Chapter 27: More than 140 Yuan

Meanwhile, seeing the misunderstanding resolved, Li Xiaoping stopped pretending; staying in the hospital cost money.

The Li family waited for Lei Honghua to pay the bill.

But Lei Honghua’s money had already been taken by Qiao Jiangxin before the Li family arrived.

Seeing the Li family not paying, Lei Honghua understood they were waiting for her to act.

She smiled at Li Xiaoping, “Xiaoping, are you feeling better?

Don’t be careless.  Maybe you should stay for observation?

We were in a hurry, and your parents didn’t bring any money.

Stay another day, and Mom will come back with the money?”

Li Xiaoping shook her head, “Mom, I’m fine. The doctor said I’m fine. Let’s go home.”

It was hot, and she hadn’t brought anything.

There was still work to do in the fields.  Why stay in the hospital and pay? Home was better.

Seeing his in-laws’ displeasure, Qiao Jianhua blamed his parents for being stingy but tried to smooth things over.

“The doctor just examined her and didn’t prescribe any medicine. It shouldn’t cost much. I have some money with me. I’ll ask.”

Lei Honghua noticed her son’s displeasure and felt a chill.

Remembering her son still worked under Li Sanfa, she cheered up and flattered Gao Cuilan.

Knowing Qiao Jiangxin and Qiao Youfu had visited Lijiagou that morning, damaging their reputation, Lei Honghua saw an opportunity.

She patted her chest, “It’s fine. Lijiagou and Gaoshi Village are in the same direction. We’ll stop by Lijiagou and explain.”

“Sister Gao, Jianhua is still learning from his father-in-law.  Even if it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t want you to have a bad reputation!”

Qiao Jianhua returned.

“It’s settled. Xiaoping, can you walk? Here, let me help you.”

Li Xiaoping asked, “How much did it cost?”

The fright happened at her husband’s family, so they should pay.

She asked in front of her mother-in-law to let her know they paid.

She hoped her mother-in-law would give her the money or buy her something and send it to Lijiagou.

Qiao Jianhua didn’t understand the nuances, “The doctor didn’t prescribe any medicine. It only cost one yuan and forty cents for the consultation and half a day’s bed fee.”

“Even though the doctor said she’s fine, we shouldn’t be careless. I have a classmate here. I’ll ask him to borrow a cart…”

Qiao Jiuwang and his wife didn’t return to Gaoshi Village but went to Lijiagou with Li Sanfa’s family.

They avoided Sangou, who was coming to report the news.

When Qiao Youfu and Qiao Jiangxin arrived at the grain station, it was 1:30 PM.

Two families were already waiting to sell their grain.

Since the implementation of the household responsibility system, people’s enthusiasm had increased, and no arable land was wasted.

Farmers treated their crops like their children. Even during the off-season, they would check their fields.

This resulted in bumper harvests year after year.

Farmers had surplus grain, so more people were selling.

At 2 PM, the grain collectors arrived.

As soon as the iron gate opened, Qiao Youfu and the others rushed in with their wheelbarrow.

It wasn’t a lack of manners; they were more anxious than others. Lei Honghua would know soon.

She might already be in town. They had to get the money quickly.

Qiao Jiangxin apologized to the two families in front, “Uncle, Auntie, I’m sorry. My grandparents are in the hospital, and my family needs the money.”

The two families were honest and said, “Go ahead, go ahead.  Saving lives is important.”

The grain inspector used an iron rod with a groove to check the sacks of grain.

The groove collected grains, which were rubbed on a wooden board. The husks broke, revealing the rice, proving the grain was dry.

Wet grain would leave powder.

The inspector checked each sack and sent them to the weigher.

The grain price was fourteen cents per jin.  Over eight hundred jin of grain sold for over 119 yuan.

With the soybeans and peanuts,

Qiao Youfu and Qiao Jiangxin’s wheelbarrow of grain sold for 144.7 yuan.

Holding the money, Qiao Youfu’s eyes shone, his mouth agape.

So much money! He’d never had so much before.

He started to cry.

A wheelbarrow of grain could be exchanged for over a hundred yuan.

Qiao Jianhua had brought almost a wheelbarrow of grain to Lijiagou in the past two years, but Qiao Jiuwang refused to pay a hundred yuan for him to marry Zhang Widow.

Trembling, he counted the money twice and gave it to Qiao Jiangxin.

“Jiangxin, count it. You keep it.  I’m too nervous with so much money.”

Qiao Jiangxin didn’t hesitate, quickly counting it in front of her uncle, then put it with the money from the pork, and put it in her pocket.

It was past lunchtime.  They went to the state-run restaurant and spent two yuan and twenty cents on ten large meat buns.

They ate on their way home.

Her mother was pregnant.

They were worried that Qiao Youcai and his wife might encounter Lei Honghua and suffer.