Chapter 69 Chapter 69 Going to my wife's family for the New Year
After breakfast early in the morning, Lu Qinghe took Lu Yao and Lu Yang back to her parents' home.
After letting the children go play, she explained her purpose to her family.
"This is too much." Xue Lanhua was so angry that she wanted to go to the Zhao family to settle the score. "My daughter is not marrying into the family to satisfy their opinion. I wanted to vent my anger on you before, but this time I..."
"Look at you, you're anxious again!" Lu Fengshou held Xue Lanhua down. "I've told you so many times, now that we're married and a family, we have plenty of time to spend together. If you make a scene like this, how will Qinghe ever get back?"
"Why not go back? If I don't go, do you really think our family is easy to bully? Qingshan Qingyun, you two come with me!"
"Don't go." Lu Fengshou blocked the doorway. "Don't argue during Chinese New Year. Qinghe wants to come back and live here, so she can come back for the New Year. If you really start a fight, it'll make a fool of herself. Not only will it make others laugh, but the Wu family will be waiting to see the joke."
Hearing this, Xue Lanhua snorted, "You have some truth in what you said, Qinghe, what do you think?"
Lu Qinghe: "I just want to come back and live here, to spend the New Year peacefully and comfortably. After all, those two from the Zhao family aren't Zhao Zhanming's biological parents, so I'm not afraid if they end up having a fight and severing ties with me in the future."
"Alright, leave those two kids at home first, and have your eldest brother go with you to pack up. You two old bastards, I know from seeing them before, two mice can't give birth to a general, what a mess! Oh, and if Captain Zhao agrees, don't leave those things with them. Tsk, they really don't know what's good for them. Bring them back and I'll cook them for you!"
Lu Qinghe laughed: "Okay, let's go now."
"Are you going to the Lu family to celebrate the New Year?"
Sun Juhua asked this question when she saw Zhao Zhanming packing up things in the house. After hearing it, she could hardly believe her ears.
"Zhan Ming, have you been bewitched by that woman? It's Chinese New Year, and you're already home. Why don't you stay at your in-laws' house and wait for the New Year's celebration instead of going to your wife's family? Is there any justice in this?"
Lu Qinghe happened to hear these words when he walked in.
Zhao Zhanming was very calm: "How is it unfair? Since you are so harsh and stingy, we definitely don't want to stay here, and neither do the children. Look at Zirui and Zimo, have they ever been happy since they came into this house?"
Zhao Chengshi, who heard the noise, also came over. "What does the child know? The child is ignorant, so you follow suit? If this gets out, people will laugh at you!"
"If anyone wants to make fun of someone, they'll make fun of you first." Zhao Zhanming and Lu Qinghe exchanged a glance. Lu Qinghe nodded, and then he put on his luggage and asked Zimo to take Zirui out first.
"You, you are unfilial!" Zhao Chengshi valued his reputation and blocked the door angrily.
Zhao Zhanming's expression was indifferent. "A father is kind and a son is filial. Are you and my mother kind? Ask yourself, I have lived up to the word filial piety over the years. On the contrary, isn't it time for you two to reflect on yourselves?"
"you!"
"I'm leaving, Dad. I don't owe you anything."
"stop!"
Zhao Chengshi gritted his teeth and picked up the stick beside him. "If you dare to go out and embarrass me today, I will, I will beat you... I won't be polite!"
Lu Qingshan was watching from the side, frowned and wanted to go over, but was stopped by Lu Qinghe.
Lu Qinghe: "Zhan Ming knows what's going on. Brother, let's go to the kitchen and get the bacon I brought for the kids."
When I go home for the Chinese New Year, I bring half as much stuff to my husband's family as I do to my parents' family. This is because I take into account that they will be staying here with their children for many days, so I have to bring enough food to prepare for the children.
But who knew that the Zhao family would still be like this.
At the kitchen door, the second wife of the Zhao family saw them coming and hurriedly followed.
Zhao Guodong, holding a piece of hay in his mouth, stopped Zhao Bowen and said, "Second brother, if you still remember the kindness our eldest brother showed you in the past and still know how to be grateful, then don't stop me."
Zhao Bowen glared at him. "I think you don't even know your last name. You found a job in Hua City and you even forgot where your home is, right?"
