Chapter 166
"What's wrong with you? Why are you stunned? There's no dirt on my wife's face." Xia Qingtang made a joke.
Shen Wen was older, so he was the first to come to his senses. He smiled and said, "Xiao Xia, I'm so surprised. I didn't expect your wife to look so energetic."
"Yes, yes! Xiaoxia, if your husband looks like this, if he were in our factory, wouldn't the female comrades be so happy? My God, your husband is so energetic!" Shi Xiaoyu said excitedly.
Nowadays, if you praise someone for being good-looking, you are saying that the person is particularly good-looking.
However, Xie Jinxuan is indeed a very energetic and handsome young man. Not only is he tall, well-built and handsome, he also has the best spirit and energy.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Thank you for your compliments. To be honest, I fell in love with Xie Jinxuan because he was tall and handsome."
Xie Jinxuan couldn't help but smile. He also knew that he had a great advantage in the beginning because of his appearance.
"He's so tall and handsome! I was wondering why that female student outside kept pestering your lover! After seeing your lover's face, I understand a little bit." Shi Xiaoyu quickly added, "I don't understand her behavior, I understand that she loves your lover madly. You two are so amazing, you two are so good-looking, what do you call it, oh, right, it's a talented man and a beautiful woman, a perfect match!"
Xie Jinxuan was surprised and asked, "Female student? Li Xuefei is here again?"
"Yes, the school has already issued a punishment. She was given a demerit. She might have been unwilling, so she ran to the gate and clamored to see you, but the guard wouldn't let her in. I happened to go there to pick someone up, and I ran into her." Xia Qingtang briefly recounted what had just happened at the gate.
Xie Jinxuan said in a deep voice: "Then let's go to school again this afternoon. I agree with what Brother Liu said. Her thoughts are distorted. If such a person becomes a cadre after graduation, it will not be a good thing for society."
"Yes, yes, we agree with what that young comrade said! So, Lao Shen and I will go to school with you this afternoon. We are all witnesses. I think your school should expel such a student. If you can't expel her, at least give her another serious warning. When she graduates, with such a record, she won't be able to have a good development in the next ten years." Shi Xiaoyu said: "But this is the right thing to do. People like her must not hold power."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Okay, let's eat first, and then we'll go to the provincial capital university together. It just so happens that you haven't been to the provincial capital university yet, right? You can also take a look around, their campus is quite beautiful."
"Okay, okay, I have never been to the provincial capital university. I will go and see it today." Shi Xiaoyu said excitedly.
"Then please come in, come in and sit down and have a cup of tea." Xie Jinxuan opened the door with a smile.
Shen Wen and Shi Xiaoyu walked in, and both of them couldn't help but take a deep breath.
"Xiao Xia, your house is really warm!" Shi Xiaoyu looked at the coal stove in the living room and said with a smile, "We also have this stove installed for heating where we live now, but it doesn't work for my house and my lover's. It's too far away and useless."
Shen Wen said: "It is indeed very warm. I want to take off my coat when I come in."
"Take off your coats and I'll hang them up for you." Xia Qingtang walked over, took the cotton coats they took off and hung them on the hook at the entrance to the living room.
The two of them smiled and tidied their clothes, then handed the cloth bags they brought to Xia Qingtang.
"Xiao Xia, these are the apples my mother asked someone to buy for me." Shi Xiaoyu handed the cloth bag to Xia Qingtang.
Inside was a bag full of apples, all of which were quite large. They must have been specially selected. This bag of apples must be worth a lot of money, and could be considered a very good gift for guests in this season.
Xia Qingtang immediately said, "Thank you, and thank you, Auntie. Let's peel two and try them later."
Shen Wen also handed over the cloth bag she brought with her. She smiled and said, "I can't find any way to buy anything valuable, but I am familiar with the farmers there. Originally, I had agreed with an older sister to ask her to make me two salted ducks for the New Year. It happened that the salted duck was ready, so I brought one over. You can eat it during the New Year. This is a duck they feed themselves. It's quite big and should be very fragrant."
"How can this be? Salted duck is too expensive. I can't accept it. You're going to spend the New Year alone in the dormitory anyway, so take this back and keep it for yourself." Xia Qingtang immediately refused.
Nowadays, meat dishes such as cured meat, cured chicken, salted fish, and salted duck are very precious. Every household will make some before the New Year and will not eat them until during the New Year.
