Chapter 75
After opening the courtyard door, Hu Yanni immediately rushed over to hug Xia Qingtang, and then cried even more sadly. Xia Qingtang quickly patted her back and whispered, "What happened? Don't cry first, what happened?"
But Hu Yanni was sobbing and unable to speak, so Xia Qingtang could only lead her into the house, wanting to let her cry enough first and then talk to her after she calmed down.
Xie Jinxuan came over from the bathroom and was surprised when she saw this scene: "What happened to Xiao Hu?"
"I don't know yet. When I opened the door, I saw her crying at the gate of the yard. She just came in and was still crying." Xia Qingtang said, "It's okay. Let her cry for a while and I'll ask her what happened."
Fortunately, Hu Yanni only cried for a short while. After about a minute, she slowly calmed down.
Seeing Xie Jinxuan was also in the room, her expression was obviously a little embarrassed, but she could only greet her first: "Comrade Xie, I'm sorry to come here crying so early in the morning..."
"It's okay. We're actually just about to go out. You guys talk, I'll go out and wait for you." After saying that, Xie Jinxuan put on her coat, put on her bag and went to the yard.
Hu Yanni finally breathed a sigh of relief. She quickly grabbed Xia Qingtang's hand and whispered, "You have to come with me."
"Where are you going?"
"Go to my house, and help persuade Xiao Shuang."
"What's wrong? What happened to Xiaoshuang?" Xia Qingtang said anxiously, "Isn't her wedding on May 15th? It's still half a month away. What happened to her family?"
"It has nothing to do with marriage. It's too early to talk about that. What happened today was this. Xiaoshuang got up this morning to make breakfast and accidentally spilled a pot of yam. It was originally a small matter, but her father happened to be arguing with her mother. When he saw her throwing food all over the floor, he beat her with a stick. Her mother didn't help to stop her, but she also scolded her, saying that she didn't know what was good for her. The Jia family gave her so much money, but she pretended not to know Jia Guangrong in the factory, and scolded her for being poor and noble. Anyway, she said very ugly things. I wasn't there, so I don't know what dirty words were said, but I can guess it."
Xia Qingtang's face changed drastically: "Does she beat people at home? Why has she never said anything?"
As soon as he said this, Xia Qingtang realized that he was being stupid.
Yes, if Xie Xiaoshuang had not been beaten since childhood, how could she have endured it after that night?
Anyone who grew up in a normal family would have fought with their family, but Xie Xiaoshuang didn't dare to. Why? Because she had been afraid of being beaten since she was a child.
Xia Qingtang's eyes reddened, and she held Hu Yanni's hand, not knowing what to say.
Hu Yanni continued, "If it were just that, it would be fine, but Xiaoshuang said that she was beaten so badly that she couldn't get up. She could only lie on the ground outside the house for a long time. Not only did her brother ignore her, but her sister... walked past her and ignored her, let alone helped her, as if she didn't see her. You know, she originally wanted to escape with her sister, but now her sister is doing this, Xiaoshuang must be so sad. She lay on the ground and couldn't get up, but the other people picked up the yams and washed them, and asked her sister to cook breakfast. After that, the family ate and ignored her. She lay on the ground for a while, and only got up by herself when they were eating, and then ran to my house. Their family gets up early and eats breakfast early, and I hadn't gotten up when she went to my house. She looked so wrong, and I couldn't persuade her alone, so I asked my mother to accompany her first and asked my father to ride a bicycle to take me to you."
"Uncle is here too? Where is he?" Xia Qingtang glanced outside.
Hu Yanni said: "My dad had never been here before. The people at the door didn't recognize him and wouldn't let him in. I was afraid of wasting time, so I ran in first."
"So that's how it is... Tell me more about Xie Xiaoshuang. Why does she look so strange?"
"She looked so hopeless. I don't know how to describe it, but... she looked like she didn't want to live anymore..." Hu Yanni held Xia Qingtang's hand, "So you must come with me. You are so smart and have your own ideas. If you go over and help persuade her, maybe Xiaoshuang will get better. I know you have something to go out for today, but I really can't do anything. I can't tell my mother about that either. I really can't do it on my own..."
