Chapter 38. Cash is still the most reliable asset, better than a deposit slip...
When Nie Qingqing arrived at Shumei's house, Song Zhao was outside in the courtyard talking to Yu Zhengmin in a stern voice, making Yu Zhengmin unable to lift his head. She knew then that it was about Yu Zhengmin's eldest daughter's family.
When Song Zhao saw her coming, the seriousness on his face disappeared, and he took a few steps to come over.
Seeing Yu Zhengmin's evasive manner, Nie Qingqing pulled Song Zhao aside and asked, "Is it about his eldest daughter?"
Song Zhao was angry that Yu Zhengmin was soft-hearted and lacked resolve: "Yu Zhengmin's eldest daughter had an extra son, and she needs to pay a fine to register the child's household registration. The fine is quite large, and I want him to pay it."
Nie Qingqing blurted out, "Why should I? I won't pay!"
If it were Song Zhao, there would be no chance, but Yu Zhengmin is soft-hearted. His daughter knows how to manipulate her own father. At this time, it's a contest of who has a harder heart.
Song Zhao said, "If they don't pay, her daughter and her husband's family have already discussed it and decided to give Daya to a childless relative in the countryside to make room for their son to register his household."
Nie Qingqing wanted to hit someone right then and there, and cursed loudly, "They dare!"
Since both husband and wife are no longer officially employed due to having more children than allowed, what are they afraid of?
They wanted to raise Daya, but they couldn't afford the fine for the younger one. If Yu Zhengmin paid, they would continue to raise Daya; otherwise, they would send her to the countryside.
Song Zhao said, "Even if we report it, if we keep Daya at home, the son born in violation of the one-child policy won't be able to get a household registration. How can Daya have a good life?"
All that resentment was vented on Daya. When her younger son needed to enroll in school but didn't have a household registration, he probably wouldn't even be able to stand Daya.
Nie Qingqing dared not think about it and cursed in Yu Zhengmin's direction: "You're so good to your eldest daughter, waiting for her to get married before remarrying. How could she treat Daya like this?"
How could Yu Zhengmin know? If he paid for it, he would have worked for nothing all year, which would be too unfair to Shumei and Douding. If he didn't pay, he couldn't bear to see Daya suffer.
...
Nie Qingqing guessed that Shumei felt the same way. She couldn't help but feel indignant if she spent the money, but she couldn't eat or sleep if she didn't. In the end, Shumei was kind-hearted. Only a person who wasn't kind-hearted would feel bad about other people's affairs.
This matter still needs to be decided by Shumei and her husband. Nie Qingqing patted Shumei's back and comforted her for a while. Only after seeing that her emotions had stabilized a lot did she begin to guide her.
“Everyone is responsible for their own child. The second child was born in violation of the one-child policy, so it has nothing to do with you. It’s only natural that your family doesn’t contribute any money. Yu Zhengmin can’t find fault with that. You still have your own children to raise.”
After Nie Qingqing explained the reasoning to He Shumei, she felt much better. Daya was not related to her by blood, but she was related to Yu Zhengmin and Douding.
He Shumei wiped her eyes and calmed herself down.
"That's what I said, but I calmed down after the argument. Qingqing, do you still remember Zhaodi who came to find Song Zhao that day?"
Yes, I remember. I even gave them two hundred yuan. "Now when I think about it, I'm so glad I gave them that money back then, otherwise I would feel bad every time I think about it."
He Shumei nodded: "Yes, I feel the same way you did back then. Daya is only a little older than my Douding. After paying this money, I feel no burden. Whether Daya is good or bad in the future, she won't hate me, her cheap grandmother. I have done my best."
Shumei agreed to pay the money, even though it was unfair to her, but she felt at peace with herself. She knew that she had helped Daya throughout her life and had no regrets.
Nie Qingqing hugged her tightly: "Shumei, how can you be so good to me? Good things will definitely happen to you in the future!"
He Shumei burst into laughter through her tears: "You're so good at sweet-talking people."
...
