Chapter 27 Return Home
◎Oh my god, something terrible has happened!◎
Hearing the name Tinglan, Zhao Xiangwan, who was putting on a cotton jacket, stopped what he was doing and looked carefully. Only then did he realize that this Aunt Lu was Tinglan's mother who was traveling with him on the train.
Wasn't Tinglan calm on the train? Why did she become like this when she got home? Zhao Xiangwan's heart tightened, and he quickly put on his clothes and shoes, and trotted after Fan Qiuhan.
The area where my aunt lived was the old town of Luo County, all simple bungalows, narrow alleys, densely covered with electric wires, and potholes on the cement road. Tinglan's house was two doors away from Zhao Dacui's house, and a large group of people gathered at the door. When they saw Fan Qiuhan coming, they quickly made way for her: "Hurry up, let Qiumei come, she's a nurse."
Fan Qiuhan studied nursing at a health school and did an internship at Chengguan Hospital this year. Although she has not officially started working yet, she is enthusiastic and willing to help. Neighbors will come to her for help when they have a headache or a fever. Now that Tinglan has committed suicide by cutting her wrists, the first person she thinks of is her.
Zhao Xiangwan followed Fan Qiuhan into the house and blinked several times before he got used to the dimness in the room.
A strong smell of blood came, and Zhao Xiangwan looked over in the direction of the smell. A skinny hand was hanging down from a camp bed in the corner, and there was a pool of dark red blood on the ground at the fingertips.
Fan Qiuhan ran over and breathed a sigh of relief after a quick check: "She's still alive!" She took out the prepared bandage and wrapped it around Tinglan's wrist a few times. After the bleeding stopped, she calmly ordered: "Hurry up and find a car to take her to the hospital."
There was a jingle from the door, and someone called out, "Hurry up, the tricycle is coming."
After a moment of panic, the enthusiastic neighbors wrapped Tinglan in a quilt, put her on a tricycle, and rushed to the hospital. When they arrived at Chengguan Hospital, Tinglan's mother slid down the snow-white wall and sat on the green terrazzo floor, tears streaming down her face as she watched her daughter being sent to the emergency room.
"I didn't expect it. I really didn't expect it. I finally found her, why would she commit suicide? I didn't say anything. I didn't say anything..."
Zhao Xiangwan stood aside in a daze.
Tinglan's mother turned around and saw her, with a trace of guilt in her eyes: "You, why are you here?"
Fan Qiuhan was doing two things at once, and answered on behalf of Zhao Xiangwan: "She is my cousin."
Aunt Lu seemed to have found a way to vent. She cried and said, "You saw it on the train. Tinglan was like crazy, right? Why did she commit suicide? Didn't we do enough for her? Why didn't she appreciate it?"
The neighbors who came with them knew something about Tinglan's family situation and were chattering about it.
"I heard that Chiang used to be a worker at a fertilizer factory, and his company even allocated him a house. Later, he suffered a stroke and applied for medical retirement, so he and his wife sold their house and moved to our poor place."
"I hadn't heard the couple mention their child before, but they suddenly brought their daughter home yesterday evening. Judging from the child's condition, she must have suffered a great hardship. This family is so pitiful. Old Jiang had a stroke, half of his face was stiff, and his left arm couldn't move. Now this has happened again. What are they going to do in the future?"
The neighbors' words made Aunt Lu feel more aggrieved, and she continued to cry.
"My daughter Tinglan was very obedient when she was little. She would do her homework after school and never run around with the other kids in the factory. Her father and I only have her as our child, and we are determined to train her to be a talent. Although we are strict with her, it is all for her own good.
She had nothing to worry about at home, and we only hoped that she would study hard and get into college to make us proud. The year Tinglan was admitted to college, Chiang set off 10,000 firecrackers in one go and invited more than a dozen tables of wine. We were so proud.
But you have seen her current state, half human, half ghost, and pregnant with a bastard. Why is our life so miserable..."
Zhao Dacui didn't have much contact with the Jiang family. She only knew that the couple were employees of the fertilizer factory. After Jiang Fugui suffered a stroke, he sold his house and retired. He had no children. Seeing their pity, the neighbors usually took good care of them.
As mothers, seeing Tinglan's mother Lu Qinglian crying out of breath, Zhao Dacui couldn't bear it. She sighed and wanted to help her up from the ground.
Zhao Xiangwan stretched out his hand to stop Zhao Dacui's action.
Zhao Xiangwan's expression was very serious: "Aunt, make her cry."
A mother who forced her daughter to commit suicide does not deserve sympathy. Let her cry. She should cry!
Perhaps it was because Zhao Xiangwan looked so stern that Lu Qinglian, who had been immersed in the emotion of "Why is my life so miserable?", was started and stopped crying.
[This girl is so powerful. Who is she from Zhao Dacui's family? She yelled at me on the train and told me not to hit Tinglan. Now she is lecturing me with a long face. This is outrageous! I can hit and scold my own girl as I want. What does it have to do with you?]
