Chapter 16. Song Zhao joked, "You still say I'm stupid, but you don't..."
Nie Qingqing said that she had no qualms about gossiping. Her second marriage to Song Zhao and her three children were also gossip for other people.
She said, "After Director Yu's daughter got married, Director Yu either ate at the company or at his sister's house. Now he and his wife are eating at Director Yu's house. He Tonggui certainly has no objection, leaving Director Yu alone to sulk."
Sister Xiao couldn't help but chuckle. She could take her younger brother out to eat, but with her sister-in-law who didn't work and still freeloaded on meals, how could she not be angry?
"No wonder. Director Yu's face has been so dark these past few days. She can't vent her anger. We all need to be careful not to provoke her, otherwise she'll be able to handle the most difficult cases we have to resolve."
Who would want to cause trouble? Nobody would bother with her.
Qian Yurong exclaimed "Oh dear!" and then remembered: "The job that was originally meant for the new bride has been given to my daughter's in-laws. Isn't the new bride pregnant and giving birth right now?"
Nie Qingqing nodded: "That's right. I saw that they had already arranged the three-bedroom apartment. I ran into them yesterday. Director Yu's wife invited me to visit. She said she wanted to do what we have and hire her mother to come and help with postpartum care and baby care. We happen to have enough room. Tell me, what reason do you have to refuse?"
Sister Xiao said, "Director Yu's new wife is twenty-six, and you are also twenty-six. Your son Tangyuan is almost in first grade. It's normal for her to be eager to have a child."
Qian Yurong stretched, put away her knitting needles, and laughed, "Another day wasted. Time to go home. Tomorrow's Sunday, I can finally relax at home."
Sister Xiao subconsciously rubbed her lower back: "I'm really afraid of taking a break. There's always so much work to do at home. Xiao Nie, your family has three kids at home on Sundays. Aren't they going to fight?"
Nie Qingqing said, "That's right, so every weekend, I send the three kids to my mother's house, and Song Zhao and I stay home and rest for a day."
They did want some time alone, but the three kids insisted on going to Huazhi Lane. They got along well with the neighbors there, visiting each other, bringing food, and it was lively and fun. At least there was a courtyard, which was more spacious, and they could see the sky and walk on the ground. Even Xiaoyin was happy to go there to have fun on weekends.
...
On Sunday, Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao dropped off their three children at Huazhi Lane early in the morning, and then went home to enjoy some time alone together.
Song Zhao continued to study his technical books at his desk. Nie Qingqing couldn't understand them, so she didn't bother him. Instead, she did some housework. Song Zhao was clean, and so was she. When she was mopping the floor, she would ask Song Zhao to lift his feet, and he would cooperate without finding it annoying.
After mopping the floor, Nie Qingqing came in again to change the sheets and asked Song Zhao, "Am I bothering you by coming in and out so many times? Should I stop coming in?"
Song Zhao looked up and waved, saying, "I like it this way, come here."
Nie Qingqing went over, but Song Zhao pulled her into his arms and made her sit on his lap. Song Zhao said, "The children aren't home, we..."
Nie Qingqing pointed outside: "It's broad daylight, don't be indecent. Everyone's resting at home on Sundays, and neighbors can visit each other anytime. Do you dare?"
Song Zhao said, "I dare."
Nie Qingqing laughed: "I wouldn't dare. I'll go study your technique and call you back at lunchtime."
...
The sun was shining brightly today, so she changed the bed sheets, washed them, and took them upstairs to the terrace to dry. Coincidentally, He Shumei next door was also drying her clothes, and the two talked through the low partition wall.
He Shumei held up a light-colored bed sheet and complained to Nie Qingqing, "Look at this menstrual blood, it's so hard to wash off. My mother used to be able to wash it off when she washed clothes, so why can't I wash it off?"
Nie Qingqing thought to herself, "She doesn't even have this much experience. Her family really spoils her."
She taught her: "You should soak it in hot water before washing, and you should soak it right away. If you wait for half a day, it will be difficult to wash."
