Chapter 22
Regret?
Ha ha!
She, Fang Xiao Juan had never gone to school. She doesn't know how to write the word regret!
If she did regret, then she regretted that she didn't choke that calamity to death when she was born!
She glared at Da Qiao, who was lying on Qiao Xiu Zhi's shoulder, with a daggered gaze.
As if sensing something, Da Qiao looked at her mom. Immediately, her body shook with fright. Her head was buried in her grandmother's neck. She didn't dare to lift her head up again.
Qiao Xiu Zhi stretched out her hand and patted the little dumpling on the back. She didn't turn her head to pay attention to Fang Xiao Juan.
Qiao Zhen Guo took in his mom's sassy and heroic steps. With a look of admiration, he thought: My mom is extremely awesome!
Wan Chun Ju looked at her mother-in-law's tall back with a pale face: My mother-in-law is extremely scary!
Qiao Zhen Guo turned around and saw that his wife's face was different. He couldn't help but curiously said: "Wife, what are you doing? Could it be you were scared by Mom's heroic appearance?"
Wan Chun Ju's head when up and down liking a chopping knife: "I was scared. I was scared!"
Qiao Zhen Guo burst into laughter and said, "What are you afraid of? Mom won't beat people, especially her own people!"
Wan Chun Ju's eyes lit up when she heard these words.
But before this joy reached the bottom of her eyes, she heard her man added: "But if you do something wrong, Mom would still hit people. When Fifth was little, he lied. This resulting him getting his flesh stirred fried with bamboo vine by Mom. Tsk, tsk. Not a good piece of flesh left!"
Wan Chun Ju’s legs became weak again. Not only did she spread rumors that caused Lin Hui to jump into the well, she also pretended to be pregnant. If these things were discovered, how many times would she have to be whipped?
The next moment she heard her man continue: "But if it's you married-in daughter-in-laws, Mom wouldn't be cruel."
Wan Chun Ju's heart, which had jumped to her throat, settled back in place again. Fortunately, she was married-in daughter-in-law.
At this moment, her man went at it again: "Although she won't be cruel, she will send you packing to your maternal home. Just like Fang Xiao Juan. Hahaha..."
After Qiao Zhen Guo finished speaking, he went after his mom.
"..."
Can you not repeatedly pause when you speak!
A mouthful of old blood was blocking her chest. It couldn't go up or down. She almost followed the wild boar!
Those who don't take the benefit is a bastard. Wang Shui Sheng quickly organized people to kill this bonus wild boar.
Wild boars can't be compared with domestic pigs. They had thick skin and thick flesh. It was very troublesome to handle. Still, everyone wanted to eat meat. No matter how troublesome it was, they were happy to.
After working for hours on depilation, peeling, and deboning, everyone's favorite part finally arrived...distribute the meat!
"It's thanks to Qiao Xiu Zhi. If it weren't for her, how could everyone get extra share of meat?"
"Ain't that right!? Say, how did Qiao Xiu Zhi get this strength? One punch beat a wild boar of more than two hundred jins to death. My god!"
"That's nothing. The wild boar from back then was bigger than this one. Qiao Xiu Zhi one-punch-killed it! That why you should never mess with Qiao Family in the future. Otherwise, don't cry when you get beaten to death.!"
"How could we be the kind of people without eyes? Do you think we are like Fang Family?"
At this time, the ridiculed Fang Family was experiencing a human tragedy.
The barefoot doctor examined Fang Fu Gui. His leg was broken and had to lie in bed for at least three months.
When old Madam Fang heard that her precious son's leg was fractured, she cried and howled, "Oh Heaven, why are you don't you open your eye? My son is such a good person! Why did you let him suffer such a serious suffering? My poor son ah……"
Everyone couldn't help but curl their lips.
If Fang Fu Gui was a good person, then there would be no bad people in this world!
Old Madam Fang was crying like it was a mourning. The cry went high and low. Very rhythmic. But unfortunately, no one came up to comfort her after crying for a long time.
When she heard that the meat was about to be distributed, old Madam Fang's cries instantly dead down and jumped up from the ground. As if it wasn't her who cried like her son had died just now.
