508 The Days Without Her
As soon as she got down from the train, Qiao Mei felt very comfortable. Even the air here felt different from the air in the capital. This was the smell of her hometown. It was so nice to be home.
“Should we go home first or go to the county city first?” Xia Zhe asked as he dragged the wagon full of luggage.
The people coming and going around them were either carrying big bags or had numerous family members with them. Xia Zhe was wearing a military uniform and carrying so many things with him. He also had a beautiful young girl standing next him, therefore attracting curious glances from passers-by.
Qiao Mei had realized that many women stared at Xia Zhe in the train carriage. Now that there were even more people around after disembarking, it was better to hurry back.
“Let’s go back quickly. If we go back now, we’ll still be able to have dinner with grandfather. If it’s any later, he’ll have gone up the mountain for a walk,” Qiao Mei said.
The two of them made haste and rushed back. On the way, they even met the old man from the village convenience store. He had driven a three-wheeled vehicle to come out to buy goods so he was able to send Qiao Mei and Xia Zhe back to the village.
“Old mister, how’s your business recently!” Qiao Mei asked.
“Sigh, it’s no different from usual. Everyone just comes to buy some daily necessities,” the old man said.
Other than Qiao Zhuang’s family, everyone else had made enough money during the time when they sold bean sprouts. How could no one be buying anything?
“I thought everyone earned some money this year! Why didn’t they go to your place to buy more good stuff!” Qiao Mei said.
The old man smiled and shook his head as he said, “Qiao Mei, you don’t know this, but even if we all earn money, everyone will save it up and won’t bear to spend the money at all. Which family doesn’t have a few children who will grow up and get married? Families with boys are even more careful with money. They will have to save it for their boys to get married!”
If one really wanted to earn money, it was definitely not possible for one to do it alone. Otherwise, others would be jealous of one’s family and play dirty tricks behind one’s back. It would only be harmonious when everyone could make money together.
“Old mister, I remember that your family has two sons!” Qiao Mei said.
“That’s right. Now that my first son is married, I’m not so worried anymore. My second son is still waiting to get married!” the old man said with a smile.
“Old mister, how’s my grandfather recently?” Qiao Mei asked.
At this moment, the old man did not say much and Qiao Mei had a vague feeling that something was wrong. Could it be that something had happened to her grandfather?
“Old mister, tell me quickly!” Qiao Mei said anxiously.
“Sigh… just the same things that happened in the past. When you were not at home, Qiao Zhuang’s family went to your house to take things. As your grandfather was alone at home, he could not fight them off, so he just let them take whatever they wanted. Sometimes, the situation is better if your mother is at home. Your younger siblings are all really young and can’t stop Qiao Zhuang and the rest,” the old man said angrily.
One time, he happened to pass by Qiao Mei’s house and saw Qiao Zhuang’s eldest daughter-in-law, Liu Ying, and third daughter-in-law, Jiang Ye, throwing a tantrum at the door, insisting that they wanted to take a pig from Qiao Mei’s house.
At that time, both Qiao Qiang and Li Gui were at home, so they did not manage to succeed and only managed to scold everyone. Otherwise, if they had succeeded, they would have taken all the poultry to their house.
“Qiao Mei, you’re pregnant so don’t go and look for them. Don’t suffer any losses. Your husband is also here, so I’ll say a bit more. Let’s not fight head-on with scoundrels. After all, your status is special. They’re all commoners. It would not be good if things get out of hand,” the old man advised them earnestly.
Xia Zhe definitely could not come forward to handle such a matter. If Qiao Zhuang and the rest acted shamelessly and insisted that Xia Zhe had injured their arms or legs, it would become a matter of a soldier bullying commoners. This would be seen as a serious matter. If word got out, Xia Zhe could forget about his career progression in the army.
“Old mister is right. I’ll definitely consider it carefully. Thank you, old mister,” Qiao Mei said.
Xia Zhe still wanted to say something in rebuttal when Qiao Mei stopped him and whispered, “Let’s talk at home.”
In no time at all, they arrived at the entrance of the village. Qiao Mei patted the old man’s shoulder and said, “Old mister, you can let me off here. We’ve reached your convenience store. My house is just a few steps away.”
“That won’t do! It doesn’t matter since it’s just a few steps. You have so many things, I’ll help send them to your house. Don’t stand on ceremony with me!” The old man smiled and waved his hand.
The people here were all very simple and honest. They still remembered how well Qiao Mei treated them, so they would do their best to help her whenever she needed help.
“Thank you then, old mister!” Qiao Mei smiled sweetly.
