Chapter 22 Chapter 22 With Xiaoci's enlightened mouth, I helped...
Jiang Xiaoci sat outside the yard, chatting absentmindedly with her grandfather. She wanted to know what her grandmother and her good sisters were talking about, so she slowly moved into the yard, and then to the foot of the wall.
Seeing this, Jiang Peizhong smiled and shook his head without interrupting her little action.
Xie Shuju knew that He Suwen had contributed to the rehabilitation of her family. She held He Suwen's hand and expressed her gratitude: "During the past few years of being sent down to the countryside, it was thanks to you that you always kept me in mind and that I was able to come back to see you."
He Suwen patted her hands, her eyes moistened again: "We two sisters don't need to say these things, just come back."
Xie Shuju felt relieved now and burst into laughter: "I heard that you have a little granddaughter. Will our two families become relatives in the future?"
Jiang Xiaoci is He Suwen's sweetheart, so she would never be willing to marry off her granddaughter to someone else.
She laughed and tried to find an excuse to decline: "The one in our family is still young, and you know, it was brought here by Wei Hai's second wife. How can I make the decision? Besides, your grandson's arranged marriage, don't touch our family before the matter is settled."
Xie Shuju was worried about this matter and wanted to ask He Suwen for advice:
"My family's girl and the Ji family's girl grew up together, and they can be considered childhood sweethearts. Before they were sent down to the countryside, the Ji family broke off the engagement, and now they want to get engaged again. This isn't the most troublesome thing, and the child was swapped with the wrong one. Tell me, whose marriage is this? Before I came back, we had already had two or three arguments, and they were so upset that we might as well just cancel it."
He Suwen also meant this: "Duan Linyan is really unreasonable. She insisted on changing Hongyun's choice of major. Fortunately, she was not allowed to do so."
When they were still girls, the three of them had the best relationship. After Xie Shuju married and moved to the capital, she also helped introduce Duan Linyan's daughter to the capital.
She sighed, "We used to have the best relationship among the three of us. We talked about everything. But now that we are old, how did you and Yan Zi end up like this? She told me on the phone that she wanted me to mediate."
"No, I don't plan to associate with her anymore."
He Suwen explained the inside story in detail, and then said: "She deliberately exchanged her granddaughter for her daughter. She has no bottom line at all. You'd better not marry into such a family, otherwise you will be in trouble.
After hearing these inside stories, Xie Shuju was scared: "Oh my God, what Yan Zi told me is completely different from what you told me. All she said was her hardship and that Hong Yun was willful."
He Suwen curled her lips: "Yes, she always finds excuses for herself. If you don't listen to me, just go ahead and marry into her family. Anyway, it's you who will suffer in the future, not me."
Xie Shuju laughed and said, "Look at you now, you have a bad temper. Whether to cancel the engagement depends on my grandson's opinion. Our current thinking is really different from that of young people. I dare not make the decision for him."
He Suwen agreed: "Yes, my little granddaughter is very opinionated. I listen to her in many things now."
…
Jiang Xiaoci heard almost everything through the door and windows. Grandma Xie's family had gone through a lot, but they still had illusions about Grandma Duan's family. After they fall a few times, they should wake up, right?
I heard my grandfather coughing several times behind me. He has always been in good health, so why did he suddenly start coughing?
Jiang Xiaoci was worried about her grandfather's health, so she turned around quickly and found an unfamiliar brother coming outside the yard, but he was greeting her grandfather. He should be the grandson brought by Grandma Xie.
Jiang Peizhong introduced the two children: "Xiaoci, this is your grandmother Xie's grandson, and he is a good friend of your eldest brother."
Jiang Xiaoci called out obediently, "Hello, Brother Cheng."
Cheng Yanshu nodded: "Hello, sister."
Seeing the two children were feeling awkward, Jiang Peizhong said, "That's enough, let's go home and talk."
Cheng Yanshu went into the house and called people, Jiang Xiaoci also called people and greeted grandma's old sisters.
Xie Shuju had heard about Jiang Xiaoci from others, and when she actually saw her, she was amazed. What a pretty fair-skinned girl! It was just that her eyes seemed unfocused, but she had no problem moving around and looking at people, so she should be fine.
