RYEY – Chapter 210 Cheng Liguo’s Ambition

A big bowl of white rice, drenched in a generous ladle of braised pork sauce, followed by a sip of golden mushroom chicken soup, made Qin Guoqing feel as if he were dining at a state banquet—even though he had never actually attended one.

Cheng Liguo noticed the smacking sounds coming from Qin Guoqing’s mouth and quietly tugged on his sleeve. At first, Qin Guoqing didn’t understand, but when he saw Cheng Liguo point at his mouth, his face flushed red with embarrassment.

The Shouhou grinned through pursed lips. Sometimes, when he himself ate something delicious, he would smack his lips, and Qiu Min had scolded him countless times. Now, hearing someone else do it, he knew he would never smack his lips again.

Mother Li stole a glance at Cheng Liguo. Although he appeared amiable and gentle, she sensed that deep down, he was a tough man.

“Dad, you’re finally free, right?”

“Yes. And I owe thanks to Comrade Li Bing. Without him helping me, both my exoneration and my divorce would have been insurmountable obstacles for me.”

Upon hearing Li Bing’s name, Mother Li froze. Could it be that her eldest son had connections with the in-laws as well? If the whole family could unite, this household would surely prosper.

“Then, Dad, since you’re here, don’t leave. Let’s wait a few years until the situation stabilizes, and then make plans.”

Cheng Qiao felt happy inside. She wanted to keep her father close. Given the current circumstances, the countryside was the safest place, so it was best to bide their time.

“No, my dear. I need to apologize to you. I’ve decided to stay in the Hexi Corridor and not leave.”

“Ah, why?”

“Dear, if you saw the living conditions over there, you would understand. The desert is encroaching into the cities, water is extremely scarce, and nearly all the trees we plant perish.

Without extensive forests to act as barriers, the desert is invading the land unchecked. I want to help them. Fortunately, I’ve now figured out some methods, so I’ve decided to dedicate the rest of my life to the Hexi Corridor.”

Cheng Qiao was so surprised that her mouth fell open. Li Huan, however, looked at his father-in-law with respect. He had long known from his elder brother how harsh the environment there was, yet his father-in-law was willing to abandon the comfortable life here and go to the most difficult place.

“Dad, if you insist, I can only support you. Which department are you working in now? I’ll send supplies directly to you in the future.”

“Gardening Management Office. But I still live in the old cave house. Having lived there for a long time, it feels very comfortable—warm in winter and cool in summer, though bathing isn’t very convenient.”

“Dad, later I’ll take you and Qin Guoqing to the bathhouse for a proper wash.”

Li Huan spoke quickly, but Qin Guoqing looked troubled. He had completely forgotten to bring a change of clothes on the way here.

“Your build is similar to mine. Go to the bathhouse first, and I’ll go back to fetch clothes for you.”

The Shouhou, seeing that Qin Guoqing was just a teenager and quite slim, knew that his own clothes would fit him.

“All right, thanks, Shouhou!”

Cheng Liguo glanced at the Shouhou, who hurriedly explained that his surname was Hou, “Hou of the marquis,” and he didn’t know which rascal had given him the nickname “Shouhou.”

Li Huan squinted. “Rascal? Say that again.”

The Shouhou immediately remembered that it was Li Huan who had given him the nickname and felt embarrassed. Qiu Min couldn’t help laughing. But her laughter stirred the baby inside her belly, who kicked hard, making her grab her stomach and yelp.

“What’s wrong? That little rascal kicked you again? Wait until he grows up—I’ll teach him a lesson. He dares bully my wife, he won’t get away with it.”

Cheng Qiao laughed so hard her cheeks ached. That line was all too familiar. But from the time little Cheng Li was born until now, Li Huan hadn’t even dared raise his voice at him, let alone hit him.

Seeing Cheng Qiao’s meaningful smile, Li Huan scratched his head awkwardly while tugging at the Shouhou’s clothes. “Don’t make a scene. With this time, it’s better to have another drink.”

Mother Li checked the time. She needed to return before nightfall, otherwise only Li Le and Xuhui would be at home, unable to care for an elder.

“Mom, be careful on the way back. Tomorrow morning, have Uncle Niu come over to take Dad back to the village.”

“All right, and you must be careful too. Lock the door at night.”

Li Huan also led Qin Guoqing out of the courtyard. Seeing a van parked outside, he was momentarily surprised. A van? Shouldn’t it have been a truck?

“Brother Huan, my father said absolutely no trucks. If other brothers from the camp see it, they’ll demand some of it. With this little stuff, we don’t even have enough for ourselves.”

“Then you definitely can’t carry everything this time.”

“No problem. My father said we’ll take one load back first. Next time we come, we’ll bring Uncle Cheng along.”

“How long until you come again?”

“At least half a month. Gasoline is scarce, and my father has to work hard to get it.”

Hearing “at least half a month,” Li Huan nodded with satisfaction. He hoped his father-in-law would stay in Xiangyang Village longer, which would make his wife happier.

Cheng Qiao took out clean clothes for Li Huan and Cheng Liguo, along with soap and towels for bathing. One bar of soap was enough for all the men, which she placed in a mesh bag and handed to Li Huan.

“Cheng Qiao, do you have more soap? I want to bring some back for Brother Li Bing.”

“He already has a girlfriend.”

Cheng Qiao immediately picked up the implied meaning. Qin Guoqing nodded repeatedly, revealing the situation between Li Bing and Jiang Meili.

“All right, then besides the soap, we’ll also give him snow cream and a wool scarf. These are gifts from the two of us to Jiang Meili.”

Cheng Qiao went into the room and picked up two bottles of snow cream, a bright red wool scarf, and several bars of soap, handing them to Qin Guoqing. He shook his head repeatedly—he’d give them when he left.

The three of them went to the bathhouse. Cheng Qiao secured the doors and entered the space with little Cheng Li, handing him the gold watch and saying carefully:

“This gift from Grandpa is very valuable. Don’t break it, or you’ll regret it when you grow up.”

Little Cheng Li took the watch, nodding excitedly. Mom had said it would be worth a lot in the future, so it was better to let her keep it.

“Mm… keep…”

“Do you want Mom to keep this watch for you?”

“Yes…”

Little Cheng Li nodded vigorously. Cheng Qiao found a box, wrapped the watch in a fresh handkerchief, placed it inside, and then put it in the wardrobe.

She laid a mat on the bedroom floor, placed little Cheng Li on it, and set out the toys she had bought in City, letting him play alone while she went to tend to some medicinal herbs.

Watching his mother leave, little Cheng Li silently regretted growing so slowly. If he were older, he could have helped her, and she wouldn’t have had to work so hard.