Chapter 19 Preventing Cheng Cheng from Doing Something Wrong
"Xiaojuan, keep your voice down! Everyone's asleep. We can talk about it tomorrow."
"Zhuang Zhifeng, just give me a straight answer: are you going to the hospital tomorrow or not?! Or are you feeling guilty?!"
"Xiaojuan, calm down! Let's keep our voices down so we don't disturb the neighbors and make a fool of ourselves."
"joke?!"
"Ha, I, Luo Xiaojuan, have long been a laughing stock. Haven't your mother made enough of a laughing stock for everyone to see? One more won't make a difference."
"Xiaojuan, I'm begging you..."
The sounds behind them gradually faded, and even though Cheng Cheng and Xiao Lingxiao strained their ears, they couldn't hear them clearly anymore.
The little one looked disappointed, which amused Cheng Cheng. She rubbed the little girl's head and asked, "Do you understand her?"
Who taught her to love gossip so much at such a young age?
Cheng Cheng was leading the little girl back to her room when she suddenly heard a low male voice.
"It's quiet now, go back to sleep!"
"Stone, you have school tomorrow, go back to sleep. What do you know, you're just a kid? What are you doing out here?"
"Why are you yelling at my grandson? Stone, come with Grandma."
Soon, the rustling sounds coming from next door disappeared.
Good heavens!
The entire Ma family, young and old, came out to eavesdrop!
Compared to this, she and Xiao Lingxiao are nothing; they're not nearly as exaggerated as the neighbor.
People love to watch the excitement; it's human nature to be like that. It's not surprising!
Returning to the room quietly, Cheng Cheng continued yesterday's story, telling Xiao Xiao the bedtime tale of Tang Sanzang and his disciples' journey to the West to obtain Buddhist scriptures.
After lulling the little girl to sleep, Cheng Cheng bent down and kissed her daughter's forehead before getting up and sitting down at her desk.
She finished writing the letter first. She thought that filling one page would be enough to rack her brains, but she didn't expect to end up filling two whole pages.
She folded the letter and stuffed it into the envelope, along with the four drawings, planning to buy stamps at the post office the next day before mailing it.
Putting that matter aside, she opened her sketchbook, lowered her eyes and thought for a while, then, referencing the drawing style in Xiaoxiao's children's picture books, she began her own creation.
The book is titled "Cat Corner: A Mother and Daughter's Story of Listening to the Window".
The painting depicts four scenes. The first scene shows the mother and daughter exchanging a knowing glance when they hear the argument. The second scene shows the mother and daughter tiptoeing out of the house. The third scene shows the mother and daughter crouching down under the courtyard wall, eavesdropping, with identical expressions of excitement on their faces. The fourth scene shows them discovering that their neighbors are also eavesdropping, and the whole family is there.
Cheng Cheng used her imagination to draw a picture of the family next door eavesdropping. Oh my god, how interesting!
Looking at her freshly made work, she sighed, "She's really talented!"
It's a pity that such an interesting work has no one to share her feelings with at this moment, which is a little regrettable.
And it can't be shown to anyone, it can only be shown to Xiaoxiao, since the little girl is her accomplice. We'll show it to Xiaoxiao when she wakes up tomorrow.
Now, go to sleep!
-
Cheng Cheng didn't go to the market to buy groceries today, so she stayed in bed for a while before getting up to wash up and go out to buy breakfast.
She doesn't like to do things herself in the morning; she's lazy!
Aside from steaming a bowl of eggs for the little one every morning and adding a drop of sesame oil, we usually buy breakfast from outside.
Today she braided a whole head of braids for the little girl, using colorful threads. They weren't very noticeable from a distance, but they looked absolutely gorgeous up close!
"Mom, I like it!"
Little Lingxiao held up the mirror, looking at herself from left to right. Her eyebrows were curved, and the two little dimples at the corners of her mouth sparkled, just like two pools of sweet mountain springs, pure and clear.
Cheng Cheng braided her hair and then showed the little girl the little figure she had drawn last night.
Wow!
"Mom! This is me, this is Mom!"
Little Lingxiao's eyes widened in amazement. "Mom can draw picture books!"
Mom is amazing!!
Cheng Cheng was in a great mood after receiving admiring and respectful looks from the little girl early in the morning!
Then she heard the little guy ask her in an extremely excited little voice, "Mommy, can you draw the Monkey King causing havoc in Heaven?"
