Chapter 118
This was a well-dressed man.
The man's facial features were very handsome, but the whole aura he gave was not someone decent
And he looked much older than Qiao Dong Ying.
Everyone was shocked when they saw this man.
First, they had never heard Qiao Dong Ying mention she was already dating someone. Secondly, they never thought that Qiao Dong Ying would actually like this type of man.
This completely overturned everyone's understanding of her!
Qiao Dong Ying looked at everyone's stunned look and amusedly said, "What's wrong with you all? Why aren't any of making a sound? Don't you recognize me?"
Everyone came back to their senses.
Da Qiao walked over, linked her arm and responded, "Elder Sister Ying, everyone was overly surprised because you said earlier that you wouldn't be back this summer. Everyone thought they wouldn't be able to see you until the Spring Festival!"
Qiao Dong Ying eyed her. Her eyes flashed with amazement and envy: "It's only been half a year and you've grown a lot taller!" What's more, so beautiful that one can't take their eyes off it!
Da Qiao pursed her lips and grinned: "I have grown a lot taller. Grandmother said that if I grow any more, I will be taller than her!"
She was sixteen years old this year and was already 1.7 meters tall. However, because her grandparent's good genes, Qiao Family wasn't short.
While the two sisters were talking, the man standing behind Qiao Dong Ying glanced over Da Qiao's face and body. His eyes shone with amazement.
His action caught by Da Qiao. Her pretty brows frowned.
In the end, she didn't speak.
That night, this man named Wu Yi stayed in Qiao's house.
Although Qiao Family's house had been sold, the buyer agreed to let them live in it before first branch's moved to the capital. Of course, Qiao Family did not take advantage of the other party for nothing. They gifted the buyer a lot of good things.
When it was time for dinner, everyone discovered Wu Yi was actually eight years older than Qiao Dong Ying through conversation.
Qiao Dong Ying was 20 years old this year, which meant Wu Yi was 28 years old this year!
In this era, everyone gets married relatively early. Twenty-eight years old was already too old for both men and women. If he had got married early, his children would be older than little Dong Yun and the twins now.
However, this man named Wu Yi wasn't married yet!
That was a little weird.
Wu Yi saw Qiao Family's strange looks and seem used to it: "I grew up in the Country Mi and didn't come back to my motherland until last year."
When Qiao Xiu Zhi heard the words, she said calmly, "It turned out that Comrade Wu grew up in the Country Mi. If you didn't say it, I couldn't tell. After all, Comrade Wu's Mandarin isounds like the local."
Although he was Chinese, he should have some accent because he grew up abroad. Like Wang Anna and her daughter Huo Jing.
But this man named Wu Yi didn't have the slightest accent; A bit too smooth.
Wu Yi's face stiffened when he heard these words: "That's because my family speaks Mandarin at home. My grandfather often said that even if we are in another country, we can't forget that we are tanned descendants!"
Xue Chuan said: "Your grandfather is right. But at your age, your family should have arranged some match for you a long time ago even if you were abroad. How can you remain unmarried at this age?"
Wu Yi sighed: "When I was in Country Mi, I had a fiancée. She fell ill and died later. Filled with grief, I never wanted to find someone to marry again. It wasn't until the year before last that I slowly got out of my grief and met Dong Ying after returning to motherland. I think she is a wonderful girl!"
The others didn't say anything. While Wan Chun Ju, when she heard that Wu Yi got back from Country Mi, her face flushed with excitement.
Now was 1982. Although the country's door was open to the outside world, it wasn't easy to go out.
The number of public students studying abroad was limited. For those who want to go abroad, marrying out was one of the easiest and most 'honorable' ways.
In their small place, very few people married abroad. But after seeing Huo Family's sudden wealth, the idea of 'foreigners' being rich was fixed in Wan Chun Ju's mind like a ocean calming needle.
When Qiao Dong He was admitted to the university, she secretly found her and told her to find a local man there to marry. At that time, Qiao Dong He was so mad that she almost burst into tears.
