Yu Linyun gave her a couple of odd looks, then haughtily hugged the clothes and strutted away.
In the afternoon, the brigade leader's wife, Liu Chunhua, came to the Yu family's place and stuffed two meat - filled pies into Hua Qingqing's hands.
"Aunt Chunhua, do you need something?" Hua Qingqing was a bit confused. Liu Chunhua couldn't have come just to give her two pies.
Liu Chunhua was about to explain when she saw Grandma Fang sitting in the yard, looking over. So she simply pulled Hua Qingqing aside.
"I heard what happened near the big banyan tree today. You did a great job. These two pies were specially sent by your Uncle Lin for you to have a taste. You know, it's not easy being a cadre. And regarding your going to school, your Uncle Lin couldn't help you much. That middle - school enrollment quota was won by yourself."
"You're close to our family. Don't mind those gossips. Let them talk. Don't get angry about it. Your Uncle Lin met Principal Song at a commune meeting. Principal Song likes you very much. He pulled your Uncle Lin and talked a lot, asking us to take good care of you when we have the chance and not let other things affect your studies."
Liu Chunhua's words were a bit jumbled, but Hua Qingqing understood the meaning right away.
It meant that the brigade leader couldn't afford to have a reputation of being self - serving. If such a reputation spread, it would be difficult for Lin Dongsheng to manage the brigade in the future. Maybe someone would use this to attack him.
It also said that her way of handling things today was excellent. It not only proved that she relied on herself but also showed that the brigade leader wouldn't be unfair for personal gain. It also hinted that they would take care of her in other aspects in the future.
Hua Qingqing calmly accepted Liu Chunhua's thanks. She tightly held the pies in her hands and smiled brightly.
"It's nothing. The old ladies in the brigade don't really have bad intentions. They're just too bored and like to chat together. But sometimes, as they talk, things, whether true or not, will change in flavor. That's not good."
"You and the brigade leader have been so kind to me, and you even saved my life. I definitely have to think about you guys. So at that time, I just rushed over and showed them the note Principal Song wrote for me and my test papers. After all, facts speak louder than words!"
Hua Qingqing thought to herself that of course she did this for herself. If these old ladies were gossiping today that she got into school through connections, what would they gossip about tomorrow?
Once such things start, they'll keep going. They should be nipped in the bud.
Liu Chunhua nodded repeatedly. It was really easy and pleasant to talk to smart people. Hua Qingqing truly deserved to be the best in the whole county!
Grandma Fang was sitting on a small stool, mending torn clothes, while Grandpa Yu was splitting bamboo, seemingly planning to make something.
Hua Qingqing walked into the yard with the pies. She felt two burning gazes on the pies in her hands. Then, under those gazes, she picked up a pie and took a bite. The meat inside was so full that it was almost overflowing.
The Lin family really thanked her, and the pies they gave had a lot of meat.
Grandma Fang swallowed her saliva and looked a bit unhappy. Why was Hua Qingqing so tactless? There were two old people in the family, and she didn't even offer them a pie. How unfilial!
The Lin family was also being inappropriate. Why did they keep coming here? If they brought pies, they should give them to the masters of the house. Putting them into the hands of the younger generation, what was that all about? So uneducated!
"Qingqing, are the pies delicious?"
Hua Qingqing nodded. She was too busy chewing to talk. After taking a big bite, there was only a little left of the first pie.
Grandma Fang got anxious. The pies were almost gone. She didn't hide her intention anymore and quickly stood up to grab the pie.
"These two pies are so big. Isn't one enough for you? Share the other one with us. Consider it as a token of respect for your grandparents."
Hua Qingqing swallowed the last bite and said, "Grandma, you're really shameless when you talk."
Then she dodged to the side, took a big bite of the second pie, and slowly walked back to her room.
Grandma Fang was so angry that she stamped her feet behind, scolding the sky and the earth but not daring to scold Hua Qingqing.
The next day, there were several pies on the dinner table. Hua Qingqing also got one, which was smaller than her palm.
Grandma Fang said with a cold face, "There's only so much flour left. We can't make many. Your uncles and aunts have to go to work in the factory or in the fields. You three kids do nothing but read books. Eat less."
Hua Qingqing didn't say anything. She took a bite of the pie first. It tasted really bad, so she put aside the impulse to make a fuss.
She went back to her room and rummaged through the chocolates sent from Hong Kong. The chocolates came in red boxes with the foreign name FERRERO on them. It was a very famous chocolate brand, originating from Italy and founded decades ago.
Even in the capital, one might not be able to buy this kind of candy even with a sugar coupon. But Ruan Yuan sent her three boxes in a row. Why would she send such seemingly precious candies to her daughter she hadn't seen for thirteen years but never send a single letter back?
Hua Qingqing took out a chocolate and put it in her mouth. The thin chocolate shell broke, and the taste of wine instantly filled her mouth. Mm, it was a wine - filled chocolate.
Actually, it was quite understandable.
There were two reasons. One was that Ruan Yuan was restricted in her actions and couldn't write. The other was that Ruan Yuan wasn't close to her daughter and didn't want to write. She just sent a few boxes of chocolates that seemed precious but could be bought with money there.
The original body's memory of Ruan Yuan was so far away that there were only a few vague shadows left in her mind, which made it hard for Hua Qingqing to judge the mother - daughter relationship between them.
The method that was quite useful for Hua Jia didn't work well for Ruan Yuan. Although the 50 - yuan remittance slip seemed more than Hua Jia's 30 - yuan one, it had to be analyzed from their respective wealth.
Ruan Yuan's family should not be an ordinary rich family.
Maybe it was a wealthy family?
Wealthy families in Hong Kong at that time were extraordinary.
Wait a minute. There were quite a few money - making projects in Hong Kong at this time.
Hua Miaomiao successfully went off - topic.
Not to mention, in a few years, the movie industry would also develop, and many movie stars who would become famous across the country would emerge.
Hua Qingqing decisively included the entertainment industry in the territory of her business empire.
1982 and 1984 were crucial years for Hong Kong and were of great significance to China.
She would wait a bit longer. First, she had to deal with the college entrance examination.
She would go to the capital during the summer vacation to take a look and check out her dream university. Hehe.
"Where is everyone?"
"I'm starving."
Hua Qingqing had eaten five wine - filled chocolates in a row. Her head was hot but she was extremely energetic. Hearing the voices, she opened the door and went out.
She recognized Yu Linsen's voice.
Goodness, he finally came back. It had been more than ten days since the time when she should have gotten the bike. It was already May. Damn it, when had she ever been so inefficient!
Hua Qingqing looked around the yard but didn't see the bike Yu Linsen had ridden back. She directly pushed open Grandma Fang's room and sure enough saw this useless guy rummaging through things furtively in the corner.
"Yu Linsen, where did you put my bike?"