Chapter 65
"Be well, don't worry, wait for the news."
There were only six words on Zhai Hongyi's telegram. Tang Qingqing and Wang Heizi stared at these six words for a long time before looking away. They almost saw through the small piece of paper.
Wang Heizi grinned, feeling extremely relieved:
"I knew Brother Yi would be fine! He certainly wouldn't forget us. What do you mean by 'waiting for a letter'? Are you waiting for a letter, or for his letter?"
Tang Qingqing thought for a moment: "According to Brother Yi's personality, he sent a telegram just to report that he is safe. There should be more specific letters later."
"Really?" Wang Heizi smiled even more. "In fact, it's good enough for us to know that he is safe."
Tang Qingqing glanced at him: "When did you become so hypocritical?"
If Zhai Hongyi really just reported that he was safe and then disappeared without a trace, and they could only communicate unilaterally, Wang Heizi would definitely start cursing again.
"I have grown up and become sensible!"
Tang Qingqing didn't comment. She felt relieved knowing that Zhai Hongyi was safe. Otherwise, she would have spent this year in insecurity.
After Tang Qingqing returned to school and attended classes for a few days, she received a letter and a package from Zhai Hongyi.
The package contained study materials from junior high school to high school, as well as a large jar of candy, which appeared to have been brought back from abroad. It was specifically for Tang Qingqing.
Although Tang Qingqing's health has recovered and she is not as weak as before, she will still suffer from hypoglycemia if she is not careful.
Especially when tracking, it is easy to get sick because of excessive concentration and neglecting sleep and eating.
Tang Qingqing developed the habit of eating sweets at any time, and always had candies hidden in her pocket.
Most of the money she earned was spent on food, with candy being a major expense.
In order to avoid tooth decay, you have to brush your teeth frequently to keep them clean, and toothpaste and toothbrushes are also a considerable expense.
The main problem is that there are no tickets, and you have to pay extra to buy them on the black market.
This amount of candy will last Tang Qingqing a long time.
In addition to candy, Zhai Hongyi also sent Tang Qingqing a pair of leather gloves and a leather hat with velvet inside, which was particularly warm to wear.
Tracking outside in the middle of winter often made Tang Qingqing's head ache and her fingers red and swollen from the cold. This gift really touched her heart.
Wang Heizi's gift was not light either, it was a military coat that was 80% to 90% new!
Although it was not new, a country boy would not care about that. It was good to have something to wear! Not to mention that this military coat looked like a new one.
"Brother Yi told me before that he would give me his old military coat that was too short for his clothes when he returned! Hahahaha, he really didn't forget!"
Wang Heizi took off his jacket and put on a military coat, posing in various ways, only regretting that there was no mirror beside him.
Along with the package came a letter addressed to Wang Heizi and Tang Qingqing.
There was only one piece of letter paper, and it was not filled up.
When Wang Heizi saw it, he couldn't help but complain: "Brother Yi is really something. He only wrote so few words in the letter to the two of us."
"His right hand was also injured at the time, so it was probably difficult for him to write."
Looking closely at the handwriting, it is obviously more sloppy than usual.
Wang Heizi couldn't help but worry: "It's been so long, my injuries are basically healed, is he still not healed?"
"It takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone, how can it heal so quickly? Your injury hasn't healed yet, so you should take care of yourself."
Wang Heizi stared at the letter, pretending not to hear it.
Zhai Hongyi briefly introduced his current condition. He has now been transported back to the capital for treatment and has been discharged from the hospital.
Although he woke up at first, he was groggy and slept most of the time, so he didn't think of reporting his safety to them.
Later, the situation improved, but the elderly people in the family were worried about him going out, so they kept him at home, and this situation has been dragging on until now.
Wang Heizi saw this and couldn't help but ask, "Can't he just ask his family to send us a telegram?"
But I just said it casually and didn't really pursue it.
Tang Qingqing continued to read. Zhai Hongyi said that he had recovered now and urged them to study hard and that they would have a chance to meet again in the future.
At the end of the letter, there was an address for them to send their letters to. If they did not receive a reply for a long time, they could send a telegram to another address and person.
Not only that, but a phone number was also included.
