Chapter 69 - 69 66 The Break

Words : 1914 Updated : Sep 12th, 2025

69: Chapter 66: The Break 69: Chapter 66: The Break The first watch arrived, seeking pink. ————- “Uh...” Chuxia looked speechlessly at Luo Xiaoqiong, “You’ve been reading too much martial arts fiction, haven’t you?” After she said it, she realized that in this era, such books were forbidden. It was too late to correct herself, so she just maintained a nonchalant expression as if nothing was amiss. “I’ve only read one, and it’s not that I don’t want to lend it to you. I’m just worried it might get you in trouble. You’re in a very precarious position right now, Chuxia, don’t be mad at me...” What a coincidence! Listening to Luo Xiaoqiong’s rambling explanation, Chuxia nearly burst internally, yet she still maintained an indifferent face. “Alright, alright, I’ll give it to you to read. Is that okay?” Luo Xiaoqiong whispered mysteriously, leaning close to Chuxia’s ear “But you have to promise me that no one else will know.” “Keep it to yourself.” “Come on, Chuxia, don’t be mad. With all the mess going on these days, how could I not share something good with you?” She fished under the blanket for a while and then presented the tattered book to Chuxia like a treasure, “Take a look, it’s really interesting.” Water Margin. Seeing the title, a flicker of surprise passed through Chuxia’s eyes. “Where did you dig this up from?” “I found it tucked in a desk when cleaning out the house Dagang’s Grandpa sold to your family, and I secretly kept it.” Luo Xiaoqiong lowered her voice again, “Chuxia...” “It’s alright, I won’t tell anyone.” Chuxia handed the book back to her. “Holding it like this is too conspicuous, wrap it in a cloth for me and bring it over tomorrow.” “Okay, Chuxia, you haven’t told me yet, how did you deal with that old witch?” Luo Xiaoqiong remembered the urgent matter she had initially asked about. “It wasn’t me who dealt with her. Stop asking, she’ll get her comeuppance for sure.” “No way, you must tell me. I even showed you the book, it’s not fair to act like this!” Luo Xiaoqiong pouted stubbornly. “My mom and I were at the restaurant, and a woman next to us was talking with a man about how to deal with a woman who always bullied their family. They agreed that she would drag the woman out at eight-thirty in the evening, and then the man would hide around the corner to hit both her and the woman with a club. The man said it wasn’t worth it, why should he get hit too just for dealing with someone else? The woman said that getting clubbed by the magistrate’s wife isn’t easy, and without setting herself up as bait, she couldn’t easily escape.” “Back then, my mom and I thought about warning Jiang Yuesheng. But then everything happened so quickly that we just didn’t have the time to speak up, and to be honest, even if there was time, I wouldn’t have said a thing. People like that deserve to be knocked dead.” Luo Xiaoqiong nodded solemnly, “Right, knocking her dead is the best. Even her own family thinks about fighting back like this, you can imagine how bad she must be. But, how could those two dare to discuss such a thing without avoiding others?” “In that run-down little restaurant, and seeing how my mom and I were dressed, even if we said we knew the magistrate, would anyone believe it?” “True...” Luo Xiaoqiong bared her teeth gleefully, “Bad people meet bad ends, I believe that.” “Xiaoqiong, let me ask you something serious. If you enlist in the army, what are you planning to do about your marriage?” Chuxia changed the subject. Hesitating for a moment, Luo Xiaoqiong replied, “I haven’t received the reply yet, what plans can I make?” “Yesterday, when I went to visit my little aunt’s home, I also stopped by my maternal grandparents’ place. Eldest cousin has already replied. He’s quite satisfied with you and said he will listen to whatever the family decides. My mom and dad wanted to discuss this matter yesterday, but the atmosphere at the time wasn’t right to talk about such things. They planned to wait until we got back from the county and then formally discuss it with Fat Auntie and Uncle Gangshun. You wouldn’t believe it, but just a day later, the military recruitment notice arrived. So, first, I need to know what you think. If you really like Brother Qiliang, then let my parents and yours talk about it. Otherwise, let’s not mention it.” “Do you think I’m fickle?” Luo Xiaoqiong stared discontentedly at Chuxia. “In your eyes, am I that fickle?” “Okay, okay, my fault...” Chuxia hurriedly apologized, “I was overthinking it. Don’t be mad at me, okay? Tomorrow I’ll have my mom talk to Uncle Gangshun and Fat Auntie about this, and the day after, I’ll reply to my maternal grandparents. Then let my eldest cousin come back to finalize the engagement. This series of arrangements will just about converge with enlistment time, and then you can join as a medical orderly in peace.” Luo Xiaoqiong’s eyes twinkled, and her lips curved into a dimple. “Right, we mustn’t tell Eldest Cousin about this. I want to surprise him.” “You’re thinking of testing his character, aren’t you?” Chuxia looked at her disdainfully. “It’s a matter for life. Isn’t it right to test it a bit?” Luo Xiaoqiong simply spoke her mind, being exposed, “Even if I like him, I can’t lose myself.” “Right, right, you should definitely