Chapter 19 p3
Dayangcun was larger than Houxicun, with more and more fertile land. And most of the fields were flat, unlike in Houxicun, where most were terraced and scattered. So Dayangcun was much richer than Houxicun. You could tell from the villagers’ clothes; there were almost no patches.
The two of them walked slowly. From time to time, they would run into a villager. He Qiming would greet them and introduce Ye Qingzhi to them.
“That was the village accountant just now. He lives opposite my parents. He has very good calligraphy. During the New Year, many people ask him to write couplets,” He Qiming said, pointing to the house on the left. “My grandfather had four brothers, and they all used to live here. Unfortunately, only Second Great-Uncle is left now. Come on, I’ll take you to meet him.”
“Second Great-Uncle, Great-Aunt.” He Qiming led Ye Qingzhi in.
“Qiming is back? I heard from your aunt that you’re getting married. Is this your wife?” Great-Aunt looked Ye Qingzhi up and down and said with a kind smile, “She’s so beautiful. Qiming, you’re a good match. Sit down quickly. I’ll make you some chicken and egg tea.”
“No need, no need. Please don’t trouble yourself, Great-Aunt. Dinner is already ready at home. We’ll be eating soon,” Ye Qingzhi quickly stopped her.
“Yes, I just brought Qingzhi over to get acquainted,” He Qiming nodded.
“Yes. Hello, Great-Uncle. Here’s some wedding candy. We’ll go for a walk somewhere else and come see you again next time,” Ye Qingzhi said, taking a handful of wedding candy and putting it on the table, then leaving with He Qiming.
After walking for a while, they heard He Dagu calling them back for dinner.
“Qiming, Qiming, Qingzhi, come back for dinner~”
“Hey, coming!” Ye Qingzhi called back.
He Qiming chuckled lightly. “My aunt likes you very much.”
That might not be true. He Dagu liked the original host. If she revealed her true nature, He Dagu definitely wouldn’t like her.
Back at the old house, He Xiaoxue’s and He Xiaoyu’s husbands had also returned. One was honest and simple, the other was shrewd. The honest one was He Xiaoxue’s husband, and the shrewd one was He Xiaoyu’s husband. They both seemed to be a good match.
“Today is Qiming and Qingzhi’s big day. Due to Qiming’s work, we can’t have a banquet, so we’re just having a meal at home for our family to get together and celebrate,” He Dali said, his gaze turning to Ye Qingzhi. He said lovingly, “Qingzhi, from now on, we’re one family. We should discuss everything and help each other.”
“I know. I will,” Ye Qingzhi said with a smile, nodding.
Seeing Ye Qingzhi so well-behaved, He Dali nodded in satisfaction and took a red envelope from his pocket to give to her. “A small token. I hope you and Qiming will live in harmony and have a prosperous life together.”
“Thank you, Dad. I will definitely live a good life with Qiming,” Ye Qingzhi said, changing her form of address.
Yang Fuzhen also took out a red envelope and gave it to Ye Qingzhi. “This is my token. Qingzhi, I liked you from the first moment I saw you. Qiming is not at home most of the time. If you have any difficulties, just come to me. We’re all one family. Don’t be afraid to trouble us.”
“I know, Ma. Thank you, Ma,” Ye Qingzhi said, also changing her form of address readily.
Next, they gave red envelopes to the two children. The two children obediently called them “Grandpa” and “Grandma.”
According to He Dali’s wishes, the four children should also change their form of address to “Dad” and “Ma” today. He Qiming didn’t agree. This could be done slowly. Anyway, they had plenty of time.
After a full meal, when they came out of the He family’s old house, Ye Qingzhi felt her face was stiff from smiling.
The two of them took the children to He Qiming’s house. After entering the yard, Ye Qingzhi asked in a low voice, “You haven’t told your parents about joining you at the base?”
“I’ll tell them tomorrow,” He Qiming said, putting his arm around Ye Qingzhi’s waist. “Wife, I’m a little dizzy.”
Ye Qingzhi’s body stiffened. Then she remembered that He Qiming had drunk several glasses of white wine, at least a catty. No wonder he was dizzy.
She helped He Qiming into the house. The bed was already made. She didn’t know who had done it, but it was even a red quilt.
“You lie down for a while. Your fourth brother-in-law, he kept toasting you. Don’t drink so much next time. Drinking is bad for your health.” As Ye Qingzhi was helping him lie down, he pulled her, and she stumbled and fell on top of him.
“Ah!” Ye Qingzhi exclaimed, trying to push herself up from He Qiming’s chest. But he pulled her by the waist, and in a flash, she was pinned under him.
“Qiming? He Qiming, get up quickly.” Ye Qingzhi pushed He Qiming, but he didn’t move.
Looking at the seemingly drunk and asleep He Qiming, Ye Qingzhi suspected he was faking it.
“He Qiming, get up quickly. You’re crushing me. I can’t breathe,” Ye Qingzhi said, taking a breath. Suddenly, she felt something press against her thigh. Her face flushed, and she slapped his arm in embarrassment and anger. “Get up quickly. It’s broad daylight. It’ll be so embarrassing if the children come in and see.”
“Does that mean it’s okay at night?” He Qiming whispered in Ye Qingzhi’s ear.
Ye Qingzhi rolled her eyes. She knew he was faking it.
Speaking of which, since she had decided to remarry, she was naturally mentally prepared.
Besides, who said only men were lustful? Women were just as lustful, if not more so.