Wan Chun Ju was also furious. She didn't expect Qiao Dong He to be so 'unpromising' and went looking for a fellow countryside!
And Qiao Dong Ying, she had a tough and unsubmissive temper since she was a young. Wan Chun Ju felt that it would be more difficult for her to marry abroad than to ascending to the sky!
To her surprise, the daughter she was least optimistic about brought back an overseas Chinese from Country Mi!
"Oh, Young Wu, what you said is right. My Dong Ying is not only beautiful, but also gentle in temperament. Choosing her show your good eye!" A smile bloomed on Wan Chun Ju's face, "Dong Ying ah, don't you see that Young Wu's soup was finished? Why don't you quickly serve another bowl?"
Wan Chun Ju's behavior was too flattering. There was no need for it.
So what if he was came back from Country Mi? Was he more superior than their own country's people?
Qiao Xiu Zhi pulled her face down and stated, "Eldest Daughter-in-law, the chickens and dogs in the yard haven't been fed yet. Since you are full, you can feed them."
Wan Chun Ju froze for a moment: "Mom, I'm not full yet!"
In order to please her future son-in-law all night, she had only eaten one bowl of rice so far; which felt like nothing in her stomach. She can eat three more bowls!
Qiao Xiu Zhi gave her a chilled gaze: "I said you are full then you are full!"
Wan Chun Ju: "..."
Qiao Zhen Guo said: "Wife, just listen Mom. I'll leave a pork knuckle for you to eat later!"
"How can one knuckle be enough? I also want two drumsticks!"
Wan Chun Ju was angry and aggrieved in her heart.
She felt that her mother-in-law was too controlling. On normal occasion, it was enough. Now that she was embarrassed in front of her future son-in-law, she would have thrown out a punch if she wasn't afraid of death!
What was even more irritating was that her man didn't speak for her. Instead, he went along her mother-in-law!
Qiao Zhen Guo sighed and said, "Okay, I'll leave you two more drumsticks later!"
Only then did Wan Chun Ju aggrievedly stand up and went out.
As soon as Wan Chun Ju left, there was no one buttering up to Wu Yi at the dinner table.
Wu Yi did not show any abnormality. It was just at the dinner table, his eyes swept over to Da Qiao several times.
——
When it was time to go to bed at night, Da Qiao deliberately stayed over to sleep with her elder cousin sister.
The night sky was like freshly washed. The evening wind blew, the leaves were rustling, and the white moonlight poured in from the window.
Da Qiao snuggled up beside her elder cousin and said softly, "Elder Sister Ying, why are you with Elder Brother Wu?"
Qiao Dong Ying came to a pause when she heard this: "Because in his eyes, I become someone excellent."
Da Qiao frowned when she heard this: "Elder Sister Ying, why can't I understand what you mean? In my opinion, you are already excellent!"
When Qiao Dong Ying heard this, the corner of her mouth twitched.
Was she?
In terms of smartness, let alone Da Qiao, she couldn't even compared with her elder sister!
When she was a child, she didn't study seriously. She thought she just didn't want to study and her grades would definitely impress everyone as long as she got serious!
But reality gave her a slap in the face!
By the time she wanted to study seriously, she had already lagged behind in a lot of knowledge. Although she worked hard to catch up later, her grades in the college entrance examination were 100 points lower than her elder sister's!
In terms of appearance and talent, she got nothing to show. Even little Dong Yun was more outstanding than her!
When she was a child, she always thought that she was the most different from everyone. And the most like her grandmother. But as she grew older, she became the most mediocre and useless one.
She really envied Younger Sister Da Qiao. Not only was she good-looking, but was also smart and well-behaved. No matter where she went, she can easily become the focus of everyone and make people fall in love with her.
She wasn't jealous, because she herself liked Younger Cousin Sister Da Qiao very much.
She was just a little envious and a little ashamed of herself.
If Qiao Family could hear Qiao Dong Ying's current thoughts, their jaws would fall to the ground in fright.
