My Mother-in-Law is Reborn [Seventies]

Chapter 96

Zhou Qun's gaze at Bai Fendou was so intense it seemed to stretch into threads.

He might have been "stretching threads," but it made Zhuang Zhixi's hair stand on end.

Zhou Qun, however, didn't care what others thought. He said, "Brother, I bought some pig's head meat. How about we have a drink together?"

Bai Fendou: "???"

He suspected Zhou Qun wanted to poison him. If not, why would he invite him to drink? How could they possibly share a table? Besides, when had Zhou Qun ever deigned to associate with the people in their courtyard? His usual company at the table were high-ranking officials.

Jiang Lu also looked at Zhou Qun in disbelief. Zhou Qun, however, was enthusiastic. "Let's have a drink together. I know you understand me the best, brother."

Bai Fendou: "???"

Honestly, what was this about? Bai Fendou was completely lost.

Zhou Qun ordered, "Wang Zhaodi, prepare a few dishes and cook some rice."

Wang Zhaodi: "Oh."

She quickly got up to work, but as she rushed to the door, she felt Jiang Lu's gaze and abruptly stopped. She cautiously looked at Jiang Lu and asked, "Sister Jiang Lu, how much should I make?"

Zhou Qun: "What do you mean, how much? Make more; otherwise, how will it be enough? We men have big appetites. Jiang Lu, get that bottle of wine from your parents' house. I'm going to toast with my brother."

Jiang Lu was also puzzled. Looking at Zhou Qun, she suddenly felt flustered. She gently advised, "Qun Ge, I know you despise Bai Fendou, and so do I. That guy is annoying and mouthy, but we can't really do anything to him."

She believed Zhou Qun must be seeking revenge for her. After all, Bai Fendou had once tried to take advantage of her. Recently, her husband had been enduring humiliation to get close to Bai Fendou, undoubtedly to exact revenge. She absolutely couldn't let that happen.

Her mother-in-law was already in trouble, and the situation was uncertain. If Zhou Qun got into trouble, what would she do? She didn't care about that despicable, wicked mother-in-law, but she couldn't let Zhou Qun suffer. Absolutely not.

Jiang Lu was resolute. "Qun Ge, let's go home."

Her shout infuriated Bai Fendou. He yelled, "Zhou Qun, are you a man? If you've got guts, let's fight. What are you trying to pull? I tell you, Bai Fendou isn't afraid of you. If you've got the nerve, let's settle this!"

Fighting?

Even if he lost, Bai Fendou wouldn't back down!

That's what it means to be a man from Beijing.

"What are you talking about, Jiang Lu? Don't spout nonsense. I didn't mean anything by it. I genuinely get along with Bai Fendou and wanted to have a drink with him. But you've turned it into something else. Can you stop causing trouble?"

Jiang Lu didn't believe a word of it. She firmly held onto Zhou Qun. "Come home with me. Don't go near Bai Fendou. We really can't fight."

Zhou Qun must be planning to poison him, absolutely!

She didn't dare say it directly, so she could only try to restrain Zhou Qun.

"Qun Ge, I know you love me and care for me, but I beg you, don't pick a fight with Bai Fendou. Come home with me."

Zhou Qun: "I...!"

Bai Fendou: "So Zhou Qun, you've been exposed by Jiang Lu, haven't you? I knew you had ulterior motives. You scoundrel, how could you do such a thing..."

The scene descended into chaos. Everyone looked bewildered, unsure of what was going on.

Zhou Qun: "Bai Fendou and I are true brothers."

Bai Fendou: "If you've got the guts, let's settle this openly. Scheming isn't a real man's way!"

Jiang Lu: "Don't break the law for me."

Wang Zhaodi: "...Should I cook or not?"

The situation was in complete disarray. Zhuang Zhixi quietly asked his mother, "Mom, what's going on here?"

Zhao Guihua shook her head, equally baffled. She thought Zhou Qun genuinely wanted to drink with Bai Fendou; it didn't seem like he was plotting something. But why would Zhou Qun want to drink with Bai Fendou? Their relationship was average at best.

Zhou Qun despised everyone in their courtyard.

Zhao Guihua truly couldn't figure it out. It wasn't her fault—she just couldn't imagine it. Even in her previous life, she had heard of such things, but she had never encountered them personally. So, Zhao Guihua was caught off guard.

Besides, everyone knew Zhou Qun liked women. His promiscuous reputation was well-established.

How could she have guessed he had developed feelings for Bai Fendou?

Oh no, not just feelings—intense feelings.

It was unimaginable.

Zhao Guihua couldn't understand and could only say, "I don't get it either. Let's watch and see."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Zhou Qun's gaze is just too disgusting."

Seeing his mother was clueless, he turned to his grandfather, Lan Sihai, and whispered, "Grandpa, what's going on? I just find that gaze so... uncomfortable."

Lan Sihai glanced at him and chuckled.

Zhuang Zhixi: "You understand!"

Lan Sihai calmly said, "At my age, what don't I understand? I've lived long enough to have seen it all. I've eaten more salt than you've walked paths."