Someone recalled that Fang Xiao Juan had pushed Da Qiao out and suggested to not distribute the wild boar to Fang Family. After all, this wild boar was killed by Qiao Xiu Zhi. Where did Fang Family have the face to get a share?
Old Madam Fang went on a rampage. She patted her thigh and jumped three feet high: "What are you talking about? What are you talking about? If this wild boar hadn't chase my family's Fu Gui, would you still be able to eat pork? Go eat sh*t!"
This immediately angered everyone: "We have never eaten sh*t. But your family has. And pig urine too. In this way, your family has broad horizon!"
"Hahaha. God has seen the world. What good is it for you to make me laugh to death?"
Old Madam Fang was so angry that her nose crooked!
However, no matter how sharp her mouth was, she can hardly outmatch so many mouth. She was soon scolded into a drowning dog: "I don't care. If you don't give me a share, I will report to the community and say you bully the poor peasants!"
They were three generations of poor peasants and was usually very proud this!
Wang Shui Sheng was annoyed with Fang Family the most, and stated in a rough voice: "Give. Whoever said won't give. Get in line!"
Not sharing definitely can't do. However the dirty work in the beginning of spring next year can be assigned to Fang Family!
Because Qiao Xiu Zhi killed the wild boar alone, Wang Shui Sheng gave Qiao Family 30 jins of pork. Although everyone was very envious, they didn't say anything.
Only old Madam Fang's eyes went red from jealousy.
...
Qiao Xiu Zhi held Da Qiao in one hand and pork in the other. They went straight back to Qiao's old home.
When the grandmother and granddaughter entered the yard, Xue Chuan was sweeping the snow with a broomstick. Seeing her expression was incorrect, he asked, "What happened?"
Qiao Xiu Zhi curled her lips: "It's that Fang Xiao Juan woman. Enough, let's not talk about her. Just talking about it makes one angry!"
Xue Chuan didn't ask any more. Seeing little dumpling's downcast appearance and none of her usual spirit, he couldn't help but feel a little distressed: "Da Qiao, I just bake corn pancake. Do you want to eat it?"
Da Qiao lifted her head from her grandmother's neck. Her eyes were black and clear. She whispered: "I haven't eaten it before. Is it delicious?"
Hearing that she hadn't eaten corn pancakes at this age, Xue Chuan's heart ached again. He took her from his wife's arms and said, "I don't know if it tastes good or not. Would you like to try it for me?"
Dumpling Da Qiao pondered for a while before she nodded earnestly and answered: "Okay, let me try the taste for Grandfather."
After speaking, she smacked her small mouth and swallowed a mouthful of saliva. Xue Chuan couldn't help laughing because of her gluttonous appearance.
He took the little dumpling's hand and led her to the stove. He took out a pancake from the iron pan: "Come on. See if it's delicious."
The freshly baked corn pancakes were golden yellow. Round like a moon and thin. Each bite was crispy. It filled the whole mouth with sweetness and crispiness. Incredibly tasty!
Little dumpling Da Qiao consumed in small bites. Her eyes brightened with each bite: "Grandfather, it's delicious!"
Xue Chuan grinned. He wanted to rub her hair but noticed his hands hadn't been washed. So she could only give up: "Eat slowly. Don't choke."
"I won't choke. Grandfather, Grandmother, eat too." She broke the pancake into three portions and gave two of them to her grandparents.
Xue Chuan's smile deepened at this sight.
Although this child had suffered, her personality hadn't been distorted as a result. She was a kind-hearted child.
Qiao Xiu Zhi didn't take her pancake: "Have it yourself. But don't eat too much at once. Be careful that you won't be able to fit the pork dumplings into your stomach!"
Hearing the pork dumplings, Da Qiao's eyes lit up completely.
"Don't worry. I have a big belly, so I can have a lot of things!" She patted her belly with her little hand. Wanting to show that her belly was big.
But she was a small dumpling. How much can her little belly possibly contain?
Xue Chuan noticed that Da Qiao's stuttering condition had improved. He glanced at Qiao Xiu Zhi, who nodded at him. Then the two smiled at each other.