Lu Qinglian was a domineering person. Although she was dissatisfied with Zhao Xiangwan, she did not dare to express it. She just looked at Zhao Dacui with grievance.
Zhao Dacui coughed. Although she felt that Zhao Xiangwan was too straightforward and did not show any mercy to others, she was reluctant to blame her because she thought that she had a thorny body because she did not have a good mother.
Zhao Dacui said, "Qinglian, I have never seen your daughter before, nor have I heard you mention Tinglan, so I thought you two had no children. Now your daughter is back, which is a good thing. You should love her more and don't force her into despair."
After hearing what Zhao Dacui said, Lu Qinglian didn't know how to respond for a moment and started crying louder.
"I didn't force her, I didn't force her! I finally found Tinglan, and I felt bad when I saw how skinny she was. But she heard a few words from others on the train, and as soon as she got back she insisted on going back to college. Study! What kind of study! If she went back to school like this, wouldn't everyone laugh to death?
Besides, she was pregnant with a bastard, why would she go to school! Her father didn't let her have a baby, so he made her have an abortion before the hospital closed for the New Year. Was he wrong? Did she still want to give birth to the baby? Why did she commit suicide just because he scolded her a few times?
I ran myself to find her, went to one police station after another to beg for help, sold my house, lost my job, and saved every penny I could to find her. I finally found her, but this damn girl didn't even say thank you, and she wanted to commit suicide? Why is my life so miserable~~"
Zhao Dacui was stunned. After all, she was the one who gave birth to three daughters. She immediately responded, "Qinglian, from what you said, Tinglan didn't get married, but was kidnapped and deceived when she was in college? You, you, you... since you know that your daughter has suffered, how can you bear to scold her?"
When Lu Qinglian heard her confess that she was "kidnapped", she suddenly became nervous and began to stutter.
"No, no, no, no, no, I wasn't kidnapped." She blushed and slapped her thigh. "Anyway, I didn't say anything harsh about her."
Lu Qinglian and her husband Jiang Fugui were both born into poor rural families. Due to physical reasons, they only had one daughter. In their hometown, they were criticized for not having a son to carry on the family line. The two were determined to raise their child to be a talent and slap those people in the face. They even asked the most educated chief engineer in the factory to choose the name, which came from "An Zhi Ting Lan" in "Yueyang Tower Records".
Jiang Tinglan was also very competitive, well-behaved and sensible, with excellent grades. In 1989, she was admitted to Kyoto University of International Business and Economics, with a bright future. For this reason, Jiang Fugui not only sold wine at the fertilizer factory, but also went to the countryside to sell wine and perform operas, which was very glorious.
After Jiang Tinglan was kidnapped, her colleagues at the fertilizer factory and her family members all mocked her wealth, saying that what was the use of being a girl? She was kidnapped even though she had read so many books. It would be better for her to study less and marry a good family. Not to mention being sold into a deep mountain valley and unable to get out, even if she was lucky enough to find someone, her life would probably be wasted.
Jiang Fugui, who had always been a strong man, could not bear it after hearing these words so many times. He suffered a stroke in a panic and half of his body was paralyzed. He smashed pots and bowls at home and said that he would just pretend that he didn't have this daughter. The couple sold their unit house and rented two rooms in this old city last September and lived a secluded life.
She thought her life was over and the money from selling the house would be enough to support her in her old age, but she received a call from the police station saying that Tinglan had been found. Jiang Fugui was unwilling to go pick her up, so Lu Qinglian took a car to the Nanshan Police Station in Qinghe County and took her daughter back.
As soon as Tinglan came back, the fact that they had been trying to hide the kidnapping was no longer visible, and no good words were spoken at night. Tinglan could not stand her parents' dislike, so she committed suicide by cutting her wrists.
Tinglan's suicide disrupted Lu Qinglian's plan, and the more she talked, the more her true colors were revealed.
Zhao Xiangwan bluntly said to her: "It's better to die with dignity than to suffer in life."
Lu Qinglian's expression suddenly changed. She pointed at Zhao Xiangwan and trembled for a long time before saying, "Da Cui, who is this person in your family? And you don't care about it."
Zhao Dacui pushed Zhao Xiangwan behind her, like an old hen protecting her cubs: "This is my niece. She is young and ignorant. Don't blame her." After saying that, she turned around and glared at Zhao Xiangwan.
[This kid is just telling the truth! Why offend someone who has nothing to do with you?]
Hearing her aunt's inner thoughts, Zhao Xiangwan pursed her lips and lowered her head.
The neighbors tried to smooth things over and rushed over to comfort Lu Qinglian.
"Alas, it's not easy to raise a child. Now that the child is back, you two have someone to rely on, right?"
"No matter what difficulties the child encounters, the family should slowly bear them together. Don't push them too hard and lower your expectations."
"Alas! How pitiful are the hearts of parents in the world."
However, Lu Qinglian could not hear what these neighbors were thinking, but Zhao Xiangwan heard it clearly.
