Chapter 49 There's a business going on. Aunt He lives in the tenement...
Aunt He was known as the biggest gossip in the courtyard.
What she knows is the same as what the whole hospital knows.
Soon, news of Mingxi starting work at the Women's Federation spread throughout the courtyard. When the neighbors found out, some, like Aunt He, were happy for Mingxi, while others were envious and jealous.
Wang Changshan, who also graduated from high school but couldn't find a job, was so jealous that his eyes turned red.
Why is it that he, a grown man, can't find a job, while Mingxi, a young girl, is invited by the Women's Federation director to work there?
Does this mean Xi has strong abilities?
How come he didn't notice?
Isn't it just a matter of luck when introducing people to potential partners and bringing together a few couples? In his opinion, Mingxi was just lucky; if he were to introduce people, he could also bring them together.
Wang Changshan was so envious that he immediately announced, "Starting today, I'm going to be a matchmaker too, and I'm going to introduce people to potential partners!"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Li raised her hand and slapped her son on the back of the head: "What kind of matchmaker am I? Are you out of your mind talking nonsense?"
"Mom!" Wang Changshan pouted, unconvinced. "I'm not talking nonsense. Haven't you heard? Mingxi from Aunt Zhao's family caught the eye of Director Shen from the Women's Federation because she was a matchmaker introducing potential partners to people. Now she's been recruited to work at the Women's Federation!"
"The Women's Federation? That's a great office job!"
"Mom, don't you want your son to have a good job like this too?"
Aunt Li raised her hand and slapped him again: "Of course I want to! If you had a decent job, I'd be grinning from ear to ear. But why don't you think about whether you're like Mingxi?"
Wang Changshan was slapped twice, his head buzzing, but his eyes cleared. Still, he was unconvinced and muttered under his breath, "We're all human, so why are we treated so differently..."
Aunt Li: "Xiao Ming is a woman who can take responsibility. When her mother was hospitalized with a back injury, this young girl was willing to confront Du Hai with Zhou Cuihua's family to protect her mother's reputation as a matchmaker. She even dared to say that if Du Hai was innocent, she would pay double the referral fee. Let me ask you, if you were a matchmaker and encountered someone like this coming to cause trouble, would you dare to confront them like Mingxi did?"
"I...I dare!"
That's what he said, but Wang Changshan knew in his heart that if the same thing happened to him, he might not be as decisive as Mingxi.
After all, Mingxi didn't have the ability to predict the future. When she led Zhou Cuihua and her group to confront Du Hai, she didn't know that all of this was a smear campaign deliberately carried out by Du Shuying.
She led her people to confront them, risking damage to her reputation and financial losses.
But without saying a word, she took Zhou Cuihua to confront Du Hai.
Aunt Li: "And then there were those who came to her to introduce potential partners. They're all easy to deal with! Let's not even talk about the recent ones, like Luo Huan and Zhu Zhaohui who just got married a few days ago. You haven't heard how much Zheng Yunfen and Fu Peizhi clashed, have you? The neighborhood committee and the Women's Federation tried to persuade them, but to no avail. Mingxi, however, managed to reconcile them. Do you think you could do that?"
"I……"
Wang Changshan was speechless.
He pouted and looked up at Aunt Li with a wronged expression: "Mom, are you my real mother or Mingxi's real mother? How come I'm worthless in your eyes, not even as good as Mingxi?"
Aunt Li snorted, "I'd love for Mingxi to be my daughter."
Wang Changshan shut his mouth and stopped talking. He was really afraid that his mother would kick him out and bring back a better daughter if they disagreed.
There were quite a few people in the institute who shared Wang Changshan's thoughts. They were all unemployed after graduating from high school, so why should Mingxi be able to find a job?
However, Zhao Sulan was not someone to be trifled with, so no matter how dissatisfied everyone was, no one dared to make a scene in front of Mingxi.
Mingxi didn't care at all what the other people in the courtyard thought. When she got home, she plopped down on the sofa, leaned back, and lazily pondered.
It seems like we're missing a TV at home.
If there were a TV at home, she could be lying on the sofa watching it right now. Unfortunately, there isn't, so she can only sit there bored and staring blankly.
Thinking of this, Mingxi smiled ingratiatingly and moved closer to Zhao Sulan, saying obsequiously, "Mom, you must be tired, come and sit for a while."
