Chapter 28
"Puchi......"
Wan Chun Ju couldn't help burst into laughter.
She didn't understand why her man admired her mother-in-law so much before, but now she understood a little bit.
It felt so satisfying to watch her mother-in-law refute others!
Mother-in-law, go refute!
Qiao Hong Mei was as red as a cooked shrimp. She felt angry and hatred: "Mom!"
Chen Qiao Qiao suppressed a grin. Internally, she thought that it was useless to call Empress Dowager at this time!
Qiao Xiu Zhi and Xue Chuan have adopted a free range attitude towards the discipline of the children from childhood until adults.
As long as they didn't commit crimes and lazy bum that drag others down, the husband and wife will basically not govern them.
However, Qiao Hong Mei was an odd one.
Since she was a petty child. The whole family was living their life, while she persisted on stirring up palace drama everywhere. Like she can only be happy when there was no peace at home!
She and Xue Chuan found out and gave her a severe lesson. Only then, she constrained herself a lot. Still, Hong Mei was like a tree with a crooked neck. Crooked all the way through and couldn't be twisted straight.
Take Second as an example.
Before Qiao Zhen Jun was paralyzed, Qiao Hong Mei often got him to make furniture for her. Qiao Zhen Jun was embarrassed to ask his sister for money, so he had to pay for the cost by himself. For this, Fang Xiao Juan often argued with him.
After she and Xue Chuan knew about it, they didn't say anything.
But Qiao Zhen Jun had been paralyzed until now and Qiao Hong Mei had never came back to visit. Let alone get someone to send something back!
One can't be too selfish. One can't be too Qiao Hong Mei!
The atmosphere was awkward.
At this moment, a babyish voice came from the door: "Grandmother, Grandfather, your little cutie is here again!"
As soon as the voice fell, a red bundled, little dumpling Da Qiao swung her short legs and appeared at the door.
There were two small buns tied on her head, which looked like two small balls hanging on her head from a distance. They trembled and shook as she walked. So cute.
The straight-faced Qiao Xiu Zhi immediately blossomed as soon as she heard the little dumpling's baby voice. The corner of her mouth release a hint of happiness. This made Qiao Hong Mei dumbfounded from watching.
She can't wait to turn around, wanting to see who was capable of this.
But when she saw Da Qiao, she was stunned.
The little girl walking towards them was wearing a little red cotton-padded jacket. Her small face was flushed, her lips were red, and her teeth were white. Her big black grape-like eyes were bright and energetic. Very beautiful.
She felt that the little girl was familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen her for a while: "Mom, whose child is this little girl? Why is she calling you and Dad that way?"
Wan Chun Ju glanced at her strangely: "Hong Mei, your eyes okay? Don't you recognize Da Qiao?"
Qiao Hong Mei got choked to death: "..."
She can be blamed for this?
The little girl in front of her was fair and tender. Where was sallow faced, yellow haired stutterer?
When Chen Qiao Qiao heard this, she couldn't help but glance at Wan Chun Ju.
Can't blame Qiao Hong Mei for not recognizing Da Qiao. She hadn't been back to Qiao's house for more than half a year. Da Qiao's changes during this time were very huge.
Even Qiao Family who saw her every day spent every day in amazement during this time.
Although Da Qiao gave the jade bead water to Qiao Family to drink, there was limited quantity. The amount they consumed was far less than Da Qiao. On top of that, it was unknown if the jade beads can recognized Da Qiao as master, so the effect on her was much bigger than the others.
So during this period of time, Qiao Family and villagers in Qili Village "opened their eyes" and watched Da Qiao transform from an inconspicuous little stutter into a powdered-jade little dumpling.
What made everyone even more surprised was that Da Qiao's stuttering was completely cured!
Many children stuttered when they were young, but gradually disappeared after they grew up. However, Da Qiao's condition was very serious. Everyone thought that she would be stuttering all her life, but suddenly it got be better!
The villagers in Qili Village inquired with Qiao Family. But the problem was that Qiao Family didn't know why Da Qiao's stutter stopped all of a sudden. And became so pretty!