After Qiao Zhen Jun was paralyzed, Qiao Zhen Min took his eldest brother's children to live in the town. First, he could reduce the burden on the family, and second, he could allow his parents have time to take care of his second brother.
Now the supply and demand cooperative was on holiday, he asked someone to pass a message two days ago. Saying, he would be back today.
So Qiao Xiu Zhi intended to wait for them to come back and make dumplings together. However, first make some crispy fried pork lard to give this little dumpling as a snack.
What Qiao Xiu Zhi didn't lack was strength. She quickly diced the pork fat into cubes, heats the pan, and pour in the oil. Once the oil boils, the pork fat was put in. When the oil was extracted out, the crispy pork lard was done.The crispy pork lard was crispy and flavorful. When one take a bite, it made a crunch. It was interesting and delicious. There were no children in the village who dislike eating these crispy pork lard.
This was the first time Da Qiao having crispy pork lard.
She had saw Xiao Qiao eating it before. Every time that smell caused her to swallow her drooling saliva. Now it tasted as delicious as she imagined!
Although the crispy pork lard was delicious, Xue Chuan was afraid that she would not be able to digest it. He only told her to eat a few pieces and took her out.
Xue Chuan took her into the room and pulled out a small unfinished quilted jacket.
When Dumpling Da Qiao saw the little cotton-padded jacket, her eyes were as bright as the stars in the sky.
She hadn't forgotten that her grandmother said that she would make another quilted jacket for her. Seeing the size of the quilted jacket, it should be this one, right?
This one was even more beautiful than the last one. The color was red. More importantly, there was a white rabbit embroidered on it. It was so vivid that it looked like a real one.
She poked her little finger and asked shyly, "Grandfather, this padded jacket...who is it for?"
Xue Chuan rubbed her little head and replied, "I made it for you. Last time, the piece was made by your grandmother. This piece was made for you by Grandfather. Last time, Grandfather was in poor health, so I only embroidered you a few pear flowers. This time I plan to embroider a few small animals for you. Besides the little rabbit, what else do you want to have embroidered?"
Dumpling Da Qiao was surprised!
Last time, the pear blossom was very beautiful. She thought it was her grandmother's handiwork. Unexpectedly, it was her grandfather!
The work of sewing clothes in every household was done by women. Why did her grandfather know how to make clothes and embroider such beautiful flowers and small animals?
It was amazing!
Xue Chuan took in little dumpling's open wide mouth and smiled: "Grandfather learnt this embroidery from your great grandmother."
This great grandmother wasn't Qiao Xiu Zhi's mother, but his mother.
From eight generations up, his family were all landlords. His mother was a major household's lady and was able to embroider well. Later the family had fallen and his mother relied on this hand embroidery to pay the family debt and support the mother and son.
His mother had once wanted to pass this hand embroidery skill to her daughter, but unfortunately she only gave birth to this son. So this hand embroidery can only be passed on to him.
It was bad idea to let it get out that men can embroider. So in this family, only Qiao Xiu Zhi knew that he can embroider.
Da Qiao was lying on the kang table. Her eyes were black and shiny. Her small face was full of admiration: "Then Great grandmother is really great?"
Xue Chuan nodded: "She is. Does Da Qiao want to be as great as Great Grandmother?"
Dumpling Da Qiao fanned out her short hand and shyly uttered: "Can I?"
Xue Chuan glanced at her little short hand and smiled: "Of course you can. As long as you want to learn, Grandfather can teach you. So do you want to learn?"
Da Qiao was like a little chicken pecking rice, heavily nodding her small head: "Yes! I want to learn!"
"Okay, then I will teach you!"
"Grandfather, I want, I want to embroider a Gu Gu here."
Gu Gu was the old hen. This Xue Chuan knew.
He merrily nodded: "Okay, I'll embroider a Gu Gu for you."
When Qiao Xiu Zhi came in, she saw this sight. One big and one small were discussing embroidering the old hen.
The corners of her mouth slowly curved up.
In the evening, old Fifth, Qiao Zhen Min finally returned with his family including Qiao Zhen Guo's three children.
"Dad, Mom, I'm back!" Before Qiao Zhen Min arrived, his loud voice reached first.
