After returning to the hotel and finishing their sour food, they opened the door and took their towels and toothbrushes to the bathroom to wash up. Meng Tao washed the lunch box and went back to her room, but couldn't fall asleep on the bed. Zhou Cuiling opened the travel bag given by Zhang Guoqing and took out the things inside one by one.

Now it was Meng Tao's turn to be amazed. Zhou Cuiling giggled with a sweet look on her face. You could tell from the looks of her that she was filled with happiness.

Let's see what Zhang Guoqing gave Zhou Cuiling. A set of new women's autumn clothes from the clothing department of the provincial department store. He had good taste and chose a snow-blue color, which was better looking than the one Meng Tao bought. A set of blue sportswear that could be used as autumn clothes or casual wear, the kind with two white stripes on the sleeves and trouser legs. Meng Tao saw someone wearing it while running in the provincial capital, and it was considered very cool nowadays.

There was also a pair of black mid-heeled leather shoes, which fit Zhou Cuiling's feet perfectly without her having to try them on, two pairs of new hairpins, two kilograms of pure wool yarn, and a bright red gauze scarf with gold thread. He also bought the fashionable scarf that Meng Tao was going to give to Zhou Cuiling. He also bought gifts for his father-in-law, mother-in-law, and three brothers-in-law, a pair of nylon socks for each of them... Zhang Guoqing, that man, is simply amazing!

Meng Tao asked: "It seems that Zhang Guoqing is very rich, buying so much for you at once."

Zhou Cuiling said: "He is quite frugal with his money. He just went to the provincial capital to study, so his family must have given him money. He couldn't help but spend lavishly on me. I will scold him later."

"It's fine as long as you like it. Why bother saying that? Be careful that he won't buy it for you next time."

Zhou Cuiling couldn't help laughing and pointed at Meng Tao: "You are no good, you have learned too much."

She also asked Meng Tao what good things she had bought in the provincial capital, and what her newly recognized brother had given her. Meng Tao was not surprised at all that Zhou Cuiling knew that she and Meng Zhehan were siblings. Zhang Guoqing was a wife slave, and he must have reported her every move in the provincial capital over the phone.

He opened his two travel bags and showed them to Zhou Cuiling. In Meng Zhehan's bag were biscuits, candies, malted milk, sausages, some beef jerky, and the milk powder and chocolate were put away.

Zhou Cuiling exclaimed as she looked at them, saying that they were all good things. Taohua's transformation really surprised her. She found that he was even more ruthless in spending money than Zhang Guoqing.

Meng Tao took out the clothes and scarf that she was going to give to Zhou Cuiling and showed them to her, then took them back, saying that Zhang Guoqing had already given them and there was no need for her to join in the fun.

Zhou Cuiling snatched the scarf and said that Zhang Guoqing was Zhang Guoqing and she was her, they had nothing to do with each other, and the colors were different, but she liked both of them.

But she didn't want the clothes because they were too expensive.

Meng Tao said, "I got 600 yuan back from Tian Zhigao, but it was not enough to cover the betrothal money my grandfather gave me. He and that woman added some coupons, so I went shopping in the provincial capital. I want to start a new life and forget the past, so I replaced many old things. I bought this dress according to your figure. I gave it to you sincerely and to thank you for your encouragement and help. If you don't want it, I can only keep it and give it to her when she finds something that can wear it."

When Zhou Cuiling heard that she wanted to give the clothes to someone else, she hurriedly took them back and said, "No, I'll take them! Actually, I really like this style. Thank you! When I make new clothes one day, I'll give you one too."

"That's better than that. Why are you being so polite to me?"

As a result of playing too hard the night before, it was difficult to get up the next morning, and they almost missed the early bus back to Xingyang County. Fortunately, that bus needed to tie a batch of goods to the roof and check them over, so the two girls were able to take the early bus. Otherwise, they would have to wait for the noon bus, and it would be afternoon when they arrived in Xingyang County. They would not be able to return to the commune and would have to stay in the county town for one night, which was very troublesome.

By taking the 6:30 a.m. bus, you can arrive in Xingyang County at 9:30 a.m. and immediately take the bus back to the commune. You can arrive at the commune in the afternoon. Even if you can't catch the village ox cart, you can go to the commune office to find Zhou Cuiling's father, who can always arrange for them to return to the village.

After a bumpy ride, they arrived at Xingyang County on time. Zhou Cuiling immediately went to buy tickets and got on the bus back to the commune. The two of them ate some biscuits and an apple for lunch on the bus. They arrived at the commune at 1 p.m. and just as they got off the bus on the side of the road, they saw Zhou Shi'an riding a Forever 28-inch bicycle passing by. Zhou Cuiling hurriedly called out "Dad". Zhou Shi'an turned around and saw his daughter and Meng Tao. He was also very happy. He turned back and asked a few questions, then asked them to wait where they were. The village's ox cart was unloading goods at the supply and marketing cooperative and would take them back to the village later.

After he finishes his work, he will go home in the evening.

Meng Tao and Zhou Cuiling took a ox cart back to Linshui Village. As they were walking on the mechanized farming road, they saw Bao Shunfeng and the members working in the fields. As they were far away, Meng Tao did not say hello, but many old ladies stood up and pointed at the ox cart. One could imagine what they were talking about.

Zhou Cuiling said, "The Tian family has made a fool of themselves. Tian Zhigao has found someone else to marry without your knowledge. The whole village knows about it. Now they are disgusted with the Tian family. Even children don't walk past the Tian family's door. If you go to the provincial capital to look for Tian Zhigao, everyone wants to know what the result will be."

"Oh, it's all my fault. I made everyone worry."

Meng Tao sighed and said this, but Zhou Cuiling found it funny. Taohua has changed, and she has become really good. It makes people feel comfortable and there is no need to worry about her.

Zhou Cuiling said that Meng Tao's house had just been painted and the room had not been cleaned up yet, so it would be better for her to stay at her own house for one night, clean the room tomorrow, wash the bed frame, tables and chairs and put them in place, and then move in.

Meng Tao readily followed Zhou Cuiling's advice and went to Zhou's house again.

The two of them didn't have a good breakfast or lunch. They only ate some biscuits and apples in the car. Now they felt hungry, so they decided to cook dinner early. Zhou Shi'an would be back in the evening, and Bao Shunfeng would probably come over to ask about the situation. Meng Tao and Zhou Cuiling discussed and decided to take out two pounds of sausages, cut them into pieces and steam them, put more than a pound of beef jerky on a plate, stir-fry a dish of soybeans and a dish of eggs, pick some eggplants, cowpeas and gourds from the vegetable garden to make some vegetarian dishes, and go to the brigade's agency store to buy two pounds of wine, let them drink a few cups, and talk while drinking.

Zhou Cuiling said: "The sausages and beef jerky your foster brother gave you are for you to eat slowly."

Meng Tao: "It's delicious when you eat alone, but it's not as good as eating together. Let's have a bite. I've been to the provincial capital, so I should show some appreciation."

Zhou Cuiling smiled and nodded: "Okay, let's do it this way."

(End of this chapter)