"I see. Don't worry. I'll go over there, but I have to talk to Xie Jinxuan first." Xia Qingtang said softly, "Go to the bathroom and wash your face. There's a thermos in the kitchen. Pour yourself a glass of water. I'll go out and talk to Xie Jinxuan."
"Okay." Hu Yanni nodded.
Xia Qingtang walked out, and Xie Jinxuan, who was watering the vegetable patch, whispered, "What happened?"
"Something serious has happened, but I can't say it openly. It's just... I can't accompany Teacher Chenxiang to see the Chinese doctor this morning. I have to go to the steel plant with Yanni. Also, regarding the last incident with Jia Guangrong, I'm not rushing you, but you really need to speed up the progress. Although there is still half a month before May 15th, I'm afraid Xie Xiaoshuang won't be able to hold on until then. I don't know how your contacts are going. After you see the doctor today, can you go and urge them?"
Xie Jinxuan understood: "Is it related to Xie Xiaoshuang's matter?"
Xia Qingtang said, "Yes, Xiaoshuang hid in the steel mill, so I have to go over to accompany her. Please apologize to the two teachers for me. Fortunately, Lao Luo and the others are going with you. There are several bicycles, which will definitely be enough."
Xie Jinxuan said, "Don't worry about Teacher Guan. You have a special situation and they will understand. Besides, there are enough bicycles, so it won't matter if you don't go. Also, don't worry about that matter. I will go there again today."
Xia Qingtang hugged him and said softly, "Thank you, Jinxuan."
"You're welcome." Xie Jinxuan lowered her head and kissed her forehead, whispering, "Are you going to the steel plant now?"
"Yes, I'll go in and tell Yanni. We can set off together." Xia Qingtang returned to the house. Hu Yanni had already washed her face and was waiting there.
"What happened?" Hu Yanni asked.
"I've already told Jinxuan that I'll go home with you."
Hu Yanni breathed a sigh of relief: "That's great."
"Then let's go, and go there early to prevent Xiaoshuang from getting upset." Xia Qingtang pulled her out and locked the door.
Hu Yanni looked at Xie Jinxuan apologetically and said, "Comrade Xie, I'm so sorry for disrupting your plans."
"It's okay. It's not a big deal for me. Qingtang doesn't have to go." Xie Jinxuan said with a smile, "By the way, Qingtang, will you come back for dinner tonight?"
Before Xia Qingtang could say anything, Hu Yanni said, "Qingtang will definitely come back for dinner tonight. I promise, I can't keep her that long."
Just as he was talking about this, he saw Leng Feng and Luo Xiangqian riding a bicycle each coming over from the other side. Luo Xiangqian stopped at the door and said with a smile: "Jinxuan, Xiaoxia, let's go!"
He is always cheerful, and now when he accompanies his friend to see a doctor, he acts like he is going on an outing.
Luo stretched his head forward and looked into the yard. He saw that besides Xia Qingtang, there was also a strange young girl in the corridor. She was pretty, with a pair of big watery eyes and rosy cheeks. She looked as if she had just cried. He was stunned for a moment.
Leng Feng remained silent as usual, and even did not react when he saw the extra people. He just nodded at Xia Qingtang as a greeting.
Xia Qingtang said, "Oh, by the way, let me introduce you. This is my classmate Hu Yanni. We have a very good relationship. She works in a steel factory and her whole family is from the steel factory. Yanni, these are Jinxuan's two childhood friends, and they are also seniors from our No. 1 Middle School. The one with longer hair is Lao Luo, and the one with shorter hair is Lao Leng."
Luo Xiangqian immediately smiled and said, "Hello, Xiao Hu. I'm Luo Xiangqian. I work at the Grain Bureau. I just returned to the city from the countryside during the Chinese New Year. But I haven't seen you here in such a long time since I came back. Don't you come here often?"
