After a bumpy ride, they finally arrived at the township.
As Qiao Qingyan climbed off the bicycle, she instinctively rubbed her sore chest.
What terrible roads…
The bicycle stopped in front of the supply and marketing cooperative. Xiao Jinye turned around to look at her, his gaze lingering on her chest for two seconds before he drawled,
“Sorry. The road was so rough that I ended up bumping you.”
His words instantly made her face burn with embarrassment.
She shot him a resentful glare.
“Your riding skills are awful.”
“Wife, I’m sorry. I’ll practice more when we get home. I won’t jostle your… brea—”
Before he could finish, Qiao Qingyan quickly stepped forward and clamped a hand over his mouth.
“I’m fine! Just stop talking.”
Xiao Jinye narrowed his dark eyes and mumbled something behind her palm.
There seemed to be something on her hand. It carried a soft, sweet fragrance.
Taking advantage of the moment, Xiao Jinye secretly inhaled deeply, letting the gentle scent seep into his lungs.
A moment later, Qiao Qingyan slowly withdrew her hand.
Once a habit was formed, it was hard to break.
Especially for someone like Xiao Jinye. He’d always spoken bluntly since childhood. Expecting him to suddenly adopt the refined, restrained manner of city people was practically impossible.
Qiao Qingyan could only console herself to endure it.
Besides, she wasn’t planning to spend the rest of her life with him.
Before entering the cooperative, she took out the fifty yuan her mother-in-law had given her and handed it to Xiao Jinye.
“This is the money your mother gave me earlier. Here, you take it back.”
Xiao Jinye frowned.
“I don’t want it.”
“Then just keep it for your mother. When we get divorced, you can return it to her for me.”
A trace of displeasure flashed across his face.
He didn’t accept the money.
“Whoever gave it to you is the one you should return it to.”
With that, he strode into the cooperative without another word.
Qiao Qingyan blinked in confusion.
Since he refused to take it, she tucked the money back into her pocket and followed him inside.
The cooperative was bustling with people.
It was the only large supply and marketing cooperative within dozens of miles, serving more than ten surrounding villages.
Jiang Chunhua was busy working behind the counter. The moment she spotted Qiao Qingyan, she smiled warmly.
“Qingyan! What brings you here today?”
Qiao Qingyan walked over with a smile.
“Big Sister Chunhua, I thought you weren’t working today.”
The two had always gotten along well and chatted whenever they met.
In fact, it was thanks to Jiang Chunhua that she’d gotten the teaching position at Guangming Primary School.
Qiao Qingyan had never forgotten that favor.
Jiang Chunhua glanced at Xiao Jinye standing behind her.
“So this is the fellow from the Xiao family?”
“That’s right,” Qiao Qingyan replied.
Xiao Jinye gave Jiang Chunhua a polite nod.
Naturally, he knew exactly who she was.
He even knew where the Jiang family lived and the situation of every member of their household.
Qiao Qingyan quietly introduced him.
“You probably don’t know Sister Chunhua. She’s—”
Before she could finish, Xiao Jinye lazily cut in,
“I know. She’s the older sister of that ex-boyfriend you were desperately in love with.”
Qiao Qingyan immediately looked up and glared at him.
Pressing his lips together, he wore an expression that practically said, Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.
Jiang Chunhua sized him up.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with handsome features and a heroic bearing.
Standing beside him made Qiao Qingyan appear even smaller and more delicate.
She smiled.
“So you’re here to prepare your homecoming gifts?”
“Yes.”
“Your sister was just here buying hers. They’re still sitting over there.”
She nodded toward the inside of the counter.
Originally, Chen Xiaomeng had only bought one of each item.
Afraid that wouldn’t be proper etiquette and that people would gossip about her in-laws lacking manners, Jiang Chunhua had kindly advised her to buy everything in pairs.
Since Chen Xiaomeng hadn’t brought enough money, Jiang Chunhua had even paid the difference for her.