Under Zhuang Zhixi's expectant gaze, he lowered his voice and said softly, "You know, when I was young, I saw many people in Shanghai idolizing actors."

Zhuang Zhixi: "???"

What does that have to do with anything?

Lan Sihai: "Those actors didn't care if they were male or female. Gender wasn't a strict boundary. Some admirers ended up crossing lines they shouldn't have."

Zhuang Zhixi: "What do you mean?"

Too young and inexperienced, he just didn't get it.

"Some people, even if they like women, also like men. Their preferences can shift."

Zhuang Zhixi: "..."

Hearing this, it clicked for him. He looked at Zhou Qun and Bai Fendou in disbelief. Zhou Qun's gaze was indeed glued to Bai Fendou... definitely not a normal look.

Zhuang Zhixi: "..." I can't believe I had to witness this.

Lan Sihai: "Go away."

Zhuang Zhixi thought of how Zhou Qun had once invited him to leave work together and felt even more creeped out. He realized he had narrowly escaped a situation. He quietly watched Bai Fendou, wondering if he could sense Zhou Qun's intentions.

Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine Bai Fendou, of all people, would have to worry about his "purity."

How did Bai Fendou end up being targeted by Zhou Qun? At the same time, he breathed a sigh of relief for himself. It was a good thing Zhou Qun hadn't set his sights on him. Zhuang Zhixi slipped back to Ming Mei's side, held his wife's hand, and settled in to watch the drama.

However, the trio of Zhou Qun, Jiang Lu, and Bai Fendou didn't give the audience much time to enjoy the show. Eventually, Zhou Qun gave up and went home with Jiang Lu.

Jiang Lu dragged Zhou Qun away, her eyes brimming with tears. "Qun Ge, no one in this world could love me more than you. No matter the circumstances, I won't abandon you. I want to share hardships and joys with you. We are a united couple."

Zhou Qun's thoughts were far from what Jiang Lu imagined. If not for Jiang Lu's good background, he would have dumped her long ago. She was a barren hen, incapable of bearing children and now ruining his plans.

The more Zhou Qun looked at Bai Fendou, the more he liked him. There were plenty of men out there—handsome ones like Zhuang Zhixi or heroic ones like Section Chief Liu—who were all excellent choices. But the one he found most appealing was, surprisingly, Bai Fendou.

Bai Fendou was brave and never backed down, which earned respect. He was also devoted, sticking by Wang Xiangxiu, a woman of questionable virtue, showing his deep affection. Moreover, he was loyal and helpful, always willing to step up when needed in the courtyard.

Most importantly, he understood Zhou Qun's struggles. The Jiang family, especially her brother, deserved nothing but death. Zhou Qun pursed his lips, feeling his mother hadn't done a good job carrying out his instructions.

He didn't want his father-in-law to suffer; he wanted his brother-in-law to face consequences.

If something happens to Jiang Lu's brother and her nephew, the elderly couple would have no choice but to rely on them, right? Once they manage to win over the old couple, eliminating her father, Jiang Jianshe, would be a piece of cake.

If all the men in the family were to meet with misfortune, wouldn't the women then be entirely in his hands? With his control over Jiang Lu, he could easily take everything from her family. But his mother turned out to be a hindrance rather than a help, completely missing the subtext of his intentions. She even schemed against his father-in-law, making the situation even more complicated.

What an idiot who doesn't know how to cover her tracks.

What he wanted was to deal with Jiang Lu's shrewd brother.

But as for Jiang Lu... she was also a fool, which was fortunate. Otherwise, their marriage would have been unsustainable. He knew that his in-laws were adamant about their daughter getting a divorce.

They showed no sentimentality, not even considering that their daughter, unable to bear children, would be hard-pressed to find another man willing to marry her. Zhou Qun's thoughts were racing, his expression alternating between anger and anxiety. Jiang Lu, however, thought Zhou Qun was upset because he couldn't deal with Bai Fendou. She spoke softly, "I know you don't like Bai Fendou, and I know you want to avenge me, but we can't take the wrong path. That kind of person, someone will deal with him sooner or later."

Zhou Qun didn't want to hear this. "Enough, don't say anymore."

He turned and went back to the inner room, lying down on the bed. Jiang Lu followed and whispered softly, "I know you're anxious because my parents want us to divorce. But I've thought about it; they can make a fuss, but I won't divorce. The decision is in my hands. If I have a child, we can go back together, and I don't believe they'll still be so heartless."

She hesitated, feeling pain but also helpless, and said, "Or, tonight, why don't you sleep with Zhaodi?"

Zhou Qun glanced disdainfully at the door and said, "Don't ever say such foolish things to me again. I have no interest in her."

He added, "I now regret bringing her here. Why should I feed her for nothing?"

Jiang Lu's expression brightened, and she felt even more moved. She knew, she just knew that her Zhou Qun was the best man, unlike any other. Her parents always said Zhou Qun was acting, but look, look at him now! Her mother-in-law wasn't around, so Zhou Qun didn't have to put on an act for her. He was showing his true feelings.

His heart belonged only to her.

