Chapter 74: My Brother Really Has a Strong Sense of Justice

Before leaving, Aunt Yang handed her a delivery slip. “The postman has come a few times. I’ve kept this for you. The post office said you need to pick up the package within three months, or they’ll send it back. There’s still plenty of time, but don’t forget to go get it in the next couple of days.”

“Thank you, Aunt Yang.”

Not long after Aunt Yang left, she returned with two steamed buns and a plate of pickled vegetables. “If you don’t feel like cooking, you can make do with this.”

Qiu Yinuo thanked her and took the buns and pickled vegetables. There wasn’t enough food for just her, let alone for two people.

She went to the kitchen, made two big bowls of noodles, and the siblings enjoyed a warm meal together.

As Qiu Qianjin looked at the old photos on the wall, he noticed the only photo of a man and couldn’t help but ask, “Sister, is this my brother-in-law?”

Suddenly, an image flashed in her mind—the man lying in bed, letting her do whatever she wanted.

Her face turned red, and without turning her head, she muttered, “Mm.”

“You didn’t even look and you already know it’s my brother-in-law?”

“Are you blind? There’s only one man in the photo. Who else would it be if not your brother-in-law?”

It was then that Qiu Qianjin noticed, and he scratched his head awkwardly, laughing, “I didn’t notice. But it’s just that, in all the photos, my brother-in-law stands out so much.”

It was true. Even by modern standards, Shao Chengyuan’s looks were remarkable.

His skin was incredibly fair, not at all like the typical soldier who trained outdoors all the time.

“Sis, I have to say, your taste has always been great. Back when you were with Ding Zi…” Qiu Qianjin caught himself, regretting the words. He wanted to slap himself for bringing up something so awkward.

“You don’t have to be so careful. I don’t even remember who he is anymore, so it’s fine to bring it up.”

“Sis, do you really not remember anything about Zixu?”

“I don’t remember.”

“Sis, do you like my brother-in-law now?”

“I do.” The words slipped out almost without thinking, and immediately after, she regretted it. She quickly tucked the warm blanket over Jinzi. “Alright, enough asking. It’s getting late, go to sleep.”

The next morning, while Qiu Yinuo was still asleep, Jinzi had already gotten up.

He had asked Aunt Yang about where to buy coal, and then, with his basket in hand, he left.

Watching Jinzi’s retreating figure, Aunt Yang felt puzzled. The boy from the Qiu family didn’t seem so bad, did he?

Qiu Yinuo woke up naturally, and by then, Jinzi had already returned after buying the coal.

“The coal factory requires coal tickets. How did you manage to buy coal?” Qiu Yinuo asked.

“Well, of course, I couldn’t buy directly from the factory—they wouldn’t sell to me. I bought it from the older folks who sell coal. I used my silver tongue to charm them into a good mood. I got two pieces from each person, and look, I bought a whole basket!”

Sometimes, Qiu Yinuo couldn’t help but admire Jinzi’s social skills, especially with older people. He really excelled at offering sincere companionship and truly listening.

Qiu Yinuo gave him a thumbs-up. “Well done. Keep it up.”

“Sis, I’m hungry!”

“Hungry? Can’t you make something yourself?”

Jinzi looked up at her with a pitiful expression and asked, “If I cook, can you eat it?”

Qiu Yinuo wasn’t sure she could stomach Jinzi’s cooking.

Even a pig stepping on food would make a better dish. “Alright, just don’t ruin my kitchen. Let me cook.”

Upon hearing this, Jinzi’s face lit up with joy, his eyes curving into happy crescents.

After tasting his sister’s cooking, Jinzi felt that it was even more flavorful than the dishes made by the chefs at state-run restaurants.

Despite the same ingredients and seasonings, his sister’s cooking always had a distinct flavor, one that was more delicious than even what his mother or cousin Qingqing made.

The problem was that his sister was too lazy. Forget about cooking—she might as well be fed by someone else.

Qiu Yinuo took two sour radishes from a jar in the kitchen and made a sour radish and vermicelli soup. She also steamed a few two-layered steamed buns.

After eating, they headed to the police station to inquire about the news of her mother-in-law.

Since Zhou Anbang had instructed them beforehand, even though the police hadn’t found any leads, their attitude toward them was still respectful and courteous.

Qiu Yinuo didn’t hold out much hope. After all, her mother-in-law’s family held immense power, and for someone like her, who had no influence or connections, getting any information would be next to impossible.

After leaving the police station, they went to the post office to pick up the packages they had left there.

Thankfully, Jinzi was with her; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to carry three large packages by herself.

When they got home and opened the packages, there were two big ones full of clothes, and the remaining package contained a lot of baby formula, along with some children’s items.

Jinzi couldn’t help but smack his lips. “My brother-in-law’s teacher is really a nice person. Look at all this stuff! These old clothes look like new ones, and there are even two identical ones. Sis, you’re so lucky, finding clothes for twins.”

Qiu Yinuo furrowed her brows. How could there be so many coincidences?

The two identical clothes were definitely new, while the ones with only one piece were probably old.

The things sent over were numerous and varied, as if everything was prepared on a whim.

These items couldn’t possibly have been prepared by the teacher alone—there had to be others involved.

But since the teacher didn’t mention anyone else, she couldn’t figure out what was going on.

“Sis, what are these words on the baby formula? I can’t read them.”

Qiu Yinuo glanced at the English words, and her frown deepened.

Foreign baby formula wasn’t easy to come by!

That bag probably cost quite a bit of money. With Zhou Anbang’s ability, he certainly couldn’t afford to buy this kind of formula.

This was really puzzling. Who could it be?

“It’s in English.”

Jinzi was stunned. “Sis, don’t tell me you can read English?”

“Your sister is that amazing, don’t envy me too much.”

“Do I look like an idiot?”

“Well, you’re not exactly sharp.”

Jinzi puffed up his cheeks in frustration, looking a bit like Dabao.

This made Qiu Yinuo burst into laughter. She pulled out two yuan and a meat ration ticket from her pocket. “Since there’s still time, go buy some meat. Get some big bone pieces too, and we’ll make sour cabbage and vermicelli stew tonight.”

“Sis, it’s just the two of us. Isn’t this too extravagant? What if Mom finds out…”

“Are you silly? Why does she need to know? Just tell me, do you want to eat or not?”

Jinzi’s mouth watered as he swallowed hard. “I want to eat! Wait for me, I’ll go buy it now.”

“Do you know where the grocery store is?”

“Yes, I do.”

That evening, the siblings enjoyed a hearty meal. Jinzi’s stomach was so full he could barely move.

“Jinzi, cousin Qingqing is in some trouble.”

“What trouble?”

Qiu Yinuo explained to him why they had returned to the countryside and told him about the group from the Cultural Association who had come. “If this isn’t resolved, no one will have a good life. Jinzi, do you think Cousin Qingqing did anything wrong?”

Jinzi slammed the table in anger. “Cousin Qingqing didn’t do anything wrong. The ones at fault are them! Even I, Jinzi, know not to bully women. How could they do something so disgusting? Sis, tell me, what do you want me to do?”

Qiu Yinuo clapped her hands in excitement. “My brother really has a strong sense of justice!”