Chapter 108: The Package Controversy

Zhao Xiaocao said, “It’s because Mom didn’t keep the accounts straight. If she had acknowledged Luo Qiao earlier, not only would someone be earning work points for the family, but the previous incident would have been justified. Now, it’s all in vain.”

Zhao Pulin retorted, “Having food doesn’t stop your gossip.”

It wasn’t just Zhao’s family thinking about Luo Qiao; Li Xiulan’s eldest daughter-in-law, Feng Xiaojuan, came in, scooped water from the water jar with a ladle, gulped it down, wiped her mouth, and sat on a bench in the courtyard.

She spoke up, “Mom, I heard just now that the orphan girl in the village received two big packages. Everyone in the village is jealous.”

Li Xiulan glanced sideways and asked, “What did you say?”

Feng Xiaojuan repeated, “It’s that orphan girl Zhao’s family didn’t acknowledge. Just now, the captain said she received two big packages from Beijing. I never expected this Luo Qiao to have such connections.”

Li Xiulan couldn’t sit still anymore. She looked around for a while and then went inside the house.

After entering the house, she looked at Gao Shunyi lying on the kang and said, “Husband, I think we can’t delay Third’s matter with Luo Qiao any longer. Just now, our eldest daughter-in-law said that girl received two big packages. Now more families in the village will have eyes on Luo Qiao. If we delay further, we might lose our chance.”

Gao Shunyi remained silent for a moment before saying, “That’s fine, but we need to handle this properly. We don’t want the village to accuse us of bullying.”

Li Xiulan chuckled, “Husband, don’t forget that Luo Qiao saved your life. She’s considered our Gao family’s benefactor. It’s only right for us to take care of her more.”

“To repay her kindness, we’ll arrange for our youngest son to be engaged to her. This way, it’ll be easier for us to look after her in the future. Who can argue against that reason? Remember, she’s just an orphan girl; what more could she hope for?”

Gao Shunyi replied, “The reasoning is a bit far-fetched, but it’s plausible.”

Back at home, Luo Qiao thanked the secretary who had helped deliver the packages. She hadn’t forgotten to slip a handful of dried red dates into his hands. After seeing him off and closing the courtyard gate, she brought the two packages inside and stored them away, preparing to cook dinner before examining the contents of the packages.

She steamed a large pot of rice in her storage space, intending to have extra meals stored up. Sometimes after work, she truly didn’t feel like cooking again. Yesterday’s garlic oil bok choy was good, so she made a simplified version of Kung Pao chicken.

After dinner, she finally opened the packages. Grandpa Yuan had sent two cans of wheat milk powder, two bags of powdered milk, along with a set of white shirts with red dots and a pair of black pants. Inside, there was also a pair of black leather shoes.

Beneath these items were several magazines, a bundle of newspapers, and two notebooks. There were also some miscellaneous small items, along with a letter enclosed with the package. It mentioned that if she encountered any difficulties, she should inform them immediately.

The letter also asked if she would be willing to live in Beijing and included a phone number for her to contact.

Grandpa Yang and Grandma Yang also sent a lot of supplements: wheat milk powder, White Rabbit milk candies, and two cans of meat. Along with the package, there were also many notes inside the letter, all of which were nationally recognized military coupons.

At the bottom of the package were two pieces of fabric and a pair of white sneakers. They suggested she make clothes when she had time and that she should have something nice to wear to school.

Luo Qiao felt warm inside as she stared at these items, her heart filled with mixed feelings. She felt like a thief who had stolen someone else’s happiness, enjoying the care and concern that others should rightfully receive.

After a while, she sighed and thought, since everything has been sent over, she should accept it. She would remember this kindness and repay them when she had the chance.

Thinking ahead, she planned to smoke some fish and send it over as a thank-you gesture, but she knew it wasn’t feasible now because of the hot weather and lack of vacuum packaging. She was afraid the fish would spoil by the time it reached Beijing.