Chapter 3 Chapter 3 The Turn of Times
Chen Qiaoxiang is in high spirits when good things happen. At the end of the year, young girls and wives in every household are at home mending clothes and making soles of shoes to earn more money for the family.
Chen Qiaoxiang didn't need that. She had originally wanted to go and flatter Zhao Wuhe, the mother of Captain Gu Qingzhou.
But Zhao Wuhe was not at home. The rumor in the village was that she had gone to prepare the betrothal gifts according to the matchmaker's advice.
Who else can this betrothal gift be given to?
Chen Qiaoxiang's family was not well off, but she was pretty and sweet-spoken. She spent all day with Zhao Wuhe and was more attentive to her than her own mother.
Even though Gu Qingzhou refused to marry her last time, Chen Qiaoxiang didn't care. It was the parents' orders and the matchmaker's words. No matter how high Gu Qingzhou's official position was, he was still born by his parents. She was not afraid that he would not give in after a long time.
Gu Qingzhou's troops were just outside the city, about fifty miles away from Donghe Village. Compared to those soldiers who served thousands of miles away, his unit was not far away.
The last time Gu Qingzhou came back, Chen Qiaoxiang was stunned when she saw his bright features, handsome appearance, the pressure he had developed from leading troops on missions, and his unmatched sturdy physique.
As Chen Qiaoxiang walked, she thought about giving Zhao Wuhe the wild honey she had bought in the autumn. It was a valuable commodity, and if she hadn't had a good relationship with the male salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative, no one else would have been able to get it.
Anyway, after she gets married, Gu Qingzhou won't take care of the family. When Zhao Wuhe gets older, won't the entire family business fall into her hands? A jar of wild honey is just to make the old woman happy. In the future, it will return a thousand times to her.
She walked towards her home, passing the dilapidated house next door.
It was bad luck that the widow of the Li family was driven out by her parents-in-law and lived next to her house. Every time she saw the widow, she was furious.
The more you don’t want to see it, the more you see it.
The young widow, with skin as white as cream and dressed in shabby, simple clothes, could not conceal her stunning beauty. She was carrying a cloth bag made of scraps of cloth on her shoulder, heading to night school.
Qingmei's idea was simple: if she wanted to escape this situation, she had to pass the exam. Her home in the city no longer had room for her, and she didn't want to rely on anyone else; she had no choice but to rely on herself.
She knew that the country would open the college entrance examination at the end of next year, and that was her way out!
Qingmei came out of the house and met Chen Qiaoxiang.
Chen Qiaoxiang's first reaction when she saw her, besides being shocked by her beauty, was to be glad that Qingmei was a widow. No matter how pretty she was, it was useless; a widow was a widow, and there was no hope of turning over a new leaf in her life.
She touched her face awkwardly, and when Qingmei looked at her, she gave a fake smile: "Xiaomei, where are you going?"
The village pays attention to the reputation of the girls waiting to get married. She always reminds herself to be careful and not to be gossiped about. It would be a great loss if she fails to become an officer's wife.
Qingmei glanced at her with a cold look in her eyes.
Chen Qiaoxiang actually saw contempt in her eyes.
How dare a widow look down on her? !
Qingmei remembered that when she was put into a box and carried away, Chen Qiaoxiang must have heard her cries for help. However, Chen Qiaoxiang not only watched and did nothing, but also helped to conceal the incident, becoming an indirect accomplice.
Qingmei doesn't want to suffer any more in this life. The worst that could happen is that she will be struck to death by lightning. After all, she has experienced it once and she is not afraid of it anymore.
Chen Qiaoxiang remembers the day Qingmei's husband was buried. She accompanied him up the mountain out of kinship. On the way, they met people from the neighboring village, and when they saw Qingmei, they all said she was the village beauty of Donghe Village.
Later he found out that Chen Qiaoxiang, who was walking behind, was the village beauty, and he actually said in front of Chen Qiaoxiang that she was not as pretty as the widow.
This incident is a thorn in the side, and Chen Qiaoxiang will think of it whenever she sees Qingmei.
She looked at Qingmei's back fiercely and really wanted to give her a good beating.
