Chapter 47: So the Soap Was Bought for Qian Zhiqing

Qiu Qianjin couldn’t figure out whether his mother truly loved him or just found him annoying.

“Qiu Qianjin, let me make it clear—I’ll agree not to chase her away if she comes, but if you want me to go and invite her over, that’s absolutely impossible.”

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. He had a crush on a pretty girl, but never considered whether he was capable of marrying her. Even if he could marry her, would their entire family have to treat her like royalty once she was in the house?

They already had one lazy person in the family—Qiu Yinuo. That was her own daughter, at least. If another one came in, how would they survive?

Cheng Hongying angrily filled a big bowl with meat and added a generous helping of vegetables before handing it to her son.

“Later, sneak out and take this to your Uncle Fang and Uncle Du. Tell them not to cook tomorrow night—we’ll send food a little later.”

She had always been generous toward the people who saved her son’s life.

Just as Qiu Qianjin opened his mouth to say something, Cheng Hongying glared at him.

“Don’t you dare push my buttons, or I’ll head straight to the educated youth quarters and make a scene with her. Get out of here and stop getting in my way.”

He shrank back, startled. “Mom, she didn’t do anything. I was the one who shamelessly invited her. Please don’t cause trouble. I’ll go deliver the food right now.”

That was true, but hearing her son sell himself short still made her angry for some reason.

This kid—why couldn’t he just be more sensible?

“Be careful. Don’t let anyone see you,” she warned. Their status was sensitive these days. Although she wanted to repay the favor, she also wanted to keep her own family safe.

“I know.”

After scalding the thermos three times and filling it with hot water, she carried it to Niu’er’s room.

“I poured a mug of hot water for you—let it cool a bit before using it to mix the formula tonight. Don’t make it too hot. If you scald my Dabao and Erbao, just wait and see how I deal with you.”

He Ziqing said, “Auntie, don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”

“Oh, my memory! I forgot that it’s you making the formula. With Qingqing around, I’m not worried.” She placed the thermos on a tray, then pulled out a hideous red handkerchief and draped it over the top. “Cover it so it doesn’t get dusty. After you use the thermos, keep it covered.”

Qiu Yinuo’s mouth twitched. That aesthetic…

It was certainly typical of the era—but she couldn’t agree with it.

Still, as long as her mom was happy, that was all that mattered.

Cheng Hongying took Erbao from Niu’er and gently patted his back until he let out a little burp.

His adorable expression melted her heart. But when she thought about Jinzi, her mood soured again.

“You went to town yesterday. Did you see that educated youth Qian?”

Qiu Yinuo frowned slightly. “Don’t tell me Jinzi asked you to invite Qian Zhiqing over for dinner?”

Her mom didn’t respond, which confirmed her suspicions. She internally cursed her hopeless little brother.

“Looks like that brat of a brother of yours really has his eyes on Qian Zhiqing.”

“Mom, what kind of person is Qian Zhiqing?”

When she had been in the village, Qian Zhiqing hadn’t arrived yet, so she didn’t know much about her.

“She’s clever, very fair-skinned and pretty, and has high standards. There’s no way she’d go for someone like our Jinzi.” At least Cheng Hongying had that much self-awareness.

She sighed. Of all people, why did her son have to fall for an educated youth?

Ever since educated youths had been sent down to the countryside, no one had ever heard of one sincerely marrying someone from the village.

“Qian Zhiqing receives packages from her family every month. I’ve seen a watch on her wrist too, so her family must be well off. Sometimes, relatives come to visit her. Even the Village Head treats her differently from the others.”

“She’s pretty and comes from a good family. Why would someone like that ever take a liking to our Jinzi?”

It seemed her mother had a very clear understanding of her own son—Qiu Qianjin was the one blinded by love.

“The only person in this family who can keep Jinzi in check is you. So I’m begging you—watch that brat closely. Don’t let anyone find out he likes Qian Zhiqing. If word gets out, and your grandparents get it in their heads to arrange a marriage…”

After all, in the eyes of those two elders, their precious grandson was more than worthy of marrying a celestial maiden.

Cheng Hongying was worried sick. “I’m just afraid Qian Zhiqing’s family has real status. If we offend someone we shouldn’t, Jinzi’s whole life could be ruined.”

Qiu Yinuo was stunned for a moment. For the first time, she truly understood the phrase: When parents love their children, they plan for their future far and wide.

Even if her mother was barely literate and hadn’t received much education, she had thought of everything that needed thinking through.

“Your brother’s always been stubborn. The more you tell him not to do something, the more he wants to do it. I’m afraid if I talk too much, he’ll just do the opposite out of spite.” As she said this, Cheng Hongying gave her daughter a resentful look—as if to say, you’re just like him.

“But he’s always liked pleasing you. He’ll listen to what you say.”

Qiu Yinuo nodded. “I understand. I’ll handle it.”

Knowing how crafty her daughter could be, Cheng Hongying didn’t ask further. “It’s getting late. Wash up and get some sleep. There’s hot water in the big pot.”

…

The next morning, before dawn, Qiu Yinuo heard the sound of water splashing and pots clanking outside. When she looked to her side, Qingqing was already up.

She was lazy, yes—but she also knew when she could afford to be and when she couldn’t.

After struggling for another two minutes, she finally dragged herself out of bed.

She pushed the twin babies’ bedding inward and stacked their folded quilts and pillows along the edge of the kang to keep them from rolling off.

Cheng Hongying saw her yawning as she walked out. “If you didn’t get up soon, I was going to come call you. Go wash your face and wake up properly. Don’t let Jiawang’s mom and the others see you like this—they’ll laugh at you.”

“Oh…”

Qiu Yinuo headed to the kitchen, where Jinzi quickly said, “Sis, I’ve already mixed the hot water for you. I’ll bring it right out.”

Her little brother wasn’t entirely hopeless—at least he cared about his sister.

No matter the season, their family always washed up in the courtyard and poured out the water afterward.

The hot water Jinzi brought out was still steaming. Qiu Yinuo squatted down and began washing her face.

“Sis, here’s some soap.”

Qiu Yinuo paused. “Where did you get soap?”

Just a few days ago, she had complained about not having any to wash her face with. Her mother told her to make do with laundry soap—said a big bar of that cost just 36 cents, while a bar of soap half the size cost 30 cents. Outrageously expensive, and she refused to buy it.

Originally, Qiu Yinuo didn’t want to compromise either, planning to buy some herself in town. But it turned out that soap required a ration coupon, and by the time she got there, everything was sold out.

Still, she managed to get a jar of Dayouyi snow cream, which made her pretty happy.

After all, she had become a decade younger—she had to take care of her skin now.

“When did you buy it?”

Noticing his evasive eyes, Qiu Yinuo immediately caught on. “You bought it when we went to the supply and marketing cooperative two days ago?”

He had bought it behind her back and was only bringing it out now. Obviously, it hadn’t been intended for her.

“So, this bar of soap was meant for Qian Zhiqing?”

Qiu Qianjin froze. How did she figure that out?

“But now that you’re giving it to me, you’re trying to bribe me to invite Qian Zhiqing over for dinner?”

Th-this—

How did she guess that too?

His sister was way too sharp!

He hadn’t said a single word about it!

Seeing his guilty expression, Qiu Yinuo knew exactly what was going on. She could only jab him in the head with a finger, exasperated.

“Qiu Qianjin, y-you… what am I supposed to do with you?”