There wasn't much content in the letter, and it took only a short while to scan it.
Wang Heizi fiddled with the letter paper for a long time unwillingly, but found that there were only a few words on it, and he couldn't help feeling a little disappointed.
"Brother Yi, why didn't you mention Wen Xuelan? This woman is so scheming!"
Tang Qingqing was not surprised: "You know what kind of temper he has, why would he waste words and ink talking about these things."
"Brother Yi said we can meet again in the future. Do you think he was just being polite or was he serious?"
The capital city is tens of thousands of miles away from them. It is not easy to meet each other, let alone get along with each other as before.
"If we can get into a university in the capital, then it will be real."
Wang Heizi took a deep breath and said, "Sister Qing, you are my biological sister. You may be able to pass the exam, but there is no way I can pass it."
Wang Heizi is not stupid and learns things very quickly.
But he is not interested in this, and he is not a natural academic master. Although he can keep up now and has good grades, he also knows that he will not be able to get into university with his ability.
The competition for the college entrance examination last year was so fierce that there were only a few people who passed the exam in the entire commune, and many of them were educated youth who had been sent to work in the countryside.
Tang Qingqing knew his temper and also knew that some things could not be forced.
When Zhai Hongyi taught him his lessons, Wang Heizi could still listen to some of it, but when he went to school, he became more relaxed. Although he could still keep up, his heart was not in learning. His state of mind was different.
If you want to pass the college examination entrance these days, it is difficult to achieve without putting in 100% of your energy.
Tang Qingqing reduced the number of days she took leave and tried to schedule her field work on weekends or holidays, concentrating on being a student on weekdays.
Even if it is knowledge that you have already learned, you will not be complacent and then stop learning.
Once you learn something, you must understand it thoroughly so that you can apply it to other situations.
As for Wang Heizi, there are many paths he can take in the future and he doesn't have to stick to one path.
But I can't say such things now. It's difficult to explain, and it will make Wang Heizi give up studying now.
"It's always a good idea to learn first. Look, Teacher Zhang has always persisted in learning, and now it has finally paid off."
Zhang Yabin's admission to university meant that his future destiny was completely changed, and he would take a completely different path from other educated youth.
Wang Heizi was confused: "I know, I know. I don't know why you like going to school so much."
After receiving Zhai Hongyi's letter, the two immediately started writing replies.
Tang Qingqing's reply was not long either, but she still said more than Zhai Hongyi.
It mainly wrote about recent events and the changes in everyone after he left, expressing concern for Zhai Hongyi.
Wang Heizi wrote a lot of things in a very proud manner, a thick stack of papers, each sheet was filled with words, and no one knew where all these words came from.
I don't know how to write some characters, so I have to use pinyin.
Normally, if you ask him to write an essay of 200 to 300 words, he would cry and beg for mercy, but when he writes a letter, he is like a great writer.
Wang Heizi also said confidently: "You all wrote so little that you have no way of understanding each other's situation. You will run out of things to talk about in the future. Just like me, even if Brother Yi is not around, reading my letter is like going through these things."
Tang Qingqing thought this made sense, "I'll write more next time."
Wang Heizi was very satisfied with Tang Qingqing's knowledge, "Brother Yi is not convenient to tell us too much about his family, but we don't have this taboo, so write more to make him happy."
"I think that since Brother Yi doesn't like to go home, he must be unhappy at home. Let's talk more about this, so that he can feel like he is living here with us, and he will feel better."
Inspired by what he said, Tang Qingqing wrote another letter, this time with much richer content.
Although he was not as meticulous as Wang Heizi, Zhai Hongyi could still feel what they were going through every day.
But when sending the letter, Wang Heizi felt a little worried again.
"Brother Yi sent us so many good things, but we don't have anything to give."
If the weather is warmer, we can still find some wild goods from the mountains, but now is the most barren time, there is nothing.
As for buying things from the supply and marketing cooperatives and sending them over, forget it. There is no shortage of those things in Beijing, and the postage would be a waste.
"Let's make a note of it this time. If we have the chance to come across something suitable in the future, it won't be too late to send it to her. We know each other so well, there's no need to give gifts just for the sake of giving gifts."
Wang Heizi also agreed with this statement and stopped arguing about it.
