Chapter 91

"I haven't seen you for a few years. You look younger and prettier than before."

The two did not walk very far. After stopping beside an abandoned mud and thatched house about a hundred meters away, Li Xiaocao, who had carefully observed the entire journey, sighed.

My ex-sister-in-law is in her early thirties, but she still acts like a grown-up girl. In fact, she is only four or five years younger than me, but we look like two generations apart.

Thinking of this, Li Xiaocao said sarcastically: "When you got divorced, the two old guys in your family cursed you to death, thinking that you, a divorced woman with three children, would definitely not be able to live..."

Wei Shuang: "If it weren't for the help from my family, it would have been really terrible."

Hearing this, Li Xiaocao sighed: "This is the benefit of having a helpful mother's family. If my parents... forget it, let's not talk about this. How many days can you stay at home?"

Wei Qing: "Wait until the New Year."

Li Xiaocao frowned: "That's still eight or nine days."

Knowing what the other party was worried about, Ruishuang smiled and comforted him, "It's okay. I stay at home every day. Zhao Hai and Liu Dalan won't come to visit, right? They wouldn't dare to do anything."

"It's better to be careful anyway." Having said this, Li Xiaocao, who had no intention of staying any longer, raised the basket he was carrying and said, "I won't give you any meat, for fear that you'll get stuck with the dog-skin plaster."

Hearing this, Wei Qing laughed out loud: "Thank you, Sister Xiao Cao."

Li Xiaocao waved her hands and said with emotion: "What is there to thank me for? In fact, I am quite happy to see that you are doing well. It is not easy for us women, but..."

At this point, she paused, looking at her former sister-in-law's pretty appearance, she couldn't help but say one more thing: "You are still young. If you meet the right one, you still have to find another one. Life is long. You are you, and the children are children. The children will grow up one day."

Zhuo Shuang was stunned for a moment, then she realized that her parents probably didn't tell anyone about her marriage: "I got married three years ago."

Now it was Li Xiaocao's turn to be confused. He quickly asked with a gossipy look on his face, "What are you doing? Are you from Tianjing? Did you come back with me this time?"

Rui Shuang: "We came back together. He's from Tianjing and is a public security officer." As for the fact that her husband had been promoted to deputy director, she did not say anything.

Li Xiaocao was a sensible person. She understood the situation and stopped asking questions. She just kept saying, "Being a police officer is good. It's a stable job... Shuangshuang, live a good life. I have to go."

Ruo Qing tried to persuade him to stay: "So urgent?"

Li Xiaocao: "After so long, the two old guys think that we have a very good relationship. We can't give them a chance to get close to us. Besides, I have to bring my daughter Hongyan to see them later."

Hearing this, Zhui Sheng suddenly realized, "Is Hongyan going to see you?"

Talking about the marriage of his daughter, Li Xiaocao looked worried: "She is 18 years old now, it's time to find a date."

Wei Qing comforted her: "18 is not too old, you can take a closer look."

Li Xiaocao certainly wanted to see more, but the reality didn't allow it. Thinking of this, she looked even more worried: "I won't hide it from you. Ever since my brother-in-law was sentenced to labor reform, the situation of the Zhao family has been getting worse. Everyone looks at our family as if they were dirt. I'm afraid it's hard to find a good in-law."

Not to mention a good in-law family, since last year, all kinds of ugly people have dared to come to her house. For this reason, she even considered the possibility of letting Hongyan marry far away.

Weishuang: "I remember Hongyan had good grades when she was little?"

Li Xiaocao didn't understand what her former sister-in-law meant: "That's right."

Ruishuang suggested: "If Hongyan has finished junior high school, let her go back to study for a few more years." As she said that, she told her about Huo Nini and Huo Furong.

Li Xiaocao naturally knew that technical secondary school students were guaranteed jobs, but the eldest girl didn’t pass the exam the year before last, so her family didn’t think about letting her repeat her studies... Will it work?

