Chapter 67: Warming the House

Qiao Jiangxin felt incredibly satisfied and called the golden retriever back.

When the Chen family came out, they only saw the golden retriever’s rear end and dust on the ground.

After that, Qiao Jiangxin loved the dog even more. She thought it was more useful than Chen Zhi, whom she had raised for over twenty years in her past life. She always brought it something to eat.

The Qiao family’s house was finished. Liu Afang, pregnant, cleaned the house, her eyes full of joy.

Their belongings were gradually moved to the new house.

Lei Honghua had been in bed for two days, but Qiao Jianguo and Qiao Jiuwang’s nagging drove her crazy.

Because of the two patients, Qiao Jiuwang sent word to Lijiagou and the town, but neither Qiao Fangfang nor Qiao Jianhua returned.

Qiao Fangfang was trying to win back Deng Ming’s affection and didn’t dare to go home.

The Deng family hated the Qiao family intensely, and Qiao Fangfang didn’t dare to mention it.

In Lijiagou, Li Sanfa had taken on a job, and Li Xiaoping was pregnant. Gao Cuilan said sarcastically, “Your mother is injured.  Don’t you have your father and brother?

And don’t you have a sister married near town? What can you do as a grown man?

Your father is busy with work.  Do you think your mother-in-law will get better just because you visit?

Xiaoping is about to give birth, and we have no money.  There will be many expenses after the baby is born. Your parents didn’t even tell you about this.”

Qiao Jianhua understood his mother-in-law was referring to his parents’ visit to get 100 kuai.

He also had work, and after a few days of rest, he needed to spend time with Li Xiaoping, so he didn’t return to the village. He only sent a message, asking Lei Honghua to rest and not overwork herself.

Qiao Jiuwang couldn’t cook, and Qiao Jianguo was picky.  Neither of their children returned, and the father and son complained constantly, so Lei Honghua had to get up to cook.

Her energy was low, and she didn’t cause any trouble, so the Qiao Jiangxin family had a quiet period.

On moving day, Lei Honghua stood by the door, watching the opposite house.

The house they had given away was back.  When Fangfang and her husband or Jianhua returned with their children, they would have a place to stay.

Qiao Jianguo was genuinely happy.

The family that had troubled him was finally moving, and his safety was ensured.  He felt like himself again.

Qiao Jiuwang just came in when Lei Honghua gestured to him, “Old man, old man, they’re moving.”

“They’re almost finished.  They locked the door. You know they’re upset with me. Go get the keys.”

Qiao Jiuwang’s face turned black. He had just returned from the village secretary. “Don’t mention this again.”

Lei Honghua was dissatisfied, “Don’t mention it? Didn’t you say it would benefit us if they moved?  Are those three rooms going to be empty?

If the house is empty, it will deteriorate. It needs people…”

Qiao Jiuwang interrupted, “Those two brats sold the house to the third brother.”

Lei Honghua choked, then raised her voice, “What did you say?”

“Sold to…”

Qiao Jiuwang turned, glaring at Lei Honghua, “Yes, to the third brother. They’re getting revenge. It’s all because of you! If you hadn’t done those wicked things, would they have been so ruthless?”

Lei Honghua couldn’t accept it, “Why did they sell our house? I don’t agree! It’s our house! We’re still alive!  That shrew had no right to buy it without our consent!”

Lei Honghua glared fiercely at Qiao Juxing’s house.

Qiao Jianguo didn’t understand why Qiao Jiuwang and his wife were so angry.  Selling the house was fine; he had a place to live.  It didn’t concern him.

“It’s already been given to them. They’re selling their own house. What are you arguing about?  It’s sold.

Why can’t they buy it? Mom, have you forgotten how much Third Uncle hates you? Why wouldn’t they cause you trouble?

Instead of arguing, you should pray that Third Uncle doesn’t turn those three rooms into a pigsty or latrine.”

Lei Honghua, eyes red, turned around, “Shut up! Don’t call him Third Uncle!”

Qiao Jianguo’s voice softened, muttering, “He’s still your son. You’re acting crazy lately. Your temper is terrible.

Daya was right.  No one is doing well lately. Maybe you’re bringing bad luck.”

Lei Honghua clutched her chest, almost collapsing from Qiao Jianguo’s words.

She calmed down and said to Qiao Jiuwang, “Old man, go! Go find them!  The house can’t be sold. Even if we don’t use it, it can’t be sold to the neighbors.”

Qiao Jiuwang’s face was cold. If Lei Honghua weren’t injured and still useful, he would have slapped her.

He had tolerated her for the sake of their children, but Jianhua and Fangfang didn’t even come back to see her, showing they didn’t care about her.

His own children didn’t care about her, and he had driven Youfu and Youcai away.

Qiao Jiuwang was worried. He had favored Lei Honghua and hurt his other sons.

The youngest son was irresponsible, the third son didn’t care about the family, and the older two were estranged.  When he couldn’t work anymore, would he have no one to rely on?

The more he thought, the more anxious he became, especially with Lei Honghua’s persistence.

“Shut your mouth!  If you say another word, I’ll strangle you, you stupid woman!”

Lei Honghua, seeing Qiao Jiuwang’s fierce gaze, shivered and didn’t dare to speak.

Finally, peace returned. Qiao Jiuwang looked at the pigsty, feeling relieved.

It’s okay; he still had those things. As long as he had money, he wasn’t afraid.

Meanwhile, the Qiao family was preparing to warm the new house.

They had planned a simple meal for their family.

But the village secretary, Qiao Jincheng, Aunt Niu, Liu Haimou, and even the Gao and Cheng families from the north of the village came.

Liu Afang was overjoyed. The more people came, the more lively it would be, symbolizing a prosperous future.

Qiao Jiangxin drove Old Man Cheng’s oxcart with her uncle to town, “Third Aunt brought over twenty eggs, and the Gao family sent many fruits and vegetables. I’ll buy pork and fish; you buy wine…”

Seeing her uncle silent, Qiao Jiangxu turned to him and saw him hugging his legs, staring at a distant village.

It was Xu Jiadong, the village where the widow he had been introduced to last year lived.