chen's house they said you two came out."
"Just say a few words to Jia Hui, then let's go home." Qiao Xingyue turned her head and looked at Chen Jia Hui. "Jia Hui, you should also go inside and rest. Don't overthink it."
"good."
Chen Jiahui nodded knowingly. With Qiao Xingyue's words to her, she was also full of confidence in the future.
Seeing Xie Zhongming holding Qiao Xingyue's hand tightly, Chen Jiahui felt relieved and at ease. Especially after Qiao Xingyue told her about her origin from the future, she became even more convinced that Xingyue was Xie Zhongming's perfect match.
This experience was indeed quite unbelievable, but when Xingyue told her about it, she believed her without hesitation.
After watching Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue turn and leave, she also turned and headed home.
Inside the main room, Chen Shenghua and Wang Shufen still looked worried, but Chen Jiahui was all smiles, as if nothing had happened at home. "Dad, Mom, go to sleep. We can talk about tomorrow's problems tomorrow. The sky isn't going to fall. I'll go heat up some bath water for you."
Chen Shenghua and Wang Shufen watched their daughter happily go to the kitchen.
Inside, the sound of the small door of the honeycomb briquette stove being opened could be heard, followed by the sound of water being scooped.
Wang Shufen averted her gaze from the kitchen door. "Why is Jia Hui suddenly so happy?"
Chen Shenghua shook his head. Although he didn't know why Jia Hui had suddenly become happy, her joy seemed to be contagious, which made Chen Shenghua feel much more relaxed.
Seeing his daughter finish boiling water and come out of the kitchen with a relaxed smile on her face, Chen Shenghua couldn't help but ask curiously, "Jiahui, what did Xingyue just say to you that made you so happy?"
"Anyway, it's a good thing." Chen Jiahui said, a smile playing on her lips.
Thinking that the future would be better and better, and that in a few years every household would be able to live a good life, and that everyone would have many opportunities, and that the Chen family would not be much worse off, Chen Jiahui couldn't stop smiling.
"Jiahui, what exactly did Xingyue tell you?" Wang Shufen couldn't help but ask curiously.
She stood up from the square table, walked over to her daughter, and asked, "Can you tell Mom what's going on?"
"No, this is a secret between Xingyue and me."
"You two were originally inseparable, but now you're as close as sisters."
Chen Jiahui smiled and said, "Isn't Xingyue my best friend?"
...
In the Xie family courtyard.
When Qiao Xingyue and Xie Zhongming passed by, they went inside and called An An and Ning Ning out as well.
Xie Zhongming misses his two children especially today.
Just then, the two kids seemed to sense that their grandparents, uncles, aunts, and other relatives were preoccupied with something.
Even Xie Zhiyuan, the older brother who usually laughs with them, looked somewhat worried.
Especially for the quick-witted and perceptive An'an, she felt that the atmosphere at home had suddenly become heavy.
At times like these, An'an and Ningning often feel insecure.
The more insecure the two children felt, the more they wanted to stay by their parents' side. So, when Xie Zhongming and Qiao Xingyue asked the two children to sleep in the family compound over there on weekdays, the two children refused no matter what. But today, when they were asked, they went with them.
On the way home, Xie Zhongming carried one child in his left arm and one in his right, letting the two little ones sit on his strong arms, supporting their legs.
Ningning wrapped her arms around his neck, and An'an held onto his arm.
Qiao Xingyue walked beside him and said a few words to Xie Zhongming. Xie Zhongming either answered slowly or seemed distracted.
Even An Anning felt a strong sense of oppression.
Even though the moon hanging in the sky tonight was as round and bright as a jade plate, An'an's mood was gloomy. She hugged Xie Zhongming's arm and asked, "Dad, why are you unhappy?"
“Dad isn’t upset.” Under the moonlight, Xie Zhongming carried the baby back, forcing a smile.
That smile looks so fake.
An'an is very good at reading people's expressions; she often saw that fake smile on her mother's face before.
Especially when we were in the countryside, when we had run out of sweet potatoes and potatoes, and all the flour was gone, and there wasn't a single grain of rice left in the jar, and we were on the verge of starvation, my mother would still force a smile and tell her and her sister, "Mom will definitely not let you two go hungry."
Then, as if by magic, Mom would produce two cooked potatoes.
An'an knew that it wasn't that there was food at home again, but that her mother had been saving it up because she was afraid that she and her sister would go hungry.
This time, judging from the fake smile on Dad's face, it was easy to tell that something seemed to have happened at home.
An'an clung to Xie Zhongming's arm and asked, "Dad, are we going to go hungry tomorrow?"
"How could that be!"
The evening breeze, carrying the smell of coal smoke from the large building, swept past the red brick buildings in the family compound and then passed in front of Xie Zhongming.
But this ordinary smell of cooking food pierced Xie Zhongming's heart like a knife.
At that moment, An'an blinked her big, dark eyes at him. His brows furrowed unconsciously, and the little girl followed suit, asking, "Daddy, you won't abandon me, my sister, and Mommy again, will you?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com