Because Qiao Dong Ying was the most assertive since she was a young. She was like a big boss sister in school; calling for wind and rain. Even boys listened to her words. No one thought that she would have low self-esteem!
Qiao Dong Ying had an elder sister in front and a younger brother An Ping behind. Later, Qiao Family continued to have children born. As the middle child, she was the most easily overlooked.
Seeing that her elder cousin sister didn't speak, Da Qiao's small body moved a few times like a worm. She leaned over and spoke, "Elder Sister Ying, do you have something on your mind? If you have something on your mind, you can tell me. Or you can tell Grandfather and Grandmother. We are your family and will definitely support you!"
Qiao Dong Ying recovered from her small internal conflict, reached out and squeezed her face in the dark, "There's nothing. Don't worry though. I will tell you if there is really something!"
Da Qiao breathed a sigh of relief when she her response. After some deliberation, she continued: "Elder Sister Ying, I think Elder Brother Wu is too old for you. Why don't you think about it again?"
Qiao Dong Ying froze for a moment. Raising her eyebrows, she responded, "You don't like him?"
Da Qiao licked his lips, "It's not that I don't like him. I just think you deserve better, Elder Sister Ying."
Wu Yi glanced at her several times, but she didn't tell anyone.
Because she didn't know if she was too sensitive. What's more, the other party didn't do anything except look at her a bit too much.
Besides, if she made a fuss, it would put Elder Cousin Sister on an awkward spot.
Qiao Dong Ying frowned in the dark. However, her tone sounded very relaxed: "Okay, then Elder Sister Ying will listen to you. I will carefully think about it later!"
In fact, it wasn't that she didn't sense the family's attitude towards Wu Yi. Although there was no strong objection, they weren't enthusiastic either.
She knew that her family minded his age, but she didn't care. In her opinion, age wasn't a problem at all.
The night was getting darker and the two sisters didn't speak anymore.
Da Qiao turned over and soon fell asleep. However, Qiao Dong Ying opened her eyes and didn't fall asleep for a long time.
——
After thinking about it overnight, Qiao Dong Ying decided to stick to her own ideas. She really felt that age wasn't a problem.
Apart from being relatively old, Wu Yi was knowledgeable, got astounding career, and was very considerate to her. No matter what she did, he will stand by her.
She may not be the best one, but she can find someone see her in that light in the eyes!
However, it was man propose, heaven dispose. Before she could convince her family, Wu Yi revealed his tail!
This morning, after breakfast.
Wu Yi suddenly suggested to Qiao Dong Ying, "Didn't you say that your family has a relative who is the chief of the police station? Since you've rarely come back, why don't you go see them?"
Hearing this, Qiao Dong Ying's heart thumped.
However, on the surface, her expression remained unchanged: "You are right. I will ask my grandmother and see who want to go with us."
Wu Yi frowned ever so slightly: "Alright."
Qiao Dong Ying walked out of the main room, came to her grandmother's room and told her about this with a pale face.
Qiao Xiu Zhi asked with a serious face: "You mean you never told him about Shen Family? Are you sure you didn't?"
Qiao Dong Ying shook her head: "Although Shen Family is our Qiao Family's god-relatives, they are Da Qiao's godparents. Not mine. So I have never said this to the outside world. Wu Yi came over only yesterday. How did he know about this?"
She wasn't a person who loves vanity. Putting aside that Wu Yi and her have known each other for less than half a year, the two met in the provincial city. So there was no need to mention Shen Family at all.
Even if she really wanted to brag, she could brag about her third uncle who had become a general lieutenant; not brag about this god-relative, Shen Family!
Qiao Xiu Zhi spoke, "Don't worry, I'll call your parents over and ask. They may have said this."
Qiao Dong Ying grasped her hand, bit her lower lip, and nodded, "Okay."
Soon, Qiao Xiu Zhi fetched the couple from first branch over and asked them if they had mentioned Shen Family to Wu Yi.
Both Qiao Zhen Guo and Wan Chun Ju shook their heads.
