"For a country person with no roots or skills to come to the city with his family to make a living, it's already a great achievement to be able to live in a shanty."
Shen Xiao drove into the shantytown and looked at the rows of old, short houses, but he didn't think there was anything wrong with them.
It was not until he stood in front of a small house that he understood why Qiao Changhai wanted to send him out.
The Qiao family's house is a small warehouse built by the landlord next to his own house.
Because it is used for storage, the landlord did not build very thick walls when he built the house, so this low nest becomes windy on all sides as soon as winter comes.
In order to keep warm, you should use two layers of plastic sheeting to seal the windows inside and outside after autumn.
What Shen Xiao saw was just such a small shack with windows papered over.
"Come in."
Qiao Changhai gritted his teeth and opened the door, and shouted to the inside of the house: "Old lady, our daughter and son-in-law are back home."
'Bang!'
Something fell to the ground in the room. Shen Xiao stood at the door and saw a short, thin, yellow-skinned woman coming towards him in a panic.
A pair of small eyes were filled with fear and he was rubbing his hands together, feeling a little helpless.
"It's okay. I have nothing to be afraid of at home."
Qiao Changhai stepped forward and held his wife's hand, then turned around and said to Shen Xiao at the door: "Come in, lower your head, the room is a bit short."
Shen Xiao walked in carrying something with his head slightly lowered.
The Qiao family’s room was not big, and a partition was made at the door using discarded door panels. Near the door was a small coal stove, with a kettle on it bubbling with steam. There was an old, whitish cupboard in the corner, on which were placed clean bottles of soy sauce and basins of lard, and half a bag of grain near the wall.
There is a dining table next to the window in the inner room. On the dining table stood a bowl of cold pickles and a plate of cornmeal steamed bread.
There is a small desk against the wall next to the window. On the desk is an old green desk lamp and a neatly row of books.
Next to the desk was an old chest with a thermos, tea cups, and two photo frames on it.
One is a photo of a family of three, in which Qiao Baozhu looks to be in her early teens. The other photo is a solo photo of Qiao Baozhu. Judging from her hairstyle, it should have been taken two or three years ago.
There was a kang directly opposite the window, and a folded camp bed next to it.
Because there were two layers of plastic sheets covering the inside and outside of the windows, the light in the room was extremely dim. Qiao Changhai reached out and pulled the lamp cord, and the dim tungsten filament lamp lit up, making the cabin much brighter.
Only then did Shen Xiao realize that although the shack was cramped and small, it was very clean.
“Ah, ah…”
Bao Huihua pulled Qiao Baozhu and pointed at the kang, meaning that Qiao Baozhu should lead Shen Xiao to sit on the kang.
"Mom, Dad, this is Shen Xiao."
Qiao Baozhu was relieved to see that Shen Xiao did not show any disgust on his face.
She knew in her heart that even if her parents supported her bold and open view on marriage. But deep down, the old couple still hoped that she could have a happy marriage.
Today, she ignored her adoptive father's hint and insisted on bringing Shen Xiao back to see with her own eyes the undignified living environment of their family. I just don't want to sugarcoat the truth, and I also want Shen Xiao to understand that poor people also have self-esteem and pride.
"Dad, Mom, I'm sorry. The wedding was arranged too hastily. I should have visited the elders in advance and apologized."
Shen Xiao solemnly apologized to Qiao Changhai and Bao Huihua, and briefly explained his itinerary for the past few days.
"I came back yesterday and saw the house that the two elders had painted and all the furniture they needed. I understand that this was all out of their love for Baozhu. To be honest, I should have been the one to prepare all this."
Shen Xiao admitted his mistake very well, and the gift he brought back was very expensive. His attitude was indeed very sincere, and the marriage was indeed hasty. In addition, the family backgrounds of the two parties were quite different, so Qiao Changhai didn't dare to take advantage of him.
He patted Shen Xiao's arm with a smile: "It's just a small matter, it's all a small matter."
Shen Xiao handed the things in his hand over with both hands. Qiao Changhai took it generously and turned to hand it to Bao Huihua. He turned around, took Shen Xiao's wrist, and the two of them sat on the kang.
"Old woman, please make some good tea for our son-in-law."
Bao Huihua looked at the things in her hand helplessly, turned around twice, and still couldn't figure out where to put them.
"Oh, old woman, you've made me dizzy. Put your things down and go boil some water."
Seeing that the old woman was confused at this time, Qiao Changhai's face turned very ugly.
Bao Huihua also knew that she had made a fool of herself by her son-in-law. She was so anxious that her face turned red and her neck became thick, and she was trying to hold back tears.
Qiao Baozhu brought the things over and scolded Shen Xiao mischievously, "It's all your fault. You came here without any notice and scared my mother."
Shen Xiao immediately stood up and smiled, "It's indeed my fault. I should have said hello in advance."
Bao Huihua didn't dare to blame Shen Xiao. She desperately pulled Qiao Baozhu's sleeve, signaling her not to talk nonsense.
Qiao Baozhu smiled and pulled Bao Huihua to the kitchen. While searching through boxes and cabinets for tea leaves, she comforted her foster mother: "Mom, don't be nervous. Chen Xiao is easy to talk to."
Bao Huihua wiped her eyes, her pale face full of guilt and self-blame. He gestured to Qiao Baozhu, which made Qiao Baozhu feel uncomfortable.
He walked forward, took Bao Huihua's rough palm, and whispered to comfort her: "Mom, this is not shameful. You and my dad brought me from the countryside, paid for my education and raised me up. You should be proud. Shen Xiao said that he admires you very much."
"Don't worry about it. Shen Xiao is not the kind of person who cares about things. Besides, he has seen all kinds of people in the military camp. This matter in our family is nothing."
Bao Huihua didn't say anything. She had never thought that her son-in-law would come home to see her.
In the past, what my daughter hated most was letting others know that her mother was a mute. She would never bring her classmates home, and would not let her go to school to pick them up.
Bao Huihua didn't think it was Qiao Baozhu's fault, as children also have self-esteem. The couple had been bullied since childhood, and they could still vividly remember the past of being excluded, ridiculed and teased.
How could she bear to let her daughter suffer this?
Qiao Baozhu finally got married, and her husband was an officer, which was the best marriage she could have.
With a mother like her, which mother-in-law would respect her?
Bao Huihua felt bitter in her heart and on her lips. She was afraid that after Qiao Baozhu returned, her in-laws would look down on her because of her.
Bao Huihua couldn't say these words, but Qiao Baozhu knew them well.
She knew very well what her adoptive mother and father were taboo about.
"Mom, Shen Xiao is not that kind of person. At least on the surface, he is not the kind of person who looks down on the poor. If he dislikes me because of you in the future."
"I won't live with him."
Qiao Baozhu held her adoptive mother's hand and said sternly, "If I don't respect you, I don't respect me. You and Dad are always more important than my husband."
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