Chapter 223: The Future Stretched Infinitely
Qin Hengzhi stopped the car because Section Chief Jia had already gotten off the bicycle.
He pointed in the direction of the Research Institute Family Courtyard and said, “Qiao Ge was just at the Security Department; now she’s gone to the Research Institute’s Family Courtyard.”
Qin Hengzhi glanced at Zhang Zhuliang and said, “If support is needed, call the Military Representative Office duty room.”
Section Chief Jia nodded: “Yeah, let me check the situation; might really need your Military Representative Office’s help.”
Then he waved at Qin Hengzhi, got on the bicycle, and left.
Meanwhile, Lu Qiaoge had arrived at Fourth Uncle’s House.
She happened to see Fourth Aunt Lu sitting in the wheelchair and her cousin Lu Qiaoqing standing beside her; she was Fourth Uncle’s eldest daughter.
Lu Qiaoqing was the same age as Qiao Ling, had taken over Fourth Aunt Lu’s position, and worked at the Workers’ Cultural Palace.
When she saw Lu Qiaoge, her eyes lit up; she glanced inside the house and said softly, “Second Sister, you’ve come.”
Before Fourth Aunt Lu could speak, an old man walked out from the courtyard; his hair was combed neatly, and upon seeing Lu Qiaoge, he said, “Oh, Qiao Ge’s here; how has your grandmother been lately?”
This old man was Fourth Aunt Lu’s mother.
Lu Qiaoge smiled brightly and said, “My grandmother is doing well; she even asked me to pass on her regards to you all.”
Old Mrs. Lu did not prefer sons over daughters, but when her fourth son wanted to live with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Old Mrs. Lu had hardly ever visited her fourth son’s home.
It wasn’t anger or disdain for the daughter-in-law; it was just that Fourth Aunt Lu’s mother was somewhat eccentric, muttering to herself all day. At first it was fine, but after they married and had Lu Qiaoqing, when the old woman wanted to come take care of them, she said, “Little Cheng’s mom, you can’t come to my house; your zodiac clashes with my maternal granddaughter Qingqing; there’s conflict.”
Even now, let alone over a dozen years ago, those were not good words.
Old Mrs. Lu really said nothing, turned around, and left.
When Lu Cheng came back from work and found out, he ran to Big Brother’s house and knelt before his mother, crying bitterly.
Old Mrs. Lu was reasonable; she immediately told Lu Da, “Your wife is great; you can’t quarrel with her over this. Fourth Son, even if your old mother has your big brother and his whole family, even without your big brother, your old mother wouldn’t trouble you.”
Lu Cheng and Fourth Aunt Lu had a good relationship; Fourth Aunt Lu was also a good person and knew she was in the wrong, so she compensated with money and supplies.
But that only lasted a few months, then it stopped.
Then everyone was in difficulty; truly, no one could look after anyone else.
Fourth Uncle’s family had three children: two daughters and one son.
Every family has its own problems.
Lu Qiaoge took down the iron bucket, pushed Fourth Aunt Lu while carrying the iron bucket into the courtyard.
Because of Fourth Aunt Lu’s illness, after coming back, Director He specially arranged for her house to be on the first floor with a courtyard.
She had heard from her grandmother that Fourth Aunt Lu’s parents did not get along with their son, so they had to live at their daughter’s house.
But it had to be admitted that over these years, they had raised three children and were now taking care of Fourth Aunt Lu; for that alone, Old Mrs. Lu said nothing.
Lu Qiaoge said, “These are the fish and shrimp I caught this afternoon. My mom said to give you half; whether you fry them or make fish sauce, these two crucian carp can be simmered into soup, which is good for Fourth Aunt’s health.”
Lu Qiaoge did not come here often; after putting down the things, she prepared to leave.
Fourth Aunt Lu did not insist on keeping her and had Lu Qiaoqing empty the bucket to wash it clean.
After Lu Qiaoqing poured out the fish and shrimp, she scrubbed the bucket spotless.
Fourth Aunt Lu Lu pointed to the bag on the table in the corner; Lu Qiaoqing fetched it, put it in the bucket, and handed it to Lu Qiaoge.
No one knew what it was, but it felt heavy.