When Tang Qingqing returned to school, she was pulled over by her deskmate.
"Qingqing, have you heard the news?"
"What's the news?"
"Oh, you don't know yet! The two-year junior high school system has been changed to a three-year system! We have to study for one more year!"
My deskmate Zhou Xiaoling was in tears and could not accept this reality.
Tang Qingqing was stunned. "Ah? Is it going to be changed this year? What about high school?"
"Yes, the changes have been made this year. High school will still be two years."
Tang Qingqing learned from the book that junior high school would be three years, high school would be three years, and elementary school would also be changed to a six-year system, so she was able to digest the news that she would have to study for one more year.
"It's actually quite good. I can learn a little more by studying for one more year."
Zhou Xiaoling cried and said, "But my family may not support me anymore. They were not happy about me going to junior high school. They wanted me to stay at home to help take care of my newborn niece. I cried and made a fuss to go."
Tang Qingqing didn't expect that this was the situation in Zhou Xiaoling's family. Zhou Xiaoling was smiling every day and looked like a carefree child.
Moreover, Zhou Xiaoling's parents are both full-time workers, and her eldest brother also works outside, so she thought the situation in his family was better.
"Your grades are pretty good. If you can keep them up, you will definitely be able to get into a technical secondary school, not to mention university. When you graduate, you will be guaranteed a job, and your future will be different."
Zhou Xiaoling sighed: "I didn't dare to think that I could go to high school before, and I dare not think about it now. I originally planned to get a junior high school diploma so that it would be easier to find a part-time job in the future."
Today's technical secondary schools are larger technical secondary schools, and one needs to pass the college entrance examination to be admitted.
Tang Qingqing didn't know how to comfort her. She originally thought that girls from the country had a harder time, but she didn't expect that girls from dual-worker families in the city also had a hard time.
"If you talk it over with your family, you should be able to hold on until you graduate from junior high school, right?" Tang Qingqing said uncertainly.
Zhou Xiaoling was completely dejected at the moment. "I signed up for this semester, but my family was slow to give me the money. Now I have to study for an extra year..."
Zhou Xiaoling no longer dared to imagine what her parents' expressions would be like when they found out about this. Her sister-in-law would definitely dislike her even more.
"Why don't you talk to your mother about graduating from middle school and finding a job in the future? When you make enough money, you can use it to support them better, right?"
"My mother would only say that the most important thing for a woman is to marry a good man. Now I go home to do housework and practice how to take care of my nephew. If I learn how to do housework well, I can marry well."
Tang Qingqing really didn't know what to say anymore.
Zhou Xiaoling quickly wiped away her tears and said sincerely:
"Qingqing, I really envy you. You are so capable and can control your own destiny. I can't do anything and can only rely on my family. I can't fight for anything for myself."
"You can do it, too."
Zhou Xiaoling just smiled and said nothing.
"I'm serious. There will be more and more opportunities in the future. As long as you are willing to work hard and use your brain, you can live a good life. When you have a certain level of financial strength, you can continue your studies."
Leaving campus does not mean that you cannot continue to study. In addition to self-study, there will be other ways such as night school and self-study in the future.
Even if you temporarily fall into a quagmire or walk towards a path you are unwilling to take, you still have the opportunity to change your destiny.
However, Zhou Xiaoling didn't know how big the future would change, so she found it hard to let go.
The change from a two-year junior high school system to a three-year system has made some people happy while others worried.
But no matter what everyone's attitude is, once the policy is implemented, it cannot be changed.
What Tang Qingqing didn't expect was that not long after, Zhou Xiaoling left school and could no longer continue her studies.
The day Zhou Xiaoling came to school, she cried particularly miserably, and there was no trace of her former cheerful self in sight.
Tang Qingqing panicked. Although she had expected this, she still found it hard to accept that this day had arrived, especially when it came so soon.
"Can't I just finish this semester? I've already paid the tuition."
Zhou Xiaoling's tears fell like pearls, and the sound was hoarse.
"They said it doesn't matter whether you study or not. There's no point for girls to study. It's enough for them to be able to read and do math."
Zhou Xiaoling had good academic performance and her family was not poor. The teacher also went to her home to persuade her, but her family just didn't agree.