He Shumei suddenly realized: "You're the one with experience."
On the rooftop terrace, there were only two households in the building, and no outsiders came up. He Shumei still lowered her voice and asked Nie Qingqing for information.
“I heard that the Liu family in Huazhi Lane has a secret recipe for having a son, and the first child born in Huazhi Lane is always a boy. I want to go and see.”
Nie Qingqing quickly refuted the rumors: "I grew up in Huazhi Lane and have never heard of Grandpa Liu having such a secret recipe. Grandpa Liu is a traditional Chinese medicine doctor, but he doesn't have any secret recipe for having children. There are several families in Huazhi Lane where the eldest daughter is an older sister, the second eldest daughter is an older sister, and there are even families where all the children are daughters. Don't believe the rumors."
He Shumei said disappointedly, "I'm not pregnant again this month. Sigh, where can I find a good traditional Chinese medicine doctor?"
Nie Qingqing advised, "You've just gotten married. If you're really in a hurry, go to a proper hospital."
He Shumei nodded, then suddenly remembered: "Oh right, my husband said the factory is hiring, and my older brother's son meets the requirements. I asked him to hire him, but he said it needs Factory Director Song's approval. Why don't you talk to Factory Director Song about it? We're neighbors, it doesn't matter who gets hired, right?"
The electrical appliance factory is a legitimate state-owned enterprise; how could it be treated so casually?
Nie Qingqing quickly waved her hand, extricating herself from the situation: "This is my second marriage, how dare I interfere with Song Zhao's work? Unlike your first marriage, I don't have that kind of confidence. You have to understand my situation."
He Shumei thought about it and realized that it was indeed true. She apologized, "It's not easy for you to raise a child in your second marriage. I was confused."
...
Nie Qingqing thought to herself, "If she can ask that question, it must be because Director Yu said something."
She retorted, "It's not easy for me to bring this up, and it's not easy for you to bring it up, but can Director Yu say it? Let your man talk to Song Zhao."
He Shumei had mentioned it to the man, but he rejected it: "Sigh, it won't work. Yu Zhengmin said that Director Song is difficult to talk to."
That Factory Director Yu is rather cunning, but this is for the best; otherwise, everyone would come to Song Zhao to plead for him, which would be troublesome.
Nie Qingqing chimed in, "Yes, Song Zhao is the boss at home, and I bet he is at the factory too. Your factory manager, Director Yu, is the most considerate of people, so you should be understanding of him."
He Shumei laughed: "He is quite good, but he also has his bad points. He has a soft personality and will never achieve great things. He will remain a deputy factory director for the rest of his life."
Nie Qingqing would comfort people by saying, "Sugarcane can't be sweet at both ends; it's good enough if it's sweet at one end."
...
They'd talked for a while, and there was so much information. After Nie Qingqing went downstairs, she wandered around the living room for a while, until she ran out of things to do. Finally, she couldn't help but knock on the door and peek through the crack to ask Song Zhao, "Can I come in and say a few words to you?"
Song Zhao beckoned her over: "I haven't heard any noise from home for a while, I was just about to go look for you."
Nie Qingqing jogged over, sat on his lap, hugged his neck, and said with a bright smile, "I was hanging out the sheets to dry when I ran into Director Yu's wife. She said the menstrual blood stains on the sheets were hard to wash off, so I told her to wash them with hot water."
Song Zhao listened attentively, but not understanding what she was trying to say, he smiled and asked, "And then?"
Nie Qingqing looked at him as if he were an idiot: "You're so good at technology, how come you can't even understand what I'm saying? Are you stupid!"
Song Zhao refused to admit she was stupid, emphasizing, "I understand. From now on, any menstrual blood stains, whether on clothes or sheets, must be washed with hot water immediately. I know."
Nie Qingqing: "No! She said she didn't get pregnant again this month, which means that the two of them got together at least two months ago. Can't you tell? Factory Director Yu is dishonest. He's been hiding it from his daughter and has been wanting to find her a stepmother for a long time."