She brought a gift, a small gold bracelet, and insisted on giving it to Jiang Xiaoci, and He Suwen couldn't stop her.
"It's too expensive. How can I accept it?"
"Your granddaughter is my granddaughter. I didn't give it to the child just because I saw her. I prepared it before I came."
Xie Shuju whispered in He Suwen's ear: "Before I was sent down to the countryside, I buried my dowry. I have it, so you don't have to feel bad for me."
He Suwen then nodded and let Jiang Xiaoci wear it.
The old sisters valued Jiang Xiaoci, and He Suwen also praised her grandson: "I haven't seen you for a few years. Yanshu has grown taller and more handsome."
Xie Shuju was extremely proud of her grandson, boasting in a low-key manner: "He was admitted to Peking University this year, which is not a disgrace to the family."
How could He Suwen not know that she was showing off? She joked, "Don't show off to me. My two grandsons are not bad either."
Xie Shuju's family has a house in Yuncheng, and it is near He Suwen's home. Otherwise, they would not have known each other before, let alone become good friends.
Cheng Yanshu had just gone to collect the house and gave the tenants a week to move in. During this time, Xie Shuju planned to stay in a guest house, but He Suwen refused: "It's not like I don't have room at home. You can stay here."
After not seeing each other for many years, Xie Shuju also wanted to spend more time with He Suwen and have a good chat with her, so she let her grandson stay in the guesthouse by himself.
Cheng Yanshu said: "Grandma, I want to go see Jiang Yunzhong."
He Suwen said, "I know you two have a good relationship. He has already started working and is doing an internship at the Shengli Police Station. Let Xiaoci take you there."
Jiang Xiaoci didn't want to go, and wanted to stay to listen to the two grandmothers gossip. She hadn't seen the grandmothers for several years, so they must have a lot of interesting things to tell, and she loved listening to them the most.
Seeing her hesitation, He Suwen coaxed her, "Xiaoci, your elder brother Cheng is a guest, you can't let him go alone. If you don't go, his grandmother will be worried, and you won't be able to talk to her at ease."
Jiang Xiaoci knew what the serious matter was and nodded quickly: "Okay, then I'll take Brother Cheng over there now."
She turned around and waved to Cheng Yanshu: "Brother Cheng, let's go. Brother has been working overtime these days, so we have to go to the police station to find him."
…
Jiang Xiaoci took Cheng's eldest brother to find her own eldest brother. When buying bus tickets, Jiang Xiaoci had already taken out the money, but Cheng's eldest brother insisted that he should pay, so Jiang Xiaoci did not argue anymore.
There were not many people in the car. She and the eldest brother of the Cheng family sat side by side. They had hardly spoken to each other at home just now. She looked at him curiously, this eldest brother who was as outstanding as her uncle and was also an alumnus of the school.
Seeing Brother Cheng's taciturn appearance, Jiang Xiaoci felt that Sister Hongyun and Han Cong would be a better match.
Cheng Yanshu felt a little uncomfortable being looked at by Jiang Xiaoci, so he simply turned his head and asked, "Do you have anything to ask me?"
Jiang Xiaoci nodded.
Cheng Yanshu said: "Okay, then ask."
Jiang Xiaoci asked: "Brother Cheng, you suffered a lot when you were sent down to the countryside, right?"
Cheng Yanshu nodded: "Being sent down to the countryside is different from being sent down to the countryside. We are inferior to others. No matter how much suffering the educated youths endured, our family will only suffer several times more."
Jiang Xiaoci said: "Although I didn't go to the countryside, I followed my mother and suffered all kinds of hardships with her, so I can see the essence of the matter of Hongyun and Qinglan being swapped. Hongyun is really suffering, and Qinglan is just trying to endure it. Can you see that?"
That's what she wanted to ask. Cheng Yanshu was surprised: "I know that Ji Hongyun suffered the most, but she has a stubborn personality and doesn't know how to turn things around, so she ended up suffering even more."
Jiang Xiaoci said, "I know. It's true that I'm at a disadvantage now, but I'll have less trouble with my family in the future. She makes clothes in my mother's tailor shop, making them at night and selling them during the day. She can make a lot of money. After the summer vacation, she can earn enough to pay for the tuition for the year."
