Qiao Xingyue wondered if Jiang Yongqiang had recognized her. Four years ago, when she had just given birth to An’an and Ningning was still very young, she had taken Ningning to the provincial hospital. Along the way, at a broken temple, she had encountered Jiang Yongqiang who had tried to assault her. At that time, she had not fully slimmed down yet, weighing around one hundred forty jin. She had indeed been a little chubby.
She hugged the bundle of clothes she had just taken down from the bamboo pole and nodded slightly. “I was a bit heavier before, but that was a long time ago.”
She tightened her hold on the clothes, forcing a small smile.
Xie Zhongming knew that female comrades often cared about their image and might feel embarrassed, so he did not ask more about her being a little chubby.
“Comrade Qiao, did you know Jiang Yongqiang before?”
“That is a long story. It was not something good, so I will not talk about it.”
At that time, she had been in a hurry to get Ningning to the hospital. Otherwise, she would have reported Jiang Yongqiang to the police for his actions, which were serious crimes at that time. But now, without witnesses or proof, accusing him of misconduct would not be easy.
“Comrade Qiao, since you have registered for the college entrance exam, focus on your studies. Jiang Yongqiang is no longer a problem. My family will ensure he does not try anything against you.”
“Thank you very much, Comrade.” Qiao Xingyue felt warmth and gratitude in her heart and continued to collect the clothes.
Seeing that she was struggling to hold the large bundle, Xie Zhongming stepped forward and helped. He was tall at one meter eighty-eight, with broad shoulders and a straight back. His muscles flexed under his sleeves as he effortlessly took down the clothes and also grabbed the two bed sheets she could not reach.
At the doorway, Huang Guilan watched. In the glow of the sunset, Xingyue and her fourth son stood side by side. One was tall, handsome, and upright. The other was delicate, beautiful, and gentle. They looked so well-matched.
This is what a couple should look like.
If they could form a family, they would surely grow fond of each other and live happily. Huang Guilan thought about how the past chubby girl had wasted her son’s life and felt frustrated.
After collecting the clothes, they headed to the main hall. Xie Zhongming saw Huang Guilan and asked, “Mom, was Jiang Yongqiang called here by Aunt Jiang?”
“Yes,” Huang Guilan replied softly, still annoyed, “Your Aunt Jiang always comes up with bad ideas.”
Xie Zhongming pondered for a moment and said, “I understand.”
He carried the clothes and bed sheets, which belonged to his grandmother, to her room.
Huang Guilan took the clothes from Qiao Xingyue, “Xingyue, give these to Aunt Lan.”
“Okay.” Qiao Xingyue handed over the clothes. “I will go to the kitchen downstairs.”
That evening, she was preparing minced meat noodles. She had made two types of stir-fried minced meat: one spicy, one with sauce. Xie Zhongming and Xie Jiang could eat spicy food, but Aunt Lan could not. Both versions included diced pork, sauce, and diced potatoes, carrots, and wood ear mushrooms, cooked until tender and served with a rich, flavorful broth.
When Huang Guilan entered the kitchen, she saw Qiao Xingyue pouring the savory meat sauce over the noodles. The aroma made Huang Guilan almost drool. “So fragrant. Xingyue, I want to talk to you for a moment.”
“Yes, Aunt Lan? What is it?” Qiao Xingyue paused from pouring the sauce.
“A lot of things about my fourth son’s marriage are complicated. He and his wife never had true feelings for each other, and he is planning to divorce. I wanted to tell you…” Huang Guilan hesitated, worried that Xingyue might not be interested in her son and might refuse.
These past few days, not only Jiang Chunyan but many other women in the compound wanted to introduce Xingyue to someone. Huang Guilan had not agreed to any of them and had not mentioned it to Xingyue. She was afraid someone would take Xingyue away. “Xingyue, what do you think of my fourth son?”
Qiao Xingyue, pouring the sauce, understood her intentions. She deliberately said, “Aunt Lan, Comrade Xie is good, upright, responsible, and principled. I treat him like an older brother.”
It was clear she had no romantic feelings for Xie Zhongming. Huang Guilan probed further, “Xingyue, recently many women in the compound want to introduce someone to you. I do not know what you want. If you…”
“Aunt Lan, I do not plan to date anyone,” Qiao Xingyue interrupted. “If anyone tries to introduce someone to me like Aunt Jiang, just refuse me. I only want to focus on working well in your home, preparing for the college entrance exam, securing a stable job, and raising An’an and Ningning to become useful members of society.”
