Chapter 7

“He taught me everything. I learned very quickly and very well. Unfortunately, he was unlucky—he died two years ago in the mountains while working.”  

In the original owner’s memory, there was such a person, and it was true she often stayed in the cattle shed, but there was no kindly old professor playing teacher. Instead, there was just an old man who treated her like air.

After explaining this, Qiao Xinyi changed the subject:  

“By the way, thanks for bringing me the things. I forgot to ask, where are you serving in the army?”  

“Just transferred to the provincial city unit,” Fu Qingshan replied.  

“My biological parents are also in the provincial city, so we might still meet there in the future,” Qiao Xinyi smiled warmly. “When Zhuang Chunsheng gives me the compensation money, could you help me keep it for now? I don’t have a household registration, so I can’t deposit money. After I get my registration sorted, you can give me the money.”  

“Sure,” Fu Qingshan nodded in agreement. He guessed that Zhuang Chunsheng would likely deliver the compensation soon. Zhuang probably feared that if things dragged on, Qiao Xinyi might change her mind again.  

“Comrade Fu Qingshan, not only are you handsome, but you’re also so kind!” Qiao Xinyi smiled like a blooming peach blossom, sincere in her praise.

Everyone guessed Zhuang Chunsheng would bring the money quickly, but neither Qiao Xinyi nor Fu Qingshan expected him to show up the very next morning—with a sack of money, still wearing yesterday’s clothes, looking worn and dusty as if he’d just been through a great ordeal.  

“This money was gathered overnight by both our families selling houses, borrowing from all our relatives and friends, and even advancing wages for a long time,” Zhuang Chunsheng’s eyes were red from lack of sleep.  

Nurse Chen believed this, thinking that raising such a son and daughter-in-law must be a collective family misfortune. But Qiao Xinyi and Fu Qingshan were skeptical—though they did believe Zhuang Chunsheng hadn’t slept at all.  

After getting permission from the doctor to move around a bit, and learning that Zhuang Chunsheng had come in a government car from his work unit, Qiao Xinyi and Fu Qingshan followed him to the post office to deposit the money.  

Fu Qingshan opened a bankbook in his own name for Qiao Xinyi. When the money was deposited, the staff counted and confirmed it was five thousand yuan.  

Half an hour later, Qiao Xinyi had a bankbook with five thousand yuan in her hand. She borrowed paper and pen from the staff and immediately wrote Zhuang Chunsheng a receipt, noting the date and place of receiving five thousand yuan compensation from the Zhuang family. Qiao Xinyi signed it, and asked Fu Qingshan and the staff to witness and sign as well.  

Zhuang Chunsheng was surprised that the “fool” could write—and so neatly—but since the pain of parting with five thousand yuan was so real, he didn’t ask any more questions. He took the receipt with a stern face and left hurriedly.  

The feeling of suddenly having money was wonderful. On her way back to the hospital, Qiao Xinyi smiled so broadly she couldn’t contain her joy.  

Not long after Qiao Xinyi returned to the hospital, Chen Dachuan and his colleagues came to visit her. A group of warm-hearted public security officers—just their arrival was enough, and they also brought food and necessities. Even a female officer gave Qiao Xinyi a fashionable sun hat.  

After telling Qiao Xinyi the latest updates on the case, Chen Dachuan added, “Zhuang Chunsheng still wants to have his son and daughter-in-law handled by the local police at their registered residence, but our director blocked it. Our director said this case should be made an example—handled diligently and carefully—and you must get the most just result.”  

Qiao Xinyi was deeply moved and thought that once she was discharged, she definitely wanted to treat these good people to a meal, including Fu Qingshan.  

But unexpectedly, the provincial city police were also surprisingly efficient. That afternoon, Chen Dachuan received a call at his office—apparently they had contacted Qiao Xinyi’s biological parents, as well as the other family involved in the child exchange.  

The next day, Qiao Xinyi boarded the train to the provincial city. Besides the veteran police officer and Qiao Xinyi herself, Fu Qingshan and Chen Dachuan also traveled together. To take care of Qiao Xinyi as a patient, even though the journey wasn’t far, the police department arranged comfortable sleeper berths for all four of them.

Once on the train and settled, Chen Dachuan began telling Qiao Xinyi about her biological parents.

“Your biological father’s name is Qiao Laiwang, and your mother is Chen Yubing. You’re the eldest child in the family, and you have a younger brother named Qiao Yunbai, who is thirteen this year.”

“Originally, you had another younger brother named Qiao Yunsong, but he went missing when he was young. If he were still with the family, he would be seventeen this year.”

Qiao Xinyi looked up at Chen Dachuan when he stopped and asked, “Is that all? Are my grandparents still alive? Does my father have any siblings? Does my mother have siblings? Where do my biological parents live? What are their personalities like? Are they good people?”

“Your grandfather passed away several years ago, but your grandmother is still alive. She’s fifty-nine this year and lives with your biological parents. Her name is Chen Ju.”

“Your father is the second eldest son. You have an eldest uncle, an aunt, and a younger uncle.”

“Your parents live in a two-bedroom apartment assigned by the factory. Qingshan asked our old comrades to inquire about them. The people at the textile factory have good things to say about your parents—they say your mother is hardworking and caring toward her children, and they praise your father as filial and kind. He has no bad habits, doesn’t smoke or drink, and is a family-oriented and honest man.”

Hearing Fu Qingshan’s name mentioned, Qiao Xinyi glanced at him subconsciously, but he seemed distracted by the scenery outside and didn’t look back. She just glanced once, and since he gave no response, she turned back to chatting with Chen Dachuan and asked,

“Is the Qiao family originally from the provincial city, or did they move here for work?”

“The Qiao family are locals, including your mother. By the way, your mother has cut off contact with her natal family, though we didn’t find out why.”

Qiao Xinyi clicked her tongue, “Looks like my biological parents’ home life is a mess too.”

Upon hearing this, Fu Qingshan turned his gaze away from the window and looked at her. “Why do you think so?”

Fu Qingshan was handsome, so Qiao Xinyi enjoyed looking at him a few more times for the view. Since he asked, she explained,

“Look, my biological father isn’t the eldest son nor the youngest in the family. When there are many children, the second eldest usually doesn’t get much favor from the parents when it comes to raising kids.”

The veteran police officer immediately said, “You’re being too decisive with that.”

“Uncle, don’t worry. Let me continue analyzing,” Qiao Xinyi sat up, speaking slowly and calmly.

“Chen Dachuan just said my grandmother lives with my dad, not just temporarily but apparently permanently, which means she has been staying with him to be taken care of.”

“But since the Qiao family are locals, that means they must have their own house. No matter how big or small, they have one.”

“But my biological parents live in a factory-assigned apartment, not in the Qiao family’s old house. So here’s the question: who lives in the old Qiao family house? I guess my eldest uncle’s family lives there, since he is the eldest son.”

“But by custom among ordinary folks here, whoever takes care of the parents’ old house lives with the parents—unless one of the children is wealthy enough to buy a big new house and bring the parents to live in comfort.”

“Obviously, my biological father isn’t rich enough to bring my grandmother to live in luxury. You figure it out: my biological parents, my grandmother, the eldest daughter living with them, and not counting my missing younger brother—there’s still my younger brother in the family.”