Some people secretly said that Fang Xiao Juan was actually the person who was the calamity.
Look. As soon as she left, the pear trees in Qiao's small yard bloomed. The old hen laid eggs. And Da Qiao stopped stuttering!
On the other hand, during this period of time, the chicken flew and dog jumped at Fang's house.
First, they was beaten by Lin Family. Then received by Qiao Xiu Zhi's. Finally, they got chased by a wild boar. Fang Fu Gui still can't get out of bed. All this started when Fang Xiao Juan returned to Fang's house!
Fang Xiao Juan was so angry that she almost miscarried when she heard these rumors!
When Da Qiao walked in, she saw Fourth Paternal Aunt and shrank her neck as she greeted, "Fourth Paternal Aunt."
She remembered that this paternal aunt didn't like her. She kept her face straight when she saw her.
Qiao Hong Mei disliked Da Qiao. Partly because she was influenced by Fang Xiao Juan and felt that she was a natural born calamity to all her relatives. And also partly because she herself did not like girls!
She gave birth to four daughters in a row. So she found girls an eyesore. She didn't like the smart Xiao Qiao too.
Qiao Hong Mei stared at Da Qiao. Her eyes almost popped out of her sockets: "Are you really Da Qiao? Why are you suddenly completely different? And you don't seem to stammer anymore? What is going on?"
She reached out and grabbed Da Qiao's hand. She was very heavy-handed as Da Qiao's hand immediately reddened.
Da Qiao frowned in pain. She struggled hard but couldn't break free.
A slap rang out!
Qiao Xiu Zhi stepped forward and patted Qiao Hong Mei's hand: "Let go! Such a grown adult and still can't control your strength. Didn't you see the child's hand was grabbed red by you?"
Qiao Hong Mei let go with an "Ouch".
Seeing a big red mark on the back of her hand, she became more furious: "Mom, just say it. Why hit me?"
From the time she walked in, her mom had been going against her. Was she treating her as her own daughter?
Qiao Hong Mei felt hate and felt wronged in her heart!
Da Qiao immediately ran over to hug her grandmother's thigh. She raised her head and said softly: "Grandmother, I came over to give you and grandfather eggs. Gu Gu laid eggs again!"
A smile appeared on Qiao Xiu Zhi's face: "You can eat it yourself. The old hen in the family lays eggs every day. You don't need to bring it here!"
Little dumpling, Da Qiao shook her head. The little buns on her head shook: "I just want to give to Grandfather and Grandmother to eat. After eating, become healthy!"
Although the old hens in the Qiao's old house laid eggs, there ware too many people in Qiao's old house. The eggs weren't enough. On the contrary, the father and daughter in Qiao's small house often can't finish their eggs.
Qiao Xiu Zhi took in the child's thoughtfulness and smiled deeper. She stretched out her hand to rub her little buns: "Then take it in and give it to your grandfather to store it. Your grandfather saved a candy for you. Go in!"
Little dumpling Da Qiao's eyes brightened instantly. She swallowed the saliva in her small mouth and replied, "Grandmother and Grandfather are wonderful. Da Qiao likes Grandfather and Grandmother the most!"
Flattery!
Wan Chun Ju stood behind and rolled her eyes.
During this time, Da Qiao had not only changed a lot in appearance, but also in her personality.
That little mouth was like smeared with honey. Coaxing her parent-in-laws until they almost took out their hearts to give her!
Chen Qiao Qiao didn't feel much about her parents-in-law doting Da Qiao. Although she liked Xiao Qiao, she did not hate Da Qiao because of it.
In her eyes, Da Qiao was the same as the other family members.
The same as in getting ignored.
When Qiao Hong Mei saw that her mom ignored her existence, but was so kind to the unlucky ghost, Da Qiao, her eyes instantly hid daggers inside!
Qiao Hong Mei had arrived for a while and Xue Chuan had never came out. Hearing Da Qiao's voice at this moment, he immediately appeared: "Da Qiao, have you come to see Grandfather?"
Little dumpling Da Qiao swung her short legs and ran over: "Grandfather, I haven't seen you and Grandmother for one night. I miss you so much!"