Some families have so many relatives that they can’t even bear to eat it themselves, and only make a bowl of it when their relatives come to visit. Therefore, this salted duck is actually an expensive gift.
Shen Wen smiled and said, "Xiao Xia, you have helped me so much before, and I have always kept that gratitude in my heart. This salted duck, I only brought it because of you. You really have to accept it. If you don't accept it, I will feel uneasy. Besides, you don't have to worry about me. I have saved some money. I have used the meat coupons I received in the past few months to buy pork and pickle it. The factory has also distributed so many dry goods. Before the New Year, I will go to my eldest sister's house to buy a basket of vegetarian vegetables and bring it back, so that I can have a good New Year. After the New Year, I will visit my mother's house and relatives. I haven't visited them for some years. Now that my life is better, I am willing to meet them."
Xia Qingtang had no choice but to accept the salted duck: "Okay, I'll take it. Old Shen, thank you so much."
"I should be the one thanking you. When I first came to the factory, I didn't know anything. You didn't think I was stupid and taught me little by little." Shen Wen smiled and said, "Although you are much younger than me, in my heart, you are my little teacher."
Shi Xiaoyu said, "Yes, although Xiaoxia is young, she is very capable. But, Old Shen, don't you want to see your child during the New Year?"
Shen Wen said, "I thought, after I go back to my parents' home and visit some relatives, I will see if I can ask my eldest cousin, who used to have a good relationship with me, to accompany me to the county to see the child. With a male relative around, I won't be afraid that he will do something to me. If I go this time, I will have a good talk with him. Our factory will distribute houses after the New Year. By then, I will have a house and the child can actually be raised by me. Given his family's situation, if he relies on himself, the child will probably suffer."
"I'm afraid he won't agree." said Shi Xiaoyu.
Xia Qingtang said: "It is possible that he will give you one child, but he will definitely keep the other child with him, because he got married in the first place to have children and leave an heir. But he may not be able to raise two children by himself, so the most likely possibility is that he will leave the older one at home and let you take the younger one. After all, the older one can already live on his own, and he can go to work in a few years, so it is more cost-effective."
Shen Wen said, "I think so too. If you are willing to give the younger one to me, that's fine. As for the older one, I will go to the county more often and visit him more often during the holidays. I... I feel sorry for the children, but there is really nothing I can do. There are still a few years left. If the eldest can pass the exam, he can be closer to me. If not, let's wait and see if the factory will recruit workers. At that time, I will transfer the eldest son's household registration to my name, and then I can participate in the recruitment. I'm just worried that our factory will not recruit workers in the future..."
Xia Qingtang said quickly: "Don't worry, even if our factory doesn't recruit workers in the future, the car factory across the street will. Also, I heard that there will be factories built in the city in the future. When your eldest son is old enough, there will definitely be many opportunities. When the time comes, as long as he comes to the provincial capital, you can take care of him."
In a few years, the environment in the provincial capital will be different. Even if these factories do not recruit workers, you can still find a job in the city. There are many ways out, so don't worry.
"It's really not easy for you." Shi Xiaoyu sighed.
"Okay, you guys sit down first, have some tea and then continue talking." Xia Qingtang said with a smile.
Shi Xiaoyu said, "Can you show us around your home first?"
"Okay, come and have a look." Xia Qingtang handed the apples and salted duck to Xie Jinxuan and asked him to put them in the kitchen. Then he took Shen Wen and Shi Xiaoyu to look at each room one by one. "In fact, our house is like this. The living room is relatively small, and the three rooms are not big either, but the distribution is relatively reasonable. This is our master bedroom, this is the bedroom for guests, and the other one is the study. My wife uses it more often. I like to lie on the bed and read."
"This house is really nice, and the toilet is clean and bright, too. It's really nice." Shi Xiaoyu said with a smile, "No wonder the new house allocated by the factory couldn't tempt you."
"It's not that I don't like the new house the factory has allocated, but I've thought about it and I think it's more relaxed for an office worker like me, and it's more convenient for my wife to study near school. Plus, I love my grandparents very much, so I still want to live here."
"Grandpa and grandma, you said before that they were especially good to you." Shi Xiaoyu looked envious, "You are lucky, your husband and his whole family are so good to you."
Shen Wen said: "It's enough that your lover treats you well. No matter what, can he be worse than me?"
Everyone laughed, and Shi Xiaoyu also said, "Old Shen, you are so comforting that I have nothing to refute."
