The mother of the era is reborn to support her cannon fodder children!

Chapter 402 "I'll Let It Go"

the other side.

Qiao Hui had been in the army for many years, and her way of dealing with people was influenced by Lin Zhao. The gloomy and timid look she once had had had completely disappeared.

Standing on her hometown soil, her face was full of emotion. Thinking back to the past, it felt like a dream.

With a relieved smile, Qiao Hui walked home.

"...You...you are, the daughter of the Qiao family?" The villagers were a little hesitant to recognize Qiao Hui.

Qiao Hui stopped and looked in the direction of the voice, the identity of the person who called her name popping into her mind.

"Sister-in-law Hongmei?"

"It's me," Hongmei, who was splashing water on her private plot, replied with a bright and warm smile. "It really is you! I haven't seen you for so many years. You've changed so much."

Hearing the noise, her mother-in-law also came out.

"Qiao Hui is back..." The elderly woman, who looked even older after not seeing her for several years, said, "She looks plumper and much more energetic. Life in the army was so much better."

Qiao Hui smiled and said, "Auntie is getting more and more energetic."

They didn't mention a word about the military.

"Auntie is busy, I'll head back now, we can chat another day."

She nodded to her mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, then walked straight home.

"The army really nurtures people. When Qiao Hui left, she didn't even dare to lift her head. After staying there for a few years, she seems much more generous." The old woman's expression was complicated.

Her daughter-in-law, Hongmei, splashed dirty water onto the vegetable garden and said, "Qiao suffered so much when she married that man before. Now that her suffering is finally over, I'm happy for her."

After glancing at Qiao Hui's departing figure, Hongmei turned and went back into the house.

Her mother-in-law muttered, "The way you're saying that makes it sound like I can't stand to see others doing well."

The old woman had watched Qiao Hui grow up and hoped she would be well. Unlike some people in the village who were jealous and resentful of others' success, she didn't act like they had lost something.

When Qiao Hui returned home, her mother was shelling corn kernels in the yard, with her two nephews helping her.

"I wonder when your aunt will get home." Mrs. Qiao's brows furrowed slightly, her face showing worry.

Her daughter hadn't returned for years, and she was starting to think Huihui resented her.

She was blind to have found such a husband for her, which caused her a lot of suffering.

"Grandma, don't worry. My dad said he'll go to the station to pick up my aunt tomorrow after he finishes working in the fields."

The boy's mother heard this as she came out of the kitchen and immediately became somewhat displeased.

Why bother answering? It's not like I don't know the way.

Why bother with that? There's plenty of other things to do at home.

Thinking of the packages her sister-in-law had sent to her mother-in-law over the years, she didn't say anything unpleasant.

The package was supposed to be for her mother-in-law, but her children ate quite a bit of it too.

She may be uneducated, but she's not immoral; she wouldn't do something as unethical as cursing someone after putting down their bowl.

Just as I was about to say something, I looked up and saw the people at the gate.

"Sister-in-law? You're back?!"

Upon hearing this, the children who were shelling corn ran towards the door like the wind.

"Auntie! Auntie!!"

Several excited voices rang out.

Qiao Hui smiled, patted each of her nephews and nieces on the head, and led her youngest nephew into the yard.

Qiao's mother suddenly stood up, walked towards Qiao Hui, and kept looking at her with tears welling up in her eyes.

"Mother, I'm back." Qiao Hui saw that her mother's hair at the temples had turned white, and her heart ached, almost bringing her to tears.

Before the last syllable had faded, Qiao's mother pulled her into her arms.

The reassuring smell of sweat wafted into my nostrils.

“You child, you’ve been gone for so many years and haven’t come back…” Qiao’s mother pounded her daughter’s back, tears streaming down her face. “You heartless brat.”

The old woman's fist that landed on her back was very light, but it felt like it hit Qiao Hui's heart.

“It’s far away, so it’s not easy for me to come back,” Qiao Hui said in a muffled voice. “Mom, Zhao Zhao said that in a few years, when transportation is more convenient, I can come back more often!”

