A passing woman's voice was tinged with bitterness and envy. "I thought she had lost her husband and her son, and would have to work on her few acres of land. I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, she not only had a city dweller to keep her company, but even had someone to cook for her. Wow, this world is full of strange things."
Xu Qinghe stood aside, with two puppies playing carefree at her feet. She leaned over gently and touched their soft fur with her fingertips. She just smiled faintly at the aunts' comments, with no ripples in her heart.
An older woman couldn't stand her indifference and couldn't help but ask, "Qinghe, that house was left to you by your parents. Why are you so generous? Don't you feel bad at all?"
"I don't feel bad." Xu Qinghe's answer was concise and firm, and his brows revealed a relief beyond his age.
For her, being able to completely draw a line between herself and Sun Youfang was the greatest comfort. As for those empty rooms, they were no longer a concern in her heart.
In that era, it took great courage to sever blood ties.
Witnessing Xu Qinghe's indifference, the aunt felt mixed emotions.
In her opinion, if Sun Youfang had not gone too far, how could a kind-hearted child like Xu Qinghe easily sever the bond of family affection.
Sun Youfang's behavior undoubtedly pushed Xu Qinghe into a desperate situation.
"Oh, child, you have such a kind heart. Now that you can live well on your own, just leave those rooms alone. You are doing the right thing." There was both regret and admiration in the aunt's words.
Xu Qinghe smiled and exchanged a few words with the aunt, then slowly returned home with the two puppies.
Behind him, he could hear the old lady telling the neighbors about her good deeds. Xu Qinghe couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth slightly, and a warm feeling surged in his heart.
When she got home, she carefully checked the fermented bean curd that was being pickled, which required patience.
She planned that once the fermented bean curd was mature, she would take the carefully prepared sample to the city to look for cooperation opportunities.
Although the time was not yet ripe, Xu Qinghe decided to go into the city the next day to check on Qian Ming's business progress.
She understood that opportunities always favor those who are prepared, and only by planning ahead can one gain the upper hand in future competition.
So, when night fell, she went to bed early after a simple wash, with anticipation in her heart.
The next morning, as soon as the sky turned pale, Xu Qinghe got up quietly, told Zhu Yunxiu not to prepare breakfast for her, and then got on her bicycle and headed towards the city in the morning light.
Xu Qinghe unexpectedly met Xiang Qin on the dusty path dotted with wild flowers on both sides.
She recalled the sausage wrapped in deep friendship that she had received not long ago, and her pace naturally slowed down, and she exchanged greetings with this close friend.
"It seems that you are planning to go to the city to do some business. The journey is long, so why don't I drive you a car so that you can have company along the way." Xu Qinghe's words were sincere and his eyes were friendly.
Xiang Qin, the most approachable and easy-going of the five educated youth, had already planted the seeds of friendship in Xu Qinghe's heart with her kindness that she had inadvertently revealed before.
At this moment, facing this sudden invitation, a hint of surprise flashed in Xiang Qin's eyes.
"That's great! It really solves my urgent problem. Thank you so much!" Xiang Qin's voice was full of gratitude.
The winding mountain road, winding between the mountains, makes the road to the suburbs seem both far and difficult.
Hiking is undoubtedly a double test of physical strength and willpower.
Xiang Qin gladly accepted Xu Qinghe's kindness without any pretense or hesitation, and the two embarked on this journey together.
The wheels rolled briskly along the rugged mountain road. Inside the car, Xiang Qin took the initiative to break the silence. "I just arrived here and found that I'm still short of a lot of daily necessities, so I asked the village director for a few days off to go into town to buy some things. Starting tomorrow, I'll really be working hard in the fields!"
As she spoke, Xiang Qin's face was filled with anticipation. Although her cheeks had a healthy blush due to the trek up the mountain road, this made her look even more full of vitality.
After several days of working in the fields, her once fair skin has been given a healthy bronze hue by the sun. However, this hardship did not make Xiang Qin retreat, but instead inspired her fighting spirit.
Xu Qinghe deeply admired Xiang Qin's indomitable spirit and reminded her with concern, "The sun has been extremely scorching lately. You'd better buy a straw hat to protect your skin and keep it from getting hurt."
Xiang Qin nodded repeatedly, a helpless yet self-deprecating smile on her face. "That's true. These past few days, my face has been burning with pain at night from the sun. It's like torture."
As the conversation deepened, Xu Qinghe felt more and more that Xiang Qin was not only gentle in nature, but also thoughtful and intelligent.
She couldn't help but offer a few heartfelt words, sharing her own experiences in the village. "Although the village chief usually looks serious, he's actually concerned about the village's development. If you have any difficulties, you can always go to him for help. Also, be careful with Sun Youfang. Try to avoid dealing with her as much as possible to avoid getting into trouble."
Although these suggestions sound simple and straightforward, they are valuable to Xiang Qin, who is also a newcomer.
After hearing this, tears of gratitude gleamed in her eyes: "Comrade Xu, you are such a rare good person!"
Xu Qinghe heard this and a gentle smile appeared on her lips. "If I were really that kind, I would have helped you solve all your problems directly. However, everyone has different opinions. I am very grateful that you think this way."
Xiang Qin was understanding. She remembered her mother's warning before she left home: "There is no free lunch in this world. Unprovoked kindness often hides other motives."
Xu Qinghe did not easily make promises that could not be fulfilled. Instead, he shared the actual situation and interpersonal relationships in the village in a down-to-earth manner, which made Xiang Qin feel unprecedented sincerity and trust.
Facing Xiang Qin's praise, Xu Qinghe felt a warm current surge in his heart, and a smile almost overflowed from the corners of his eyes.
Arriving in the city, the two waved goodbye on the bustling streets.
Xu Qinghe brought fresh vegetables to Fengjie's shop. Fengjie took the vegetables and smiled until her eyes narrowed into two slits. But then she said seriously: "Sister, don't bring me so many vegetables every time in the future. There is no need to be so polite between us. Now the supply and marketing cooperative purchases directly from your village. You can keep them and sell them yourself. Making more money is the serious thing. Don't be so silly!"
Xu Qinghe felt a warm feeling in his heart as he listened to Sister Feng's words.
Xu Qinghe raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a row of white teeth. He smiled brightly and said cheerfully, "I just wanted to send my dear sister some fresh vegetables that I just picked from home.
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