After the tour, Xia Qingtang led them back to the living room and handed them the tea that Xie Jinxuan had brewed: "Try it, this tea should be okay."
"Your tea must be good." Shi Xiaoyu looked at the large tea tray on the tea table, which contained peach cakes, peanut cakes, pumpkin seeds, fried peanuts, and a handful of candies, and said, "You live a delicate life. You even arrange your snacks like a flower."
"Of course. I have to prepare the meal well for a distinguished guest." Xia Qingtang said with a smile, "Try this peanut cake. You can't buy it anywhere else."
They both ate the peanut cakes and were surprised. Even Shen Wen asked, "Why is it so delicious?"
"This peanut cake can only be purchased if you have connections. It's made at the home of a good friend of mine. I guess I can buy another batch before the Chinese New Year, and then I'll have to wait until after the Chinese New Year." Xia Qingtang said.
"Then can you buy some for me?" Shi Xiaoyu asked.
"I'm afraid I can't buy the batch before the Chinese New Year for you. There are so many people placing orders with them. But after the Chinese New Year, I can try to help you."
"Okay, thank you Xiaoxia." Shi Xiaoyu picked up another piece and started eating.
Shen Wen smiled and said, "Eat less, or you won't be able to eat lunch later."
"Yes, save some space, I made my specialty today." Xia Qingtang said, "Okay, let my wife chat with you. I'll go finish the last dish, and then we'll eat."
Xie Jinxuan also sat down and chatted with them while refilling their water, while Xia Qingtang returned to the kitchen to finish the last dish of twice-cooked pork.
The pork with garlic sprouts was soon served, and Xia Qingtang shouted through the kitchen door: "It's time to eat!"
Xie Jinxuan stood up and went to the kitchen to help serve the dishes.
Twice-cooked pork with garlic sprouts, spicy salad, salt and pepper potatoes, and stewed tofu were all served on the table. Xie Jinxuan also took out two bottles of beer and two bottles of Coca-Cola. Xia Qingtang said, "Let's eat the dishes first, and then I'll serve you rice."
Shi Xiaoyu said: "Wow, this is pork and tofu, Xiaoxia, you made it too rich, it's worthy of Chinese New Year."
Shen Wen also said: "Yeah, how can you make such a delicious dish? It's too expensive."
"Why spend money? You are all my good friends. Besides, this plate of twice-cooked pork looks like a lot, but actually the amount of garlic sprouts is even greater." Xia Qingtang said, "Try it quickly."
"This looks delicious!" Shi Xiaoyu waited until everyone was seated before picking up a piece of food with chopsticks and putting it into her mouth. "It's delicious! It smells so good! It's so delicious!"
Shen Wen also tasted it, and then said: "Xiao Xia, you are really good at cooking, better than me. And what is this dish next to it? There are so many kinds and it's colorful."
"This is spicy hotpot. It's actually just blanching various vegetables and mixing them together to eat cold. But it's cold today, so I heated it up a bit so it's warm and not cold." Xia Qingtang said, "You guys should try it too. This is my specialty."
Xie Jinxuan opened the beer, poured a glass for each of them, and said, "This dish goes well with beer, both comrades should eat more."
Shi Xiaoyu praised the food while eating, then raised his glass and said with a smile: "Xiao Xia, Comrade Xie, I toast to you and thank you for your warm hospitality! This food is even more delicious than what I ate in the state-owned restaurants!"
Shen Wen also raised his glass: "Then I and Xiaoshi will toast you. Thank you so much today. To be honest, I haven't had a meal with so many people like this for a long time."
Xia Qingtang said: "What's the big deal? If you like the food I cook, you can come to our house and eat together when you are free in the future."
"Okay, there will be another chance in the future." Shen Wen said, "If we move into the new house, I will also invite you to dinner. My cooking skills are not as good as Xiao Xia's, but there are a few dishes that are worth eating."
Shi Xiaoyu laughed: "My cooking skills are average, but I can make steamed buns and dumplings, which I am good at. I will bring them to you when I make them."
Everyone was chatting happily, eating and drinking with big mouthfuls of wine. Xia Qingtang waited until they had almost finished drinking before quickly serving them the rice.
Shi Xiaoyu and Shen Wen both have a good alcohol tolerance. They each drank a bottle of beer, but they didn't blush or look drunk at all. After eating a large bowl of rice, they felt even more satisfied.
