Xiuxiu's dad smacked his cigarette ash on the ground: "Why ask so many questions?"
"How can I not feel bad? Xiuxiu gave them so much."
Xiuxiu's father glanced at Xiuxiu's mother and said, "You women are all talk and no action."
"Then tell me, why don't you do anything about Xiuxiu? The thought of Xiuxiu sneaking things to them makes me want to break her legs."
Xiuxiu's father took a drag of his cigarette. "Then why didn't you call?"
"Why are you teasing me? Today, my second son's wife even asked me why I don't keep an eye on Xiuxiu."
"I did all this for our son and our grandson."
Xiuxiu's mother didn't understand: "What does this have to do with our son and grandson?"
Xiuxiu's father glanced at Xiuxiu's mother. "I'm asking you, where did that sickly man come from?"
"You're from the city. What's up?"
"If they come back to the city later, we'll have some acquaintances there too."
Xiuxiu's mother's joy was short-lived. "Will they be able to go back?"
"It's hard to say. Maybe yes, maybe no."
"If they can't get back, then all that stuff will have been for nothing."
"What if they can get back?"
Xiuxiu's father looked at Xiuxiu's mother and said, "Don't keep thinking about those things. They're not worth much. If their family can turn their lives around, then our family will be their benefactor."
Xiuxiu's mother understood. "I thought you really wanted to marry Xiuxiu off to that sickly man."
"Are you stupid? Who would dare to marry their daughter to him now? Sending him gifts secretly is fine, but if you actually marry your daughter to him, that would be a completely different story."
"Xiuxiu keeps going to deliver things to them. What if someone sees her?"
Xiuxiu's father took a drag of his cigarette. "We'll just say that Xiuxiu went without telling us. We didn't know anything. If they keep pressing us, then we'll make Xiuxiu move to the old house."
"The old house is about to collapse."
"Xiuxiu is strong, so we can let her fix it herself."
"Alright."
Xiuxiu's father thought for a moment and said, "You should give a warning to the eldest, second, and third children's families and tell them not to go around spreading rumors."
"Okay. Dad, what do you think? If that sickly guy really turns his life around, will he remember the kindness he's shown us over the years and marry our Xiuxiu?"
Xiuxiu's father put away his pipe. "What are you thinking? If someone's fortunes improved, would they even want your daughter?"
"Although Xiuxiu is dark-skinned, she is very capable. She earns more work points than most men."
Xiuxiu's father also wanted Xiuxiu to marry into the city. But... "If people can turn their lives around, they won't have to rely on physical labor to make a living anymore."
“We can’t marry him now. If he gets rich, he won’t care about Xiuxiu anymore. This is such a mess.” Xiuxiu’s mother was a little unwilling. “How about… we marry Xiuxiu off to him right now?”
Xiuxiu's father glared at Xiuxiu's mother. "Are you trying to flatter me?"
"I... I just feel that my in-laws are more reliable than my benefactors."
“I know my in-laws are more reliable. But I’m afraid of being dragged out and criticized.”
Xiuxiu's mother looked at Xiuxiu's father and said, "Didn't you say that if others saw Xiuxiu giving them things, you would kick her out? Why don't we pretend to kick Xiuxiu out? That way, we won't have to wear a dunce cap or be afraid of being dragged out for criticism."
Xiuxiu's father patted the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed). "That's right. How come I didn't think of that? Old woman, you've been quite clever this time."
Although the idea came from Xiuxiu's mother, she wasn't confident in it. "Will this method really work?"
"Okay. Where's Xiuxiu?"
"Going to fetch water."
"When she comes back, ask her if she's willing. If she's not, try to persuade her."
Xiuxiu's mother hesitated. "If they can't go back, then we'll be at a loss."
"You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub."
"Alright. I'll ask Xiuxiu after she finishes fetching water."
"Um."
After fetching water and washing her face, Xiuxiu wanted to go back inside to change her clothes. No sooner had Xiuxiu gone in than her mother followed her in. "Xiuxiu, I have something to ask you."
"Um."
"Your mother is asking you, have you taken a fancy to that sickly... um... Ouyang... Ouyang what was it again?"
Qi Xiuxiu's face flushed instantly. But her complexion was too dark for others to notice. "Jiahui."
"Yes. Xiuxiu, have you taken a liking to that Ouyang Jiahui?"
Qi Xiuxiu didn't say anything. She thought her mother would scold her again. Unexpectedly…
Xiuxiu's mother looked at Xiuxiu and said, "If you like someone, your parents will go and propose marriage to you."
Qi Xiuxiu was stunned for a moment. "Mother, are you... are you confused from anger? Mother, I... I didn't bring them any food today."
"Sure, let's give it to them. We have plenty of manpower in our family, we're not short of food."
Qi Xiuxiu felt even more puzzled after hearing this. "Mom, what's wrong with you today?"
"You silly child, why do you keep bringing me into this when I ask you if you've taken a liking to that Ouyang Jia Hui? Tell me, do you have a crush on him?"
"I...I'm not good enough for him."
"What do you mean they're not good enough for you? He may be better looking than you, but looks can't put food on the table. If it weren't for you secretly helping them out these past few years, they would be starving every day."
“I didn’t give them much food.”
Xiuxiu's mother snorted: "I watched you grow up, do you think I don't know how capable you are? You didn't give them much food, but since they came, you've been digging up fewer wild vegetables, picking fewer mountain delicacies, and catching fewer pheasants and rabbits."
Qi Xiuxiu's family lives deep in the mountains. Every household in her village goes into the mountains to catch rabbits and chickens. As long as you don't sell them, the village officials don't interfere. Of course, you can't catch wild boars or other large animals.
Xiuxiu's mother looked at Xiuxiu and said, "Your father said you can marry him. But you have to put on a show for us."
Xiuxiu looked closely at her mother's face. "My father really agrees?"
"Um."
Xiuxiu twisted the hem of her clothes: "I...I'm not good enough for him."
Xiuxiu's mother pushed Xiuxiu's head. "You're so stubborn. Your father said that if you want to marry him, you have to pretend to distance yourself from us. If you're willing, your father and I will go and propose marriage to you."
"I...I'm not good enough for him."
Xiuxiu's mother pushed Xiuxiu's head again. "How could I have given birth to such a simpleton like you?"
After saying that, Xiuxiu's mother turned and left. Xiuxiu stared blankly for a while. After she finished, Xiuxiu changed her clothes and went to the kitchen to help Erzhu's wife cook.
Meanwhile, Han Bin and Xiao Tai also returned to the military region. After reporting to Division Commander Miao, Han Bin went home.
Back home, Han Bin told Xiao Man about what he had seen and heard on the way. After telling her about his experiences, Han Bin also told Xiao Man about Yangyang.
After learning that Yangyang wanted to visit his father and grandparents, Xiaoman felt that they should wait until the situation outside stabilized before going. "We need to be more careful as the time goes on."
"Yes. They're on the verge of failure. They're definitely not willing to give up."
"Um."
The older sister was very happy to see Han Bing when she came home from school. "Dad, did you miss your daughter?"
Han Bin picked up his sister. "I missed you. Did you miss Dad?"
“I have been thinking about it. Dad, Situ Haoyu said that my uncle’s father-in-law and mother-in-law want to see you.”
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