Chapter 16 Xie Zhongming is like a protective husband.
Huang Guilan thought she would wait until Xie Zhongming got divorced.
He and Xingyue, one a widow and the other divorced, were both people who had not had an easy life. An'an and Ningning also had a special connection with the Xie family.
Two people forming a new family together, living a peaceful and tranquil life, will surely be able to make a good living.
So, from now on, Huang Guilan had her own little scheme. "Fourth brother, Xingyue works at our house every day. She's a woman with delicate skin, and I'm worried that her skin will become rough. I want to buy a box of face cream for Xingyue. Could you bring it back for me on your way tomorrow?"
Xie Zhongming took off his coat, hung it up again, and turned around to reply, "Okay."
He had no idea that Huang Guilan was secretly trying to match him up with Qiao Xingyue.
Huang Guilan was so happy at the thought of making Qiao Xingyue her fourth daughter-in-law that she would wake up laughing in her dreams. She walked out happily and said, "I'm going to the kitchen to help Xingyue start the fire."
In the kitchen, Qiao Xingyue was making stewed potatoes and meat in front of the stove. Cornmeal pancakes were being baked around the edge of the pot, and rice was being steamed on a steamer rack on another honeycomb briquette stove.
The kitchen was filled with the delicious aroma of cooking.
As Huang Guilan smelled the aroma of the food, she was about to enter the kitchen when Jiang Chunyan suddenly pulled her from behind.
Looking back, Jiang Chunyan had changed her clothes. She was wearing a beige polyester shirt tucked into a navy blue long skirt, and a light-colored blazer over it.
She twirled around, lifted her skirt, revealing a pair of black low-heeled leather shoes, and looked very stylish.
"Guilan, do you think it's pretty?"
"Do you think my chances of succeeding on a blind date would be higher if I wore this outfit?"
That's right, Jiang Chunyan's clothes and shoes all belong to Huang Guilan.
Those were new clothes and shoes that Xie Jiang made for Huang Guilan. Huang Guilan, who had already retired, was going to return to the university next week as a professor to give a speech to the students. Xie Jiang had always doted on Huang Guilan and wanted her to look presentable on stage, so he made her these new clothes.
The new clothes had just been washed and hung out to dry on a bamboo pole this morning. Huang Guilan had never worn them before, but now they were being worn by Jiang Chunyan.
Jiang Chunyan has a dark complexion, and the clothes don't look that good on her, but she's quite pleased with herself right now, as if she thinks she's very fashionable.
Huang Guilan felt aggrieved. Every time Jiang Chunyan wore her clothes or took her things, she would not even say a word.
She was seething with anger.
"Chunyan, you just divorced Lao Zhao, what are you going on blind dates for?"
Jiang Chunyan remarried less than half a year after Yingying's father died. She divorced her second marriage and is now in a hurry to go on blind dates. What can Huang Guilan say about her?
"What, does being divorced mean you can't remarry?"
"..."
“Gui Lan, you know, we’re like sisters who grew up together. We have the same shoe size and the same clothes size. This dress fits me well, Gui Lan, you can wear it. You don’t need any more clothes anyway.”
Huang Guilan was a little angry, but her voice was gentle, "Chunyan, I can't give you this dress. I need to wear it when I go back to the university to give a speech next week."
Jiang Chunyan, admiring her stylish attire, replied matter-of-factly:
"You have so many Zhongshan suits in your closet, they'd be perfect for you to wear back to school, why would you wear a skirt?"
"No, Chunyan..."
"What's wrong? We've been sisters since childhood, with decades of friendship. You can't even part with a set of clothes and a pair of shoes?"
"I……"
"Besides, Guilan, if Yingying's father hadn't sacrificed himself to save your Lao Xie, I wouldn't have had to live such a hard life all these years. But you, your Lao Xie gets a high allowance every month and cloth coupons. What kind of new clothes can't you get made? Why can't you even give me a single set of clothes? If my Lao Deng were still alive, would I have to wear your clothes in such a miserable way?"
It was that same accusatory tone again, where someone took advantage of her and then blamed her, which made Huang Guilan feel very aggrieved.
Xingyue had asked her yesterday what kidnapping was. Huang Guilan had forgotten the word for a moment, but she felt very aggrieved and couldn't find any words to refute Jiang Chunyan.
At this moment, Deng Yingying walked over: What a good opportunity! If she speaks up for Aunt Lan and criticizes her mother's faults, wouldn't Aunt Lan think she is very sensible and like her even more?
Anyway, as long as she wins Aunt Lan's favor, it will be easier for her to marry Zhongming after he divorces his wife from the countryside.
Just as she was about to speak, a voice came from the kitchen: "Oh! Aunt Jiang, your bracelet is so beautiful!"
The one who spoke was Qiao Xingyue, who came out of the kitchen.
She took Jiang Chunyan's right hand, and the porcelain-white bracelet made Jiang Chunyan's already dark skin look even darker.
