Chapter 72: The Couple’s Plot

“No, it’s because of work. But your dad said that the college entrance exam should be confirmed next year, so I think it’s better if your brother doesn’t go. It’s better to avoid any trouble.”

Bai Ruoyan was immediately anxious when she heard this.

She glanced around and pulled her mother back to her room.

“Mom, anyway, Second Brother is just going to take a peek. He won’t meet Little Sister. Besides, how can you be sure that Little Sister will definitely take the college entrance exam? She’s been in the countryside for so many years. It’s not certain that she can even pass the exam.”

“Nonsense. My Qiaoqiao will definitely take the college entrance exam, and she will definitely pass.”

“Okay, okay.” Bai Ruoyan raised her hands in surrender. “I know your little sister is the smartest and most outstanding. She will definitely get into college. I’m just saying what if. And it’s still the same thing. Second Brother is just going to take a look. Winter is coming soon. The weather in the north is harsh in winter. I don’t know how Little Sister is doing. We can’t just believe what she says in her letters. She always reports good news and hides bad news. We still have to see it with our own eyes to feel at ease.”

Liao Shiyun thought about it and felt that there was some truth to it. She could only nod and then sighed deeply.

Bai Ruoyan pouted, “I don’t know what Dad is thinking. If he had agreed to arrange someone to be by Little Sister’s side earlier, we wouldn’t have to worry so much. We’d still have to watch Bai Yunyun’s face.”

Liao Shiyun patted her arm, “Alright, stop talking about your dad behind his back. Be careful he hears you and scolds you. He’s not comfortable sitting in that position. The higher you stand, the greater the restrictions. So many people are watching, wanting to pull him down. Keep your mouth shut outside and don’t cause trouble for your dad.”

“I know.” Bai Ruoyan pouted.

—

Qingyang County.

A week passed in a blink of an eye. Bai Ruojiao, who had been busy like a spinning top, finally welcomed the first Mid-Autumn Festival after her new job.

Unfortunately, there was no holiday for Mid-Autumn Festival, but there were many gifts.

The factory’s Mid-Autumn Festival gift was a box of mooncakes, a bolt of cotton cloth, and a pound of white sugar. It was quite generous.

Every factory was giving out Mid-Autumn Festival gifts today. After work, everyone’s hands and cars were full of packages. It made many people’s eyes turn red with envy.

When Bai Ruojiao got home, Zhao Sihai was already there, as usual.

Since buying the new bicycle, no matter how early she got off work, Zhao Sihai would always be earlier.

Hearing the bicycle bell, An’an knew who it was and immediately ran out to greet her happily.

“Wow, Mom, so many things!”

“Yes, these are the Mid-Autumn Festival gifts from Mom’s factory.”

“Wow, Dad’s factory also sent a lot, a lot.”

Bai Ruojiao raised an eyebrow, wondering how much “a lot” was.

Then, when she entered the house, she saw a pile of things on the table.

A box of mooncakes with the same packaging as hers, probably from the grocery store, a bag of 1 pound of eight-sided noodles, a pound of white sugar, a small bag of fruit candies, a piece of cured meat, and a bag of sausages.

“So many.”

“Mom, there’s also a big piece of pork. Dad is cooking it. He said we’re having braised pork tonight.” An’an said, taking a sip, making her laugh.

She pinched her son’s chubby cheeks, which had gained some baby fat recently, and put down the things before going to the kitchen.

“You’re back.” Zhao Sihai was stirring the pot, the fire blazing. “It’s smoky in here. Don’t come in.”

Bai Ruojiao didn’t go in. She leaned against the door, arms crossed, and smiled, “Your factory is generous.”

No wonder the machinery factory was at the top of the factory hierarchy.

Zhao Sihai just smiled and then asked if they had any plans for tomorrow’s Mid-Autumn Festival.

“Big Brother said he wants to invite us to dinner. What do you think?”