"Xiao Xia, today's meal was so delicious, it felt like Chinese New Year." Shi Xiaoyu said with a smile, "I am so lucky to be your colleague."
Shen Wen also said: "Xiao Xia, with your cooking skills, you can become a great chef."
"It's too tiring to do that, so forget it. I just like to cook for my family and friends." Xia Qingtang said with a smile, "Okay, you guys go to the sofa and rest for a while, I'll cut an apple for you."
"Let me help clear the table." Shi Xiaoyu stood up.
Xie Jinxuan said: "No need for you. According to the rules of our family, Qingtang cooks and I wash the dishes and clean up. We need to divide the work and cooperate with each other."
Shi Xiaoyu's eyes widened: "Wow, Comrade Xie, you are a cadre's son, and you are willing to do these things."
"What else? Do you think I'm the one serving him at home?" Xia Qingtang couldn't help laughing.
"I really thought you were the one serving him at home. After all, they all said that your husband was the son of a high-ranking official. Such a powerful family must have a nanny to take care of him, so how could he work?" Shi Xiaoyu stuck out her tongue.
Xia Qingtang said, "Actually, this is a misunderstanding. When my husband was at home, he also helped with some housework. And his old friends, who grew up together, all do things at home. If a family like theirs really raises a child who can't do anything, it would be too scary."
"Xiao Xia, you really married the right person." Shi Xiaoyu grabbed her hand and shook it.
"Okay, let's come over and sit down to talk. Let's give the place to Jinxuan." Xia Qingtang took them both to sit on the sofa, then took out apples and started cutting the fruit plate.
She learned this skill from her former nanny friend, who used to work in a star-rated hotel, so she was very good at cutting fruit plates. Xia Qingtang only had apples and oranges now, but she also cut the apples into thin slices and arranged them into the shape of roses, and then arranged the orange segments into the shape of flowers and placed them in the center of the plate.
"Wow, it's so beautiful!" Shi Xiaoyu said, "This is not eating fruit, this is eating flowers!"
Shen Wen said, "It's like a work of art, Xiao Xia, you're amazing."
Xia Qingtang said: "I did this because you guys are here. Usually, we just wash them and eat them with the skin."
After eating the fruit and Xie Jinxuan cleaned up the kitchen, they rode their bikes to the provincial capital university together.
This time, the head of the Foreign Languages Department broke out in a cold sweat when he saw them: "Student Xie, why are you here again? Didn't your mother go to see the bulletin board? I've already punished her!"
Xie Jinxuan simply explained the purpose of her visit, and Shen Wen and Shi Xiaoyu also calmly described what they had seen at the gate of the compound.
Shen Wen is older and more stable. She added, "Teacher, I am an ordinary worker. I don't know what college students should be like, but I think that no matter whether they are college students or not, no matter what kind of work they do, they should have basic ideology and morality. Li Xuefei from your school shocked and frightened me. I think if such a student is not corrected, she will take wrong as right when she gets a job in the future. How can we expect her to work well and serve the people well?"
The department head was speechless. After a long while, he said, "Then...then what do you think we should do?"
Xia Qingtang said: "It is obvious that the demerit you gave her did not make her realize her mistake, but made her feel wronged. I think her cognition was wrong. As a teacher, you should teach her what is right. In addition, she did this because the punishment was not strong enough."
"The punishment is not severe enough... But, Comrade Xia, if you really give me a serious warning, then in the future..."
"Sure enough, Director, you are on Li Xuefei's side. Well, we shouldn't come to you. We should go directly to the principal. Let's go to the principal's office." Xia Qingtang said and was about to leave.
"No, no! I'm discussing this with you." The department head was sweating anxiously. "I know that Li Xuefei made a big mistake, but they all went through a lot of hardships to get into college. As their teacher, I just feel a little sorry for the efforts they have made..."
"Let's put it one way or another. If she really cherished her past efforts, she wouldn't have done such a thing. Director, it wasn't easy for her to get into college, so is it easy for ordinary people like me to live? Do I deserve to have my husband taken away by her? Is it easy for my husband? Didn't Xie Jinxuan study hard for many years to get into college? Do you think it's interesting to say that?" Xia Qingtang said, "If you keep thinking this way, then we have nothing to say to you. Let's meet in the principal's office."
The dean gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, I get it. How about this, I beg you, can you give Li another chance? I'll give her a warning, and if she approaches Xie again next time, I'll immediately give her the highest penalty in the school. Is this okay... I beg you."