Wan Chun Ju looked at her mother-in-law's serious face and didn't take it seriously, "Mom, even if Young Wu knows about Shen Family, it's not a big deal!"
If it was ordinary people, it won't be big deal.
But Wu Yi came back from abroad. Let's not say whether there was any problem with his identity, it was very strange that he hadn't married at such an old age. Now adding Shen Family to the mix, they have to be vigilant!
It had only been a few years since the country opened to the outside world. Many foreign forces didn't want the country to develop, so they have arranged for many spies to steal important intelligence and resources.
If this Wu Yi was really a spy, whether it was for the country or for their Qiao Family, they must hand over Wu Yi!
Qiao Xiu Zhi didn't explain to her eldest son and daughter-in-law. She was afraid that Wan Chun Ju not being able to keep a tight lip.
She got Qiao Dong Ying to stabilize Wu Yi first; go buy some fruits and snacks with him, and then take a detour to Shen's house.
While she immediately called Shen Family after Qiao Dong Ying and Wu Yi went out.
Shen Shi Kai happened to take a break today and was resting at home.
After listening to Qiao Xiu Zhi's words, his face immediately became serious: "Auntie, don't worry. I know about this and go back to the police station to make arrangement!"
Wu Yi had always been generous. This time was no exception.
He took the initiative to buy a lot of precious supplements and went to Shen's house. When he came to Shen's house, he was told that Shen Shi Kai was at the police station.
Just when Wu Yi was pondering how to meet Shen Shi Kai, Qin Xiao Mei suddenly took out a document from the room and spoke, "Dong Ying, your Uncle Shen forgot to take this document to the police station. Can you do me a favor? Bring it to him?"
Qiao Dong Ying accepted the document and nodded, "No problem, I'll send it over there!"
It was simply finding by sheer luck what one had searched for far and wide!
Wu Yi was simply elated.
On the way to the police station, his eyes fell on the documents in Qiao Dong Ying's hands several times.
But he held back and didn't ask Qiao Dong Ying to show him.
He thought about putting a long line to hang the big fish, but he didn't know that he had become a turtle in a urn.
As soon as he entered the police station, the police officer who had been waiting for a long time immediately tackled Wu Yi without giving him any chance to resist. He was pressed to the ground and then his mouth was covered with something!
Qiao Dong Ying watched Wu Yi disappear at the end of the corridor; Her heart was beating like thunder. Complex emotions flashed in her eyes.
After a moment, Shen Shi Kai came over and spoke, "We still need to investigate the identity of the other party. You cannot leave Yunlai Town until the situation is clear!"
Qiao Dong Ying nodded: "Uncle Shen, don't worry, I will not leave without authorization. But if there is a problem with his identity, will it affect my family?"
Shen Shi Kai shook his head: "As long as your Qiao family doesn't do anything to endanger the country, nothing will happen. On the contrary, they will give you credit!"
After speaking, he paused: "Are you alright? Do you want me to call your family to come and pick you up?"
Qiao Dong Ying shook her head: "No, I'm fine."
After she finished speaking, she turned away.
Shen Shi Kai watched her back and sighed.
When such a thing happened, those who had seen the world couldn't keep calm, let alone her, a little girl?
As soon as Qiao Dong Ying walked out of the police station, she was surrounded by Da Qiao and Shen Tian You.
"Elder Sister Ying, are you alright?"
Da Qiao and Shen Tian You both said in unison.
Qiao Dong Ying came to a halt and uttered, "Why did you come here?"
Da Qiao linked her elder cousin sister's arm and said, "Grandmother had already told me the matter. She said she got to stay home to keep Eldest Aunt grounded at home. But she is still worried about you, so told me come and pick you up!"
When Qiao Dong Ying heard these words, a warm current surged in her heart: "I'm fine."
Shen Tian You brought his chubby face closer to garner some sense of existence, "Elder Sister Ying, don't just talk to Da Qiao. I'm also worried about you!"