He didn't get involved with other women.

She bit her lip, moved, and said, "I know your sincerity towards me, but we still need to have a child..."

Zhou Qun: "Then you need to work harder!"

The two whispered in the room, while Wang Zhaodi, unaware of their conversation, quietly prepared dinner. For her, the happiest time of the day was when she could eat. After Zhou Qun and Jiang Lu finished their argument, Zhuang Zhixi couldn't wait to share a secret with his wife, pulling her home.

Ming Mei: "Slow down."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Big news."

He closed the door and quickly whispered the details.

Ming Mei: "!!!"

She was shocked: "What? Is that even possible? Isn't he also attracted to women?"

"Who knows? I think my grandfather is right; in the old days, people didn't discriminate between genders when it came to admiring performers. So it's possible that Zhou Qun is bisexual. Not only do you need to be careful, but I need to be careful too."

Ming Mei: "..."

This was too shocking.

"Maybe he was traumatized by a female ghost and no longer likes women. Who knows?"

Ming Mei: "If it were Bai Fendou, I could understand immediately, but Zhou Qun? I can't quite wrap my head around it."

After all, Bai Fendou... well, he's broken.

He now walks with tiny steps, so if he had some strange ideas, she could understand. But Zhou Qun, he seems fine. It's unbelievable, but Ming Mei trusts her grandfather's judgment.

After all, he's seen a lot in his life.

She whispered, "Did anyone hear you when you were talking?"

"No, we spoke very softly." He said, "When gossiping about someone, how could I speak loudly?"

Ming Mei: "..."

This is just... wow.

Zhuang Zhixi: "This courtyard is going to get even more chaotic."

He rubbed his hands together.

Ming Mei looked at him and said, "Don't get so excited. I'm telling you, stay away from Zhou Qun."

Zhuang Zhixi immediately raised his hand: "I promise."

Ming Mei: "That's more like it."

Each family has its own secrets. Meanwhile, Wang Xiangxiu couldn't help but step out of her house. Bai Fendou saw her through the window and quickly asked, "Xiangxiu, where are you going?"

Wang Xiangxiu: "I want to go see my mother-in-law. You know, she's still in the hospital, and I can't stop worrying. I need to go see her."

Bai Fendou: "I'll accompany you. It's late, and it's not safe for a woman to be out alone."

Wang Xiangxiu shook her head: "It's fine, I'll take the main road; nothing will happen. I just suddenly felt uneasy and wanted to see her."

Bai Fendou: "No, I'll accompany you. Besides, I also want to visit my old man. That guy, he's really not making things easy for me."

Wang Xiangxiu spoke with a mix of coquetry and mild reproach: "You're accompanying me tonight, and you'll be back late. Won't that affect your date tomorrow? You're supposed to meet Nurse Tao tomorrow, right? As your elder sister, I can't interfere with your plans. I'm just an outsider, after all."

"Don't say that. In my heart, you're not an outsider; you're my real sister..."

In fact, Nurse Tao hadn't actually invited Bai Fendou. She wouldn't be so direct; it was more of a "hook" strategy. But Bai Fendou, wanting to boost his own ego, wouldn't admit that she hadn't invited him. Instead, he confirmed the arrangement, leading those who hadn't been present, like Wang Xiangxiu, to misunderstand.

Bai Fendou: "Even if I get married, you'll still be my sister. You, Xiangxiu, are the most important to me. Even my wife will have to take a backseat to you."

Wang Zhaodi came out to fetch water and overheard this: "???"

Even though she was from a rural area, she knew something was off about this statement.

She looked at Wang Xiangxiu and Bai Fendou, then thought about the rumors she'd heard. She pursed her lips and quickly moved away.

These two weren't in a proper relationship.

She understood.

In their village, they called it "make that broken shoe."

Bai Fendou and Wang Xiangxiu didn't feel embarrassed at being caught by Wang Zhaodi. Instead, they left together, arm in arm. Wang Zhaodi shook her head. What was going on here?

But then she thought about her own situation, realizing she wasn't exactly in a respectable position either. She gave herself a mental scolding.

Then she got back to work.

Aunt Zhou had been arrested, and now Wang Zhaodi had her own room, something she had never dreamed of. She couldn't believe she could have a room to herself one day. Wang Zhaodi didn't know how long this good fortune would last, but she was grateful. She filled the water bucket and carried it home, pouring it into the water tank. After several trips, the tank was full.

Just as she was about to rest, she heard Jiang Lu call: "Zhaodi, wash our clothes."

The order was casual, and Wang Zhaodi replied, "Okay."

Even though it was dark, she quickly went to the courtyard and started washing in the dim light. Jiang Lu glanced out the window and saw her working diligently. "She's good at working, but she eats too much. She also lacks awareness. That thing from the donkey, she actually ate it on her own initiative. Doesn't she know her place? She's really lacking in awareness. It's just that my mother-in-law said she needs to be nurtured to be fertile, or else she should just eat some corn bread."

Zhou Qun didn't care about these trivial matters. He was still immersed in the pain of not being able to drink with Bai Fendou today. He found Jiang Lu, who had tried to stop him and was overly sentimental, extremely annoying.

