Peng Yue County, located in the western part of Huming Province, has mountains as its most significant geographical feature.
The geographical environnt here has resulted in the people being relatively poor.
Many children stop attending school after finishing primary school, because in the local mindset, as long as you know so words and can do calculations, that's enough. Continuing education is seen as a waste of money.
Therefore, over the years, there have been very few college students from this area, and most of them co from relatively well-off families.
Xia Qiuru is one of these scarce college students, but unlike others, her family does not belong to the affluent class locally.
It can be said that her parents tightened their belts just to send her to high school, and her younger brother went to work at the age of fourteen!
The reason for this decision was because her father had been to the city before.
He knew that without attending university, there was no way to escape this impoverished mountainous village.
However, given their capabilities, they could only afford to support one child, and since Xia Qiuru had always excelled in her studies, they decided to support her education further!
Originally, Xia Qiuru wanted her younger brother to continue his education, but he adamantly refused and left a note one night before heading out to work.
This has made Xia Qiuru feel guilty for a long ti, and later on, after learning about sothing, her heart has ached even more, and she hasn't been able to let it go over the years!
Her brother knew that their family could only afford to support one child, so in the year or two before Xia Qiuru took her high school entrance exams, he deliberately underperford in his usual tests.
Of course, suddenly doing very poorly would have aroused the family's, especially his sister's, suspicion, so he gradually pretended to beco a bit more playful, and his grades slowly declined, making it look seamless!
Hearing Xia Qiuru's story, Su Chen was deeply moved. Having such family mbers was a blessing for Xia Qiuru!
Of course, after Xia Qiuru started working, she actively gave back to both her family and her village.
Back when her parents were tightening their belts to fund her education, the villagers often helped them out.
The only concrete road in the village, along with two or three dozen new brick houses, was funded by Xia Qiuru.
This explains why as the HR director of Belle Group, Xia Qiuru doesn't have much savings!
Now, Xia Qiuru's village has beco the envy of the surrounding communities!
One could say that the entire village takes pride in Xia Qiuru!
So, as Xia Qiuru and Su Chen walked into the village, they imdiately caused a sensation!
"Qiuru is back!"
"Qiuru, Auntie has been waiting for you all year!"
"Qiuru, stay at ho for a few more days this ti!"
...
Everyone warmly greeted Xia Qiuru upon her return.
When they saw Su Chen by her side, the uncles and aunts looked him over, as if assessing whether he was worthy of Xia Qiuru!
Their gaze was just like how they'd look at their own son-in-law!
Su Chen also sensed the affection from those looks!
Though the people here were poor, Su Chen genuinely felt the warmth and emotion here!
This was far more comforting than the indifference in the concrete jungle of the city, where neighbors living across the hall for decades don't even know each other!
"Xiao Su, Qiuru, you're back!"
A surprised voice rang out at this mont.
Everyone turned to see Xia Qiuru's parents, Xia Youwei and Zheng Hui, arriving.
The crowd imdiately understood that her parents had already accepted this son-in-law.
"Dad, Mom!"
Xia Qiuru hurriedly called out upon seeing her parents.
"Hello, Uncle, Aunt!"
Su Chen also greeted politely.
"Young man, when are you planning to call us Mom and Dad?"
"Yeah, we've been waiting to celebrate Qiuru's wedding!"
"Old Xia, I've got my red packet ready!"
...
Since Xia Qiuru's parents acknowledged him, they started teasing the young couple.
"What are you all talking about!"
Hearing everyone's teasing, Xia Qiuru's face imdiately turned red.
anwhile, Xia Qiuru's parents were already grinning from ear to ear!
"Look, you've embarrassed Qiuru!"
A middle-aged woman remarked with a smile:
"Alright, let's disperse and let the family of four head ho."
Hearing this, Xia Qiuru's face grew even redder!
"Okay, let's go ho."
Xia Youwei said with a smile and then started walking back with Zheng Hui, followed by Su Chen and Xia Qiuru.
In a short while, the four of them arrived in front of a two-story building. Zheng Hui took out the key, opened the door, and smilingly said to Su Chen:
"Xiao Su, co in!"
Then, the four of them entered the house.
"You two sit down first, we'll go make dinner."
Xia Qiuru's parents said and then went to the kitchen to get busy.
At this mont, only Xia Qiuru and Su Chen were left in the room.
Although it was normal to be alone at the company, for so reason, Xia Qiuru felt a bit nervous now.
"The villagers were just joking earlier, don't take it to heart."
After a while, Xia Qiuru softly said.
"It's okay, it's obvious that they're all great people."
Su Chen replied with a smile.
"Hmm."
Xia Qiuru nodded, not knowing what else to say.
"By the way, where's your brother?"
Su Chen also noticed Xia Qiuru seed a bit uneasy, so he casually asked.
Through Xia Qiuru's stories, he had a good impression of her brother and even admired him a bit.
"Yeah, where is he?"
Xia Qiuru frowned:
"I'll ask Mom and Dad later."
"By the way, Qiuru, have you thought about taking him to Yandu? After all, there are more opportunities in the big city."
Su Chen asked.
"Of course, I have!"
Hearing this, Xia Qiuru sighed:
"In Jianghai, every year I co back, I ask him to go with , but he refuses. I also know he's afraid of becoming a burden to ."
"You don't know, my brother is really stubborn. Since you're here, maybe you can help persuade him, he might listen to you."
"No problem."
Su Chen agreed with a smile.
With this topic opened, the two started chatting.
After about two hours, Xia Qiuru's parents brought out more than ten dishes, filling the table completely.
"Uncle, Aunt, this is too much, you could have kept it simple."
Su Chen said, looking at the table full of dishes.
"It's alright, it's no trouble anyway."
Zheng Hui replied with a smile.
"By the way, Dad, where's Xiaofeng? Why haven't I seen him?"
Xia Qiuru asked.
"Who knows? He's been acting a bit strange these days, and when your mom and I ask, he doesn't want to say."
Xia Youwei said sowhat helplessly.
"Ah, kids grow up and don't tell us anything anymore!"
Zheng Hui also sighed...
User Comments
0 comments from readers