After the deal was settled, Yu Zhengmin felt relieved. He had long been disheartened by his daughter and son-in-law's family, but Daya was only a little older than Douding and was his own granddaughter, so he felt sorry for the child.
He knelt down in front of He Shumei, his earlier dilemma replaced by guilt towards his wife: "Meimei, how can I thank you?"
He Shumei really wanted to yell at him to vent her anger, but remembering Nie Qingqing's advice, she thought that since she had already decided to give him the money, she had to pull Yu Zhengmin's heart to her side and stop saying such harsh words.
She said, "We're family, so let's not be formal. But I have a condition: you can only give Da Ya half of her living expenses. The other half should be used to buy clothes, food, and other necessities for Da Ya. Think about it, Da Ya is just a child. How can she spend eighty yuan a month? I don't want your daughter to spend that money on other things."
That's perfectly reasonable; that's exactly what Yu Zhengmin meant.
"Absolutely. If she doesn't agree, she can forget about getting the fine for having too many children!"
Nie Qingqing reminded them: "This time, everything must be in black and white, signed on paper. Make it clear that you will not help them again in the future."
“I know that.”
Yu Zhengmin shared some good news with He Shumei: "The factory's big boss said I've made great contributions to the factory and is afraid I'll leave, so he wants to officially give me shares. I want to put your name on the list to avoid any trouble later."
That's more like it. At least he has a conscience and has finally become wary of his daughter and son-in-law.
He Shumei felt even better and deliberately asked him, "You don't trust your daughter and son-in-law, but you trust me so much?"
Yu Zhengmin laughed and said, "What's there to worry about? Song Zhao is right. If we don't get along, it's because I'm making you angry. As long as I treat you well, you definitely won't leave."
Song Zhao said decisively, "Alright, you two can discuss the details yourselves. Qingqing and I haven't had dinner yet."
Yu Zhengmin quickly said, "Let's go together, the little restaurant near the entrance is pretty good."
Song Zhao: "Forget it, I'm too lazy to listen to your family's troubles."
He Shumei was no longer upset and could even crack a joke: "With Director Song's personality and temper, who could get along with you without Qingqing?"
Song Zhao: "Of course there are people with the same interests, but it's definitely not your Yu Zhengmin."
Yu Zhengmin was in a good mood and was not about to let him go: "You're still taking your anger out on me? I'm going to treat you to dinner today."
Persuading people is hard work. Nie Qingqing was indeed hungry, so she ate something there before going back with Song Zhao.
Soon, the deal was settled with He Shumei's family. Yu Zhengmin went back and vented his anger. He returned with the agreement and transferred the factory's shares to He Shumei's name.
...
With Attorney He's wedding approaching, she's been busy preparing and hasn't been coming to the company much lately, leaving Nie Qingqing with a lot of free time.
Since news of Attorney He and Mr. Zhong's marriage spread, some people's attitudes toward her have quietly changed.
The receptionist gave her a small bag of oranges with a friendly smile: "Sister Qingqing, these are from my own garden. I sent over a lot, so I'm sharing some with you."
Nie Qingqing accepted the oranges with both hands: "Thank you, these tree-ripened oranges are the best."
In return, she gave the receptionist a small jar of pecan kernels, saying, "These are a specialty from my hometown; my family just sent them to me."
The receptionist smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Sister Qingqing."
Nie Qingqing returned to her seat, puzzled, and tossed an orange to Xun Guangshen, muttering to him, "Have you noticed? The receptionist has been much more polite to me."
Not only that, the people at the law firm became much more polite to her.
Attorney Xun said, "She is convinced of your abilities, so she will naturally be polite."
Nie Qingqing shook her head: "No, it's just in the last few days."
Xun Guangshen looked around and lowered his voice: "As Attorney He's value has risen, so naturally yours has too."
Nie Qingqing suddenly realized that she was really slow on the uptake in this regard.
...
Before leaving get off work, I delivered a document for Attorney He and got home a little late. Tangyuan saw that her mother had bought a small bag of about seven or eight oranges. She reached out to take it and muttered, "Mom, why did you only buy these? It's not enough for me by myself."