She reached out and dusted the sofa, gesturing for Zhao Sulan to sit down.
Zhao Sulan glanced at her, then sat down: "Speak, what do you want now?"
When she saw Mingxi like this, she knew something must have happened.
Mingxi chuckled twice, pointed into the house, and said, "Mom, do you think our house is missing something?"
Zhao Sulan: "What's missing? I don't feel like I'm missing anything."
Mingxi: "Mom, don't you think our house feels empty and lacks a TV?"
"What the hell? A television? Do I look like a television to you?" Zhao Sulan said mercilessly.
Her daughter can't save any money. After buying a washing machine, she said she wanted to buy a TV as well. And she was very picky, saying that black and white TVs were not as good as color TVs, and that if she was going to buy one, she would buy a color TV.
She initially thought the child was dreaming and hadn't woken up yet, but she never expected Mingxi to be serious.
Good heavens, I just bought a washing machine and then a color TV. Even if we had a gold mine, we couldn't afford to spend like this!
Without a second thought, Zhao Sulan refused outright: "No way!"
She pointed to the radio on the five-cornered cabinet and said, "If you have nothing better to do, turn on the radio and listen to it."
Mingxi pouted, "How can a radio compare to a television?"
"A color TV costs 1,300 yuan at the department store, and you need a coupon to buy it. If you don't have a coupon, it will cost at least 1,500 or 1,600 yuan. Even if you sold me, you still couldn't afford it." Zhao Sulan's words completely shattered Mingxi's hopes.
Mingxi pouted: "Okay..."
We still need to work hard to make money!
Mingxi is determined to work hard and improve himself.
Then she curled up back on the sofa.
It's not that she's not trying; she just plans to start trying again tomorrow.
Mingxi nestled on the sofa and casually turned on the radio.
If there's no TV, just listen to the radio for now.
Mingxi was lounging comfortably on the sofa when she heard someone outside calling, "Xiaoming, Xiaoming, are you home?"
Mingxi recognized Aunt Lan's voice and quickly raised her voice in response.
"I'm here!"
She stood up, quickly walked to the door and opened it: "Aunt Lan, is there something you need?"
Aunt Lan: "There is something I need to do."
"Come in and talk if you have something to say." Mingxi stepped aside and invited Aunt Lan into the house.
As I sat down inside, Aunt Lan chuckled twice and greeted me, "I heard you got a job at the Women's Federation, that's really impressive!"
Mingxi waved her hand: "No, no, it's all thanks to Director Shen's appreciation."
"By the way, Auntie, is there something you need today?"
Mingxi didn't think that Aunt Lan had just come over to exchange pleasantries.
Zhao Sulan came over and sat down, saying, "Old Lan, we've been neighbors for so many years, what are you embarrassed about? Just tell me what's wrong, what's troubling you?"
Aunt Lan: "Well, it's not a big problem. I just want Mingxi to help me propose marriage."
"Propose marriage?" Mingxi's eyes widened.
Who are you proposing marriage to? Ge Heping?
She hadn't heard that Ge Heping had a girlfriend.
Besides, isn't Ge Heping currently having a very hot relationship with Qin Qiaorou?
For the past few days, she's seen Qin Qiaorou bringing soup to Ge Heping every day. She heard that Qin Qiaorou felt guilty because Ge Heping had shielded her from a brick and saved her life, so she specifically asked someone for a recipe and made soup for him every day.
The two of them have been going back and forth like this, and I heard their relationship is pretty good. The aunties in the neighborhood have started gossiping, wondering if they're dating.
At this time, Aunt Lan suddenly came to ask her to propose marriage. What does this mean?
Mingxi felt like her brain was about to short-circuit, so she simply asked directly, "Auntie, you said you wanted me to help you propose marriage, but who are you proposing for?"
Aunt Lan: "Give our family peace."
Fearing that Mingxi might misunderstand, she specifically said, "I want you to help my family's Heping propose marriage to Qin Qiaorou."
ah?
Upon hearing this, both Mingxi and Zhao Sulan were taken aback.
Aunt Lan has always disapproved of Qin Qiaorou and Ge Heping's relationship, so why has she suddenly changed her attitude and even taken the initiative to send someone to propose marriage?
Aunt Lan noticed their confusion: "Are you wondering why I didn't approve of their relationship before?"
