Chapter 225
It was also evening when the train arrived in Qiyang.
Zhou Wanli and Yu Huifang came to the station to pick up their son-in-law. Seeing his son-in-law coming out with an arm hanging, his mother-in-law was heartbroken and asked him about his health.
Bai Haoyang came forward to say hello, and Yu Huifang invited him: "Come to my house for lunch with Zeming tomorrow at noon. Auntie will make you something delicious."
"Okay, Auntie, I won't be polite." Bai Haoyang said with a smile.
While Jiani's parents were concerned about their son-in-law's injury, he leaned over to Zhou Jiani and whispered, "Is it a wise decision for me to come along? I can also take care of Brother Ming at night and help him with his laundry and stuff."
Zhou Jiani patted his shoulder and said, "I'll give you an extra chicken drumstick tomorrow."
Bai Haoyang was carrying a lot of bags in both hands, and was sweating all over, but she still looked so beautiful.
Yu Huifang did not come empty-handed. She was worried that Jiani and the others did not have much to eat on the train that night, so she brought a bag of big steamed meat buns from home and wanted Qiu Zeming to take them to the guesthouse to eat.
Yu Huifang was also thankful that she brought a lot of buns, which were enough to fill the stomachs of her son-in-law and Bai Haoyang.
Qiu Zeming and Bai Haoyang were first arranged to stay in a guesthouse, and then the family of three returned home.
On the way, Yu Huifang asked her daughter with concern: "Are you exhausted from the journey? If I had known you could get into Huazhong University, I should have visited your school when I went to the capital last time."
At that time, who could have imagined that the college entrance examination would be resumed, and even less could they have imagined that their daughter would be able to be admitted to Huazhong University of Science and Technology after the resumption of the college entrance examination.
Zhou Jiani told her parents about some things happening at school, including the arguments between their class and the two previous classes of workers, peasants and soldiers, and the economic issues discussed between their two classes.
Zhou Jiani took the opportunity to whisper, "Mom, we all think that if the college entrance examination can be relaxed, the next step must be to liberalize the economy and allow small businesses to operate freely."
Yu Huifang shuddered, looked around, and whispered, "Do you have any definite news? If not, don't tell anyone."
Zhou Wanli said, "Ask Jiani to tell you. The issues these university students are discussing are happening in a place like the capital. Any news will likely come from there. Jiani and the others should have firsthand information."
Zhou Jiani mentioned that this year a certain village in a certain province had implemented the household contract responsibility system, which marked the beginning of rural economic reform. This was a signal.
This was not a memory from her previous life, she did not remember it so clearly, but it had indeed become a topic of discussion in their economics department. Their two classes had already argued back and forth for several rounds over the question of whether or not the household contract responsibility system should be implemented and how the rural economy should be reformed.
Yu Huifang went from being worried to listening with great interest, and Zhou Wanli was also fascinated. He was excitedly thinking that his daughter had made the right choice to go to university. In university, she would be exposed to different levels of affairs, and the topics of conversation would be more extensible. To put it more exaggeratedly, she would be one step ahead of others.
The family of three walked back to the dormitory area and still couldn’t talk enough.
When they arrived at the foot of the dormitory building, there were many neighbors sitting there fanning themselves with palm-leaf fans to enjoy the cool air. Jiang Xinfeng was also there, glancing around the corner from time to time. When she saw her eldest granddaughter coming back, she couldn't help but smile.
Other neighbors also greeted him.
"Ah, the college students are back!"
"Nini, didn't you have your holiday a long time ago? Why did you come back just now?"
"Jia Ni is back. I haven't seen you in half a year. But the other day I went to the department store and bought your uncle a waist support. Your uncle said it was really a hit and he carries it to and from get off work every day. I heard you tinkered with it. You also made those things for your old brigade."
Zhou Jiani smiled and greeted everyone in a circle, and finally said with a smile: "I helped them draw a few design drawings."
"That waist support is selling like hotcakes. Several people from the factory went to buy it but couldn't find one. It was out of stock. Even two department stores were out of stock."
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "I'll call the village tomorrow and see if I can get a few of them over."
With this excuse, she can also smuggle in some private goods.
It seems that the cushions are really popular, and there were three or four people asking for them right away.
From the last batch of knitwear, Zhou Jiani had reserved a handbag and a key case for Du Yunxin, and they hadn't been given out yet. This time, I'd order another batch and a few extra waist pads.
After chatting for a while, she helped her grandmother and parents turn around and go upstairs.
As soon as she left, the neighbors began to murmur praises.
Zhou Jiani, a student at Hua University, holds a special place in everyone's heart. Moreover, since they are all students of Hua University, when they come back, they call her aunt when it's time to call her aunt, and uncle when it's time to call her uncle. She doesn't act superior at all, and is still the same as before.
Back in the house, the twins were already asleep. Yu Huifang lowered her voice and asked Jiani, "Would you like to have two more buns? I just steamed them tonight. They're pork and scallion."