Nie Qingqing was in a good mood: "I didn't buy them, the receptionist gave them to me. I ate one, it was so sweet, I gave two to Attorney Xun, and brought the rest back with me."
Song Zhao asked, "Why did she suddenly become nice to you?"
Nie Qingqing was very proud: "As Attorney Xun said, Attorney He's value has increased, and as a result, I'm also being respected."
Tangyuan: "Mom, is this something to be proud of?"
Nie Qingqing countered with, "Are the oranges delicious?"
She had already finished one glutinous rice ball and nodded, "It's so sweet."
Nie Qingqing: "Look, you get free oranges too, what are you still nagging about?"
As she spoke, she grabbed the largest orange, peeled it, and handed it to Song Zhao, asking for his opinion.
"Attorney Ho is having two weddings. I definitely won't go to the one on Hong Kong Island. For the wedding on this side, she wants me to sit at the head table on her family's side. What is Attorney Ho's intention in making this arrangement?"
Attorney He and Mr. Zhong chose their own marriage. If Attorney He wants to get things done, she needs people she can use. This is to tell her relatives and friends that Qingqing is someone she trusts and can act on her behalf.
Song Zhao said, "This will make things easier for you at work in the future. She values you, so others won't dare to make things difficult for you."
So that's how it is. Attorney He trusts her, so she can't let him down. She'll sit at the table with her relatives and friends without any hesitation.
...
Attorney He's wedding was lavish. Today, she was the star of the show. Judging from her confident demeanor, this was a satisfying and mutually beneficial marriage for Attorney He. If she was satisfied, then that was good.
Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan's homeroom teacher is Lawyer He's distant cousin. She was invited but didn't come. Nie Qingqing didn't recognize anyone at the table, but her relatives and friends had heard her name. Their expressions varied, and they were probably wondering why an assistant like her was sitting at a table with her relatives and friends.
She didn't feel embarrassed. A little while later, Lawyer He's cousin, Xiao He, arrived with Lawyer Xun and sat next to her. With someone to talk to, she felt even less embarrassed.
Xiao He said, "Sister Qingqing, the walnuts you asked Guangshen to bring me last time were delicious. I'll buy some."
Nie Qingqing said, "Okay, that's a specialty from my hometown. They don't sell it here. I'll ask my family to send you more. I'll give it to you when it arrives."
Seeing that she was so easy to talk to, Xiao He quickly said, "Then can you send more? I want to give some to the kids in my class so they can all try it."
Nie Qingqing laughed and said, "Peanuts are expensive. Why don't you save this money and buy pencils and notebooks, and some steamed cakes? The children will be very happy, even happier than if they had eaten pecans."
Xiao He thought about it and realized it made sense, feeling rather embarrassed: "Sister Qingqing, you're so thoughtful."
Attorney Xun looked at Xiao He with tenderness and affection. Nie Qingqing thought to herself that these two were a bit naive and silly, and they would be happy together.
...
It seems a very important person has arrived outside; Mr. Zhong and Attorney He have both gone out to greet him.
Nie Qingqing asked Xiao He curiously, "Is it an elder from your side of the family, or from Mr. Zhong's side?"
Xiao He glanced at the guests at the surrounding tables. All the important people had arrived. She remembered: "My brother-in-law was assigned to a real estate company in the mainland. He invited the family members of the leader in charge of economic development. The new leader needs to attract investment to achieve political achievements, so he actually sent his family members. My sister and brother-in-law are supposed to greet them personally."
Nie Qingqing understood; even if it was just family members who came, it was already a great honor.
When she saw the distinguished guest, she was both surprised and delighted. It was Qian Yurong! She was so excited, never expecting to meet her again on such an occasion.
Today was not the occasion for catching up, so Nie Qingqing smiled at Qian Yurong who was looking over, but did not step forward.
Qian Yurong was both surprised and delighted. Her husband had asked her to come, but she was reluctant. However, as the person in charge of economic development, how could the work progress without these investors? Since she was a family member, she decided to come. She didn't expect Nie Qingqing to be there.