Bai Ruojiao raised an eyebrow, “They’re back?”

She had almost forgotten about the watch.

“Yes, they came back yesterday.”

“Is it just us, or are the whole team and their families coming?”

“It’s just us, Big Brother, and Xiao Zhi. Everyone else has gone home to celebrate.”

Bai Ruojiao nodded, “Okay, then. When is it? I’ll take a day off.”

“Tomorrow afternoon. We’ll take some things back to the old house.”

Bai Ruojiao blinked. It had only been a week since she left, and she had almost forgotten about the village.

It was a good thing Zhao Sihai was thoughtful. Otherwise, if they didn’t go back for Mid-Autumn Festival, and they didn’t bring anything back, they would probably be criticized.

She couldn’t help but laugh, “Hai ge, you’re so considerate.”

Zhao Sihai’s back visibly tensed, then he looked at her helplessly.

“What else do we need?” She rolled up her sleeves and walked into the kitchen to help.

“It’s almost done. Braised pork with rice tonight, and a plate of stir-fried radish with eggs. You go ahead and set the table.”

“Okay.” Bai Ruojiao turned and went outside to tidy up.

The next day, she successfully took a day off. After work at noon, she took An’an to the restaurant as planned.

The family of three ate at the restaurant and then took their things back to the commune.

It was still the same small courtyard.

She felt a strange mix of emotions.

When she decided to cooperate with Tang Hua, she hadn’t imagined that things would develop like this.

“This is your sister-in-law, right? Oh, and An’an, right? An’an, I’m your Uncle Tang!” As soon as he saw them, Tang Hua ran out excitedly.

His eyes lit up when he saw An’an. He immediately bent down and leaned close to An’an, coaxing him to call him, “An’an, call me Uncle. Uncle has chocolate for you!”

An’an was startled by the bald uncle who suddenly appeared and hid behind Bai Ruojiao’s legs.

Bai Ruojiao smiled and stroked An’an’s head, “An’an, this is your dad’s older brother. You have to call him Uncle. Uncle drives a big car, just like Uncle Kang. He’s even the captain of the team.”

As soon as An’an heard “big car,” his eyes lit up. He looked curiously at Tang Hua, who was smiling like a Maitreya Buddha, and said shyly, “Uncle.”

“Oh, yeah! I heard Kangzi say you want to learn to drive, An’an. No problem. Uncle will teach you. Uncle’s driving skills are unmatched!”

Tang Hua patted his chest loudly.

That bandit-like behavior scared An’an back again.

Zhao Sihai looked at him helplessly, “Big Brother, come in first. Don’t stand at the door.”

Tang Hua then realized that the courtyard gate wasn’t closed.

“Oh, oh, oh. Look at me. Come in, come in. Xiao Zhi, bring the candy box I brought back.”

Tang Hua said as he led them into the house, “Sister-in-law, you’re just as gentle and virtuous as Lao Si said. Lao Si always talks about you. I finally met you today, and you’re truly extraordinary.”

Bai Ruojiao twitched her lips. If she didn’t know Zhao Sihai’s background, she would have believed him.

She glanced at Zhao Sihai.

Zhao Sihai scratched his nose and glanced at Tang Hua.

Tang Hua winked at him, “Brother, your taste is excellent.”

Once inside, Tang Hua immediately took the candy box from Xiao Zhi.

It was a plastic plum blossom fruit box. When the lid was opened, there were five small compartments, each filled with different candies.

“An’an, come and eat some candy. Uncle specially prepared it for you. Do you like it?”

Seeing so many candies he had never seen before, An’an’s eyes lit up.

Zhi Gao also took a gold ingot chocolate and went to An’an’s side, “An’an, I’m Uncle Zhi. Call me Uncle. Here’s a gold ingot for you.”

Since they came back, they had been listening to Shao Kangtai brag, making them envious. Now, they were both trying their best to win An’an’s favor.