Chapter 19 No Work, No Points
Er Ya was extremely agile, moving through the crowd like a slippery little eel, constantly turning this way and that. Xia Wenwen was helpless against her, and stomped her feet in frustration.
The driver who accompanied her quickly advised, "Miss, if you really like it, let the master go to the auction and buy you a better and bigger one."
Seeing that she could no longer catch up with Xia Qianqian and the others, Xia Wenwen could only utter a harsh threat: "Hmph! How dare she steal my things! One day I'll make her regret it!"
She then said to the driver, "Let's go. This place is only good for that poor wretch Xia Qianqian. After we get back, I'll have Dad take me to Hong Kong to buy things, and see how she compares to me!"
Seeing that he had successfully appeased Xia Wenwen, the driver finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had always remembered how kind the eldest young lady had been to him, so he really didn't want to see the eldest and second young ladies clash.
Xia Wenwen got into the car, and as it drove away, she felt a sense of emptiness, as if she had lost something incredibly important.
Seeing that Xia Wenwen had left, Er Ya immediately grabbed Xia Qianqian's hand and said cheerfully, "Aunt Xia, that nasty girl is gone. Let's continue shopping!"
When she pulled, Xia Qianqian suddenly felt a sharp pain in her finger.
The black market was completely dark, and she couldn't see what was happening. Just as she was about to move closer to the light to take a look, the pain suddenly lessened considerably.
So she nodded to Er Ya and said, "Okay, let's wander around here a bit more."
Soon, the three of them had bought everything they needed.
Xia Qianqian brought a lot of money with her this time. Since it was a rare opportunity to come to the black market, she planned to buy some things for herself and her family.
Even though it wasn't convenient to raise animals in the village, she still secretly bought two old hens. Xia Qianqian thought to herself that if she was discovered, she would kill the chickens and stew them for meat. Eating meat raised by her own family would surely prevent anyone from stopping her.
Not only that, Xia Qianqian also bought new clothes and shoes for each of the first-year students, second-year students, Lu's mother, and Lu Zheng.
The mother-in-law even sold her watch for her, so as the new daughter-in-law, she had to do something in return.
Er Ya was surprised to find such benefits from coming along. She was so excited that she picked and chose among the new clothes, determined to find the prettiest one.
Lu's mother whispered to Xia Qianqian, "Child, you're not married yet, so don't spend money recklessly. You'll have many expenses once you start your own family. Well, since you promised the children, just buy them the clothes. I'm an old woman, why would I need new clothes?"
Xia Qianqian shook her head and said, "Mom, what are you saying? When Lu Zheng and I get married, you will be sitting in the head seat."
Upon hearing this, Lu's mother thought to herself: she couldn't let her son and daughter-in-law down, so she nodded and sighed, "Alas, it's all because I'm incompetent, otherwise you wouldn't have had to pay for this."
Xia Qianqian affectionately took Lu's mother's arm and said gently, "Mom, please don't say that. We're all family."
Seeing how well-behaved and sensible Xia Qianqian was, Lu's mother couldn't help but think of the unruly, willful, and unreasonable Xia Wenwen from before.
Comparing the two, she couldn't help but sigh: Zheng'er is so lucky to have found such a good wife.
I have to treat her like my own daughter, or I'll be punished.
Xia Qianqian checked the time and said to Lu's mother, "Mom, it's almost time for our agreed meeting."
"Alright, let's head back now. I brought a few bundles, let's wrap these things up in them and carry them with us. If anyone asks, please don't tell them."
Lu's mother didn't want to incur the jealousy of others.
There are many gossips and disputes in this village. If someone reports them and confiscates the things they worked so hard to buy, then she will really have no money left to buy things for Xia Qianqian.
"Mom, don't worry, I won't reveal a single word." The two said as they walked out of the black market.
After emerging from the air-raid shelter, the sunlight shone directly into her eyes, and Xia Qianqian raised her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.
Only then did I realize that the finger on which I was wearing the ring had been pricked at some point. Fortunately, it was just a small wound and nothing serious.
When we arrived at the meeting point, the oxcart was already waiting there.
After they got on the bus, the group returned to Xiangyang Village.
As soon as they got off the bus, they saw Liu Xiao'e leading Huang Zhaodi back from the fields. When Liu Xiao'e saw that each of them was carrying a large bundle, her eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
"Big sister, where have you been? What good things did you buy?" As she spoke, she reached out to grab Lu's mother's bundle. Lu's mother dodged Liu Xiao'e's hand.
"What are you doing? Talk to me properly, don't get physical."
Liu Xiao'e stared at the bundle with envy and rushed forward again: "Big sister, we're all from the same village, come, come, don't be shy, let me help you carry it."
She gave Huang Zhaodi a wink, and Huang Zhaodi also pounced on Xia Qianqian. Meanwhile, Er Ya had already taken advantage of the two surrounding her and ran off towards the village.
Xia Qianqian protected her bundle with her hand, but Huang Zhaodi caught a glimpse of the ring on her hand.
Huang Zhaodi was extremely envious and, disregarding her pride, reached out to grab Xia Qianqian's ring.
"What are you doing? Trying to steal something?" Xia Qianqian raised her voice, startling her. But then, Huang Zhaodi rushed forward and grabbed it without hesitation, shouting, "This should have been mine in the first place."
No matter how Xia Qianqian tried to dodge, she couldn't escape Huang Zhaodi, who had grown up in the village and was agile. She was immediately grabbed by the wrist.
In her panic, Xia Qianqian lowered her head and was about to bite Huang Zhaodi. At that moment, Lu Zheng reached out to protect her, shielding her behind him, and questioned, "What are you doing!"
Huang Zhaodi was startled; she never expected Lu Zheng to appear at this moment.
Not far away, Er Ya was panting and making faces at her.
"Nephew, don't misunderstand, we just want to help you." Liu Xiao'e said with a smile, but there was an uncomfortable obsequiousness in that smile.
Lu Zheng glared at Liu Xiao'e. They were all in the same production team and would see each other all the time, so it wasn't appropriate to directly turn hostile. He said sullenly, "I don't need your help. I can carry it myself."
As he spoke, he reached out and easily carried both of their bags on his own back.
Seeing Lu Zheng's nonchalant demeanor, Xia Qianqian secretly admired his superhuman strength.
Just then, the production team leader walked over.
"Lu Zheng, I have something to discuss with you. Educated youth sent to the countryside are supposed to farm and do farm work; if they don't farm, they won't get work points. When do you plan to let this young lady come to work in the team?"
Huang Zhaodi's eyes lit up immediately, and she looked at Liu Xiao'e with excitement.
Haha, she never expected her mother to come up with such a brilliant idea!
Once you're in the countryside, no matter if Xia Qianqian is a city girl or not, she has to work in the fields.
Hmph, even the prettiest face will turn into a black lump of coal after being exposed to that kind of sun. Let her do some rough work, until her hands are as rough as tree bark, then let's see which man will still want her!
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