In fact, Chen Qiaoxiang knew in her heart that although she always told others that Qingmei was jealous of her, the person who was really envied was Qingmei.
*
Qingmei came in through a book, so she naturally knew Chen Qiaoxiang's inner thoughts.
She pretended not to see it and went to night school on her own.
"What night school are you attending?" Teacher Wang wore glasses and had very short hair, with his sideburns cut above his ears.
She glanced at Qingmei and, in front of the other teachers in the office, sneered, "I've heard of people taking college entrance exams, but I've never heard of a widow taking them. I didn't expect you to be so ambitious. It's just like what your mother-in-law said, you're impatient."
Qingmei was no longer someone who would just accept things as they came. She took a step forward. Teacher Wang, who was sitting on the bench, looked at her and said, "Stay away from me. You reek of a widow."
Qingmei said indifferently, "According to government instructions, everyone has the right to attend night school. This is the opportunity the Chairman has given us ordinary people to escape illiteracy and combine labor with knowledge. You can't deny me admission to night school."
Teacher Wang's eyebrows were melted with burnt matchsticks. He was surprised by Qingmei's rebuttal, put down the enamel pot, and sneered, "I don't see your passion for learning. Instead, I think you are here to seduce men."
On normal days, Qingmei would come over carrying coal, and she wouldn't say anything back even when Teacher Wang teased her. But today, I don't know what happened to her. Not only did she say back, but she also wanted to go to school?
The other people in the office looked at each other. Although they felt that Wang was sarcastic and mean, they were also afraid that the beautiful young widow joining the school would destroy the existing relationships among classmates.
"You're the one who's shameless," Qingmei said unmoved. "As a night school teacher, and a fellow lesbian, not only do you spread rumors, but you're also depriving me of my right to study. If you think I'm having an affair, show me the evidence. If not, I'll go find Captain Jin and ask her to judge for me."
Teacher Wang was stunned. Qingmei actually learned to complain?
Captain Jin was a renowned tough-talker who hated gossip. If anyone knew she'd bullied a young widow in front of her colleagues, it was doubtful she'd ever be able to continue teaching at night school.
"Alright, alright, I was just joking with you. What's the big deal?" Teacher Wang said angrily, taking out the registration form and throwing it on the table: "Write your name."
Qingmei stared at her motionlessly and said, "Apologize."
Teacher Wang frowned and said, "What are you apologizing for?"
Qingmei said, "This isn't the first time you've spread rumors. I need you to apologize in front of everyone. Just because I didn't care about it before doesn't mean I won't care about it in the future. You must apologize loudly."
Qingmei has made up her mind that as long as she is not struck to death by lightning, she will not live a cowardly life!
Teacher Wang slammed the table, stood up, pointed at Qingmei, and said to the colleagues present, "She's a widow, and you're asking me to apologize? Aren't you giving her face?"
My colleagues were all good people and quickly said, "Forget it, forget it, stop arguing and just sign up."
"Why should we forget it?!"
Unexpectedly, a fiery and loud voice came from outside the door: "Who gave you the face? How dare you bully others like this?! The law still exists under the sky. If you don't apologize, then come with me to the brigade! Go!"
Qingmei turned around suddenly and saw Aunt Gu, also known as Zhao Wuhe, appearing outside the door. She strode in, hands on her hips, and said to Teacher Wang, "Come with me to the team now, hurry up!"
Zhao Wuhe had a loud voice, high status, and was very persistent. When she appeared, everyone in the office who was watching the show stood up.
Teacher Wang also stood up, swallowed, and said, "I, I was really joking with Qingmei. Everyone has the right to education. How could I not let her go to school?"
Zhao Wuhe turned to Qingmei and asked, "Is she kidding you?"
If it were my childhood sweetheart, I would have admitted it was a joke with my head down and swallowed all the bitterness.
"No." Qingmei said crisply, "She's just bullying me and spreading rumors about me. She's really trying to stop me from going to night school!"
Teacher Wang was so frightened that before he could continue to explain, Zhao Wuhe grabbed his wrist and dragged him out.
