"Hey? Why are you running?"
Zhang Qing didn't get a reply from Qiao zhiqing, but saw her turn and run away. He frowned immediately, then suddenly realized something and his face turned pale with shock.
"Could it be that Team Leader Qiao is really going to make things difficult for Brother Qin? No way! I have to go check it out!"
He immediately chased after her.
But Qiao zhiqing ran very fast and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Zhang Qingyuan thought she would definitely arrive at Team Leader Qiao's house earlier than him, but he had been squatting at the gate of the courtyard for a while, secretly watching Brother Qin carrying water to water the vegetable garden, when Qiao zhiqing finally arrived late, carrying a large bundle.
"Sister-in-law, why are you only arriving now?" Zhang Qing immediately went to greet her.
Qiao zhiqing looked at him with a puzzled expression, "What are you doing here?"
Zhang Qingjiu: "Good heavens, so you really didn't hear a single one of my shouts behind you all this time!"
Qiao zhiqing really didn't hear it.
She originally came straight to her parents' house, but halfway there she suddenly remembered the things she bought in town that morning, so she turned back home to pack a bag, which is why she was late.
Through the courtyard wall, Qiao zhiqing immediately spotted Qin Huai watering the vegetable garden and Lin Chunying squatting at the kitchen door picking vegetables. As for her father...
Qiao zhiqing searched the yard but didn't see anyone, guessing they were inside the house.
Without wasting any more words with Zhang Qing, Qiao zhiqing immediately slung her bag over her shoulder and went into the courtyard.
Zhang Qing, having confirmed that his brother Qin was alright, turned around and went home for lunch.
In the courtyard, Lin Chunying had been glancing at the gate from time to time.
When she saw Qiao Zhiqing finally return, she immediately threw down the vegetables she was holding and quickly walked towards her.
"Where have you been all morning, kid? Why are you only coming back now? I've looked for you at Qin Huai's house several times, and I've even gone to Qin Baojun's house twice, but I couldn't find you anywhere."
Qiao zhiqing knew that the whole village knew about her and Qin Huai getting their marriage certificate, and Lin Chunying must be looking for her because of this, so she immediately asked, "Where is my father?"
Lin Chunying glanced at the room with a worried expression, "He is smoking inside."
"I'll go take a look."
As Qiao zhiqing spoke, she lifted her foot to walk into the yard, but Lin Chunying grabbed her hand and whispered in her ear, "Talk to your father nicely, say a few soft words, don't be stubborn you know? You know your father is the type who responds to gentleness but not force,so don't argue with him.
Her gaze swept over the man working nearby, and she added, "Since you and Qin Huai have already registered your marriage, even if he's unhappy, he can't make you two get a divorce."
Qiao zhiqing followed her gaze and caught Qin Huai, who was secretly looking in their direction, staring right in the face.
Seeing that the man was working half-heartedly, a smile quickly flashed across her eyes.
"I understand, Mother, don't worry!" After reassuring Lin Chunying, Qiao zhiqing turned and quickly went to Qin Huai's side.
Seeing that the yard was almost watered, she couldn't help but ask with concern, "Are you tired? If you are, take a break. There's no rush to do work for your father-in-law's family. There will be plenty of opportunities to show your skills later."
This profound statement instantly made the man's ears turn red.
Qin Huai originally wanted to ask her what she had been doing all morning, but when she showed concern, he was so confused that he forgot everything.
"I'm not tired," he said.
Qiao zhiqing realized that this man was genuinely shy. Seeing the sweat on his forehead, she immediately wanted to wipe it for him.
But as soon as she raised her hand, the man quickly dodged it.
Qin Huai glanced at her quickly, then at Lin Chunying, and whispered, "Mother is still here."
Qiao zhiqing raised an eyebrow and saw that his ears were even redder.
Her eyes flashed, and she suddenly leaned closer, whispering, "You mean, it'll be fine if Mother isn't here?"
"you...."
This woman is shameless; she dares to flirt with me in front of her own mother.
Qin Huai couldn't help but frown.
But looking at her sly little face, I couldn't get angry at all.
Finally, all I could do was say helplessly, "Go in and check on Group Leader Qiao... Dad first."
Seeing that Qin Huai had changed his mind so quickly, and that the situation seemed to be alright, Qiao zhiqing smiled and said, "Okay, then you can rest if you're tired. I'll go in and talk to Dad first."
She turned and went into the house, then went straight into the west room.
I spotted the man sitting on the kang (heated brick bed) smoking a pipe at a glance.
Qiao Weiguo is 45 years old this year. Because he works in the fields all year round, his skin is tanned dark, and he has the typical image of a farmer. His stubble and unshaven face tell the story of this man's lack of concern for details, and the wrinkles on his face are a testament to his responsibility as a man.
The rolled-up trouser legs and the cloth shoes worn on the heels proved that the man hadn't washed his feet.
As soon as Qiao zhiqing entered the room,she smelled a faint sour odor, and when she saw the mud on Qiao Weiguo's calves, it confirmed her guess.
Qiao zhiqing's eyes darted around, and she immediately put the bundle on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed), calling out, "Father..."
Qiao Weiguo immediately cursed, "Don't call me dad! I don't have a daughter like you!"
The moment the words left their mouths, both of them froze.
Qiao zhiqing quickly lowered her head, tried to hold back, but still couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Qiao Weiguo became even angrier and immediately changed his tune: "I don't have a daughter like you! Get out!"
He had already heard the commotion in the courtyard, and with his good hearing, he overheard Lin Chunying and Qiao Zhiqing's conversation.
He was furious when he saw that the mother and daughter were clearly conspiring to deceive him!
"Do you think you're all grown up nov and I can't control you anymore? Such a big thing as getting married, and I, as your father, only heard about it from someone else! How am I supposed to put my face here?"
"Didn't you like that Hou Chen? Didn't you break off all ties with me and even take your bedding with you? Then why are you back? Get out of here!"
He cursed and puffed on his pipe, but didn't even make a move to shoo people away.
Qiao zhiqing thought to herself, knowing that Qiao Weiguo was just a paper tiger, and couldn't help but mutter under her breath, "If you don't want me to come back, why did you call your son-in-law back? Calling him here is just forcing me to come back, isn't it?"
Upon hearing this, Qiao Weiguo became even angrier. "What? You mean if I don't call him back, you really don't plan to come back?"
Oh my, he only said two sentences and he already revealed his desire to bring her back. This old man is too easy to coax!
Qiao zhiqing immediately grinned and grabbed Qiao Weiguo's arm, taking the opportunity to act coquettishly.
"Dad, I know I was wrong, okay? But had a really bad argument before, and I was afraid you were still angry and I'd kick me out again when I came back."
"Get away! Don't touch me!" Qiao Weiguo pretended to pull his arm away.
But Qiao zhiqing clung to him tightly, continuing to plead, "Dad, look, I've already apologized to you, so please don't be angry with me anymore, okay?"
"Do you think I want to get angry with you? If I got angry with you, I'd probably die of anger!" Qiao Weiguo glared at her fiercely.
Qiao zhiqing was overjoyed and immediately said happily, "So that means you're not angry with your daughter anymore! Thank you, Father. I'll go out and help Mother with the chores now!"
With that, she turned and tried to slip away.
"stop!"
Did she think that was the end of it? Not so easy.
He immediately put on a stern face and said, "If we don't make things clear today neither of you are leaving!"