[I used to feel sorry for the couple, but I never thought it was all their own fault. It's not a shame that their child was kidnapped, why did they keep it a secret?]
[You are too concerned about your reputation. Zhao Xiangwan is right. You deserve it for being too concerned about your reputation! ]
[He scolded the girl so much that she committed suicide, and he still said he couldn't afford to lose face. What kind of person is he?]
Justice is in the hearts of the people.
There is a type of parents who are self-motivated and see their children as tools to realize their own values. When their children are successful, they show off; once their children embarrass them, they immediately give up. Zhao Xiangwan thinks that such parents are terrible.
Among the voices that followed Lu Qinglian's lead, Zhao Xiangwan's unique cold girlish voice was very penetrating, instantly silencing everyone present.
"Although Tinglan was abducted, she still has a university enrollment. She can continue her studies by explaining her situation to the school. This is a good thing. Why do you think her studying will embarrass you?"
Lu Qinglian was stunned for a moment, obviously not knowing how to answer this question.
When the neighbors heard this, they asked Zhao Xiangwan curiously, "Can Tinglan still go to school? How can she go to college when she's pregnant? How can the school accept her after she hasn't been there for such a long time?"
Zhao Xiangwan nodded. When she was interning at the Public Security Bureau, she heard He Mingyu mention a case of a college student being abducted. After the girl was rescued, she had psychological problems. Finally, with the intervention of a police psychologist, she gradually recovered. Later, the girl's parents contacted the school, and the school readily agreed to let the girl return to continue her studies.
With this case in mind, as long as Tinglan explains the situation and the police issue a certificate, the school should have no problem reinstating her student status.
Lu Qinglian didn't believe that she could continue to study after not going to school for more than a year. She muttered to herself: "What's the point of studying? My Tinglan is ruined like this. Her life is over."
Zhao Xiangwan's face turned cold: "You didn't even call the school, how do you know you can't continue your studies? Tinglan is only in her twenties, how can her life be over?"
Lu Qinglian obviously didn't expect the girl in front of her to be so angry. She looked around in panic and kept explaining, "I didn't know. No one told me that Tinglan could continue to go to school. Besides, she is pregnant. How can she study?"
Because of Zhao Xiangwan's words, the neighbors kept silent and subconsciously took a half step back, keeping a certain distance from Lu Qinglian.
Yes, how can a mother say that about her child? Even if she was abducted and pregnant, so what? As long as the person is still alive, there is hope. Besides, Zhao Dacui's niece also said that Tinglan can continue to go to school and become a college student. How can her life be over?
"Well, don't blame me for being blunt. The child has gone through so much hardship to get home, you should comfort her, how can you embarrass her by scolding her?"
"When you brought the child back yesterday, I thought she looked so thin and pitiful. Alas! I know it's not easy for you as parents, but... the child is more pitiful."
"What good will it do you to force the child to death?"
Lu Qinglian didn't know how to respond to what her neighbors said. Her face turned red and white, but she didn't know when her tears stopped.
A deep and vague male voice interrupted: "It didn't happen to you. It's easy to say one by one. If she has the courage to die, let her go! I, Jiang Fugui, will just pretend that I never gave birth to this girl!"
When Lu Qinglian heard the voice, she cried and fell over: "Fugui, our lives are over, all over."
Jiang Fugui held his wife with his right hand. Half of his face remained motionless, while the other half was full of anger. His mouth was deformed and looked very scary.
"We raised her with such care, thinking she would be successful, but she is so disappointing that she even got lost during school and was kidnapped. Seeing her half-human appearance, why should we continue to study? We should just send her to the countryside to get married."
Zhao Dacui didn't like the phrase "sent to the countryside to get married", which touched her heart. If she married casually, what would she do if she met a man who beat his wife when he got drunk?
"That's your own daughter, how can you just say you don't want her? As long as she's alive, no matter how miserable she is, you'll have someone to rely on in your old age. Things haven't reached the point where they can't be reversed, why do you have to send her to the countryside to get married?!"
The neighbors also stood on Zhao Dacui's side and spoke out for her.
"I've never seen parents like you, so cruel!"
"Xiang Wan is right. You are just trying to save face and suffer! There are so many girls who have been trafficked. There are reports in newspapers every year. How come, according to you, they all have to die?"
"If you want to scold someone, then scold those shameless kidnappers and beasts who traffic in human beings. They will be punished by heaven and earth and their descendants will be cut off. Why are you scolding her?"
"This is the first time I've seen such people. The police comrades finally rescued your daughter, but you are desperately trying to send her to death!"
Jiang Fugui's face twitched, his chest rose and fell violently, and he glared at everyone fiercely. Because half of his body was stiff and the other half of his face was wooden, he looked a little scary.
Lu Qinglian was scolded so much that she couldn't even raise her head. She cowered behind Jiang Fugui and didn't know how to respond for a moment. She could only weakly say, "No, no..."