She sighed and said, "After Heping's injury and hospitalization, I finally understand. He truly loves Qin Qiaorou. He doesn't care about his own safety for Qin Qiaorou and will risk everything to protect her. Even if I disagree with their relationship and try to stop Heping, his heart is still with Qin Qiaorou. What's the point of me stopping him? It will only make him resent me more and think I'm being unreasonable."
"So I thought, forget it, I don't care anymore, if they want to be together, then they can be together. At least Qin Qiaorou has feelings for Heping and is genuinely good to him, that's enough."
Mingxi sighed; in fact, she had already guessed that this would be the outcome.
When disagreements arise regarding marriage, once the child has made up their mind, the parents usually compromise. It's not that the parents can't persuade their child; it's that as parents, they always want their children to be happy and fulfilled, so they can't bring themselves to be ruthless and end up being the ones who compromise first.
Zhao Sulan could see that Aunt Lan was somewhat saddened by this matter, and comforted her, "Don't be sad about this. As the saying goes, children and grandchildren have their own blessings, and I don't care about my children and grandchildren's blessings. Let him be with whomever he wants. Don't worry about this anymore."
Aunt Lan: "Old Zhao, you're right. After He Ping gets married, I won't interfere in his affairs anymore."
She said, "I've already made plans. After Heping gets married, our family will separate, and Heping will live separately. He can live his own life, and my husband and I can live ours. I've worked hard all these years, and it's time for me to rest. My eldest son has been telling us to go visit him, so I thought I'd go. He recently changed his post and was assigned to a place near the sea. I've never been to the seaside before."
Aunt Lan looked relaxed when she said this, and it seemed that she had really come to terms with it.
Zhao Sulan breathed a sigh of relief: "It's good that you think that way."
Aunt Lan: "But before we divide the family property, I still need to finish arranging the peaceful marriage."
She looked up at Mingxi and said, "After this period of time, I've realized that there's affection between Heping and Qin Qiaorou. I've inquired about their relationship, and Heping wants to marry Qin Qiaorou. Qin Qiaorou seems a bit hesitant; she's worried I won't agree. But their continued ambiguous relationship has led to a lot of gossip in the neighborhood. My Heping is alright; he's a grown man, so no matter what others say, it won't be too harsh. But it's different for Qin Qiaorou; she's a widow whose husband has died."
Widows are always surrounded by gossip. Even if Qin Qiaorou didn't do anything wrong, in some people's eyes, her status as a widow was already a sin, not to mention her recent close relationship with Ge Heping, which has already led to some unpleasant rumors circulating outside.
Aunt Lan: "Xiaoming, I came to see you today because I want you to help me propose to Qin Qiaorou. I want to tell her what Heping's father and I think. We both agree to her marrying Heping and hope she will marry him."
Hearing that Aunt Lan had considered so much, Mingxi couldn't help but sigh, "The hearts of parents are all the same."
"Okay, Auntie, I agree to this."
Aunt Lan: "Thank you, Xiaoming, thank you."
Mingxi: "Then, Auntie, when is the date for the marriage proposal?"
Aunt Lan: "Let's arrange it for tomorrow. I'll prepare it during the day tomorrow, and you can come with me after get off work tomorrow night."
Mingxi: "Okay, then let's go after get off work tomorrow night."
The next day, when Mingxi came home from get off work, Aunt Lan and Ge Heping were already waiting at the door.
Mingxi glanced over and saw that Ge Heping was carrying two net bags, one containing a tea canister and the other containing fruit and pastries.
Qin Qiaorou had already broken ties with the Qin family, so she wouldn't be proposing marriage to them. Traditionally, when proposing marriage, one would prepare cigarettes and alcohol, but Qin Qiaorou wouldn't need them, so Aunt Lan didn't prepare any.
Mingxi: "Auntie, Brother Ping, are you all ready? Let's go then."
Aunt Lan nodded, while Ge Heping looked a little embarrassed. The three of them walked together towards the house Qin Qiaorou rented.
When Mingxi and her companion arrived, Qin Qiaorou had just returned from get off work. She was taken aback when she saw Mingxi and her group coming over.
Mingxi: "Qiaorou, you just got back from get off work?"
Qin Qiaorou nodded: "Yes, I just got back from get off work. Xiaoming, why did you and your aunt come over so suddenly? Is something the matter?"