Qian Yurong didn't care about anything else. She changed her mind and came to this table. She took Nie Qingqing's hand and explained to the host, "What a coincidence today. I'm so lucky to have met my sister from my hometown."
Sister Yu Rong actually said she was her younger sister from her hometown, which was supposed to elevate her status. Nie Qingqing felt guilty and smiled along.
Mr. Zhong reacted quickly and laughed, "Miss Nie and my wife are as close as family. What a coincidence!"
Since there is this relationship, Qian Yurong said, "I'll sit here and have a chat with my sister."
On such an important occasion, with seats arranged so carefully, how could we let Qian Yurong sit wherever she pleased? People would say the Zhong family was being extremely impolite.
For Qian Yurong, given her current status, sitting at the table near the entrance is no different from sitting at the main table, but for the Zhong family, it's a different story.
A relative of the Zhong family had already offered to switch seats, allowing Nie Qingqing to go with Qian Yurong to sit at the main table.
Nie Qingqing dared not be coy and waste time, so she followed Qian Yurong.
...
Qian Yurong followed her husband to his new post, and her family followed as well. Nie Qingqing hadn't seen her for several years, but they kept in touch by letter. Today, when they met, they were as warm and friendly as ever.
The closer she became to Qian Yurong, the more polite the Zhong family relatives at the main table were to her.
After the banquet, Xiao He came over and whispered to Nie Qingqing, "Sister Qingqing, my sister said you don't need to stay and help. You can go with Mrs. Qian and catch up."
That would be even better. Qian Yurong declined the Zhong family's offer to send her off by car and went to take the bus hand in hand with Nie Qingqing.
Nie Qingqing glanced back at the commotion at the hotel entrance before happily saying, "Sister Qian, thanks to you today, I'm being respected so much more."
Qian Yurong laughed and said, "I know it's against the rules, but I have to sit with you, otherwise people will think we don't get along."
The two chatted on the way and still seemed to have plenty of time to talk. Nie Qingqing then went to her house for a while and visited the two-bedroom apartment she had just tidied up.
Qian Yurong joked, "My family all advised me to come over after my husband is settled, and they also said to come over for a family reunion after the children are admitted to university, but I didn't listen to any of them."
Nie Qingqing thought Qian Yurong was very smart, which was important for the stability of the family.
She said, "With my brother-in-law's promotion, he needs to work even harder. There are many temptations here in the special economic zone that can lead people astray, so you have to keep a close watch on things."
Qian Yurong knew that Nie Qingqing could understand her.
"That's what I was thinking. Look at me today, I didn't even bring back any wedding candy. I was afraid people would suspect that I had something in the candy box. If I didn't bring any, I wouldn't give them any reason to talk."
Nie Qingqing opened the wedding candy she had brought back: "You can have mine."
They were all imported and not commonly seen. Qian Yurong only ate one and helped her pack it back: "This candy is really delicious. Take it back for Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan to eat."
Nie Qingqing asked, "When are you going to pick up your child?"
Qian Yurong said, "I'll get the house ready and find a school first, and then I'll transfer over after the New Year."
The two chatted for a while longer, and when Nie Qingqing saw that it was almost time, she returned first. Since she had come all this way, there was no need to worry about seeing each other again in the future.
...
When Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan got home from school, they saw their parents looking happy, and the kitchen was empty, so they knew they would be able to go out for dinner that night.
Tangyuan was overjoyed, already planning where to eat, and said in a mocking tone, "Mom, you seem very happy today. What interesting things happened at the wedding?"
Nie Qingqing was still excited and said happily, "Your Aunt Qian came here with her husband's transfer. She said I'm her sister from her hometown. I really hope that everyone who is good to me is doing well, so that I can benefit from it all."
Tangyuan was speechless at his mother's ideal: "Mom, you need to have some ambition. No one is better than yourself. If you work hard, you can take care of your son in the future."
Nie Qingqing: "You're the one who should have ambition! I'll just wait to benefit from your success."
Tangyuan didn't have that ambition: "Forget it, I'm not good at studying at all, I can't make you proud, but don't be discouraged, Xiaoyin and Xiaoyuan, they can do it."