Hu Yanni said: "I was a bit busy this year, so I didn't come over to play much."
"Then come over often when you're free." Luo Xiangqian was very enthusiastic.
Xia Qingtang said, "Lao Luo, we are in a hurry, so let's not talk about it for now. I have to accompany Yanni back to the steel plant. Today, I have to trouble you to accompany my teacher to see the doctor."
"Ah? You're going to the steel mill?" Luo Xiangqian reacted quickly. Thinking of Hu Yanni's crying face, he immediately said, "Did something happen to you? Do you need my help? Just tell me what you need. I have a lot of strength and many friends. I'm sure I can help you."
"Thank you, Lao Luo, but I won't need it today." Xia Qingtang said, "If I need it in the future, I'll tell you."
Luo Xiangqian was so attentive, it was obvious that he had a good impression of Hu Yanni. It was a pity that today was not the right time, otherwise they could have a good opportunity to get to know each other.
Luo Xiangqian is a good person in all aspects. He is enthusiastic, cheerful and loyal. If he and Hu Yanni can get together, Hu Yanni can even move here to live.
Leng Feng didn't say a word, nor did he even give Hu Yanni a glance. He just stood outside the yard coldly, like a wooden man.
After Xia Qingtang rode away with Hu Yanni, Luo Xiangqian immediately said, "Jinxuan, what's wrong with you? Xiaoxia has such a pretty female classmate, why don't you introduce her to us? I've been back for a few months, and you're still hiding her. It's so mean!"
Xie Jinxuan said: "You didn't ask me to introduce you to someone either."
"I've said it many times. I said I want to find a partner. Doesn't that mean I want everyone to introduce me to someone? You're usually so smart, why don't you understand this?"
Xie Jinxuan came out pushing her bicycle, and while locking the gate to the yard, she asked, "Where's your female colleague who borrowed money from you?"
"Why are you mentioning her again? I told you that I don't get along with that female colleague."
"No, no, what are you thinking? Do you still like that person?" Xie Jinxuan said seriously, "Qingtang's classmate is a very down-to-earth person. She has never been in a relationship before. She comes from a simple family and is kind and innocent. If you still have someone else in your heart, I will never introduce Xiao Hu to you. If you hurt her feelings, Qingtang will hate me!"
Luo Xiangqian immediately said, "No, no, I really don't like that female colleague. I've explained it all. I did have a crush on her at first. She's pretty and has a soft personality. You're also a man. Isn't it human nature to be nicer to pretty and soft female comrades at work? But if you say you like her, it's definitely not to that extent."
"You should think it over carefully first. Make sure you don't have any feelings for that female colleague anymore. You also need to get your money back. Then I will introduce Xiao Hu to you." Xie Jinxuan said, "Oh, by the way, Xiao Hu has to take the college entrance examination this year. I can't introduce her to you until after the exam. It's a good time for you to think it over and get the money back. If you think it over after the college entrance examination and still want to meet Xiao Hu, I will introduce her to you."
Luo Xiangqian was shocked: "She is going to take the college entrance examination? Then...if she passes, how can I be worthy of her?"
"That's not the way to compare. Although you didn't take the college entrance examination, you are no worse than anyone else. You have a good job now. After working for a few years, if you feel that your knowledge reserves are not enough, you can still learn through further studies. Didn't you hear what was said above? There will definitely be many various study classes for cadres in the future." Xie Jinxuan said: "Don't always be like this. When you talk about a female comrade, you feel that you are not worthy of her. You have to face yourself, don't be arrogant or belittle yourself, discover your own shortcomings, and understand your own strengths."
Luo Xiangqian was stunned and couldn't say a word. Obviously, such a careless person as him had never thought about these things.
Leng Feng, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. He said, "Jin Xuan is right. You have good conditions, you are a good person, and your family is even better. Even if that girl gets admitted to university, you are still worthy of her. Besides, when dating, it's not about whether you are compatible or not, it's about the feelings. As long as the other person likes you, you can be together."