It was freezing outside, and she was in her office, with a heater on, wearing only an old sweater. When she was pulled outside, the cold wind blew her away, and she suddenly woke up. She hurriedly said to Qingmei, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's my fault. I slapped her in the mouth, I slapped her in the mouth!"
Qingmei followed behind Zhao Wuhe and Teacher Wang, pretending not to hear.
The night school was converted from an elementary school. The first row of bungalows was the brigade headquarters. Zhao Wuhe pulled Teacher Wang and pushed them to the door of the brigade headquarters office.
Captain Jin heard the sound of quarreling and came out wearing a cotton jacket. When he saw Teacher Wang, he frowned.
Teacher Wang has small eyes and a thin mouth, pale skin and freckles. She's not young anymore, perhaps approaching menopause, but she's becoming increasingly uncontrolled with her words.
"Xiaomei, tell me, how did she gossip about you in front of so many people in the office just now?" Zhao Wuhe had just rushed back from the county. Seeing such a scene, she was so furious that she wanted to tear Teacher Wang's mouth apart alive.
Qingmei briefly explained the situation and also repeated to Captain Jin the harsh words that Teacher Wang had said several times before.
Captain Jin knew that Qingmei's family was not easy, and she was a widow, so he usually took good care of Qingmei. He also knew that Qingmei was not a troublemaker. She was pure and simple, and would not come to him to complain unless she was pushed to the limit.
"Is she right?" Captain Jin lowered his voice and said through gritted teeth, "Is this how you become a night school teacher?"
Teacher Wang hesitated, afraid of offending Zhao Wuhe, his mother who was an officer, and gritted his teeth and nodded in agreement.
Captain Jin took a deep breath, patted Qingmei on the shoulder and said, "You are right. Everyone has the right to attend night school. Starting tomorrow, you can come to class every day."
Qingmei thanked Captain Jin politely and glanced casually out the window. This was completely unsuitable for a widowed woman, but there was no thunder.
Qingmei suppressed her inner excitement. Captain Jin removed Teacher Wang from his teaching position at the night school in front of her and Zhao Wuhe, and also criticized him in the team.
Coming out of the office, Qingmei saw that Zhao Wuhe seemed anxious to go back.
She planned to thank Zhao Wuhe very much. If she hadn't dragged her here to let Captain Jin seek justice, it would have been difficult to deal with.
Zhao Wuhe waved her hand to stop her from saying polite words, grabbed a handful of unspent Great Unity from her pocket, and stuffed it into Qingmei's hand without thinking: "I have to go back first, otherwise they will send my things to the wrong person!"
Qingmei suddenly realized, yes, this was the time when the Gu family was going to propose to Chen Qiaoxiang.
"But I can't take this money." Qingmei chased after Zhao Wuhe and wanted to return it. Zhao Wuhe said hurriedly: "Go buy a cotton-padded jacket first, and buy one for your grandma too. I'll come back to find you!"
Zhao Wuhe was a man of quick temper and decisive action. He left without even noticing Qingmei's shouts from behind.
Qingmei was at a loss for words. Why was Zhao Wuhe still as impetuous as he was in his previous life?
It's just that I didn't give her money in my previous life. Is it because of Teacher Wang's incident that the fixed plot has changed?
Qingmei thought about it, put the money in her pocket, and decided to wait until she got back. She thought, if Zhao Wuhe was kicked out by Chen Qiaoxiang again, she would use the money to pay for her medical treatment.
There are some things that Qingmei also has to consider whether to reveal to Zhao Wuhe in advance. Her son, who is the head of the group, is the most popular male protagonist in the book and possesses the brilliance of a god.
However, the author took into consideration that his existence completely overshadowed the heroine Chen Qiaoxiang. Readers believed that Chen Qiaoxiang was not worthy of Gu Qingzhou, had incorrect values, and had poor character, and they all demanded that the heroine be replaced.
The author loved Chen Qiaoxiang deeply, but he went against the trend and resolutely replaced Gu Qingzhou, sacrificing him abruptly.
Also because of Gu Qingzhou's sacrifice, the reading volume of this popular period novel dropped sharply. In the end, the author gave Chen Qiaoxiang a successful ending and ended the story hastily.
