Chapter 20 - 20 20 You Bumped into Me!

Words : 1389 Updated : Sep 10th, 2025

20: Chapter 20: You Bumped into Me! 20: Chapter 20: You Bumped into Me! Chuxia’s family lived in Dalin Village, while her grandmother’s family resided in Xiaolin Village, merely three li away. Although it was a walk away, it didn’t take too long. Fifteen minutes later, Old Master Zhao and Old Lady Zhao, who were sunbathing at the entrance of the main hall, heard the main gate creak open. Squinting towards the gate, they both happily stood up. “Chuxia, why hold such a grudge...” Her grandmother approached, taking Chuxia’s hand tenderly, “Haven’t you come to see your grandparents in months?” “Grandma, Grandpa...” Chuxia’s face turned sheepish; she knew her grandparents doted on her very much, but because she was afraid of slipping up, she had only visited twice in the past six months. “The child is here now, why say such useless words?” “Yes, yes, grandma is really becoming more muddled with age...” Old Lady Zhao, agreeing with her husband, pulled Chuxia inside the house where she rummaged through cupboards, and finally in a corner of a wicker chest, she found a small handful of pine nuts, “Your second uncle’s comrade brought these a few days ago; everyone at home has tried them, these were saved just for you.” “Thanks, Grandma. I’ll take them home and taste them with my mom and dad.” Chuxia unceremoniously stuffed the pine nuts into the pocket of her cotton coat. “Chuxia has grown up; Yulan has finally seen better days.” Watching her granddaughter’s actions, Old Lady Zhao looked relieved. Chuxia quietly touched her forehead, just how oblivious was she actually? “I’ll go cut some meat, we’re making dumplings for lunch.” Evidently, Old Master Zhao was extremely satisfied with Chuxia’s behavior, smiling with narrowed eyes, he left the room while clamping his tobacco pipe. “Grandpa is really good to me.” Since she wasn’t the real person, despite knowing how much her grandparents cherished her, Chuxia still felt some distance and couldn’t show much affection. In an attempt to say something pleasant, she unintentionally made her grandmother jealous, “Isn’t grandma good?” “Good, good, grandma is, of course, good.” Fearing Old Lady Zhao would delve further into the question, Chuxia quickly changed the subject, “Grandma, has there been any news from big cousin recently? Did he mention when he might come back for a visit?” Old Lady Zhao immediately smiled from ear to ear: “Qiliang just wrote the day before yesterday, saying he had distinguished himself and his superiors were considering him for a squad leader position. He might be able to come home and stay for a few days during the holidays.” “Is that all he said?” Old Lady Zhao thought for a moment before adding: “He asked about things at home, and he specifically asked how your dad and mom were doing. Remember to tell them when you go back.” “Mm.” Chuxia nodded, then lowered her voice mysteriously, “Grandma, did big cousin mention receiving any letters from girls?” “He didn’t say.” As soon as Old Lady Zhao was reminded by her granddaughter, she became anxious: “That’s right, Qiliang is already twenty-one. We can’t delay any further. I’ll have to see Aunt Liu (the village matchmaker) later; if there is a suitable girl, I’ll get a photo for Qiliang.” This was certainly not the outcome she wanted! Xiaoqiong and Tongzi would scratch her to death! She would genuinely scratch her to death! In her anxiety, Chuxia blurted out: “No!” Old Lady Zhao sighed softly: “Chuxia, he is your big cousin. It’s not that grandma doesn’t cherish you, it’s just...” She didn’t finish the sentence, but the implication couldn’t be clearer! Chuxia broke out in a cold sweat with shock. After all, could the real person actually have feelings for her cousin? No, whether real or not, it had to be false now! “Grandma, Meiying likes the eldest cousin, and there’s another girl in our village who likes him too. Meiying is worried that this girl is secretly writing letters to the eldest cousin. Meiying and I are good friends, so of course I have to help her,” Chuxia said. Upon hearing this, Old Lady Zhao clearly breathed a sigh of relief and her face brightened with joy, “Meiying is a good-looking and well-built girl with a nice personality. Gangshun and his spouse are easy to get along with too. All things considered, this would be a good match...” She pondered for a moment, “Tonight, I’ll have your eldest uncle write a letter to inquire with Qiliang. If he is willing, in a few days, your eldest uncle can go to the Luo family to propose, and we can settle this early for peace of mind.” “Okay,” Chuxia agreed verbally but felt utterly uncomfortable inside. Were marriages in this era—so hastened? Nevertheless, she was very happy to be able to help Luo Xiaoqiong. Chuxia had never met Zhao Qiliang in person, but from the photos, his thick eyebrows, big eyes, and sturdy build definitely made him a standout. Considering this, it wasn’t impossible for a leader in the army to take a liking to him and either take him as a son-in-law or marry a female relative to him. Therefore, it was especially important to clearly express Luo Xiaoqiong’s feelings and understand Zhao Qiliang’s intentions as early as possible to save Luo Xiaoqiong from constantly worrying. Following that, Chuxia discussed the recent situations of her eldest uncle, second uncle, eldest aunt, and second aunt with Old Lady Zhao. The old lady then got off the heated brick bed to start chopping filling and making dough. Chuxia, not proficient in these chores, stood there hesitating about whether to help or not. “Chuxia, go to the store and buy two dime’s worth of soy sauce,” Old Lady Zhao said as she handed her an empty soy sauce bottle, then gave her thirty cents, “Use the rest to buy some candy.” Was she really being doted on like a child? Chuxia, with a black line on her forehead, stuffed a dime back into Old Lady Zhao’s hand and dashed out the door with the soy sauce bottle. “This child, she really has grown up...” Listening to Old Lady Zhao’s mumbling, Chuxia couldn’t quite determine her own feelings. As a child of the late ’80s and early ’90s, she genuinely was more sensible than if she had been replaced by the original herself... OMG, she dared not think any deeper. “Young comrade, how do I get to Yuanbao’s house?” On her way, Chuxia, lost in her melancholic memories, bowed her head and pushed forward. Suddenly, everything went dark before her eyes. Before she could react, her nose throbbed painfully, making her eyes involuntarily tear up. “Young comrade, are you alright?” Chuxia quickly straightened up and looked up to see two men in military uniforms standing in front of her. The one she had bumped into was a serious-looking man in his twenties. The one who asked was a kindly-faced man in his thirties. “Can’t you watch where you’re walking?” the man in his twenties said disdainfully as he glanced at a small wet patch on the ground. Feeling sentimental, Chuxia finally found an outlet for her emotions, “Why don’t you watch where you’re walking? Did I intentionally bump into you? If you weren’t blocking my way, would I have bumped into you? I didn’t complain about you hurting me, but you come out condemning me first—is this the awareness of a soldier? Do you deserve to wear that uniform? Do you deserve the title of PLA Soldier Uncle... ” Lin Chuxia’s endless accusations finally caused a change in the young soldier’s serious expression. He coughed uncomfortably and frowned at the middle-aged soldier. The middle-aged soldier’s mouth twitched visibly, “Young comrade, I’m sorry, it was our fault. Don’t be angry. Can you tell us where Yuanbao’s house is?” “He can’t apologize to me himself?” Chuxia frowned at the young soldier, “Hey, is that all you’re capable of? It was clearly you who bumped into me. Why do you need someone else to apologize for you? If you could do it, why can’t you admit it?”

Chapter 20 - 20 20 You Bumped into Me!

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