Luo Xiangqian was stunned by his words: "Good fellow, Comrade Lao Leng, what kind of training class have you attended? How can you say such a thing? Come and show me, did you not notice that your head was also injured when you were injured?"
Leng Feng sneered and said nothing more.
Xie Jinxuan smiled and said, "Go forward, that's the truth anyway, think about it carefully. After the college entrance examination, when you have thought it through, come and tell me. Let's not talk about it now, let's set off quickly, it's getting late."
On the other side, Xia Qingtang rode his bike with Hu Yanni to the gate of the compound, and saw Hu's father pushing his bicycle and standing outside the guard room, chatting with the eldest brother inside.
Seeing them coming, Father Hu smiled and said, "We are going out. Let's go."
The three of them arrived at Hu's house together. When they saw Xia Qingtang coming over, the neighbor who had become acquainted with them before smiled and said while eating breakfast, "You guys came from outside so early? Xiaoxia is here too? Have you had breakfast?"
"Hello, Auntie. I've eaten." Xia Qingtang greeted her, parked the car, and hurried in.
Xie Xiaoshuang was hiding in Hu Yanni's bedroom at the moment. She was curled up on the ground in the corner like an endangered little animal. Hu's mother was also squatting beside her, talking to her softly.
But Xie Xiaoshuang didn't react at all. She kept her head down. Although her eyes could not be seen, the despair emanating from her was overwhelming and rushing towards the door.
Xia Qingtang spoke immediately: "Xiao Shuang, I'm here."
After hearing these words, Xie Xiaoshuang reacted a little. She slowly raised her head, and her dull eyes seemed to have lost their souls. It took her a long time to focus and see the person in front of her clearly.
Hu Yanni also came over and whispered, "Mom, thank you for taking care of Xiaoshuang for so long. Leave the rest to us."
Mother Hu stood up and said, "Okay, you guys stay with her. I'll make you some malted milk and some biscuits. Eat something sweet, and maybe you'll be happier."
"Okay, thank you, Mom." Hu Yanni sent her mother out of the house and gently closed the wooden door of the bedroom.
This wooden door is not actually very soundproof, but Mr. and Mrs. Hu will not eavesdrop on the children's conversation, so there is no need to be so particular.
Xia Qingtang walked up to Xie Xiaoshuang and squatted down, then reached out and touched her head, saying, "Does it hurt?"
Xie Xiaoshuang stared at her without saying a word. There were no visible injuries on her face and neck. It was obvious that her father only hit her on the body, and as long as she was wearing clothes, no outsiders would know.
"How many years have you been beaten like this?" Xia Qingtang continued to ask: "Can you tell me?"
After waiting for a long time, Xie Xiaoshuang said slowly in a hoarse voice: "I can't remember how many years it has been, it has been like this since I was very young."
"Is the wound serious? Yanni has medicine at home. Can I apply it on you?" Xia Qingtang's voice sounded like he was coaxing a child.
She didn't know what went wrong. In two lifetimes, she had no idea that these things had happened to Xie Xiaoshuang.
But now that I think about it carefully, some things can actually be found in details.
For example, when Xie Xiaoshuang was in school, she never wore short-sleeved shirts or skirts. No matter how hot the summer was, she only wore long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Her buttons were always buttoned neatly and properly, and she would never roll up her sleeves.
But in this era, many families are not wealthy, so some people do not prepare separate summer clothes. They start wearing long-sleeved shirts in spring and continue wearing the same clothes in summer, rolling up their sleeves when it gets hot.
Therefore, the fact that Xie Xiaoshuang did not wear short-sleeved shirts and skirts would not attract everyone's attention. In that era of material scarcity, Xia Qingtang herself did not have many clothes. She only had two half-skirts in the summer because the cotton mill had the benefit of distributing unqualified cotton cloth.
Hu Yanni squatted on the other side, tears starting to well up in her eyes again.
Xie Xiaoshuang finally blinked her eyes, and her soul seemed to come back a little, but she didn't tell him about her injuries. She just asked in a low voice: "You said last time that I could move out, so can I move out now?"