He turned over and said, "I'm tired, I want to sleep early."

Jiang Lu looked at Zhou Qun with resentment, wanting to do something intimate between husband and wife. She gently touched him, but Zhou Qun brushed her hand away. "I don't have the mood. My mother is still inside, and we don't know how it will turn out. How could I have such a mood?"

Jiang Lu softly replied, "I understand. I didn't mean..."

Zhou Qun sneered, not bothering to hide his disdain. The two fell silent.

Wang Zhaodi was washing clothes alone in the courtyard when she saw Ming Mei and her husband emerge from their house to brush their teeth. The weather was warm, so there was no need for hot water. Ming Mei preferred to wash up in the courtyard for convenience.

Wang Zhaodi looked at her in surprise and asked, "It's so late. Are you still washing clothes?"

"Yeah, I don't have much to do," Wang Zhaodi replied.

Ming Mei began brushing her teeth and asked, "Will you be going with them tomorrow?"

Wang Zhaodi hesitated for a moment before nodding gently. "I want to take a look."

She wanted to see more of the city before she was likely sent back to her hometown. She was naive and inexperienced, but not stupid. She could tell that Jiang Lu and Zhou Qun didn't like her at all. Jiang Lu even looked at her with hostility, which she was well aware of.

With Aunt Zhou, who had been pushing for the pregnancy, now gone, they would probably send her away soon. After all, she ate so much.

"I want to see more before I go back," Wang Zhaodi said.

Ming Mei was surprised. "Are you going back?"

She hadn't heard that the Zhou family was planning to send her away. Wasn't she here to have a baby?

The Zhou family hadn't said a word, but everyone knew.

"Not yet, but it's hard to say," Wang Zhaodi replied, scratching her head. "At least I've been to Beijing. My sister and my younger sister haven't even left the village."

Ming Mei looked at Wang Zhaodi and asked, "What will you do if you go back?"

"Work, I guess. And my parents will probably arrange a marriage for me. I'm not young anymore."

Ming Mei didn't know what to say. She finally said, "A man fears choosing the wrong career, a woman fears marrying the wrong man. If it's about marriage, you really need to be careful."

Then she felt a bit hypocritical for saying that. She had choices, but Wang Zhaodi didn't. Her parents might just be looking for the highest bride price. It wasn't that Ming Mei was assuming the worst, but sending a daughter to do this kind of work didn't suggest kind-hearted parents.

She said seriously, "Sometimes you have to fight for yourself. If someone forces you to do something, there's the Women's Federation."

"What's that?" Wang Zhaodi asked, confused.

Ming Mei perked up and explained what the Women's Federation was. She was about to say more when...

"Wang Zhaodi!" Jiang Lu's voice suddenly called out.

Wang Zhaodi quickly replied, "Coming!"

She gave Ming Mei an apologetic smile. "I have to go."

She quickly wiped her hands and went inside. Jiang Lu looked at her disapprovingly. "What were you blabbering about out there? Talking about the Women's Federation? Do you really think anyone cares about your family's business? Who do you think you are? Have some self-respect."

Wang Zhaodi bit her lip.

Jiang Lu, wrapped in a coat, stood in the outer room and said, "Stay away from Ming Mei from now on. Do you really think she's being kind by telling you all that? She just doesn't want to see our family go smoothly. She's pregnant and thinks she's above everyone else. What a joke. She'll probably give birth to a girl."

Wang Zhaodi: "..."

Jiang Lu continued, "She lives a good life, so of course she thinks the world is full of good people and that you should go to the Women's Federation if you're treated unfairly. But think about it—your parents raised you, shouldn't you repay them? It's your duty to contribute to the family."

Wang Zhaodi: "..."

She whispered, "I understand."

Everyone had their own opinions, but she vaguely felt that Jiang Lu was wrong. However, being a guest in someone else's home, she wouldn't dare to argue.

"Stay away from Ming Mei," Jiang Lu repeated.

Wang Zhaodi: "Okay."

Jiang Lu: "Truly ridiculous."

She snorted loudly and went back inside. Seeing that Zhou Qun was already asleep, she felt exhausted. Their family had so many problems lately, and even their marital life was strained. It was frustrating.

Ming Mei was pregnant, and so was Li Fang.

How come everyone was getting pregnant? Luckily, Wang Xiangxiu was a widow; otherwise, she'd be pregnant too. That would leave only Jiang Lu unable to conceive. She felt extremely uncomfortable and secretly wished that these women couldn't have children, but they all seemed to be able to.

Yang Lixin was quite capable though. Li Fang had already had two children, and now she was pregnant with a third.

Jiang Lu thought for a moment and came out again, asking, "Wang Zhaodi, I heard your mother was very fertile. Is that true?"

She was hoping that being able to have many children ran in the family.

Wang Zhaodi was about to hang up her clothes and rest when she heard this and quickly nodded. "Yes, my mother had nine children. We are nine sisters."

