Chapter 278 Cheapskate
"Don't feel guilty, really, don't treat this as a burden."
She offered a soft word of comfort.
"But I've only just settled in here. There are so many rules and complicated interpersonal relationships in the workplace, and so many things... I really don't know how to bring them up."
Qiao Xuezhi's voice was low, his fingers unconsciously twirling the cigarette butt, "It wouldn't be good if people gossiped about us and it affected you too."
"I see!"
Qiao Wanyin immediately interrupted him, looking at him with a firm gaze, "The army has discipline, and as a soldier, you must abide by the rules. How could I possibly make things difficult for you? Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."
Qiao Xuezhi paused for a moment, then nodded emphatically, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes: "Then... I'll persuade your second sister-in-law to go back to her hometown tomorrow. She's always causing trouble in the city."
No sooner had she finished speaking than Li Hongmei's booming voice, like a loudspeaker, burst from the classroom, loud enough to be heard throughout the entire hallway:
"Oh my! Isn't this Political Commissar Li's precious grandson? He's so chubby and fair-skinned, like a little cannonball! Come here, Auntie will love you and pick out the biggest apple for you!"
Qiao Wanyin and Qiao Xuezhi exchanged a glance, their expressions both changing. Almost simultaneously, they took off running towards the classroom.
Li Hongmei was smiling as she stuffed a bright red, shiny apple into a little boy's hand, her movements so enthusiastic they were almost fawning.
Standing next to the boy was Political Commissar Li's wife—a middle-aged woman who was usually stern and dignified.
At this moment, her face was ashen, her lips were tightly pressed together, and her eyes were as cold as the frost and snow of deep winter.
“Comrade,” her voice was not loud, but it carried a chilling coldness, piercing the air like an icicle, “we, Xiaojun, do not eat anything given by outsiders.”
Li Hongmei's hand froze, her smile instantly turning to ice. She awkwardly withdrew her hand, explaining with a forced laugh, "This...this isn't an outsider! I'm Director Qiao's...Director Qiao's relative..."
"Second Sister-in-law!"
Qiao Wanyin quickly stepped forward and stood in front of Li Hongmei, her tone urgent but respectful, "Aunt Li, I'm so sorry, my second sister-in-law just came from the countryside and is not well-informed. She doesn't understand the rules of the city and speaks and acts without thinking. Please forgive her and don't take it to heart."
Political Commissar Li's wife didn't look at Li Hongmei, but instead gave Qiao Wanyin a cold stare.
His gaze was heavy, like a thousand-pound boulder pressing down on her, carrying a warning and scrutiny: "Xiao Qiao, the higher-ups are cracking down on this kind of corrupt practice of climbing the social ladder and pulling strings. You're the headmistress, a sensitive position, so you have to keep a close eye on things and not let anyone take advantage of you."
After saying that, she didn't say another word. She took her grandson's hand, turned around and left, her back straight, without even turning her head back.
Li Hongmei was left standing there, her face flushed red. She pouted and muttered under her breath, "What's with the attitude... He's just the political commissar's grandson. What's he so arrogant about? I didn't steal anything from his family..."
"Shut up!"
Qiao Xuezhi suddenly let out a low roar, the sound not loud, but it exploded in the classroom like thunder.
The entire room fell silent. Even the children who had been crying were stunned and sobbed, too afraid to make a sound.
Qiao Xuezhi's face turned ashen. He grabbed Li Hongmei's arm with such force that he almost lifted her off the ground: "Shut up! Go back and pack your things. You're going back to your hometown first thing tomorrow morning!"
At night, Qiao Wanyin lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to fall asleep.
My thoughts are tangled up in my mind like a mess of hemp, impossible to unravel.
Fu Li'an noticed her movement, gently turned over, and leaned close to her ear, his voice soft and concerned: "What's wrong? Are you still bothered by what happened during the day?"
“Li An”.
She turned over slowly, her voice trembling slightly, as if every word was weighing on her heart. "It's not that I don't want to help my second brother and the others. But... but you know my second sister-in-law's temper. Once she gets angry, no one can stop her. I'm really afraid she'll cause trouble in the compound, which will affect your reputation at work, or even attract the attention of the higher-ups. That would be a real problem. We've just settled down; we can't afford such a disturbance."
Fu Li'an gently grasped her hand, his palm warm and firm, as if to steadily support all her anxieties.
"Wanyin, I know what you're afraid of. I've heard every word of your concern. This isn't an outsider, it's family. We're all very worried about each other, and it would be difficult for anyone to handle this. But whatever decision you make, I'll stand by your side. No matter which path you choose, I'll be there to protect you."
He paused, his eyes calm yet resolute: "If you really want them to stay, I have a way to arrange it. I can quietly pull some strings to get them temporary household registrations, or let them stay for a while under the guise of visiting relatives. Don't worry about anything else. Leave it to me."
Qiao Wanyin's eyes welled up with tears, and a thin layer of moisture instantly welled up in her eyes.
She lowered her head, not daring to look him in the eye, afraid that she would choke up if she opened her mouth.
She knew that Fu Lian truly cherished her.
He wasn't just saying it; he was willing to shoulder the weight of the entire world for her.
This affection was so heavy that it made her heart ache.
But the more this is the case, the less she can afford to only think about her own comfort.
The affection between family members should not be seen as exploitation and demands by others.
She couldn't let Fu Lian take risks for her family, and she couldn't let someone as impulsive as her second sister-in-law disrupt their hard-won stable life.
"I……"
She bit her lip, her teeth leaving faint marks on her soft lips, and after a long while, she managed to squeeze out a complete sentence, "Let them go back. This time, it's really not appropriate for them to stay."
At this moment, in Old Zhang's bungalow, Li Hongmei was arguing loudly with Qiao Xuezhi.
Under the dim yellow light in the room, her face was flushed red, and the veins on her forehead throbbed slightly.
"Qiao Xuezhi, what's wrong with you at kindergarten today?"
Li Hongmei slammed the enamel mug on the table with a loud bang, splashing tea all over the table. "You embarrassed me in front of so many people! Do you know how the headmaster looked at me afterwards, like I was some kind of country bumpkin? I had no face to save!"
Qiao Xuezhi squatted by the door frame, wearing faded blue cloth pants, one hand supporting his chin, an unlit cigarette dangling from his mouth, head down, not uttering a word.
His brow was furrowed, as if something heavy was pressing down on him, making even his breathing seem suffocating.
"Hongmei, we really can't upset our little sister."
He finally spoke, his voice low and hoarse, as if squeezed out from the depths of his throat, "Didn't you hear what Political Commissar Li's wife said? She was subtly reminding us not to take advantage of her. If this continues, Wan Yin will be in a difficult position."
"Pooh!"
Li Hongmei put her hands on her hips, her fingers almost poking his nose, and was burning with anger. "She just looks down on us country folk! She thinks we're rustic, dirty, and loud! Let me tell you, this time I'll stay even if it kills me! I don't believe city people are more precious than us!"
“You—” Qiao Xuezhi raised his eyes, his eyes filled with anxiety and helplessness.
"What are you talking about!"
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