"Mommy, Mommy! And there's also the little white horse, Pigsy, Tang Sanzang, Sandy, and the White Bone Demon..."
Cheng Cheng: "Uh..."
Does this count as shooting yourself in the foot?
She changed the subject, "Hasn't Xiaoxiao been learning to draw with her mom lately? Xiaoxiao can draw her own picture books!"
"But Mom, I've never seen a monkey before."
Little Lingxiao wasn't so easily fooled by his mother, and continued counting on his fingers: "What does a monk look like? And a pig's head with big ears, a little white dragon, a little white horse..."
Cheng Cheng decided to play dumb to the end. If she were to finish drawing an entire Journey to the West comic book, she would be exhausted and lose a lot of brain cells!
"But Mom hasn't seen it either."
The little girl stared intently at her mother with her big, round, bright black eyes. In her mind, her mother was amazing and could do everything.
Little Lingxiao buried his head in his mother's arms, crying, "Mommy~"
The little girl nestled in her arms, squirming and nuzzling. Cheng Cheng sighed and patted the little girl's back. "Xiao Xiao, my darling, you've gone astray!"
He actually tried to charm her with his coquettish charm, and Cheng Cheng finally couldn't resist the girl's sweet words and reluctantly nodded in agreement with tears in her eyes.
"Okay, Mommy promises you."
I'll draw one picture a day, and I'll keep doing it for months on end. I won't make things difficult for myself!
However, she forgot that there was a little troublemaker by her side who could urge her to finish her work anytime, anywhere.
After breakfast, Xiao Lingxiao put on his little backpack, held his mother's hand, and went out to work!
Cheng Cheng first took the little guy to the post office, bought stamps, and mailed the letter.
Then, the mother and daughter leisurely headed to the library.
They arrived late today; everyone else had already arrived.
Zhu Kangnian sat in a chair drinking tea and reading the newspaper, Wang Zhengming was watering his beloved potted plants, and Tang Xiuqing sat on a small stool by the window sewing shoe soles.
Little Lingxiao was much bolder than before, and her little voice was crisp and clear as she greeted, "Good morning, Grandpa Zhu, Grandpa Wang, Aunt Tang!"
Zhu Kangnian looked up from in front of the newspaper. "Good morning, Xiaoxiao."
Hearing the noise, Wang Zhengming looked over and teased the little girl, "Xiaoxiao, did you sleep in today? Usually, you and Comrade Xiao Cheng are the first ones here."
Little Lingxiao shook his head, let go of his mother's hand, took off his little schoolbag, and replied, word by word, "Grandpa Wang, I didn't stay in bed! I went to the post office with Mom to mail a letter to Dad!"
"So Xiaoxiao didn't stay in bed. She went to the post office to mail a letter to your dad. Grandpa Wang knows."
"Wow, Xiaoxiao, your mom braided your hair so nicely today!"
Tang Xiuqing, being a woman, was more observant than others and immediately noticed the little girl's braided hair.
When Xiao Lingxiao heard Aunt Tang praising her braids, a smile instantly bloomed on her face. She put her little schoolbag on the table and ran over to Tang Xiuqing.
"Aunt Tang, my mom made this!"
Cheng Cheng watched with a smile as the little girl showed off her new hairstyle in front of Sister Tang. She was both pleased with the little girl's transformation and couldn't help but laugh at her vanity.
The library is a retirement office with extremely leisurely work. Apart from occasionally dealing with inspections from superiors and taking inventory of books, there is generally nothing major to do. She finally found her dream job!
-
Under the scorching sun, people in the fields were either bent over fertilizing and weeding, or straightening up to wipe the sweat from their faces with towels hanging around their necks. The sun was rising higher and higher, so bright that people could hardly open their eyes.
Xu Fengying led her two daughters-in-law through the fields, surrounded by a large group of people: older women, young girls and wives, and educated youth. Everyone was busy picking soybean pods.
Their cheeks, necks, and arms were all tanned dark red, and they were sweating profusely, but they persevered. Picking soybean pods was much easier than working in the fields. This job was given to the elderly, women, children, and educated youth from the city. The young and strong men were sent to reclaim wasteland and dig irrigation ditches.
Cheng Weihong was the brigade's scorekeeper, so she didn't have to work in the fields like the others, which was relatively easy for her. However, she was still exhausted and her eyes were tanned dark from the sun.