Zhao Guodong: "My home is right here, but I know there must be some problems in our family."
After saying that, Zhao Guodong simply went into the kitchen to clean up, and then stuffed the things into Lu Qinghe's hands without letting Zhao Bowen know.
"Sister-in-law, I brought back a lot of food, enough for the New Year. You guys go back and say Happy New Year to Big Brother for me. Thank you... Thank you for the New Year's red envelope Big Brother gave you earlier."
With Lu Qingshan following behind and Zhao Guodong helping, Lu Qinghe got the food and went to the front yard.
Zhao Zhanming was originally in a stalemate with Zhao Chengshi.
Zhao Chengshi's face was filled with grief and anguish. "I don't care how you quarrel with your mother, because I know your mother is a little narrow-minded. But I haven't treated you badly over the years. At most, I asked you to contribute a little to the family. You, child, really disappoint me!"
"dad."
Zhao Zhanming's eyes held a hint of coldness. "The fact that I'm still calling you that means I'm still willing to acknowledge my own surname. Dad, have you treated me unfairly? I think when you bought me home from the human traffickers, you should have had a good idea in your mind."
Zhao Chengshi's expression instantly turned pale as he finished speaking. His hands trembled. "You, you're talking nonsense! What do you mean by human trafficker? I don't understand!"
"You really don't understand? Then I can help you recall. Back then, you and Mom couldn't have children, and unable to resist your family's pressure, you thought of buying a child. The trafficker's name was Qin. I remember when the police notified me..."
"Zhao Zhanming!"
"Dad, do you have anything else to say?"
Zhao Chengshi's face instantly fell, and he even looked a little scared. "When did you know that?"
Zhao Zhanming didn't say anything, just looked at Zhao Chengshi.
After a moment, Zhao Chengshi gave up his seat.
Zhao Zhanming walked past Zhao Chengshi with an expressionless face.
"Zhan Ming!"
Suddenly, Zhao Chengshi spoke again, "Will you come back in the future?"
"Here are some of my things."
What he meant was that once he had packed up all those things, he might never come back to this home again.
"When did he know?" Sun Juhua stopped nearby, also with cold sweat on her back. After the person left the door, she asked in fear.
Zhao Chengshi shook his head. "This kid has been smart since he was young. He has his own ideas. Maybe he figured it out himself years ago, and then contacted the police. They even found out about the human trafficker, Sister Qin. Maybe... maybe they've even found his biological parents' home."
Sun Juhua was stunned. "Isn't it possible that we will be arrested by the police?"
"We are still staying here now, but in the future, we may not be able to rely on Zhao Zhanming anymore."
Sun Juhua stamped her feet anxiously behind him, "I raised a son for nothing, I raised a son for nothing! I told you not to worry, don't worry, and I've wasted fifty yuan. My dowry money was all in it!"
"That's enough!" Zhao Chengshi glared at him. "We discussed this together back then, and besides... besides, we've made enough money over the years."
It's more than just making ends meet. It was the money Zhao Zhanming sent home that allowed Zhao Laoer to get married.
Lu Qinghe glanced at the expressions of Sun Juhua and Zhao Chengshi, then chased after them.
"Old Zhao, have you explained it to them?"
Zhao Zhanming nodded: "I didn't intend to tell you directly, but after thinking about it, I realized that they were too scared to do anything, and it wouldn't have any impact. Besides, they didn't know where the child came from at the time."
Lu Qinghe sighed.
Zhao Zhanming: "This is good, so I don't have to come back later. Although I didn't say it earlier, I still feel uncomfortable inside."
"It's okay." Lu Qinghe held Zhao Zhanming's hand. "You'll need me in the future. It's good for our family to be together."
Zhao Zhanming nodded, and Lu Qingshan coughed from behind.
“Cough cough cough!”
Lu Qingshan glanced at their hands and said, "This place is not like the city. If you two hold hands like this, you will have to report it to the village tomorrow."
Lu Qinghe chuckled, and Zhao Zhanming also laughed, but he still held Lu Qinghe's fingers with his backhand, "It's okay, it's okay to let them know that we have a good relationship."
"If that's the case, then if you bully me one day, won't it be reported to the village?"
"That's not going to happen."
