Chapter 43
Qili Village didn't have its own school. Children in the village can only go to the community primary school if they want to study.
According to the regulations, Da Qiao was originally going to register as a new student in September. But when Xue Chuan was teaching Da Qiao to read, he discovered that she was very smart. Whether it was Chinese or Math, she caught on in one go.
The couple discussed it and felt that they couldn't delay any longer. So a few days before the school started, they brought two packs of snacks to the community primary school's principal's house.
Principal Li was originally reluctant and stated that they would follow the rules. However, the principal's wife couldn't take her eyes off the two packets of snacks and she took the initiative to accept the snacks.
Principal Li was henpecked. He watched his wife take away the snacks without even daring to let out half a fart. He had no choice but to change his mind. He said that he had to test Da Qiao's level before making the decision.
He took Qiao Family to the office and took two sets of first-grade exam papers for Da Qiao to do.
Da Qiao had already completed the first grade textbooks and half of the second grade textbooks. So after getting the test paper, she took out a pencil from her pocket and started to do it without hesitation.
The two sets of papers took a total of one and a half hours.
After all, it was a first-grade test paper. Principal Li had no problem marking it on his own. He didn't call any teacher over to mark it. He personally checked it.
He picked up the test paper and examined it. His eyes lit up at the sight of the neat handwriting.
Principal Li had two grandsons who happen to be in the first grade. The words written by the two children were like chicken feet being stamped through. They were completely incomprehensible.
Not bad. It was rare to be able to write so neatly at a young age!
And he had heard from her grandparents that she only studied for more than a month in total. If she was as smart as her grandmother said, he can consider accepting her and properly educate her at that time.
Thinking of this, the nervousness in Principal Li's heart dissipated a lot.
Soon the two sets of test papers were marked. When looking at the two neat one hundred percent, Principal Li's remaining little bit of discomfort completely disappeared without a trace.
Principal Li touched his slightly bald head and smiled: "This child isn't bad. A good child. Let her come to the school to report in two days. Since first grade had been completed, let her transfer to the second grade. If she can't keep up then, she can repeat first grade later."
With this, it was settled.
Day of enrollment arrived.
Da Qiao carried the green schoolbag her grandfather made for her. It was embroidered with three little people on it. Her, Grandfather, and Grandmother. After her dad saw it, he felt sad for a long time.
Inside the bag were two pencils, an eraser, and a workbook.
Oh right! Today was the first day of school. She must put on the most beautiful new clothes. Her hair was brushed smooth and slick and put into two small braids. She stood in front of the mirror. A cute little girl instantly appeared in it.
Da Qiao was very satisfied with her dress up. She kept dangling the braids on her head. Her proud and cute appearance fluffed everyone's face red.
However, Wan Chun Ju felt extremely uncomfortable when seeing Da Qiao completely dressed in new stuff from head to toe: "Oh, some people's lives are good. New clothes, new shoes, and new schoolbags. Our pityful An Ping's schoolbag is still the one from three years ago!"
Wan Chun Ju couldn't wrap her head around!
An Ping was obviously the only male grandson of Qiao Family. Her parents-in-law should treat him as their favorite. But instead of pampering An Ping, they go to favor that calamity Da Qiao. This made her worked up!
Before there was the matter of taking out 500 yuan to buy a house in the town. She still hadn't grasp her mind on that until now. Now seeing her in new clothes was stabbing her eyes.
Da Qiao knew Eldest Aunt was talking about her. So she walked over and said softly: "Eldest Aunt, Grandmother and Grandfather had said that my schoolbag will be used for a good few years. It will not be a new schoolbag next year."
What she meant was that her elder cousin brother's schoolbag was also a new schoolbag three years ago and her schoolbag will be used for at least three years. It will not be a new schoolbag by then.
Wan Chun Ju glared at her: "You talk too much. I wasn't talking to you. Get out of the way. Don't block me from doing housework!"
Chen Qiao Qiao went to the provincial city with her man. Most of the housework fell on her shoulder. The more she thought about it, the more angry she became.
When she came to the stove, she threw the large spoon into the pot with force. The hot water in the pot splashed out and fell on her face. It caused her to jump and scream in pain, "Ouch..."