Mingxi looked at the neighbors on either side of the courtyard, their faces filled with curiosity, and said with a smile, "Sister Qiaorou, let's go inside and talk."
Qin Qiaorou understood that this meant there was something important, so she quickly invited them into the house.
Mingxi entered the room and said, "Sister Qiaorou, I've come here today on behalf of Aunt Lan to propose marriage to you on behalf of Brother Heping."
Qin Qiaorou's pupils dilated suddenly, completely unexpectedly because of this.
Mingxi: "Sister Qiaorou, we're all family here, so I won't stand on ceremony. You and Brother Heping have had feelings for each other for so many years. You know that Brother Heping has been thinking about you all these years but hasn't gotten married yet. Now you and Brother Heping are not young anymore. If you keep putting it off, you'll both be over thirty. It's time to think about getting married, isn't it?"
Qin Qiaorou's mind was in a daze.
She never expected Ge Heping to come and propose marriage.
In fact, she doesn't even know what her relationship with Ge Heping is.
Without a doubt, Ge Heping liked her.
Does Qin Qiaorou like Ge Heping?
Qin Qiaorou asked herself honestly, and she believed she should like it.
She was Ge Heping's first love, so he has never forgotten her all these years. But Ge Heping was also her first love, the first man she ever liked, and the one who held all her girlish dreams.
When her parents forced her to marry Jia Jianshe, Qin Qiaorou constantly thought about Ge Heping, hoping he would appear out of nowhere and take her away. Even when she was being abused by Jia Jianshe, she still hoped Ge Heping would appear and comfort her.
But as time went on after she married Jia Jianshe, the trivialities of daily life and the unpleasant things that happened one after another appeared, and the bitterness in her life increased, gradually covering up the image of Ge Heping in her mind.
She would occasionally dream of the happy times she had spent with Ge Heping.
Qin Qiaorou and Ge Heping attended the same school for junior high school.
Her parents favored boys over girls. Her father didn't want to send her to school because she was a girl. However, since other colleagues at the factory sent their children to school, he sent her to school as well to avoid losing face in front of outsiders.
But her father felt it was a waste of money after paying her tuition, so he started to cut back on her food rations. At that time, students ate lunch at school, and while other children brought their own meals, her family didn't prepare any. After Ge Heping noticed that she didn't have lunch, he shared his own food rations with her.
How could one person eat lunch for two? Ge Heping would drink cold water every day at noon to fill his stomach. When she asked, Ge Heping said he wasn't hungry.
Later, when Qin Qiaorou was admitted to high school and her younger brother started junior high school, her father completely refused to pay her tuition. It was Ge Heping who accompanied her to collect recyclables and do odd jobs during holidays, secretly carrying heavy bags to raise the money for her tuition.
Ge Heping had been secretly carrying a large bag for several years, a fact unknown to his family, who assumed he was out playing with other children.
Only Qin Qiaorou knew that Ge Heping had worn his shoulder raw to help her raise tuition fees, and that he still had a scar on his shoulder.
Those days were incredibly tough, but they're all sweet memories. Ge Heping was assigned meals at the factory where she worked carrying heavy loads. Because carrying heavy loads was strenuous physical labor, the factory's lunches were very oily and greasy, and Ge Heping would secretly save some to bring to her.
She still remembers one time when Ge Heping brought back braised pork that was especially delicious; it was the best braised pork she had ever eaten.
However, having experienced a failed marriage, Qin Qiaorou had developed a fear of marriage. Especially since she knew that, as a widow, she was unsuitable for Ge Heping in the eyes of others. Add to that Aunt Lan's attitude…
Seeing the hesitation in Qin Qiaorou's eyes, Aunt Lan stepped forward and took her hand.
"Auntie knows what you're thinking. You're afraid that people outside will gossip about you if you marry Heping, and you're also afraid that Auntie won't like you, right?"
Aunt Lan: "To be honest, I didn't like you at first, but not because of you, it was because of your parents. To put it bluntly, your parents are like bloodsucking leeches. If you don't cut ties with them, they can keep sucking your blood for the rest of their lives. After you get married, they will continue to suck your blood from your husband and children until they are completely drained."
Qin Qiaorou didn't find those words offensive.
That's just the kind of people her parents are.
Aunt Lan: "That's why I didn't agree to your marriage in the first place. I just never expected things to turn out like this..."
Qin Qiaorou lowered her eyelashes and fell silent.