Xia Qingtang looked at Xie Jinxuan: "Do you agree?"
Xie Jinxuan said: "I don't agree."
Xia Qingtang thought for a moment and said, "These two comrades have heard the promise you made to us today. If you can't control Li Xuefei in the future, I will not give you another chance and will go directly to the principal."
"If I really can't control her by then, I will punish her myself. I can guarantee that." The dean patted his chest and said, "Comrade, there is a saying that goes, 'Don't chase after a desperate enemy.' I am doing this for your own good. With Li's current mental state, if you really push her into a desperate situation, who knows what she will do?"
"You don't need to remind me of this. It's because of this that I agreed to your proposal. Director, please remember what you said." After saying that, Xia Qingtang took the lead and walked out.
After a few people left, Shi Xiaoyu asked, "Are you really going to let her go just like that?"
"Give the director some face. Besides, we really can't push her too hard, lest Li Xuefei goes crazy and does something even more terrible." Xia Qingtang said, "Okay, now that this matter is settled, let's take a good look around the school."
"Okay." Shi Xiaoyu was a simple-minded person to begin with. Upon hearing this, his mood immediately changed and he began to take a good look inside.
They played for more than an hour, and Xia Qingtang sent them to the nearby bus stop.
"Xiao Xia, after the New Year, I will invite you to my home as well." Shi Xiaoyu held her hand, "We have a deal."
"Okay, it's settled."
After seeing the two off, Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan went to a nearby store to buy some things. As they were lucky, they unexpectedly ran into a farmer selling live chickens and ducks. Xia Qingtang quickly bought another pair of chickens and ducks, and then took them to give to Aunt Liu.
After that, they waited for the New Year comfortably at home.
On the day of the Little New Year, Aunt Liu stewed mutton soup and prepared eight dishes. The whole family helped Xia Qingtang celebrate her promotion.
Before the Chinese New Year, Xia Qingtang also took Xie Jinxuan to visit Xia Daming and the leaders and colleagues of the cotton mill. Everyone knew that she had become the vice chairman of the trade union and they were all very happy for her.
Xia Daming was so happy that he cried, and secretly gave the thirty yuan he had saved to Xie Jinxuan, asking him to take it back and buy something for Xia Qingtang.
Afterwards, Xia Qingtang bought some milk powder and went to see Xia Qinghai's son. The little guy was now so cute that Xia Qingtang began to like his father a lot more.
Before leaving, Xia Qinghai stuffed Xia Qingtang with a basket of New Year's goods, including salted fish, cured chicken, red dates, raisins, walnuts, etc., which could last for a long time.
Xia Qingtang said: "You don't have to do this."
"Take it. I know you always have resentment towards me in your heart. In the past, Mom treated you badly. I could see it, but I ignored it because I could take advantage of you anyway, so I didn't care whether you lived or died. I know that if it were me, I would resent you for the rest of my life. I did these things not to make up for you, but to be an ordinary relative with you, or at least not an enemy. I am very grateful that you are willing to give me this opportunity." Xia Qinghai said, "I can see that you are a capable person. Even if you didn't marry Xie Jinxuan, you could have achieved something with your own efforts. Although it is impossible for you and I to be good brothers and sisters anymore, I hope you can recognize my son."
Xia Qingtang smiled: "You are really smart and you can adapt to the situation."
"Yes, I admit that I am not a good person, but I am willing to change."
"Okay then, I really don't hate your son, that little guy. As long as you don't teach him bad things and he grows up to be a normal child in the future, I am willing to acknowledge him as my nephew." Xia Qingtang said.
"Thank you then." Xia Qinghai said, "Thank you also to my brother-in-law. He is really an honest and reliable man. I am most relieved that you can marry him."
"It's pointless to talk about this. You don't really care about me."
Xia Qinghai pulled her sleeve: "Qingtang."
Xia Qingtang turned around and asked: "What are you doing?"
"I'm not a good brother, but I am really your brother. I'm not good enough to you, I admit it. But what I said just now was sincere." Xia Qinghai's expression was very serious.
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "Okay, even if you are somewhat sincere."
However, it is a pity that she will no longer have true feelings for this person, but being an ordinary relative is not bad.
After visiting all these families, it was New Year's Eve. Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan stayed in the small Western-style building every day to eat and drink with their elders.
After meeting some relatives who were not too far away on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Qingtang went home early to rest.