The few children who just walked out of Qiao's old house heard it and didn't take it seriously.
An Ping even laughed and said, "Mom is performing the slaughtering pig act again!"
Qiao Dong Ying shrugged: "Just don't know what the reason for this this time?"
Of the children, only Qiao Dong He showed a hint of worry in her eyes.
At this moment, the family had either went to school or went to the field. Wan Chun Ju cried for a while, but no one came to ask her what was wrong.
Infuriating!
Qiao Xiu Zhi walked with the children for an hour to the community primary school.
There weren't any primary school in the many nearby production teams. So there were still many people who came to register today.
When everyone saw Da Qiao, they couldn't help but look at her. Mainly because she was so fair that she seemed to glow.
During this period, most people were dressed in gray. Some people's clothes were even patched. Only she had new clothes, shoes, and schoolbags. It was really eye-catching!
Simply enviable. They also want new clothes, new shoes and new schoolbags...
After registration, the children went to their own classes.
Qiao Dong He took Da Qiao's hand and spoke, "I'm in the fifth grade, class four. If you have any problem, you can go there to find me. Don't casually walk around after school. Wait for us at the entrance and we'll go back together, understand?"
Da Qiao nodded obediently: "I know, I won't wander around."
Qiao Dong Ying acted like a cool elder sister. She put her hand on Da Qiao's shoulder and stated: "If someone dares to bully you, you should report my name, Elder Sister Ying. It'll ensure that no one dares to do anything to you. Got it?"
Da Qiao nodded again, "Got it, Elder Sister Ying!"
An Ping saw that both elder sisters had spoken and felt not speaking won't do. He rubbed his head and uttered, "Younger Sister Da Qiao, if someone asks you if you are my younger cousin sister, you must say no!"
Da Qiao was stunned: "Why say no?"
"Because if you said yes, everyone will think you are part of the egg-egg clan like me! Hahaha..."
Eight of the ten times, An Ping's exams were double-zero. He were called egg-egg clan along with several other slackers.
Qiao Dong Ying swiped him with her paw: "Instead of feeling ashamed, you're actually proud, right? Younger Sister Da Qiao, don't imitate him!"
Qiao Xiu Zhi took in the children's unity and friendliness. So she left with confidence.
When she walked to the school gate, she happened to bump into Fang Family who also came to register. Behind them, was Xiao Qiao with a haggard face.
When enemies meet, their eyes particularly red!
When Fang Family saw Qiao Xiu Zhi, they all remembered the matter of being smeared with chicken poo. They gritted their teeth with hatred. However, they didn't dare to go up.
Not only did they not dare to fight, they were also afraid that Qiao Xiu Zhi would suddenly beat them up. Instantly, they slipped away as if a ghost was chasing them!
When Xiao Qiao saw her grandmother, surprise flashed in her eyes.
In the past, when the school started, Qiao's children came to register by themselves. Her grandmother never accompanied them here. Why did she come this time?
She frowned and suddenly had a bad feeling in her heart.
It couldn't be that...
Soon, her hunch was confirmed.
During recess, she a group of children surrounding a little girl on her way back from going to the toilet. As if the stars clustering around the moon.
She didn't pay heed until she heard someone say, "Da Qiao, your schoolbag is so beautiful. Where did you buy it?"
Da Qiao?
Xiao Qiao's heart dropped and she turned her head to look...
She saw Da Qiao was wearing new clothes, with two braids on her head, and a small pear-shaped velvet flower on each tail of the braids. Her face was fair and rosy. When she talked to everyone, the corners of her mouth carried a sweet smile.
In the midst of a group of swarthy and sallow children, she was like a little princess. So blinding that it hurt the eyes.
Xiao Qiao subconsciously looked down at her clothes.
The clothes on her body were made last year. Counting the time, it wasn't so long ago. Before, Da Qiao picked up the clothes she didn't want to wear. While she got new clothes and shoes made every year before school started.
But since leaving Qiao's house, she had never worn new clothes or shoes!
To make matters worse, her grandma sent Fang You Liang and Fang You Rou to Wang Family. All the chores at home fell on her shoulders. She had been working every day from the moment she opened her eyes. Even until it was dark at night, it was never-ending!