Qiao's mother let go of her daughter, but kept looking at her, unable to look away.

"How long will you stay this time?"

Qiao Hui said, "I can stay for about half a month."

"Just a few days," Mrs. Qiao said reluctantly.

"There's no other way, Yu Bao and the others still have to go to class." Qiao Hui helped her mother sit down, nodded to her sister-in-law briefly, and then continued, "The children's schoolwork can't be delayed."

Qiao's mother was different from other rural women. She had a good relationship with Song Xiwei and was deeply influenced by her. She knew that reading more books was never a bad thing.

"That can't be delayed. It's just that you've finally come back, and your mother can't bear to part with you."

Qiao Hui felt a warmth in her heart and smiled, "Qianbao and Yaobao are going to school now, so there's no need for anyone to leave the house. I'll come back often from now on."

She has saved all the salary Zhao Zhao gave her over the years, which is a considerable sum of money for her, enough to buy tickets.

“The round-trip train tickets cost a lot of money. Earning money is not easy. You should write back more often. As long as your mother knows you are doing well, that's enough.” Qiao’s mother felt sorry for her daughter, who did not earn money easily.

Lin Zhao isn't a difficult person to get along with, Qiao Hui thought, and she's not that hard-working either.

"I know what I'm doing."

Sister-in-law Qiao asked curiously about the Gu family, but Qiao Hui brushed her off with casual remarks, saying that matters concerning the military needed to be kept secret.

Upon hearing this, Sister-in-law Qiao dared not ask any more questions.

"Are you hungry, sister-in-law? I'll make you a bowl of noodles to tide you over."

Without waiting for Qiao Hui's reply, she turned and went into the kitchen.

"Thank you for your trouble, sister-in-law," Qiao Hui said politely.

When she first returned home after her divorce, her sister-in-law said some unpleasant things. She could understand, but she still had a knot in her heart.

Once married, her husband's family is no longer her home, and her own family is no longer her home either.

The same applies to divorce.

“Aunt, you don’t need to be embarrassed,” Qiao Hui’s eldest nephew said. “My mother has eaten a lot of the things you sent back, so it’s only right that she gives them to her. There’s no trouble at all.”

“Auntie, I’m all grown up now. I can earn enough work points to support you. This is your home, so don’t feel like you’re living under someone else’s roof,” he added.

After his aunt left, he learned that his mother had said things that showed her disdain for his aunt. He was furious and resented his mother.

Look how much his mother has toned down. If she doesn't admit her mistake, he won't call her "mother" anymore.

Qiao Huixin felt as warm as if she had a hot water bottle in her arms on a cold winter day. "You're still growing, don't work so hard. I can support myself."

The boy said, "I just want Auntie to know that this will always be your home, and there will always be a room for you. I've grown up and I can protect you now!"

He was raised by his aunt and will always remember her kindness.

Qiao Hui's eyes reddened, and her nose stung so much that she couldn't speak.

"The mountains have grown up."

Da Shan looked at the smile on his aunt's face and scratched his head awkwardly.

He's almost ready to get married, so of course he's grown up.

Qiao's mother said, "Dashan is a man of conscience. Do you see that new house?"

"I saw it."

"Dashan saved up money to build this for you." Knowing her daughter was uneasy, Qiao's mother tried her best to reassure Qiao Hui. "Dashan said that room is yours and no one else can live in it."

She led her daughter into the new house.

"The bed and cabinet in here were made by your brother, and I added some things too. No one has lived in this room; it's reserved for you. You'll always have a place to stay whenever you come back."

Qiao Hui looked at the new house, her eyes stinging with tears.

The house was just an ordinary mud-brick house, with newspapers pasted on the walls, a flat floor, and large windows that were surprisingly fitted with glass.

"The glass was delivered by your Aunt Song," said Mrs. Qiao.

Da Shan said from behind, "Little Aunt, do you like it? If there's anything you don't like, tell me, and I'll change it after you leave."