"It's really ugly!" Qiao Xingyue exclaimed, "Aunt Jiang, this bracelet really suits your style. You look beautiful in it!"
Jiang Chunyan, having been praised, completely forgot what she was supposed to do. Just as she was about to speak, a sharp pain shot through her wrist. "Ouch, Comrade Qiao, what are you doing? You..."
Before she could finish speaking, Qiao Xingyue had already taken the bracelet off Jiang Chunyan's wrist and put it on Huang Guilan's wrist.
"Aunt Jiang, this bracelet of yours is so beautiful, why don't you give it to Aunt Lan?"
"This won't do. This bracelet..."
"What's wrong, Aunt Jiang? You and Aunt Lan have been sisters since childhood, with decades of friendship. You can't even part with a bracelet? You're too stingy!" Qiao Xingyue interrupted Jiang Chunyan without giving her a chance to speak.
"I..." Jiang Chunyan suddenly couldn't answer.
She stammered for a long time before finally managing to say a few words, "But, but, but... but this is my bracelet."
"You know this is your bracelet?"
"It was originally my bracelet."
“The clothes and shoes you’re wearing were originally Aunt Lan’s. Since we’ve been good friends for decades, it’s just right for Aunt Lan to give you clothes and you to give Aunt Lan a bracelet in return.”
“No way, my bracelet is very valuable.”
“Aunt Jiang, we’re all sisters. It’s petty of you to be so concerned about these things. What’s the value of this? It represents the bond between you sisters. Unless you don’t consider Aunt Lan a sister.”
"Why didn't I consider Huang Guilan a sister?"
"You consider Aunt Lan a sister, yet you can't bear to part with a bracelet?"
"What, Comrade Qiao? Guilan and I are sisters, so why should I give her the bracelet? That doesn't make sense."
"Aunt Jiang, what's wrong with that? Just because Aunt Lan is your sister doesn't mean she should give you her new clothes for free. That doesn't make sense."
"I, you...this..."
Jiang Chunyan felt frustrated and couldn't find a single word to refute her.
Huang Guilan secretly rejoiced at Jiang Chunyan's frustrated and speechless state. It was truly satisfying to finally let Jiang Chunyan experience this feeling of frustration.
Huang Guilan had tolerated Jiang Chunyan for decades and felt resentful for just as long, but she couldn't think of a way to solve the problem. Unexpectedly, her Xingyue solved it easily with just a few words.
At this moment, Huang Guilan looked at Qiao Xingyue with eyes full of admiration: her Xingyue was really amazing! She admired her.
She almost couldn't resist giving Qiao Xingyue a thumbs up.
At this moment, Qiao Xingyue noticed that Jiang Chunyan was still wearing a necklace, so she decisively ripped it off.
“Aunt Jiang, although the destruction of the Four Olds has ended, everyone is afraid of the negative impact. Few people are as ostentatious as you, wearing a gold necklace around your neck.”
"How about this, Aunt Lan will keep your necklace for you, so it won't be too conspicuous and get reported."
As she spoke, Qiao Xingyue put away the necklace and bracelet and handed them to Huang Guilan. "Aunt Lan, come on, I'll go cook some vegetables. You help me tend the fire."
He then pulled Huang Guilan into the kitchen and closed the kitchen door behind them.
Jiang Chunyan, outside, felt frustrated, wanting to snatch the bracelet and necklace back but having no legitimate reason. She always felt that once Qiao Xingyue opened her mouth, she would be completely powerless to refute a single word she said, and even if she did refute, Qiao Xingyue would suppress her.
This feeling was like a huge rock was stuck in her chest, heavy and suffocating, making it impossible to breathe—clearly Huang Guilan took her bracelet and necklace, taking advantage of her, so how did it become her fault?
Jiang Chunyan couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong.
Standing to the side, Deng Yingying was even more dumbfounded. She had originally planned to take this opportunity to speak up for Aunt Lan and criticize her mother in order to win Aunt Lan's favor.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Xingyue stole the credit. Not only did Qiao Xingyue help Aunt Lan deal with her mother, but she also made her mother stand there trembling with anger, unable to utter a single word.
Qiao Xingyue is really difficult to deal with; even Deng Yingying felt frustrated.
"Mom, I already told you to stay away from Qiao Xingyue."
"How did I offend her? She's the one bullying your mom, and you're just watching and not helping her."
"How can I help you? You were clearly in the wrong first."
Why do you always side with your elbow?
I don't want to talk to you.
That's so stupid!
...
In the kitchen, Huang Guilan couldn't help but chuckle to herself, giving Qiao Xingyue, who was shoveling cornbread onto the stove, a thumbs-up as she laughed.
"Xingyue, you're really amazing. Look at Jiang Chunyan's speechless expression, it's so satisfying."
A pot of stewed potatoes and meat is simmering in the pot, smelling delicious.
