How I Tamed My Wolfish Husband Back in 80s-Chapter 124: Gossip_1

He Qiurong, feeling unfairly treated, retorted, "Of course you’d speak for her, since you’re her classmate."

Hu Xiufang suspected that this person was at odds with Li Qiao. Even if she argued further, it’s unlikely the other party would believe her, so she simply stopped paying attention and quietly discussed knitting with Li Qiao, "My sister-in-law also learned to knit. She finished two pieces yesterday, and my elder brother was planning to deliver them today. Fortunately, something came up at the last minute, otherwise, it would have been a wasted trip."

Li Qiao replied with a smile, "The people working at my house are all quite reliable. We could leave it to them, and when we get back, they will surely tell us all about it, though we would have to settle the accounts next time."

"When I get home, I’ll mention it to my elder brother," Hu Xiufang said, then curiously added, "I went to the supply and marketing cooperative yesterday. There weren’t many knitted items on display. Can they really sell all of these they’re collecting?"

"We can sell them to other places."

The two of them went from talking about knitting to discussing university studies.

Hu Xiufang said enviously, "You don’t have to worry about what major to choose, but I have no idea what I will study. How about attending Normal University? A relative of ours was recommended to attend Normal University. He said that, based on my estimated scores, I could freely choose my major."

Li Qiao repeated the advice given to the sent-down youth.

Hu Xiufang stuck to her guns, countering, "Isn’t having summer and winter breaks very refreshing? Besides, it doesn’t delay the salary."

Li Qiao said, "Summer and winter breaks are probably for the teachers to adjust their moods, right?" With all the stress throughout the year, would they even survive it? "If you want to be a teacher, you could become one at a university. University students are easier to manage. But the requirements are much higher, and you can’t relax in the university either."

"I’ll do my best, but what can you do with a major in physics and mathematics after you graduate?"

Li Qiao, with a touch of arrogance, looked up, "I could go to a research institute and become a scientist. Ever since I was young, my dream has been to build a spaceship, find a dashing partner, and cruise through the cosmos with him."

Hu Xiufang covered her mouth and laughed, "Cruise through the cosmos? You really dare to dream."

Li Qiao bared her teeth, a bit embarrassed. How normal is it for a child to have such wild imaginations?

He Qiurong eavesdropped and heard the words ’become a scientist,’ scoffing to herself that it was impossible!

Qin Jin was extremely happy as he realized that his name had been included in her childhood aspirations.

After the car entered the city, Hu Xiufang and Mao Siqin were the first to get off.

Cai Hechuan glanced at Li Qiao, who had finished chatting with her classmate and was now talking to Qin Jin, and couldn’t help asking, "Qiaoqiao, where are you going?"

Qin Jin glared daggers at him, but Cai Hechuan pretended not to see; he didn’t believe Qin Jin would dare to strike someone in such a public setting.

Old Mrs. Qin answered on her behalf, "Just strolling around."

At that moment, Qin Jin called out to the driver to stop at the intersection.

A moment later, the car came to a halt, and Qin Jin jumped down, with Li Qiao following behind, lightly supporting Old Mrs. Qin until she was received by Qin Jin and then withdrew her hand.

The car drove away.

Cai Hechuan’s gaze still followed Li Qiao, and He Qiurong snorted, "What’s so good to look at?"

"Qiaoqiao is very filial," he said.

"It’s just for show, who can’t do that? You’d be better off without that kind of woman. Look at her hair, instead of tying it in a proper style, she ties it up high, she’s restless!"

Cai Hechuan remained silent. He used to think the same way but later changed his mind.

If Li Qiao was so fickle, how come she didn’t even let him hold her hand after they had dated for a year? When he wanted to go further, she asked to wait until marriage, and now, all the advantage has gone to Loser Qin!

....

The three generations walked about 500 meters after getting off the bus and arrived in front of a courtyard.

A row of about a dozen houses made of green bricks and grey tiles had an air of ancient charm.

About thirty meters away from the front row of houses was the entrance, a road wide enough for people to pass separated the space where a fence could be erected for growing vegetables.

Qin Jin took out the keys to unlock the door.

In the neglected and decrepit courtyard, moss-covered steps were clearly visible.

There were two osmanthus trees in the yard and a grape trellis lush with leaves.