Qiao Hui turned around and hugged her eldest nephew, "I like it, no need to change it, I like it everywhere. Dashan is so thoughtful."

The big young man blushed and said, "I was raised by my aunt, and I remember it all. If I didn't remember your kindness, what would be the difference between me and an ingrate? Aunt, you rest. I'll go check if my mother has finished cooking."

Watching his departing figure, Qiao Hui smiled. Looking around the room, she felt a sense of relief she had never felt before.

"Mom, why do I feel like there's something strange about the mountains?"

After a moment of silence, Qiao's mother pulled her daughter down to sit and explained the reason to her.

“Dashan found out that when you first went back to your parents’ home, your sister-in-law said some hurtful things, which made him very angry. After you left home, you focused on making money.”

"That kid somehow found out that the pharmacies in the county buy venomous snakes and charge a pretty high price, so he secretly went to catch snakes without telling us, and almost got himself killed..."

Qiao Hui's face turned deathly pale.

I was terrified.

"Catching poisonous snakes? How dare he!"

Mrs. Qiao sighed, "He said he wanted to build you a house. He said his mother was a wicked woman who bullied her younger sister. He wanted to build you a house that belonged to you so that you could stay far away from your sister-in-law."

The atmosphere was tense when this happened.

The son almost beat up his eldest grandson. Da Shan, driven to desperation, shouted out what he had been holding back.

The daughter-in-law only then realized that Dashan resented her and almost harmed her son... If she hadn't realized her mistake, Dashan probably still wouldn't have been able to resolve the knot in his heart.

“Dashan…” Qiao Hui’s emotions were complicated and hard to express, “I didn’t know anything about him.”

Mrs. Qiao stroked her daughter's hair and said, "Your sister-in-law sometimes says hurtful things, but she doesn't mean any harm. Don't take it to heart, okay?"

The bedding in this room was all given by the daughter-in-law as an apology.

She could understand her daughter-in-law's concern that having a divorced aunt would affect her daughter's chances of finding a husband.

It's normal for people to say a few unpleasant things when they're annoyed.

Qiao Hui smiled, her eyes full of relief. "I won't hold it against you. I had my problems too."

Her divorce and abandonment did indeed affect her nephews and nieces' marriage prospects.

That's just how it is in the countryside.

After Qiao Hui finished eating her noodles, her older brother Qiao returned.

When the honest and kind-hearted older brother saw his younger sister return, he smiled and revealed a set of bright white teeth.

"I'm going to kill a chicken."

He put down his farm tools and rushed to the backyard.

Qiao Hui stepped forward and grabbed his arm.

"Brother, there's no need to kill the chicken. Keep it to lay eggs. I brought back some meat."

Brother Qiao's tired face was full of smiles. "You're back, so why did you bring meat with you? Keep your money and tickets for yourself, don't spend them recklessly."

Xiaoshan sipped the candy in her mouth and exclaimed, "Auntie brought candy too! It's so delicious, it smells so good!"

"Your aunt is good to you, so you should be filial to your aunt when you grow up." Brother Qiao habitually brainwashed his son.

"..." Sister-in-law Qiao couldn't help but purse her lips.

That's why the son she risked her life to give birth to valued his aunt more than his own mother.

She was furious.

Even so, Sister-in-law Qiao dared not say anything more. The commotion her husband and son had caused earlier had terrified her!

My sister-in-law is a good person; she treats her husband and children well, so there's nothing to complain about.

It's also because Qiao Hui left home early that she learned the value of distance; if she had stayed at home, things might have been very different.

……

Lin Zhao's family stayed in the village for more than half a month, and it was time for them to return to the military region.

Gu Chenghuai rode his bicycle to the county and booked a train ticket.

He had a military officer's ID, so booking the ticket went smoothly. He still bought a sleeper ticket, which was expensive, but it made him feel very safe.

Upon learning the departure time, Lin Zhao did some mental calculations and gave the order for the children to pack their things.