Wan Chun Ju jumped up from the stool: "Oh, my precious son is finally back!"
Qiao Xiu Zhi was startled by her. What was Eldest's wife up to now?
Wan Chun Ju had a reason to be so excited.
In addition to missing her son, there was another very important reason. She realized that her son was her life-saving amulet.
Ever since she saw her mother-in-law beat the wild boar with her own eyes that day, she had dreamed that she had become the wild boar in these two nights. And then taken blown to the head from her mother-in-law!
She had it too hard!
Therefore, in the past two days, she had been pining for the return of her precious son all the time. Once something happens, her son can still plead for her. As for her man, hehe, he was unreliable!
Wan Chun Ju rushed out and wrapped An Ping in her embrace. With an agitated look, she spoke: "Son, if you don't come back, Mom will go to town to pick you up!"
An Ping was eight years old this year. The age where boys doesn't like being close to his mom. When his mom hugged him so tightly, he yelled in disgust: "Aiya, Mom, let go of me. Do you want to smother me?"
Wan Chun Ju let go of her son. She didn't give her two daughters, Qiao Dong He and Qiao Dong Ying, any glance since they walked in. They exchanged glances.
Qiao Dong Ying winked at her elder sister, Qiao Dong He and leaned in as said in a low voice: "Elder Sister, look. I said Mom won't notice that we are back!"
Even if she noticed, she wouldn't take it seriously.
The two girls knew her mom's patriarchal character 800 years ago. Fortunately, their grandmother was the head of the family. Her grandmother was the least patriarchal person in the entire community.
Over the years, what younger brother has, they also have. They can even go to school. So there was nothing to complain about.
Qiao Dong He was relatively quiet. When she heard her younger sister's words, she pursed her lips and smiled.
Qiao Zhen Min came back with two hens in his hands and various New Year goods in his other hand. This garnered a lot of envy along the way.
Following him were his wife, Chen Qiao Qiao and his daughter, Qiao Dong Wan.
Qiao Dong Wan was only three years old this year. She was being held in her mom's arms, sound asleep with flushed cheeks.
The three Qiao brothers were all tall and magnificent. Among them, Qiao Zhen Guo had the simplest personality and most obedient to his mom. In modern terms, he was an extreme mommy boy.
Qiao Zhen Jun was the most handsome of the three brothers and looked the most like Xue Chuan. But compared to his dad, he was slightly worse.
At the same time, he was also the least talkative of the three brothers.
Old fifth, Qiao Zhen Min, was the bold and had flexible brain. He was the smartest of the three brothers.
He was currently working as a temporary driver for a supply and demand cooperative. This job was gained from his own connections.
When Wan Chun Ju saw her youngest brother-in-law come back with big bag and small bag, she immediately smiled like a chrysanthemum: "Fifth Brother, Fifth Sister-in-law, you are back? Come, come, give me things. I will take them in!" Qiao Zhen Min knew exactly what kind of character his eldest sister-in-law was. But these were trivial things, so he didn't drop the other's face and generously handed things over.
Wan Chun Ju's hands were full of stuff. She felt that her past few days of panicked heart had been soothed.
Hearing that her youngest uncle and the few elder brother and sisters were back, Da Qiao hurriedly ran out of the room.
The children came to a halt when they saw Da Qiao.
An Ping was the most scatterbrain. At first glance, he thought Da Qiao was Xiao Qiao. He ran over and grinned: "Sister Xiao Qiao, I haven't seen you for a month. Why have you become shorter rather than taller?"
Da Qiao's face went red from the pinching. She wasn't angry though. Instead, she softly responded: "Cousin Brother, I am not Xiao Qiao. I am Da Qiao."
An Ping's chin dropped to the ground.
Soon he picked it up again and took a closer look. Well, what do you know. The person in front of him was indeed not Xiao Qiao. Still, this wasn't the Da Qiao he remembered!
"Younger Brother, you don't need your eyes. You can still recognize the wrong person!" Qiao Dong Ying smacked her younger brother as usual.
An Ping had a good attitude when admitting his mistakes. He rubbed his head and smiled: "Younger Sister Da Qiao, I'm sorry. Brother made a mistake. However, how did you suddenly grow so much? And your face seems to have turned fairer too!"
