Yu Linxiu covered her forehead and dodged Grandma Fang's prodding. She didn't resist hysterically as she had before.
"Grandma, Xu Guangzong already had a girlfriend. They had been together for quite a while. I can't compete with her. Otherwise, if I got divorced later, wouldn't we be at a big loss? To be honest, Xu Guangzong was quite reluctant to help our family. Every time I brought it up, he just ignored me. You tell me, how could I marry a man who doesn't side with our family?"
Grandma Fang was immediately taken aback.
"Really?"
Yu Linxiu glanced at her. "Of course it's true. Otherwise, I would definitely hold on to him firmly. Why would things end up like this?"
Grandma Fang got angry. "Yes, things shouldn't have ended up like this. What should we do now? When Xu's mother comes, I don't even know what to say!"
Yu Linxiu sighed. "Listen to me. The Xu family wanted to find a wife for Xu Guangzong. They couldn't find one in the city, so they came to our rural area. Do you think he would agree if I proposed to break up with him? I'm afraid it would ruin my reputation. But now it's different. Everyone knows that it was Xu Guangzong who was having an affair and being promiscuous first. He even hit me. I'm the most pitiful one."
Grandma Fang thought it made sense. But she still felt sorry for losing this son - in - law from the city.
"What are you going to do next? Where can you find someone as good as him?"
Yu Linxiu sneered secretly in her heart. After she had said so much, did Grandma still think he was a good son - in - law?
"Grandma, don't worry. After all, I work in the supply and marketing cooperative. There are actually quite a few people who want to introduce me to someone. But I don't think it's urgent. I must choose the best son - in - law for you."
Grandma Fang was happy to hear this and even took out two candies for her.
This conversation was very effective. When the Xu family later came to their door with gifts, Grandma Fang resisted for a while with great determination. But when the Xu family took out 200 yuan, Grandma Fang's eyes popped out.
Grandma Fang pulled Yu Linxiu and kept persuading her.
Yu Linxiu didn't put up much resistance. She knew that her family was greedy for profit. She had completely figured it out that only when things were in her own hands were they the most important. Hua Qingqing was right. She should be kind to herself and tough on others.
Yu Linxiu said, "Grandma, we can take the 200 yuan, but you have to give me 100. Don't be in a hurry. Let me explain it to you. After all, I'm just a temporary worker in the supply and marketing cooperative. My clothes and appearance there can't compare with others. Even if someone takes a fancy to me, they will still dislike me. I don't think it should be like this. If I want to catch a big fish, I have to use good bait, right?"
Finally, Grandma Fang agreed.
Yu Linxiu took the money and went to the police station with the Xu family. The police said that Xu Guangzong could be released.
The following things had nothing to do with Yu Linxiu. From then on, she had no relationship with this family.
Hua Qingqing didn't know about this until she got home from school. After thinking about it carefully, she could understand Yu Linxiu's thoughts. She even supported her. After all, the public opinion was on Yu Linxiu's side, and now they could get some money. Why not?
The most important thing for her now was the high - school entrance examination! Although she was very confident in herself, Hua Qingqing didn't take it lightly. She even ate in the school cafeteria during the exam days, for fear that someone in the Yu family with bad intentions would drug her and delay the exam.
After the exam, Hua Qingqing felt completely relaxed. She was very familiar with the types of questions, and there should be no accident with her results. However, there were many smart people in Nan County. There must be some who performed well in the exam, and she might be pushed down a bit. But it didn't matter. As long as she could be admitted.
After the holiday, Hua Qingqing went to the supply and marketing cooperative to find Yu Linxiu. She bought some snacks and took Yu Linxiu to thank Yang Wang and the uncle in the cadre's building.
In her opinion, Yu Linxiu was a very nice girl and should get in touch with good men, such as Yang Wang. But she wasn't a matchmaker. The following things would depend on their own fate.
The considerate uncle was Zhou Cai. His wife had passed away. He was a tailor and would take on some small private jobs to support himself and his two sons.
From then on, all things came to an end.
Hua Qingqing packed her things and prepared to take the train.
One day before leaving home, Yu Linyun came to borrow her bicycle.
Hua Qingqing said, "It's okay, but I have to make it clear first. If the bike breaks, you have to compensate for it. Don't even think about playing tricks. You know my methods."
Yu Linyun nodded repeatedly. "Sure, I'll take good care of it!"
On June 15th, the weather was sunny and cloudless.
Hua Qingqing took the train to the capital.
The bag she carried was a special double - shoulder bag made by Zhou Cai. But due to the limitation of materials, the style was just so - so.
She planned to find suitable materials in the capital this time to make double - shoulder bags and then do some small business...
By the way, what about her never - seen - before third uncle? How was he doing in the south? No, she had to call him later to catch up.
There were many good things in the south at this time. Some things that weren't available in the capital might be available in the south.
Trains in the 1980s were very slow. Unfortunately, she only managed to buy a seat ticket.
The whole journey from Nan County to the capital took two and a half days, and the train would stop at other cities on the way.
She planned to ask the flight attendants if there were any sleeper tickets after getting on the train.
After the train started moving, the flight attendants came back and forth to remind people to beware of pickpockets.
Hua Qingqing wore a self - made mask. Her bright eyes scanned the people around her seat curiously. In front of her seat was a family of three.
A middle - aged but neatly - dressed couple was with a baby. They seemed quite normal. The baby was in her father's arms, sleeping quietly without crying or making a fuss.
There was still an empty seat beside her.
Hua Qingqing hugged her double - shoulder bag in her arms. She didn't bring much. The bag was full of snacks. Her money was sewn into her clothes. If thieves wanted to steal, they could only take the snacks.
Hua Qingqing looked around for a while and then suddenly felt annoyed. She hadn't brought a single book for the two - and - a - half - day journey. It was a pity. She had already started pre - learning high - school courses up to the second year of senior high, and the difficulty was acceptable.
Forget it. Since she didn't have a book, she might as well sleep!
Hua Qingqing decided to close her eyes and rest. The night would be the most difficult time.
Rocked by the train, Hua Qingqing slowly closed her eyes...
I don't know how much time had passed. She was woken up by the noise of a child. She rubbed her eyes and woke up completely. She was greeted by two enthusiastic smiles.
She felt her scalp go numb under their stares.
The woman, acting overly familiar, said, "Girl, you're awake. You're brave enough to sleep like this when traveling alone on the train. Aren't you afraid of thieves?"
Hua Qingqing sized them up, as if trying to determine whether they were bad people or not. Finally, she shyly shook her head.
"Everything in my bag is worthless."
The man holding the child beside her asked, "Where are you from and where are you going?"
The question was rather abrupt. The woman beside him tugged at his sleeve.
The man laughed. "As soon as I saw you, I thought of my daughter back home. It's not safe for you to travel alone on the train. I'm just asking so I can take care of you."
Hua Qingqing still smiled shyly and answered every question.
She secretly glanced at the couple twice.
She saw them exchange a quick look, as if they were very satisfied.
She immediately started to feel suspicious in her heart.