If there is really a possibility of breaking free from the laws of nature in this life, Qingmei thinks it would be better to join forces with Zhao Wuhe and Gu Qingzhou as soon as possible.
After returning home, Qingmei told her grandmother that she could go to night school.
Grandma was so happy that she insisted Qingmei buy some stale bread and dumplings to eat.
Qingmei thought that the old lady was so old, so she was happy every day, so she went to the supply and marketing cooperative and weighed out four ounces of stale flour and one pound of corn flour.
The two kinds of flour are mixed together to make two-sided dumplings. The filling is dried ground vegetables in autumn. After soaking in water and cutting into pieces, it is still tender and fragrant.
This time, grandma added a whole spoonful of lard, and it had a unique aroma when mixed.
An old man and a young boy were wrapping dumplings covered with a curtain in a dilapidated tile house. Steam came out and the aroma of the dumplings wafted out.
The two of them ate dumplings in front of the stove. There was no heater in the bedroom, and the warmest place in the house was the stove where the fire was burning.
Grandma ate four or five and then said she didn't want to eat them anymore, saving the rest for Qingmei. Qingmei ate a few more and put the rest on the windowsill. It was freezing cold, so there was no need to worry about the dumplings going bad.
Grandma, whose eyesight is not good, was still sewing someone's shoe soles. Qingmei was washing dishes in the main room when an unexpected guest arrived.
"Tomorrow my family has a marriage proposal, and no one is cleaning up the pig offal we bought."
Chen Qiaoxiang stood in the courtyard, seemingly feeling that the house was too shabby to step in. She covered her mouth and nose and said pretentiously, "My mother said you cleaned it up well, so I'll give you three cents and two basins of pig intestines. You washed them for me in advance."
Qingmei said without raising her eyelids, "I don't have time."
In her previous life, she did wash it, but she didn't get any money. Instead, Chen Qiaoxiang handed it to her mother-in-law. Now, whoever is willing to do this job can do it. She won't serve.
With such a low price, Chen Qiaoxiang couldn't find anyone willing to be cheap labor in the brigade. She returned to her yard in vain and shouted at the other end: "Tomorrow is my big day, I'll give you a pair of old shoes!"
As he said that, he threw a pair of broken-mouthed Liberation shoes, or "broken shoes," over the wall.
This is clearly an insult to Qingmei.
Grandma came out of the house and told Qingmei not to be angry. Qingmei sneered and rushed out of the yard, threw the "slut" back, and cursed: "There is nothing in the world that suits you better than this!"
"How dare you scold me? You're so bold!" Chen Qiaoxiang was about to rush out as soon as she entered the room, but her mother stopped her: "She deliberately provoked you, it's not good to make a scene outside. Captain Jin just dealt with a teacher named Wang today-"
"Bah, when I marry into the Gu family, I will still be afraid of her!" Chen Qiaoxiang gritted her teeth in hatred, turned around, slammed the door, and went into the house to sulk.
Her dressing table was piled with a whole box of red ribbons and rubber bands, as well as lipstick and eyebrow pencils that she had asked someone to buy for her at a high price.
Thinking about tomorrow's wedding day, she finally calmed down.
*
The marriage proposal team started from the entrance of Donghe Village and came in in a mighty procession, carrying boxes of betrothal gifts that were dazzling to the eyes.
The young man walking in front was carrying a hanging firecracker, setting it off joyfully along the way. People behind him followed and scattered wedding candy. The onlookers all said that the Gu family was worthy of being the Gu family, as the marriage proposal was more lively than other families' weddings.
Chen Qiaoxiang stood at the door of her house, with a red hairband braided into her two pigtails, and her bright red lips pursed shyly.
Many people heard the rumor and knew that the Gu family was going to propose marriage to the Chen family, so they ran to the Chen family in advance to congratulate them.
Chen's parents were so happy that they couldn't stop smiling. After today, her identity as an officer's wife would be confirmed. After today, even if Gu Qingzhou disagreed, he would have to consider Zhao Wuhe's attitude.
They stopped being stingy and generously put peanuts and sunflower seeds into other people's pockets, and even gave a few candies to children who asked for candy.
