Chapter 16 Buying Medicine

Lin Jiahui and Tang Jincheng took turns trying to persuade her, but Shi Qingqian had already made up her mind. She was determined, stubborn as a mule, and there was no turning her back. They were powerless.

Seeing that it was getting late, Shi Qingqian carefully left the stone house. Tang Jincheng watched her silhouette disappear into the night, still feeling uneasy. He felt he had to see for himself the kind of man his sister was going to marry.

The next morning, Xu Huaian returned from his second uncle’s house. When he reached his home, he sensed a pair of eyes watching him. Xu Huaian frowned slightly but remained calm, scanning the surroundings. He could sense that the gaze was scrutinizing and evaluating. As a soldier, his first reaction was that it might be an enemy spy.

Using his sharp instincts, Xu Huaian quickly pinpointed the source of the gaze. He continued walking as if nothing had happened. When he approached a hidden corner, he suddenly pivoted and pounced toward the direction like a leopard.

Tang Jincheng had completely underestimated Xu Huaian’s speed. Before he could react, Xu Huaian grabbed his arm and slammed him to the ground. He struggled to get up but realized Xu Huaian’s strength was overwhelming—he couldn’t break free.

“Who are you? Why are you spying on me?” Xu Huaian’s eyes were sharp, his voice low and commanding.

Tang Jincheng gritted his teeth. “Let go of me! I’m not a bad person!”

Xu Huaian didn’t relax at all and pressed further, “If you don’t explain yourself, I’ll hand you over to the police. Following a soldier can lead to at least three years in prison.”

Tang Jincheng couldn’t reveal his relationship with Shi Qingqian, so he just said he admired Xu Huaian’s military uniform, which was why he had been looking. Naturally, Xu Huaian didn’t believe him immediately and took him to see Xu Wu. Only after confirming he was indeed a “sent-down” worker did he let him go.

Xu Wu sighed, “This kid has filial piety. Most children would cut ties when their parents are in trouble, but he divorced just to take care of them. What a pity.”

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Back at home, Shi Qingqian was still asleep when Xu Huaian returned. Zhang Lanxiang, seeing him, reminded him, “Qingqian must be tired from yesterday. Don’t wake her up. The food in the pot is warm, and the eggs are for her. Wait for her to get up and then serve her breakfast.”

“Got it,” Xu Huaian replied.

“You’re back, but I haven’t finished,” Zhang Lanxiang handed him a handful of money. “Today, take Qingqian to town to buy a watch. Also, your father and I are adding 100 more yuan for the betrothal gift.”

“Qingqian is educated and from the city. We should give more, but your two older sisters-in-law also had 100 yuan betrothal gifts. We must treat all daughters-in-law equally,” she continued.

“You know you have money. Once you’re married, you can give it all to your wife. Qingqian is just 20, and you’re 27, a bachelor. It’s only fair.”

Xu Huaian returned the money. “Mom, you know I have money. You don’t need to supplement me.”

“Don’t argue with your mother. If I give it to you, take it,” Zhang Lanxiang snapped. Xu Huaian could only accept the money, slightly exasperated. She nodded approvingly. “That’s better.”

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Around eight o’clock, Shi Qingqian changed and opened her door. Xu Huaian, having nothing to do, was outside chopping firewood. Seeing her awake, he put down the axe and went to her.

“Qingqian, you’re up. Mom left breakfast for you; it’s warm in the pot. I’ll bring water for you to wash up,” Xu Huaian said.

Shi Qingqian nodded. He quickly fetched the water, and after she washed up, he thoughtfully brought over the warm breakfast. He had been busy all morning but enjoyed doing it.

While she ate, Xu Huaian told her what Zhang Lanxiang had said about the betrothal gifts and buying a watch. Shi Qingqian nodded, having no objections. She was now a little wealthy woman. Even without Xu Huaian’s money, just the savings she found from her biological father’s bankbook amounted to over 100,000 yuan. Long before terms like “ten-thousand-yuan household” were common, she already had a solid 100,000 in her hands. She wasn’t concerned about the small betrothal money, though Xu Huaian’s mother was earnest in her gesture.

After breakfast, Xu Huaian went to his second uncle’s house to borrow a bicycle—the only one in the village, polished to a shine.

“Do you have a bicycle coupon? We should buy one ourselves; it’ll be convenient,” Shi Qingqian suggested.

Xu Huaian thought for a moment. “You should have it. Look through the pile of tickets I gave you.”

Shi Qingqian returned to her room and searched through the tickets, examining them one by one. She eventually found the bicycle coupon and ran out excitedly.

“I found it!” she exclaimed. Xu Huaian smiled slightly at her excitement.

“Then let’s buy the bicycle in town today,” he said.

Riding the second uncle’s bicycle, they headed toward town. The breeze brushed against their faces, the sun was warm, and Shi Qingqian held Xu Huaian tightly, feeling particularly happy.

Once in town, Shi Qingqian also remembered her uncle’s medicine. She decided to tell Xu Huaian everything. Hearing about Shi Qingqian’s uncle’s family being sent to Xiangyang Village, Xu Huaian was momentarily shocked.

“So you went to the countryside for them?” he asked.

“Yes,” she nodded.

“No wonder,” Xu Huaian thought, recalling Tang Jincheng following him that morning—it must have been Shi Qingqian’s cousin, checking out the future brother-in-law.

“Let’s go. First, we’ll go to the hospital,” Xu Huaian said. He rode with Shi Qingqian to the health center to buy the medicine. Fortunately, all the medicines on Meng Wangfei’s prescription were common Western medicines, which the town health center could provide.

Shi Qingqian looked at the medicine in her hand, finally feeling relieved. “Now it’s good. Uncle has his medicine,” she said happily.

Xu Huaian looked at her. “Qingqian, from now on, tell me everything. We’ll face it together.”

“Okay,” Shi Qingqian nodded.

After storing the medicine, they went to the supply and marketing cooperative. There were several brand-new bicycles on display.

“Comrade, how much is a bicycle?” Shi Qingqian asked.

“Sorry, these bicycles are all reserved, only one Phoenix-brand left, 180 yuan plus a bicycle coupon,” the clerk replied.

Shi Qingqian waved her hand. “We’ll take it.”

The clerk pushed the bicycle out. Xu Huaian checked it carefully, ensuring it was fine. Shi Qingqian then paid.

“Now let’s look at watches,” she said. They went to the watch counter. Seeing they were buying for marriage, the clerk eagerly promoted the watches, but there were fewer than ten, and Shi Qingqian didn’t like any.

“You don’t like them?” Xu Huaian asked.

“Let’s go to the city tomorrow,” she said.