“Although the family began to decline, my father was a doctor and had ways to earn money. Combined with the substantial wealth we already had, our lives were still comfortable. I never had to worry about making a living and only needed to focus on studying.”
“My maternal family was originally from Shanghai. Years ago, because of a business failure, they had no choice but to move to my hometown county to rely on relatives. Later, due to their capitalist background, they were forced to remain in the Miao village for over ten years.”
“In 1977, the label of ‘capitalist’ was finally removed from my maternal family. At the same time, for other reasons, my parents divorced. My mother took my younger brother, who is five years younger than me, back to Shanghai, and we never contacted each other again after that.”
“For the following years, my father and I depended on each other, and life was relatively peaceful.”
“But half a month ago, a reservoir discharge caused flooding in the neighboring Han district, and hundreds of thousands of mountain residents were affected. My father and I were recruited to go help with disaster relief, and that’s when he became entangled in a fatal lawsuit.”
At this point, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Qiu Yinong’s lips.
“That old man who died was already terminally ill and only had a few days left to live. When my father examined him, he clearly told the family to prepare the coffin and funeral arrangements as soon as possible.”
“The family insisted that my father prescribe painkillers, saying they wanted the old man to pass away more comfortably. But the old man died that very night after taking the medicine. Without another word, they violently attacked my father, claiming he had killed the old man.”
“They injured my father, then stormed into our house like bandits, smashing and looting everything. Anyone with eyes could tell it was premeditated. At the time, I immediately decided to report it to the police.”
“Right after I reported it and called our Miao relatives over, they ran to the hospital room and attacked my father again, worsening his injuries. That same night, he…”
Qiu Yinong lowered her head. Her throat tightened with emotion, and a heavy sadness radiated from her entire body. Yet she still forced herself to continue calmly.
“I insisted on filing complaints and petitioning for justice, asking the police and village elders to intervene. But that family was nothing but violent bullies—completely unreasonable. Even after beating my father to death, they still wouldn’t stop.”
“Later, I don’t know where my aunt got the news, but she and my uncle suddenly came back for the funeral. Actually, I had never met them before. Everything I knew about them came only from what my grandparents and father had told me.”
“As for my father’s case, I firmly wanted to handle it through legal means. I had already found witnesses, and there were police officials and village elders willing to stand up for me. But the moment they arrived, they persuaded me to let the matter go and allow my father to rest in peace. They said it was for the sake of my reputation and future, and they privately negotiated compensation of two thousand yuan with that family.”
Hearing this, the Cheng couple and Cheng Yuanche all frowned.
“So in other words, you didn’t borrow money from them. They made decisions on their own and paid compensation, then left you burdened with a huge debt instead?”
“Yes. That’s exactly it.”
Qiu Yinong nodded, her delicate face darkened with displeasure.
“My uncle said those thugs wanted to seize me as a wife, and that instead of letting them ruin my reputation, it was better to pay money quickly and settle the matter. But he only told me all this afterward.”
“I was extremely dissatisfied with them making decisions without my consent. The Qiu family also has status in the Miao village and many local connections. I was fully capable of dealing with that group of bullies myself. It was their sudden interference that ruined my plans. I even argued with my uncle at home over it.”
“Later, the village elders persuaded me. They encouraged me to take this opportunity to see the outside world and relax for a while. My aunt and uncle also made many promises and guarantees. Only then did I agree to come with them to Shihai County.”
These were the parts about the Qiu family that could be told. As for the things that could not be revealed, naturally she would not disclose them to outsiders.
Qiu Yinong then continued introducing herself.
“That’s my family situation. Now let me talk about myself. I’m twenty years old this year and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ningcheng Medical University. I didn’t take the college entrance exam. The government gives preferential treatment to ethnic minorities, so I entered university through a government recommendation quota.”
“I graduated last year. Originally, I was assigned to work at Ningcheng People’s Hospital, but the Miao people needed skilled young doctors more, and I also wanted to stay with my father, so after graduation I returned to my hometown.”
“My goodness…”
Mother Cheng was so shocked she practically jumped up, her voice trembling.
“Little Qiu… Little Qiu is a university student? A medical university graduate?”
Not just the Cheng family—even the entire Wankou Village, including several nearby fishing villages—had probably never produced a single university undergraduate. Their own family had not even produced a technical secondary school graduate.
Yet now a university-educated medical student was marrying into their family.
Both Father and Mother Cheng panicked. The surprise had come too suddenly. They would never have dared dream of such a thing, and now they felt even more unsettled.
Cheng Yuanche had been quietly listening the whole time, but upon learning she held a bachelor’s degree, his emotions surged violently. His well-defined fingers pressed hard against his knees as he tightened his expression.
“Yinong, I only graduated from middle school. There’s too great a gap between us in education and culture. You…”
Qiu Yinong knew what he wanted to say and waved her hand dismissively.
“I don’t care about differences in education. What I value is character and morals. If my grandparents and father were still alive, they would definitely support my choice.”
“Little Qiu,” Father Cheng said thoughtfully, “you’re a precious medical university graduate. With your education, you could easily find work at a hospital and have a stable monthly income. Paying off the debt wouldn’t be difficult. Why are you willing to marry Yuanche?”
Unlike others, Father Cheng was sharp-minded. After a few thoughts, he had already guessed she had other plans.
“First, I truly am at marriageable age, and Comrade Cheng Yuanche made a fairly good impression on me. I trust my own judgment.”
“Second, I have other plans for staying in Wankou Village. I won’t hide it from the three of you—my uncle is very calculating. I want to figure out why he brought me here and then decide whether maintaining this family relationship is even necessary.”
Qiu Yinong had never intended to stay here permanently. Originally, she had planned to return to the Miao village, but after suddenly deciding to marry, she felt that following Cheng Yuanche to the military base in the future might actually be a good choice.
Her answer was open and straightforward.
“Yinong,” Cheng Yuanche said softly, “your uncle is from the same village as us. We’ve known him for many years and understand his personality fairly well. He really is full of schemes and calculations. Later, I’ll investigate his work situation and tell you what I find.”
“Alright.” Qiu Yinong smiled slightly.
Then she made another request of them.
“Uncle, Auntie, what I’ve told you just now is the general situation of me and my family. Please keep it confidential for now and don’t reveal that I’m a medical university graduate. I still don’t fully understand my uncle’s schemes, but I’m certain he’s plotting something shady. I don’t want him to know my full capabilities.”
“Your aunt and uncle don’t know you graduated from medical university?” Mother Cheng quickly asked.
“I never told them. Although I graduated from medical school, my medical skills and pharmaceutical knowledge are actually still inferior to my father’s.”
“Our Miao people have unique medical philosophies and rather special treatment methods. The Qiu family also has its own inherited medical traditions. Both my grandfather and father were highly skilled doctors. They were my first teachers, and all these years I worked beside them as an apprentice.”
“My aunt never studied medicine with the elders and was never involved in this profession. They never asked much about me either, only assuming I was an apprentice who knew a little basic medical knowledge.”