Chapter 24: Niu Niu’s Explosion (1/2)

The 50-kilometer road from the provincial city to the county was not as smooth as it would be twenty years later.

The road was full of potholes, with nearly ten kilometers of it being a dirt road.

Due to a major traffic accident during a torrential rain in previous years, passenger transport to the county would be forced to stop whenever a heavy rain occurred.

While Zhao Qingfeng was anxious,

Shen Lingyao was comforting Qingfeng’s mother at his house.

Ding Xiang had called home that morning, and the list and timing of the laid-off workers were now finalized.

Qingfeng’s mother was in a terrible mood, worsened by the rainy weather.

Had Shen Lingyao not been there to comfort her, she might have already broken down in tears.

Misfortune often falls on the already burdened.

With the layoff, what would become of their future without a stable income?

She wasn’t worried about herself.

She could barely get by with simple meals.

But she was more concerned about affecting Zhao Qingfeng’s mood and the uncertainty of his college tuition.

“Yaoyao, you don’t seem very happy. Is it because the amusement park tickets are void now? Don’t worry, I’ll compensate you. When Little Feng comes back, I’ll give him a good talking to.”

Qingfeng’s mother was unaware of the real reason behind Zhao Qingfeng dropping out of school, as he hadn’t elaborated and she hadn’t asked.

“Aunt Feng, I’m not mad at him.”

“He’s gone to the city to make money, becoming more responsible.”

“I’m worried about you.”

“My dad said it’s okay to be laid off; he’ll help you. Look, he asked me to give you this red envelope. He also said he’ll help you find another job.”

A red envelope with three thousand yuan had been prepared.

Following her father’s instructions, Shen Lingyao handed the money to Feng’s mother.

Qingfeng’s mother refused to accept it.

Their friendship was strong, but three thousand yuan was too much.

Shen Lingyao had always lived in comfort and had future university expenses.

Moreover, since Zhao’s death, Feng’s family had received much help from Shen’s family. She couldn’t possibly accept such a generous gift.

After some back and forth, Qingfeng’s mother adamantly refused, but recalling Zhao Qingfeng’s words about making her the happiest mother, her mood lightened considerably.

Yet, thinking of Zhao Qingfeng’s recent mock exam results and the huge bet with the aunts, worry clouded her face again.

Meanwhile,

The rain outside grew heavier.

Thunder was relentless.

Deafening.

Qingfeng’s mother looked at the raindrops on the window, worried about Zhao Qingfeng, “With such heavy rain, he definitely won’t be able to come back today. Yaoyao, help him ask for leave tomorrow.”

Shen Lingyao also worried.

Yesterday, Brother Qingfeng had said on the phone that he would definitely return tonight, but with such heavy rain, could he still come back?

Probably not, since Brother Qingfeng wasn’t foolish. He knew better than to eat random garbage from the ground and to head home when it rained.

With the passenger buses stopped, unless he could fly or swim back.

Like when they used to bathe in the wild as kids, imitating a toad, kicking their legs, blowing bubbles, and croaking.

“Haha.”

Thinking of the past, Shen Lingyao laughed out loud.

“What’s so funny?”

Qingfeng’s mother leaned in to ask.

Shen Lingyao laughed as she recalled, “I remembered when we were kids. One time at Uncle Biao’s house, Brother Qingfeng and I were blowing up cow dung. The firecracker failed to ignite, and he leaned in to check, but it suddenly exploded, covering him in dung.”

“Later, when we went to wash in the river, he wanted to show off his diving skills, but picked the wrong spot and dove headfirst into a mud pit. His face was covered in mud, it was hilarious.”

Qingfeng’s mother also laughed heartily.

The worry on her face dissipated significantly.

As they ate melon seeds, they talked about Zhao Qingfeng’s foolish past.

“Do you remember that time catching Niu Niu? Little Feng held onto you tightly, insisting on taking you home to marry.”

“I remember…”

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