"Of course you can. You can move anytime you want. That bungalow has been empty all the time. All Xie Jinxuan needs to do is report it to the company." Xia Qingtang said, "Do you want to move today? If you do, Yanni and I can help you."
"Yes, we'll help you move." Hu Yanni said quickly.
"If I move today, will they agree? Will they think I'm running away from my marriage? Then I'll go to the factory and tell everyone about this..." When Xie Xiaoshuang said this, she couldn't help but tremble a few times, which showed that she was really scared deep down.
Xia Qingtang said, "You can do this. You can say you are going to stay at a classmate's house for a few days, and then take out some of the most important luggage. After all, the bungalow is empty, there is no furniture or bed, and you have no place to sleep. So even if you move, you have to live in my house for a while first, and you can move in when the bungalow has a bed and a quilt."
Xie Xiaoshuang immediately said: "I won't live in your house."
"Then you can live in my house. If you don't feel comfortable at home, you can come and live in my house. You see, my brother's house is empty anyway, and Qingtang also lived here for a while before. You can live in my house first, and then move in when the bungalow is decorated." Hu Yanni said quickly.
Xie Xiaoshuang hesitated for a moment, then said, "Qingtang, you said that Jia would take the initiative to cancel the engagement. Is this really possible? If the time comes, and I still want to marry him, what should I do?"
Before Xia Qingtang could say anything, Hu Yanni said, "If you still want to marry him when the time comes, you might as well fight him. What are you afraid of? If he dies, you will be free! And your family, they treat you like this, if I were you... I would fight them all! Anyway, you don't want to live anymore, why not drag them to hell with you! Didn't we talk about this last time? If you really don't want to live anymore, you can't let those people get away with it, the Jia family, your father, your mother, your brother... and now your sister, none of them can get away with it!"
This is indeed the truth, but we should not take this path unless it is absolutely necessary.
Xia Qingtang knew that the easiest thing to do was to drag everyone to hell together, but she hoped that Xie Xiaoshuang would be alive. She hoped that she would stay away from this place and live a good life somewhere else, just like in her previous life.
Even if we never contact each other again, as long as I know that she is living well in another place, that's enough.
Xia Qingtang said: "That matter is in progress, but I dare not guarantee it to you. But I hope you can wait a little longer. There is still half a month. Don't give up this hope before the final moment. Even if it doesn't succeed in the end, the time for marriage has come, and you don't necessarily have to fight them head-on."
Hu Yanni was surprised and said, "Qingtang, why do you say that? It was you who said before that the worst that could happen is that we would die with them!"
"Don't worry, I said don't force it, I didn't say don't do anything." Xia Qingtang said: "Have you been reviewing too much recently, and your brain has slowed down?"
Hu Yanni finally reacted: "Ah, I understand that you don't want to fight hard, but what should I do if I want to use soft tactics?"
Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes lit up. Since she had been patient for many years, fighting head-on might not be suitable for her, and she might not have the courage to do so. But there were many other ways instead of fighting head-on.
"I understand, Qingtang, I understand everything. Thank you." Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes slowly came back to her senses. She whispered, "I will wait a little longer. If I don't get the initiative to cancel the engagement, I know what to do."
Seeing the thoughtful look in her eyes, Xia Qingtang knew that she would not commit suicide again today.
She held Xie Xiaoshuang's hand and said in a deep voice, "It's good that you know. If you need any help, just tell us. For example, if you need any medicine and you can't get it, we can help you find a way."
It was only at this time that Hu Yanni reacted: "Ah, you are talking about...poisoning them...ah..."
"It's not necessarily a drug. Some drugs used to treat illnesses can endanger life if given to healthy people. Isn't it normal to take the wrong medicine? But I don't know what specific drugs can be used. After all, my knowledge is limited." Xia Qingtang said, "But we can read books, learn, and ask people."