Aunt Lan took a deep breath: "Forget it, let's not talk about those old things. I know you've had a tough time these past few years, and I know what you're hesitating about, but I have to tell you, your uncle and I have seen that you and Heping are in love. You're still young, not even thirty yet. Now, because of one unhappy marriage, you're like a frightened bird, afraid to be with anyone else. When you reach my age, you'll realize that time is the most precious thing, and then you'll regret all the time you've missed."
"As for the rumors outside, all I can say is, people can say whatever they want. What can they do? The one who truly lives a good and happy life is you, not them."
Qin Qiaorou was stunned when Aunt Lan opened up to her like this, and she stood there speechless for a moment.
Not only Qin Qiaorou didn't expect it, but even Ge Heping and Ming Xi didn't expect it.
However, Mingxi quickly realized what was going on. She stepped forward and said, "Sister Qiaorou, what Auntie said makes sense. It's your business whether you live a good life or not. Your happiness is the most important thing. You and Brother Heping have already missed each other for so many years. Do you want to continue missing each other?"
At this moment, Ge Heping also stepped forward and stated his position: "Qiaorou, I don't want to miss out on you any longer, let's get married!"
Qin Qiaorou remained silent for a long while. During the time she waited for her answer, the room was quiet, and everyone's breathing could be heard clearly.
After a long silence, Qin Qiaorou finally spoke.
"Okay, I agree to marry you."
Ge Heping's face lit up with immense joy, and he jumped three feet high: "Qiaorou, you agreed to marry me? You really agreed, right?"
Before Qin Qiaorou could answer, he said, "You've already promised me, so you can't go back on your word!"
Seeing his silly look, Qin Qiaorou couldn't help but laugh: "Silly boy, I won't go back on my word."
Qin Qiaorou didn't know if her choice was right or wrong, or if she would regret it later.
All she knew was that if she didn't agree, she would regret it years later when she looked back on this moment.
Moreover, she is different now than before; she is no longer the little girl waiting for someone to rescue her and take her away from her unhappy marriage. She now has a job and a way out, and if Ge Heping treats her badly, she has the courage to overturn the table.
Qin Qiaorou glanced at Mingxi secretly; it was Mingxi who gave her this courage.
-
The day after Qin Qiaorou agreed to Ge Heping's marriage proposal, the Ge family began preparing for the wedding in a flurry of activity, and the neighbors in the courtyard also learned about Ge Heping and Qin Qiaorou's marriage.
Some offered their blessings, congratulating Ge Heping on his upcoming marriage, saying that Aunt Lan and Uncle Ge would no longer have to worry about it; others congratulated Ge Heping on finally winning the heart of his beloved after so many years, wishing the lovers a happy ending.
Of course, there were also those who gossiped behind people's backs.
"Ge Heping is really going to marry Widow Qin? Oh my, how could the Ge family agree to this? Have they lost their minds? Ge Heping, a young man who has never been married before, is actually going to marry a widow. Doesn't he find it unlucky? Doesn't he think Widow Qin is a slut?"
Sure enough, when Mingxi came home from work that day, she heard people gossiping.
The man got more and more excited as he spoke: "Besides, Widow Qin's husband has only been dead for a short time, and she's already going to marry Ge Heping? She's really not a virtuous wife! If this were in the past, she would have to wait for her previous husband for at least three years, but she hasn't even waited three months, has she? In the past, she would have been drowned in a pig cage!"
Seeing that the other party was going too far, Mingxi couldn't help but frown.
She stared at the person who was speaking and recognized her as Hu Dahua, who lived in the courtyard next to Mingxi. She was also known far and wide for her big mouth, though everyone called her Hu Lie Lie.
Unlike Aunt He, who is a big mouth, Aunt He just loves gossip and watching the excitement.
Hu Dahua is different. She not only loves to spread gossip, but she also loves to talk nonsense. She hears something and, regardless of whether it's true or false, she spreads it everywhere.
She had previously seen the young wife of the Liu family in the alley bring a man home. Regardless of whether there were other people in the Liu family or whether it was daytime, she went around telling everyone that the young wife of the Liu family was having an affair and bringing a man home.
This caused Liu's young wife to fight with her husband several times.
It turned out that the man Liu's young wife brought home was actually her own brother. He had just returned from a business trip and brought some local specialties for his sister. Hu Lielie saw this and spread rumors that Liu's young wife was having an affair.
