Facing the night, Old Mrs. Xia wrapped herself tightly in her cotton jacket and went back.
In her heart, she still hoped that Tang Jiao could stand on her own feet. If she had her own ideas, she would wait and see.
Thinking about Chen Xiangnan along the way, Old Mrs. Xia returned home quickly.
"Sister, what are you doing?" As soon as Old Mrs. Xia returned home, she saw her sister... tying stones to her arms, two on each side.
Xia Yu'e looked up at her when she heard the voice and said with a smile: "It's nothing, just to keep fit and beat my son later."
Old Mrs. Xia was moved by her perseverance. It was so inspiring. The sight of a sixty-year-old lady working hard for her dream really brought tears to her eyes.
She must not fall behind, and must help her sister fulfill her wish even if it costs her life.
Old Mrs. Xia made up her mind.
Xia Yu'e didn't really want to hit her son, but she found that her sister was full of energy because of her idea, and she was no longer as lost as before.
In order to keep her going, Xia Yu'e could only...pretend to be trying hard.
Eh...I really tried my best.
Qiao Yi finally prepared to go home on this rare day off. The third week of every month was her regular day off. On this day, her father or her older brother would pick her up at the factory gate, rain or shine.
The one who came this time was her eldest brother, who was only two years older than her. Thinking of what Chen Xiangbei said, Qiao Yi was a little absent-minded all the way.
Don't be fooled by the fact that Qiao Shan is tall, dark, and strong, and looks like someone who is not easy to mess with. But when you really get along with him, you will find that this man never fights back or talks back, and he often gets into conflicts with others. In the words of Qiao Yi's mother, he is so tall for nothing.
If someone provokes him, it's the same as not provoking him.
Qiao Yi looked at Qiao Shan and sighed deeply, "Brother, is there something wrong with you?"
Qiao Shan's eyes widened slightly, and he stammered, "Little sister, what could possibly happen to me? Nothing... nothing happened. I don't look like I'm in trouble at all."
Qiao Shan thought it was pointless to tell his family about it; it would only cause them unnecessary worry. He was a man, and at worst, a beating would be enough; he was tough and wouldn't die. But his sister was young, and what if those people... Thinking of this, Qiao Shan hadn't slept well recently.
Qiao Yi held him back, "Brother, I've heard everything. Are you still going to hide it from me?"
Qiao Shan: "You...how do you know?"
Qiao Yi: "Why do you care how I know this? How do you want to solve this problem now? How did you offend them?"
Qiao Shan lowered his head and said, "I don't know either. Don't tell my parents. They are old and I'm afraid they can't bear it."
Qiao Yi: "How many times did that group of people come to you?"
Qiao Shan: "Several times, but there's no way I'm going to do that. I'm learning carpentry from my master now. In another year, I'll be able to go out on my own. You know, I can't do that kind of thing at this critical moment. I'll really get arrested."
Qiao Shan was sent by his parents to learn carpentry two years ago. Originally, his parents did not want to accept him now that he was so old, but they took him in reluctantly because Qiao's father and mother were popular.
In this era, most crafts such as plastering, stonemasonry, and carpentry require apprenticeship. Apprenticeship is three years without tuition or salary, but three meals a day are provided. After learning, you work for the master for free for three years as tuition, and then you can become an apprentice and take on work on your own.
Qiao Shan is the most meticulous worker among them. Although he is taciturn, he works fast and is not competitive. He starts working as soon as he goes to his master's house every day. He eats when his master's wife calls for dinner and stops when he is 70% full. He does not like to take advantage of others. He does whatever his master tells him to do and never slacks off. He is the most diligent and honest among his brothers.
Qiao Shan hopes to graduate in a year, take on more work, earn more money and get married, so that he can live a simple and happy life with his wife and children.
But all this was ruined a few months ago, and Qiao Shan felt very painful.
Qiao Yi was also very worried. What Chen Xiangbei said was true. She no longer had any hope and instead began to wonder who could help her brother settle this matter.
Her brother is an honest man. Why would that gambling gang target him? Aren’t they afraid that he might do something bad?
Qiao Shan couldn't understand it. He went to and from his master's house every day, only occasionally picking up his sister. He wasn't a fighter, nor did he curse. He would even back away from a street dog or cat quarrel. So how could they have the guts to let him watch?
Although the two didn't speak, they thought of the same thing.
"Brother, let's go report it to the police?" Qiao Yi said with a determined look as they were almost home. She remembered that if Comrade Xia could report someone else to the police for spreading rumors, then her brother would be even more worthy of reporting. If the police were even involved in rumor-mongering, wouldn't this be even more serious?
Qiao Shan waved his hands repeatedly, "No, no."
How could ordinary people like them report crimes at every turn? Nothing happened to him now. If something did happen, they would come even without reporting. Qiao Shan's eyes were filled with panic. Who would report crimes at every turn? This was not acceptable.
Qiao Yi stamped her feet in anger, "If you don't report it, you'll be fine, but you'll hurt your parents and me too. Then you can just cry. If you don't go, I will."
Qiao Shan grabbed his sister and said, "No, we can still talk. It's not that time yet. I'll talk to them again and tell them that I won't do anything illegal. Even if they need some money, I'll lend it to them to buy some peace."
Qiao Yi: "If they could really settle it with money, they would have come to negotiate terms long ago. With our family's meager wealth, how could they possibly be interested? If they give us money once and then come back for more, we'll have no money left. And you're still going to do something illegal? We should just report it to the police and take them all down."
Qiao Shan: "What if...what if a few of them escape and take revenge on us? Then someone will really die. No, let me think about it again."
Qiao Yi fell silent. Yes, her brother was right. It would be even more terrifying if they were cornered.
The brother and sister walked into the house dejectedly. There was no light in the house, but Tang's mother ran out happily and said, "Xiaoshan, someone came here today and told you about a girl. Why don't you go to their house and meet her when the time comes?"
Qiao Yi: "What girl?"
Tang's mother scolded him, "You kid, isn't your brother supposed to find you a sister-in-law at your age? Are you stupid at work?"
Qiao Yi: ...You are really stupid. What other girls can you introduce to me? But in this situation, it is really not appropriate. It will only bring trouble to others.
Sure enough, she saw her brother waving his hands and shaking his head frantically, saying that he would not go. Qiao's mother slapped him on the back several times and scolded him all night.
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