On the second day of the Chinese New Year, she went to the factory to be on duty. Because there was no shuttle bus, she could only ride a bicycle to get there. There was almost no one in the factory except the security department. But Shen Wen knew that she was on duty, so he came from the dormitory to accompany her. At noon, he made lunch in the dormitory for the two of them to eat together.
Although the dormitory where Shen Wen lives is a multi-person room, there are not many female employees living in the dormitory, and she is a clerk, so there have always been only two people living with her. Now that it is the New Year and everyone has gone home, she occupies this large dormitory by herself, which is quite comfortable.
She had a small old coal stove by the door, which Chai Qiaoying found someone to buy for her. She used it to boil water and cook every day. She lived a very good life. Moreover, she was a good cook and the home-cooked dishes she made were very delicious.
After eating, Xia Qingtang couldn't help but say, "Old Shen, you are such a good lesbian."
Such a good lesbian, but because of some bad people, she had to live a miserable life for so many years...
Shen Wen understood what she meant. She thought about it, smiled with relief, and said, "It's all in the past. I'm... fine now. If I can take the child back later, I'll be satisfied."
"If you need any help in the future, just tell me." Xia Qingtang said, "You know the situation at my home, I'm sure I can help."
"Okay, if I really need it, I'll tell you." Shen Wen looked very happy, "My hard days are finally behind me."
Yes, if you get rid of the hard days, there will only be good days in the future.
After the shift ended, on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, Xia Qingtang and Xie Jinxuan boarded a train to visit their grandfather and uncle's family.
I haven't been here for such a long time, but my grandfather's family is still in good health, and there is good news at home. Peng Wei is pregnant and the baby will be born next summer.
They stayed with their grandfather for a few days, then took a bus to Shanghai, where they had a great time for two days. On the eleventh day of the first lunar month, they finally returned home by bus.
The trip was quite long this time, but Xia Qingtang had a lot of fun and brought back a lot of gifts for his family.
Xie Jinyun was still very envious because he also wanted to visit his grandfather and uncle, but there was no one at home to accompany him.
Grandma said: "Study hard, and when you finish the college entrance examination, you can play however you want. Grandma will pay for you then."
Xie Jinyun immediately said: "Grandma, you must keep your word!"
"Your grandma would never lie." Xie Chengye said, "But you are the same, you just remember to play. For someone like you, you will definitely have to go to another city for college because you like to travel to other places."
The whole family was chatting and laughing when Xie Xiaoshuang suddenly came over.
Xia Qingtang quickly ran out and held her hand, then said with a smile: "Xiao Shuang, I've been away for so long and didn't ask you how you were doing during this time. Did you eat a lot of delicious food when you went to Yanni's house for the New Year?"
This year, Xie Xiaoshuang still did not go home for the New Year, but Hu Yanni called her to the Hu family and spent the New Year there.
Xie Xiaoshuang smiled and said, "They do make a lot of delicious food. Brother Hui has a good job now and brings home a lot of New Year's goods. I stayed there for a few days and gained weight."
"I brought you some good stuff. Come with me to get it later. I'm telling you, Shanghai is really fun..."
"Qingtang, can I ask you a favor?" Xie Xiaoshuang gritted her teeth and said.
Xia Qingtang looked at her face and saw that her expression was not right, so he quickly asked, "What happened to you?"
"Nothing happened, don't worry, I'm fine. I just want to ask you for help with something. Because I can't buy a ticket myself..."
"You want to buy a train ticket? But today is the eleventh day of the first lunar month, and it's almost time to go to work. Where are you going?" Xia Qingtang was a little surprised.
“I want to go to Zhushi.”
"Takeshi? You want to go to the special economic zone?"
After the special economic zone was established, people here didn’t actually pay much attention to it, mainly because there shouldn’t be much development there yet.
That's why Xia Qingtang was so surprised. She knew that Xie Xiaoshuang had always wanted to go there, but she didn't expect that she had thought about it so early.
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "Yes, I want to go there and take a look. The spouse of one of my colleagues was sent there for work and only came back during the Chinese New Year. I went to wish them a happy new year and heard a lot and saw photos. They are ready to accept people like me and I can find something to do there. So I want to take the opportunity to go there and take a look. If I can really find a job and a foothold there, I will stay there. If I can't stay there, I will come back to work."