Zhao Wuhe was walking in the team and was also very happy.
The firecrackers were set off along the way, and when they reached the fifth row in the north of Donghe Village, they turned a corner and walked in.
Chen Qiaoxiang felt like her heart was about to jump out of her throat. She clutched her chest, her breathing growing heavier as she thought about the bright future that lay just within reach.
Finally, they saw Zhao Wuhe's figure. Chen Qiaoxiang's parents hurriedly opened the gate of the yard, waiting for Zhao Wuhe to come in with a group of betrothal gifts.
Inside the courtyard, a specially hired rural chef had already set up the stove and heated the oil. The pots were filled with not only pork and mutton, but also fresh greenhouse vegetables. He had even borrowed over fifty yuan for this.
Looking at the countless boxes of betrothal gifts, Chen's parents felt that it was all worth it! This was just the beginning, and wealth and glory were waving at them in the future.
Unlike the Chen family's intense and enthusiastic mood, Qingmei had nothing to do, so she simply took a small stool and sat in the yard to eat melon.
This is also a grand scene in the book, with eight tables set up, each with four dishes and one soup.
Last time she was busy with work and didn't get to see it properly, nor did she eat anything. This time she didn't want to miss it and feast her eyes.
Qingmei wrapped herself in her tattered cotton-padded jacket and heard Chen Qiaoxiang's mother excitedly say, "Here they come! The marriage proposal has arrived!"
Chen Qiaoxiang also became excited. She couldn't help but go to the door to welcome her future mother-in-law!
Qingmei sits on a small stool and eats melon...
Something unexpected happened.
Huh? Why are they still walking? They're almost at my doorstep!
"Stop!" Chen Qiaoxiang stamped her feet and shouted, "I'm here!"
The betrothal team paused.
"Keep going!" Zhao Wuhe suddenly gave an order, which cheered up the entire betrothal team.
The crowd watching the excitement was suddenly in an uproar. Chen Qiaoxiang couldn't help but shout, "Auntie, you've come to the wrong place. I live at Gate 3, not Gate 4. Gate 4 is the widow's house!"
The people carrying the betrothal gifts also felt something was wrong. Didn’t they agree to go to the Chen family to propose marriage? Why were they not allowed to stop after they had already passed by?
There were two matchmakers in the team, and they didn't know what was wrong with Zhao Wuhe.
Noticing the team's pace slowed, Zhao Wuhe walked to Qingmei's door. Ignoring Qingmei, who was dumbfounded in the yard, he put his hands on his hips and said in a loud voice, "What's wrong with you? Who said they wanted to propose to you? Okay!"
Saying this in front of hundreds of fellow villagers would be worse than slapping Chen Qiaoxiang in the face!
Chen Qiaoxiang couldn't believe her ears. Her face flushed with humiliation. Ignoring the doubts and jokes of others, she loudly asked, "If your family doesn't marry me, who else can they marry?! We agreed that you would propose to me!"
Zhao Wuhe is Chen Qiaoxiang's nemesis in this life, and the resentment from the previous life has just begun to be repaid.
"Who told you that? Where's the evidence?!"
Chen Qiaoxiang was speechless at the moment. Yes, they just said verbally that they were here to propose marriage today, but they didn't have any evidence to show.
Seeing the betrothal procession about to leave, Chen Qiaoxiang said anxiously, "I don't have any evidence, but in this whole village, who else can your family marry besides me?!"
This statement was simply offensive to all the unmarried girls in the brigade. Everyone knew that the Gu family was a popular family, so why was Chen Qiaoxiang so shameless that she felt that none of the more than 30 unmarried women in the brigade were worth mentioning except her?
The people around her looked at Chen Qiaoxiang and thought she was incredible. If she hadn't said this in front of hundreds of people, no one would have known she was thinking this. It turned out that her sisterly feelings with everyone were all fake!
"I'd rather marry no one than you! You're an unlucky star!" After Zhao Wuhe finished cursing, the whole audience was in an uproar.
She pointed at Qingmei's house and said with full energy: "Look carefully, send all the betrothal gifts to number four. We are the Gu family, and we must marry a filial and kind girl!"
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