"I know, Director Yu mentioned that men can talk about more than you imagine."
Song Zhao joked, "You still say I'm stupid? Aren't you stupid too? What man is honest?" As he spoke, he drew the curtains and locked the door in one smooth motion.
Before Nie Qingqing could finish speaking, she knew she couldn't let him have his way, so she quickly pushed him away.
"I haven't finished speaking yet. Director Yu's wife said that she wants to get her brother's son into your factory. I thought to myself, if it were possible to get him in, would she need to say it? His own father and uncle would have taken care of it long ago. Now you're being made to take the blame. You should have a good talk with Director Yu."
Song Zhao paused for a moment and told her not to worry: "This recruitment requires college graduates with relevant majors. Director Yu's nephew only graduated from junior high school and wants to get into a technical position. It's impossible for him."
Nie Qingqing instructed, "That's right, we can't let this go unpunished. You must go and reason with him tomorrow."
Song Zhao agreed, "I will definitely say it." Then he kissed her, and the process became more and more familiar.
...
Work started on Monday, and Song Zhao arrived at the factory office early, followed by Factory Director Yu.
He deliberately put on a stern face and asked, "Director Yu, my wife asked me to inquire about your nephew's job situation. Why are you using me as a shield?"
Yu Zhengmin quickly washed the teacups, took out his treasured tea leaves, brewed some for Song Zhao, and apologized:
“My wife is hard to please. If I say no, she’ll throw a tantrum. You’re the factory manager, I have to listen to you. If I don’t use you as a shield, who else can I use?”
He beamed and praised Nie Qingqing: "Your wife is really good at talking and doing things. My wife said that she works under you and still manages to live a very orderly life. She's very capable."
Song Zhao said irritably, "Go ahead and put on a show in front of your wife. What will you do to appease her when she finds out? By the way, about your wife's infertility, go to a proper hospital to get it checked out. Don't use any folk remedies."
Yu Zhengmin coughed and told Song Zhao the truth: "We are both healthy. It's just that we don't plan to have children right now. We always calculate the dates for contraception. We've been lucky not to get pregnant these past few months. Right now, we're just putting it off as long as we can."
Song Zhao pointed at him: "No wonder my wife says you're dishonest, you're really slippery."
Yu Zhengmin shrugged: "I can't do anything about it. My daughter is already angry, and then my stepmother gets pregnant, which makes the relationship even worse."
He spoke frankly: "I just raised my daughter to marriage. If I have another child, I can't handle it. I'll enjoy a comfortable life for a year or two first. If I get pregnant during this time, I'll be just as happy. Let nature take its course."
Song Zhao doesn't meddle in other people's business. Qingqing doesn't know that even the most honest man isn't as honest as he seems.
He couldn't help but boast, "It's lucky my wife is so shrewd and charming. If it were anyone else, they wouldn't be able to get along with you all."
Yu Zhengmin was genuinely impressed: "You're right, you and your wife have three kids and you never argue. I wouldn't believe it if I didn't live across the hall from you."
Song Zhao smiled proudly: "Qingqing is the best. I really like her. My second marriage is better than yours."
Yu Zhengmin laughed heartily: "You used to live at the main factory, but now you take your work home with you as soon as you get off work. I can tell you like it. Don't brag."
...
When it came to the job opening at the electronics factory, Yu Wenhui's son's information was submitted by her sister-in-law. She was happy and couldn't help but praise her husband, saying, "Your sister hasn't forgotten her roots; she knows how to help Zhigao find a job."
He Tonggui said smugly, "See? My sister marrying your brother has its advantages, hasn't it? If she had married another woman, who would care about your son's job?"
Yu Wenhui demanded a definitive answer: "Don't give me that crap. Is this job a sure thing?"
He Tonggui rolled his eyes: "What are you thinking? This recruitment has strict requirements; they want college graduates with relevant majors. Is your son one?"
Yu Wenhui snapped: "Then what are you so smug about!"