The TV dramas and magazines were not read in vain. Xia Qingtang also knew about poisonous mushrooms, but he couldn't say too much for the time being. For things like this, just a little mention would be enough for Xie Xiaoshuang to understand.
Everyone wanted to be a great and glorious person when they were young, but if they really encountered something like Xie Xiaoshuang, who could blame her for what she actually did?
She was abused by her family since she was young, and her mother destroyed everything for her when she grew up. What could she do in this era? She couldn't even escape from this place... Without a letter of introduction, she couldn't even stay in a guesthouse when she went to other places.
"It's not us, it's me. This is my business. If I have to do something, of course I will do it myself. I'm such a coward. If I don't even dare to take drugs, then what will I become? Wouldn't I be a real waste? If that's the case, I might as well end it all by myself, which would be easier. Didn't my mother send me to that person with a cup of potion? If she can give me a cup of potion, I can give her one." Xie Xiaoshuang held Xia Qingtang's hand tightly and said seriously: "I really thank you very much. I only knew that I was in pain before, and my mind couldn't turn around. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't have thought of these. Qingtang, thank you, thank you so much..."
Xia Qingtang smiled and said, "What is our relationship? Why are you saying thank you to me?"
Hu Yanni said: "I still have to say thank you. Fortunately, Qingtang is here, and fortunately Qingtang has become smarter. If it were just me, I wouldn't be able to think of anything and wouldn't know what to do at all."
"Yanni, just be like this, stay like this forever, and don't do anything that hurts or injures others, that's the best." Xie Xiaoshuang said softly, "There are three of us. I don't have good parents, and neither does Qingtang. We both have bad luck, so you have to take our place and have a good life for the rest of our lives."
Hu Yanni was stunned for a moment. Xia Qingtang thought of her past life and immediately said, "No one can have a good life all her life. Yanni has good parents and a good brother. This is her blessing, but this blessing may not last a lifetime. Yanni doesn't have to suffer those hardships, but she must see what happened to us, learn and grow through it, so that no matter who she forms a family with in the future, she will have the ability to protect herself. After all, people will change. Someone who is very good when they get married may not be a good person ten years later."
The room was silent for a long time after hearing these words. After about a minute or two, Hu Yanni nodded in confusion: "I understand. I will... I will grow up well."
Xia Qingtang smiled and rubbed her head: "Don't be in a hurry to grow up, you should study hard for the college entrance examination. After all, if you really get into college, your status will be different. By then, the threshold of your house will be trampled by matchmakers. At that time, you have to grow up and open your eyes to choose a partner carefully."
Hu Yanni whispered, "Whether I pass the exam or not, I don't want to be introduced by a matchmaker. I...I want to find one myself. Oh, let's not talk about this. Xiaoshuang, do you feel any pain? I have some medicine at home. I'll apply it on you, okay?"
Xie Xiaoshuang nodded, and stood up with her hands on the ground: "It was hit through the clothes, there shouldn't be any wounds, they are just bruises. In fact, it doesn't matter whether you apply medicine or not, it will heal in the end."
"You need to apply it too. I'll go find some ointment. Wait for me." Hu Yanni said as she ran out to find the ointment.
After a while, she came in with a tray with three cups on it, a small plate with biscuits on it, and a small jar that must have been ointment.
"Qingtang, drink some malted milk. I'll apply medicine to Xiaoshuang." Hu Yanni put down the tray and asked Xie Xiaoshuang to take off her clothes.
The room was not cold. Xie Xiaoshuang slowly took off her coat and sweater, revealing the single clothes underneath. Her single clothes also had long sleeves. She rolled up her sleeves, revealing the red marks on her arms. These marks were slightly swollen, and some places had begun to turn purple.
It's obvious that this is the mark left by being hit by a thin bamboo stick. It must have been extremely painful.
Hu Yanni held back her tears as she applied ointment to her. Xie Xiaoshuang showed her back again, and her back was covered with criss-crossing red marks. The areas not covered by the red marks were covered with old gray-black wounds. Some of them were very light gray, as if they had been there for many years, while others were very deep, as if they had been left in recent years.