Only then did Qiao Dong Ying set her eyes on Shen Tian You. She couldn't help but let out a chuckle: "I say, Tian You, why do you seem to have gained weight again?"
Shen Tian You was one year younger than Da Qiao and was in the first year of high school this year.
Shen Tian You had been chubby than ordinary children since he was small. But when he was young, he could be said to be cute. Now he grew up, he became fatter and taller. His physique had nothing to do with cuteness.
Shen Tian You's chubby face flushed red: "Elder Sister Ying, don't worry. I will lose weight!"
Qiao Dong Ying laughed again: "Then you have to work hard!"
After all, it wasn't an easy task to reduce weight.
Shen Tian You nodded his head like pecking chicks: "I will try my best, Elder Sister Ying!"
When he said this, the flesh of his chin jiggled because of this movement. Still, determination was in his eyes.
Seeing him like this, Da Qiao couldn't help but laugh along.
When he was a child, Shen Tian You regarded her elder cousin sister as boss and 'obeyed her orders'. He didn't expect that he would still be so 'obedient' now he grew up.
The arrival of Da Qiao and Shen Tian You gave Qiao Dong Ying no time to grieve.
Because of Wu Yi's affairs, first branch's move to the capital was also delayed.
Wan Chun Ju didn't know what happened. All of a sudden, can't go to the capital. And thewonderful oversea Chinese son-in-law had out of nowhere!
There were big question marks on her big face.
It was a pity that those in on it won't tell her. Qiao Zhen Guo, who was as ignorant as she was, couldn't tell her anything. What's more, he didn't care about it at all!
How infuriating!
——
Two weeks later, the matter was finally thoroughly investigated.
Wu Yi was indeed a spy. Him approaching Qiao Dong Ying was a task assigned to him.
Qiao Family was not only relatives with Shen Family, but also with Chu Family in Nanshan County. Can't forget the son-in-law who was a general lieutenant in the army.
If he can input himself into Qiao Family, it will be very beneficial for him to steal information.
And to do that, the easiest and most effective way was to marry Qiao Dong Ying!
His identity was indeed an overseas Chinese in the Country Mi. But he was already married and his children were all in Country Mi. The eldest, a daughter, was five years old this year!
After Qiao Dong Ying heard the news, she couldn't help covering her face and sob.
She thought Wu Yi had saw her strengths. Unexpectedly, everything turned out to be a lie!
She was so stupid!
Seeing her elder cousin sister crying so hard, Da Qiao walked over and hugged her tightly.
That night, Qiao Dong Ying developed a high fever. After Da Qiao found out, she immediately fed her jade beads. Without needing to go to the hospital, the high fever subsided.
Though the physical symptoms were easy to heal, the mental ones were difficult to heal.
After she recovered, Qiao Dong Ying returned to her previous state. However, Da Qiao still felt that her elder cousin sister's smile wasn't as happy as before.
School started soon. Qiao Dong Ying packed up and returned to the provincial city, while first branch went to the capital for development as planned.
Da Qiao was promoted to the third year of high school. Her studies had her occupied.
On the train to the capital, first branch met a group of old acquaintances - Chen Qiao Qiao's family.
Since Qiao Zhen Min and Chen Qiao Qiao divorced, Qiao Family had cut off contact with Chen Family.
Later, Qiao Family opened a shop in the town and became rich in the eyes of many people. Chen Family stuck over like flies that smelled honey.
Using their status as Qiao Dong Wan's relatives, they swaggered to the door of Qiao Family and wanted to take things from the store without paying.
However, Qiao Family wouldn't let them do as they want. Right there and then, they kicked them out. If they dared to make trouble, then the police would immediately be called to arrest them.
Infuriating, Chen Family berated Qiao Dong Wan for being an white-eyed wolf who didn't even recognize her relatives!
Qiao Family can ignore them, but they were indeed Qiao Dong Wan's grandma and uncle by blood. After listening to Chen Family's words, some people felt that Qiao Dong Wan was too cold-blooded and ruthless.
