Chapter 8 : Entering the City

Competing with the female protagonist for fortune wasn’t that a suicidal endeavor? She had finally escaped the role of a minor character doomed to fail and had no desire to experience that again.

However, through this situation, Liang Qingqing realized something: all the good opportunities were in higher places. Staying in the countryside wouldn’t get her anywhere! It seemed she had to go to the city to explore some paths. She couldn’t stay cooped up in the village forever, right?

Thinking of this, Liang Qingqing suddenly stood up from her chair. At the same time, she caught a glimpse of a corner of clothing at the entrance of the main room. Helplessly, she called out, “Mother, you’re back just in time. I want to go to the city for a stroll.”

This sudden declaration not only startled Ma Xiuzhi, who had been eavesdropping outside the main room, but also scared Qiu Xiaoyan, who was sitting right in front of her. When did Auntie come back? And why out of the blue did Qingqing want to go to the city?

Ma Xiuzhi didn’t know the reason behind this, but Qiu Xiaoyan’s eyes flashed. She quickly connected it to what Liang Qingqing had mentioned before about wanting to change her target for a wealthy husband. Could it be that Qingqing was going to the city to find a new rich man?

The more Qiu Xiaoyan thought about it, the more she felt her guess was probably right. After all, Liang Qingqing had no other skills, but she had a knack for identifying wealthy men at a glance. Could she perhaps go along and catch a lucky break?

Although she knew she wasn’t as attractive as Qingqing, she still had some looks. If she got really lucky and casually hooked up with someone from the city, that would still be better than the men her family had recently been considering for her!

But then she thought of the endless chores at home and in the fields. Qiu Xiaoyan’s whole demeanor deflated, and she almost burst into tears. Where would she find the time to go to the city?

At this point, Qiu Xiaoyan bit her lower lip and was about to ask Liang Qingqing when she planned to go to the city so she could finish her chores in advance and go along. But before she could speak, Ma Xiuzhi interrupted.

“I just got back. What’s the matter? Why do you want to go to the city?” Ma Xiuzhi, pretending she had just heard Qingqing’s call, walked into the room with a puzzled look on her face.

From the conversation between Liang Qingqing and Qiu Xiaoyan, Ma Xiuzhi had completely confirmed that her daughter had given up on Su Zhiqing! A weight lifted from her heart.

No wonder Qingqing’s personality had changed a bit lately. This is because she has been stimulated and grown up! It’s a good thing!

Just as she was feeling happy, she heard Qingqing mention going to the city again, and her heart immediately tightened.

The reason was simple Liang Qingqing would ask her for money every time she went into the city, and she would take a lot.However, recently, in order to finance the second son’s wedding, she had spent all the money in her pocket. She didn’t have any extra money to give her now.

“I want to go to the city for a walk in a few days, to clear my mind.”

She didn’t even mention money.

“Qingqing, everyone’s really busy in the fields these days. How about waiting until the next break? I could keep you company then,” Ma Xiuzhi suggested, hoping to delay the trip until she had more money.

“No need, I’ll go by myself.” Liang Qingqing quickly replied but noticed Ma Xiuzhi’s uneasy expression. She immediately added, “I’m just going for a stroll, not to buy anything. I can take the village tractor.”

There were two ways to get to the city by the commune bus, which cost money, or by the village tractor, which was free. Most villagers chose the latter because money was hard to come by, so save as much as possible.

The original Qingqing didn’t have a princess’s life but had a princess’s temper. She wouldn’t take anything but the bus because she complained that the tractor made her bottom sore after a long ride.

So, when Liang Qingqing suddenly suggested taking the tractor, both Ma Xiuzhi and Qiu Xiaoyan were stunned for a few seconds.

They both attributed this change to the significant blow Su Zhiqing had dealt Liang Qingqing, leading to her change in behavior.

Ma Xiuzhi was a bit surprised but understood from Liang Qingqing’s words that this trip wouldn’t cost money. Since she was just going for a walk, there was no reason to stop her. Better to go out for a bit than to stay idle at home.

Having figured this out, Ma Xiuzhi nodded. Qingqing was the one who frequented the city the most in the family, so there was no need to worry about her getting lost. Plus, Qingqing often went to the city alone and knew her way around well.

“Alright, just make sure to stay safe when you go to the city alone.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’m not a three-year-old. I can take care of myself.”

With the basic arrangements for going to the city settled, Liang Qingqing breathed a sigh of relief. Now, she just had to wait for those three days when the female protagonist would be away so she could head to the city. Since arriving in this book’s world, she hadn’t yet explored a 1970s county town and was quite looking forward to it.

“Qingqing, when are you going to the city? Can I come with you?” Qiu Xiaoyan, seeing they had finished talking, quickly came over and clung to Liang Qingqing’s arm, afraid she would miss out if she delayed even a second.