The nurse rushed out of the emergency room and said, "The patient has lost a lot of blood. The child cannot be saved. Family members, please come over quickly and sign."
Although Jiang Fugui was tough-mouthed, she was his only daughter after all, and his heart ached, he closed his eyes and sighed. Lu Qinglian gritted her teeth and said, "If we can't keep her, then we can't keep her, and we don't want her anyway!"
A chaotic rescue operation began.
The neighbors waited for a while and when they saw that there was nothing to do, they left one after another.
Zhao Dacui had cooked bone soup and cut pickled cabbage and pork shreds last night, preparing to open the rice noodle stall at six in the morning. Now that she was delayed, she felt a little anxious and glanced at Zhao Xiangwan: "Let's go home."
Zhao Xiangwan shook her head: "Aunt, I'm waiting for my cousin."
Zhao Dacui knew that she had her own opinions since she was young, and no one could influence her once she made up her mind. After giving her a few instructions, she gave her a key to the room and left in a hurry.
Three hours later, Tinglan was finally pushed out of the emergency room.
Fan Qiuhan, who followed out, saw Zhao Xiangwan waiting quietly at the door. He was stunned for a moment and took her aside: "Why are you still here? Have you had breakfast?"
Zhao Xiangwan shook his head.
Fan Qiuhan stamped his feet anxiously: "You! This has nothing to do with you, what are you doing here?"
Zhao Xiangwan turned his head and glanced at Tinglan's pale face lying on the cart, and said softly, "Cousin, you haven't eaten yet, I'll keep you company."
Fan Qiuhan rolled his eyes at Zhao Xiangwan in annoyance and said, "Come on, don't I know you? You are just being kind and want to help Tinglan, right? She is still under the anesthetic and hasn't woken up yet. I'll take you to eat something first and come back later."
The two of them ate something at the breakfast stall in front of Chengguan Hospital, and then returned to Tinglan's ward. Before they got close, they heard the voices of Jiang Fugui and his wife.
"Let her recuperate in the hospital first. This New Year is wasted. Let's spend it in the hospital. The child is gone, it's gone. She should never have been born anyway."
"It's really annoying. If I had known earlier that adopting a son from my hometown would be better than just having a girl!"
Fan Qiuhan frowned when she heard this. As a girl, it was hard not to feel disgusted when hearing such remarks that girls were inferior to sons.
Zhao Xiangwan knew that it was very difficult to change the minds of parents like this, and there was no need to waste time and energy. She pouted at Fan Qiuhan and said, "Take them to the doctor, and I'll just talk to Tinglan."
Fan Qiuhan nodded, changed into a nurse's uniform, and walked to Tinglan's ward: "Aunt Lu, Uncle Jiang, there are some words that need your signature, please come over."
Fan Qiuhan, wearing a nurse's uniform, had a convincing power. Lu Qinglian responded and helped Jiang Fugui walk out.
Zhao Xiangwan took advantage of the opportunity to walk into the ward.
Under the snow-white sheets, Tinglan's face looked even paler. She closed her eyes slightly, with tears hanging on the edges of her eyelashes, and it was obvious that she had just cried.
"Tinglan." Zhao Xiangwan walked to her side, bent down and called softly.
Tinglan slowly opened her eyes, her large, empty eyes filled with despair. After recognizing Zhao Xiangwan, she closed her eyes, and two lines of tears rolled down her cheeks.
[It's you... I'm sorry to disappoint you. I wanted to go to school, but they wouldn't let me. ]
Due to blood loss and miscarriage, Tinglan, who had already been abused, felt hollowed out. She was very weak and could not speak at all.
Zhao Xiangwan took out a brand new hundred-dollar bill from his pocket, folded it in half, and stuffed it next to Tinglan's pillow.
Tinglan struggled to refuse, but she had no strength. She was out of breath every time she moved, and could only speak with her mouth: "No, I want to -"
Zhao Xiangwan looked at her with a firm look in his eyes: "My name is Zhao Xiangwan, and I am a criminal investigation major from the Hunan Provincial Public Security University, Class of 1991. When I was interning at the Xing City Public Security Bureau, I came across a case where a trafficked college student only needed to take a certificate from the police station to the school's Academic Affairs Office and explain the situation, and then his or her student status could be restored and he or she could continue studying."
A bright light suddenly shone in Tinglan's eyes.
"Don't give up. Get well first. I've asked the nurse, and according to your current condition, you'll probably have to stay in the hospital for half a month. Don't argue with your parents, eat and drink as needed, and your health is the most important thing. When you can get out and about again, call your good college classmates or teachers and explain your situation. Ask them to help inform the school in advance. When you're well again, go to the police station to get a new ID, get a certificate, and go back to school."
Every time Zhao Xiangwan said something, Tinglan nodded. It was as if a force was injected into her body, and her cheeks gradually became more red.