She was wearing long sleeves and trousers, and a straw hat. This was the best she could do to protect herself from the sun; she didn't want to get tanned like a piece of coal!
If she remembered correctly, a new batch of educated youth should arrive at the end of the month. One of the male educated youths was from the capital. In their previous lives, they had been deceived and thought he was an educated youth from a small place.
It wasn't until the elders of the other family were exonerated in their previous life, and a military ZIM appeared in the village, that everyone learned Qi Zhiqing's true identity.
At that time, she had already married Zhuang Zhifeng and was no longer in the village. She did not witness the scene firsthand; she only heard about it from her mother later.
An elderly man with silver hair got out of Jim's car. Qi Zhiqing called him "Grandpa," and then the old man led Qi Zhiqing to visit his grandfather, Cheng Deshun.
After that, the old man took Qi Zhiqing away in a Jim car.
It was a very long time before Cheng Weihong learned the identities of the old man and Qi Zhiqing. The elderly man with silver hair was actually a general, and Qi Zhiqing was his grandson. They came from a prominent family.
Cheng Weihong stared blankly at the fields, lost in thought, her mind wandering further into the distance.
If Grandpa hadn't returned to his hometown alone, but had stayed in the capital, his family wouldn't have had to toil in the fields.
Cheng Weihong couldn't help but feel a hint of resentment in her eyes. Her grandfather was indeed a man of noble character, incorruptible and indifferent to fame and fortune, but as his descendants, they not only did not enjoy any benefits, but also lived in fear.
Take my grandmother for example. My grandfather went to serve in the army and was away from home for most of the year. My grandmother, a single woman, raised my uncle and her father. Finally, peace came, and my grandfather returned safely, having not died on the battlefield.
The family thought they could enjoy a better life with their grandfather, but in the end, they were still toiling in the fields.
Grandpa did stick to his principles, but he didn't look at others. He secured a good background and a good life for his descendants, while his whole family was still peasants, starting from a much lower point than others. They originally had the opportunity to stand on the same starting line as those chosen ones.
Cheng Weihong became increasingly fixated on the idea, realizing that she had always had the opportunity to live a comfortable life, and therefore wouldn't be so anxious and striving to make a good living.
She stamped her foot, her heart filled with turmoil. She was determined to live a life of luxury and wealth, and she wanted her descendants to enjoy the same good life!
She wasn't that noble; she just wanted a good life and to be someone important. Since she couldn't choose her birth, she believed that she could make her own way in life, and she refused to accept her fate!
She missed out on such a life of luxury, but that's okay. She'll make sure her child is born with a silver spoon in their mouth, provided she chooses a good father for her child first.
Cheng Weihong's gaze grew increasingly deep as she stared at the distant field ridges, looking determined to succeed.
When her gaze swept across the soybean field and landed on her aunt's face, Cheng Weihong's expression became somewhat strange, revealing a conflicted look.
She did hate Cheng Cheng, and she didn't really like her uncle's family either, but no matter what, they were still a family connected by blood.
Cheng Weihong sighed. That idiot Cheng Cheng doesn't know how lucky she is. She's still busy scheming for her own marriage, while this idiot is already on the road to success and still doesn't appreciate it!
Cheng Weihong was so angry that her eyes turned red. If she had known that Cheng Cheng didn't care about it, she should have given the marriage to her in the first place!
hateful!
Cheng Cheng wants to court death, and that's none of her business, nor does she want to, as long as it doesn't damage her reputation or affect her affairs when things go wrong.
Whether for the sake of family or for her own sake, she had to stop Cheng Cheng from courting disaster!
Perhaps he could even get some free entertainment, or at least some fun from that idiot Cheng Cheng. Cheng Weihong's face showed a hint of eagerness.
Cheng Cheng is unlucky, but she's happy!
As the whistle blew, the workers in the fields breathed a sigh of relief, wiping their sweat as they went home to finish their work.
"Mom, give it to me, have some water."
Wu Yufang, the eldest daughter-in-law, reached out and took the basket from her mother-in-law's back, then handed her the water bottle.
Nearby, the second son's wife, Chen Meiling, walked along fanning herself, complaining, "This damn weather, it's so hot!"
Sigh, when will this ever end?
Cheng Weihong quickly caught up from behind, "Aunt, sister-in-law, second sister-in-law."