Song Zhao said to Tang Yuan, "I think you're the most cunning one in the future. Don't be modest, let's go eat. You're treating tonight."
Tangyuan: "Why am I the one paying?"
Nie Qingqing and Song Zhao stood on the same side: "You asked your dad for more supplies, which means you're making more money than before. We should celebrate, so of course you're treating."
...
Everything went smoothly in the second half of the year. As the year drew to a close, Song Zhao made an appointment with Nie Qingqing, saying that Director Min, with whom they were cooperating, wanted to invite the couple to dinner.
Song Zhao was just a minor shareholder. He didn't bring his family along when he ate and received dividends.
She asked, "Why did you specifically invite me this year?"
Song Zhao said, "This year is different. I have the technology, and you have the connections. Things are different now, so people naturally value us more."
Since her partner invited her to dinner, and they plan to collaborate in the future, she should give him the courtesy he deserved.
The dinner was held at the restaurant owned by Director Min's younger brother, a small restaurant with only two private rooms and a large lobby.
When they first started working together, Song Zhao and the other party agreed that neither side would allow relatives to enter the factory, and both sides kept their promise.
The restaurant is located opposite the factory, so it has no shortage of customers and does a good job. The food is also quite good. There were only two families with four adults and four children. The factory director's eldest son is studying at a vocational school, and his youngest daughter will be in first grade next year.
Tangyuan and a vocational school student hit it off while chatting about making money. Xiaoyuan patiently played with the little girl.
Nie Qingqing is very outgoing; as long as the other person is willing, there will be no awkward silence.
...
During the meal, Director Min's wife, Xu Cuilan, and Nie Qingqing hit it off immediately. Xu felt that Nie was easy to get along with and didn't stand on ceremony. So she asked, "Your two children are at Friendship Primary School. My Dandan also wants to go next year. What are the requirements?"
The electronics factory is thriving now. Song Zhao is only the second largest shareholder and still has to listen to the majority shareholder. Why should he shirk his responsibilities for such a small matter?
Nie Qingqing said, "My child was enrolled in school with the help of Attorney He. Given her current status, she certainly wouldn't get involved in such a small matter. Don't worry, I'll ask Attorney He's cousin. If she can handle it, she can do it herself. It's the same as Attorney He doing it."
"Thank you so much."
Xu Cuilan was extremely grateful. Nie Qingqing was truly capable. Even if she couldn't accomplish it in the end, she wouldn't blame her; she would only continue to express her gratitude.
As she was leaving, Xu Cuilan pointed to the large bag on the chair next to her and said with a smile, "This is all the hard work your Song Zhao has put in for the year. Take it with you and drive carefully."
Nie Qingqing was overjoyed. This bag looked quite large. Song Zhao wanted to give her a surprise. He had only said that this year's harvest was good, but he hadn't mentioned that there would be this many.
She tried to lift it, but couldn't budge it. She had no idea money was so heavy!
Song Zhao raised the issue, appearing calm but secretly pleased. Cash was more tangible and would make Qingqing happier than a deposit slip.
...
The two didn't dare talk about money on the way home and hurried back. Once home, she opened her bag and couldn't help herself, pulling out a wad of cash. She smiled brightly and said, "I can't even imagine how I'm going to spend all this money. How did I get so much?"
Song Zhao's purpose in earning money was to make her happy, so that when others bought this or that in the future, Qingqing would also be willing to buy it.
He didn't mince words: "Our factory is a thriving electronics factory. Good profits mean big dividends, but you don't have to be so accommodating to Director Min's wife. I don't want you to suffer any injustice."
Nie Qingqing hurriedly said, "Her family is your business partner. This is where personal connections come in handy. I asked Xiao He for help, and she will come to me for her and Attorney Xun's matters in the future. The He family owes me a favor, and I have a sense of justice. I won't let them repay more than they owe me."
A few days later, after inquiring about the school's affairs, it was confirmed that it could be done. Director Min was asked to donate some funds to the school, and Xu Cuilan readily agreed, expressing her gratitude repeatedly.
