Read Novel Full Chapter 157
Chapter 157 : Returning Home
The cousin and his family who showed the house to the Qi family were very tidy. They had cleaned the house early, and the musty smell was not too strong because of proper ventilation. The quilts were freshly dried in the sun, making them clean and warm.
After a night’s rest, Jiang Li and Qi Shaoqiang set out early the next morning to go up the mountain.
According to Xu Shuzhen’s last wish, she was buried together with Jiang Changsheng on the hillside behind Dashuping Mountain, offering a wide view with the fragrance of birds and flowers.
A small green tree had grown on their grave. Although Jiang Li didn’t know what type of tree it was, it was lush and green, very pleasing to the eye.
The grave was well-kept, with some dried cakes and pastries placed on it.
Jiang Li placed the wildflowers she had picked in front of the two graves, arranged fresh offerings, and lit incense.
She silently burned paper money while mumbling to herself, “Dad Jiang, Mom Xu, Jiang Li. I hope your family will be reunited in the afterlife. I hope that in your next life, you’ll be born into a good family and live a peaceful and happy life.”
Qi Shaoqiang kowtowed and said, “Mom and Dad, I’m Lizi’s husband. I’m here to see you for the first time. We have two children, but they are too young to be brought here. We will come to see you when they are older. Don’t worry, I will take good care of Lizi. With your spirits watching over us, we will live happily together until old age.”
Somehow, listening to Qi Shaoqiang’s words, Jiang Li couldn’t help but feel teary-eyed.
After spending some time there, the two of them went down the mountain and hired good craftsmen to start repairing the tomb that day.
On their way down the mountain, they met many villagers, some from Bailutang and some from Dashuping.
“Lizi, are they from the Jiang family?”
After not seeing her for several years, Liu Erhong could hardly recognize Jiang Li. The beautiful woman standing before her, full of happiness and satisfaction, looked nothing like the little girl who had been bullied in the Jiang family before.
This is not the same person!
“Aunt Liu!” Jiang Li greeted with a smile.
Seeing that Jiang Li still remembered her, Widow Liu felt warmth in her heart. She had heard that this girl had been admitted to university in Haicheng and still remembered people from her hometown. She was indeed a good girl.
“Lizi, you have really made it. I almost didn’t recognize you.”
Noticing the mud and grass stains on the men’s pants, Widow Liu understood, “You’re back to visit your parents, right?”
“Yes. I came back to repair my parents’ graves. Xiaolan is getting married, so I came to attend the wedding.”
“You’re a loyal girl. Even though you’re doing well, you still remember your old friends. Unlike some people, who become arrogant when they have a little money. Take your cousin, for example. I don’t even want to say anything about her!”
Jiang Li didn’t want to hear this, but Widow Liu happened to be coming down the mountain and was walking the same way, so she had no choice but to listen to her gossip.
“Your cousin? I saw her on the street, and she didn’t even say hello, just looked at me like I owed her money. Isn’t it just that Zhuang Guoliang made a little money? Now she’s looking down on others. Everyone knows about her past scandals!”
“Watch your step.”
Jiang Li was talking to Widow Liu without paying attention to her footing. Qi Shaoqiang kept an eye on her and helped her when she almost stumbled.
Widow Liu saw this and couldn’t help but praise Jiang Li again, “You have good taste. The man you chose is really good.”
He gave up such a good job and followed Jiang Li to Haicheng. Not many people have the courage to do that.
Generally, men put their careers before women. What do women and children mean to them? They are not as important as their future and career.
Having lived half of her life, Widow Liu knew that wealth is always focused on the future, and a man who understands her feelings is truly valuable.
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Widow Liu warmly invited Jiang Li to her home. “You haven’t been back in so many years, come to my house for a meal. My business is doing very well now, I’ve raised more than a hundred chickens, and people from all over the country buy chickens from me!”
Widow Liu still remembered the bowl of chicken Jiang Li had given her years ago and wanted to treat her to a meal.
“No need, Auntie. Auntie Jingui is cooking at home, and she has a lot to do. I’ll go and help her.”
“That’s fine. You and Xiaolan have been close since you were little. Go ahead. Come to my house when you have time.”
After entering Dashuping Village, they met more and more people. Most of them didn’t dare approach or speak to Jiang Li because they noticed she was dressed in fine clothes.
Jiang Baoshan happened to be walking on the road with his hands behind his back. Jiang Li called to him, “Uncle, have you had breakfast?”
Jiang Baoshan raised his head and said, “You are the Lizi from the old Jiang family!”
“Yes!”
“Oh my god, it’s really Jiang Li. Didn’t she go to Haicheng to study? I heard she became rich and even brought her husband and his family to Haicheng?”
“What? Her husband lost his job and was worried Jiang Li wouldn’t want him after he graduated from college, so he begged to go to Haicheng with her.”
“Their family seems to be living a good life. Look at what she’s wearing and the clothes she’s got. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
“Country bumpkin! My Zhiwen told me that it’s called a bread coat, and one costs dozens of dollars!”
“How did she get her hair so curly? How does it stay in place when she walks? It looks so pretty! She looks just like the movie stars on calendars.”
“Look at the leather jacket her husband is wearing, it’s so smooth and shiny, and that watch must have cost more than a hundred yuan.”
Jiang Li helped Jiang Baoshan with two big things. When he was in college, Jiang Baoshan had helped a lot with getting a letter of introduction for his household registration transfer. “Uncle, see you at the wedding banquet tomorrow!”
Seeing Jiang Li being so generous, many people gathered around.
Some people, quick to act, tried to reach out and touch the pearl necklace around Jiang Li’s neck.
Someone even pestered her, saying, “Lizi, you’ve done so well in Haicheng, don’t forget about your fellow villagers when you’re successful. Look at my sixth son, he’s smart and sensible, take him with you and find him a job, with food and accommodation, and he’ll work for just 50 or 60 yuan a month.”
“Lizi, you must have brought back a lot of good things. Let me see, what’s this? It smells so good. Is it a snack?”
“What are you doing?”
Jiang Baoshan, who had just been enjoying the success of taking over Daqianmen, saw these shameless villagers surrounding Jiang Li and Qi Shaoqiang, almost robbing them. He shouted, “Get out of here, get out of here!”
“Old Shan family, I’m not saying anything bad, but your Liuzi, the one who didn’t even help when the oil bottle fell, is blind. What are you going to Haicheng for? Are you begging for food?”
Laughter erupted from the crowd. Old Shan’s family felt embarrassed and tried to slip into the crowd with red faces.
“And you, why are you touching someone’s neck? Are you being a hooligan?”
“Captain, I’m a woman. Is touching Jiang Li considered hooliganism?”
“If you’re not being a hooligan, then you want to rob. Did they let you touch their things? If you break something so valuable, can you afford to pay for it?”
“If you don’t want to touch it, then don’t touch it. Who cares?”