After applying the ointment, Hu Yanni started to cry loudly: "How could this happen? You are their child, how could they do this? There is not a single piece of healthy flesh on your body, wuwuwuwuwuwuwuwuwu...Xiaoshuang, why didn't you tell us all these years? Why? "
Xie Xiaoshuang said, "Don't cry... How can I tell you about this? Even if I tell you, you are all little girls. How can you help me?"
Hu Yanni was speechless. Xia Qingtang said, "It's true that others can't help us, so we have to learn to resist. I know that my experience can't be compared with yours. My mother is mean, but not as vicious as your family. But I still couldn't stand it, I didn't accept it, so I resisted, I found a way out for myself and got out. Xiaoshuang, you are smarter and more dexterous than me, and you have a tough character. I can resist my family, so you can do it even better. At the beginning, I was afraid and timid, and you even worried about your sister. But what I want to say is that when it is difficult to protect yourself, don't protect those who are not worthy of protection. There is nothing terrible about breaking up with the original family. I don't recognize my mother or my brother now, let alone those relatives who bullied me. I tell you, I am really happy to do this."
Xie Xiaoshuang's body trembled for a moment, then she listened to this passage silently and fell into deep thought.
Xia Qingtang didn't say anything else, but took out a handkerchief from Hu Yanni's drawer and wiped her tears.
When Hu Yanni stopped crying, Xie Xiaoshuang also raised her head. She clenched her hands tightly together, as if she had made a great decision. She said, "I know what to do. My life is my own. I will take care of myself first. As for others... I can't control them. She doesn't deserve it."
Xia Qingtang laughed: "Yes, she doesn't deserve it."
Afterwards, Xie Xiaoshuang didn't want to talk about family matters anymore, so Xia Qingtang and Hu Yanni accompanied her for a walk outside the steel plant. They also found wild vegetables on the roadside, put some in their coat pockets, and brought them back, which became lunch on the Hu family's table at noon.
After dinner, Mother Hu said, "Xiao Shuang, do you want to stay at your aunt's house for a while? You can just spend some time with Yanni."
When Hu's mother took the initiative to bring this up, Xie Xiaoshuang's eyes immediately turned red. She said, "Is it really okay? Will it bother you if I come and stay for a few days?"
"It's not a problem. It'll be more lively with one more child at home." Mother Hu said, "You can go back and get some clothes now. I'm going to make dumplings tonight. I remember you're good at making dumplings. Can you help me?"
"Okay." Xie Xiaoshuang nodded vigorously.
Xia Qingtang had a bicycle, so she rode it to take Xie Xiaoshuang home to get some clothes.
When she arrived, her parents were not at home, her brother was not at home either, and her sister was the only one sitting in the corridor doing homework.
Seeing her sister coming back, the little girl immediately stood up and said, "Sister!"
She is three points similar to Xie Xiaoshuang, and even prettier than her sister. She hasn't grown up yet, but she will surely be a beautiful girl when she gets older.
Xie Xiaoshuang hummed, but didn't say anything. She went to the bedroom, packed some clothes in her old bag, and then came out with the bag on her back: "Where's Mom?"
"I'm going to the front to play cards." said the little girl.
Xie Xiaoshuang started to walk away, and the little girl quickly grabbed her clothes and said, "Sister, you just came back and you want to go out again?"
"Yes." Xie Xiaoshuang's expression was cold and indifferent. The little girl probably noticed something was wrong and immediately asked, "Sister, what's wrong with you..."
"Nothing." Xie Xiaoshuang pulled the corner of her clothes and left with Xia Qingtang, "Let's go to the front to find my mother."
After walking a long way, Xia Qingtang looked back and found the little girl standing there, looking scared and panicked, like an abandoned little animal.
Xia Qingtang understood what she had done in the morning. If she went to help her sister up or care about her sister, her father might beat her as well.
But since she chose to protect herself, we can't blame her sister Xie Xiaoshuang for also choosing to protect herself. We are all miserable people, so it's enough for us to just protect ourselves.
