Font Size:
Zhu Qiyu couldn’t believe the trouble had arisen from her youngest daughter.
Grabbing the broom, she threw it at Wang Zhi’s face, exclaiming, “You shameless thing! When did I ever teach you to sleep with a man before marriage? Have you no shame?”
Ma Fenqing, feeling uncomfortable with the situation, picked up his son and left the room, his face grim. The family continued to question Wang Zhi.
Exposed by Wang Mei, Wang Zhi, visibly embarrassed but defiant, retorted, “What’s wrong with sleeping together? Many have done it. Even if I did, it doesn’t mean I have to marry him, right?”
Understanding the situation, Wang Deshan was furious. He slapped his daughter, exclaiming, “You shameless creature! Our Wang family has never had someone as shameless as you.”
Zhu Qiyu, seated on the kang, gazed at Wang Zhi with a mix of emotions. “Girl, break up with him. Since you’re not officially married, he’s not a reliable man. Instead of facing heartache later, it’s better to separate now. I’ll find someone better for you. Even if he’s poor but treats you well, it’s better than staying with someone like him. If he divorced his first wife, what’s stopping him from divorcing you? Mom never approved of such men.”
Listening from outside the window, Wang Qian felt a pang from Wang Zhi’s words. What had this woman learned in the city? Why focus on the unsavory aspects instead of the good?
“Mom, I think it’s best to let it go. Changhai is a decent man. Despite being ten years older, older men know how to care for others. They’re better than those clueless young men from the countryside. Besides, his circumstances are good. He lives in a small Western-style building and never lacks anything. Why should I leave him? If I divorce him, how will people in the village view me? Who would marry a divorced woman? Mom, I made a mistake, but it’s done. I’ll get a recommendation letter and register our marriage. Why worry about the future? Changhai isn’t young anymore. He won’t cause trouble,” Wang Zhi defended.
Zhu Qiyu had considered these aspects but, as a mother, she worried about her daughter’s well-being.
Wang Mei quickly interjected, “Mom, we can’t let Zhi leave Changhai. Our family relies on his support for advancement. If you interfere, our family’s prospects will be ruined. Think about our two sons we need to support.”
Before Zhu Qiyu could act, Wang Zhenhe, standing nearby, slapped Wang Mei. “Shameless! You’ve gone too far. If anything happens to Wang Zhi, you’ll be responsible. You’ve betrayed your own sister. Are you even human? You’re worse than a dog. Neither of you is decent. Dad, what do you think we should do?” Wang Zhenhe expressed his frustration, but deep down, he didn’t want to see his sister end up in such a situation.
Wang Deshan glanced at Zhu Qiyu. “What do you think, dear?”
Now faced with a dilemma, Zhu Qiyu pondered the fate of her daughter. Wang Zhi, once a respectable young lady, had now ended up in such a predicament. Finding a suitable match for her daughter would be challenging, considering her age and the attention her new partner drew. She feared that over time, he might grow tired of her. This left Zhu Qiyu in a difficult position, contemplating her daughter’s future.
Zhu Qiyu was at a loss, seeking Wang Deshan’s opinion, “Honey, what do you think?”
Wang Deshan, taking a drag of his cigarette, responded, “Given the circumstances, her reputation will suffer if this gets out. Let’s just go along with it, provide a recommendation letter for registration. But, remember, Wang Zhi, your future is in your hands. Whatever path you choose, be responsible for your actions. When you’re in the city, lead a proper life. Change your ways, and think twice about everything. Remember, when you’re married, be a good wife. Otherwise, don’t expect our recognition. Wang Mei, from now on, behave yourself. If you dare deceive your sister again, I won’t hesitate to expose you. Our family won’t tolerate such disgraceful behavior. What do you think, dear?”
Zhu Qiyu found Wang Deshan’s words remarkably sensible. “Yes, you’re right. Wang Mei, I could almost disown you for your actions. If you continue to deceive your sister, don’t come back here. Wang Mei, be honest from now on. If you plot against your sister again, I’ll have to take action. This family won’t tolerate such disgraceful behavior. What have we done to deserve such disobedient daughters?”