The cornbread stuck to the side of the pot is cooked, having absorbed the broth from the potato and meat stew, and smells delicious.
Qiao Xingyue scooped the pancakes one by one into the enamel plate. "Aunt Lan, don't hold back anymore. Just remember this trick, and you'll have Aunt Jiang wrapped around your little finger."
"Which move?" Huang Guilan asked earnestly. "Xingyue, Aunt Lan's brain isn't as sharp as yours. You should teach Aunt Lan quickly."
"It's not that I'm particularly clever," Qiao Xingyue said modestly. "This trick was taught to me by someone else; it's about using magic to defeat magic."
"What kind of magic?"
Huang Guilan might not understand this term from later generations, so Qiao Xingyue thought for a moment and then said, "It means to use someone else's methods against them."
"Oh, I see." Huang Guilan suddenly realized that Xingyue had used the same trick to leave Jiang Chunyan speechless at the dinner table yesterday.
After scooping up the flatbread, Qiao Xingyue scooped up the stewed potatoes and meat. "Aunt Lan, don't worry, Aunt Jiang will definitely take off all her clothes and shoes and return them to you obediently in a little while."
Sure enough, before Qiao Xingyue had even finished preparing dinner, Jiang Chunyan had already taken off her clothes, folded them neatly, and held them in her hands. With her other hand, she was carrying the new leather shoes. She came to Huang Guilan and said, "Guilan, you're going to wear these new clothes and shoes when you go back to the university to give a speech. I don't need them. You should put them away quickly."
Huang Guilan, who was standing in front of the stove, put down the firewood, wiped her hands, and took the clothes and shoes from him.
Jiang Chunyan quickly asked, "Guilan, what about my bracelet and necklace..."
"Here you go, I don't like taking advantage of people." Huang Guilan took out a handkerchief from her pocket and returned the bracelet and necklace wrapped inside to the other person.
Jiang Chunyan breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the bracelet and necklace, but her face felt burning. Wasn't this just accusing her of taking advantage of others? But after what had just happened, she couldn't find a single word to refute it.
It's all Qiao Xingyue's fault—if it weren't for this little slut, Huang Guilan wouldn't dare to go against her like this. In the past, she was the one who kept Huang Guilan in line, never the one who felt wronged. No, she had to get this little slut out of the Xie family, otherwise, life would be really uncomfortable.
After dinner, Jiang Chunyan took a shower.
Seeing Qiao Xingyue come out of the old lady's room carrying a basin of dirty clothes, Jiang Chunyan handed the clothes to her, saying, "Comrade Qiao, please wash my clothes too, make sure they're clean, thank you for your trouble."
Hmph! You little slut, I can't handle you.
“Aunt Jiang.” Xie Zhongming also came out of his grandmother’s room.
He took the clothes out of the basin and stuffed them back into Jiang Chunyan's hands, saying, "Wash your own clothes. Comrade Qiao has no obligation to wash your clothes."
"Isn't she a nanny? If the nanny doesn't do the laundry, who will?"
"Comrade Qiao came to our Xie family not as a nanny to do laundry and odd jobs. Her main task is to help Grandma take care of her health. My mother isn't very good at cooking, so Comrade Qiao just helped her cook a meal. There's no reason for Comrade Qiao to do Aunt Jiang's laundry. Doesn't Aunt Jiang have hands of her own?"
“Zhongming, how can you talk like that? I’m your elder, after all.”
"What, don't elders have to do laundry? Is Aunt Jiang paralyzed like my grandma? Or is she too old and frail to move?"
Qiao Xingyue, holding an enamel basin, couldn't help but chuckle.
She knew that Commander Xie was not only shy but also had a sharp tongue, but she never expected him to be so sharp-tongued!
This completely overturned the image of Commander Xie in her mind—a man of iron will, resolute character, upright demeanor, and shyness.
"Zhongming, how dare you talk to Aunt Jiang like that?"
"Aunt Jiang wants me to speak properly and first be a good person myself."
"you……"
“Aunt Jiang, please show more respect to Comrade Qiao in the future. Don’t treat her like a servant. She knows traditional Chinese medicine. Her main task is to take care of Grandma’s health. She is not our Xie family’s nanny, much less a servant for you to order around.”
These days, Xie Zhongming has also seen that Comrade Qiao takes an hour to massage his grandmother every time, and does so more than three times a day. He is always so tired that his back aches and he works very hard.
He didn't want to exhaust Qiao Xingyue.
Qiao Xingyue, who was holding an enamel basin next to him, had a strange feeling—Commander Xie was protecting her like he was protecting his own wife, which was both domineering and handsome, as well as protective of his own.
Why would such a strange idea pop into her head?
Qiao Xingyue clenched her fingers tightly as she held the enamel basin, quickly suppressing the strange thought, and then looked at the iron-willed and resolute Commander Xie again.
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