Xue Chuan laughed. The expression on his face softened: "Grandfather and Grandmother miss you too. It's cold outside. Come in."
Little dumpling Da Qiao touched the padded jacket on her body as her eyes became crescent from happiness: "It's not cold. The clothes made by Grandfather are warm!"
Qiao Hong Mei felt even more uncomfortable when she heard that her dad made the clothes on her!
"At home, weren't you always missing your grandma and grandpa? Why do you all act like mute now that you see them? Well, hurry up. If you can make your grandma and grandpa happy, maybe you will also get a new clothes each!"
She took in how her four daughters stood at the side like quail. All dressed in gray. Completely incomparable to Da Qiao. It was enough that they can't compare in looks, even their mouths were incomparable. Her angered flared up even more!
Wan Chun Ju snorted when she heard these words, "Hong Mei, you don't look good, but you can think very prettily! Your daughter isn't part of Qiao Family. Even Dad and Mom are rich and got nowhere to spend it, they still won't make clothes for them!"
Dreaming too beautifully!
Neither of her daughters wore new clothes. A married daughter still wanted new clothes?
Not to mention her daughter, there was none for An Ping, the only grandson of Qiao Family!
Chen Qiao Qiao couldn't help but glanced at Wan Chun Ju again.
Don't know if it was her imagination, she kept getting the feeling that Wan Chun Ju's angering people to death skill seems to be more and more like Eldest Brother.
Qiao Hong Mei was was close to exploding: "Eldest Sister-in-law, do you have to begrudging with me at every turn like this?"
Wan Chun Ju curled her lips: "I'm telling the truth."
Speak such shameless words and not letting people talk about her?
Why? Because of her big pie face?
Qiao Xiu Zhi said indifferently: "Everyone go in."
Once again, Qiao Hong Mei was ignored by her own mom. She was so angry that she almost vomited blood on the spot!
...
At noon, Qiao Hong Xia was still nowhere to be seen.
Qiao Hong Mei was the first to complain: "What's with Third Sister? If she isn't coming back, don't she know to get someone to pass a word? Everyone is waiting for her!"
She said this, but no one agreed with her.
Qiao Hong Mei gritted her teeth with anger, stretched out her hand, and secretly pinched her eldest daughter, Chen Zhao Di: "Zhao Di, didn't you say you are hungry? Then quickly beg your grandma. Get your grandma to make a big pot of meat for you to eat!"
Qiao Hong Mei gave birth to four daughters in a row; named Chen Zhao Di, Chen Lai Di, Chen Qiu Di, and Chen Huan Di.
Qiao Hong Mei gave birth to four daughters in a row; named Chen Zhao Di, Chen Lai Di, Chen Qiu Di, and Chen Huan Di. The girls were only one year apart. The eldest Chen Zhao Di was eight years old this year, one year older than Da Qiao.Chen Zhao Di wasn't good-looking. She had an honest personality that doesn't know to how to butter up people. She didn't receive Qiao Hong Mei's like. She and Da Qiao were in the same boat.
Qiao Xiu Zhi and Xue Chuan found this child pitiful and would look after her a little bit more than often when they came here. However, Qiao Hong Mei would take advantage of this. She used Chen Zhao Di every time to get benefits. This made Qiao Xiu Zhi dislike her even more.
With unsettledness on her face, Chen Zhao Di whispered: "Grandma, I...I want to eat meat."
If she didn't do what her mom said, it would be a rolling pin waiting for her when they got back.
Qiao Xiu Zhi stood up with a cold face: "Old fifth's wife, you come and help me today."
Qiao Hong Mei paid no heed to her mom's expression. As long as she achieved her goal, it was fine: "Eldest Sister-in-law, as the eldest daughter-in-law, Mom didn't call you to do things, but Qiao Qiao instead. Did you offend Mom?"
Wan Chun Ju spat out the pumpkin shell with a "pah": "What do you know! This is Mom doting me. Aren't I pregnant? Mom doesn't want me to work so hard, so she didn't let me do anything!"