Zhou Xiaoling's eldest brother now has three children, one of whom is just over two years old, and the other two are twins who are only three months old.
My second sister-in-law is also pregnant now and will give birth in more than half a year.
It's only been three months, but my belly is already as big as others who are five months pregnant. Maybe it will be twins again.
Zhou Jiasheng gave birth to twins, his eldest brother and second brother were twins, Zhou Xiaoling's uncle and her father were also twins, so this possibility is very high.
The reason why Zhou Xiaoling is asked to drop out of school now is to allow her to go back and take care of her nephews and nieces.
Zhou Xiaoling's sister-in-law cannot take care of three children by herself, and Zhou Xiaoling's mother has to go to work and cannot spare the time.
"My mother said she would give me her job as compensation."
When Zhou Xiaoling said this, her expression was very calm, and she didn't look as excited as other people to get a formal job.
She herself didn't believe her mother would give her the job.
For this job, the eldest sister-in-law and the second sister-in-law had to work against each other a lot. They were both just temporary workers, and the eldest sister-in-law even lost her temporary job because of having a child.
Who wouldn't want a formal job? So they were fighting for it.
Zhou Xiaoling said this now just to make herself feel better.
"I, I, can't I lend you money for your studies?!"
Zhou Xiaoling's originally sad face broke into a smile.
The more Tang Qingqing thought about it, the more she felt that there was a way. Although she didn't have much money, she could borrow money from Zhai Hongyi first.
Zhai Hongyi left in a hurry, and all his things remained in the Rongshan Brigade, including the money he had earned.
I deposited most of it in the bank, and still had more than 300 yuan on hand.
Tang Qingqing did not open the passbook, but just by looking at the more than 300 yuan in hand, she could tell that Zhai Hongyi had made a lot of money.
Wang Heizi now shows off in front of her from time to time. He is now richer than anyone else in the team.
Although Tang Qingqing found it hard to believe, she recalled that in the book it said that after the reform and opening up, people could become rich by selling socks and melon seeds.
Some small businesses may not seem very impressive, but they can make a lot of money.
The two of them have been working hard for more than two years, so it doesn't seem surprising that they can earn so much.
Now Zhai Hongyi asked her to keep the money first and not send it to him.
"Yes, I can lend you money. You don't have to pay me back immediately. Wait until you start working and earn money."
Tang Qingqing has a very good relationship with Zhou Xiaoling. Whenever she asks for leave, Zhou Xiaoling will help her copy down the notes.
Since Tang Qingqing lived on campus, the food in the school cafeteria was not only unpalatable but also not nutritious enough.
Tang Qingqing asked Zhou Xiaoling to buy her a boiled egg every day. Zhou Xiaoling not only helped, but also brought it hot every time.
Tang Qingqing didn't want her good friend to lose the opportunity to study. She understood better than anyone how hard Zhou Xiaoling worked and how much she loved going to school.
"Qingqing, thank you." Zhou Xiaoling's eyes became even redder, "But my parents won't agree."
"I'll go talk to them."
Zhou Xiaoling shook her head. "Don't worry about it. My teacher also suggested that the school waive my tuition, but they didn't agree."
Zhou Xiaoling's mother went to work and could not help take care of her grandson. Zhou Xiaoling's sister-in-law was very unhappy and felt that this mother-in-law and grandmother was not doing her job well.
What mother-in-law wouldn't lend a hand? She gave birth to three sons, big fat boys, and her husband's family didn't help at all. This is too unreasonable.
The relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law was not very good to begin with, and now it is even worse.
Zhou Xiaoling's mother was reluctant to give up her job, so she set her sights on Zhou Xiaoling.
The bottom line is that they believe that the rewards for girls studying are too small, and that it is better to marry well than to work well, so they think Zhou Xiaoling's studies are not important.
Zhou Xiaoling's mother is illiterate, and she was able to get this job because of her good marriage and the arrangement of it by her husband's family.
Many people of her age who have received education are not as well off as she is. If they don't marry well, they can only work as workhorses at home.
Because of her own experience, Zhou Xiaoling's mother is more convinced of this.
So I think it is enough for Zhou Xiaoling to finish primary school and be able to read and do math. The most important thing is to find a good man.