"Sisters?" Jiang Lu's tone changed, and she stared at Wang Zhaodi in shock. Suddenly, she felt cheated. She wasn't happy. She wanted to have children, but she wanted sons, not daughters. What if she had a daughter?

Jiang Lu didn't want a daughter; they were just a burden.

"Your mother had all daughters?"

Wang Zhaodi nodded.

Jiang Lu frowned in dissatisfaction. She waved her hand dismissively. "Go do whatever you were doing."

She went back inside, feeling irritated. Zhou Qun was already asleep. Hearing her movements, he said, "What are you doing again?"

Jiang Lu: "I was just talking to Wang Zhaodi."

Zhou Qun coldly said, "I'm not sleeping with her."

The thought alone was repulsive.

He turned over and went back to sleep.

Jiang Lu felt touched by his loyalty but also a bit sad.

Meanwhile, Ming Mei had finished washing up and returned to her room, already lying down. She nestled in Zhuang Zhixi's arms and said, "I was talking to Wang Zhaodi earlier when Jiang Lu called her away."

Zhuang Zhixi: "They're a family. We're outsiders. We don't need to get involved."

He said, "By the way, I have good news."

Ming Mei: "What?"

She looked up at Zhuang Zhixi. He said, "My article was accepted by the newspaper. It'll be published soon."

Ming Mei's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?"

Zhuang Zhixi: "Of course. I may have gotten into the propaganda department partly by luck, but I still want to prove myself. This is a good start. I feel much more at ease."

Ming Mei gently stroked Zhuang Zhixi's face. He asked, "What are you thinking?"

"Nothing. Don't talk nonsense," she said.

She added, "I just think you work hard."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Everyone's job is tough. It's the same for everyone."

He touched Ming Mei's belly and asked, "Has the baby been bothering you today?"

Ming Mei chuckled softly. "Not too much. But pregnancy isn't easy."

Zhuang Zhixi: "If you feel uncomfortable, you must tell me right away. Don't hold it in."

"I know," Ming Mei said with a soft laugh...

It was a quiet Saturday night, and everyone had nothing else to do but sleep.

If there was one person in the courtyard who couldn't sleep, it was Jiang Lu. She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. She had just found out that Li Fang was pregnant. With Ming Mei already pregnant, the news about Li Fang added even more pressure.

For a moment, she felt an urge to harm them, to make sure they lost their babies. But she knew that was impossible. She wasn't capable of such actions, and if she did, she'd end up in jail. She had a good life and wouldn't risk it.

But the thought of pushing Wang Zhaodi and Zhou Qun together was also unappealing. After all, Zhou Qun was her husband. Why should she let Wang Zhaodi benefit? Especially after learning that Wang Zhaodi's mother had nine daughters, she was even less willing.

Even if Wang Zhaodi could have many children, there was no guarantee she'd have sons.

Jiang Lu couldn't sleep. Her eyes wide open, she thought about her parents. They had already been pressuring her to divorce Zhou Qun because of his affair with another woman. Now that her mother-in-law had done something so shameless, it was even worse.

They were all pressuring her to divorce, but Jiang Lu was unwilling. Not only did she not want to leave Zhou Qun, who treated her so well, but even if he treated her poorly, she wouldn't agree to it. A good woman like her shouldn't remarry; if she did, would she even be able to find a decent man?

A woman who remarries never ends up well, and she certainly wasn't willing to take that risk.

However, her in-laws were relentless. If she didn't divorce, they probably wouldn't let her step into their house again. Moreover, her parents were convinced that the infertility issue lay with Zhou Qun. Previously, they had never thought this way; everyone assumed that it was the woman who couldn't conceive. How could a man be infertile?

But her in-laws insisted that Zhou Qun had messed around with other women when he was young and must have damaged his health. Jiang Lu was deeply conflicted. She really wanted a child. If a woman didn't have a child, she wasn't a complete woman, her life was over, and she wouldn't have anyone to take care of her in old age.

But if she left Zhou Qun, it would be like asking her to die. She didn't believe any of the accusations against him. Outsiders didn't know how good Zhou Qun had been to her all these years, and she remembered it all. She knew him better than anyone.

They had been married for over ten years.

He was definitely not the kind of person they were accusing him of being. Those women had manipulated him into doing their bidding, and now they were trying to smear his name. They were all despicable.

Jiang Lu tossed and turned, and suddenly, she had a terrifying idea. Her face flushed hot, even though no one was watching. She quickly turned red but felt that her idea was perfectly normal.

She pursed her lips and glanced at Zhou Qun, who was already asleep...

She had to give Zhou Qun a child. If it was really Zhou Qun's problem, then even if Wang Zhaodi came along, or ten of her, it wouldn't matter.

Before, she had firmly believed that Zhou Qun could have children, but her mother kept nagging her, telling her over and over, and eventually, it made her doubt.

What if she found someone else to have a child with?

As long as the child was hers, it would be Zhou's child.

And it would silence all the gossip about her being unable to have children for so many years.

But if she were to find someone, who would it be?

Jiang Lu immediately looked around the courtyard, where there were many young men. The Zhuang brothers, Bai Fendou, Yang Lixin, and others...