The elderly lady in the room began to wail and scold, with Wang Qian and the others understanding the situation. It was becoming awkward for Wang Zhenhe to remain there.
“Dad, Big Brother and the others are leaving. Can you go help gather some provisions and take them to the station?” Wang Qian shouted from outside the window.
Upon hearing his daughter’s call, Wang Zhenhe quickly stepped out of the room. Seeing his daughter looking pleased, he lightly tapped her forehead, saying, “You little rascal. Alright, let’s go home. We have no business here.”
Wang Zhenhe led his children out of the Wang family compound, with Wang Minglin following suit. At this point, he didn’t want to linger and face any unpleasantness. He intended to return home and learn about the situation from his mother.
Turning to his nephew, Wang Zhenhe said, “Minglin, go back with your cousin and aunt. Your aunt mentioned picking some fruits for your family to enjoy. Take them back to avoid another trip from Mingyuan and the others.”
The Wang family’s backyard was adorned with fruit trees that had been growing for several years, finally bearing fruit this year.
Upon hearing about the fruits, Minglin’s face lit up. “Thank you, Uncle! I’ve been craving your fruits for a while now. Finally, I can enjoy them.”
The fruits from the Wang family were gradually harvested. Apart from family consumption, Wang Qian stored some in the space to sell later when prices were higher during colder weather.
During the National Day holiday, the mother and daughter sold some items in the city, and the money they earned left Zhang Lan pleasantly surprised. The sales of honey and fruits exceeded expectations, with high demand for their products. The atmosphere had changed, and buying goods was no longer as secretive as before.
“Mom, why don’t we buy a few properties in the city while prices are low? We can invest now and potentially benefit from future deals. What do you think?” suggested Wang Qian.
Wang Qian knew that wealthy individuals often invested in real estate in the past, but their family couldn’t afford it due to financial constraints. Now, with ample funds on hand, they could comfortably consider such investments.
“I agree. How about we inform our neighbor, the old lady, and ask her to keep an eye out for any news? When there’s a lead, we can go and make the purchase,” suggested Zhang Lan.
The mother and daughter visited the old lady who had been a loyal customer. Wang Qian explained their requirements, and the old lady gladly offered her assistance, willing to help out in her free time.
“Don’t worry, my dear niece. I’ll take care of it. I’ll inform our neighbors and keep an eye out. I’ll let you know when there’s news,” assured the old lady.
With plenty of gold stored in Wang Qian’s storage space, she was confident about their ability to purchase a house. She intended to capitalize on the current affordable housing prices to acquire more properties for future commercial endeavors, be it for renting or setting up a business.
Upon returning home, the mother and daughter were surprised to find Zhang Weiguo seated on the kang. Wang Qian was thrilled to see her uncle after so many years and rushed into his arms. It had been quite some time since she last saw her hardworking and enduring uncle.
“Uncle, why are you back? Did you get time off work?” Wang Qian inquired.
Having not seen his little niece for years, Zhang Weiguo noted how she had grown more beautiful. “Little Qianqian, I haven’t had time off in years. I missed home too. I was awarded the Third-Class Merit for my service, and the leaders allowed me to come home on compassionate leave. Missed me, huh?” he teased.
Upon hearing about the merit, Mingyuan’s eyes widened in excitement. “Uncle, did you bring your military medal? I want to see what it looks like!”
Thankfully, Zhang Weiguo had indeed brought it along, thanks to a reminder from Geng Lianhua. He retrieved a box from his pocket, and Mingyuan eagerly opened it to reveal a red five-star military medal engraved with the characters “81.”
“Uncle, how did you earn this military merit?” Mingyuan asked curiously, wondering about the circumstances that led to Zhang Weiguo’s commendation.
Seated on the kang, Zhang Weiguo recounted the incident where he and his comrades ventured into a coal mine to rescue workers. While others might not fully grasp the danger involved, Wang Qian understood the risks. This rescue mission, undertaken without proper rescue equipment like oxygen tanks, meant Zhang Weiguo had risked his life to earn this military honor. The thought of the potential dangers sent a shiver down her spine. “Uncle, remember to prioritize your safety while saving others. It’s not worth risking everything. Your family, specialy Grandma, is waiting for you.”