Tang Qingqing didn't know what to say anymore. She could only watch Zhou Xiaoling leave the school with her books in her arms.
Wang Heizi once again asked for leave to go to the commune, where he was scolded by Tang Qingqing.
"You have such a great opportunity, why don't you cherish it? Do you know how many people want to go to school but can't?"
Wang Heizi was confused and didn't understand why Tang Qingqing suddenly got angry.
"What's wrong with you?"
Tang Qingqing turned her face away. She knew that this had nothing to do with Wang Heizi, but for some reason she couldn't help getting angry when she saw him.
Perhaps he thought of Wang Cao'er. They were all family members, but they were treated completely differently.
It took Tang Qingqing a while to calm down.
"It's okay, it's my problem."
Wang Heizi: "I'm wearing glasses, what's wrong? Who made you unhappy?"
Tang Qingqing told him about Zhou Xiaoling, and Wang Heizi understood it immediately.
"When I get rich, I will build a girls' school to help girls go to school! Students who go to school here can get paid. They say girls don't need to study so much, forget it. If you can get paid for letting your daughters go to school, do you think they will send money?"
When Tang Qingqing saw Zhou Xiaoling again, she almost didn't recognize her.
The little girl who originally had a round face now has a pointed face, sunken eyes and a haggard look.
She was carrying a child on her back and another in her arms, her body slightly hunched, as she queued at the door of the supply and marketing cooperative to buy things.
She is still a teenager, but now she looks like she has given birth to a child and her hair is a little messy.
The child on her back kept pulling her hair, and she wouldn't listen no matter what she said. The child in her arms was also restless and struggled constantly, but she had to try hard to hold him, fearing that he would fall.
I used too much force, and the child started crying again, and I was in a panic.
Tang Qingqing hurried forward: "Let me hold one for you."
When Zhou Xiaoling looked up and saw her, her first reaction was to turn around and run away.
Tang Qingqing stood there in a daze, unable to come back to her senses for a long time.
"Why is she running?"
When Tang Qingqing arrived at the Public Security Bureau cafeteria, she was still confused.
Qin Sa walked in with dark circles under his eyes. His clothes were wrinkled like pickles just taken out of the jar. It was obvious that he had been staying up all night.
"Hey, why is our divine-eyed lady so sad today? It can't be that she didn't do well in the exam, right?"
The police officer nearby heard this and laughed, "How is that possible? Qingqing has always been the top student in the whole grade, and she has scored many points more than the second place."
People from the Public Security Bureau have always been very concerned about Tang Qingqing.
If she can be brought along with her when a case occurs, the investigation process can be greatly shortened.
But everyone knows that she is studying now and her grades are very good. If she continues like this, she will most likely be admitted to university in the future.
Therefore, she would only be called upon when there were difficult cases, as we did not want to delay her studies.
I thought she could get into the police station with her biometric skills, but now it seems she will have a better future.
We have watched her grow from a tiny bean sprout into her current graceful young lady, and we all hope that she will achieve even better in the future.
"Nothing, I just ran into an old classmate."
Qin Sa raised his eyebrows: "Who do you like?"
Tang Qingqing blushed: "Sister, what nonsense are you talking about!"
"That's nothing. It's normal for you to like someone at your age."
"No, it's a female classmate, my former desk mate."
Tang Qingqing mentioned Zhou Xiaoling's matter to Qin Sa and told him everything about how Zhou Xiaoling ran away when she saw her just now.
"She doesn't know how to face you."
Tang Qingqing felt unhappy.
"She can't change her fate. Seeing you so high-spirited, she must feel uncomfortable and dare not approach you."
Tang Qingqing lowered her head and said nothing. Although she vaguely guessed what was going on, she was still very sad.
"I have parted ways with my old friends, but I am worse off than you. Your classmates are ashamed of themselves, while I am abandoned by others. Hahahahaha!"
Qin Sa laughed heartily, very frankly.
Tang Qingqing was puzzled: "Why would they dislike you?"
In Tang Qingqing's eyes, Qin Sa is a heroine. She has solved many cases at a young age and rushes to the front line every time there is danger.