Hanging from it were bunches of grapes turning purple, some so ripe they had fallen to the ground.

The main house had four rooms, with two wing rooms on the left, a kitchen and a small study on the right, and there was a squat toilet.

Although the furniture was old, it was complete and sufficient.

Old Mrs. Qin surveyed the room and said, "This house isn’t bad at all; it’s big and spacious. Qiaoqiao, what do you think?"

Li Qiao was very satisfied. "It’s great." Compared to the dilapidated rural house with just two rooms, this was mansion-like. "I really want to move in right away." There were many snakes, insects, rats, and ants in the earthen house during summer. Although Qin Jin would sprinkle sulfur around the house now and then, mice and bats still crept into her room, which was quite terrifying.

Qin Jin said, "Tomorrow I’ll hand the keys to Feng Fugui, have him bring people over to clean the place, and we can move in after a fun day out."

Li Qiao’s smile was radiant. "Sounds wonderful."

"Are you new residents? Did you rent or buy the house?" a sharp and thin voice asked.

The newcomer looked to be in her mid-twenties, wearing a red and white checkered dress. Her exposed arms and legs were neither white nor dark, but her face was indeed fair, and she was fiercely fanning herself with a straw fan.

Qin Jin, while staring at her face, replied, "We bought it. Hello, our family name is Qin. I’m Qin Jin, this is my grandmother, and this is my wife, Li Qiao."

"My name is Yan Qiuyu, your neighbor on the left," Yan Xiaoyu said with a smile, making eye contact.

This young man was really handsome, but he stared at her without any reservations, even in front of his wife. Quite bold indeed.

Men truly are lecherous.

She shifted her gaze to size up Li Qiao—delicate features and fair skin with a pinkish hue.

Blue trousers with a white stripe down the side of the leg, a striped short-sleeve shirt, and hair tied in a high ponytail conveyed youthfulness and vitality.

School uniform?

No wonder it didn’t attract men.

Not good at dressing up.

Only mature women like her who know how to dress can attract men.

She added, "Your wife looks like a student."

Qin Jin: "She is, a university student. What’s that on your face? Did you get flour on it while making dough at home?" It looked like frost on a donkey’s manure. He held back the rest of his thoughts since it was their first meeting.

Yan Xiaoyu: "...." No taste! That was makeup, okay? And to think his girlfriend was a university student—no class! She huffed away angrily.

Old Mrs. Qin scolded with a mix of annoyance and anger, "You rascal, why is your mouth so loose! I had an ominous feeling seeing you stare directly at her, and now, before we’ve even moved in, you’ve offended the neighbor." She thought her grandson was admiring the woman’s beautiful dress and was about to inquire about buying one for his fiancée, not expecting him to comment on her face.

Li Qiao covered her mouth, laughing so hard that her stomach ached.

Qin Jin scratched his nose. "I couldn’t contain my curiosity."

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Old Mrs. Qin felt like giving him a whack.

Qin Jin ran out of the yard in advance. "Grandma, you and Qiaoqiao wait here for me, I’ve got something to do outside!"

"Always you with the errands!" scolded Old Mrs. Qin.

Li Qiao went into the house, got a stool, found a rag, rinsed it in well water, cleaned the stool for the old lady to sit, then went under the grape trellis to pick and wash grapes.

Old Mrs. Qin looked on with affectionate amusement. "How come you are so considerate?" She hadn’t asked to sit down, and yet the child had already prepared it for her.

Li Qiao secretly supported her forehead. Such a big deal made over just wiping a stool. After washing the grapes, Old Mrs. Qin had also wiped down a stool for her.

The grandmother and grandchild sat together in the corridor eating grapes, the sourness and sweetness very appetizing.

A breeze blew over, bringing a slight chill.

"The grapes taste really good, so fragrant and sweet. We should pick them all later. Qiaoqiao, is there anything you need to buy? We could take advantage of the cooler sun and go shopping now."

Li Qiao said, "We don’t lack anything." She had shopped for daily personal items once, and since then Qin Jin would quietly take note and prepare them for her in advance. He even kept track of her menstrual cycle. As for clothes, she had already bought five or six dresses.

But no one in the village wore dresses, and she felt too shy to be the first to start.

"...."

...