This man exuded a steadfast, iron-willed presence.
His tall, upright figure resembled a towering mountain, giving an unparalleled sense of security.
Qiao Xingyue thought about the hard life she had grown accustomed to in this era. No one had ever protected her like Xie Zhongming and Aunt Lan, and her heart felt warmed, a small smile creeping to her lips.
She was grateful to Xie Zhongming.
At the bathroom door, Huang Guilan stood watching everything unfold.
Seeing her fourth son handle Jiang Chunyan with such resolute authority, mirroring Xingyue’s tone from earlier, she realized both left Jiang Chunyan’s face flushed like a pig’s belly, unable to speak back. It was truly satisfying.
Watching this, even Huang Guilan thought Xingyue and her fourth son acted like a married couple.
If they truly were a couple, sharing the same values, style, and sharpness in speech, they would have countless common interests and be deeply affectionate.
Alas, her fourth son’s luck was bad, married to that lazy, troublesome, over-200-pound country girl. Hopefully, he will soon find a way to divorce smoothly.
Jiang Chunyan, frustrated with Xie Zhongming, carried her clothes angrily to the bathroom, muttering, “If I have to do it myself, I will.”
Seeing Huang Guilan at the door, she glared, “What are you thinking, treating a small maid like a treasure?”
Huang Guilan remembered the trick Xingyue had taught her—defeat magic with magic.
She replied, “Chunyan, why do you need others to wash your clothes when you have hands yourself? People might think your hands are broken.”
“Yellow Guilan!”
“My ears work fine. No need to shout.”
Jiang Chunyan went in to wash, venting her frustration on the dirty laundry. Even when she broke the soap, she continued scrubbing, as if it could never ease her anger.
Huang Guilan felt extremely satisfied. Previously, she always suffered under Jiang Chunyan’s antics, but now, with Xingyue’s method, the situation was reversed.
Approaching Qiao Xingyue, Huang Guilan praised, “Xingyue, your method works perfectly.”
Xingyue smiled and was about to speak when Xie Zhongming took the enamel basin from her. “Comrade Qiao, I will wash Grandma’s clothes from now on. You’ve worked all day. Go rest.”
“Comrade Xie, that’s not necessary…”
As she reached for the basin, Huang Guilan held her hand, “Why not? A grandson washing his grandmother’s clothes is natural. Xingyue, you’ve worked hard today. Go rest.”
Deng Yingying, standing on the stairs unseen, listened carefully. Seeing Aunt Lan and Zhongming protect Qiao Xingyue so much, she realized this maid was already highly favored. Panic arose.
Her plan to slowly impress Huang Guilan was disrupted. After Aunt Lan returned to her room, Deng Yingying followed and knocked on the door.
“Aunt Lan, I’m Yingying. May I come in?”
“Come in.”
Deng Yingying entered, locking the door, and saw Huang Guilan at the window, sewing bright-colored clothes for the young women.
Huang Guilan had always liked making new clothes for her.
Now these new clothes were for Qiao Xingyue and her daughters.
Deng Yingying felt a pang of envy but spoke politely, “Aunt Lan, you are so kind to Xingyue. But she is capable and attentive to Grandma, she deserves it.”
Huang Guilan nodded, continuing her work, praising Xingyue, and Deng Yingying had to pretend to agree.
She cautiously asked, “Aunt Lan, my mother has been a bit excessive lately. I will speak to her later.”
“It’s fine. Aunt Lan now has ways to handle your mother, Xingyue taught me.”
Deng Yingying was frustrated that Qiao Xingyue was liked in every way by Aunt Lan. She hesitated, “Aunt Lan, Zhongming already has a wife. Could it be that Xingyue has feelings for him?”
Huang Guilan stopped sewing, “Yingying, why think like that? Don’t be like your mother.”
“I heard Zhongming might divorce his country wife. He’s so excellent. I just worry Xingyue might have designs on him. Although capable, she isn’t suitable for him in every way.”
“Your thinking is wrong. Even if Zhongming did divorce, I’d still think he, a man remarrying, might not be good enough for the excellent Xingyue.”
“What? Aunt Lan, Xingyue also has two kids.”
Speaking of the children, Huang Guilan was even more fond, “An’an and Ningning are closely connected to our Xie family.”
One resembled Zhongming, the other Xie, both carrying familial traits.
“If Zhongming does divorce his country wife, I’d gain two adorable granddaughters. How lucky!”
Huang Guilan had long hoped for a granddaughter, having five sons already.
Even if they were not her biological granddaughters, she would be overjoyed.
