Qiao Meili knew that her brother didn’t really understand what she meant, but it didn’t matter, as long as they had the same goal.
She wasn’t saying this out of any mysticism, since superstition couldn’t be practiced at this time.
But how to put it…
Think about their family’s fate. The brigade leader took good care of them because of the favor he received from Master Qiao. Zhu Hui was an orphan sponsored by Master Qiao. Even her marriage to Xiao Heng was thanks to Master Qiao.
Back then, Grandpa Xiao was away fighting a war, and Grandma Xiao, a single woman raising two children, couldn’t make ends meet. She heard about Master Qiao’s good reputation and, with only a sliver of hope, went to him. Master Qiao actually gave them money and food every month, which helped them get through those difficult days.
Even the villagers in Hongxing Brigade had received favors from Master Qiao in the past, so no one reported them.
Because of this, even with the dramatic changes in the outside world, the Qiao family was still able to live a peaceful life in this remote corner.
Otherwise, with this bunch of “brainless” people, how could they possibly live a peaceful life?
Mr. Joe devoted himself to this family so much, and now that he’s gone, his goodwill continues to protect his descendants.
We should reward the elderly properly!
The tractor sputtered as it drove along, and the familiar scenery of my hometown grew ever more distant.
Qiao Meili sat on a small stool with her suitcase beside her feet. The wind whistled past her ears, and she felt quite uneasy.
The tractor traveled for about an hour and a half before arriving at the county bus station.
Qiao Meili got off the truck bed carrying a suitcase.
Zhu Hui had already gotten out of the car and said to her, “Wait here.”
Before Qiao Meili could speak, he turned and walked inside.
About five minutes later, Zhu Hui came out of the low bungalow and handed her a train ticket.
“Tickets to the provincial capital,”
Qiao Meili reached out and took it, “How much is it? I’ll give it to you.”
“No need,” Zhu Hui said expressionlessly, even somewhat coldly. “The captain told me to watch you get on the bus before I leave.”
“There’s no need. You can go back. I can manage on my own.”
To reiterate, she has absolutely no desire to have anything to do with Zhu Hui right now.
Zhu Hui standing there is less comfortable than waiting for the bus by herself.
A cold snort reached his ears, but it was Zhu Hui’s sarcastic smile. “Don’t worry, I can understand human speech and I know my own identity. I dare not and will not have any improper thoughts about you again.”
These words weren’t very pleasant to hear, and given the original owner’s temper, she would have already cursed back, but for the current Qiao Meili, they were exactly what she wanted.
Qiao Meili’s face darkened, and her voice was equally harsh, “You know that’s good.”
Zhu Hui pulled away, his stiff face growing even more gloomy. He clenched his fist, trying to restrain himself, and turned to leave, but stopped after taking only two steps and finally turned back.
He didn’t say a word, just stood there like a statue.
Qiao Meili knew that he was probably too responsible, because the captain had instructed him to watch her get on the bus and leave.
The two remained locked in this stalemate. Amidst the bustling crowds at the station, the handsome man and beautiful woman attracted the stares of passersby.
Zhu Hui was also fierce, like a wolf cub; he would glare back at anyone who looked at him.
No one dared to look any longer.
Zhu Hui had a ruthless streak, which secretly alarmed Qiao Meili. After all, he was the male protagonist in the book and no ordinary person.
She increasingly felt that her decision to distance herself from him was the right one.
After all, there is a female lead in that book.
Soon, the ticket seller announced that the bus to the provincial capital was about to depart, urging passengers to board quickly.
Qiao Meili squeezed onto the bus with her suitcase, found a window seat, and after she settled in, she looked out the window and saw that Zhu Hui had already left.
Seeing him leave, Qiao Meili breathed a sigh of relief.
Let’s go, let’s go, and hopefully we’ll never see each other again.
As the shuttle bus started moving, Qiao Meili quickly put Zhu Hui’s matter out of her mind. After all, the most serious issue facing her was how to deal with Xiao Heng.
The bus took a full two hours to reach the provincial capital, and then we still had to take a train for more than ten hours, arriving at Nanshi Railway Station at noon the next day.
Qiao Meili still had some recollection of this route. After arriving at Nanshi Railway Station, she had to take a bus to Anxian County. Even after arriving in the town, she would need a vehicle to pick her up from the military base, or she could hitch a ride on a local villager’s oxcart.
In short, because transportation was inconvenient at that time, traveling long distances was a particularly arduous and exhausting experience.
Although the battalion commander said he had sent a telegram to the troops, given her relationship with Xiao Heng, she couldn’t guarantee that Xiao Heng would come to pick her up.
Fortunately, Qiao Meili had a spatial ability to protect her. There was nothing valuable in her suitcase, so she managed to sleep for a few hours on the train that night.
“Waaah—”
With a clattering sound, the green train pulled into the station.
Other passengers rushed to get off the train, as if afraid that if they were a step too late the train would leave. Qiao Meili felt there was no need for that and lined up at a leisurely pace.
As she got off the train with her suitcase, she immediately spotted a soldier on the platform looking around for someone.
He finally spotted her, paused for a moment, then jogged over. “Sister-in-law, do you remember me?”
Fearing she might not recognize him, the other person added, “I am Lei Guotao. At that time, Deputy Regiment Commander Xiao was the battalion commander of the Second Battalion, and I was his political instructor.”
Qiao Meili has an impression.
Lei Guotao was originally a political worker and a cultured man before joining the army, but his wife, Huang Yifang, was a country girl.
Back then, because the two men were partners, their families were close and interacted frequently in daily life. The original owner looked down on Huang Yifang, thinking she was unclean and slovenly. The original owner said that other people’s food looked like pig swill, referring to Huang Yifang.
Bringing up old stories is bound to be awkward.
Qiao Meili could only pretend not to be embarrassed, “Of course I remember,”
Lei Guotao smiled, his gaze sweeping over the suitcase at Qiao Meili’s feet, then paused.
She only brought this small suitcase; she doesn’t look like she’s coming to stay permanently. Could she be here to get a divorce?
Actually, it would be better if they really got a divorce. They all saw that Xiao Heng’s conditions were more than enough to warrant finding a better wife!
The woman in front of me is only pretty… Jian Shou has no other redeeming qualities!
However, as an outsider, he shouldn’t say too much about these things.
“Deputy Commander Xiao has important work to do and can’t leave. Luckily, I’m on leave today, so he asked me to pick you up at the station. The car is parked outside. Let’s go.”
As he spoke, Lei Guotao helped her lift her luggage.
Upon seeing this, Qiao Meili said, “Thank you for your trouble.”
Those three simple words startled Lei Guotao so much that he almost dropped the suitcase he was holding.