Seeing Xiaocao's hesitation, Ruishuang tried to persuade her again: "When I first went to Tianjing a few years ago, my sister asked me to go to night school and take the exam for a technical secondary school. At that time, I had the same idea as you do now. I was afraid that I would not be able to study, and I was afraid of wasting time and money..."

Li Xiaocao was surprised: "You are still going to school?" You can still go to school at this age?

Ruixiong had not intended to tell her about this, but Sister Xiaocao was nice to her and Hongyan was also a good kid, so she nodded and said, "I studied and passed the exam. Now I work as an accountant in a factory. I sit in an office, out of the wind and rain, and I can earn a few dozen yuan a month."

Li Xiaocao covered her chest with her hands: "So much money?"

Zhui Shuang smiled and said, "I didn't dare to think about it before, but my sister is smart. She arranged all the paths for me. Sister Xiao Cao, you can let Hong Yan repeat her studies and explain it to her. If she really passes the exam and gets a decent job, what kind of son-in-law can't she find?"

That's the reason...Li Xiaocao can't read a single word. She has been dealing with fields all her life. She doesn't really think much about studying, let alone repeating. The girls in the neighborhood have never done this before.

But now, after listening to the analysis of my former sister-in-law, I couldn't help but feel excited.

If Hongyan works hard, she might really be able to get a stable job... Thinking of this, Li Xiaocao couldn't stay any longer. She said a few words to her former sister-in-law, telling her not to be soft-hearted, and left in a hurry with her basket.

Xiangyang Brigade.

Chen Guilan was getting a little impatient and went back and forth the house several times but no one showed up.

I looked at my sister-in-law who was using a winnowing basket to winnow the chaff from the rice with a disappointed look: "Why hasn't my sister-in-law come yet? It's almost ten o'clock."

Hearing this, Zhang Meihua smiled innocently: "Why are you in such a hurry? Just hurry up and have lunch."

Chen Guilan: "How can I not be anxious? If my sister-in-law doesn't come back today, my rabbit will be killed in vain."

Zhang Meihua: "This day can't be bad again."

Chen Guilan rolled her eyes at the fool and said, "Which one? The taste will be bad if it is frozen overnight... Hey, I can't explain it to you, a fool. I'll go out and take a look."

After saying this, he prepared to rush out again.

At this moment, Huo Nini, who had just returned from her leave, pushed the door open and walked in: "Mom, please stop bullying Auntie."

As the most promising daughter of an elder family, Chen Guilan always felt a little insecure.

When this girl wanted to go back to school, she refused to agree. After all, how could it be so easy to get into a technical secondary school?

But for women, if they miss their prime, it will be hard to find a partner.

Who would have thought that Danier would actually become famous and even find a city man as her son-in-law.

Chen Guilan was always proud in front of outsiders, but she always felt ashamed in front of her daughters.

So, when she heard the lady's words, she was subconsciously short of breath for a few seconds before she whispered back, "Who bullied her?"

Huo Nini was too lazy to argue with her mother, so she sat next to her aunt and chatted with her while helping to peel potatoes.

Seeing this, Chen Guilan hesitated for a few seconds and sat aside to start roasting the pumpkin seeds.

About twenty minutes later, there was a loud noise outside the house.

Chen Guilan threw away her chopsticks and stood up immediately: "It must be my sister-in-law who has returned." As soon as she finished speaking, she rushed out.

Although she was not tall, she worked very fast. Zhang Meihua picked up the chopsticks and turned over the roasted pumpkin seeds with a smile: "I have to watch the stove, Danier, you go ahead."

Ho Nini: "Hey! I'll go then."

Zhang Meihua: "Go, go!"

Just like yesterday, we were surrounded by enthusiastic villagers as soon as we entered the village.

Ruiting and Huo Xiao were fine. Although they were very happy, they remained calm.

But Hu Xiu, who was chatting enthusiastically with the elder sisters, could not control herself and cried and laughed excitedly.