After saying this, Zhao Xiangwan pointed at Tinglan's pillow and said, "Take this money first. Buying train tickets, making phone calls, and going to school all cost money. If your parents don't agree with you going to school, just go by yourself! Don't care about their ideas. When you get to school, find a way to work part-time to support yourself. You can always support yourself."
Tinglan's big eyes were filled with tears, flowing quietly. The tears slid across her frostbitten cheeks and silently soaked into the pillow. On the train, Zhao Xiangwan told her that it was not her fault that she was kidnapped. Now, Zhao Xiangwan came over again and showed her a clearer way.
There are still many good people in this world.
Seeing that she understood, Zhao Xiangwan spoke faster: "I came here to talk while your parents are not around. I have to go. You have to remember - there is hope only when you are alive."
After saying this, Zhao Xiangwan took a step to leave.
As soon as he took a step, someone grabbed the corner of his clothes, and Zhao Xiangwan lowered his head to look at Tinglan.
Tinglan used all her strength, but no sound came out.
[Don't worry, I won't commit suicide again. I will go to school and study hard. I will return the money to you.]
Hearing her voice, Zhao Xiangwan's eyes warmed up. He nodded gently and said softly, "Okay, I heard you. I'll wait for you to pay me back."
Tinglan's skinny hands slowly fell on the bed. Zhao Xiangwan was right. Only when she was alive could she have hope. If she died, it would be a waste of all her efforts over the years.
--
Zhao Xiangwan returned to the old house, took out the big grass carp and old hen he had just bought from the market, and began to prepare the food quickly.
Zhao Dacui is an old resident here. When Zhao Xiangwan was in high school, she would occasionally stay here during the winter and summer vacations. Many of her neighbors knew her. Seeing Zhao Xiangwan's skillful movements, the neighbors next door greeted her enthusiastically.
"Zhao Xiangwan, you are still so diligent even though you are in college. You are very skillful in killing fish and chickens."
"Today, I felt really happy when you said that Lu Qinglian was too proud to live in misery. Not bad, not bad, you are more eloquent than your aunt."
"Lu Qinglian and Jiang Fugui moved here last September. This is the first time you've met them, right? Zhao Xiang has been studying for half a year and is becoming more and more successful."
Beneath the well-intentioned words, there is actually some criticism hidden.
[At such a young age, he is so sharp-tongued. What will happen to him in the future? 】
[Girls don’t know whether it is a good thing or a bad thing to read too much. Look at Zhao Xiangwan, she even dares to scold adults. ]
[I didn’t go home to spend the New Year’s Eve, but went to my aunt’s house. I don’t know what her parents think. 】
Zhao Xiangwan didn't care what her neighbors were thinking. She had heard such words too many times and had become immune to them.
I rinsed off the blood on my hands and the cutting board, put the fish aside to drain the blood, chopped the chicken into pieces and put it in a clay pot to stew, then went to the field to pick a few garlic cloves and a handful of Chinese cabbage. After everything was ready, I took the fish and Chinese cabbage back to the house and placed them on the dining table, waiting for my cousin and aunt to come back.
Fan Qiuhan was supposed to have a day off today, but was temporarily called by the head nurse to help out in sending Tinglan to the hospital, so Zhao Xiangwan came back first.
"Third sister!" A surprised voice came from the other end of the alley.
Zhao Xiangwan turned around and saw a sturdy figure. His eyes lit up: "Brother!"
Zhao Bowen's left hand
Carrying two kilograms of candy and a net bag of apples in his right hand, he quickened his pace and hurried over, grinning: "Third sister, you are finally back. I was afraid that you would stay in school for the New Year this year."
Zhao Xiangwan said nothing and just smiled gently.
For her, going to college was to get rid of the control of her adoptive parents. Therefore, after arriving in Xing City, she had no contact with anyone in Zhao Jiagou except writing to Fan Qiuhan. It was normal that Zhao Bowen didn't know she would come back.
Zhao Bowen, who had not seen her for half a year and did not know Zhao Xiangwan's background, was extremely happy. His honest square face was full of smiles, and he stuffed the candy into her hand. He wanted to touch his sister's head, but he knew that she did not like others to touch her, so he drew a circle in the air with his left hand and returned to the starting point.
"It's good to be back, it's good to be back. Our hospital won't be closed until New Year's Eve, so I'll pick you up and go home to celebrate the New Year together, right? Even though your parents treat you badly, this is still our home."
[The third sister wouldn’t hate her parents so much that she wouldn’t even want to go back home, right? She grew up in Zhaojiagou, and even after going to college, she was still a member of Zhaojiagou. Her roots are there, how can she just abandon them? No, I have to talk to her. My mother, ah! She’s obviously very good to me and my brother, and even Chenyang, who is not her biological child, often complains about us. Why does she have to be so hard on the third sister? Now she doesn’t even want to go home for the New Year reunion. It’s really, ah...]
Zhao Xiangwan took the White Rabbit candy wrapped in oil paper and smelled its sweet and greasy aroma. Her thoughts were brought back to her childhood when her eldest brother secretly stuffed a candy into her mouth after returning from school. It was so sweet and fragrant that she remembered it for a long, long time.