"It's Wei Hong." Chen Meiling turned her head and glanced at her, then her gaze suddenly stopped. She stared at her for a while and said in surprise, "Hey, Wei Hong, why do you look a little fairer?"
"Could it be that this damn sunscreen you made actually works?"
"It's just a bit too troublesome!"
Chen Meiling muttered to herself, looking thoughtful. But if she could become more beautiful, this little trouble would be nothing!
When we get back, she'll make one too!
Hearing someone compliment her on her improved appearance, Cheng Weihong was overjoyed and immediately came over to take Chen Meiling's arm, sharing her knowledge about sun protection with her second sister-in-law.
What she didn't say was that her ability to become fairer wasn't just due to proper sun protection; she went to great lengths to obtain several aloe vera plants and used them to make her own face masks every day.
Of course, this matter absolutely cannot be discussed!
If someone overheard her and reported her for being a bourgeois, it would be troublesome. Even the aloe vera she grows is kept in her own room, and she secretly uses it to make face masks, keeping it a secret from her family.
Cheng Weihong followed Xu Fengying all the way to her aunt's house. Xu Fengying was a little surprised. Why wasn't Weihong going back to help her mother cook?
"Aunt, I have something important to tell you."
Xu Fengying was even more puzzled, and opened her mouth to say, "Go ahead and speak, Wei Hong, I'm listening!"
Upon hearing this, Cheng Weihong remained silent for a few seconds. All eyes of the family turned to her. She tried her best to remain calm. Although she wanted to see Cheng Cheng make a fool of herself, she knew the priorities of the matter.
She pursed her lips. "Aunt, this matter is very important. I'm only telling you."
Xu Fengying stared at her for a moment, then led her into the room and closed the doors and windows.
"Alright, go ahead and say it. There's no one else here, just you and me."
What exactly happened? Why are you stammering and beating around the bush? What's so shameful about it?
Cheng Weihong stared at her aunt's face, lost in thought for a moment. Her aunt must have been very beautiful when she was young; even though she was her mother's biological daughter, she had to admit it.
Sigh, if only her mother had the good looks of her aunt, she would definitely be prettier than Cheng Cheng!
She did her best to dress herself up from head to toe, even adopting the trends of young people from the previous generation to create a certain atmosphere for herself. She looked like a typical pretty girl from a modest family, and the only thing worth praising was her purity, with her face full of collagen.
But when faced with Cheng Cheng's bright and beautiful face, people often notice Cheng Cheng's face first. In the future, young people would call it a "very strong face". Never mind, comparison is the thief of joy!
"Aunt, please don't be angry after you hear what I'm about to say!"
Cheng Weihong gave a heads-up beforehand, gritting her teeth as she said, "I saw that Cheng Cheng seemed to be getting very close to a male comrade."
"Say that again?!"
Xu Fengying immediately turned cold, her face turning ashen, her sharp eyes fixed on the other person like a mother leopard protecting her cubs in the jungle.
Cheng Weihong trembled involuntarily in fright and took a few steps back. "Won't my aunt hit me?"
She still remembers when she was a child, her mother got into a fight with her aunt and lost. She hid in the house for several days and dared not go out to see anyone. The shadow in Cheng Weihong's heart was quite heavy.
Moreover... her aunt was a well-known figure in their village, someone you couldn't mess with, and she was invincible throughout the village.
Cheng Weihong had heard her father complain about her aunt quite often at home, saying that she caused him trouble every day. Even Yu Fang, who was delicate and pretty when she first married into the family, had become shrewish after being her aunt's wife for a few years.
Not to mention Sister-in-law Meiling. This second sister-in-law inherited the true essence of her eldest aunt. After marrying into the eldest uncle's family, her eldest aunt's already arrogant and troublesome nature became even more rampant, making her like a tiger with wings!
Cheng Weihong became frightened. She shouldn't have been so impulsive as to tell her aunt. She should have proceeded slowly to avoid getting herself into trouble.
She immediately raised her hands, backing away as she explained, "Auntie, I swear! I absolutely didn't lie to you!"
Xu Fengying stared at her intently for a moment, but couldn't detect anything amiss on her face. This matter might not be something Wei Hong was making up, so it must be...
true.
Xu Fengying forced a smile, trying to soften her expression, "Wei Hong, tell me everything you know in detail."