There were quite a few options.

But soon, she shook her head. If she were to choose, she couldn't pick someone so close, or it would be disastrous if people found out. If the child looked like the neighbor, Mr. Wang, the consequences would be dire. But what to do?

She couldn't choose someone from their courtyard or the factory; it would be too difficult.

The person she chose should be someone she didn't interact with often, so they wouldn't suspect anything.

Ah, Ming Mei.

Ming Mei's cousin!

Jiang Lu suddenly thought of this person. He seemed to be from out of town, good-looking, and well-educated. He would be an excellent choice. Jiang Lu immediately perked up, giggling with a slightly eerie tone.

Yes, this person would be perfect.

Having made up her mind, Jiang Lu decided to ask Ming Mei about him the next day. Although he was the grandson of Lan Sihai, Jiang Lu didn't plan to approach Lan Sihai. She was a bit afraid of him, feeling that the old man was too sharp and might see through her intentions. She absolutely couldn't let anyone figure out her plan.

She still had her pride.

The next morning, Ming Mei came out to go to work. Their jobs were different; they didn't have regular days off and could only take turns. Even though it was Sunday, and everyone else was off, she still had to work.

"Ming Mei."

Jiang Lu had barely slept the previous night, waiting for Ming Mei. As soon as she saw her, she hurried over. Ming Mei greeted her with a smile.

Jiang Lu: "You're going to work?"

Ming Mei: "Yes, we ticket sellers don't get weekends off."

Jiang Lu: "Why don't you take a few days off? I remember you had guests at home, didn't you? Don't you need to entertain them?"

Ming Mei: "..."

She looked puzzled at Jiang Lu and said, "Guests? There aren't any guests at my place."

Jiang Lu pursed her lips and said, "I mean your cousin. I remember seeing him."

Ming Mei was stunned for a moment, then laughed and said, "Oh, him. He's already left."

"What!" Jiang Lu was shocked.

Ming Mei: "???"

She looked curiously at Jiang Lu and said, "He was just here on business for four days. He's already gone back. Why are you suddenly asking about him? He has his own job, so he can't stay here for long."

Jiang Lu forced a smile, half-laughing, half-not, and said, "No, I was just asking casually."

Ming Mei wasn't entirely convinced and just gave a light "Oh," then quickly asked, "How's Aunt Zhou doing? What's the situation with her? Will she be coming back?"

Jiang Lu's mouth twitched. She really didn't want to talk about that old hag. That wretched old woman always acted high and mighty at home, and Jiang Lu hated her to the core. She had no idea that the woman had been cursing her father behind her back, which made Jiang Lu even more furious.

If it weren't for her, her marriage wouldn't be in such danger.

She was just an old, worthless woman.

But she couldn't outright curse her, since she was her mother-in-law.

She said, "She didn't mean any harm; she's just old and muddled. She certainly didn't instigate robbery or assault. But she might be held accountable for spreading feudal superstitions." Although they didn't know the specifics yet, as both a victim's relative and an offender's relative, Jiang Lu knew a bit more.

"She provided a lot of information about my father to that gang, so she might be held responsible for that too."

Ming Mei: "Oh my."

Jiang Lu took a deep breath and steered the conversation back: "So your cousin left. When will he be back?"

Ming Mei looked at Jiang Lu strangely, sensing that she was overly interested in her cousin. She said, "It might be a long time. The distance is so far; unless it's for business, he wouldn't be coming back and forth. My cousin didn't even come when I got married."

Jiang Lu instantly felt that this person was no good.

Such a good option had slipped away, and Jiang Lu regretted not making up her mind a few days earlier.

She bit her lip, feeling very frustrated.

She wasn't interested in this person; her heart belonged only to Zhou Qun, no one else. She was just upset about missing such a perfect candidate. After all, with such a distance between them, there was no way to connect with him. It was a real pity.

Ming Mei: "Are you... looking for him for something? Do you know him?"

Jiang Lu: "No, no, I was just asking casually. I've never been to Jinling, so I was just curious. Don't take it to heart."

Ming Mei: "???"

She really didn't believe that excuse.

But Ming Mei didn't ask any more questions because Jiang Lu had already turned and left.

At that moment, Zhuang Zhixi came out: "I'll take you to work."

Ming Mei: "Okay."

The couple left together, with Zhuang Zhixi driving Ming Mei. He asked, "What did Jiang Lu want with you? She usually doesn't talk to you much."

Ming Mei frowned prettily and said, "I'm puzzled too. She was asking about my cousin. It's strange; they don't even know each other."

Zhuang Zhixi raised an eyebrow.

He joked, "Maybe she's got her eye on your cousin."

Ming Mei: "Don't talk nonsense."

She rolled her eyes and said, "Everyone knows how deeply Jiang Lu loves Zhou Qun. You're just making things up."

Zhuang Zhixi shrugged and said, "Well, who knows? I was just joking, but think about it—it's not impossible. Ever since your grandfather mentioned that Zhou Qun likes men, I've realized that anything can happen. A lot of things are possible."

Ming Mei: "If Zhou Qun is into both men and women, that's just... too much."