"Okay!" Zhou Jiani ate a steamed bun with duck eggs on the train. Now she was a little hungry, so she washed her hands and ate two buns. After eating, she quickly took her things and took a bath before the bathhouse closed. After coming back, she drank soda and talked with her parents for a while, then went back to the bedroom to sleep.
Her mother helped her lay out a mat and provided a fan, so it wasn't too hot.
The next morning, when she woke up, she saw Jiaping and Jiaan, who had grown taller. They acted more like little adults and greeted her in a serious manner: "Sister!"
Qiu Zeming came over before nine o'clock.
Wearing a military uniform and with one arm hanging, he was particularly eye-catching.
Bai Haoyang was responsible for carrying the things.
Last night Qiu Zeming wanted Uncle Zhou to bring the things back, but Yu Huifang knew what the neighbors wanted to see, so she didn't bring them and asked them to bring them when they came over today.
After all, Ze Ming is away from home all year round and doesn't come to Qi Yang often. Every time he stays away for a long time, there will always be people who don't wish them well and say that their daughter was dumped by someone else, and so on.
Qiu Zeming is also willing to cooperate with his mother-in-law to bring honor to his father-in-law's family.
It was all about vying for face. When he walked from the gate of the dormitory area to the bottom of the dormitory building, the news that Zhou's son-in-law came to see his future father-in-law again spread.
Those who used to think Zhou Jiani would be dumped sooner or later, now muttered with emotion: "She's quite interesting to talk about."
"Yes, it's been several years, right? You're still not married?"
"It's also thanks to Zhou Jiani that she worked hard and got admitted to the capital. She has to keep an eye on her in-laws all day long, so they definitely won't be able to break up."
There is no end to the gossip and no end to the slaps in the face.
At noon, Yu Huifang prepared a table and the family had a lively meal. Bai Haoyang then suggested taking the twins to the park for boating.
Zhou Jiani was going to make a phone call, so they went out together.
When Zhang Baosheng heard that she would also be coming to Bin County, he was overjoyed and said, "Jiani, when you come, we'll kill a chicken and eat it. Will Xiaobai come back with you?"
"Together, we'll stay here for two days and then go back."
"We're all looking forward to seeing you..." Zhang Baosheng said, "There's a delivery truck going to the provincial capital tomorrow night. I'll pack two baskets of vegetables for you when they load it. You can go to the transport team to pick them up."
Zhou Jiani didn't hesitate and said, "Thank you, Captain..."
She asked about the cushions, and when she told her that many of her neighbors wanted to buy them but couldn't, Zhang Baosheng beamed. "We don't even have enough cushions to sell here in our city, let alone to export. Do you know how many organizations in our city have placed orders? Government agencies and state-owned enterprises alike are desperate for them, and we simply can't produce enough. It's a good thing our county has started growing raw materials on a large scale, otherwise we wouldn't have enough this year."
When talking about this, Zhang Baosheng couldn't stop talking and had a lot to say.
However, Jiani wanted to ask for some for her neighbors, so Zhang Baosheng had to give Jiani some of the orders he had held on to others first. He still remembered the friendship they had when they first bought vegetables from the Second Spinning Factory.
Besides, we should pay for the goods that we have shared with you.
Zhou Jiani said, "Uncle, give me 20 or 30 of them. Give me 10 or so first, and then distribute the rest slowly. Don't be in a hurry."
I didn’t expect cushions to be so popular, so neck pillows can be arranged too.
Zhang Baosheng said, "Okay, I'll give you ten the day after tomorrow, and I'll give you the rest next time."
"I'll go to the village to collect them myself next time." Zhou Jiani smiled and ordered some other woven products. She agreed to call again tomorrow night to confirm the arrival time of the truck, and then hung up the phone.
After hanging up, she called Sun Ping's parents' workplace. After waiting for about fifteen or sixteen minutes, she finally got through to Sun Ping's mother. Zhou Jiani then mentioned tomorrow's party. Sun Ping's mother quickly smiled and said, "Okay, I'll talk to them tonight and have them come to see you tomorrow morning."
The last call was to Aunt Su's workplace. Knowing Jiani was back, Su Meiqiao smiled and said, "Xiao Min was grumbling about you the other day, saying you didn't know when you'd be back, and she wanted to go visit you. Okay, I'll tell that girl when I get home tonight. She'll definitely be overjoyed."
Qiu Zeming waited quietly by the side. After the last call was made, the two rushed to the park to meet Bai Haoyang and the twins.
Bai Haoyang took the twins boating, not heading towards the center of the lake, but wandering back and forth near the shore. Seeing Zhou Jiani coming over, he called out, "Sister-in-law, have you contacted Wang Qianjin?"
Zhou Jiani stood in the shade of a tree, opened a bottle of soda for Qiu Zeming to drink, took out a handkerchief to wipe his sweat, and replied to Bai Haoyang: "I've contacted Wang Qianjin's mother-in-law."
"Where's Xiao Min?"
Zhou Jiani smiled: "I've also contacted Xiao Min's mother. Everyone will definitely be able to come over tomorrow."