Cheng Yanshu didn't respond. He and Ji Hongyun had never even met each other, so he didn't know how to comment, but he still admired her determination.
…
After getting off the bus, Jiang Xiaoci pointed to the police station across the street and said, "My brother and Brother Han, who lives next door, are both doing internships here. They are competing with each other. Whoever solves ten cases first will be transferred to the municipal bureau first. So they have been working overtime in the field recently. We have to wait a while."
Cheng Yanshu couldn't help but ask: "Who do you hope will win?"
Jiang Xiaoci was puzzled: "Of course I hope they both win, but if only one can win, I will definitely support my brother."
Cheng Yanshu couldn't help laughing, but he smiled without saying anything.
After waiting for a while, Jiang Yunzhong and Han Jingyuan came back. As soon as Jiang Yunzhong got out of the car, Jiang Xiaoci immediately waved: "Brother, look who's here?"
Jiang Yunzhong saw that it was Cheng Yanshu. Before he was sent down to the countryside, he followed his grandmother and would return to Yuncheng every winter and summer vacation. The two had a very good relationship.
Jiang Yunzhong was very happy that his family was rehabilitated. He rushed over and gave him a brotherly hug, patting him on the back: "You are finally back."
Cheng Yanshu coughed a few times after being hit, and Jiang Yunzhong let him go. It can be seen that the relationship between the two has not faded despite their separation in the past few years.
Facing Jiang Yunzhong, Cheng Yanshu finally showed a sincere smile and said, "My grandma will be staying at your grandma's house for the next few days. I'm sorry to cause trouble to your family."
Jiang Yunzhong hit him again: "Why are you so hypocritical? Do our two families still need to say this? Come on, come in and talk. The tea my sister brought from her hometown is very good. I'll make you a cup. Uncle Chen treasures it very much. Fortunately, he is not here, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get it."
Han Jingyuan knew Cheng Yanshu, but they were not familiar with each other, so he nodded as a greeting.
Jiang Xiaoci didn't want to wait for her two brothers, so she asked Han Jingyuan, "Brother Han, are you going home? Let's go together. I'll ride your bike back."
Han Jingyuan said regretfully: "I still have to check for clues later. Go back before the sun sets."
Jiang Yunzhong subconsciously didn't want to lose to Han Jingyuan, so he said to Cheng Yanshu, "I have work to do today. After this case is solved, we two brothers will have a drink alone. It's just right for you to take my sister home."
…
Jiang Xiaoci looked at her brother and Brother Han, who were driving out in the police car again, and was very proud: "Brother Cheng, my brother and Brother Han have only been interning for more than two months, and they have solved several cases. They are both amazing."
Cheng Yanshu just hummed softly and didn't say much.
He used to be so high-spirited, but after being sent down to the countryside for a few years and seeing the fickleness of human nature, he became less talkative.
When the two were waiting for the bus, Cheng Yanshu felt a stinging pain in his eyes, and he saw Ji Qinglan.
Jiang Xiaoci also saw it, and she suddenly thought of a question. She had talked with Sister Hongyun before about why Ji Qinglan hadn't returned to Jing City yet. Could it be because she knew that Brother Cheng would go back to Yuncheng with Grandma Xie, so she waited and didn't leave just to see Brother Cheng?
The more Jiang Xiaoci thought about it, the more she felt it was possible. She and Brother Cheng had just met today and were not familiar with each other yet, but her grandmother and Grandma Xie were good friends, and she couldn't let Brother Cheng be deceived.
Jiang Xiaoci subconsciously took a step forward and stood between Ji Qinglan and Cheng Yanshu.
Ji Qinglan smiled at Cheng Yanshu as if they had met after a long time. Then, she said to Jiang Xiaoci, "Sister Xiaoci, Brother Cheng is not your relative. Why are you stopping me from talking to him?"
Jiang Xiaoci rolled his eyes at her silently, stood aside for a while, turned his head and ignored the two people.
Cheng Yanshu sensed Jiang Xiaoci's hostility. Seeing that several buses had passed by, he spoke to Ji Qinglan in a cold tone: "What do you want to tell me?"
Ji Qinglan suddenly felt aggrieved. Those people who loved her so much in the past now spoke to her in such a tone.