Zhao Xiangwan remembers every bit of warmth.
Zhao Xiangwan did not answer the question of whether he wanted to go home. He opened the door and invited Zhao Bowen in: "Brother, I brought you a gift."
When Zhao Bowen heard that there was a gift for him, he smiled happily and followed Zhao Xiangwan into his aunt's room. He watched Zhao Xiangwan take out a light gray wool scarf from her bag and took it happily.
"Third sister, you are so thoughtful. This scarf is the most popular one in Xing City, right? It's soft and light, so nice. You are so thoughtful. I accept it, big brother."
Zhao Bowen unfolded the scarf and tied it around his neck. The soft touch, warmth and comfort made him smile. It was not easy for his sister to go to college, and he didn't seem to be able to help much. He didn't expect that she would remember to bring him a gift when she came back for the New Year. It was great.
Zhao Xiangwan knew that his eldest brother was kind-hearted and honest, and had no ideas. When he was at home, he was the one who worked on the farm. He did whatever his parents said, and the whole family gave all their attention to their second brother, Zhao Zhongwu.
Zhao Zhongwu was the most cunning and sly. He refused to make progress in his studies and always pushed the work to his elder brother. When he was in junior high school, he learned to play cards and gamble. I don't know how much money he stole from the family. If Zhao Xiangwan hadn't used mind reading to control him, I'm afraid he would have become a gambler and a second-rate person.
Thinking of this, Zhao Xiangwan asked: "Brother, how is the second brother now?"
Zhao Bowen frowned and shook his head gently: "Alas, the second son went to Guangzhou to learn cooking in a big hotel. Before he even finished his apprenticeship, he started gambling again and was kicked out by his master. He came home two days ago and was talking to his parents, saying that he had learned the skills and wanted to open a restaurant in Luo County."
Zhao Xiangwan shook his head, thinking that it was true that a child's character can be seen at the age of three and his character at the age of seven. His second brother Zhao Zhongwu's gambling habit has not been cured yet.
Zhao Bowen looked around wearing the scarf, his heart was filled with joy. When he raised his head and saw his sister's small apple face, he felt happy and distressed for some reason, and brought up the topic again.
"Third sister, come home with me on New Year's Eve? Don't worry, my eldest brother is working now, earning 62 yuan a month, and you don't have to be afraid of your parents anymore. If your parents get angry again, I'll protect you."
Only when you have money can you have confidence.
Zhao Bowen was born in 1968. After one year of high school, he dropped out and worked as a farmer at home. Because he didn't make money, he worked hard every day. He ate whatever he had and had to ask his mother Qian Shufen for money when he needed to buy something. When Chenyang was still at home, he would see his third sister working and his fourth sister slacking off when he got home. After Chenyang left, his third sister went to boarding school for junior and senior high school. His mother would scold her whenever she mentioned her, and she would be beaten every time she asked for money at the beginning of the school term. Zhao Bowen didn't dare to confront his parents, so he could only secretly give her some snacks and small change.
Now that Zhao Bowen has a job, he feels confident in speaking up. When he sees the scarf sent by Zhao Xiangwan, he begins to reflect on himself. He feels that he did not do well enough in the past and did not help Zhao Xiangwan much, and he feels a little ashamed.
Zhao Xiangwan shook his head: "Brother, I don't want to go home."
Even if Zhao Bowen wanted to rebel against his parents, Zhao Xiangwan had experienced Qian Shufen's strength and harshness, and the good-tempered elder brother simply did not have the courage and ability to continue the confrontation. And he himself had not yet figured out how to face them.
Did he show her the kindness of raising her? Of course he did. At least he raised her and didn't let her die of hunger or illness, unlike Zhao Qingyun and Wei Meihua, who abandoned her when she was just one month old. But this kindness of raising her disappeared when she was swapped with Zhao Chenyang and her growth was deliberately suppressed.
Zhao Bowen saw that his persuasion did not move his sister, so he sat down somewhat frustratedly and sighed for a long time: "Alas, third sister, your parents are not very good to you, but many people in the village are talking about you. Do you really not even come home for the New Year? Do you still remember that in order for you to go to junior high school, the village committee director Uncle Hai and the Women's Federation director Aunt Gui came to criticize and educate your parents. Later, when you were in high school, Uncle Hai and Aunt Gui secretly gave you money?"
Zhao Xiangwan looked at Zhao Bowen quietly without saying anything.
Fan Qiuhan pushed the door open and said unhappily, "Cousin, if you want to fulfill your filial duty, just go and don't involve Xiang Wan. What is Xiang Wan going to do when she goes back? Continue to listen to her aunt scolding her for being heartless and her uncle nagging her for being ignorant? Let them confiscate her ID card and burn her clothes to prevent her from continuing her studies?"
