I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 231: Hold Breath

Chapter 231: Chapter 231: Hold Breath

The research results delighted Professor Feng and allowed him to see that it might be possible to realize the dream of transforming Xichuan into an oasis within ten years.

Professor Dong and Professor Feng had a heated discussion for several hours.

In the end, Professor Dong left in a huff.

Professor Feng wasn’t smug, though; he took the results of Dong’s research and followed He Xiuyu back to the base.

Lu Ye breathed a sigh of relief, for Barley Grassland was saved.

Afterward, Lu Ye bought many books and asked his brother in Beijing to mail him books and materials about agriculture.

He needed to study.

Otherwise, what could he use to persist in what he wanted to persist in?

Meanwhile, at Qiao Family Team, Qiao Qingyu hadn’t expected Vice Dean Zhu to come down to the countryside with a medical team.

Han Xianglan had once been hospitalized, so naturally, she was the first one needing a follow-up.

They came in a medical vehicle, reportedly supported from abroad, and North City had only one.

After examining Han Xianglan, it was time for the other villagers waiting in line to see the doctor.

Qiao Qingyu invited Vice Dean Zhu to have a meal at her home, but Zhu declined with a smile, saying, "In a while, we still have to go to other villages, but we have to thank Xiuyu for this medical vehicle."

He didn’t mention the surname, just the given name, which showed a closeness.

It turned out that this vehicle had actually been arranged by He Xiuyu, who had also suggested establishing a medical team, as many rural people were sick but endured their illnesses without going to the hospital.

After arriving, Vice Dean Zhu realized that the situation was even more severe than what He Xiuyu had described.

And he became more aware of the responsibility on his shoulders.

Qiao Qingyu blinked her eyes, thinking although He Xiuyu was a man of great compassion, this time it seemed there was a purpose.

But He Xiuyu didn’t know about Han Liuya; she hadn’t spoken to him.

So it was a coincidence.

Therefore, before Qiao Qingyu had figured out how to deal with Han Liuya, she heard that the Han Family from Lianjiang Village had been visited by the medical team, who took the paralyzed Han Liuya away.

It was said that Han Liuya had been frightened into folly by the thunderstorm, and Han Lishi was criticized for valuing sons over daughters, as she had not rushed her granddaughter to the hospital even in such a condition.

Qiao Qingyu hadn’t expected the Han Family’s incident to have such an unforeseen outcome.

Could this be an instance of "The flowers you intend to bloom may not blossom, yet the willows you plant by chance may grow into shade"?

However, the Han Family’s issues were far from over.

If the problem couldn’t be solved with science, she would have to ponder it carefully.

That evening, she hadn’t expected her second uncle to come to her house dragging along Wang Mei, whose cheeks were swollen.

The second uncle’s complexion was not good at all, and Wang Mei was keeping her head down. It was clear that she was clenching her teeth in anger, but she had no choice but to come.

Han Xianglan frowned and had Qiao Genbao and Qiao Qingyu, along with Niu Guili, leave the room.

After all, they were the younger generation, and it was evident that Wang Mei had been beaten.

Qiao Qingyu didn’t intentionally eavesdrop, but her second uncle’s voice was quite loud. He said through clenched teeth, "Apologize to your younger sister-in-law immediately, and then get the money out."

Qiao Qingyu understood right away that the knot had indeed been sold, though she didn’t know for how much.

However, Qiao Genbao was a man of hearty character and quickly led his wife and sister away.

Half an hour later, Second Uncle took Wang Mei and left as well.

When he saw that there were no people around, Qiao Zhihai stopped in his tracks and scolded in a low voice, "Stop crying. Look at the fine mess you’ve made."

"You old thing, Qiao Zhihai, I’ve spent my whole life with you, and this is how you treat me in our old age."

"Am I the one treating you badly? Isn’t it because you were foolish enough to get conned by someone?"

"How have I been conned? I didn’t give the thing away for nothing. A broken rope was sold for 300 yuan. What more could she want? She must be wanting to fly to the sky."

"With your long hair but short wit, why don’t you think about why someone would spend 300 yuan on a rope?"

"How would I know? They’re rich, they have plenty of money."

"But even if they have a lot of money, they wouldn’t just spend it like that. I’ve told you, but you don’t understand – you fool. I’m warning you today, if you dare to be greedy for small gains again, I’ll divorce you."

"Fine, divorce me. Do you think I even want to live these poor days with you?" Wang Mei wasn’t someone to be trifled with, and she became resigned to her fate.

It was silent all around. Qiao Zhihai was just trying to scare her. They had lived together for a lifetime. Although Wang Mei had a sharp tongue and was greedy for petty advantages, she had borne him three sons.

"Alright, if you’re not worried about your youngest son failing to get into school or get married, then you can do as you please. I won’t bother with you anymore."

Wang Mei was most biased towards her eldest son; she was still hoping that he would get into university.

Wang Mei said nothing more, and Qiao Zhihai, with his hands behind his back, finally spoke slowly, "Wang Mei, times have changed. That girl Qingyu has real ability. If you want our three sons and grandsons to have good lives in the future, you can’t offend her, understand?"

Wang Mei pouted, "What abilities could a dead girl have? After all the spinning around, she’s still dealing with clods of dirt."

Qiao Zhihai couldn’t be bothered to explain further. The current Qiao Qingyu was someone who was warmly called "Qingyu" not only at the commune and the county but also when she went to the provincial city.

He was counting on the greenhouse big shed to make money.

He no longer paid attention to Wang Mei and walked swiftly toward the direction of the old house.

Wang Mei clenched her teeth and glanced in the direction of Qiao Zhicai’s house, touching her face. It was all because of that Han Xianglan and Qiao Qingyu, those two cheap women; otherwise, she wouldn’t have gotten beaten. She hated them to death, wishing that lightning would strike them and they wouldn’t die good deaths.

At this time, in Qiao Zhicai’s house, Qiao Qingyu and the others also found out why Second Uncle had come. The rope ornament had been sold by Wang Mei and her brother.

There were still 180 yuan lying on the kang.

In fact, a total of 300 yuan had been sold, but Wang Mei’s brother had used his 200 yuan to pay for his bride’s dowry. The Wang Family couldn’t scrape together a single penny, so Second Uncle had to add the only 80 yuan of savings from his family to another 100 yuan and brought the total sum over.

Qiao Zhicai’s face didn’t look too good.

Though the Second Brother tried to appear fair, there was still a rift between them. It was only because they saw the capabilities of his Qingyubao that they offered the money. Otherwise, given Second Brother’s character, he would never have given up the money.

He raised his head to look at Qiao Qingyu, "There’s nothing more here. Is it time for you to go home?"

Qiao Qingyu, "..."

Yesterday, her old man had drunk too much and, weeping, had said he regretted letting her marry so far away, asking her not to return to Xichuan until after the New Year. Why was he rushing her now?

But she did indeed need to leave.

She had a lot of affairs to attend to back in Xichuan.

Han Xianglan, surprisingly, did not oppose.

Rather, she told Qiao Zhicai to send the eighty yuan to Granny Qiao to handle.

Although the rope ornament was something she had worn since she was young, it wasn’t the end of the world without it.

The eighty yuan was all of Qiao Zhihai’s savings; how could she and Qiao Zhicai accept it?

It was just that she felt very frustrated inside.