As far as Xia Qingtang could remember, things over there had not developed so fast. However, ever since she discovered that there were some differences between her two lives last time, she would no longer look at the world with the same unchanging perspective.
She thought for a moment and whispered, "Are you going there with your colleague's lover?"
"No, her husband is a gay man. How can I go with him? It's too inconvenient. I want to go there by myself and see for myself. But I can't buy a ticket, so I can only come to you." Xie Xiaoshuang said: "Qingtang, can you ask Comrade Xie to help me?"
Xia Qingtang said: "Buying the ticket is no problem. I'll go in and talk to him now. You can come in and sit for a while too."
"I won't go in. It's New Year's Day and your family is so busy and lively. It would be inappropriate for me to go in."
"Okay, wait for me, I'll call Xie Jinxuan out." Xia Qingtang said as he walked in and called Xie Jinxuan out.
She told the story again, and Xie Jinxuan said, "There is no problem buying a train ticket, but isn't it a bit inappropriate for a lesbian like her to go to such a faraway city?"
Xia Qingtang said: "I think so too. This is really too unsafe... So, I want to go with her."
Xie Jinxuan was stunned for a moment and said, "You two are together, and you are both lesbians..."
"I know, but it's much safer for me to go with her than for her to go alone. Jinxuan, she is my good friend, I must go with her."
Moreover, the idea of the special economic zone was planted by Xia Qingtang in Xie Xiaoshuang. Now that Xie Xiaoshuang has given up, Xia Qingtang must take full responsibility.
Xie Jinxuan thought about it and said, "Okay, I'll go with you."
"Ah? But the university is about to start, and you will miss classes. It doesn't matter if I take a few days off. Anyway, there is no important work in the factory at the beginning." Xia Qingtang said: "I can't delay your classes."
"Qingtang, listen to me. I will never let you go far away without my company. You know you are so beautiful. If I don't accompany you, you will get into a lot of trouble." Xie Jinxuan said seriously.
Xia Qingtang had no choice but to nod: "Okay, let's go talk to Xiaoshuang."
Xie Xiaoshuang was very surprised: "No, I can't let you accompany me. How can I feel embarrassed?"
"Xiao Shuang, would I feel at ease if you went there alone?" Xia Qingtang said, "Just think of it as Jin Xuan and I wanting to go on a trip, so just listen to us."
"This..." Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes were red. She hugged Xia Qingtang and said, "Thank you, thank you so much..."
"That's settled then. Jinxuan will go buy the train ticket now, and then we'll go home and pack our luggage. We also need to tell Yanni, otherwise, she will definitely be angry." Xia Qingtang pulled her out, "How about we tell Yanni first?"
Xie Jinxuan quickly bought a train ticket and could leave the next day. He first went to school to ask for a few days off. Xia Qingtang also called Lin Shuang to report. Everyone who needed to be notified was notified, and they carried their luggage to the train station.
Hu Yanni came with Luo Xiangqian to see them off. Her face was full of worry. "Xiao Shuang, even if you can see an opportunity this time, you have to be careful. Qingtang, you must help her to keep an eye out and don't let her be deceived."
"Don't worry, besides me, we also have Jinxuan here, we will protect Xiaoshuang well." Xia Qingtang said: "It's a pity that you two can't go, otherwise it would be quite interesting for everyone to go together."
Luo Xiangqian said, "I would like to go, but Yanni can't go."
"There's nothing I can do. My parents don't agree to let me go there." Hu Yanni sighed.
"I have already delayed Comrade Qingtang and Comrade Xie, how can I have the nerve to waste your time again? You should just stay at home and wait for my good news." Xie Xiaoshuang took almost all the luggage with her. She said, "I have a feeling that I will definitely find a good opportunity this time."
With Hu Yanni reluctant to leave, the three of them boarded the train and began their long journey.
Xie Jinxuan bought a hard sleeper ticket. There were a lot of people on the train these days, but the hard sleeper car was not full. The three of them just occupied a small private room, where they listened to the radio, which was quite comfortable.
Xie Xiaoshuang paid for all the food and drink expenses on the train because she said that Xia Qingtang and his wife had already paid too much, and if she was not allowed to pay, she would be ashamed for the rest of her life.
Xia Qingtang also knew that Xie Xiaoshuang had a strong sense of self-esteem, so he agreed to let her pay. The few of them did not treat themselves badly on the train. They all ate lunch boxes with meat, and there were also many fruits and snacks they brought with them. They did not suffer at all along the way.
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