...
The factory distributed profits, and it's time to get ready to go back to my hometown for the Chinese New Year.
This is Attorney He's first year of marriage. She's been visiting relatives and friends and has even planned a trip around the world. As soon as she left, she gave Nie Qingqing a vacation.
Song Zhao's electrical appliance factory is privately owned. After delivering the last batch of goods before the Lunar New Year and leaving the security guards on duty, he also went on holiday. This year, he was able to go home for the Lunar New Year six or seven days earlier.
Nie Qingqing went to He Shumei's place and asked her about her plans for the Spring Festival this year, and whether she wanted to buy tickets together.
He Shumei said, "This year, we had such a falling out with Yu Zhengmin's daughter's family. Our family discussed it and decided not to go back home for the New Year. Instead, my dad, sister-in-law, and Xiao Qi will come over for a family reunion."
Nie Qingqing said, "That's good too. You can spend the New Year here in peace and quiet."
...
Nie Qingqing's family went home for the Chinese New Year, and the twins had no one to play with. They watched Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan running around packing their bags, feeling quite disappointed.
Xiaolin asked, "When are you coming back?"
Tangyuan wasn't joking: "If your mom agrees, how about you come to my house for the New Year? There are lots of people in my hometown for the New Year, it's so much fun, I can take you to do something different every day."
Xiaolin hesitated, "My mom would never agree, I can't go."
Dalin said, "The Spring Festival is a time for family reunion, and we want to spend time with our mothers."
Kids always love excitement, so Nie Qingqing told the twins, "Don't rush, we'll set off on the afternoon of the fifth day and arrive on the morning of the sixth."
Xiaolin did the math and thought it was fine; it wouldn't be too long to wait. "Well, there are still about ten days before school starts. We'll wait for you, and then we'll go to Sister Lehan's hotel to play. We'll stay there for one night this time too."
...
This year, she was able to stay at home for about ten days before and after the New Year. Nie Qingqing bought a lot of food and drinks, as well as clothes for her brother, sister-in-law, and mother to wear for the New Year. She bought styles that couldn't be bought in her hometown, and they would definitely be happy.
There was so much stuff that even Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan had to carry it on their shoulders and in their hands as they squeezed out of the train. Xiaoyin and Tanggao came to pick them up at the station. There were no adults with them, and even though Xiaoyin was already as tall as an adult, Nie Qingqing was still worried.
"Why are there only the two of you? Didn't we say that your aunt and uncle are busy and don't need to pick you up from the station?"
Xiaoyin was overjoyed to see her family and rushed to carry their bags, saying, "We came with Uncle Zhang from the alley. Otherwise, Grandma Guizhi wouldn't have been at ease. Uncle Zhang has already left with his daughter. There are train attendants on the platform, so there's nothing to worry about."
Nie Qingqing still cautioned, "You can't do this again next time."
"Okay, Aunt Qingqing, I'll listen to you."
Xiaoyin carried one bag on her back and another in her hand, while Tanggao helped take a bag of fruit wine from Xiaoyuan's hand and asked, "Auntie, can I drink this wine?"
Nie Qingqing said, "This is a lychee-flavored drink, you can drink it."
Tanggao was overjoyed, clutching the fruit wine tightly to her chest, as if afraid it would burst.
...
After exiting the station, they took a bus to Huazhi Lane, where Tang Guizhi had already prepared noodles and was waiting for them to arrive.
My brother and sister-in-law haven't started their holiday yet; they went to work early this morning. We agreed to have dinner at home tonight.
Tangyuan and Xiaoyuan stayed in Huazhi Lane to have fun, while Nie Qingqing went back with Song Zhao.
The house was spotless; Tang Guizhi had cleaned it a few days in advance, and the bedding had been washed and dried. Nie Qingqing took a shower, lay down in the soft quilt, and found the house quiet and peaceful, without the noise of children—it was incredibly comfortable.
Nie Qingqing smiled and said, "I feel so comfortable as soon as I get home. My mom takes care of the kids, and you do all the housework. I'm so happy."