He Tonggui said, "You need to think long-term. You'll have an advantage when recruiting for other positions next time. This is a large state-owned factory; it's not that easy to get in."
Yu Wenhui said angrily, "It must be because Director Song didn't give me face."
He Tonggui snapped, “Can’t you understand what I’m saying? It’s the job requirements that are strict, they want college graduates with relevant majors! Your son skipped classes in junior high, and I haven’t even disciplined him yet, but you’re already protecting him. Now you know you’re at a disadvantage, right? A doting mother spoils her son. If you want to complain, complain about yourself.”
...
Nie Qingqing has been mediating several cases these past few days, one or two a day. She's not tired, but she gets angry.
After her colleagues offered some advice, she came to terms with it. Everyone has their own destiny, and by treating things with the same seriousness as work, she stopped being angry.
She was a little late today, and it was already seven o'clock when she got to Huazhi Lane. Her mother, brother and sister-in-law, several children, and Song Zhao were all waiting for her to eat.
Song Zhao was revising the blueprints by lamplight when he saw her arrive, at which point he put the blueprints away.
Nie Qingqing hurriedly washed her hands: "Why don't you eat first? Just leave some for me."
Tang Guizhi said, "Everyone's waiting for you, but you won't eat first. Doesn't your company not require overtime? What's going on today?"
Nie Qingqing said, "The conflict we mediated today was quite serious. The woman suffered a concussion after being beaten by her husband. We accompanied her to the hospital, and she only came back after getting a check-up."
Tang Guizhi sighed, "That was too ruthless."
Song Zhao asked, "Did you call the police?"
Nie Qingqing was speechless about this, and said angrily, "The woman who was beaten wouldn't let us call the police, saying it would affect her man's work. When we heard that, we didn't want to mediate anymore."
Tang Guizhi set out the bowls and chopsticks, invited everyone to eat, and spoke realistically: "If you still want to live a good life, who would dare to ruin a man's job? They definitely wouldn't let him call the police."
Nie Qingqing picked up her rice bowl and started eating. She was starving. It was so good to be home, where there was always a hot meal waiting for her.
"The mediation ended up being ridiculous. They broke the wife's head, made her kneel down and kowtow, and then the couple went back to their home. We outsiders were furious. I'm not angry anymore. I've learned from my colleagues that if you want to live a life you don't need to persuade, and if you don't want to live a life you don't need to persuade, then you're not human. All that persuasion makes us feel like we're not human. I'll just live my life as it comes."
Tang Guizhi stepped on her foot.
Nie Qingqing: "Mom, why are you stepping on me? Song Zhao won't be angry. My value definitely doesn't lie in this job, right, Song Zhao?"
Song Zhao nodded: "You see, you only have these insights because you went out into the world, and that in itself is valuable."
Nie Qingqing laughed heartily, all her worries gone, and said proudly to Tang Guizhi, "Mom, your son-in-law's insights are really different, he's much better than you, isn't he?"
Tang Guizhi picked up the chopsticks and pushed her smug head away: "You've really fallen into a lucky hole. Don't be so smug. Wash the dishes after you finish eating before you go back. Don't let Song Zhao wash them. Wash them yourself."
Nie Qingqing dutifully washed dishes at her parents' home, feeling happy and doing so willingly.
...
When the electronics factory was hiring, Director Yu's son was unsurprisingly eliminated. She vented her frustrations at work for a week, and no one in the department wanted to provoke her. Nobody paid any attention to her, and she eventually got bored and stopped assigning any more random tasks to the department.
Some were knitting, some were drinking tea. Director Yu saw this and said nothing, and life became easier again. But Nie Qingqing and Sister Xiao both looked worried.
Qian Yurong, feeling uncomfortable while crocheting her sweater, asked with concern, "What's wrong with you two? Are you tired and not used to a more relaxed life?"
That's impossible; everyone has their own worries.
Xiao Qiuxia was truly troubled: "My in-laws are shameless old men. They want me to give up my job to my brother-in-law's girlfriend so that he can get married."
This is outrageous; no one could agree to it.