It would be fine if others did this, but Cheng Yanshu used to have a very good relationship with her.
Ji Qinglan insisted on asking for clarification: "Brother Cheng, before and after you were sent down, I treated you the same way in my heart. I never looked down on you. Breaking off the engagement was a family decision, not mine. Later, why did you return all the things I sent you?"
Jiang Xiaoci thought, since her family had called off the engagement, then of course the things that had been sent should be returned to sever ties with the matter. Why did she even bring them out to ask about it, just to see how the eldest brother of the Cheng family would respond?
Cheng Yanshu’s answer was similar to what Jiang Xiaoci was thinking.
He said, "Your family has called off the engagement, so our two families have no relationship anymore. How can I accept the things you sent? Do you have anything else to say?"
Ji Qinglan asked: "Do you hate me in your heart?"
Cheng Yanshu shook his head: "Not really."
Ji Qinglan said: "If you don't hate me, why are you so cold? You didn't talk to me like this before."
Cheng Yanshu said, "We were young before, but now we are older and need to avoid suspicion. I also need to send my sister home. If all you want to say are these irrelevant things, then there is no need to say more."
Ji Qinglan's eyes were filled with tears, as if she had lost something precious, which made Jiang Xiaoci unhappy.
She changed her mind and took another bus, planning to take Cheng Yanshu to the tailor shop so that he and Sister Hongyun could talk it out.
Cheng Yanshu got on the car and found that it was not the direction of home, so he asked: "Sister Xiaoci, where are you taking me?"
Jiang Xiaoci said, "Let's go to my mother's tailor shop. I thought about it and decided that you and Sister Hongyun should talk it out today instead of waiting until grandma's birthday."
Cheng Yanshu thought about the daughter of the Ji family whom he had never met, and felt that it would be better to explain it clearly.
…
Jiang Xiaoci took Cheng Yanshu to the tailor shop. She stood outside and let the two of them talk inside.
Ji Hongyun naturally wouldn't have any thoughts about a man she had never met. She was a very practical person. Since Xiaoci had created the opportunity to speak in advance, that was even better.
She introduced herself first: "Hello, Cheng Yanshu, although I am the biological daughter of the Ji family, I have unilaterally announced that I will draw a clear line with their family, because only by doing so can Ji Qinglan not blackmail me morally, and I can live the life I want."
"Although we were betrothed, this is a new society. Those bad habits should be changed. I don't want to be used by others as a condition to restrict your family."
Cheng Yanshu didn't expect that the girl who was taken away by mistake would be so decisive and resolute, and he had more respect for her.
He only asked one question: "If I become successful in the future, will you regret your decision to distance yourself from me today?"
Ji Hongyun was not angry, because what the other party said was very realistic. She thought about this problem and said, "Maybe, so I will work harder to make myself no worse than you. This is the best medicine. Are you relieved now?"
Cheng Yanshu admired her: "I also think that arranged marriages are a bad custom. Then we have a deal. Thank you for being so understanding."
Ji Hongyun waved her hand: "I know you are excellent, but I am also excellent. There is no need to find value in you. I wish you get better and better in the future."
Cheng Yanshu nodded: "Thank you, and I wish you all the best."
Seeing that the two of them had successfully discussed the issues they were worried about, Jiang Xiaoci praised: "Look, talking to reasonable people is worry-free, right? Sister Hongyun, Brother Cheng, you have already agreed that you can still be friends."
Having an agreement doesn't mean there won't be any trouble. Ji Hongyun knows very well that if she keeps in touch with Cheng Yanshu in the future, there will be unexpected troubles from both families. She doesn't intend to be friends.
Cheng Yanshu thought the same thing, but there was no need to tell the simple-minded Jiang Xiaoci about their thoughts.
…
After the negotiation, Jiang Xiaoci could take the bus home by herself, and she didn't need the eldest brother of the Cheng family to send her home: "Brother Cheng, you can go back to my grandma's house, or go directly back to the guesthouse. I can go home by myself, and my family can rest assured."
Cheng Yanshu was entrusted by Jiang Yunzhong, so he couldn't go back on his word. He said, "If your elder brother knew that I agreed to let you go home by yourself, we would no longer be good friends."