Her hands were originally fair, tender and smooth. But now, calluses can be seen.
The more she thought about it, the more her heart pained and the more unwilling to admit defeat she became!
She had transmigrated into a novel and reborn. She was clearly the heroine of luck!
The person who enjoy the happiness should be her. Now the moon who was surrounded by the stars should also be her. Not Da Qiao!
She clenched her fists and glared at Da Qiao fiercely. An evil thought welled up in her heart.
If only one heroine can survive in the book, that person can only be her.
It had to be her!
...
Qiao Zhen Min took his wife and daughter to the town for one night. The next day, they took a bus from the town to the county. Then they prepared to take a train from the county to the provincial capital.
It was too inconvenient to travel during this age. In just two days, Chen Qiao Qiao and little Wan'er already had tiredness on their faces.
Especially Chen Qiao Qiao. She was originally slender. After running around for two days in a row, she felt that she might collapse at any moment.
The train was late. They had been waiting at the train station for more than half an hour. They didn't know when the train would come. The people waiting for the train were complaining.
"Tired? Do you want to find a place to sit for a while?" Qiao Zhen Min looked back at his pale-faced wife and asked with a slight pained heart.
Chen Qiao Qiao shook her head and replied, "No need. Maybe the train will arrive soon."
There were too many people in the station. If they go too far, it was very likely that they won't be able to get on the train. So no one dared to go far.
Suddenly, little Wan'er, who was in Qiao Zhen Min's arms, burst into tears.
"Little Wan'er, what's the matter? Are you hungry?" Qiao Zhen Min lowered his head and coaxed.
Little Wan'er stared at the man who was eating wontons across from them. Her eyes were red from crying, but she didn't speak.
Qiao Zhen Min followed her gaze and understood in his heart.
He glanced in the direction where the train should be coming from. There was still no sign of the train's arrival. So he instructed Chen Qiao Qiao: "Watch at the child and things. I'll go buy two bowls of wontons and come back soon."
Chen Qiao Qiao took the child from him and said nervously, "Then hurry up."
Qiao Zhen Min nodded: "Don't worry. I'll be back soon!"
After he finished speaking, he turned and bolted away. After running several meters away, he could still hear his daughter's cry.
At that moment, he didn't know if it was parent-child connection or what, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at his daughter.
His daughter's palm-sized face was filled with tears, crying pitifully in her mom's arms. His heart softened and the wind sprung under his feet.
After Qiao Zhen Min left, Chen Qiao Qiao's heart kept beating like drums.
She had one hundred and fifty yuan on her. So much money. Her man would need save for a year without eating or drinking to reach this sum!
And now that so much money was on her, she felt everyone was a thief. She feared that someone will come and steal her money!
When they went out this time, Qiao Xiu Zhi gave them 500 yuan. It shouldn't cost that much to see a doctor. Well, it was always better for a poor family to strap up with money on the road.
Because Qiao Zhen Min was afraid of mishaps, he divided the money into two parts. The majority was on his own body. The lesser with his wife. This way, if something happened to one of them, the whole army won't be wiped out.
Chen Qiao Qiao placed 150 yuan in two places. 100 yuan was sewn into the clothes and 50 yuan was put in the bag. This way, it was more convenient to use.
She was currently holding her daughter in one hand and holding the bag tightly in the other as she stared vigilantly at every passerby passing by her.
When one looked at everyone like a thief, they will also look like a thief in others' eyes. Chen Qiao Qiao's behavior soon caught the eyes of people with bad thoughts.
Soon, a person rushed over and bumped into her.
Chen Qiao Qiao lost stability and fell to the ground. Little Wan'er was dropped to the ground. She burst into thunderous tears. Chen Qiao Qiao's bag also fell to the ground and was kicked far away by some unknown person.
"My bag!" Chen Qiao Qiao became anxious. When she stood up, she wanted to grab the bag. However, before she could stand up, the bag was snatched away by a young man!
She was stunned for a moment before screaming: "Thief! Robbery! Everyone, stop him!"
Chen Qiao Qiao got up and chased after him. Completely forgetting her daughter who was crying loudly behind her.
Some people noticed that a little girl was crying so badly. They went over to pick her up and help her clean the dust off her body.