Qian Yurong and Xiao Qiuxia had been colleagues for over ten years. Knowing her family situation and guessing her needs, she asked helplessly, "You negotiated with your mother-in-law, didn't you?"
What could Xiao Qiuxia do?
“My husband said he would support his younger brother until he got married and then he wouldn’t support him anymore. What can I do if I marry a man like that? He won’t give me a job, and my brother-in-law says he won’t get married. I said I can give him a job, but then we’ll have to separate the family. My mother-in-law is crying and we can’t reach an agreement. That’s why I’m so upset.”
As a mediator, I've seen it all. She couldn't bring herself to get a divorce. Her son wasn't even married yet. Divorcing him would be like leaving him alone in a den of wolves, where he would continue to be exploited by that old geezer.
The men she comes into contact with are all pretty much the same. Her man has flaws, but to be honest, he also has good points. She just makes do with him.
Out of consideration for their past as colleagues, Qian Yurong couldn't help but meddle in this matter.
“If you really decide to do this, you can’t back down. Divide the house in half and let your parents-in-law and brother-in-law live there. You can pay them alimony every month. If they don’t move out, you can’t agree to give them your job.”
These words struck a chord with Xiao Qiuxia: "That's what I was thinking too. They definitely won't agree, and they'll end up arguing. You guys can help me mediate."
They still disagree? That's too greedy. It's really going too far to bully such an honest person. Qian Yurong and Nie Qingqing both agreed.
...
Sister Xiao was busy going home to argue with her in-laws, so Qian Yurong asked Nie Qingqing, "Hasn't everything always been fine at home? Why are you suddenly looking troubled?"
Nie Qingqing sighed softly, looking very disappointed: "It's summer vacation. Xiao Yuan's biological mother is pregnant, and she's going to bring the two kids to live with her during the summer vacation. I'm worried that she won't have the energy to take care of them, and that the kids won't be able to live well there."
Qian Yurong coughed. It's no big deal, what's there to worry about?
“She’s your biological mother, why are you worrying about this? You can relax for two months. Besides, with this comparison, the children will realize that you, their stepmother, are not bad. Let them go back.”
That's true, but there's still a void in her heart.
If she's like this, Song Zhao must be even more upset. Even her mother and sister-in-law say the house feels much quieter now.
With Xiaoyin around, she can keep her younger siblings in check and manage their time. The house is quiet and peaceful. Tanggao and Tangyuan are always at each other's throats. Without Xiaoyuan to distract them, those two little ones start arguing eight times a day again.
...
They had just finished lunch and hadn't even had a chance to rest when Director Yu came running over and asked Qian Yurong and Nie Qingqing to go out and mediate.
“There’s a commotion at Qiuxia’s house. You all work in the same office. If you go there, you can make sure she doesn’t get hurt. Go and take a look.”
The conflict in Xiao Qiuxia's family is difficult to mediate; it might not be resolved in an afternoon.
Nie Qingqing said, "I'll definitely be late tonight. I'll call Song Zhao and tell them not to wait for me and to eat first."
...
The Xiao Qiuxia family was in complete chaos.
When Xiao Qiuxia married into the family, her mother-in-law was pregnant with her youngest son. At that time, how could a young wife possibly deal with a strong and robust middle-aged mother-in-law? She has been bullying her ever since.
The in-laws became increasingly demanding. The eldest daughter-in-law gave her job to the younger daughter-in-law and refused to separate the family property, insisting that their eldest son, daughter-in-law, and grandson should all support them in their old age.
All the benefits go to the younger son, but he only cares about the older son in old age. You can dream about it; even the court wouldn't rule like that.
For the sake of camaraderie, Qian Yurong refused to compromise this time and stood her ground.
"To put it bluntly, this job is just a way to get a share of the family property. If you don't want to separate, then there's no point in talking. Just keep making a fuss. Anyway, what does it have to do with Qiuxia that your youngest son can't get married?"
"Qiuxia and her son both have jobs! If you push them too far, they'll rent a place outside, leaving your family of scoundrels to bully each other in their own backyard."
