AWB Chapter 195 A Sea of People
Chapter 195 A Sea of People
Xie Susu was also surprised.
They already knew pretty much about Qiao Manman's situation before they even arrived.
I knew this girl had a complicated family situation, yet she resolutely severed ties with her relatives. I also knew she had passed the exam for a job at a machinery factory a few months ago and was performing exceptionally well there.
It's only been a short time, and they've already bought a house. Could it be support from their grandparents?
Xie Susu didn't speak, keeping her questions to herself. Lu Yuan went inside and helped pack some of Qiao Runming and He Nian's changes of clothes into the trunk.
The five of them got into the jeep, stepped on the gas, and sped off. Big Yellow barked anxiously, "Master, you forgot to leash the dog!"
Little Flower glanced at Big Yellow, huddled in the straw, shivering. It stopped laying eggs after the weather turned cold, but its kind owner fed it with grain.
Life was good until yesterday afternoon when I saw Lu Yuan plucking feathers and gutting the chicken. It scared the chicken to death. It was afraid that the two-legged beast would kill it.
Fortunately, he left. Little Flower suspiciously poked her head out, and only after confirming that it was just her and Big Yellow at home did she shake herself off and come out for a stroll.
***
This was the first time Qiao Runming and He Nian had ridden in a jeep. The two sat stiffly on the soft back seats, not daring to move.
Qiao Manman comforted them, "It's just like riding in a truck."
The couple took a deep breath and tried to calm themselves down.
There was a pregnant woman on the cart, so Lu Yuan drove very slowly. But even at his slowest, it was still faster than the brigade leader's oxcart.
The two cars met at a T-junction. Lu Yuan and Qiao Manman got out of their cars and greeted Wang Defa.
Upon hearing that the two were going to get their marriage certificate, Wang Defa repeatedly said yes. Old Tan, the driver of the cart, was also happy and said he would give Qiao Manman two more cartloads of firewood.
Qiao Manman thanked them, took out two candies from her pocket, and invited them to her home for a meal later.
Catching a glimpse of Zhang Xiu's resentful gaze, Qiao Manman smiled, turned, and got into the car. She ignored Zhang Xiu, not even bothering to ask a question.
Zhang Xiu suddenly felt it was pointless, not understanding what she was doing all this time. Pursuing an outstanding man was understandable, but Lu Yuan already had a girlfriend; what was she so fixated on?
Reputation? Using a woman's reputation to bind a man? It might actually work in other places.
But this is Qingshan Brigade! It's the place where Qiao Manman wrote articles criticizing outdated customs. Even if it means fighting to the death, can she really marry Lu Yuan?
Zhang Xiu suddenly regained consciousness, but it was too late.
The jeep drove away, leaving behind a trail of exhaust fumes. Zhang Xiu cried uncontrollably, "Uncle Captain, I was wrong, I was really wrong."
Wang Defa sighed: "I'll talk to the educated youth office later and see if they can change you to a better production team."
Zhang Xiu nodded gratefully: "Thank you, Captain. I promise I'll never cause trouble again!"
Winter in Yang County is gray and black, like an ink painting. Only the remnants of snow at the edges add a touch of liveliness to the lifeless scenery.
Qiao Manman led the group back to the courtyard. As soon as the door opened, Qiao Runming and He Nian took a liking to it.
After walking around the front and back yards, I lifted the curtain and entered the main room.
"How much is this house? It looks really nice!"
"Over 800. The original owner was a military family member who cherished the courtyard. He went to live with the military a while ago, and I took the opportunity to buy it."
Qiao Manman took out several enamel mugs from the cabinet, intending to pour water for them, but found that the water in the thermos had cooled down and needed to be boiled again.
Just as he was about to go to the kitchen to boil water, Xie Susu stopped him: "We're not thirsty. Let's go to the machinery factory to get a letter of introduction first. Business is more important."
"Yes, yes, business comes first. Remember to go to the supply and marketing cooperative and buy some candy so that our colleagues can share in the joy."
Qiao Manman nodded and asked Lu Yuan to bring in her parents' luggage and put it in the side room.
As I stepped outside to catch my ride, my neighbors poked their heads out and asked, "Man'er, who's this?"
"This is my boyfriend, Comrade Lu Yuan. This is my mother-in-law, Comrade Xie Susu. And my parents, Comrades Qiao Runming and He Nian."
"What? You have a boyfriend? Oh my goodness, I was just about to introduce you to my nephew!"
Qiao Manman said with a smile, "It's been a long time, but he's been busy and hasn't come to propose yet."
This time, we're getting married. After the wedding, I'll move out, and my parents will take care of this house.
"Oh, you're moving out? Does your great-uncle know?"
"Yes, I know. I've already informed them. Besides, we're all family. Does it make a difference whether I live here or my parents live here?"
"Ah, yes, yes, I was just asking, Comrade Xiao Qiao, please don't take it to heart."
Qiao Manman smiled and said, "Of course!"
He got into the car, trying to avoid the other person's probing gaze.
Qiao Manman whispered to her parents, "Now that buying and selling houses is not allowed, the story I told the original owner was that I was helping my great-uncle look after the house."
Others knew that the original homeowner had a son who was an officer in the military, and they were all very kind to me.
"But that guy we just saw is a notorious scoundrel in the neighborhood. From now on, whatever you eat or do, try to avoid her."
Qiao Runming nodded: "Father understands!"
The car turned onto the supply and marketing cooperative, and the family got out.
Seeing the crowds inside the supply and marketing cooperative, Qiao Manman stopped He Nian: "Mom, you're pregnant, so don't go in and squeeze in. Let Dad stay outside with you."
"Yes, your belly is the priority. I'll go shopping with you after you give birth."
"Normally there aren't this many people at the supply and marketing cooperative. It's probably because there are defective products or new arrivals today that it's so crowded."
After my parents move in, I can come over for a visit when it's less crowded.
He Nian nodded regretfully: "Okay, you and Xiao Lu buy more candy, don't worry about spending money."
"Don't worry, we know!" Qiao Manman, arm in arm with Xie Susu, squeezed into the crowd and found that everyone was buying fabric.
Red, pink, and even flawed fabrics with uneven printing.
Xie Susu's eyes lit up as she pushed her way forward with the crowd. Qiao Manman had no choice but to cleverly clear a path for her.
Before long, the two of them squeezed to the front.
"Comrade, I want this, this, and this!" Xie Susu pointed to the brightest colored fabric and asked, "Is there a purchase limit?"
"Limited purchase!" The saleswoman asked with a smile, "Comrade Xiao Qiao, are you here together?"
“Yes!” Qiao Manman handed over a few cloth coupons and two ten-yuan bills: “Sister Huo, see how many we can buy, please help us out.”
"Okay!" Huo Yanyan quickly measured a few feet, folded the cloth into a block, and called Qiao Manman to go to the counter next door to get change.
After thanking Liang Simin, Qiao Manman left the fabric counter. She took the receipt and change and went to Liang Simin's counter.
"Sister Simin, let me introduce you. This is my boyfriend, and this is my mother-in-law!"
"Hello Auntie!"
After greeting him, Liang Simin looked Lu Yuan up and down and said, "This is the guy you've been keeping secret for so long? Not bad, not bad. He's handsome and has a high position."
Is this trip for an engagement or a wedding?
"We're getting married, so we came to buy some fruit candies." Qiao Manman took out some money.
Liang Simin's eyes lit up: "Really? Congratulations! Wait a moment, I'll go weigh out the candy for you!"
With that, Liang Simin went next door.