I Got Rich in Period Fiction
Chapter 287 Too Sudden

Chapter 287: Chapter 287 Too Sudden

So, Zhu Guizhi, having just received her bonus, immediately went to the base shop to buy pork. Unsuccessful there, she ran to Xiaxi Commune, and eventually ended up at the county’s grocery store where she bought five pounds of pork and made a large number of dumplings to give to friendly neighbors.

She had brought nearly a potful to Qiao Qingyu’s house.

Qiao Qingyu thanked her, but her ears were tuned to the noises in the study, not too far away. She guessed her parents would be arriving soon.

He Xiuyu was cooking. Zhu Guizhi definitely couldn’t pull Qiao Qingyu aside to chat idly, but she trusted Qiao Qingyu exceptionally and was always ready to gossip with her.

Seizing the right moment, she told Qiao Qingyu, "Tian Li had a baby, it was premature, a girl. This child is related by blood to Xiao Xiao, so the father must be Wang Feng. Old Zhao was cuckolded, but Tian Li got arrested too. They were both forced to divorce. Perhaps due to the shock, the child is not very healthy and it looks like she won’t live very long..."

Zhu Guizhi also told Qiao Qingyu that fortunately it was a girl. Had it been a boy, Xiao Xiao’s grandparents might actually have taken him in.

Who knows what would have happened then.

Old Lady Zhao had a stroke and was now bedridden, unable to move. Mr. Zhao had to return to work after a review, fortunately not implicated, but he had to endure the disgrace this incident brought.

He worked even harder because he couldn’t afford to lose his job. If he lost it, his life was truly over.

He had even approached Huang Ling a few times. Huang Ling already despised the old lady, so how could she consider taking care of her? Mr. Zhao must really think all women are fools.

Having no choice, Mr. Zhao brought his brother and sister-in-law over, along with their child, and got them temporary jobs at the farm. This actually wasn’t a problem, as the farm was short-staffed, and even though it was the end of the harvest season, there was still a lot of work to be done.

Zhu Guizhi rambled on for quite a while.

Then the phone in the study rang, and Qiao Qingyu hurriedly said, "Sister Zhu, I need to answer the phone. I need to discuss something with my family."

"Then you better go, I’m heading home too." After saying that, Zhu Guizhi turned around with her empty basin and left.

But before leaving, she couldn’t help but envy, "Chief Engineer He can actually cook too, Jade is so lucky."

He Xiuyu was indeed impressed with this woman’s knack for gossip. She really rattled off a bunch of news, some of which he hadn’t even known.

Qiao Qingyu answered the call, and sure enough, it was Qiao Zhicai, with Han Xianglan standing next to him. They seemed to have run over, panting as they asked Qiao Qingyu, "Jade, at this hour, did you call because something happened?"

Their voices were somewhat trembling, as their daughter was too far to see and care for—how could they not be terrified at even the slightest hint of trouble?

Qiao Qingyu quickly said, "No, no, there’s no issue here, it’s just my mom’s situation."

She then informed Han Xianglan that Wu Xiucai was her biological father, confirmed by two separate verifications, even though the examiner was different each time, the results were the same.

On the other end of the phone, Han Xianglan was silent for a long while, as was Qiao Zhicai.

They were too shocked, completely dumbfounded.

Qiao Qingyu continued, "Mom, don’t overthink it, this is good news. At the very least you know your parents loved you. Especially your biological father, Wu Xiucai—since the day you were lost, he has never stopped searching for you, he has sacrificed so much... He will come to Xichuan tomorrow, and then we will together return to North City. I’ll call you then..."

After a pause, Han Xianglan began to cry.

The microphone was left on the table as Qiao Zhicai comforted her with a sense of helplessness.

He Xiuyu stood by Qiao Qingyu’s side, both of them also silent. Thankfully, Han Xianglan quickly recovered. When the knotted bracelet was found, Qiao Qingyu had called and told her about it, so Han Xianglan, with a choked voice, said, "Qingyu, when... when he comes to find you, give him the knotted bracelet too..."

"Mom, don’t worry, I know what to do."

On the other end, Han Xianglan felt her mind in disarray with this tangible news, losing the mood to instruct Qiao Qingyu further on the matters of daily life. She hurriedly hung up the phone, and Qiao Zhicai left with his wife.

The journey was marked by silence.

Of course, this matter couldn’t be kept secret, but they wouldn’t tell too many people; the family needed to be informed since Wu Xiucai would be arriving in a few days.

And it was good news, after all; how could they hide it?

In her youth, Han Xianglan hadn’t suffered any less for this reason.

Qiao Qingyu placed the receiver back, wondering what name Han Xianglan would use in the future—would she change it to Wu Qianyun or keep Han Xianglan?

She shared her question with He Xiuyu, who smiled, "Mr. Wu has been searching for half his life; naturally, it is about recognizing his ancestors and returning to his roots."

He then instructed Qiao Qingyu, "You can’t slack off either. Even though you are on leave, you mustn’t neglect the classes you need to attend, the homework you need to do, or the exams you must take. Do you hear me?"

Qiao Qingyu pouted, "I hear you. With you supervising me, how could anything be missed?"

"That’s why you should be thankful that I play so many roles in your life," He Xiuyu boasted playfully.

Qiao Qingyu burst into laughter, then threw herself into his arms, pulling down his handsome face to kiss him, "Thank you, my friend, my husband, my teacher, okay?"

He Xiuyu smiled, his eyes curving joyfully.

...

Wu Xiucai’s visit to Xichuan was his second, but unlike the first, his mood was completely different—he could openly visit his granddaughter, he could openly take his granddaughter to see his daughter.

The old man had regained some health, albeit still frail, but his spirit was exceptionally good—it must be the joy of the occasion uplifting him.

He Xiuyu picked him up from the temporary airport and brought him home, where Qiao Qingyu had prepared breakfast—a hot batch of buns, cooked millet porridge, and a couple of stir-fried dishes.

Wu Xiucai’s eyes were somewhat moist as he choked up, "I never thought I’d live to eat a meal cooked by my granddaughter."

This time Wu Xiucai came to the family compound accompanied by Wu Tai and Secretary Chang.

Secretary Chang had once been in charge of the newly established chemical plant in Xichuan. Now that the plant was gradually getting on track, he was essentially the secretary of the group company but was temporarily in charge. Now with an official plant manager in place, he had returned to Wu Xiucai’s side.

Qiao Qingyu also helped Qiao Genbao secure an order of plastic film at the chemical plant.

Having tasted success last year, they continued today. However, lacking the energy to start a fourth building, these three were enough to keep the family busy.