In the end, it was Chen Guilan who dragged and pulled the few people out from the enthusiastic villagers.

She was used to it. When she saw her nephew's wife giving candies to the women and children and her nephew passing cigarettes to the men, she waved and chased them away: "My sister-in-law has finally come back, and her family members don't want her enough. You can go wherever you want."

After this was said, no one was angry. Instead, they laughed for a while, asked some more questions about the situation in big cities, and then left in twos and threes.

It was also at this time that Li Ting and the others had time to observe the houses of their third and second uncles.

It is made of red bricks and gray tiles, and is spacious and clean. There are probably more than a dozen rooms in total.

"This house is so nice." Hu Xiu sighed before entering the house.

Chen Guilan held her sister-in-law's hand and curled her lips when she heard this: "How can it be bad? In addition to the 300 yuan you sent back, all the family savings have been spent."

Hu Xiu smiled and said, "Once the house is built, it can be lived in for several generations, so it is worth the extra cost."

Zhang Meihua came out with a kettle of boiling water and a few ceramic bowls, and said, "Sister-in-law, don't stand there. Sit down and talk. Have some tea to warm yourself up."

Huo Nini, who was holding her cousin's wife's wrist and whispering with her, hurriedly said, "Aunt, I brought back malted milk. Please wait a moment, I'll get it." As she spoke, she walked quickly towards one of the rooms.

Seeing this, Ruting, who was about to say no, said nothing and led the children to sit on the kang bed.

By the time everyone had started drinking from their ceramic bowls, the topic changed several other ways.

Uncle Huo carefully put away the cigarettes and alcohol his nephew had brought, and then asked, "When will you take the children to kowtow to your grandma and your father?"

Huo Xiao: "Do you have yellow paper at home?"

Uncle Huo nodded: "Yes, I bought it a long time ago. I can just take it to the grave and burn it later."

"Well... let's go first?" To be honest, what Hu Xiu missed most in these years was her late husband. Although her two brothers-in-law would help burn paper during festivals, she was not very proud in her heart.

Uncle Huo was surprised: "Now?"

Hu Xiu: "I haven't visited your elder brother in many years."

Seeing his mother's anxiety, Huo Xiao raised his wrist to check his watch, then looked at his two uncles: "It takes more than an hour to go back and forth, the time is just right, Second Uncle, Third Uncle, how about we go now?"

"Okay." Uncle Huo agreed immediately and looked at his younger brother: "Third brother, go get the things and leave now."

Uncle Huo nodded, got off the bed and put on his shoes.

Seeing this, Ruting hurriedly said, "Let me and the child go together."

Hearing this, Huo Xiao reached out and rubbed his confused little daughter: "Okay."

While the family of that box went to the back mountain to worship, the family of this box had guests.

Strictly speaking, it was a few female educated youth who came to borrow books from Lin Jiaojiao.

Li Taohong just thought that Xiaoyueliang had made good friends, so she happily made some sugar water for the girls and brought a plate of melon seeds. Then she said with a smile, "You guys chat, you guys chat, and Auntie will go out."

After sending away the auntie who wanted to treat the guests with peanut biscuits, Lin Jiaojiao looked at a few female educated youths with whom she had no close relationship and asked, "What books do you want to borrow?"

They didn't come here to borrow books; that was just an excuse. The main reason was that they heard that the Lu family was looking for a daughter-in-law, so they couldn't help but want to come and take a look.

After all, the conditions of the Lu family are the best even in the city.

But, we are all grown girls, so we felt a little embarrassed to say it.

Seeing this, Lin Jiaojiao, who had already understood what others were thinking, remained silent.

In her opinion, no matter how close she was to her uncle and aunt, she was just a guest and had no right to interfere in other people's marriages.

But... there is one person who can't do that.

Thinking of this, Lin Jiaojiao glanced at the prettiest girl among them inconspicuously, and her eyes darkened.