"You two are really..." Lu Qingshan curled his lips, "You think there's no one around, right? The children are still here."
Zhao Zirui immediately covered his ears wisely, "Uncle, I can't hear you!"
Lu Qingshan: "You little devil, you said you couldn't hear me after I told you."
"I really can't hear it. Mom said these words are for children to hear when they grow up."
Lu Qingshan: “…”
Zhao Zimo looked accustomed to it, and jokingly said with his hands behind his back, "We're all used to it."
"Is it like this at home?"
"It's even worse." Zhao Zimo said seriously.
Lu Qingshan laughed out of anger, but when he thought about the fact that his sister had found a good man who loved her sincerely, he also felt sincerely happy.
The atmosphere at the Lu family and the Zhao family is completely different.
Although Zhang Meizhi occasionally spoiled the fun, overall the relationship was very harmonious.
There is Xue Lanhua who protects Lu Qinghe almost for no reason, and there is Lu Qingshan who loves his younger sister the most. Zhou Feng's cooking is delicious, and at the end of the day, both adults and children are happy.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, Lu Qinghe took a few children to pay New Year's greetings.
"Everyone gets New Year's money."
Xue Lanhua smiled as she took out the banknotes she had exchanged and gave one to each of the children in her family.
“Thank you, grandma!”
"Grandma is the best. Grandma, besides mom and dad, Lu Yang and Zhao Zirui, I love you the most!"
Xue Lanhua chuckled, "I'm already ranked fifth."
"Five is also good." Lu Yao stretched out her fingers. "Look, Grandma, you are the thumb among Lu Yao's fingers, the biggest finger!"
Xue Lanhua was happy now. She held Lu Yao's cheek and kissed her, then stuffed the New Year's money into Lu Yao's hand.
When it came to Zhao Zirui, Xue Lanhua was given the same two cents as other children.
Zhao Zirui accepted it with some caution, "Thank you, grandma, happy New Year, grandma...long live!"
"Oh, good boy, you can say such knowledgeable words. You are so smart." Xue Lanhua said, rubbing Zhao Zirui's head.
Zhao Zirui was stunned again, then quickly laughed, "Hello, Grandma, I love you!"
"Grandma likes Zirui too."
"Zimo, you're older, and this is the first time we're meeting, so this is yours."
As Xue Lanhua spoke, she actually handed over fifty cents.
Farmers don't earn much money from farm work all year round, so giving these children money together would be a considerable expense.
Lu Qinghe was a little surprised, but after thinking about it, he didn't say anything.
Zhao Zimo was also a little surprised, "Me? I'm not young anymore, so I won't accept you."
"No matter how old you are, you will always be a child in front of your elders. Put it away quickly, or Lu Yao will see you and make trouble."
Zhao Zimo was stunned, and looking at the smile on Xue Lanhua's face, his brows softened.
But he still looked at Lu Qinghe first, and only accepted the New Year's money after Lu Qinghe nodded.
"Thank you... Grandma."
"Good boy, go play. The supply and marketing cooperative in Dagu Village is a bit far away. If you want to buy anything, remember to ask someone to take you there. During the New Year holidays, there's nothing to do during the day. You should also look after your brothers and sisters. Don't run around. Be careful of human traffickers."
"Oh, I see."
Looking at Zhao Zirui's obedient appearance, Lu Qinghe smiled.
At night, the family of six still squeezed into the big bunk bed, but the cotton was soft, the quilt was thick, and Xue Lanhua stuffed a thermos filled with hot water into their quilts.
"Mom, this home is so nice."
Before going to bed, Zhao Zirui held Lu Qinghe's hand and said, "Mom, you must always be Zirui's mother, okay?"
Lu Qinghe smiled and nodded. Lu Yao and Lu Yang ran over and heard it. Lu Yao couldn't help but be curious, "Of course, Mom will always be Mom. Zirui, don't be afraid of this."
But Zhao Zirui had lost his mother.
In other words, he doesn't even remember what his mother looked like before.
But one thing he was very sure of now was that Lu Qinghe was definitely the mother he most desired and loved the most!
Zhao Zimo was lying on the wall, closest to the bed, in a separate quilt, and seemed to have fallen asleep.
Zhao Zhanming slept next to him, with several children in between, and then Lu Qinghe.