That's a great idea, but what era are we living in? If they actually run away, their superiors and neighborhood leaders will take turns trying to persuade them, and if they put pressure on them at work, it will really be a lose-lose situation.
But these words frightened the in-laws. They thought, "If we're going to separate the family, fine. But why are you trying to take advantage? There are five rooms, and they want two of them, plus the main room and the kitchen."
Nie Qingqing and Qian Yurong both disagreed, but after mediation, they finally signed a mediation agreement after being persuaded by the police and their elders and relatives.
Once the division of the family property was agreed upon, a bricklayer was immediately hired, and sand, cement, and bricks were brought in to build a wall in the middle of the yard. The five rooms were divided fairly, and if one wanted the main room, one could not have the kitchen. The parents-in-law and the younger brother-in-law were allowed to choose first.
After all this trouble, the matter in Sister Xiao's family was finally resolved.
...
Standing in her new, detached home, Sister Xiao burst into tears: "I'm so happy today. I'm finally free from my brother-in-law and in-laws."
Looking at the newly built wall, Nie Qingqing worried, "This wall probably won't be completely effective."
Qian Yurong had another idea: ask Xiao Qiuxia if she was willing.
“Your husband and son are weak. How can you manage on your own? You need to find a strong wife for your family in the mountains. How about I act as a matchmaker for you? There happens to be a girl from a family we know well. She is a good person and her family situation is good. It’s just that she is too straightforward and fierce. I’m afraid you won’t be able to handle a strong daughter-in-law.”
Xiao Qiuxia agreed, clapping her hands: "I was just looking for a strong daughter-in-law. As long as she doesn't bully my son, how many times have I suffered at the hands of my in-laws over the years? It's no big deal."
Qian Yurong laughed: "We've been friends for over ten years, how could I possibly say anything unreasonable to you? If you treat someone well, they'll treat you well in return. This matter shouldn't be delayed any longer. How about we arrange for Dashan to meet that girl tomorrow?"
Xiao Qiuxia nodded repeatedly, gratefully grasping her hand: "Go on blind dates and get married as soon as possible, it's settled then!"
...
They were so busy that the moon hung high in the sky before Nie Qingqing and Qian Yurong finally left Xiao Qiuxia's house and saw Song Zhao waiting at the alley entrance.
Qian Yurong joked, "You two have such a good relationship, bringing them all here. Well then, I'm off."
"Sister Yu Rong, slow down." Nie Qingqing's house and Qian Yu Rong's house are exactly opposite, so she walked from the other end of the alley.
After greeting them, Nie Qingqing pushed her bicycle and walked up to Song Zhao: "Why are you here? Haven't you eaten yet?"
At this moment, Song Zhao felt like a young man in his early twenties, waiting for his sweetheart. Of course, he was happy when he finally found her.
"We've already eaten, and I've taken the kids home."
He handed over the paper bag in his hand, and then took out a soft drink from the bag: "Mom made you meat pies, and I bought you this soft drink. Eat up, and then go home."
After a busy afternoon, how could she not be hungry? Nie Qingqing picked up a meat pie and took a bite. Her mother knew that she would get hungry easily after working, so she specially made three for her.
While eating meat pies and drinking soda, he felt satisfied after his meal and then joked with Song Zhao, "It would be so much better if you stayed home and rested. You came all this way, and in this hot weather, you'll need to take a shower when you get home."
Song Zhao took out a handkerchief to wipe the oil off her mouth. He just wanted to come over; he couldn't stay at home.
"My family was waiting anxiously, so I feel relieved to come and pick you up."
Nie Qingqing felt a sweet warmth in her heart and asked, "You like me that much?"
Song Zhao answered very seriously: "Yes, I do like you that much."
Nie Qingqing felt even better after hearing this. Compared to before, life was so much better now. The anger she felt from being mediated at Sister Xiao's house had all dissipated.