Zhao Bowen's face turned paler as he listened, especially the talk of confiscating ID cards and burning clothes. He had never heard of it before. He subconsciously defended his parents: "Well, although my parents don't want my third sister to go to school because she is a girl, they shouldn't be so... so exaggerated, right?"
Fan Qiuhan snorted, "There are even more exaggerated ones! Do you know why Xiang Wan applied to the Public Security University? Because this university does not charge tuition, and accepts students in advance, and because my aunt did not dare to tear up the admission letter of this university! After my aunt tried to stop Xiang Wan from taking the college entrance examination several times but failed, she made a harsh statement, saying that she would tear up the admission letter as soon as she received it, and she would never agree to Xiang Wan continuing her studies."
Zhao Bowen began to tremble all over, mumbling, "I, I don't know."
Fan Qiuhan said unhappily, "You are the son, and the eldest son, so your uncle and aunt must be good to you. You are so blessed, how could you know how difficult it is for Xiang Wan!"
Zhao Bowen's forehead began to sweat.
"Cousin, was it Xiangwan who reminded you to take the adult college entrance examination in 1986? Was it Xiangwan who helped you find your review materials? If it weren't for Xiangwan, you would still be farming in the countryside. How could you have the good job you have now? People should have a conscience. Don't always impose your ideas on Xiangwan and force her to do things she doesn't like."
Once Fan Qiuhan started to lecture people, it was like a machine gun, crackling, and Zhao Bowen's head was buzzing. He repeatedly said: "Yes, yes, yes, I was wrong, I won't force the third sister."
"As for Uncle Hai and Aunt Gui, let's go buy some New Year gifts together later. Can't you just bring them to Xiang Wan and say a few words of thanks? Why does Xiang Wan have to go back? If Xiang Wan has to do everything, what is there for you, the eldest brother, to do?"
Zhao Bowen nodded again: "Yes, yes, yes, okay."
The sound of a car's wheels rolling over the concrete road came from the door, and Zhao Xiangwan stood up quickly: "Aunt is back!" The three of them went out to greet her. It turned out to be Zhao Dacui who had returned home after finishing her breakfast business.
Zhao Bowen hurried forward and helped unload the coal stove, iron bucket, bottles and cans, bowls and chopsticks from the cart. Zhao Xiangwan and Fan Qiuhan helped wash the bowls and chopsticks. The family was busy for half an hour before they cleaned up the cart and put it back in the utility room.
Zhao Dacui dragged out a chair with an armchair, pounded her waist and sat down slowly. After a long time, she let out a long breath: "Oh... I'm so tired." When she was young, she could bend over and cut rice all day without complaining of being tired. She didn't expect that now she would feel back pain after just setting up a rice noodle stall.
Seeing this, Fan Qiuhan's eyes were red with heartache. He walked over and squatted beside his mother to massage her back, complaining, "Mom, I told you not to work in the stall anymore, but you didn't listen! Pushing carts, carrying buckets, standing for hours at a time, it hurts your back. You are fifty years old now, and your back muscles are so severely strained, but you still don't rest. Do you want to lie in bed and be unable to get up when you are old?"
Zhao Dacui did not refuse this time. She raised her hand and stroked her daughter's head, sighing: "Sister Qiu feels sorry for mom, mom knows it."
Last night, Zhao Xiangwan had urged his cousin to support his aunt. Now, after seeing this situation, he understood: "Aunt, you are old now. It is too hard to run a stall by yourself. Why don't you take in an apprentice and open a rice noodle shop?"
Zhao Dacui asked with a smile: "Xiang Wan wants to give my aunt an apprentice? Who is it?"
Zhao Xiangwan: "Zhao Zhongwu."
Zhao Zhongwu, who was sitting by the fire in the old house in Zhaojiagou, thinking about how to get his mother to agree to give him money to open a shop, suddenly shuddered.
He looked around and started to wonder: The school is on winter vacation, will the third sister come home? Her eyes seemed to have X-ray vision, and she could not hide any little thoughts. He was scared when he saw her. But this person is just a mean person. He really misses her after not seeing her for such a long time. If she helps him when gambling, he will definitely kill everyone.
Thinking of gambling, Zhao Zhongwu's hands began to itch again.
Suddenly there was a commotion at the door, mixed with the mother Qian Shufen's scream of surprise and delight: "Fourth sister, fourth sister, you're back."
Then came the overly enthusiastic voice of his father, Zhao Erfu: "Hurry, hurry, hurry, please come in."
"Zhongwu, Zhongwu, come out quickly, your fourth sister is back, Chenyang is back."
Zhao Zhongwu was stunned when he heard his mother shouting for help. That lazy guy Zhao Chenyang is back? He has been gone for so many years and there is no news at all. What's so strange about him coming back at this time? He stretched his waist, stood up slowly, walked out of the west room, and walked into the main room.
In the middle of the main hall of the old house, there are two side rooms on the east and west sides. The stove room is on the east side, and the toilet and pig pen are on the west side. Now a group of people crowded into the main hall, surrounding a man and a woman.
