After Zhou Mingjiao stormed off, Shen Banxia thought about what she had just said and a thought suddenly came to mind.
When Zhou Mingqian returned, he asked, "What exactly does your sister mean? Could it be related to your background?" Both of them secretly kept in mind what they had overheard that day.
In the past two days, Zhou Mingqian also inquired with the old Party Secretary, but he didn't get any useful information at all.
"I don't know yet, but one thing I don't understand is that I can see the shadows of my father and mother on my face. In the past, although my mother was particularly biased towards my younger sister, she treated me like her own son. Moreover, I know my mother well. If I weren't her biological son, I wouldn't have had such an easy life for so many years after my grandparents passed away," Zhou Mingqian said with a bewildered expression.
"Forget it, we'll deal with whatever comes our way. There's no use thinking about it too much. Things will eventually come to light." Although Shen Banxia couldn't empathize with him, she knew that thinking about these things would only add to her worries.
"However, we can secretly ask Aunt Zhu about Zhou Mingjiao. After all, she's our neighbor, so she might know something."
"Okay," Zhou Mingqian had no other choice for the time being.
Zhou Mingjiao rushed home in a huff and went straight to her mother, who was busy working in the private plot of land. She immediately launched into a tirade, "Mom, I know that my older brother is not your biological son," though she managed to keep her voice down.
Zhou's mother plopped down on the ground, looking around warily. "You, how did you know?"
"Mother, don't worry about how I know. Since you've raised my brother for so many years, you can't just let him go like this, can you?" Zhou Mingjiao still hadn't given up. She didn't believe that Zhao Zhigao would force her to marry him for the sake of a job.
Hmph, I don't know how he got involved with Shen Banxia, he actually listens to her so much?
If her initial plan hadn't failed, would she have gone to such lengths?
"Jiaojiao, I don't care how you found out about this, but you absolutely cannot tell anyone, understand? Especially not your older brother," Zhou's mother said sternly.
At first, she was dissatisfied, but after the old man explained the pros and cons, she knew that for the sake of the family, this matter could not be exposed.
“Mom, I’m not that stupid. I know what you mean. Isn’t it that my brother’s biological father has connections with Taiwan? I understand the seriousness of this matter. But nominally, you are still his biological parents. We haven’t separated the family yet. Shouldn’t he give a share of his salary to the family?” Zhou Mingjiao put it another way.
Zhou's mother's eyes widened. "You, you, Jiaojiao," she said, glancing around. "You must keep this to yourself. Your father has his own plans. We can't let this get out now."
After thinking for a moment, he continued, "As for the issue of his salary, do you think I haven't thought about it? But didn't that incident cause a rift last time? Who knew he would have such good luck? If we had known this would happen, we would have given them some grain back then. Now, everyone in the village is saying that we are heartless and vicious."
Zhou's mother is now truly regretting it; back then, she only wanted to manipulate her eldest son and his wife.
Who knew they would turn things around so quickly?
Zhou Mingjiao was also heartbroken, but if she lost her job and couldn't get her money, how could she negotiate with Zhao Zhigao?
She would never marry Zhao Zhigao, no matter what.
“Mom, why do you care what the villagers say? They’re just jealous of you. Anyway, you’re my eldest brother’s mother now. If he doesn’t contribute money to the family, he’s considered unfilial.”
Zhou's mother was also tempted, "Okay, Mother understands, Mother will talk to your father."
Let's discuss this properly. By the way, the Beginning of Winter is just around the corner, so you should start preparing your dowry. Luckily, Zhao Zhigao is an educated youth, so you'll be living at home from now on.
Upon hearing this, she exclaimed, "Mother, are you really going to make me marry someone I don't like? I won't be happy at all then."
"There's nothing your mother can do. Just tell her that it's for her own good to get married."
"Hmph," she thought, though she understood the logic perfectly, she wouldn't give up.
In a flash, she remembered the dream she had: wasn't Liu Zhe and Zhao Zhigao in the same dormitory?
Another point is that in the dream, Liu Zhe got a job as a purchasing agent because he saved someone, but in the end, that damned Zhou Mingqian interfered. Doesn't he have some merit in his words?
Thinking of Liu Zhe, who is so devoted to me for some reason, I suppose he would be willing to help me retrieve that letter.
"I'll do what I want to do. Mom, you go ahead and do your work. I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
Zhou's mother was about to say a few more words when she saw her daughter running off in a hurry, "Jiaojiao, slow down, don't fall."
Zhou Mingjiao, who had been hit by the cold wind, quickly came to her senses. She hadn't finished work yet, and if she went to find Liu Zhe in public, the villagers might say something unpleasant.
Although she was very anxious, Zhou Mingjiao managed to restrain herself.
After finishing work, she asked one of the village children to pass on a message to Liu Zhe.
Zhou Mingjiao and the others were near the granary, where there was a huge haystack that could block others' view.
Liu Zhe came running up, panting. "Comrade Zhou Mingjiao, what brings you here?" His eyes were misty and his hair was steaming, making him look a bit disheveled.
A flash of disdain crossed Zhou Mingjiao's eyes, but she quickly put on a smile again. "Brother Liu, take your time, there's no rush."
"I'm fine. Tell me, is there anything I can help you with?"
Zhou Mingjiao's face fell with worry. "You know, the beginning of winter is just around the corner, and I... I will..."
"Don't cry," Liu Zhe wanted to wipe away her tears, but then realized it was inappropriate, and his face turned red with anxiety.
Zhou Mingjiao was secretly dissatisfied; what a bookworm, he didn't even know how to comfort people.
"You know, I've been focused on my studies, but many people have misunderstood my relationship with Brother Zhao. Because of the gossip in the village, my parents want me to marry Brother Zhao at the beginning of winter. Brother Liu, you know that I've always treated Brother Zhao like my own brother."
"Don't cry, or I'll go and talk to Zhao Zhiqing."
Zhou Mingjiao almost couldn't cry anymore; that idiot really was an idiot.
"Back then, because of our discussions about studying, I corresponded with Brother Zhao. You know, people in the village are very good at talking, and you also know the outside environment. If this matter can't be resolved, then I will..." Zhou Mingjiao said, her words flowing like a broken string of pearls.
Liu Zhe felt heartbroken, but dared not act rashly.
"Brother Liu, you and Brother Zhao are roommates. Could you help me 'get' those letters back?"
Liu Zhe fell silent.
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