Deng Yingying could not understand why Aunt Lan liked these two girls so much, yet dared not speak a word against it.
“They are really cute!” Huang Guilan remarked.
Deng Yingying asked carefully, “Aunt Lan, does Zhongming really plan to divorce his country wife?”
“He intends to.”
But hadn’t the country wife disappeared?
Deng Yingying probed further, “Then… if Zhongming does divorce, will Xingyue marry him?”
Huang Guilan studied with Deng Yingying. The girl had wanted Zhongming, but he refused. She didn’t want Deng Yingying to cause trouble.
She said gently but firmly, “Yingying, forget any fantasies about Zhongming. He does not like you at all. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have married that lazy country girl instead of you. But don’t worry, I’ll still treat you like my niece.”
Deng Yingying was displeased. Only as a niece? Not like a daughter as before.
At that moment, someone knocked—Xie Zhongming, “Mom, I bought what you asked for.”
Huang Guilan said to Deng Yingying, “You go out first.”
After she left, Xie Zhongming entered, the door closed.
“Mom, the snow cream for Comrade Qiao, I’ve bought.”
“Bring it upstairs to her later. I’m busy making new clothes for her and her daughters.”
Huang Guilan continued sewing without looking up.
Xie Zhongming held the box of snow cream tightly. Sending it to a female comrade felt awkward, but he carried it and placed it inside some books, heading to the bathroom door.
The door was open, voices of Qiao Xingyue and the children came from inside.
“Mom, did you brush your teeth clean?”
“Ah!” An’an opened her mouth. After her mother checked, she happily said, “Mom, it’s so nice to be at Teacher’s grandfather’s house. We can use this fragrant toothpaste. Back home, we only had tooth powder and bamboo toothbrushes, not soft ones like Uncle Zhongming’s.”
An’an secretly wished for a warm-hearted father like Uncle Zhongming.
Qiao Xingyue had told her not to speak of it because Zhongming already had a wife.
Still, An’an was grateful to stay in the city and have a good life. Qiao Xingyue felt the same.
She wanted An’an and Ningning to stay in the city and root themselves there, but working as a maid at Aunt Lan’s was temporary. If she could take the college entrance exam and earn a degree, it would be perfect.
When she went to the Education Office, they said she was over 25 and married, so ineligible.
At the door, Xie Zhongming called out, “Comrade Qiao, here are some books. You might find them useful.”
Seeing the textbooks, Qiao Xingyue quickly wiped her wet hands on her clothes and took them.
High school textbooks. She was stunned.
She had just washed her face, unbuttoned the top button to wash her neck. Strands of wet hair clung to her fair skin. Her slender, fair neck resembled a peeled lotus root. Her collarbones were visible. Her face had a faint flush, no makeup, but looked fresh and striking.
Xie Zhongming had glanced and immediately looked away, unable to linger on her face.
He tightened his grip on the clothes. “When I came back, I met the director of the Education Office. He said since you are skilled in medicine, you are a special talent and can be exceptionally admitted to this year’s college entrance exam.”
“Comrade Xie, really? Will they admit me?”
“Yes. Take these books to study in your free time.”
“Thank you, Comrade Xie.”
“I happened to meet the director and brought you the good news.”
“Comrade Qiao, I will also arrange an introduction letter from the Military District residential compound for you later.”
“No need, I can manage tomorrow…”
“I know the compound better than you. It’s decided.” Xie Zhongming said firmly.
He turned and left with his tall, upright figure.
Qiao Xingyue was puzzled. That morning at the Education Office, she mentioned her medical skills and English, but they never said she could be admitted as a special talent. Was it luck?
Since arriving at the Xie household, her luck seemed to improve constantly.
“Comrade Xie, thank you so much.”
Xie Zhongming’s broad shoulders did not move, only a slight glance back.
He had learned she grew up in the countryside, with no formal schooling, but learned culture and medicine from her learned parents. He admired her determination to keep learning.
“Comrade Qiao, pursue your dreams. You can do it.”
Seeing the light in her eyes, he could not look away, feeling she should not be confined to maid duties in the kitchen.
“Yes!” Qiao Xingyue nodded firmly.
“Comrade Qiao, I hope you have a broader future.”
“Yes! I will not neglect my duties.”
The Xie family were broad-minded and kind. Master Xie, Aunt Lan, and Comrade Xie himself, all filled her heart with emotion.
Even as a small maid, Qiao Xingyue received such treatment.
With five sons in the Xie family, their five daughters-in-law would surely be extremely favored.