Looking over the dazzling array of goods on display, Qiao Qingyan said softly,
“Sister Chunhua, I don’t really know the proper customs. Could you help me pick suitable cigarettes, liquor, candy, and tea? My mother-in-law specifically said everything should come in pairs.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll make sure everything is practical, respectable, and won’t make you lose face.”
Jiang Chunhua efficiently selected the items.
The types and quantities were exactly the same as what she’d prepared for Chen Xiaomeng.
Since the two sisters were returning to their parents’ home on the same day, matching gifts would prevent idle gossip.
As they were busy packing everything into mesh bags, Chen Xiaomeng, who had been wandering outside, happened to walk in.
The moment she entered, her gaze landed directly on Qiao Qingyan and Xiao Jinye.
She immediately put on a delighted fake smile.
“Qingyan! You came to town too?”
“Mhm.”
Qiao Qingyan clearly wasn’t interested in chatting with her.
Xiao Jinye glanced at Chen Xiaomeng indifferently before lowering his head to continue packing their purchases.
Anyone Qiao Qingyan disliked…
He disliked too.
Chen Xiaomeng froze slightly.
Whether in her previous life or this one…
This man’s eyes were always just as cold and indifferent when they looked at her.
She walked over.
“Are you buying your homecoming gifts too?”
“Yes.”
Her gaze drifted toward Xiao Jinye as she muttered inwardly,
In my previous life, Xiao Jinye never accompanied me back to my parents’ home. I even had to pay for all the gifts myself. So why is he personally accompanying Qiao Qingyan this time?
Hearing those words, Qiao Qingyan lowered her eyes thoughtfully.
Previous life?
Could Chen Xiaomeng have been reborn?
It sounded absurd.
But considering she herself could hear other people’s inner thoughts…
Nothing seemed too unbelievable anymore.
“What did you buy?” Chen Xiaomeng asked with a smile.
Jiang Chunhua answered for her.
“The same homecoming gifts you bought.”
Chen Xiaomeng frowned as she looked over the mesh bags.
The same?
How could Qiao Qingyan possibly afford gifts equal to mine?
Xiao Jinye was a complete miser. Stingier than iron. His family was dirt poor.
In my previous life, he wouldn’t even give me a few yuan when I wanted money to play cards.
How could he possibly spend this much now?
After a pause, she said in a seemingly kind tone,
“Qingyan, there’s really no need to pretend to be wealthier than you are. My homecoming gifts cost forty or fifty yuan. You don’t have to buy exactly the same things just because you’re trying to compete with me.”
Xiao Jinye clicked his tongue impatiently.
Qiao Qingyan’s face turned cold.
“You’re seriously overthinking things. Sister Chunhua picked these out for me. No one is trying to compete with you. You’ve got far too much imagination.”
Chen Xiaomeng wasn’t embarrassed in the slightest.
Instead, she turned to Jiang Chunhua.
“Sister Chunhua, why don’t you help my younger sister return some of these? You don’t know how poor the Xiao family is. Money’s already tight for them. My sister’s too proud to refuse, but honestly, I doubt they can afford all this.”
Jiang Chunhua truly didn’t know the Xiao family’s financial situation.
Hearing that, she worried she’d chosen too many expensive items and accidentally placed a burden on Qiao Qingyan.
She hesitated.
“Qingyan… should I pick out a cheaper set instead…”
“Sister Chunhua, there’s no need.”
Qiao Qingyan took out the fifty yuan and handed it over.
“Please total everything up for me. And add two jars of Snowflake Cream as well.”
“All right.”
Jiang Chunhua accepted the money and went to fetch the face cream.
The sight made Chen Xiaomeng’s face darken.
Who are you trying to impress? Isn’t that just your dowry money from home? You’re acting so high and mighty. Just wait—I’ll make sure you cough up every last cent of that dowry.
Her incessant inner voice made Qiao Qingyan frown in irritation.
“What is that noise?”
Xiao Jinye glanced toward the entrance of the cooperative.
“Sounds like some stray dog barking.”