Later, they went to the school to find Qiao Dong Wan. Qiao Dong Wan didn't give them any face though; she severely beat her uncle in front of everyone.
Later, when Qiao Zhen Min found out, he also taught Chen Family a lesson. Chen Family didn't dare to pester Qiao Dong Wan anymore.
But Qiao Dong Wan's reputation was completely ruined by them.
For Chen Family, the encounter on the train right now was like enemies' going red-eyed when meeting!
Eldest Uncle Chen proudly uttered: "Oh, isn't this Qiao Dong Wan's grandmother and grandfather?"
Qiao Xiu Zhi gave him a cold look and responded, "If you don't want to fight, get out of here now!"
Eldest Uncle Chen raised the watch in his hand and spoke, "Do you know what brand of watch this is? It's a Shanghai brand watch; it costs two hundred yuan a piece. Our Chen Family isn't worse off than your Qiao Family now. So don't keep looking down on people!"
Younger Uncle Chen came over and said, "Elder Brother, forget it. Why tell them so much? When we become rich, we will drive a car to them and let them know what it means to look down on others!"
Qiao Xiu Zhi stood up and clenched her fists. Her cold voice sounded, "It seems that some people are itchy for a beating!"
As soon as these words were out, the two brothers of Chen Family immediately ran away with their tail between legs!
Xue Chuan pulled his wife to sit down and poured her a glass of warm water to coax her, "This group of people isn't worth being angry with."
Qiao Xiu Zhi frowned and remarked: "Fortunately, old Fifth divorced Chen Family back then. If not, it would be nauseous for Dong Wan to have such a maternal family!"
Wan Chun Ju commented in a sour tone: "I heard people say it before, Chen Qiao Qiao's family seems to be prospering. Don't know what business they do?"
She felt Heaven was blind and actually let little butt Qiao Qiao's maternal family raise. Her maternal family was still farming in the village!
After that, no one answered her.
For Qiao Family, they didn't care whether Chen Family was doing well or not.
The two brothers of Chen Family returned to their seats. Both expression were filled with indignation and fury.
Eldest Uncle Chen snorted: "F***, when I get rich, I must smash Qiao Family with money to death!"
Younger Uncle Chen spoke: "Elder Brother, you are right. Especially Dong Wan, that little white-eyed wolf, I will get her to kneel and kowtow in front of me to admit her mistake!"
He was the one who was beaten by Qiao Dong Wan back then.
Back then, it never crossed his mind that thin and weak looking Qiao Dong Wan was so strong that she knocked out his teeth with one punch!
Eldest Uncle Chen nodded: "And the idiot Qiao Qiao. Once we have money, I will make them regret one by one!"
Chen Family met a man from another province before. Under the leadership of the other party, Chen Family made a small profit.
The man from other province told them that if they wanted to make a lot of money, they had to go to the south, where gold was everywhere. As long as they were brave enough, they could make money while lying down!
Under the instigation of the other party, Chen Family sold all their house and property and borrowed a lot of money from relatives. They were going to go to the south to go all out.
At that time, they had went to ask Chen Qiao Qiao for money, but were beaten by Chen Qiao Qiao's man.
Chen Qiao Qiao also declared she didn't have any siblings like them. She had long cut ties with Chen Family long ago!
That's right, since her brothers forced her to abort the child in the belly, tied her up, and sold her to her current husband, Chen Qiao Qiao had given up on her family.
Since then, she had never returned to her maternal home.
Chen brothers were very furious about Chen Qiao Qiao's behavior. They put down harsh declaration on the spot; that'll she regret it in the future.
Although Chen Qiao Qiao had also heard the news of her family's development, she still held back her greed this time. She didn't reconcile with her family nor did she lend them money.
At the middle station, Chen brothers carried their baggage to change trains. While Qiao Family continued north.
From now on, the two families have parted ways; each embarking on different life.
Time passed like running water. It was already a year later.
In July, when the cicadas kept chirping, Da Qiao walked into the examination room.