"Only bring the essentials, don't stuff everything in there. Let's travel light, your dad and I won't help you with your luggage."

Yao Bao looked up at Gu Chenghuai with pleading eyes, her voice soft, "Daddy."

She clearly wanted her dad to help her with her luggage.

Gu Chenghuai glanced at his wife, then gave his daughter a helpless look, "I'll listen to your mother."

Yao Bao's big eyes showed confusion.

I don't understand why Daddy changed so quickly. Just yesterday he said that no matter what Yaobao asks for, as long as Daddy can do it, he will fulfill it for her.

It's only been one night.

Gu Chenghuai said, "Your mother cares about me, and I can't hurt her feelings, so... you two should handle your own affairs."

Not daring to look into his daughter's clear, loving eyes, he took Lin Zhao back into the house.

Hengbao squatted down, leaned close to his sister's ear, and whispered, "It's okay, Second Brother doesn't need to bring much stuff. You can put your things in my luggage."

"Thank you, Second Brother. You're so kind," Yao Bao said sweetly.

Hengbao put his index finger to his lips. "Keep your voice down. Keep it a secret, or Mom will scold me again."

Yao Bao covered her mouth and whispered, "I won't tell anyone, I won't tell anyone."

"good."

Before we knew it, the day of departure arrived.

After saying goodbye to the people at the old house, the family of six boarded an oxcart. Instead of heading to the train station, they went to the Wei family's house to pick up Wei Yan.

When the oxcart arrived at the Wei family's door, the two stones called out to the people one after the other. Wei Yan jumped onto the cart, sat next to Yu Bao, and pointed to the empty seat.

"Brother, put my luggage here," he instructed.

Wei Chuan, also known as Da Shitou, glanced at his younger brother indifferently, thinking, "He really knows how to boss him around."

He lowered his eyes and put down his bulging luggage.

Wei Chuan is quite a young man, half a head taller than Lin Zhao.

“The big rock is almost as tall as my brother-in-law.” Lin Zhao looked at Gu Chan.

Gu Chan patted her eldest son's shoulder, her eyes full of satisfaction, "Yes, Da Shitou eats a lot and grows fast. Judging from this, he'll be as tall as Cheng Huai in the future."

Her third brother was taller than her husband.

"Like uncle, like nephew. Eat well, I will," Lin Zhao said with a smile.

Wei Chuan grew up like Gu Chan, with beautiful eyebrows and eyes as black as ink. He stood there with a bronze complexion and a thin layer of muscle on his body, looking very different from when he was a child.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Gu Chenghuai glanced at his watch and reminded him, "It's time to go."

Lin Zhao didn't delay any longer. With the man's help, she got back into the oxcart and waved to her sister-in-law's family.

"Big sister, brother-in-law, Big Stone, we'll talk next time. Don't worry about Little Stone, we'll send him back to the training base."

Gu Chenghuai also got on the oxcart.

"Let's go."

With a crack of the whip, the oxcart moved forward.

Gu Chan took a few steps forward, and Lin Zhao said, "No need to see me off, eldest sister, you can go back now."

"Send me a telegram when you arrive," Gu Chan called out. "Write anything if you need anything."

"Know it."

This scene was witnessed by the villagers.

"Little Stone has left again?"

Gu Chan suppressed the overwhelming reluctance in her heart and forced a smile. "Yes, there's nothing we can do. He's a government employee now, receiving subsidies, and has to follow orders. It's good enough if he can stay home for a few days!"

The person who spoke couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

Little Stone is so small, yet he already receives government subsidies and earns more than adults.

Before, the villagers were spreading rumors that Little Stone had been sold by his parents... Who would have thought that the Wei couple would find him such a good future?

They wouldn't even dare to dream of getting a secure job by playing that ball sport.

If only she had known... if only she had known that Little Stone was practicing at the door and she had let her grandson learn from him, maybe she would be receiving subsidies now too.

(End of this chapter)