Qiao Hong Mei was taken aback. Her eyes fell on her belly: " Eldest Sister-in-law, are you pregnant again?"
She gave birth to four daughters in a row, so naturally she wanted to fight for a son. But since her fourth child, she had never been pregnant again.
Wan Chun Ju rubbed her belly proudly: "Of course. I'm pretty sure this child is a son again!"
Qiao Hong Mei's eyes went red with jealousy.
Taking in her reaction, Wan Chun Ju became even more proud: "Hong Mei, you have to hurry up. You are not young anymore. In a few years, you'll be an old yellow pearl. You will not be able to give birth even when you want to give!"
Qiao Hong Mei: "..."
After the New Year, she was only twenty-six years old. In a few years, she still won't be at the stage of being an old yellow pearl!
Although Wan Chun Ju was very annoying in the past, she had never targeted her at every corner like today!
And what was going on with her stinky mouth? Why did it feel like she received a blessing and the words that came out almost choked people to death!
...
Da Qiao and the four Chen sisters were playing eagle catch chicks game outside.
(Cute. Last bit looks like how the game is played.)
Da Qiao played the hen and Chen Zhao Di played the eagle. The few of them laughed and screamed. Having a great time.
The second child, Chen Lai Di was the same age as Da Qiao. Since seeing Da Qiao wearing new clothes, her eyes had not left Da Qiao's body.
At this moment, she played the role of a little chick hiding behind Da Qiao. While running, she spoke: "Da Qiao, your new clothes are so beautiful!"
Da Qiao revealed a mouthful of small shell teeth and smiled until her eyes were crescent: "Grandfather made it for me. It's embroidered with white rabbit and Gu Gu!"
Naturally Chen Lai Di noticed and was completely envious in her heart.
As the second child in the family, her clothes were all old clothes from her elder sister. She had never worn such beautiful clothes: "Da Qiao, can you lend me your clothes to wear?"
While avoiding Chen Zhao Di, Da Qiao refused and said, "No. Grandfather made this for me. I can't lend it to you to wear!"
She couldn't even bear to let Xia Qiao wear it. What's to this cousin sister, whom she had no feelings for.
Chen Lai Di gritted her teeth with fury and pulled her clothes hard while she verbally pleaded: "Good Da Qiao, just for a bit. Lend it to me to wear!"
Da Qiao stopped abruptly due to worrying about her clothes getting torn by her.
Chen Lai Di didn't expect that she would stop suddenly. The feet under her couldn't stand firmly and fell forward with inertia. Instantly she flat on the ground.
Her chin had knocked against ground fiercely. Her lips and chin were all scratched. The skin of both palms were also bleeding. Immediately, she cried out with a "WAA".
Qiao Hong Mei ran out when she heard the cry. She saw the blood on her second daughter's face and her face instantly became dark: "Why do you fall so hard? What if you get scars? How can you marry in the future?"
While crying, Chen Lai Di's eyes spun around: "Mom, it's Da Qiao. Da Qiao pushed me!"
Qiao Hong Mei didn't care about her second daughter. She turned around and targeted Da Qiao: "You black-hearted thing, why are you so vicious in your young age?"
Da Qiao's face flushed red: "You lied. I didn't push you!"
Chen Lai Di rolled on the ground: "It's you! It's you who pushed me!"
Qiao Hong Mei had been repressing the fire within her ever since she arrived. She was already very uncomfortable when she saw Da Qiao wearing new clothes. At this moment, she heard what her second daughter said, she made up her mind to teach Da Qiao a lesson no matter if it was true or false!
She raised her hand to slap Da Qiao.
At this moment, a piece of dry wood flew over behind her!
With a "bang", the dry wood heavily hit her back!
Qiao Hong Mei's back received this attack and she cried out with an "Ouch". The pain made her almost spit out a mouthful of blood!
Before she could look back to see who hit her with a dry wood, she heard her mom's voice booming from behind: "Qiao Hong Mei, take your daughters and scram out of Qiao's house now!"
Qiao Hong Mei's face went from red and white. She was closed to tears: "Mom, Da Qiao is your granddaughter. Them I'm not your daughter? And Zhao Di sisters aren't your granddaughters? You can't be so biased!"