They went to the house in front, and Xie Xiaoshuang found her mother in a closed small room. She told her that she was going to stay at a classmate's house for a few days and would be back soon.
Her mother sneered: "You are about to get married, don't cause trouble for me, understand?"
"I know." Xie Xiaoshuang said with lowered eyebrows.
"Then get out of here!" The middle-aged woman with triangular eyes and big cheeks spat at Xie Xiaoshuang's feet and continued playing cards.
Xie Xiaoshuang still walked out with her head lowered. Xia Qingtang reached out and touched the back of her head, giving her a firm look: "Don't be afraid."
"Okay, I'm not afraid." Xie Xiaoshuang took a deep breath, "I'll be waiting for your news at Yanni's house."
She sent Xie Xiaoshuang to Hu's house and then quickly rode her bike back to the family compound.
The yard door and the house door were both locked, and Xie Jinxuan had not returned yet.
Xia Qingtang felt uneasy, thinking about the fact that he hadn't been to his grandparents' house this week, so he parked his bicycle in the yard and went to talk to his grandmother.
There was a bicycle in the yard, so when Xie Jinxuan came home she knew that she had also returned. Since she was not at home, she must have gone back to her grandmother's house to find her.
Today the house was quite lively, grandpa and grandma were both at home, and Xie's mother had some friends coming over to visit. Everyone was sitting in the living room chatting and talking. When they saw Xia Qingtang coming over, grandma quickly and proudly introduced her to the guests: "This is our Qingtang!"
The guests were a middle-aged couple, a man and a woman. The woman took one look at Xia Qingtang and said in surprise, "How come she is so good-looking! Old Tian, you never told me that your daughter-in-law is so pretty!"
Mother Xie smiled and said, "There are many pretty girls nowadays. Our Qingtang's biggest advantage is not her good looks. She is smart and capable, and has a good personality."
"Stop talking, the more you talk, the more envious I am! You, with such a good daughter-in-law, you will be able to hold your grandchildren soon, right? As for our family, there is no sign of that at all! You see, we both joined the unit together, and our son was born in the same year. Your Xie Jinxuan is a head taller than my son, not only is she good-looking, but she is also much more capable. He is already a writer in the secretariat at a young age. Unlike our Xiaohao, his father and I don't have the ability to send him to the Workers, Peasants and Soldiers University. He has a younger sister, so he could only go to the countryside to join the production team, but he couldn't even farm well in the countryside. When the weather was cold, the commune was repairing the house, and in order to earn work points, he fell off the wall and broke his leg. He hasn't recovered yet, and the commune has been urging him to go back. I really... I don't know what to do." As the female comrade spoke, she actually began to wipe away her tears.
Xia Qingtang had seen this scene more than once, and he knew at a glance that the other party wanted to ask Xie's mother and the Xie family for help.
Xie's mother also heard it, and she quickly comforted her friend, then said directly: "What should we do now? Logically speaking, the leg injury has not healed yet, and the hospital can prove it. With the hospital's certificate, how can the commune force an injured person to go back to work?"
The female comrade wiped her tears with a handkerchief and said, "The hospital said that the leg has healed, but it takes a hundred days to heal a broken bone. On the surface, the leg injury has healed, but there are still sequelae! I really didn't lie. Xiaohao can't even walk properly now, how can he go back to work? I think it's better to stay in the city like this."
"It's not impossible. I heard that many educated youth have returned." Xie's mother said, "Anyway, you and Lao Liu both have salaries, so you can still afford to raise two children. If you're worried about procedural issues, I have an old friend who is a doctor in the hospital. He can write a certificate for Xiaohao and ask for a few more months of leave from the commune. It should be possible."
The female comrade's face froze for a moment, and then she continued, "Old Tian, we have been friends for so many years, and I have never asked you for anything, but Xiaohao is my only son, do you think you can..."
"Qingtang! Are you here?" Xie Jinxuan's voice suddenly came from outside the door, interrupting the female comrade's words.
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