“Don’t be angry when I tell you this, Tangyuan’s dad has never been so thoughtful. He always complains about me, so I’m not sad about the divorce. You’re so good to me, but if one day you’re not so good to me and say I can’t keep up with you and want a divorce, I will be sad.”
Song Zhaoxue joked, "Don't you know how to tie people up and whip them? I wouldn't dare to go that far."
Before her divorce, Nie Qingqing had actually tied up Tangyuan's father. Feeling rather embarrassed, they both laughed.
...
Xiao Qiuxia was 46 years old, which met the age limit for early retirement at 45. She went through the early retirement procedures and handed over her job to her brother-in-law's wife.
A few days later, Nie Qingqing went to work and saw a pretty young girl arguing with Sister Xiao. The two of them standing together did not look like sisters-in-law, but rather like a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law.
The young girl accused Xiao Qiuxia, saying that her coming to the workplace to sweep the floor made her family lose face and that she was deliberately humiliating her, and demanded that Sister Xiao leave immediately.
Nie Qingqing was confused and, instead of greeting her, ran back to her office to find Qian Yurong and ask her if she knew anything.
"Sister Yurong, I saw Sister Xiao holding a broom and a rag. Why is she still working even though she's retired?"
Qian Yurong only found out last night. She said, "Director Yu suddenly had a change of heart and said that Sister Xiao had been exploited by her parents-in-law and brother-in-law over the years. She had just separated from her husband and was about to get married, so her family was short of money. The unit happened to be short of a temporary cleaner, so he asked if she would be willing. Qiuxia wanted to earn more money, so she agreed."
That day, when she went to mediate, Nie Qingqing witnessed the true nature of Sister Xiao's in-laws: they were concerned with saving face, hypocritical, and mean-spirited.
She said, "If Sister Xiao goes back to her workplace to clean, it'll embarrass my sister-in-law. Won't her parents-in-law come to her workplace and cause trouble?"
Qian Yurong smiled so hard her eyes crinkled: "The girl I introduced to Qiuxia is a success. That girl is amazing. She helped Qiuxia get into a fight and even encouraged her to come work here. With a daughter-in-law backing her up, Qiuxia has a lot of confidence."
Nie Qingqing was quite happy for her.
...
Sister Xiao was rehired as a cleaner, and the next day she even brought breakfast to Nie Qingqing and Qian Yurong.
"Xiao Yuan's breakfast is free. I don't know how she kneads the dough for these fried dough sticks, they're really good, you guys should try them."
Xiao Yuan is the prospective daughter-in-law of Sister Xiao's family.
Nie Qingqing had eaten breakfast at home. The fragrant and crispy fried dough sticks made her hungry. She took a bite and praised, "These are the best fried dough sticks I've ever had. Where does she set up her stall? I'll go buy some this weekend."
Xiao Qiuxia proudly said, "Right at the entrance of the department store, you'll see the girl with the round face and a big smile."
Qian Yurong said smugly, "Seeing how happy you are, are you satisfied with the daughter-in-law I introduced? Aren't you afraid she'll be fierce?"
Xiao Qiuxia was extremely satisfied: "My daughter-in-law is really good at arguing. Whenever my parents-in-law scold me, she says, 'Whoever's parents they are, they should be filial to them. If you're angry, take it out on your two sons, not your daughter-in-law.' I can't even wait for her to marry into the family."
...
Xiao Qiuxia had separated from her in-laws and was about to marry off her son. Overjoyed, she asked Nie Qingqing, "Now that I've taken care of this troublesome matter, what about yours?"
Nie Qingqing's family affairs weren't particularly worrying, but she felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.
"Xiaoyin and her younger brother were taken away by their biological mother. Strangely enough, I didn't feel much more relaxed. Tangyuan's annoyingness has increased several times over. He makes my ears hurt when I get off work. I didn't realize it before, but after a period of good days, I realized that this family is not good without any of them."
Qian Yurong comforted her, "We can bring her back after school starts. Isn't Xiaoyuan's mom pregnant? Giving birth, postpartum confinement, and taking care of a baby is very tiring. You two can discuss it and let Xiaoyuan stay with you until she gives birth and finishes her postpartum confinement. That would be fine too."
