Chapter 5
As soon as Qin Xiang finished speaking, Cui Hong looked at her eagerly, expecting her to say something more, such as whether they were having marital discord or something like that. Unfortunately, Qin Xiang stopped talking after she mentioned this. Cui Hong was not the one to ask questions in front of Qin Xiang, but now it was difficult for her to continue asking questions.
Cui Hong was scratching her head, wanting to ask but not daring to, and she glanced at Qin Xiang from time to time.
Qin Xiang pretended not to notice and handed the capital's specialty that Wang Junsheng had bought to Cui Hong. "This is a specialty from over there, the lotus seed paste cake from Daoxiang Village. Would you like to try it?"
Cui Hong took a small bite, and the delicate, rich flavor of lotus paste filled her mouth. This was something Cui Hong had never tasted before. Even though Wang Junsheng had given her many gifts in her dreams, and she had tasted many delicacies from land and sea, this taste still made Cui Hong want to cry.
Why is it that Qin Xiang, who both have pretty faces, has a loving husband and mother-in-law, and can become an official's wife or a wealthy wife in the future, while she can only marry a rough man like Wang Qingshan, live in the Wang family or be despised and driven away?
Why?
Cui Hong sniffed and almost felt wronged to death.
Qin Xiang was stunned and asked curiously, "Cui Hong, why are you crying?"
"No, I just wanted to cry when I ate this delicious food for the first time." Cui Hong looked up, her eyes red. She looked at Qin Xiang and said, "Qin Xiang, I envy you so much."
This envy was genuine, but it was hard to say how much jealousy was hidden within. Qin Xiang felt ironic in her heart, but she remained calm on the surface. "Every family has its own difficulties, but you, your Wang Qingshan, treats you so well. How many young wives in the village envy you?"
"My life can't compare to yours." Cui Hong lowered her head and bit her lip. Why was Wang Qingshan so nice to her? Wasn't it because he was afraid he couldn't keep her? Even when Wang Qingshan was at home, he always responded to her requests. Wasn't that what he should do? Otherwise, given Wang Qingshan's lack of ability and talent, why would she marry him?
Especially Wang Qingshan's mother disliked her so much. Wang Qingshan was just washing her underwear, but she wanted to climb over the wall and scold her.
She really wanted to say to Qin Xiang: Since you are envious, let’s switch.
Cui Hong shook her head and smiled sadly, "You're right, every family has its own difficulties."
Seeing that it was getting late, Cui Hong couldn't stay any longer. If she stayed here, Wang Junsheng wouldn't come, and if he didn't come, she wouldn't be able to see him. Instead of watching Qin Xiang show off to her, it would be better to go back early to avoid getting sick from anger.
"It's getting late. I'll go back first." Cui Hong stood up and walked out, hoping to bump into someone again like yesterday.
She just didn't believe it. With her figure, if she didn't feel anything after being hit once, how could she not feel anything after being hit twice or three times?
If she really didn't feel anything, then it would be a waste of her wearing this dress. It's a pity that it's winter now. It would be great if it were summer.
Qin Xiang didn't try to keep her and sent her out. Unfortunately, Wang Junsheng wouldn't be stupid enough to stay in the yard in such a cold weather.
After Cui Hong left, Cui Lianhua came out of the house, looking a little unhappy, but her voice was still calm, "The third brother finally came back, and he will only stay at home for ten days or half a month. If you have nothing to do, spend more time with him."
Qin Xiang understood what she meant, and without arguing, she nodded and smiled, "Okay."
If the old lady didn't mention Cui Hong, Qin Xiang wouldn't bring it up either. Her mother-in-law was a master at PUA. She had been saying a lot of bad things to her since she got married.
Just like now, Cui Lianhua sighed and said, "It's a pity that you studied hard back then, but you didn't continue to take the exam. I think if you reviewed for a year, you might be able to pass the exam next year. What a pity."