And she was not just showing off, she actually had the ability to subdue the criminal.
"They think I'm a tomboy, not a woman. They also think that no one wants me at my age, and they're afraid that I might spoil their children."
"Why do some people still think this way? Isn't it said that women hold up half the sky?"
Qin Sa pinched her smooth little face and said, "Not everyone can understand this. In their eyes, no matter how capable a woman is, she is useless. She even puts too much pressure on gay men, so no one wants her. For some people, if no one wants her, the value of a woman is gone."
The male police officer at the side said quickly: "I am not one of them! Who is our sister Sa? She is the queen of the police force. No one can beat her!"
Qin Sa kicked him directly and said, "Come on, when I went to the front line, you thought it was unnecessary to abandon me."
"That's because I didn't recognize the real man. Now I have only one word for you - I surrender!"
Qin Sa raised his chin and said proudly: "See, if you make a living by your own ability, others will be dissatisfied in their hearts, and they can only praise you against their conscience."
The male police officer immediately cried and said that he was innocent, which made Tang Qingqing laugh.
Tang Qingqing rarely met Zhou Xiaoling afterwards. She was usually at school, and she would only go to follow up on her when she occasionally took leave.
Only on weekends would I go to the Public Security Bureau canteen for a snack and walk on the commune road.
What Tang Qingqing didn't expect was that when she was about to enter the third year of junior high school, she received news that Zhou Xiaoling was getting married.
Tang Qingqing was shocked. Zhou Xiaoling was younger than Tang Qingqing, only sixteen years old.
Tang Qingqing felt that she was still a child and she didn't expect that Zhou Xiaoling was about to get married.
The current marriage age for women is 18 years old, and Zhou Xiaoling is not even of marriage age yet!
Although this kind of thing is not uncommon in the countryside, where people generally get married early, it is still hard to accept when it happens to Zhou Xiaoling.
"They're not officially married, they're just engaged." Ning Pingying, the new deskmate who told Tang Qingqing the news, said.
Ning Pingying and Zhou Xiaoling's parents work in the same factory and are neighbors, so Ning Pingying knows Zhou Xiaoling's situation better.
Although it was an engagement, according to local customs, as long as the wine was drunk, they would become a family and could live together.
It’s just that we are still young and cannot get a marriage certificate.
"Why did she get married so early? Her brother's children are still young, who will help take care of them after she gets married?"
Ning Pingying said, "They are all sent to kindergarten. The factory-run kindergarten allows children to enter when they are a little over one year old. Do you know who Zhou Xiaoling married?"
Tang Qingqing shook her head: "Who?"
"The son of the director of the machinery factory is eight years older than Zhou Xiaoling." Ning Pingying looked around and whispered, "I heard that he has some problems with his brain."
Tang Qingqing was shocked: "How can I marry such a person!"
"It's not that serious. He looks like a normal person, except that he gets sick sometimes. So he needs a daughter-in-law who can take care of him. She has to be careful and patient. The man's mother liked this quality about Zhou Xiaoling, so she chose her."
"Otherwise, why would the son of the machinery factory director want to see Zhou Xiaoling?"
The machinery factory is the main enterprise of their commune. Ordinary employees are treated very well and various benefits are given out from time to time, which makes other factories covetous.
Therefore, Zhou Xiaoling's husband's condition can be said to be very good. Under normal circumstances, it is indeed not the turn of a girl like Zhou Xiaoling who has not even finished junior high school.
Tang Qingqing still felt uncomfortable after hearing this, Ning Pingying said:
"And after Zhou Xiaoling gets married, she will arrange a job for her second sister-in-law, and it will be a formal job! This condition will be welcomed by everyone."
The two brothers of the Zhou family quarreled fiercely over their mother's position, and neither of them would accept it no matter who got it.
Now, Zhou Xiaoling's mother's position was given to the eldest daughter-in-law, and the second daughter-in-law also has a job, so there is no more quarreling.
But this was achieved at the expense of Zhou Xiaoling's interests.
"Zhou Xiaoling is so pitiful."
She helped the family raise nephews and then was married off in exchange for benefits. This is complete exploitation.
"What are you thinking? Zhou Xiaoling is willing."
"ah?"