Nie Qingqing thought to herself, "That's what I was thinking too. I'll discuss it with her when we see each other at the start of the semester."
...
After get off work, Nie Qingqing bought half a roast duck on the way and brought it back to Huazhi Lane. Tangyuan banged on the bowl, waiting for dinner, and complained, "Mom, Tanggao hit me. Sister Xiaoyin wouldn't hit me. When are she and Xiaoyuan coming back? I miss them."
Tanggao, hands on her hips, huffed and puffed as she complained, "Xiaoyuan and Xiaoyin aren't here, and Tangyuan is all high and mighty. She won't listen to me, it's so annoying!"
Tangyuan got angry when Tanggao said that to him: "If you hate me, then I won't play with you anymore."
Tanggao wouldn't coax him: "I'm not playing with you anymore."
Just as Song Zhao was about to say something, Nie Qingqing pulled him back and asked with a smile, "What do you want to do?"
Song Zhao said, "They're arguing so fiercely, you should try to persuade and comfort them."
Nie Qingqing laughed: "Tang Gao and Tang Yuan have always been like this. When I first got divorced and came home, they would break up seven or eight times a day, but they would be fine in a little while. That's why I said that I have a headache as soon as Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan left."
Sure enough, a little while later, Tanggao and Tangyuan pooled their pocket money and discussed taking a bus to see Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan the next day.
Nie Qingqing said to the two of them, "Put the money away, I'll take you there in a few days."
...
Coincidentally, Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan also wanted sugar cakes and glutinous rice balls, so the siblings came to Huazhi Lane on the weekend.
Tanggao gave Xiaoyuan the extracurricular reading materials she had obtained and Xiaoyin the paintbrushes she had bought with her pocket money. She proudly said, "Xiaoyuan likes to read, and Xiaoyin likes to draw. These are gifts for you. Do you like them?"
Xiao Yuan nodded repeatedly: "Thank you, Sister Tanggao."
Xiaoyin held the paintbrush, feeling warm inside, but also a little embarrassed: "Thank you, I didn't bring you a gift."
Tang Gao waved her hand generously: "It's okay, I'm already very happy that you came back to see me."
Tangyuan also prepared a gift. He collected several kinds of candy and presented them like treasures: "I haven't been able to bear to eat them all. I'm just waiting for you to come back so we can eat them together."
He even gave one to Tang Gao, saying, "Have one, have one and you won't be angry."
Sugar Cake pinched his ear: "If you don't be so naughty in the future, I won't be angry."
...
When Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan returned, the house was bustling with activity. Tang Guizhi made fish and ribs, which the two children loved, and said, "Look, even the sugar cake and glutinous rice ball are quiet now. I'm so happy to see them loving each other."
Nie Qingqing was just as happy and asked Xiaoyin how she felt after living at her stepfather's house for half a month: "Is your stepfather good to you? Will Xiaoyuan be able to get used to it?"
Xiaoyin quickly said, "Everything is fine, Aunt Qingqing, you don't need to worry."
Xiao Yuan kept his head down and didn't speak. Nie Qingqing saw this and knew that he was doing well in terms of life and had enough to eat and wear, but his family over there was really just going through the motions. The child knew that Xiao Yuan wanted to come back here.
...
In the dead of night, Nie Qingqing couldn't sleep, so she discussed with Song Zhao: "After Xiaoyuan's mother gives birth, she'll be in confinement and taking care of the baby. How will she have the energy to take care of Xiaoyuan? Otherwise, let Xiaoyuan stay here for a while longer, until she finishes her confinement."
Song Zhao wanted to do the same, but he knew his ex-wife's personality too well. He sighed deeply, "We all know that this is good for her and the children, but no matter who brings it up, she will think that they are trying to take the children away from her. It won't work."
Sure enough, the two children only stayed at home for one night, and were picked up by their mother the next day without even having breakfast.
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