The girl is Zhao Chenyang who has grown up. She is wearing a yellow cashmere sweater with a dark chestnut short wool coat, tight black moccasins and brown boots. She looks very fashionable among a group of rustic country girls. She has short curly hair, an oval face and big eyes. She looks pretty.
Zhao Zhongwu whistled and raised his eyebrows: "Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk, look who this is. She has really changed a lot since she grew up. The dwarf Zhao Chenyang is back. She hasn't even sent a letter back in seven or eight years. Why is she willing to return home now?"
Zhao Chenyang looked towards Zhao Zhongwu following the sound, and rolled his eyes at his weird tone: "Er Gouzi, it's been so long since we last met, and you're still so annoying!"
Zhao Zhongwu was thick-skinned and not afraid of being scolded. He smiled and said, "It's better to be disliked than to have no conscience. You have been lazy and idle in Zhaojiagou for ten years. After your biological parents took you to the city, there has been no news since then. You have no conscience, no conscience."
Qian Shufen couldn't stand it any longer, so she walked over and slapped Zhao Zhongwu on the head: "If you don't speak, no one will think you are dumb!"
The middle-aged man standing next to Zhao Chenyang was very tall, wearing a long light gray woolen coat, and looked very authoritative. He smiled and nodded to Zhao Zhongwu: "Are you Zhao Xiangwan's second brother? Hello."
The other person was elegant, gentle, and approachable, and he was obviously an important person. Zhao Zhongwu was a little flattered, and hurriedly stepped forward and stretched out his hand: "Hello, hello, I am Zhao Zhongwu, may I ask who you are?"
"Zhao Qingyun." Zhao Qingyun shook hands with Zhao Zhongwu and glanced around the room. "Is Zhao Xiangwan back?"
Zhao Zhongwu felt a breath of cold wind blowing into his neck. He retracted his hand and blew out a breath of warm air: "The third sister didn't come back."
Zhao Qingyun glanced at Qian Shufen in confusion: "I heard that Zhao Xiangwan was on the train yesterday."
The daughter came back but refused to go home right away. Qian Shufen was a little embarrassed and laughed: "She must have gone to her aunt's house in the county. You have come from a long way, so please sit down and have a rest and some tea first."
Qian Shufen turned her head and looked at Zhao Chenyang, tears flashing in her eyes. This was her flesh and blood, and she missed him every day after not seeing him for eight years. Seeing how good Chenyang looked, Qian Shufen could no longer control her emotions and hugged her with open arms: "Fourth sister, you are such a heartless ten sister. I have raised you for years, why did you come back so late..."
Zhao Erfu was also a little excited, looking his little daughter up and down, his eyes full of joy. Chen Yang is smart, she has grown up really well after replacing Xiang Wan's identity and going to the city. The climate and soil in the city really nurture people!
Zhao Chenyang was hugged by his own mother. He could smell the wood smoke on her body and felt a little breathless. He pushed her away irritably, fixed his hair, and forced a smile: "Um, when will Zhao Xiangwan come back?"
Seeing that Zhao Qingyun and Zhao Chenyang only cared about Zhao Xiangwan, Qian Shufen was a little at a loss, feeling that things were not developing as she expected.
Qian Shufen thought that Zhao Qingyun, who was driving a car with lots of gifts, must be accompanying Zhao Chenyang back to Zhaojiagou and thanking him for raising her. But as soon as they met, before they even sat down, they both asked Zhao Xiangwan why.
Zhao Xiangwan, that disobedient girl, never returned after she was admitted to university. She never called or sent me a letter. She didn't go home even after her train arrived in Luo County yesterday. It seems like she has grown independent and doesn't want to recognize her family anymore.
Zhao Erfu chuckled and said, "Xiang Wan has a good relationship with her aunt. She must have gone to see her aunt first. I'll ask Zhongwu to pick her up by bike later. You guys can sit first."
Zhao Qingyun did not sit down and did not smile. He glanced at the villagers who were gathered at the door of the main hall and said something in a neither loud nor low voice.
"Zhao Chenyang is your daughter, I sent her back. Zhao Xiangwan is my Zhao Qingyun's biological daughter, I came to take her back."
As soon as these words came out, everyone's eyes widened in shock.
What? Zhao Chenyang, who was taken to the city to enjoy a good life, is the biological child of Zhao Erfu and Qian Shufen, and Zhao Xiangwan, who has always been beaten and scolded, is the daughter of a wealthy family in the city?
A buzzing sound arose. This news was indeed a shocking secret to the people of Zhao Jiagou. It was too shocking.
"No wonder Zhao Xiangwan's grades are so good, but Erfu and his wife refused to let her go to school. It turns out she is not their biological daughter!"
"Look carefully, the cadre from this city looks quite similar to Zhao Xiangwan."
"Mrs. Qian did this on purpose, didn't she? She's the mother, she must know best which one is the biological one. This... this is too unkind!"
Amid the discussion, Zhao Zhongwu's eyes widened. Oh my god, something terrible has happened!
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