Just then, there was the roar of a train from a short distance away.
Everyone's eyes lit up. The train finally came!
The people waiting for the train immediately carried their baggage and rushed up. Little Wan'er was caught in the crowd. Like a pinball, she was bumped around by people. In the end, she pushed into the train.
Once Chen Qiao Qiao got back her bag with the help of passers-by and handed the thief to the staff, she remembered that her daughter was alone at the platform. Immediately, she ran back.
However, when she got back, almost all the people on the platform were gone. And her daughter was gone!
Her legs went weak and she fell to the ground!
Qiao Zhen Min was halfway back from buying wontons when he heard the roar of the train in the distance. Internally, he lamented. They missed this ride. Who knows how long the next one will be.
But thinking that his daughter would soon be able to eat her desired wontons, the corners of his mouth raised again.
Before reaching the platform, he heard a woman's heart-wrenching cry.
It was his wife's voice!
His heart trembled. He threw the wonton in his hand and ran over. The scene of his wife sitting on the ground entered his eyes. She was crying so hard that she almost fainted. However, there was no trace of their daughter by her side!
His face turned pale. He walked over and grabbed Chen Qiao Qiao's shoulder, and sharply questioned, "Where's little Wan'er? Where is little Wan'er?"
When Chen Qiao Qiao saw her man come back, she immediately found her backbone. At the same time, her heart trembled even more: "I don't know, my bag was... robbed. I chased after him. Once I got back... Little Wan'er, little Wan'er, she's gone!"
Gone!
Hearing this word, Qiao Zhen Min clenched his hands tightly. So hard that he almost crushed Chen Qiao Qiao's shoulders!
"Is the bag more important, or is little Wan'er more important? How can you feel assured leaving her there alone?"
Qiao Zhen Min was so angry that the veins on his neck and forehead were bulging. His gaze was daggered.
He stood up, saw how many people were looking at them, and immediately ran over to ask them, "Hello, my daughter has been lost. Did you see a four-year-old girl just now? About this tall?"
Those few people shook their heads: "Didn't see her. We just got here."
Someone spoke: "Could it be that someone carried her away?"
Some people added: "Maybe someone took her onto the train? Oh, you better tell your wife to stop crying and quickly go to the station staff for help. If they can't do anything, hurry up and call the police!"
"That's right. Stop crying. Hurry up and call the police!"
Qiao Zhen Min regretted it to death!
He shouldn't leave. Even if he wants to leave, he should hold little Wan'er!
It was useless to say anything now. Better quickly call the police!
Qiao Zhen Min was impatient and ran towards the waiting room. The staff heard that a child was missing. They eagerly helped them by asking the passers-by. But no one saw her.
The train had already gone far away. It was impossible to stop the train and they weren't necessarily sure that the child was in the train.
Staff advised them to go to the police immediately.
Qiao Zhenmin's heart sank deeper and deeper. It endlessly sank down.
Inside the train compartment, little Wan'er was pulled in by the crowd. She looked up at the people around her. She knew none of them.
Her mouth was tightened into a line before she cried again with a "WAA".
Just now, everyone was looking for a seat. It was only now did they notice a child standing in the middle of the corridor. Someone spoke out, "Whose child is this?"
"Whose child has been lost? Come out and take the child back!"
"What kind parents are her parents? Don't even know that the child is gone. Oh, my heart hurts to see the little face crying pitifully."
After shouting for a long time, no one came out to claim her. Just when everyone was about to call the train attendants over, a woman in floral clothes rushed over.
She seem to be in her forties. She carried little Wan'er and said anxiously, "Ah, Niu Niu, why did you come here? You really scared grandma to death!"
After speaking, she smilingly apologized to everyone in an unpretentious manner: "I'm really sorry for everyone. I was in a hurry to find a seat just now. I didn't watch this child and she ran here in a blink of an eye. I disturbed everyone. I'm really sorry!"
Seeing that the little girl did not resist, everyone thought that this woman was really her grandma.
So everyone responded, "It's okay. It's okay. Hurry up and take her back. Look how terrified the child is."
"Okay, I'll take her back now." The woman turned around with little Wan'er in her arms and quickly walked to the carriage at the other end.