Jiang Xiaoci had no choice but to let him send her off, but the eldest brother of the Cheng family insisted on sending her off to her doorstep: "Your eldest brother told me to send you off to your doorstep, not even a step less."
Jiang Xiaoci thought that her brother was very stubborn, but fortunately she only had to climb to the third floor. Aunt Feng who lived next door heard the sound, opened the door and recognized Cheng Yanshu.
Feng Qiaozhen was pleasantly surprised: "It's Yanshu, I haven't seen him for several years, I almost don't recognize him."
Cheng Yanshu smiled politely: "Hello, Aunt Feng, I heard that you are also married, congratulations, although I am still young, but I already understand that people should think more about themselves when they are alive."
People who can have such an experience usually have experienced a major setback or have such an awareness when they are older. It is really worrying that Cheng Yanshu said such words at such a young age.
She suppressed her worry and thanked him: "You're right, there's no rush to leave, right? Come to my house more often when you have time."
Cheng Yanshu nodded, said a few polite words, then turned and went downstairs.
Jiang Xiaoci also greeted Aunt Feng. Not long after she went home and had dinner, she heard a noise from the opposite door. She leaned against the window and looked for a while, then turned back and said to her mother, "Mom, Aunt Feng was called away by Aunt Xia."
Gu Wenying came to the window and took a look. Feng Qiaozhen, who lived next door, had already walked away so fast that she could not see her figure clearly. She frowned and asked Jiang Weihai, "What does the Han family want to see Qiaozhen for again?"
Jiang Weihai was drinking the pumpkin sweet soup cooked by Jiang Xiaoci, feeling satisfied, and guessed roughly: "Let's talk about Han Jingyuan's marriage. Last year, the Han family wanted to make the decision, but they said they hadn't graduated yet. Now he has been interning for several months, and the Han family can't wait."
Gu Wenying shook her head: "I think Han Jingyuan is not a compromising person."
Jiang Weihai put down the bowl, rolled up his sleeves and prepared to clean up the kitchen, and said with a smile: "So don't worry about it, Han Jingyuan won't make it difficult for his mother."
…
Jiang Xiaoci was listening to her parents' conversation, and was worried that Aunt Feng was being bullied in the Han family. When she heard a noise from the opposite door, she immediately opened the door and saw that it was Han Jingyuan who came back.
Jiang Xiaoci met Brother Han's gaze and made small talk: "Brother Han, my brother is not with you?"
Han Jingyuan inserted the key into the door lock and turned around to say, "He is sorting files in the office. He will probably be back in half an hour."
Jiang Xiaoci said politely, "I left some midnight snack for you, brother. It's pumpkin sweet soup. Do you want some?"
Han Jingyuan had already opened his door and shook his head: "No, leave it for your big brother."
Jiang Xiaoci nodded and closed the door.
Han Jingyuan entered the house. Only Doctor Zhu was there. He showed concern and said, "Your mother prepared a midnight snack for you. It's cold noodles. You can mix the seasoning yourself. It tastes so good. I ate two big bowls."
Han Jingyuan said casually: "This is not good for midnight snack. If you really want to prepare midnight snack for me, you can make pumpkin soup, white fungus soup or something like that. That would be great."
Zhu Feng felt that Han Jingyuan had accepted him somewhat, and said with a smile: "Okay, I'll ask Xiaoci about the secret of cooking sweet soup later."
Han Jingyuan was in his early twenties, at the age when he could eat, drink, run and jump. He took a pair of chopsticks, poured a large spoonful of vinegar, mixed the noodles and ate them, and asked, "Is my mother on duty today?"
Zhu Feng originally agreed to help cover up the lie, but facing Han Jingyuan's cold and smileless face, he really didn't dare to do so.
He and his stepson have an average relationship. If he knew that he helped to lie, they would not be able to get along in the future, so he had to tell the truth:
"I'm not on duty. I just finished my meal. Your mother was called back by your second aunt. She said your grandfather was looking for her. We agreed to pick her up at 8 o'clock. I didn't expect you to come back earlier than usual. I'll go pick her up now."
Han Jingyuan put down his chopsticks and said, "No, I'll take it."