Qiao Xiu Zhi came over and pulled Da Qiao behind her. She coldly responded: "Human hearts are always biased. If you think I am biased, then don't come back!"
Qiao Hong Mei was so mad that she grinded her teeth. She said bitterly: "Alright! You said this yourself. Don't beg me to come back in the future!"
Qiao Xiu Zhi coldly watched her. No one else in Qiao Family said anything to keep her. Qiao Hong Mei almost vomited blood from anger.
Turning to her eldest daughter, who had a scared expression, she swung her hand and slapped her: "Useless thing. How do you act as the eldest sister? Didn't I tell you to take good care of your sisters before going out?"
A bright red palm print appeared on Chen Zhao Di's slightly dark face. The tears fell from her eyes but she did not dare to cry like Second Younger Sister. She only dared to cry silently.
Qiao Hong Mei kicked her second daughter and shrieked: "Still not getting up. People don't welcome us. Do you want to stay here to make people disdain us more?"
Chen Lai Di received a kick from her mom and cried louder.
Chen Qiu Di and Chen Huan Di saw that their two elder sisters were crying. They were so scared that they started crying.
So the group of five left Qiao's house with four crying. They immediately attracted the attention of others.
Gossipers immediately surrounded them.
"Isn't this Hong Mei? Why are you leaving when just you came back?"
"These are your daughters, right? Why are they all crying? What happened?"
Qiao Hong Mei put on an aggrieved expression: "My second daughter was pushed down by Da Qiao. How can I feel distress as the mom? I just said a few words to her and my mom can't stand it. She kicked us mother and daughters out. My heart feel cold. It's completely broken!"
"Why is it Da Qiao again? Every incident got to do with her!"
"Isn't that right! That the kid is really spooky!"
All the way back, Qiao Hong Mei sang about Da Qiao. When she walked out of Qili Village, the anger in her heart was mostly vented.
After leaving Qili Village, there was a small forest. The entrance of the small forest was covered with half-person-high weeds and bushes. The branches were densely packed. Most people dared not freely enter it.
When the mother and daughters passed the entrance, there was a sudden noise from the wild grass.
With sharp eyes, Chen Lai Di caught sight of a gray rabbit running over: "Mom, it's a rabbit. What a big rabbit!"
Qiao Hong Mei noticed it too. She was very excited!
Without even thinking about it, she made a chase.
Such a fat rabbit. If it can be caught, there will be no shortage of meat this new year!
She followed and pushed aside the weeds. However, the rabbit was nowhere to be seen.
The next moment, she heard a "buzzing" sound from far as well as near.
When she looked up, the black and dense cluster looked very scary.
What was it?
Soon she knew.
That was a group of Asian tiger mosquitoes!
The scientific name of the mosquito was Aedes albopictus. It was a very aggressive mosquito and a media that spreads viruses.
Qiao Hong Mei's face turned pale when she saw so many mosquitoes flying towards her!
She turned around and wanted to run. How could she have time to escape?
"Ahhhhhh...Aiya...Aiya... Someone save me now..."
Chen Zhao Di sisters were scared silly!
The four sisters opened their mouths wide as they dazedly watched their mom jump and scream. Screamed like a pig getting slaughtered.
Chen Lai Di came back to her senses first and pushed her elder sister: "Elder Sister, go and save Mom!"
Chen Zhao Di was very scared. But at the thought that if she go over to rescue her mom, her mom would definitely think she was the most filial later. Maybe she wouldn't scold her again in the future!
Chen Zhao Di gritted her teeth and rushed in. Soon there was another scream in the grove.
A few hours later, Chen Xing saw his wife and eldest daughter come back with their faces covered with buns. He couldn't help but be stunned: "What happened to you?"
Qiao Hong Mei felt itchy and painful. She gritted her teeth and answered, "We were bitten by mosquitoes."
Chen Xing didn't take it seriously when he heard that they was bitten by mosquitoes: "Did you borrow the money?"