To be honest, if He Qiming had been short and ugly, even if he were a military officer, Ye Qingzhi would have definitely remained chaste and would have obediently gone to dig her Gastrodia.
Ye Qingzhi shot him a sideways glance. “Get up quickly. We’re leaving tomorrow. There are still many things to pack.”
He Qiming took a deep breath and hugged Ye Qingzhi, saying softly, “Let me recover for a bit.”
He was in the army all day, surrounded by men. Now, holding his beautiful wife and not being able to move was more torturous than being alone.
After a while, He Qiming kissed Ye Qingzhi’s cheek, let her go, and sat up. “Come on, let’s go to your place to pack.”
Ye Qingzhi had already packed most of the things. All that was left were the pots and pans, the quilts, and the things they would need.
“Are we moving all of these to my place?” He Qiming asked in confusion.
“Yes. I sold the house,” Ye Qingzhi said. Seeing He Qiming’s surprised look, she smiled faintly. “I’m remarrying with my children, and I’ve even changed their household registrations and surnames. Do you think I can keep this house?”
“Did Anmin and the others agree?” Seeing Ye Qingzhi nod, He Qiming put his arm around her shoulder and said gently, “It’s fine that you sold it. We can apply for a foundation in Dayangcun and build a few more rooms later.”
“I also think it’s fine. Anmin and Anjie are strong and smart. Will they have to worry about not having a house when they grow up?” Ye Qingzhi said confidently.
She had the two children stay with He Qiming to pack, while she herself took the oranges to Big Sister Li’s house, and then went to find Auntie Ye.
“What, you’re giving me all the pickled vegetables? Why?” Auntie Ye asked in confusion.
It was a bit of a walk from Houxicun to Dayangcun, but it wasn’t that far. It wouldn’t be hard to move a pickle jar.
“Auntie, I’m only telling you.” The same old story. She had already gotten her certificate and was not afraid of any more accidents, so she didn’t continue to hide it from Auntie Ye. “Qiming was promoted to deputy regiment commander a while ago and can apply for his family to join him at the base. So I’m going to the base with him and the children tomorrow. The pickle jar is too big for us to take.”
Auntie Ye looked at Ye Qingzhi in shock. “Join the army?”
“Yes. I’m sorry, Auntie. We were worried something might happen, so we didn’t tell anyone,” Ye Qingzhi said with embarrassment.
Auntie Ye was even more shocked. “Even Dahong doesn’t know?”
“I don’t think so,” Ye Qingzhi nodded.
Auntie Ye’s jaw dropped. She looked Ye Qingzhi up and down. “You two really kept it a secret. But you did the right thing. This had to be kept a secret. I know Dahong. If she had known that Qiming was a deputy regiment commander and could apply for his family to join him at the base, she definitely wouldn’t have approved of you.”
Realizing she had said the wrong thing, Auntie Ye quickly tried to backtrack. “Qingzhi, I’m not saying you’re not good.”
“I understand, Auntie. You can get a bucket to get the pickles. And the rest of the vegetables in my private plot are all yours. The scallions and chives in the backyard will have to go to Second Great-Uncle and the others,” Ye Qingzhi said with a smile.
After packing, He Qiming borrowed a flatbed cart. They made three trips that night to move the things to his house. Ye Qingzhi and her two sons also slept in the guest room there.
The next day, Ye Qingzhi took the two children back to Houxicun for one last look at their house. From now on, it would be someone else’s home. If they came back, it would be as guests.
She closed the door, locked it, and officially handed the key to Second Great-Aunt. After a few polite words, Ye Qingzhi took the children to see Auntie Ye again.
“Auntie, we’re leaving after lunch. We won’t say goodbye to you then. When we come back to visit next time, I’ll bring Anmin and the others to see you,” Ye Qingzhi said, her eyes red.
Although she had only known Auntie Ye for three months, Auntie Ye had taken good care of her during this time. Even this marriage was arranged by Auntie Ye. So Ye Qingzhi was truly grateful to her.
“Go on. Live a good life with Qiming from now on,” Auntie Ye said, walking them to the village entrance, her eyes filled with tears.
Ye Anmin and Ye Anjie didn’t quite understand. Dayangcun was not far from Houxicun. Why were their mother and Grandma Ye crying like this?
When they arrived at the He family’s old house, Ye Qingzhi saw that He Dali and Yang Fuzhen were both excited and angry, with very conflicted expressions. She knew that He Qiming had already told them about his promotion.
“You’re back. Let’s go. We should pack up and leave,” He Qiming said. He didn’t want Ye Qingzhi to see his parents’ expressions, so he directly pulled her to leave.
“He Qiming, you’re going back to the base, but your wife should stay at home. Who leaves on the second day of their marriage?” He Dali said unhappily, tapping his pipe.
He felt that his authority as the head of the family had been seriously challenged.
He Qiming frowned. “Dad, Ma, we’ve already split the family. Qingzhi is my wife. Of course, she’s coming with me. Alright, we’re leaving. We’ll take leave to come see you again next time we have time.”
Ye Qingzhi also frowned. This new father-in-law didn’t seem as open-minded as he appeared. No wonder He Qiming hadn’t said anything before. Did he know he would cause trouble?
“Qiming? Qiming…” Yang Fuzhen chased after them from the house, her voice choked with emotion. “Write a letter home when you get there. Qingzhi, take good care of Qiming and the children.”
“I will. Goodbye, Ma.” Ye Qingzhi nodded and left with He Qiming and the children.
Except for Yangyang, the other three children were all bewildered. Join the army? Does that mean what they think it means?