RYEY -Chapter 288 Mother Li Nearly Faints

And so, both sides started getting busy. Even Cheng Liguo was preparing to take leave—this time, he planned a long one: to go back and spend time with his daughters, accompany the kids, and make a trip to Beijing to visit the Zhao family.

Qin Daqiang received another phone call. Someone at the top had found out his son was married—and the bride was this year’s newly graduated university student. Gifts were coming.

Qin Daqiang knew these gifts weren’t for him; they were for Cheng Qiao. Ye Jun was Cheng Qiao’s mentor and also Ye Chengying’s cousin, now serving as director of the Traditional Chinese Medicine hospital.

And Ye Chengying was Cheng Liguo’s former superior. Since Cheng Qiao would eventually pursue medicine herself, everyone knew how rare a good doctor was in the garrison area.

With all these factors weighing in, it was clear where the favor lay. For the first time, the garrison lent a truck, loaded with furniture and daily necessities prepared by Qin Daqiang.

Of course, there were also gifts from others. Since so many people were going along, Qin Daqiang even brought a military tent to place in the truck bed. That way, except for Xiao Dan, all the men could sit in the back.

Yuan Qin and Jiang Meili held Li Cheng in the front seats, eagerly anticipating the trip to Li Le’s wedding. Yuan Qin pulled an envelope from his bag, hesitated, and added some extra money.

“Mom, actually, this isn’t necessary—”

Before he could finish, Yuan Qin stopped her. Over the past few months while Meili had been giving birth, she stayed in Xiangyang Village and witnessed Cheng Qiao’s position in this household. Compared to her, Meili was nowhere near.

Now Cheng Qiao was taking her child to Beijing for school, and with her sister-in-law and mother-in-law in Chuncheng, this was the perfect opportunity for Meili to gain influence. Giving extra money was justified.

Meili curled her lips and rolled her eyes, unable to understand what her mother was thinking. Everything at home was fine, so why stir up trouble?

“Daughter, let me tell you—Li family isn’t short of money. As the eldest daughter-in-law, if your gift is too meager, and the second branch can surpass you, people will talk.”

Li family was wealthy, Meili thought, glancing at her mother. Who told her this? Sure, Li family was wealthy, but the one who was truly rich was Cheng Qiao—not her mother-in-law.

Moreover, her mother wanted her to compete with Cheng Qiao. How could a woman living on a fixed wage compare to someone like Cheng Qiao, who had spent her time in Xiangyang Village showering Meili with nourishing medicine that could have emptied her own family’s savings?

“Mom, don’t. Cheng Qiao is a wonderful sister-in-law. I’m grateful enough—how could I ever compare to her?”

“You silly girl. I’m not telling you to compare, just to maintain a good relationship with her. That way, she’ll help take care of your child later, won’t she?”

Seeing Meili’s expression sour, Yuan Qin quickly changed his tone inwardly, thinking this daughter had been spoiled by her mother. Half the time, she didn’t understand anything—so frustrating!

Xiao Dan drove on, casting cold glances at Yuan Qin. In his mind, Cheng Qiao was the best person ever, while this Li mother-in-law was unbearable.

Once he saw Cheng Qiao, he would tell her what this woman said—so she’d have a heads-up. Otherwise, she’d be at a disadvantage.

Li Huan started moving too. He handed over most of the village matters to Wang Xiangyang. Even as a trainee, Auntie Wang, knowing the inside story, smiled with her eyes squinted to slits. Her son was going to be the village chief someday.

“Old man, aren’t you coming to help?”

Li Huan was heading to Chuncheng to give their grocery store a simple renovation. Naturally, Auntie Wang wanted her man and son to pitch in.

Wang Duocai had lived most of his life and never been to Chuncheng. Learning that Li Huan had bought a house there made him shrink back in fear.

Goodness, this rascal village chief was incredible. They couldn’t even afford a house in the county seat, and he’d already bought one in Chuncheng. Where did he get the money?

Auntie Wang pinched him. Knowing her husband well, she understood—ever since Li Huan became village chief, they could casually spare a few hundred yuan. Buying a house in Chuncheng was nothing. Wang Duocai scratched his head sheepishly and went back to get tools. But Uncle Niu approached, crying. The old ox had died.

The villagers were all upset. That ox had been with them for over a decade, helping plow fields and pull carts—it was Xiangyang Village’s treasure.

Now the village’s treasure was gone, and everyone shed tears. Chen Damao was secretly pleased; this year’s Spring Festival, they might finally eat beef. Beef was expensive, after all.

“I’ll sell the old ox. With the money and some subsidies, we can buy an iron ox.”

Li Huan suggested this. Uncle Niu nodded repeatedly. He would never allow them to just eat the old ox.

Chen Weidang was thrilled too. Even though the ox had died naturally, selling it to the collection station still fetched a good price. The village committee’s small fund, plus some subsidies, should be enough to buy an iron ox.

The villagers cheered. Iron oxen were valuable, stronger than the old ox, and would make their work easier. Most importantly, Xiangyang Village would gain prestige.

Damao’s face darkened. He thought the villagers were stupid—they could have eaten beef but listened to the rascal village chief instead. Truly unbelievable.

Chen Damao now hated two people the most: his eldest sister, Chen Daniu, and Li Huan. But he couldn’t beat his sister or Li Huan, so he could only sulk.

Wang Xiangyang quickly rode his bicycle to the collection station. They couldn’t move such a large ox, but the station had vehicles to handle it.

Li Huan also rode to the commune to submit an application, aiming to get the iron ox before spring.

Mother Li couldn’t focus on the household matters anymore. She went with Li Huan to Chuncheng. When she saw more than a dozen dilapidated houses and nearly one and a half acres of barren land behind them, her lips trembled.

Goodness, how much would these houses cost? Li Huan held up one finger. Mother Li guessed boldly: “One thousand yuan?” Seeing her son shake his head, she laughed—it was actually one hundred.

Li Le also laughed. After so many years, the secret could finally be revealed. She whispered a number into her mother’s ear and waited quietly for her reaction.

“Heavens…”

Mother Li clutched her heart, unable to believe what she heard. Over the years, she had saved some money, but even combined, it wasn’t a thousand.

“Mom, my wife said that in twenty years, these houses will be worth one million.”

One million! Mother Li closed her eyes, bracing her legs, trying not to faint—she couldn’t be laughed at.