"Although that man is older, as my mother said, older people will hurt people. Although he occasionally gets sick, he is fine most of the time, and the conditions in the entire commune are good.
It's just an engagement, but they gave a lot of gifts, all of which were complete. It is said that the meeting gift alone cost ten dollars!"
When Ning Pingying said this, there was a hint of envy in her eyes.
"My mother said that if I could marry into a family like this, I would be so happy that I would wake up laughing in my dreams every night."
Tang Qingqing didn't know what to say, so she just asked, "Do you think this is a good deal?"
Ning Pingying thought for a moment and said, "To be honest, I'm not that interested now that I'm getting married. But if I say this to others, people will just think I'm just being sour."
Tang Qingqing sighed, "When will she get engaged? We are classmates, why don't we go and congratulate her together..."
"No, no, no!" Ning Pingying quickly stopped her, "Don't even think about going over there."
"Why?"
Ning Pingying looked her up and down. "You were so close to her before, why didn't she invite you?"
"Why?"
"Comrade Tang Qingqing, please face your own beauty. What would she care if you went there? She didn't get married, she just put out some wine. If it fails, she will be furious."
Tang Qingqing was speechless. "What nonsense are you talking about? It's not that exaggerated."
"How can this be exaggerated? Sometimes I am fascinated by you, let alone men. Do you know how many people like you when they see you?"
“I don’t feel anything.”
Ning Pingying rolled her eyes and said, "So many people are showing you kindness, but you don't feel anything at all. But that's true, you're used to it."
Tang Qingqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Really not."
"That's because everyone doesn't dare to do that. You're pretty and smart, and you always get first place in the exams. That's not all. You even have the ability to track people. People from the Public Security Bureau often ask you to come over to solve cases. Even though you're from the countryside, you're so capable, and you're good-looking and don't look rustic. Everyone can only watch from afar."
Tang Qingqing blushed, "You are exaggerating too much. Good looks can't make a living."
"Who said that! If you are good-looking, you can marry into a good family and have a good life, right? But the elders may not like those who are so good-looking, so what? Men like them, and mothers cannot persuade their sons."
Tang Qingqing felt that continuing this topic would be like deliberately trying to get someone to praise her.
Seeing Tang Qingqing's indifferent look, Ning Pingying couldn't help but say a few more words.
"Don't think I'm talking nonsense, otherwise why didn't Zhou Xiaoling invite you? If it were me, I would be so proud to have you with me!"
Ning Pingying was very proud. She had a good relationship with Tang Qingqing, and many people wanted to please her and find out all kinds of information about Tang Qingqing.
What do you like to eat, what books do you like to read, etc.
She was doing very well in school because of her good relationship with Tang Qingqing.
Jealousy? There is no such thing. The gap is too big. Ning Pingying doesn't even have the heart to compare.
Ning Pingying has been compared to others by her mother since she was a child, but now she doesn't care anymore. No one can use others to stimulate her. She will just appreciate the beauty of others calmly.
Tang Qingqing didn't want to dwell on the matter of appearance, but couldn't help but say:
"If she can really fall in love with someone else just like that, then that man is really unreliable, isn't he?"
There are many beautiful people in the world. Would you abandon your wife just because you see a good-looking one? That would cause chaos in the world.
Ning Pingying shrugged: "My mother said that all men are like this, they will change their minds after a long time."
Tang Qingqing rolled her eyes and said, "What kind of nonsense is this? It's better to be single for the rest of your life than to be with a rotten man."
Although Tang Qingqing really wanted to know what kind of person Zhou Xiaoling married and whether she was happy now, she didn't receive an invitation and didn't want to force herself to go.
It would be embarrassing if Zhou Xiaoling didn't welcome me.
Not long after, Tang Qingqing met Zhou Xiaoling on the road.
Different from the Zhou Xiaoling I saw before, she was full of energy and became much prettier.
It’s just that the eyes that seemed to be able to see through everything at a glance are gone, and there is more content.
“Qingqing!”
"Xiaoling, long time no see. I heard you are engaged?"
Zhou Xiaoling smiled brightly and casually lifted her hair. "You knew about it too? I didn't expect the news to spread so quickly."
"How are you doing now? Are you still studying?"
