Chapter 61 : The Charm of a Woman

Adding the money she spent on buying fine grains for Junjun’s nourishment today, Zhang Qiaohui lost a total of more than sixteen yuan.

Seeing the money in her hands dwindling, Zhang Qiaohui grew more and more disheartened. When the 1,000 yuan pension for her deceased husband was given to her, her parents-in-law took half of it.

Only 500 yuan remained in her hands. Junjun had been in the hospital and taking supplements recently, so the money seemed to slip through her fingers, like water that couldn’t be held.

What was even more troubling was that her family members would occasionally come to her house, trying to persuade her to abandon her two children and remarry.

The potential suitors they mentioned were either country men whose wives had died and had two or three children, or old bachelors in their forties who had never married. Why would she want to marry someone like that?

She knew her family just wanted to sell her off again to get the bride price to support their own grandson. She would never let them manipulate her.

Zhang Qiaohui wiped away her tears, hurried on her way, and asked for directions to the food factory.

Before entering the door, she took a deep breath, tidied her hair, and unbuttoned a button near the collar of her shirt. Then, she walked gracefully into the security room.

Before she got married, she was a well-known beauty in the area. Even after marriage and having two children, she still felt confident.

How could an ordinary woman be as gentle as her? Every woman has her own charm.

Qi Shaoqiang was inspecting samples in the production workshop when he overheard someone outside mention that a woman was looking for him.

“Deputy Director, could it be your wife?”

“Newlyweds are different, they’re so clingy. My old man runs away like a mouse when he sees me!”

“Who says it isn’t? My wife. I accidentally touched her hand yesterday, and she washed it several times with soap. Back then, she used to hold me tightly at night, but now it’s like this. Things have really changed!”

The people in the factory began joking, and laughter filled the air.

A smile flashed across Qi Shaoqiang’s face, and his heart stirred. Could it be that Jiang Li really came?

She must have been bored at home and came to visit the supply and marketing cooperative. She’s kind enough to come check on her man. The canteen just made her favorite vermicelli stewed pork for lunch, and he wondered if she’d had it yet.

Qi Shaoqiang couldn’t hide his excitement. “Tell someone to wait in my office, I’ll be right there.”

“Lizi, have you eaten yet? There’s some vermicelli that you like on the table. I made it just for you.”

Before Qi Shaoqiang entered the room, he was already speaking to the people inside with a rare smile on his face.

But when he saw who it was, he froze. “Sister Sun, why are you here?”

Zhang Qiaohui burst into tears before she could speak. “Shaoqiang, I…”

Qi Shaoqiang reopened the office door that he had just closed, placed a chair in front of it, and said, “Sister, if you have something to say, I will help you if I can.”

Zhang Qiaohui sobbed, “Shaoqiang, I’m so sad. I went to the black market today to buy some fine food for Junjun. He’s been ill recently and can’t eat black noodles, but I didn’t expect the people there to be so unreasonable. Not only did they beat me, but they also robbed my food. I…”

Qi Shaoqiang’s expression turned serious. “Do you remember what they looked like?”

“I remember one was thin, with a pointed face, and a monkey-like appearance. There were two others, one tall and one short, but I couldn’t see their faces clearly. There was also a man and a woman selling hairbands. They pushed me to buy something and wouldn’t let me leave until I did.”

“Sister, the black market is full of mixed people, so it’s better if you don’t go there too often.”

Qi Shaoqiang knew that anyone involved in black market business under the radar must have some connections, so there was an 80% chance Zhang Qiaohui wouldn’t be able to recover her grain.

As for the hairband, Qi Shaoqiang’s gaze landed on the white gauze one on Zhang Qiaohui’s head. It looked unique and somewhat familiar.

“Shaoqiang, is it true that I can’t recover my things? Can you call the county police and ask them to search for the people?”

Qi Shaoqiang frowned. Not only had he retired from the army, but even in the past, he wouldn’t have asked others to do something like this for him casually.

“Sister, I really can’t do anything about it.”

Zhang Qiaohui burst into tears again upon hearing this, sobbing and wiping her tears with her handkerchief. “Junjun has been ill for so long, he’s about to start primary school, and our family’s money is running out so quickly…”

“Junjun’s grandma has had a headache these past two days, and my life is really miserable…”

Zhang Qiaohui was watching Qi Shaoqiang’s face as she spoke, waiting for him to take the initiative to ask about her situation so that she could ask for money.

The last time Qi Shaoqiang visited her house, he had spent two hundred yuan all at once, so she believed he must have plenty of money.

“Shaoqiang, I’m sorry to ask you this… Do you have any money? Can you lend me some to send the old woman to the clinic for treatment?”

Qi Shaoqiang’s expression became even darker as he looked at Zhang Qiaohui with disappointment.

Last time, he had clearly brought all the donations from the team to Sun Jianguo, giving half to the old woman and half to her. Why was she still asking him for money?

Did she think he was an easy target?

“Sister, I really don’t have any money.”

Qi Shaoqiang spread his hands, speaking honestly.

“Won’t you get some money when you retire?” Zhang Qiaohui was surprised. She had asked around and knew that soldiers received a pension when they retired.

“I gave the money to my wife. She handles the household finances. I spent all the 50 or 80 cents I had on lunch. I really don’t have any left.”

“Wife? Shaoqiang, how could you, a grown man, be controlled by your partner before you’re even married? This isn’t good. This woman is too strong. Life will be hard after marriage. You should choose someone who cares about you.”

Zhang Qiaohui subtly hinted at something and slowly moved closer to Qi Shaoqiang.

Before she could touch his sleeve, Qi Shaoqiang suddenly stood up and called out, “Xiao He! Come in and make some tea.”

A male clerk entered from outside and asked, “Leader, the kettle is empty. Should I fill it up?”

“No, it’s almost time for the meeting. Take the materials and come with me.”

After Qi Shaoqiang spoke, he turned to the stunned Zhang Qiaohui and said, “Sister, I still have work to do here, so I won’t see you out. Liu Lixin and I will visit the elders and Junjun some other day.”

Secretary He muttered, “The meeting isn’t until three o’clock, Deputy Director, did you get the time wrong…”

Before he could finish, Qi Shaoqiang stuffed a teacup into his hand, “Secretary He, the weather is hot, drink more hot water and eat less.”

Zhang Qiaohui reluctantly stood up. “Shaoqiang, you’re busy, so I’ll leave first.”

Secretary He’s eyes gleamed with curiosity. His gossip instincts got the better of him, and he nervously asked, “Leader, who is this?”

Qi Shaoqiang didn’t want to explain. He glanced at the materials Secretary He brought over, noticed something wrong with them, and said, “Rewrite this.”

He Lingling frowned, “Ah?”