She couldn't even describe it.

Zhuang Zhixi laughed and said, "Not at all surprising."

Ming Mei pouted and said, "Really? Be honest."

Zhuang Zhixi: "Well, maybe a little."

"Hahaha."

The couple laughed together. Passersby heard the flute music and looked at the young couple, thinking they made a very handsome pair. Both of them were used to people's gazes and didn't pay it much attention.

Zhuang Zhixi dropped Ming Mei off at her workplace and said, "I'll come to pick you up after work."

Ming Mei: "Okay."

She walked into the courtyard with her shoulder bag and was about to head upstairs when she heard someone call her name: "Ming Mei."

Ming Mei: "Section Chief Liu?"

"Come to my office for a moment; I have something to discuss with you."

Ming Mei: "Oh."

She quickly followed her supervisor to the office. Section Chief Liu said, "Your mother came to see me yesterday about a job transfer for you."

Ming Mei immediately sat up straight.

The old section chief laughed and waved his hand, saying, "Relax, no need to be nervous. I've considered it, and your current situation isn't suitable for your existing job. I've communicated with the office, and you and Little Cui will swap positions. We'll handle the transfer tomorrow. Starting next month, you'll take over Little Cui's role as an office statistician, and she'll replace you on the bus."

Ming Mei was puzzled: "Next month? Isn't next month starting tomorrow?"

Tomorrow was Children's Day.

Section Chief Liu laughed: "Yes, it's tomorrow, but we have to be precise; that's why we say next month."

Ming Mei smiled, her lips curling up.

She knew her transfer was happening so quickly because her mother had pulled some strings. It wasn't surprising, though; her mother knew her situation, and once she mentioned wanting to change jobs, her mother must have been anxious, fearing something might happen to her daughter.

Section Chief Liu said, "Your mother is a bit too hasty. If we waited a little longer, there might have been better positions available. The statistician role is relatively easy, but it doesn't offer much room for advancement. You can only advance by seniority, and it's hard to stand out."

Ming Mei's big eyes sparkled as she earnestly said, "My mom just worries about me. I'm pregnant, and being on the bus all day makes her uneasy."

Was the statistician job good? Yes, it was. You sat in the office and didn't have much to do. The salary remained the same, so it was a good fit for those who didn't seek advancement. But if you wanted to earn more, it wasn't ideal.

Why?

Because bus ticket sellers at their station received a three-yuan monthly allowance. Although the office statistician's salary wasn't affected, that three-yuan allowance was gone. Three yuan wasn't a small amount; it amounted to thirty-six yuan a year.

Additionally, bus ticket sellers could be promoted for acts like returning lost items, resolving disputes, or performing well during inspections. Such promotions meant a raise. But statisticians, working in the office, rarely had such opportunities and could only advance through seniority.

So, if you wanted to advance or earn more, the bus ticket seller role was better. No wonder Little Cui wanted to leave the statistician position; she couldn't find someone to swap with her until Ming Mei wanted to change jobs.

It was a perfect match, satisfying both parties.

This arrangement wasn't a loss for Ming Mei either. Besides the three-yuan allowance, other promotions and bonuses depended on chance, which one might never encounter.

Moreover, bus ticket sellers had to work regardless of weather or holidays, unlike office staff who had regular weekends and holidays off.

It all depended on what you valued; there were pros and cons either way.

Ming Mei said, "So today is my last day on the bus?"

Section Chief Liu nodded with a smile: "Yes, it is. Report to the office tomorrow and do your best."

Ming Mei nodded: "I understand."

She pretended to sigh, saying, "Once I'm there, no one will look out for me."

Old Section Chief chuckled: "What are you talking about? You're familiar with everyone here; you don't need me to look out for you. Besides, I'll retire in three months, so even if I wanted to, I couldn't."

Ming Mei was curious: "Who will take over your position when you retire?"

Old Section Chief said, "My youngest son. Oh, don't mention it; it's been a mess."

With many children, disputes were inevitable.

Although his older sons had jobs, their wives didn't, and they all wanted the position. Even his married daughters wanted it. But he couldn't give it to anyone else. It wasn't that he was biased; it was because if he didn't give it to his youngest son, he would have to go to the countryside.

His family already had one child sent to the countryside. This time, having a job meant avoiding the countryside, so he couldn't let his youngest son go. They were city kids, born in Beijing, with better conditions than others. Going to the countryside would be unbearable. His third son had gone to the countryside early and was placed near the city, close enough to come home on weekends. But that wasn't possible now. The current situation made it hard for him to use his connections effectively. His youngest son couldn't go to the countryside.

But his older children had their own ideas and wanted the job for their families.

He sighed, saying, "I'm not as capable as your parents."

Ming Mei: "What are you talking about, Section Chief?"

Old Section Chief said, "Your family knows how to raise children and pick daughters-in-law. Back then, when your mother gave the job to you instead of your sister-in-law, we old neighbors were worried your family would argue, but nothing happened. Yet, look at us; every family is fighting over jobs."

Ming Mei didn't know what to say. She thought for a moment and earnestly said, "It will all get better."