test him, don’t worry, I won’t sabotage you...” Chuxia said with a laugh, noting how recently her friend had been speaking fancily because of her reading. “Chuxia, don’t think I’m petty. I liked him first, so obviously I care more about whether he truly likes me too. Look at my parents, and yours, and then look at Zhong Hongying and her parents. What kind of life are they living? “I heard from my mom that her mom was the first to fall for her dad. Initially, her dad didn’t want to marry her mom, but her mom brought a hefty dowry, so her grandparents decided to let her dad marry her. However, for most of their lives, her dad never really treated her mom like a person.” “My mom said that if it wasn’t for her dad not caring about her mom, her mom wouldn’t have developed such a temperament. People tend to show off more when they don’t have much. I certainly hope I never end up like her!” “It mainly comes down to each individual’s personality. Of course, mutual affection is also very important. Don’t worry, you’re so lovable, how could Cousin not like you?” Chuxia was truly helpless. When it came to emotions, why did girls have to be so tangled? After staying at the Luo family’s home for dinner and chatting for a while, Chuxia finally returned to her own house. Upon opening the door, she was startled by a roomful of people in the dim light, “Uncle, Eldest Uncle’s Wife, Big Brother, Sister-in-law...” she greeted each in turn. “Our Chuxia is getting prettier and prettier.” Zheng Sanqiao smiled and pointed to a spot beside her, “Come sit next to Eldest Uncle’s Wife.” Chuxia smiled and sat down next to Zhao Yulan instead. Zheng Sanqiao awkwardly grinned, “Is Chuxia still mad at Eldest Uncle’s Wife?” “No.” “Then why don’t you want to interact with Eldest Uncle’s Wife?” “Enough, don’t pick on the child...” Lin Baojiang gave his wife a glare and then turned to Lin Baohe and Zhao Yulan, “Laoer, Laoer’s Wife, now that Chuxia is back, you need to make a decision.” “What’s this about?” Chuxia looked puzzled at Zhao Yulan. “Your uncle and Eldest Uncle’s Wife are discussing us moving over there...” “This is our home!” Chuxia cut off Zhao Yulan, adamantly voicing her thoughts. “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, you always wanted us to clear out the house, and now we finally moved out; you should be happy about that. Even if dad and mom move there, that house will still be yours in the future, which is better than us occupying it permanently.” “Baohe, are you mad at Big Brother and Sister-in-law? Big Brother knows, oh!” Lin Baojiang sighed deeply and wiped the corners of his eyes, “People are like this, not realizing when living together, but once separated, they feel it in their heart. Thinking of you living in this dark, rundown house, your big sister-in-law and I feel bad. It was our fault before, don’t be mad, okay?” “Big Brother, we are not mad, really...” Lin Baohe said earnestly, “We truly like having a home of our own.” “Chuxia, Uncle knows you are a good kid. Whatever you say, your parents will listen for sure. When you get married, having your parents live in this small, dark room alone, you wouldn’t feel comfortable, would you?” Lin Baojiang quickly switched targets. By now, Chuxia had heard Zhao Yulan explain the situation briefly. The room they cleared out was still vacant, and village gossip had reached the grandparents’ ears. Having fallen out with their younger son’s family, they pressured their elder son’s family to persuade the younger ones to move back, otherwise, they themselves would move in, but then, the burden of supporting them would fall on the elder son’s family. Clearly, this terrified the elder son’s family. The grandparents were indulgent towards the younger son’s family, getting whatever they wanted. Living with the elder son was the last resort, unthinkable even. “Didn’t they already disown my dad? If we grovelingly move back, what would that make us?” Chuxia smiled at Lin Baojiang, “Uncle, if you can convince them to come to our house personally and tell my dad they take back their words, and also announce it on the village loudspeaker, we might consider moving back.” “Chuxia...” Lin Baojiang’s expression changed. Grandpa and Grandma, proud as they were, asking them to admit their mistake about their younger son on the loudspeaker in front of the whole village was downright impossible! “Uncle, Eldest Uncle’s Wife, mom and I have been traveling all day, I’m too tired...” As she spoke, Chuxia yawned and, taking off her shoes, crawled towards the coach. “Laoer...” Lin Baojiang frowned at Lin Baohe, “You’re getting more capable, making a child block us with words you dare not say. Fine, if you don’t acknowledge me as your big brother, then I don’t have a younger brother like you!” After saying this, he turned and left the room, though his steps were very slow. Lin Baohe’s lips twitched, but in the end, not a word came out. “Laoer, you’re something! You really are!” After waiting a while without getting the response he expected, Lin Baojiang grudgingly squeezed out a few words and left the yard with firm steps. Seeing this, Zheng Sanqiao and the others hurriedly followed him out. (To be continued. 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Chapter 69 - 69 66 The Break

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