…
Han Jingyuan went to the carport to push the car and happened to meet Jiang Yunzhong who came back to park the car.
Han Jingyuan said: "Your sister made you pumpkin soup as a midnight snack, it's sweet."
Jiang Yunzhong had a headache: "It would be great to have a bowl of noodle soup. I've had enough of the sweet ones."
Han Jingyuan sometimes wondered why he had such a picky neighbor? He advised: "It's good to eat anything. I advise you not to be picky."
Jiang Yunzhong asked: "Where are you going so late?"
Han Jingyuan replied: "Go to grandpa's house and pick up my mother."
Jiang Yunzhong joked, "When you were about to graduate, your grandfather was thinking about your marriage. Now that you are doing internship, they can't wait. If they don't miss you, it will be difficult for your mother. You should try your best. If it doesn't work, ask my sister to introduce you to a partner. Her mouth is blessed."
Han Jingyuan retorted: "Why don't you look for it?"
Jiang Yunzhong was not in a hurry: "I have to focus on my career, why should I be in a hurry?"
Han Jingyuan said: "I'm not in a hurry either."
Han Jingyuan arrived at Han's house. Han Cong was waiting outside to feed mosquitoes. He parked the car and asked, "Why did grandpa call my mom here?"
Han Cong smiled and said teasingly, "What else could it be? Regarding our marriage, Grandpa asked you to get married first, and then I. Auntie couldn't argue with Grandpa, so I said that if Grandpa was in a hurry, I could get married first, but Grandpa scolded me out."
Han Jingyuan slapped the mosquito that was desperately looking for blood and said, "Don't feed the mosquitoes. Go in. I'm standing in front of you, so I can't scold you."
Perhaps it was because Han Jingyuan solved a few cases after his internship, and his temperament had changed a little compared to when he was in school. The elders in his family could not be arrogant in front of him. After a few words, they brought his mother out.
Han Jingyuan and his mother pushed the cart side by side and said, "Mom, if you don't want to deal with the relatives here, just stay at home when they come to call you."
Feng Qiaozhen said, "After all, your last name is Han. I've told your grandfather that I don't make the decision on your marriage. If they can convince you, I won't interfere, but mom hopes you can hold on. You have to like someone first when it comes to relationships."
Han Jingyuan assured his mother: "I am not considering the issue of love now."
Feng Qiaozhen said, "It's no use telling me. If your second aunt and your aunt don't say hello and bring people to your workplace, I can't do anything about it."
Han Jingyuan said: "They are not afraid of embarrassment, so let them lead. After a few setbacks, I think they will give up."
Feng Qiaozhen thought of something and asked her son, "Have you and Xiaoci not talked recently?"
Han Jingyuan was puzzled: "Who said that?"
Feng Qiaozhen said, "Xiaoci told her mother that you are becoming less and less willing to talk to her. I heard this when I was chatting with your aunt Gu. I'm worried that you have a problem with someone and that's why you don't talk to Xiaoci."
Han Jingyuan explained: "Mom, I'm busy. I go out early and come back late. When I get home at noon, I just want to lie down and take a nap. How can I have time to chat with her? Let alone me, she and her eldest brother haven't said a few words recently."
Feng Qiaozhen joked: "You must not offend Xiaoci. If your grandfather's family forces you into a corner in the future, I will really ask her to help you find a reliable partner."
…
Jiang Xiaoci found out the next day that Brother Han was being urged to get married. She polished the sign of the matchmaking agency and asked her grandmother, "Brother Han wants to find a partner, why doesn't he come to our matchmaking agency to register?"
He Suwen gradually became busy and had to go out to arrange a blind date. She smiled and explained: "It was his family who wanted him to find a partner, not his own idea."
Brother Han was not in a hurry, but his family members made arrangements on their own without his consent. Two days later, Brother Han's second aunt Xia Zhengyin brought a girl to the matchmaking agency to register, saying that she was her niece.
He Suwen guessed her intention at once and said, "This girl is so pretty and she's your relative. I'll come and register in person."
Xia Zhengyin refused with a smile: "I came here for Xiaoci's reputation. This is my sister's child. I want to find a good match for her. With Xiaoci's enlightened mouth, I can help her find a good partner. Let Xiaoci register."
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