Cheng Weihong nodded, immediately feeling relieved.
I carefully watched my aunt's expression, afraid that she might lose her temper and become unrecognizable to her family.
Actually, she felt that her aunt was better off not smiling at her at all; her smile was rather creepy!
Cheng Weihong suddenly shuddered, "Aunt, I don't know much either—"
"Um?!"
Xu Fengying raised her eyebrows, snorted, and stared at her.
Cheng Weihong immediately spilled everything she could, then cautiously glanced at her aunt's face and whispered, "Aunt, I've told you everything I know. Please don't tell Cheng Cheng that I told you, or she'll definitely come after me."
"Don't worry, she wouldn't dare!"
Xu Fengying gritted her teeth, so angry she was out of her mind. She calmed her tone and said, "Good girl, your aunt doesn't love you! Don't worry, your aunt definitely won't say anything."
After a pause, Xu Fengying patted her hand, her expression becoming even gentler, "Wei Hong, your aunt has been quite good to you, hasn't she?"
Aunt, please don't look at me like that!
I'm scared...
Cheng Weihong nodded immediately, afraid of being a second too late, and then assured her, "Auntie, don't worry, Cheng Cheng is also my sister, I will definitely keep it a secret! No one else will know except you!"
Xu Fengying nodded in satisfaction, her smile kind: "Good child, stay for lunch."
"No, no need, Auntie. I need to go back and help my mom cook."
"Aunt, I'm going back now."
After Cheng Weihong finished speaking, she quickly left.
Her aunt's smile was terrifying; she was afraid her aunt would kill her. Although we live in a society governed by law, she felt it was best to stay far away from her aunt for the time being.
"Mom, what did Wei Hong say to you in such a secretive way?"
Chen Meiling's eyes were filled with curiosity, and a strong desire for gossip ignited in them.
"Eat your food and keep quiet! I'm in a bad mood right now, so don't talk to me!"
Xu Fengying's face was ashen, her teeth were clenched so tightly they seemed to be spitting fire!
Chen Meiling immediately shut her mouth, obediently lowered her head to eat, and dared not provoke her mother-in-law any further.
Whenever my mother-in-law makes that face, someone is definitely going to be in big trouble!
I just wonder who it will be this time?
Xu Fengying remained calm and didn't tell anyone, not even Cheng Aiguo, before putting down her bowl.
He looked at his second son and said, "This afternoon, you will take me to the county town."
He then turned to Cheng Aiguo and said, "Tell Cheng Aimin that I'm taking leave from work."
This isn't an order, this is a notification!
Xu Fengying has always been the undisputed leader in this family; once she makes a decision, no one can change it, and it's a done deal.
Cheng Xiangming said, "Mom, I have to go to the commune to transport fertilizer this afternoon. I don't know when I'll be done."
"No rush, then take me to the county town after you're done with your work."
There's no rush. If what Wei Hong said is really a done deal, there's no use in being anxious!
That girl was her own child; she's incredibly stubborn, and there's no point in trying to persuade her!
Unable to contain her impatience, Chen Meiling tentatively asked, "Mom, are you not coming home tonight? Are you staying at your younger sister's or older sister's?"
Then, trying to justify himself, he suggested, "Should we go to the vegetable garden and pick something to take to our older and younger sisters?"
Xu Fengying glanced at her second son's wife and said, "Don't ask questions you shouldn't ask. Go wash the dishes."
Chen Meiling looked disappointed and aggrieved, but she didn't dare to argue with her mother-in-law.
Cheng Xiangming glanced at his wife, finding her incredibly stupid. Knowing that his mother was angry, she still dared to defy her mother's temper and never learned her lesson!
Didn't you see that your sister-in-law didn't ask anything? Why don't you learn from her?
Cheng Xiangming sighed inwardly, and had a guess about his mother's trip to the county town. It was probably still related to his younger sister.
I just don't know what it is, and how Wei Hong found out about it?
After finishing her story, Xu Fengying stood up with a sullen face and went back to her room to pack her clothes.
Cheng Aiguo asked curiously, "What exactly did Wei Hong tell you? What happened?"
"Let me find out more before I talk about it. I won't be coming back for the next few days. Please take care of things at home."
Around 4 p.m., Xu Fengying set off for the county town in a huff.
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Author's note: Tomorrow's update will be at 11 PM.
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