She remembered her dream about her mother-in-law; the countryside movement would end.

"I hope so."

Ming Mei left and went to the bus group to check in for her work. Early in the morning, the bus group already knew she was transferring. Usually, transferring without a reason would raise questions, but now, it made sense. After all, Ming Mei was pregnant.

Generally, people wouldn't rush to transfer just because of pregnancy, but since it was Ming Mei, everyone found it reasonable. Her mother had worked at the station for years, and many had watched Ming Mei grow up, knowing how pampered she was.

The driver joked, "I've worked with you for years, and now that you're leaving, I'll miss you, girl."

Ming Mei smiled and chatted casually: "I only talked to my mom yesterday. I thought it would take some time, but she acted so quickly. Today is my last day."

"You don't know your mom as well as we outsiders do. She's always decisive and doesn't drag things out. But it's good you're leaving; I noticed you weren't looking well yesterday."

Ming Mei: "I've been feeling a bit off. I don't dare to be careless, especially since it's my first pregnancy..."

"That's right; better safe than sorry."

Ming Mei muttered, "After I leave, drive carefully, especially in bad weather..."

In her dream, it was a rainy day when the road was slippery, and the bus almost skidded off the road while avoiding a pedestrian. Fortunately, the bus stopped in time. But due to the inertia, everyone fell forward, and she, sitting in the ticket seller's seat with no one in front, got hurt.

"Work well with Little Cui after I leave; don't argue."

The driver laughed: "You're quite the chatterbox, like an old lady."

Ming Mei: "If you say that, I'll be mad."

The driver laughed: "I'm kidding; you're a young girl."

Ming Mei nodded in satisfaction. She hadn't expected her transfer to happen so quickly, so she was determined to stand her last shift with utmost dedication, treating every passenger with utmost care and politeness. It was Sunday today, and the bus was quite crowded, but Ming Mei handled it with ease.

However, due to her politeness, the passengers were left a bit bewildered.

After all, everyone was used to ticket sellers being rude and yelling loudly.

This wasn't necessarily because anyone intentionally wanted to be bad-tempered, but rather the work environment had shaped them that way. Everyone had gotten used to speaking loudly; if they spoke too softly, those at the back couldn't hear them. Over time, they had all developed a louder voice.

Perhaps because it was her last day, Ming Mei not only had a good attitude but also seemed quite spirited.

Initially, this wasn't noticeable, but now that she was about to leave, Ming Mei felt quite sentimental about her position. After all, she had been working with the driver for three years, and she was very familiar with this route.

Ming Mei thought, if it weren't for that nightmare, she would have definitely requested to stay in her position.

Even if she were pregnant.

But now that she was really being transferred, she felt a bit lost but also somewhat relieved.

The only thing that pained her was the three yuan she would lose, oh dear.

She patted her belly and said, "Baby, look, you haven't even been born yet, and your mom is already earning less for you. When you're born, you better be good, or else I'll spank your bottoms every time I think about the three yuan I'm losing each month."

She muttered softly to herself, but with such a short pregnancy, there was no reaction at all.

Ming Mei: "..."

She poked her belly again, took a deep breath, and continued with her work.

Last day, standing her last shift.

******

In a small house on the outskirts of the city, a skinny young man ran quickly, his movements swift. He stumbled several times but forced himself to get up each time. He burst through the door, shouting, "Boss!"

"What's the matter? Why are you so hasty?"

The skinny young man, like a Skinny Monkey, was gasping for breath, completely exhausted. He slumped to the ground and said, "I-I-I heard something big."

"Big news? What could be so big? Tell me."

"This morning, I went to the hospital to visit my aunt. On the bus, I overheard the driver and the tigress talking. The tigress is being transferred!"

"What!" The so-called Boss jumped up, his eyes lighting up with excitement. He grabbed the messenger, trembling, and asked, "The tigress, the tigress is being transferred? Are you sure you didn't hear wrong?"

"No! Really!"

The Boss quickly rushed to the altar in the house, started burning incense, and cried, "Ancestors, bless us! Great, great, great! She's finally being transferred... The world has suffered under the tigress for too long!"

If all ticket sellers were like the tigress, they would starve to death. Life has been too hard, but they dared not offend this little lady. The tigress herself was fierce enough, but she also had an even fiercer father.

They once wanted to teach the tigress a lesson, really just a simple lesson, nothing bad, just wanted to scare her a bit. But in the end, they almost got beaten into a pulp by the tigress's father.

This man was as strong as a bear, capable of taking on ten men at once. What's more, he carried a knife with him at all times, completely disregarding any sense of fair play.

It was said that he was a long-haul truck driver.

Such people, they dared not provoke.

In these times, anyone who dared to drive long-haul trucks likely had a gun in their vehicle. They were too dangerous to mess with.

Fortunately, fortunately, the tigress is being transferred.

"Quick, go and find out for me, ask carefully, see if it's true that she's being transferred. If it's true... hehe, hehehe! Our good days are coming."

He shouted, "Today at noon, we're having meat, let's celebrate with meat!"