Seeing Qin Jizhi’s face darken at a visible speed, Yu Qiaoqiao suddenly remembered that she had told Zhao Lijie to return all the money and ration coupons he owed her before tonight.
Thinking of this, she happily ran out.
But Qin Jizhi didn’t know any of this.
Watching Yu Qiaoqiao’s face full of joy, he instantly felt uncomfortable.
Just moments ago, she had told him she wasn’t pining or risking her life over Zhao Lijie, yet the moment she heard his voice, she rushed out eagerly.
And the smile on her face couldn’t be hidden at all.
She must still have feelings for Zhao Lijie, right?
Ever since becoming paralyzed, Qin Jizhi had never longed so much for his legs to be whole again. He slammed his fist hard onto his leg, but felt nothing.
Although the room was soundproof, the voices outside were low, and even straining his ears, he couldn’t make out what they were saying.
What would the two of them talk about? Would they do anything inappropriate?
He had heard plenty of gossip about Yu Qiaoqiao before. Even lying in bed, he couldn’t escape it. In the village, where people had little to do after meals, they naturally talked about whoever had the most drama.
Yu Qiaoqiao was practically a “celebrity” in Qingshi Village. Everyone knew about her chasing after Zhao Lijie.
At the thought of this, Qin Jizhi couldn’t calm his heart.
Just earlier, he had felt he was holding her back and had even told her she could divorce him anytime she regretted it. But what was happening now? After just a day together, his thoughts had changed.
Meanwhile, Yu Qiaoqiao, who had rushed out, had no idea that the big vinegar jar at home was already misunderstanding and sulking with jealousy.
She pushed the door open, her smile still on her face, and stretched out her hand toward Zhao Lijie. “Hand it over.”
Seeing how happy she looked, Zhao Lijie thought she was just being stubborn earlier and teasing him. With his hands in his pockets, he said, “What?”
Yu Qiaoqiao shot him a look. “Stop playing dumb. The money and the coupons.”
Zhao Lijie choked. “Qiaoqiao, didn’t I say to wait a bit?”
“Wait? Zhao Lijie, do you think I’m joking with you? If you don’t have the money and coupons, why are you shamelessly coming here? To put on a show?”
Zhao Lijie frowned. “Qiaoqiao, why are you speaking so rudely?”
“Is ‘Qiaoqiao’ something you get to call me? Cut the crap. I don’t have time for your nonsense. Pay up cleanly, and we’ll pretend nothing happened. If you don’t, I’ll show you what real ‘rudeness’ is!”
Seeing she wasn’t joking, Zhao Lijie grew serious. “Qiaoqiao, I promise—next month. Once my family sends money next month, I’ll give it to you immediately, okay?”
Originally, he had planned to come over at dusk, sweet-talk her, maybe hold her hand when no one was around, and if she was in a good mood, even steal a kiss. Who knew she’d gone crazy these past two days, acting like she didn’t recognize anyone!
Yu Qiaoqiao narrowed her eyes, then curled her lips into a smile. “Zhao Lijie, you brought this on yourself.”
As she spoke, she turned and headed toward the production team office. If she didn’t show her temper today, this pretty boy would think she was Hello Kitty—laughing it off like nothing mattered. She was going to make him understand what fear really meant.
Rolling up her sleeves, she quickened her pace, almost jogging.
Seeing something was wrong, Zhao Lijie hurried after her, panting. “Qiaoqiao, Qiaoqiao! Yu Qiaoqiao, stop! I’ll pay—I’ll pay, okay?”
Yu Qiaoqiao suddenly stopped. Zhao Lijie couldn’t brake in time and crashed straight into her. She sidestepped slightly, and he fell flat on his face, eating dirt.
Clutching his teeth, he groaned in pain. Yu Qiaoqiao reached out her hand. Just as Zhao Lijie was about to grab it—
“Pay up! What nonsense are you thinking?!”
He had actually thought she was helping him up.
“Yu Qiaoqiao, how did you become like this? Do you have to make things so ugly?”
Yu Qiaoqiao laughed, holding her waist. “Zhao Lijie, I usually don’t say things to embarrass people. If I do, it means I really want to embarrass you.”
“You—!” He had run too fast and fallen too hard; his whole body ached like it had fallen apart.
“Enough nonsense. I’ll count to three. If you don’t hand over the money, I’m leaving.”
Zhao Lijie had actually brought the money and coupons.
His other qualities weren’t remarkable, but he was indeed cautious. Afraid Yu Qiaoqiao might really do something drastic, he had brought all his savings just in case.
Half of the money and coupons were in Zhao Lijie’s hand, the other half already gripped in Yu Qiaoqiao’s. They tugged silently against each other.
Yu Qiaoqiao shot him a look, and he reluctantly let go.
Now it wasn’t just his body that hurt—his heart hurt too.
That was all his savings.
Every last bit, gone!
Watching Yu Qiaoqiao walk away without a second thought, he punched the ground. Yu Qiaoqiao, one day I’ll make you willingly give everything back!
Yu Qiaoqiao hummed a tune, skipping back home.
She counted—she had gotten a full seventy yuan back from Zhao Lijie.
There were also several cloth coupons and grain coupons. She didn’t even know how many beatings she had taken and how many times she had gone hungry because of those things in the Yu family.
Now it was good—her “effort” had finally paid off.
Adding the betrothal money Qin’s mother had given her, she now had a total of 120 yuan.
In this era, that was no small sum. An average family wouldn’t even spend that much in a year. No matter when, having money in your pocket gave you a strong sense of security.
Yu Qiaoqiao tucked the money away and entered the house smiling.
She completely failed to notice Qin Jizhi’s dark expression, how he deliberately avoided looking at her and kept staring toward the courtyard.
Carefree as she was, she didn’t observe him. She picked up the unfinished bedsheet and continued sewing. It was getting dark, and without a lamp at night, she wouldn’t be able to work.
She sewed on her own, clearly in a great mood.
But in Qin Jizhi’s eyes, this good mood was entirely because of her “date” with Zhao Lijie outside. After holding it in for a long time, he finally spoke, “Comrade Yu Qiaoqiao.”
“Hm?” She didn’t stop working.
“What I said before still stands.” Qin Jizhi glanced at her, his voice cold.
“What did you say?”
“That if you regret it, you can divorce me anytime. But you’d better do it soon.”
Don’t wait until later, when I’ve grown dependent on you. By then, I’m afraid I won’t be able to let you go so easily.
Qin Jizhi even felt a bit of contempt for himself.
Not like a real man.
But as soon as he said this, Yu Qiaoqiao’s expression changed. She suddenly threw the bedsheet onto the bed, her voice rising sharply:
“Qin Jizhi!!”