I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 198: Left with Nothing

Chapter 198: Chapter 198: Left with Nothing

However, today it was very quiet here.

The summer breeze gently wafted through, making the Barley Grass ripple and surge like waves in a green ocean.

From afar, it was an utterly refreshing sight to behold.

Today, Qiao Qingyu’s tractor had brought along five children, Dashun, Daji, and Wei Xiao, followed by Xiao Hu and Rongrong, each with a small basket on their back.

Now, they were running wild in the grassland.

They would occasionally shout, "There are mushrooms here! There are mushrooms here!" and the children would swarm to one spot together, their happiness so infectious that Qiao Qingyu almost wished she could join them in their folly.

Qiao Qingyu headed towards the north side of the Barley Grassland, where a large area of Willow Wood was growing—she planned to take a look.

However, she had to make her way around the Qiansi Hemp Field, which had grown taller than her.

But she had only taken a few steps when she heard the sound of a jeep approaching from not too far away.

Qiao Qingyu hesitated for a moment and hurriedly looked ahead. Although the distance was considerable, she recognized the jeep; it was a familiar vehicle from the base, often used by He Xiuyu.

He Xiuyu, what was he doing here?

Was he looking for her for some reason?

While Qiao Qingyu was wondering, to her surprise, the jeep did not continue ahead but stopped in the distance.

Qiao Qingyu stood at the end of the Qiansi Hemp Field and looked in that direction.

Two people got out of the car, one was He Xiuyu, and the other was actually He Xiuwen.

There was no need to say, this was definitely about either visiting Rongrong or taking her back.

But now, it seemed he spent most of his time in the special forces team; did he have time to care for the child?

Or could it be that Liu Ge had come back?

That seemed unlikely.

Qiao Qingyu’s position gave her a clear view of He Xiuyu and He Xiuwen, while their gaze was fixed on the expanse of Barley Grassland.

Qiao Qingyu was about to go meet them, but she stopped in her tracks when she saw He Xiuyu gesture to her from afar.

Although she didn’t understand, Qiao Qingyu stayed put.

It wasn’t long before He Xuerong’s chirping voice could be heard from the grassland; though distant and indistinct, the sound was unmistakably joyful, like a happy lark.

Then this happy lark emerged from the Barley Grassland, Dashun running ahead with a bunch of mushrooms in his hand, pursued by Xiao Hu and Rongrong behind.

In particular, Rongrong, who was incredibly quick, managed to catch up with Dashun, tackled him from behind, snatched the mushrooms, and with her small face lifted, seemed to boast triumphantly about something.

The young girl was dressed in denim overalls with a long-sleeved cotton checkered shirt buttoned up at the collar.

Due to the rain the day before, she wore a pair of small red rain boots on her feet.

She stood there proudly, like a little Princess.

Dashun chuckled; he was merely teasing Rongrong after all. Xiao Hu, not amused, slapped him, then ran back to grab He Xuerong’s small basket, into which He Xuerong placed the mushrooms she had reclaimed.

The children then spread their arms and ran back towards the Barley Grassland as swift as the wind.

The soil in this area had improved; birds and butterflies fluttered and circled over the brush, with a sky so blue it seemed as if the wind itself could sense the joy of these children.

The jeep stopped behind a slope, and He Xuerong naturally did not see He Xiuyu and He Xiuwen.

At this moment, standing beside the jeep, He Xiuwen’s eyes were moist.

Beside him, He Xiuyu’s expression was calm. After a moment, he asked softly, "Big brother, are you really not going to see Rongrong?"

"Rongrong is doing well here, so I won’t go see her."

He Xiuwen wiped his face, his voice choked, "I’m not a good dad, I owe her an apology..."

He Xiuyu fell silent for an instant but agreed, "Rongrong is living well here. Let’s not see her, then. We can wait until she’s grown up."

He Xiuwen, holding back the tears in his eyes, watched foolishly as his daughter ran wildly through the grass like a butterfly. He had always neglected her care since she was little.

In truth, he was not a good father, nor a good husband. A man like him should not have had a family, but he does not regret it. His daughter is lovely, and he loves her so very much!

"Xiuyu, this mission is different from the others. If I don’t make it back, I entrust Rongrong to you."

He Xiuwen, saying this, had already calmed down.

He Xiuyu was taken aback for a moment. Of course, he couldn’t ask what mission He Xiuwen was undertaking, but it was the first time he heard his brother speak this way. He said gravely, "Big brother, don’t worry. I will treat Rongrong as my own daughter."

"Qingyu is a good girl; don’t let her down. Even if you are busy with work, make time for her. I’m very grateful to her for Rongrong’s improved health. If I survive and make it back, I will repay both of you..."

"Big brother!" He Xiuyu frowned, "What are you talking about, Rongrong is my niece."

He Xiuwen had returned to normal, stretching out his hand to pat his brother’s shoulder, his voice deep, "It’s time for me to go."

He Xiuyu hesitated no longer, waved to Qiao Qingyu from afar, and He Xiuwen also nodded to her, then they both got into the car. Soon, the jeep disappeared at the end of the slope.

From start to finish, He Xuerong had not noticed the vehicle, and of course, she did not see her uncle and her father standing there for so long.

Qiao Qingyu found it strange, not understanding what the brothers were discussing — why they’d watched the child but not approached. It was truly odd...

But she could not tell He Xuerong that her father had been there. Her questions would have to wait until He Xiuyu returned.

...

He Xiuyu came back a bit late, looking tired, but his eyes lit up when he saw Qiao Qingyu.

He hadn’t eaten, so Qiao Qingyu made him some boiled noodles.

That afternoon, she had bought a pound of meat from the base’s supply and marketing cooperative and made a mushroom and meat sauce with it.

The soy paste was made by Sister-in-law Li, a homemade broad bean paste, very fragrant.

There was also half a jar of chili sauce left in the glass jar, which He Xiuyu got out himself.

The noodles were ready-made dried ones, which after being boiled and rinsed in hot water, were placed in a big bowl and brought to the dining table for him.

But all throughout, He Xiuyu never mentioned He Xiuwen.

However, he did tell Qiao Qingyu that his classmate Sui Jun had called him, saying that the plastic film they had was smuggled goods, and it had been seized; that Boss Chen had also run away.

Qiao Qingyu felt a bit relieved, "Luckily, I was cautious back then. If I had transferred the money to him, wouldn’t I have lost everything?"

He Xiuyu chuckled softly, "Don’t misuse expressions, what do you mean everything?"

Qiao Qingyu’s eyes sparkled, "And to think, your classmate’s pretty decent."

"Mhm, he’s also found you a batch of plastic film, the right amount you need, six thousand yuan should cover it. If you agree, I’ll call him tomorrow to let him know."