Cui Lianhua had said this a lot over the past year. Qin Xiang had been foolish before, believing Cui Lianhua truly cared for her and felt sorry for her. She'd even resented her parents for this, and for a long time, she'd refused to go back to her parents' home. But after a lifetime of experience and witnessing so much, she'd formed her own judgment on some things and no longer dared to trust this woman.
Qin Xiang smiled immediately, "Mom, you still love me. In my heart, you are just like my own mother."
Cui Lianhua immediately smiled lovingly, took her hand and said, "Of course not, I treat you as my own daughter. I love the third brother the most, and you are his wife. You and your husband are one, and I love you the most. No one in this family can surpass you."
But Qin Xiang suddenly said, "Mom, to be honest, I've always wanted to go to college. I've been reading Junsheng's textbooks this year. Since you care so much about me, why don't you support my education? I'll take the college entrance examination next summer and maybe even get into the capital. That way, your son and daughter-in-law will both be college graduates, which will be impressive. You'll definitely be the best in the village. When we both become cadres, we'll honor you together and take you to the city to enjoy life."
Cui Lianhua was stunned and couldn't believe her ears. "What?"
"It's about taking the college entrance exam." Qin Xiang held Cui Lianhua's hand with anticipation. "You know, I used to be a very good student, but I had a stomachache during the college entrance exam and didn't do well. I've always felt regretful and worried that Junsheng will go further and I won't be able to catch up. It would be even better if I could get into college. I could keep up with Junsheng and be his good wife. What do you think, Mom?"
Her face was full of joy and anticipation, but Cui Lianhua was shocked.
"Ah?" Cui Lianhua, whose skills were profound, was surprised and said hurriedly, "Why are you still going to college when you're already married? You're doing well now. You're a woman of good family background, handsome and promising. Why don't you just stay at home and wait to become a cadre's wife?"
"But Xiaoxiao has failed the exam twice and you still let her go to school." Qin Xiang looked hurt. "Mom, didn't you say you treat me as your own daughter? We are both your biological daughters, so why are you only willing to support Xiaoxiao and not me? Are you lying to me?"
"That can't be." Cui hurriedly said anxiously, not knowing how to explain. "I really do treat you as my own daughter, really."
If she could have gotten Qin Xiang to go to college, she could have just let Junsheng find a city wife. Why did she choose Qin Xiang? It was because she looked so impressive, and also because Qin Xiang had just graduated from high school but didn't get into college. She hadn't seen the world, and her qualifications were inferior to her son's, making it easier for her to manipulate her in the future.
With Qin Xiang's face, if she gets into college, meets men outside, and becomes wild in her heart, can her son still keep her?
So no matter what Cui Lianhua says, there is no way she will agree to let Qin Xiang take the college entrance examination.
Cui Lianhua pursed her lips and said, "We need to discuss this matter carefully. I've never heard of a married woman taking the college entrance exam. It's not right to tell anyone about it."
Qin Xiang's smile faded, revealing a look of loss, "I understand."
After saying that, Qin Xiang went straight back to the house.
Cui Lianhua frowned as she looked at Qin Xiang's back. She didn't understand why she suddenly wanted to take the college entrance examination. Did Cui Hong say something to Qin Xiang, or was it because the third brother came back and brought up the sad things from the past?
Just as he was thinking about it, Wang Junsheng came out from the main room and said, "Mom, why don't you come in? It's so cold outside."
Seeing her looking at the east wing, Wang Junsheng was puzzled, "What's wrong?"
Cui Lianhua began to wipe away her tears. "It's nothing, Mom just feels sad."
With that, Cui Lianhua went straight into the house. Wang Junsheng didn't understand what was going on. He looked at the door of the east wing, then at the main room. After thinking for a while, he turned around and went back into the main room to comfort Cui Lianhua.