Huang Guilan finally felt at ease. As long as Xingyue did not plan to date anyone else, she would have the opportunity once Xie Zhongming divorced his wife.
Huang Guilan smiled and said, “Xingyue, this evening your fourth son’s eldest sister-in-law will bring her two children over. Since the eldest and his wife are going on a trip, the two kids will stay here for now. You will need to cook for two more children, which will be hard for you.”
“That is my responsibility, not hard at all. Are the two children boys or girls?” Qiao Xingyue asked while carrying the noodle bowls to the main hall.
“Boys. My second son’s wife also had two boys.” Huang Guilan followed, carrying a bowl herself.
Deng Yingying saw this and went to help in the kitchen. She wanted to say something but noticed Aunt Lan was talking with Xingyue, leaving no room for her to interrupt.
“Aunt Lan, you are truly blessed, five sons and four grandsons.”
“This is not luck. I always wanted a daughter, but all five children were boys. Then my sons’ wives had four boys in a row. If An’an or Ningning were my granddaughters, I would wake up from dreams laughing.”
This era valued boys, but Huang Guilan’s family preferred girls, which was unusual.
Earlier, she had asked about Comrade Xie, hinting he would soon be divorced. Was she trying to set up Xingyue with him?
The Xie family loved An’an and Ningning and treated them well. Being with a responsible man like Xie Zhongming would be a blessing for both Xingyue and the children.
Qiao Xingyue clenched the noodle bowl tightly, forcing aside any improper thoughts.
At dinner, Jiang Chunyan mentioned again, “Guilan, Comrade Xie, my nephew Jiang Yongqiang is honest, tall, and talented, and he has never married. This Qiao Xingyue…”
“Comrade Jiang, stop these bad thoughts,” Xie Zhongming interrupted immediately, halting his action of picking up noodles. His eyes froze on Jiang Chunyan. “Do you not know what kind of man Jiang Yongqiang is? If he were a good man, he would not be unmarried at thirty-something. If my father had not arranged him a post in the logistics department, he would still be lazy and useless. A man like him is not even worthy of serving Xingyue tea.”
“Zhongming, why do you speak so harshly about my Yongqiang…”
Xie Zhongming spoke firmly, “Comrade Jiang, I have reported to the organization that you returned to the Jincheng Military District residential compound. The logistics department will assign you a room, and you and Deng Yingying will move out.”
After understanding the situation, Xie Jiang also scolded, “Comrade Jiang, how can you introduce my little Qiao to your lazy nephew? Jiang Yongqiang is not even worth one hair of hers.”
Hearing both father and son defend her, Qiao Xingyue’s eyes welled up.
This was not an employer protecting her, this was family.
Jiang Chunyan panicked. “Comrade Xie, Yongqiang’s father is ill and relies on him. If you dismiss him, how will he live? My husband sacrificed his life to save you, and you promised to take care of us.”
Huang Guilan snorted and retorted, “Chunyan, we have cared for you and your mother all these years. Aren’t you satisfied?”
Deng Yingying wiped her tears, “Aunt Lan, we may have troubled you. Perhaps we should move out.”
Huang Guilan did not soften, “Then move out. You have caused enough trouble.”
Deng Yingying was stunned. Normally, tears would earn comfort, but with Qiao Xingyue here, Aunt Lan had completely changed.
Would they really have to move out?
Later, in the evening, Xie Zhongming’s eldest daughter-in-law, Shen Liping, returned to the hall with her two sons, Xie Zhiyuan and Xie Mingyuan.
Qiao Xingyue recognized her gradually. This was the woman who, four years ago, had rescued her and her daughters at the broken temple.
Huang Guilan was about to introduce her, and Qiao Xingyue’s grateful eyes met Shen Liping’s. “Liping, what a coincidence, you are Aunt Lan’s eldest daughter-in-law.”
“You are…” Shen Liping looked at Qiao Xingyue, realizing she looked familiar, especially her large eyes. After a moment, she remembered. “You are the little chubby girl from the broken temple?”
Huang Guilan was confused. “What, Liping, you know Xingyue? Little chubby girl?”
Shen Liping had not expected that after four years, Xingyue had transformed into a slim and beautiful young woman. No wonder she had not recognized her immediately.