Qiao Dong Ying agreed with what her younger brother said: "That's right. Da Qiao, what did you put on. Why did your face become so fair?"
Qiao Dong Ying looked most like Qiao Xiu Zhi, got valiant features. But there was a problem. Her skin was like her mom. She was inherently tanned!
So at this moment, seeing Da Qiao's skin pale and tender, she suddenly became envious.
Da Qiao's face was flushed. There was no way to tell the koi jade pendant matter.
Internally, she made a firm decision. She wanted to give everyone the water with melted jade beads!
Since yesterday, she had stealthily put that water into the water her dad drinks. Hoping to help her dad's body.
The few children chatted around Da Qiao. Qiao Dong Ying was very enthusiastic in telling her the scenery of the town. Da Qiao was stunned from what she heard.
At this side, Qiao Zhen Guo had carried Qiao Zhen Jun over from Qiao's small courtyard.
When everyone arrived, Qiao Xiu Zhi announced that the whole family to start making dumplings!
When Wan Chun Ju went into the kitchen to carry flour, she saw Chen Qiao Qiao taking out the bowls and chopsticks from the closet. Moving very slowly. The sight made her have the urge to step forward to help her take it!
Really, this fifth sister-in-law considered herself as a young miss. If she was made to work, it was estimated that she will not be able to eat even after dark!
Wan Chun Ju internally murmured. Her eyes spun and landed on Chen Qiao Qiao's butt.
Chen Qiao Qiao turned her head and met with Wan Chun Ju's scorching gaze. Suddenly, her chrysanthemum tightened: "Eldest Sister-in-law, what are you looking at?"
Wan Chun Ju didn't feel embarrassed about being caught and said confidently: "I'm looking your belly, Fifth Sister-in-law!"
Chen Qiao Qiao: "..."
She just came back now and treated her as a fool!
She had her back toward her just now. Wan Chun Ju couldn't see her belly at all. Besides, she wasn't blind. She was staring at her butt just now!
After Wan Chun Jju told a lie with full of loopholes, she still didn't repent. Her eyes fell on Chen Qiao Qiao's butt from time to time.
It made Chen Qiao Qiao have goosebumps. Unable to bear it anymore, she turned around and rushed out.
Wan Chun Ju watched Chen Qiao Qiao’s escaping butt and smiled with satisfaction: "Then I can rest assured!"
From Wan Chun Ju's point of view, Chen Qiao Qiao's small butt would definitely not give birth to a son. In this way, An Ping's position would be preserved!
This woman is a dummy to the extreme. Small butt or not Chen Qiao Qiao can still birth a son, what will she do then 🤣🤣🤣
ReplyDeleteThat's not how childbirth works. I...sigh.
ReplyDeleteAlthough first aunt is a bit knock knock in the head, she's not really a bad person. First aunt and her husband is actually hilarious but I hope the first uncle treat the first aunt with love and also I hope first aunt wouldn't be too evil and scheming in the future <33
ReplyDeleteI agree. With a bit guidance & nurturing 1st aunt can turn a new leaf as a kind person. 1st uncle sure has to step up tho cus forever acting like that would just sour their relationship & makes 1st aunt becomes a bitter & resentful person.
DeleteEven though I'm a bit uncomfortable with how her husband treats her, maybe that's just the way their relationship works. Their love language, so to speak. Maybe there are other ways he treats her well that's not mentioned in the story because they seem to be the comic relief fools. He stood by and pointed and laughed when she was getting hurt by a hen, but I'd like to think he wouldn't do nothing if a boar was running at her.
ReplyDeleteThen again, spreading rumors of infidelity at that time period could get one imprisoned or killed, no? I can't tell if she's irredeemable or not because she seems to be written humorously, so I feel like I shouldn't take it to heart?
There's gotta be a reason why Grandma Qiao let her son marry this woman. In her second son's situation, he forced it, but it wasn't mentioned how the rest of the sons married. Presumably it was her who matched, or at least approved the marriages.
As I’m rereading this I must say chen qiao qiao character development disappointed me the most in this novel, I never thought her would be like that alas
ReplyDelete