After the misunderstanding was cleared up, the Liu family stormed the Hu family's door, gave Hu Dahua a good beating, and warned her not to talk nonsense in the future.
Despite receiving a beating, Hu Dahua couldn't shake her carefree and talkative personality, earning her the nickname "Hu Lielie" (meaning "carefree and talkative").
Hearing Hu Dahua say that, Mingxi stepped forward and shouted, "Hu liel, why are you talking nonsense again? Are you itching for a beating?"
Hu Lielie was unconvinced and looked in the direction of the voice. When he saw that the speaker was Mingxi, he flinched for a moment.
She had been beaten by Zhao Sulan before because Zhao Sulan treated Mingxi, a liar, like a precious treasure. From then on, she dared not speak ill of Mingxi again and would avoid her whenever she saw her.
However, remembering that she hadn't mentioned Mingxi this time but rather Qin Qiaorou, she mustered up her courage and retorted.
"Little girl from the Ming family, don't scare me. I didn't say anything about you, so why are you saying I deserve a beating?"
Mingxi snorted coldly: "You weren't talking about me, but you're openly engaging in feudal restoration in broad daylight. What else could you be but a jerk?"
As soon as the words "feudal overthrow" were uttered, the onlookers instinctively took a step back.
Although things are different now than a few years ago—there are no Red Guards or Revolutionary Committees, and you won't be arrested for saying a few words—you still can't just say whatever you want. If someone overhears and reports it to the police station, you'll be arrested and investigated.
Hu Lielie was initially startled by Mingxi's words, but seeing everyone wanting to stay as far away from her as possible, she became angry again.
She glared at Mingxi and pointed at her nose: "What are you accusing me of? How am I feudal and a rebellious figure?"
Mingxi: "You keep saying things like 'in the past,' and even said that Qin Qiaorou would have been drowned in a pig cage. Isn't this feudal restoration? Our country's laws stipulate freedom of marriage and freedom of love. Everyone, whether a widow or not, has the right to freely choose to marry. Widows were supposed to remain chaste, and if they didn't, they would be drowned in a pig cage. These were the rules of the old society, the means by which clan elders exploited women. As a woman, you not only don't despise such feudal customs, but you openly reminisce about them. What are you doing if not engaging in feudal restoration?"
Mingxi's righteous and stern words resonated with everyone present, who nodded in agreement.
"Xiao Ming is right. This outdated custom of making widows remain chaste has harmed so many people!"
"That's right. I had an aunt who was like that. Her husband died, and the clan wouldn't allow her to remarry. They forced her to remain chaste for the dead, and she suffered her whole life as a result."
"I knew Hu Lielie had no good intentions! She even reminisces about doing something so harmful!"
Hearing everyone's chatter, Hu Dahua quickly explained, "No! I didn't miss it!"
"Ahem." Mingxi coughed lightly twice and said, "Hu Dahua, as a newly appointed comrade working in the Women's Federation, I should, in principle, report your behavior just now and let the organization give you a good talking-to..."
Hu Dahua was scared now and said in a flustered manner, "I just said it casually, I didn't mean anything by it. Xiaoming, can you just pretend you didn't hear my rambling?"
As she spoke, she slapped her own mouth, saying, "My mouth always makes me spout nonsense. I'll definitely remember this next time and won't talk nonsense!"
Fearing that Mingxi wouldn't let her off the hook, she didn't hold back at all, slapping herself twice, her cheeks immediately turning red.
Ignoring the burning pain on her face, Hu Dahua quickly looked at Mingxi and said, "Xiaoming, look at me. I promise I'll learn my lesson this time, so please let me go."
Although Mingxi said she was taking Hu Dahua to the Women's Federation for "education," who knows how the Women's Federation would "educate" her? What if they made her put on the tiger bench, drink chili water, or whip her?
Hu Dahua dared not go to the Women's Federation with Mingxi.
If Mingxi knew what Hu Dahua was thinking, she'd laugh until her stomach hurt.
And the tiger bench and chili water?
They are from the Women's Federation, not Japanese devils arresting spies.
She said she would take Hu Dahu to the Women's Federation for education, and it was a real education; the Women's Federation would read laws and policies to her.
But Hu Dahua didn't know that; she was terrified.