Song Zhao hadn't showered yet, so he didn't go up to bother her. Before going home, he had arranged dinners for the next two or three days, and he would be leaving soon.
He said, "This lunch is with a few educated youths I knew from when I was sent to the countryside. They've come together to visit relatives and friends. Come with me."
Nie Qingqing was lazy; she found staying at home much more comfortable than attending a dinner party with people she didn't know.
She laughed and said, "None of your friends brought their families. If I go, I'll feel uncomfortable, and you won't feel comfortable either. Go ahead and let me stay home and be comfortable."
Song Zhao felt sorry for her when she heard this. She was busy all year round and had never said she wanted peace and quiet.
Song Zhao nodded: "I put the pastries and snacks on the bedside table. I don't want to go out at noon, so I'll just have a little something. We'll have a nice meal at Mom's house tonight."
Nie Qingqing thought so too, and nodded. With Song Zhao gone, she was quite lazy and comfortable at home.
...
Before she could even relax for a moment, Tang Guizhi arrived. Unlike others, Nie Qingqing remained lazily on the bed, so her mother poured her a glass of water.
She smiled, holding her water glass, "Mom, you came here because it's too noisy at home, so you wanted to have a quiet talk with me, right?"
Tang Guizhi examined the snacks beside her and realized that they were more than enough for two or three meals. It must have been Song Zhao who prepared them for her. Song Zhao still doted on her so much, which reassured Tang Guizhi.
"I came to check on you because I was worried you wouldn't eat lunch at home."
Since Song Zhao wasn't home, Tang Guizhi asked, "What happened to Qin Yinghua's family later? I've been thinking about it a lot."
Nie Qingqing had told her mother about the initial situation when she called home, but her mother didn't know what happened afterward.
Nie Qingqing said, "Qin Yinghua and her brother did have a good relationship. Before her brother passed away, he left her a lot of good things. After her brother died, the relationship between the aunt and nephews became very bad. Zhou Chengzhong exposed the secret, and the nephews fought a lawsuit with Qin Yinghua for half a year. It was very protracted. Qin Yinghua arranged a marriage for her daughter that was of equal social standing. After the marriage, the young couple were only superficially harmonious. Qin Yinghua's relationship with her daughter also got worse and worse."
Tang Guizhi sighed, "Why did she have to do that? She ruined her driver's family, and she didn't get away with it either."
That's right. She drove Zhou Chengzhong's father to his death. Besides gaining enemies and having her daughter estranged from her, what good did she get out of it?
...
After chatting for a while, Tang Guizhi asked her to come over for a meal: "Stop eating these snacks and come over for a meal. We've also made a bed for you at home, so you can lie down wherever you want. You can continue lying down after you finish eating."
Nie Qingqing smiled and said, "Mom, with the children not home, it's like I'm on vacation. I just want to be alone for a while, except for you, Mom. You can stay here all day."
Tang Gui felt sorry for her. Everyone at work praised her, the children respected and loved her, and Song Zhao was also considerate. But only a mother could understand her hardships.
Tang Guizhi picked out a pancake that she liked, put it in her hand, and said, "Then you rest, I'm going back."
Nie Qingqing stared at her mother's back, feeling somewhat dazed. Why did her mother seem shorter this year? Was it just her imagination?
She suddenly got out of bed, grabbed her coat, and followed him, saying in a coquettish tone, "Mom, I've thought about it, and I think I'll go home with you for dinner."
Tang Guizhi scolded, "Didn't you want some peace and quiet? What's wrong with you now?"
Nie Qingqing: "I'm leaving on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. Every day I stay at home is one less day I can spend. I want to spend more time with my mom."
Tang Guizhi was pleased: "You're such a grown-up, yet you still act like a child, always doing whatever comes to mind."
Nie Qingqing said matter-of-factly, "So what? With my mother around, I'm just a child. It's the same in front of other people, but in front of my mother, can't I do whatever I want?"
Tang Guizhi couldn't argue with her, nor was she. No matter how old Qingqing was, she was still her child. As long as Tang Guizhi was around, Qingqing could still be a child. Let her do as she pleased.
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