But she had just thought about it when the pretty Qian Rongrong asked with a smile, "Jiaojiao, I heard that Comrade Lu Hong wants to find a partner?"

Lin Jiaojiao narrowed her eyes: "It seems so."

Qian Rongrong looked curious: "You are so good-looking and your age is right, have you ever thought about fighting for it yourself?"

It's not even that long yet, and you're already cleaning up your love rivals? Lin Jiaojiao rolled her eyes in her heart, but didn't show it on her face: "No."

This is true. After all, the two knew each other five years ago when Lu Hong came back to recuperate.

At that time, one of them was 19 and the other was 16.

Lu Hong was a bit clumsy in his words, while she was full of thorns and extremely sensitive. They often disliked each other in private.

What do you like? Are you kidding me?

Qian Rongrong didn't believe her honesty: "You don't even like the good conditions of Lu Hong? Then what kind of Jiaojiao do you like?"

Lin Jiaojiao did not answer but asked: "You came here today just for this? Are you interested in Lu Hong?"

Qian Rongrong had never expected the other party to bring it up directly. Her face immediately turned red. "Well... it doesn't matter. Anyway, we are not sure about returning to the city. Let's fight for it ourselves. Comrade Li Hong's conditions are quite good."

Although the words were spoken politely, Qian Rongrong was very confident in herself. Among the unmarried educated youth, she looked the best.

As long as Lin Jiaojiao doesn't compete with her...

Thinking of this, Qian Rongrong glanced at the other person's beautiful eyebrows and porcelain-white skin without leaving a trace, and felt sour in her heart.

Why? They were all sent to work as educated youth. How could Lin Jiaojiao live in a fellow villager's home and not worry about food and clothing?

Lin Jiaojiao was very sensitive to other people's emotions, so she naturally did not miss Qian Rongrong's jealousy.

But she didn't care and just said, "You're right, but others can do it, but you can't."

Qian Rongrong raised her head suddenly: "What do you mean? Are you really attracted to Lu Hong?"

Who is interested in that big fool? Lin Jiaojiao couldn't help but twitched her lips: "You know what I mean very well. You and those male educated youth..."

"You're talking nonsense!" Qian Rongrong's eyes flashed with panic and she hurriedly stood up, her tone rather cowardly.

Seeing this, the other female educated youth looked at each other, not knowing what the two were talking about.

To be honest, Lin Jiaojiao is not someone who likes to meddle in other people's business, and Qian Rongrong's ambiguous relationship with several men has nothing to do with her.

The reason why she mentioned this matter but then stopped talking about it was that she was reluctant to let her uncle and aunt have a daughter-in-law like this.

Thinking of this, she glanced at Qian Rongrong again and said, "Do you have anything else to do?"

Qian Rongrong was very nervous and even prepared to cry to show her weakness, not wanting the other party to play out of the ordinary and attack her directly.

So, before she could react, she was dragged out by several other female educated youth with embarrassed faces.

But unexpectedly, as soon as I walked out of the house, I ran into Lu Hong who came back to get hot water for the children.

Qian Rongrong almost instinctively raised her head and looked at people with red eyes. Her eyes were as shy and aggrieved as they could be.

However, after throwing a wink at the blind man, Lu Hong didn't even look at the female educated youth. He just nodded at a few people and strode towards the main room.

Qian Rongrong, who had never been ignored like this by a man, was extremely ashamed and angry, but she didn't want to be looked down upon, so she had to bite the bullet and say goodbye to Lin Jiaojiao, then turned around and walked away.

Seeing the other party's somewhat chaotic steps, Lin Jiaojiao frowned and whispered: "...I hope he really gives up."

"What kind of thing? By the way, are those people just now your friends? Xiaoyue, someone with such a bad temper actually has friends?" After filling up his water bottle and getting ready to go out, Lu Hong was extremely curious.

Lin Jiaojiao turned around and looked at the bear-like man, looking away with a hint of disgust: "Idiot."

Hong...