The state-run restaurant wanted to raise funds to build properties. Chen Family wanted to get a hand on two-room house. Although the money in hand was enough, daily living will definitely be on a tightrope if all was taken out. So after they discussed it, they decided to get Qiao Hong Mei return to her maternal home to borrow money.
Qiao Hong Mei's mind buzzed and then remembered her purpose of returning to her maternal home this time.
She originally planned to go back and borrow a few hundred yuan from her mom. Unexpectedly, she was angered by Wan Chun Ju and Da Qiao. Afterward, she completely forgot about it.
When Chen Xing saw this reaction of hers, his face was immediately pulled down: "What? Didn't you get the money?"
Qiao Hong Mei shook her head.
Chen Xing's voice suddenly raised: "You didn't borrow a penny back? Didn't you say that your mom would definitely lend you money? Didn't you say that you are favored at home? Why can't you get back a penny now? "
Qiao Hong Mei didn't dare to let out half a fart.
At the beginning, she insisted on getting two hundred yuan as a dowry from home in order to marry Chen Xing. She had also lied to Chen Xing, saying that she was the most favored daughter in the family. It was because of this, Chen Xing agreed to marry her.
"Useless rubbish!"
Chen Xing slammed the enamel jar to the ground. He flung his sleeves and departed.
Qiao Hong Mei hurried to catch up, but Chen Xing was nowhere to be found when she chased out to the compound. Instead, everyone saw her swollen face. Her face was flushed with agitation.
Qiao Family wasn't upset because of Qiao Hong Mei's departure. Instead, the atmosphere became more comfortable.
Only Da Qiao was a little worried: "Grandfather, Grandmother, did I mess things up again?"
Qiao Xiu Zhi asked her: "Did you push Lai Di down?"
Da Qiao shook her head: "No. She didn't stand firmly and fell down."
"Since you didn't push her, then this matter has nothing to do with you!" Qiao Xiu Zhi stated, "You must remember, there are many people in this world who do wrong but don't want to admit it. When you meet this kind of person, you have to stay away from them. If they push the matter to you, you don't have to be afraid. Go up and beat them until they are looking for their teeth all over the floor when necessary. That way, they won't dare to mess with you!"
Qiao Zhen Jun: "..."
Was it really good for his mom to teach Da Qiao like that?
Da Qiao tilted her little head and turned her head to look at her grandfather.
Xue Chuan rubbed her little head and said, "What your grandmother said is correct."
Everyone: "..."
Dog food really appeared all the time.
Da Qiao's long eyelashes fluttered like two small fans: "Just like how Grandmother used a dry wood to beat Fourth Aunt?"
Qiao Xiu Zhi nodded: "That's right. If anyone dares to bully you, beat them fiercely. Don't persuade with words. Just go up and do it!"
Little dumpling Da Qiao patted her chest and declared in her babyish voice, "Okay. Whoever dares to bully me in the future, I will slap them fiercely!"
Qiao Zhen Jun: "..."
He seemed to see his delicate and soft daughter was gone forever.
Qiao Hong Xia didn't come to her maternal family even at sunset.
Qiao Xiu Zhi was a little worried. So she got Qiao Zhen Guo and Qiao Zhen Min to go to the neighboring production team.
The two brothers didn't rush back until dark. They brought back news: Zhao Yi Ming was hospitalized with a fever and Qiao Hong Xia had went to the town hospital to take care of her son. She hadn't been home for a few days.
Qiao Xiu Zhi frowned: "It's been a few days. Why didn't she let someone come home and say something?"
Qiao Zhen Min shook his head: "I'm afraid it was Zhao Family who retrained her and prevent her from coming home to tell. Eldest Brother and I will go to town tomorrow."
Qiao Xiu Zhi pondered for a while and said: "Okay. You guys bring some eggs over tomorrow. If there's any matter, immediately come home and say something."
The next day, the two Qiao brothers went to the production team leader's house to get a letter of introduction and hurried to the town hospital.
They thought that their nephew was feverish at most. But when they entered the ward, they saw their nephew lying like dead on the bed and Qiao Hong Xia almost sobbing to death.