Fourth Aunt Lu said, “If you hadn’t come, we’d wait for your Fourth Uncle to bring it to your grandmother tonight when he gets back; since you’ve come, it’s perfect.”
“Qiao Ge, I also have to thank you for helping me get that custom wheelchair; it’s really so convenient, thank you.”
“We’re all family; no need to be polite.”
“Qiao Ge, sigh, I don’t know how to tell you.”
Lu Qiaoge placed her hand on Fourth Aunt Lu’s shoulder and said softly, “Fourth Aunt, it’s already amazing that you’ve held on, and Grandma Jiang and Grandpa Jiang deserve great credit; my grandmother knows this well; no one blames you…”
Then she beckoned and called Lu Qiaoqing: “Qingqing, come here; I have something to tell you.”
Lu Qiaoqing glanced at her maternal grandmother but still followed her outside.
Lu Qiaoge said, “The night school at Xiangyang Neighborhood Committee is reopening; I’ve signed you up.”
Lu Qiaoqing was stunned for a moment: “But I still have to go to work?”
“You didn’t even finish first year of junior high; don’t you want a junior high graduation certificate or even a high school graduation certificate?”
Lu Qiaoqing hesitated: “I… my maternal grandmother said she’s planning to use connections to recommend me to vocational school.”
Lu Qiaoge frowned slightly; recommended schools, while not all bad, were definitely not as good in the long run as ones you got into by exam.
Lu Qiaoge said straightforwardly, “Night school doesn’t conflict with going to work; it’s settled, you can go back now.”
Lu Qiaoqing: “…”
She didn’t argue and obediently nodded.
Lu Qiaoge didn’t go to see Director He because she was very busy now; even Sun Qin had gone to the base to take care of her and the other older researchers.
As Lu Qiaoge pushed her bicycle out of the hutong entrance, she saw Qin Hengzhi’s car driving toward her.
Xiao Si waved happily: “Second Sister, I’ve come too.”
Then he whispered, “Can I not go to Fourth Aunt’s house? I’m afraid of Grandma Jiang.”
Then don’t go; that old woman had too strong a territorial awareness.
Lu Qiaoge didn’t like her either.
Qin Hengzhi put the bicycle in the car’s trunk.
Xiao Si asked worriedly, “Will the bicycle scratch the trunk?”
Qin Hengzhi ruffled the little guy’s head and said gravely, “It’s fine; it won’t scratch.”
Lu Xiaosi immediately asked worriedly again, “Will the trunk scratch Second Sister’s bicycle? How about you drive and I’ll ride it; I know how to ride a bicycle now.”
Lu Qiaoge: “Don’t worry; neither will scratch the other.”
Xiao Si hummed in agreement and didn’t insist; he touched the bicycle and glanced at it again before getting in the car.
Qin Hengzhi smiled and said, “When you get into junior high, I’ll give you a new bicycle.”
Xiao Si’s eyes widened in surprise, then he immediately looked at Second Sister.
Seeing Second Sister smiling too, he said loudly, “Thanks, Brother Qin!”
Qin Hengzhi was still smiling.
Yeah, a few years later, he liked this kind of promise.
It felt like the future was infinitely stretched out.
When they arrived at the Lu Family, Qin Hengzhi was stunned; the swallow, pigeon, and sparrow were actually perched on a tree fork.
No matter how you looked at it, it was eerie.
The calico cat was also home and pounced toward Lu Qiaoge first, only to be grabbed by Lu Qiaoge and stuffed into Xiao Si’s arms.
Then Lu Qiaoge learned one thing.
The one that bit Yaya was the Sun Family’s Big Black Dog.
There were many witnesses.
Flying in the sky, running on the ground, crawling on vegetable leaves, but not a single human.
Did really no one see it?
Lu Qiaoge didn’t believe it, but this would have to wait until tomorrow to investigate further.
But this incident reminded Lu Qiaoge of something; she needed to hold a meeting with these little animals.
Not to mention others, Qin Hengzhi seemed to have guessed nine or ten parts of it.
Even though he said nothing about it, if there really was a clash that day, Qin Hengzhi would be in a tough spot.
Lu Qiaoge had exhorted them before, but now she needed to solemnly exhort them again.
Thanks to the Treasures for their strong support; on the first day of the month, continuing to ask for monthly passes, and will continue to add updates, thanks thanks~