After Wang Junsheng's repeated questioning, Cui Lianhua finally recounted what had happened. She didn't exaggerate, but simply told the story. Then, wiping away her tears, she said, "I saw that Qin Xiang seemed to be angry. Mom couldn't help it."
Wang Junsheng frowned. He hadn't really considered this before. Qin Xiang had suggested working in the capital, but he'd rejected the idea, finding it embarrassing. Now, he was actually tempted. "It's not impossible, actually. The school doesn't have a policy that says married people can't attend."
Qin Xiang had been a good student in the past, and it was indeed because of diarrhea that she missed the college entrance exam. Qin Xiang was beautiful enough, but she wasn't knowledgeable enough, and she wasn't as elegant and generous as the female students in big cities. If she could get into university, she could make up for this.
Cui Lianhua was shocked when she heard this, "How can that be possible?"
Wang Junsheng was puzzled: "Why not?"
Cui Lianhua blinked and began to wipe her tears again. "I'm doing this for you. Think about it, with Qin Xiang's face, if she really got into university and went to the capital, do you think you could keep her?"
Wang Junsheng frowned at this. This article was compiled by Jun Yang, Ba Liu, Issue 17, San San 04. Probably no man in the world likes to hear that. He was handsome, well-mannered, and a graduate of a prestigious university in the capital. Everyone knew he had a bright future. When he just finished the college entrance exam, marriage proposals were easily dismissed. Men of Wang Junsheng's age naturally have their pride. Even if something is true, he doesn't want to admit he's inferior to others.
No one knows her own son better than she does. Cui Lianhua knew what he was thinking by looking at his expression, so she broke it down and said to him, "Junsheng, it's not that mom looks down on you. In my heart, there is no man in the world who is better or more outstanding than you. But your excellence alone is not enough. The main thing is that your parents feel sorry for not giving you a good family. They have held you back and made you inferior to others in this aspect. I heard what you said about the situation outside. Qin Xiang is so beautiful and young. If she goes out and a man from a cadre family shows interest in her, there are still two more. You are busy with school. Can you stay with her mother every day? Can you guarantee that you can keep an eye on her?"
Cui Lianhua's tears streamed down her face as she said this with guilt, "It's all my parents' fault for not being able to let my son stand out from the crowd. It's what made you feel insecure."
Wang Junsheng frowned and said dryly, "Mom, I don't think so. A man has to earn his own career. It has nothing to do with you."
But he knew in his heart that his mother had a point. If his family were a cadre family, he wouldn't worry about Qin Xiang going to school alone, let alone going away. He was excellent, but there were people out there who were even better than him, and whose families were better off. After seeing all this, could Qin Xiang really keep his original heart?
"But what about Qin Xiang now?" Cui Lianhua said sincerely, "You're not young anymore. If you go to college now, how will you raise a child? Will she still be willing to have children for you after seeing the outside world? Even if she is willing, it will take another four years for you to graduate after you get into college. By then, you will be 26 or 27 years old. When your brother is that age, his children will already be helping out. They say that you should get married first and then build a career. Didn't Mom let you get married early so that you could pursue your career with peace of mind? How can a man pursue his career without a stable wife at home?"
Wang Junsheng was very confused at the moment. He didn't want to admit that his mother's words had hit the nail on the head. He quickly stood up and said, "I'll go back and think about it. I'll persuade her."
After saying that, he left.
Cui Lianhua breathed a sigh of relief and wiped away her tears. She cursed Qin Xiang a thousand times in her heart. She really gave her something to do during the New Year. It seemed that the previous treatment was not successful. That wouldn't do. She couldn't let her heart get too big.
On the other side, Wang Junsheng also returned to the house. Qin Xiang had been waiting for him. When he came in, she asked attentively, "You're back?"
Wang Junsheng nodded, but before he could speak, Qin Xiang took the initiative to ask, "Junsheng, what do you think about me taking the college entrance examination? I won't apply to other places, I'll apply to a university in the capital. What do you think?"
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