At this moment, Zhao Zhanming also came in after washing up. Looking at the warm scene in front of him, he hugged Lu Qinghe from behind and said, "Thank you, Qinghe. Thank you for giving me... a home."
Lu Qinghe was so sleepy that he yawned. He listened in a daze, said a few more words, and then fell asleep.
They stayed at the Lu family until the fifth day of the New Year. Early in the morning, Zhou Feng brought back a piece of news from outside.
"Something happened to the Wu family."
"Which Wu family?" Zhang Meizhi came over.
Lu Qinghe had just finished breakfast and frowned, "Zimo, go take your brothers and sisters out to play."
Zhao Zimo understood what he meant and called his three younger siblings, as well as Zhou Feng and Zhang Meizhi's two children, to go out together.
"What's going on?" Lu Qinghe asked curiously.
Zhou Feng also realized that he was a little careless in his words because of his anxiety, and subconsciously glanced at Zhao Zhanming.
Zhao Zhanming's reaction was indifferent. "How about I go wash the dishes?"
"No, no." Lu Qinghe held Zhao Zhanming down. "What's the matter, sister-in-law?"
Zhou Feng: "It's nothing, actually. It's just that when Qinghe was pushed into the water, Wu Yicang was sent to the farm to live in the cowshed. This year's winter was especially cold, and he was in poor health after enduring the winter last year. I heard yesterday that he died of a heart attack in the cowshed."
"Dead?" Xue Lanhua stood up immediately. "What the hell, he got away with it!"
Lu Qinghe: “…”
My god, that’s pretty cruel.
Xue Lanhua was still furious: "She's so useless! Her body isn't strong enough to withstand the elements. How could she die after only two years?"
Zhou Feng also nodded: "Everyone says he deserves it. In my opinion, he should be tortured for another two years!"
"I don't know whether Wu Xingliang will come back." Zhang Meizhi suddenly said.
Several people in the family glared at him instantly.
Zhang Meizhi was stunned and covered her mouth.
Lu Qinghe acted as if nothing had happened. "Hasn't Wu Xingliang come back in the past two years? Didn't he say that he broke a bone in the factory and became disabled? He's still not feeling well in Hua City."
"Bah, only you, my little sister, would believe that." Lu Qingshan spat. "He must be making up excuses on purpose. What's the use of disability? Whose disabled family can still work in the factory? I've heard it all in the past two years. Although he doesn't send as much money home as before, Wu Xingliang has never stopped sending money."
Seeing that Lu Qinghe had asked this question himself, Zhou Feng spoke carefully, "Now that my own father is dead, if Wu Xingliang doesn't come back, he'd be worse than a dog."
"He's not even as good as a dog." Lu Qinghe said, breaking off a piece of steamed bread and feeding it to Da Huang next to him, "Suck, suck, suck, look, this is a good dog."
Zhang Meizhi laughed, "Their family is really heartless. After all, they have two children..."
"The children were separated from the Wu family long ago, witnessed by the commune team and Old Master Zhao." Lu Qinghe glanced at Zhang Meizhi: "They are just my children now, sister-in-law, please don't say that again."
"Oh, sorry, sorry, I just said that..."
"We still need to change our mindset. No matter what, Lu Yao and Lu Yang have nothing to do with the Wu family."
Lu Qinghe stood up and said, "It's really bad luck to hear this news so early in the morning, Lao Zhao. I want to go to the county town this afternoon and catch the big market."
"Okay, I'll accompany you."
-
Huashi Steel Plant.
When the news of Wu Yicang's death was delivered to Wu Xingliang, it was already the Lantern Festival.
"Wu Xingliang, there's another letter for you!"
Zheng Miaoran was dressing in front of the mirror when she heard a knock on the door. She opened it and saw it was the postman. She looked at the address in confusion, then frowned and threw it on the ground.
Wu Xingliang ran out and when he bent down to pick up the letter, a hint of ferocity appeared between his brows, but when he raised his head, his expression returned to normal.
"Why is it that letter from that mountain village of yours again? It's New Year's Day, and you still can't let me have some peace and quiet."
Wu Xingliang smiled and said, "Maybe he's just asking hello."
Wu Xingliang is nominally the son of his eldest aunt who was raised in his uncle's home in his hometown due to family circumstances.