Bai Haoyang quickly pulled the boat to the shore, brought the twins up to drink soda, and said, "Then after we play for a while, we'll go to the state-owned restaurant and ask the chef to order tomorrow's dishes."
Seeing how anxious he was, Zhou Jiani was a little puzzled: "Do you miss your brother Qianjin so much?"
Bai Haoyang said in a panic, his face flushed, "It's been a long time since we last met."
Qiu Zeming glanced at Bai Haoyang.
The next day, Xiao Min came earlier than Qiu Zeming. Just after eight o'clock, she rode her bike over, wearing two pigtails, with a flushed face and sweat on her forehead.
Zhou Jiani quickly got her some water to wash her face, and said with a smile, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Xiao Min politely greeted Jiang Xinfeng, exclaimed exaggeratedly, "You all went to the capital, and I'm the only one left in Qiyang. If I had known earlier, I would have worked much harder to get into the same school as you. You don't know how much I miss you..."
Friendship among classmates is good, but the days of working and living together in the countryside are also worth reminiscing. Besides, she has only been in school for a few months and has not yet developed a particularly deep relationship with her college classmates, so she especially misses Yu Wanxia and the others.
Xiao Min also said regretfully: "It would be great if Sister Wanxia was here too."
Yu Wanxia didn't come over. She didn't even understand why her brother had to run back to the city.
If he just came to play for two days, she could accept it, but her brother planned to stay until school started before going back, so Yu Wanxia would not follow him.
Moreover, her grandmother's birthday was in two days, and her family didn't agree with her coming out of town at this time.
Zhou Jiani smiled and said, "When you go to the capital someday, we'll get together with your sister Wanxia again."
Not long after, Qiu Zeming and Bai Haoyang arrived. Xiao Min greeted them happily, "Brother Qiu, Brother Bai."
She was not very familiar with Qiu Zeming, but was more familiar with Bai Haoyang and could joke with him.
On the contrary, Bai Haoyang acted like a grown-up girl, and that guy was being shy.
Zhou Jiani went to the kitchen to cut watermelon, and Qiu Zeming followed her in.
Outside, Jiang Xinfeng carried a stool and went downstairs to make room for the young man.
Jiaping and Jiaan were not there either, so only Bai Haoyang and Xiao Min were left in the small hall.
Xiao Min was chattering with Bai Haoyang about their university courses, trying to compare the differences, when he suddenly threw something into her hand. Bai Haoyang's face flushed like a monkey's butt and he said, "You would look good in this hairpin."
Xiao Min's face turned red. She stood there in a daze, not knowing whether to keep the hairpin or give it back.
Zhou Jiani brought out a watermelon. Seeing their flushed faces, she thought they were hot and said, "Sit in front of the fan and let's enjoy the cool breeze... Come and eat the watermelon. Wang Qianjin and Sun Ping came late, so let them eat the watermelon rind later."
Bai Haoyang jumped up and took the watermelon, giving a piece to Xiao Min. Xiao Min thanked him softly, and Bai Haoyang walked over to eat.
Not long after, Wang Qianjin and Sun Ping came in one after another.
"I can tell it's watermelon from this fragrance even from far away. Our throats are so hot that they're almost smoking. My sister-in-law is so thoughtful." Wang Qianjin grabbed a piece and stuffed it into Sun Ping's mouth. He also took some to eat.
Bai Haoyang came over and kicked him: "You kid, you are enjoying yourself here and don't want to leave."
Wang Qianjin leaned forward, chewing a watermelon, and said, "I've only been here a few days..."
Friends who know each other can chat non-stop no matter where they get together. After talking for a while at home, they prepare to go to the state-owned restaurant.
Zhou Jiani noticed that Xiao Min was not as lively as when she first arrived. While others were talking, she came over and asked quietly, "Minmin, are you feeling unwell?"
Xiao Min shook her head, her face slightly red. She pulled Zhou Jiani aside and asked hesitantly, "Sister Jiani, what does it mean that Brother Bai gave me a hairpin?"
Is that what she understood?
"..." Zhou Jiani felt like she was struck by lightning. She slowly turned her head to look at Bai Haoyang, then at Xiao Min, and suddenly realized that Xiao Min was only one year younger than her and was twenty years old this year.
But subconsciously she always thought that Xiao Min was still a little girl.
Bai Haoyang and Xiao Min...
When did that guy fall in love with Xiao Min?
"Don't worry, wait until we're done eating and out to play and find a chance to ask her in person." Zhou Jiani patted her shoulder. "As for whether to accept or not, just follow your own heart. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
In terms of family background, Bai Haoyang is also the son of a high-ranking official. In terms of appearance, although he cannot be compared with her Zeming, he is also good-looking. In terms of work ability, seeing that he can become the factory director, you know that he is a smart man.
After all, he is a good candidate. At least he knows me well.
I just don’t know who Bai Haoyang’s official partner was in his previous life. Influenced by her, has his marriage changed again?
Zhou Jiani couldn't help but want to hold her forehead.
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