Mingxi had only meant to scare her by saying she would take her to receive education. Seeing her evasiveness, she said with a stern face, "I'll let you off this time since it's your first time. But remember, there can't be a next time. If there is a next time, I will definitely take you to the Women's Federation."
"Okay, okay, I'll remember. Thank you, thank you, Xiaoming." Hu Dahua nodded and bowed, quickly agreeing.
Seeing that Mingxi didn't intend to pursue the matter further, Hu Dahua breathed a sigh of relief and turned to run away. However, as soon as she turned around, she saw Qin Qiaorou and Ge Heping standing not far behind her.
Isn't that awkward?
Hu Dahua touched her nose, too embarrassed to know where to look.
Ge Heping glared fiercely at Hu Dahua. He and Qin Qiaorou had been there for some time and had heard everything Hu Dahua had just said.
He originally wanted to teach Hu Dahua a lesson, but Mingxi stepped forward first.
Since Hu Dahua had already admitted her mistake, he couldn't do anything more to her. However, he still glared at her and threatened, "Hu Lie Lie, if you keep spouting nonsense, you'd better watch your tongue!"
Hu Dahua wanted to cry but had no tears.
This time, she really didn't dare to talk nonsense!
After Hu Dahua left, Qin Qiaorou led Ge Heping forward.
Qin Qiaorou: "Mingxi, thank you."
With Mingxi around, I reckon people in the alley won't dare to gossip about her for a while.
Mingxi waved her hand: "Hey, what's the big deal? I work for the Women's Federation, and protecting the legitimate rights of women is my duty!"
Qin Qiaorou gave a faint smile.
She always felt that Mingxi had a chivalrous spirit, a chivalrous spirit of standing up for the weak and defending the weak.
She thought that the reason why Director Shen of the Women's Federation recruited Mingxi to work in the Women's Federation was because she valued her chivalrous spirit.
When Mingxi saw Qin Qiaorou, she couldn't help but ask out of curiosity, "By the way, have you set a date for your wedding yet?"
Qin Qiaorou: "It's settled. We'll have the wedding in mid-September, when the weather will be cool and comfortable."
Mingxi did the math and realized it was already June, and there were still three months until September, so there wasn't a rush.
Mingxi: "That's alright, there's still time to prepare slowly."
Qin Qiaorou smiled and nodded.
Although Qin Qiaorou was remarried, Ge Heping always remembered that he hadn't been able to marry her before, so he was determined to make up for it at this wedding.
He had been saving his salary all these years, except for the living expenses he gave to Aunt Lan. He was going to use it all for his wedding, determined to give Qin Qiaorou a grand and spectacular wedding.
Mingxi and Qin Qiaorou were talking as they walked toward their own yard when they heard someone calling their name.
"Mingxi!"
Mingxi turned around and saw that it was Guan Lixin.
Guan Lixin was nowhere to be seen. He was covered in dust and dirt, with a scraggly beard, and his clothes were so dirty that they looked like he hadn't changed them for days.
As soon as he walked over, Mingxi smelled a very strong odor.
She covered her nose: "Guan Lixin, where have you been?"
Guan Lixin: "Hey, I went to the south with my buddy a few days ago to buy goods, and I just got back from the train today."
No wonder he smelled like that; he probably hadn't showered for days on the train.
Seeing that Mingxi's face had turned green, Guan Lixin asked suspiciously, "Is it really that smelly? I can't smell anything?"
Mingxi thought to herself, "You're used to the smell yourself, of course you can't smell it anymore."
However, she didn't want to speak right now, for fear that if she opened her mouth she would inhale all of Guan Lixin's scent.
Ge Heping, who was standing nearby, was kind enough to say, "Lixin, you do smell a bit strong. You should go wash up while the bathhouse is still open."
Guan Lixin couldn't help but roll his eyes whenever he saw Ge Heping.
Even if He Li didn't care that Ge Heping had abandoned her, he still couldn't stand it.
He rolled his eyes: "Ge Heping, do you have to be so delicate, you're a grown man? It's just a little bit of sweat. Don't you sweat when you're working? Or are you just slacking off at work? No wonder you're still only a level three worker after all these years, while people who joined the factory later than you are already level four."
Ge Heping: ...
Hey, what did he do to deserve this?
He was just trying to give Guan Lixin a friendly reminder, so why did Guan Lixin turn on him and start firing?