Qiu Xiaoyan and the original Qingqing got along because neither had much guile; their thoughts were written all over their faces. It would be a miracle if Liang Qingqing didn’t see through her.

However, this time, Liang Qingqing was going to the city to familiarize herself with the environment and possibly get lucky with some opportunities, not to find a wealthy husband. How could she bring someone else along?

Besides, having seen various elite talents in modern times, she had high standards. Although moving to the city and living a better life was her current goal, she wasn’t about to casually marry someone from this small place. That would be irresponsible to her future!

At this point, Liang Qingqing had no idea that this statement would come back to bite her later on. But that’s another story.

For now, she pretended not to understand Qiu Xiaoyan’s implication and, with a smile, sent her on her way.

“I don’t know when I’ll go to the city; I’ll see how I feel. It’s getting late, shouldn’t you be heading home? Your mother might come looking for you soon.”

Upon hearing this, Qiu Xiaoyan pouted so much she could almost hang a soy sauce bottle from her mouth, but she knew it was time to leave. She had sneaked out and now had to go back, otherwise, she’d only get scolded.

Thinking about missing the opportunity to go to the city and find a wealthy man, Qiu Xiaoyan couldn’t help but feel a layer of disappointment on her face. Her eyes kept darting towards Liang Qingqing.

If only Qingqing would wait until she was free to go together. But reality was harsh; knowing Liang Qingqing’s temperament, she wouldn’t wait for her.

“Then I’ll head back.”

“Alright, bye-bye.”

Seeing Qiu Xiaoyan off, Liang Qingqing felt much lighter.

Three uneventful days passed. On the fourth day, early in the morning, Liang Qingqing was still asleep when she heard a commotion outside. After getting dressed and standing at the courtyard gate, she saw exactly what she expected: a banner from the county town. The red cloth was embroidered with black characters, fluttering in the air, tied to a bamboo pole.

The banner bearer leading the group was Xie Qingbao, the captain of Daping Village, his honest face beaming with a smile. He didn’t seem tired from carrying the banner all the way, enthusiastically waving his arms.

Next to him stood Xu Qiao, wearing a large red flower on her chest. She was dressed neatly in a white shirt and black pants, her long hair tied into two neat braids, looking energetic and spirited.

Behind them, a large group of villagers followed, all jostling to get to the front and see what was happening.

“Our village has made a name for itself; it’s the first time we’ve received praise from the county leaders.”

“Hahaha, now that we’ve made a mark, we won’t miss out on any future good things.”

“I say it’s all thanks to Su Zhiqing. If it weren’t for her doing good deeds like Lei Feng, such an honorable event wouldn’t have come our way in eight generations.”

To verify if it matched what was described in the plot, Liang Qingqing randomly stopped an elderly lady to ask about the details.

“Su Zhiqing really hit the jackpot! A few days ago, she went to the county post office to send a letter home and happened to see an old man collapse. Everyone else was afraid of being blamed and didn’t dare to help, but she took him to the hospital right away.”

“Who would’ve known that the old man was a high-ranking official in the city’s agricultural bureau? As soon as he woke up, he sent a banner and gifts to show his gratitude.”

“What a stroke of luck!”

Indeed, it was great fortune. In a few days, the commune’s elementary school would come to invite Xu Qiao to be a teacher.

At this moment, Liang Qingqing had to admit she was extremely jealous!

After spinning around in frustration three times, she decisively went inside, packed up a few things, and ate the meal Ma Xiuzhi had left for her on the stove. She then quickly headed towards the village entrance.

There was an open space at the village entrance reserved for everyone to catch the tractor to the city. Usually, people had to fight for a spot, but today, it was almost empty. When she asked why, she found out most people had gone to the square to watch the excitement.

This worked perfectly for Liang Qingqing. She leisurely chose a good spot inside, laid out the cushion she brought, opened her umbrella, and sat down comfortably. It wasn’t long before the driver shouted that they were leaving.

As they finally started moving, an older lady nearby scooted closer under the shade of Liang Qingqing’s umbrella and said, “Young lady, let me share your umbrella too.”

There was plenty of space under the umbrella, and Liang Qingqing wasn’t stingy. She shifted the umbrella to cover the lady.

“Oh, it’s the girl from the Liang family. Weren’t you the one who only took the bus before? Why are you riding the tractor like us country folks today?”

Hearing this, the other passengers turned to look in their direction. The large umbrella had completely hidden Liang Qingqing’s face, so no one had recognized her until now. Seeing her face confirmed that it was indeed the pampered youngest daughter of the Liang family.

There was no mistaking it; Liang Qingqing’s face was truly unforgettable after seeing it once. But what good was a pretty face if no one dared to marry her? A spoiled girl who insisted on taking the bus to the city would be like bringing home a money-draining monster!

But has Liang Qingqing changed her personality today? Why did she ride a tractor into the city?