Tang Qingqing felt that this question was a bit redundant, but she still couldn't help asking.
Zhou Xiaoling smiled and said, "Qingqing, you are still the same as before, with only books in your eyes."
Tang Qingqing pursed her lips and said nothing.
Zhou Xiaoling sensed her strange emotions and said seriously:
"I don't have your talent and ability, nor am I as good-looking as you. No matter how many books I read, it will only be the same. No matter how hard I try, I will never be as good as I am now."
"How would you know if you haven't tried?"
Tang Qingqing's eyes turned to the snack stalls nearby. Now that they were open, people gradually began to run out to set up stalls on the street.
Although it is not as open and aboveboard as it will be in the future, the atmosphere is obviously different from before.
Wang Heizi said that he no longer had to be as secretive in doing business as before. Although he could not publicize it, it was much more convenient.
Those who have the courage to come out and set up shop now have a high chance of becoming successful on their own in the future.
Now is the right time and there are many opportunities.
Zhou Xiaoling followed her gaze and curled her lips, "It's so embarrassing. If I have to set up a stall outside, I would rather starve to death."
Tang Qingqing was disappointed, and finally said, "Just be happy now."
"I am indeed very happy. You don't know how I managed to get through the past two years. I thought my life was over, but luckily I didn't give up."
Tang Qingqing just smiled. Zhou Xiaoling seemed to have not spoken freely for a long time and had been suppressing her emotions. She held Tang Qingqing tightly and was reluctant to let her go.
Zhou Xiaoling was indeed very happy, and Tang Qingqing could clearly feel her joy.
From Zhou Xiaoling's words, Tang Qingqing also learned that it turned out that all this was not arranged by her parents, but was more the result of Zhou Xiaoling's own efforts.
If it wasn't intentional, it wouldn't have attracted the favor of the wife of the machinery factory director.
Zhou Xiaoling now regards Tang Qingqing as a good friend, so she did not hesitate to share how she had tried to please the factory director's wife.
"If I hadn't been more careful, I would have stayed at home for years. You don't know how hard it was for me. I couldn't even get a full night's sleep. I had to take care of the children and get up early the next morning to work. If any of my nephews fell down by accident, I would have been scolded to death.
After my mother scolded my sister-in-law, my brother was also very mean to me, saying that I couldn't do anything right. ”
After hearing this, Tang Qingqing also understood Zhou Xiaoling's helplessness.
Her current choice is indeed the best she can think of.
Everyone has his or her own path, and one has to walk on the paths of many people.
Tang Qingqing looked down on Zhou Xiaoling as a marriage partner, but she was happy as long as she was satisfied.
"After you get married, you will also go to work, right? Your partner's family should be able to help you arrange it, right?"
Rather than worrying about whether this marriage is right or wrong, Tang Qingqing thinks this is more important.
"My mother-in-law wants me to stay at home and take good care of my husband and children. She said they will prepare everything for us and we don't need to worry about life."
"And your husband?"
Zhou Xiaoling blushed slightly, a little shy and timid: "He listens to my mother-in-law."
"I think the most important thing for a woman is to take good care of the family. If you don't have the conditions, forget it. The conditions of the family I married are pretty good, so I don't have to worry about things outside."
Tang Qingqing looked at her still childish face, but her temperament was different from before. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Qingqing, you don't have to work so hard. You are so pretty. Many boys in school like you. Some of them come from very wealthy families."
Tang Qingqing smiled but said nothing. Zhou Xiaoling sensed Tang Qingqing's resistance and said earnestly:
"Qingqing, it was only after I left school that I realized a lot of truths. We live in a society based on relationships. Whether you are a man or a woman, the most important thing is to get along well with others. Ability and the like are all empty words."
Tang Qingqing smiled and said, "I think I'm doing fine now."
Seeing that she was not interested, Zhou Xiaoling wanted to say something, so Tang Qingqing used the excuse that it was getting late and wanted to leave.
Zhou Xiaoling looked down at her watch and cried out in surprise: "It's so late! I have to go back quickly!"
Then she ran away in a hurry without caring about Tang Qingqing's reaction.
Tang Qingqing never thought at this moment that this would be the last time she would see Zhou Xiaoling.
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