Ge Heping felt wronged, but he couldn't argue with Guan Lixin, so he could only look pitifully at Qin Qiaorou, hoping for her comfort.
Qin Qiaorou gave him a reassuring look, and Ge Heping immediately quieted down.
Guan Lixin rolled his eyes at Ge Heping, too lazy to pay him any attention.
This person is like a lapdog; he lowers his own status by even talking to the other person.
Guan Lixin looked at Mingxi again and said, "I heard from my mom that you're working at the Women's Federation now? You're something else! No wonder you're my childhood friend! Hey, if you ever become rich and powerful, don't forget to look after your buddy."
Mingxi rolled her eyes speechlessly, took a step back, pinched her nose and said, "You're overthinking it. I'm just a temporary worker right now, and I'm a long way from being a leader."
"Waiting for me to take care of you is less desirable than you taking care of me. Isn't that right, Boss Guan?"
Others might not have thought of it, but Mingxi could probably guess that Guan Lixin must have made a lot of money in his business, otherwise he wouldn't have gone to the south to buy goods again.
Guan Lixin curled the corners of his mouth and squinted his eyes: "Keep it down, keep it down. I'm not really a boss yet. Compared to the real big bosses, I'm just a nobody."
Mingxi squinted.
Judging from Guan Lixin's words, he met a real big boss during his trip to the south?
Tsk tsk, looks like this trip of his is not simple.
After Guan Lixin finished speaking, he realized he had let something slip and quickly changed the subject: "Ahem, oh dear, I don't smell very good. I didn't smell it before, but a gust of wind blew over and I can smell it now. Oh no, I need to go to the bathhouse and take a shower right away. Well, Mingxi, I'll go now. I'll talk to you again tonight if there's anything!"
After saying that, Guan Lixin strode away as fast as he could.
Mingxi was baffled.
Judging from Guan Lixin's words, he's going to come see me tonight?
What does Guan Lixin need to talk to her about?
Mingxi stopped thinking about it because she couldn't figure it out. She figured she would know when Guan Lixin came over that night anyway.
After dinner, Mingxi was nestled on the sofa listening to the radio when Guan Lixin indeed arrived.
"Aunt Zhao, have you finished eating? The weather is so nice, why didn't you go for a walk after you finished eating?"
He acted as if he were one of the guests. After pushing open the door and greeting Zhao Sulan, he casually found a place to sit down.
Zhao Sulan: "I didn't go today, I'm resting at home."
Guan Lixin: "It's good to rest at home. I'm quite tired after working all day, so I shouldn't go out at night."
As he spoke, he casually picked up a peanut from the table and popped it into his mouth.
Mingxi glanced at him and said, "What exactly did you come here for today?"
She didn't believe that Guan Lixin had specifically hinted that she should come over tonight just to eat peanuts at her house.
Guan Lixin: "Hehe, I've come here because I have some good news to tell you."
"Good news?" Mingxi squinted, her eyes filled with suspicion.
Guan Lixin: "That's really good news. I'm not lying to you. I swear to you if you don't believe me."
He raised his hand to swear an oath.
Mingxi: "Come on, stop with the nonsense, just tell me what's wrong."
Guan Lixin: "It's like this, I have a business here, the kind that's guaranteed to make money, 100% profitable. However, this business requires some initial investment, and the money that my buddy and I have together isn't enough, so we need to find someone else to invest."
He nudged Mingxi with his elbow as he spoke: "When something like this happens, you're the first person I think of. See how loyal I am?"
Mingxi: ...
I thought of her when I needed money to invest.
What kind of loyalty is this?
-----------------------
Author's Note: I've seen many readers in the comments section who don't want Qin Jie and Ge Heping to be together. I've also considered whether they should be together. Ge Heping has many flaws, but I think he undoubtedly loves Qin Jie. And Qin Jie also has feelings for him. Qin Jie could actually live a good life on her own, but I believe that because she still has feelings for Ge Heping, she has the courage to open her heart and accept this relationship after being hurt, instead of resisting all intimate relationships. Most importantly, she now has the job that Xiaoming got for her, and she has the courage to take risks, so she can accept it as something to enjoy, and leave whenever she doesn't like it.
I might have said a bit too much, and it might have been a little bothersome. If you don't like this part of the story, that's okay too. [Three-flower cat emoji] Please be gentle with your criticism.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com