He came to Hua City to live with his eldest aunt a few years ago because his eldest aunt Wu Fang and his uncle Zhang Lianchao only had three daughters and no sons. That's why Zhang Lianchao didn't mind Wu Xingliang transferring his household registration here, and he also concealed the fact that Wu Xingliang already had a marriage in his family.
"I told you to have less contact with these poor relatives, but you just didn't listen."
"After all, you raised me for many years, I..."
Wu Xingliang opened the letter and was stunned when he saw the words on it.
His expression then changed drastically, and he felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him.
"What's wrong? What did you say?" Zheng Miaoran glanced at Wu Xingliang. "What's the matter? You look scared. You want to borrow money?"
"No, no, it's my dad...my uncle is dead."
As he spoke, Wu Xingliang burst into tears.
He hasn't been home for several years since he left home this time because he was afraid that something unexpected might happen, Lu Qinghe would not want to divorce, or Zheng Miaoran would find out something was wrong.
Who knew that the last time I said goodbye to my father would be a farewell forever.
"If he's dead, he's dead. Why are you crying? He's useless." Zheng Miaoran said.
Wu Xingliang wanted to ask if he would cry if his father died, but he couldn't say it.
This truth could never be revealed before Zheng Miaoran's father died.
Wu Xingliang: "After all, you raised me, Miaoran. I feel so sad."
Zheng Miaoran didn't care. "Just send some money as a gift. We can't go back."
"What?"
"What's wrong?"
Wu Xingliang wiped his tears and looked over with red eyes. "What do you mean I can't go back? I didn't ask you to go back with me. Can't I go back by myself? I'll go buy a ticket later."
Zheng Miaoran frowned, a look of disdain on his face: "Wu Xingliang, are you crazy? Today is the Lantern Festival, and I made an appointment with our dad to have dinner at his house. What do you mean by breaking the appointment at the last minute? Are you looking down on my dad?"
"I didn't mean that. How could I think of our father like that? This isn't... This isn't... Alas, Miaoran, if my aunt, no, it's my mom, knew about it, she would definitely rush back. We're blood relatives, how could we possibly give it up? Besides, knowing this, even if you let me go to dinner, I'd feel so bad that I wouldn't be able to eat. What if I lose my concentration and say something wrong?"
"Don't make excuses. I told you, we can't change the agreement we made with Dad. Hurry and change your clothes. We'll be there before noon."
"Zheng Miaoran!"
Wu Xingliang was really anxious this time.
Zheng Miaoran wasn't afraid of him either. She glared at him and asked, "What's wrong? Did I say something wrong?"
But this time Wu Xingliang looked uglier than any other time, as if he had lost his parents, and his expression was gloomy.
Even Zheng Miaoran was startled by him.
Zheng Miaoran: "Ahem, what I mean is, you should at least eat the meal before going back. He's already dead, and he's not an important person. It's okay to spend the day with him. I haven't even said that receiving this letter on the Lantern Festival is unlucky..."
Zheng Miaoran felt that she had already given in after hearing these words.
They are not your biological parents, is there any need to be so anxious?
But for Wu Xingliang, his hatred for Zheng Miaoran deepened once again.
She didn't give him face in public and even almost cheated on him, but he endured it all. But this time... Zheng Miaoran still said it was bad luck?
What a high and mighty young lady she is. I wonder what she would look like if she fell from the clouds one day.
"Hurry up and say something. Do you agree or not?" Zheng Miaoran said impatiently, "You'll have dinner with my parents today. Tomorrow morning, you can go to the funeral wherever you want. It has nothing to do with me."
With anger, Wu Xingliang subconsciously looked at the machete placed at the back of the yard. He paused and nodded, "Okay, I promise you, I'll leave tomorrow."
Zheng Miaoran inexplicably felt a chill, but when she looked at Wu Xingliang, she only saw loneliness and sadness in Wu Xingliang's eyes.
"Xingliang, we've known each other for so many years, and you know my temper. As long as you can make me happy, we can talk about anything. Maybe some of my words just now were too harsh, so don't mind it."
Wu Xingliang wiped the tears from the corners of his eyes and smiled, "How could that be? Miaoran, I will never be angry with you."
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