Chapter 616: Chapter 616: Why Is It So Bitter
Tong Xingda carried a bowl and ate more than half of the half-pot of rice that Qiao Xiaomai had steamed. Luckily, she had steamed a lot intending to make fried rice for the next day; otherwise, she and Tong Sanlang would definitely not have enough dinner.
With his belly full, Tong Xingda left contentedly.
Tong Sanlang told Qiao Xiaomai to rest while he washed the pot and dishes and boiled hot water.
Qiao Xiaomai stood at the kitchen door, watching him busy, chattering about how convenient showers were back in her old life.
It was such a bother and a waste of firewood to have to heat up water for baths every day!
Having indulged excessively the night before, tonight the couple rested early. Perfect love blended the soul and body – even without physical pleasure, there could be spiritual satisfaction.
Having slept early, they woke up early too. Tong Sanlang’s face color had returned to normal.
But that was just his face color. Inside, his body was still a bit weak.
After breakfast, Tong Sanlang went to their new house and worked in the field with others. Qiao Xiaomai delivered sour plum soup for him around noon, and the day passed quickly before they knew it.
The next day, Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang drove their ox cart to County Town.
Just to make a show of it.
As they passed Bailu Town, they handed the bowl’s design to the grocer and paid a deposit of twenty taels of silver.
Once in the County Town, they strolled around and bought some stuff along the way.
Huai’an County was actually quite bustling. Those who couldn’t buy a house in Bailu Town or didn’t want to live there could buy houses in Huai’an County. Plus, anyone going to Bailu Town had to pass through Huai’an County. It was a major transit stop, with a significant flow of people.
At noon, the couple randomly found a restaurant for lunch before hurrying back to their village in their ox cart.
When they returned to the village it was mid-afternoon. Instead of going home, they went straight to the Qiao Family’s house.
They had specifically asked Qiao Changshun to not work in the afternoon for the past few days and stay at home waiting for them. Hence, when they arrived, Qiao Changshun and Qiao Dami were both at home.
When they were almost at the Qiao Family’s house, excitement and anticipation appeared on their faces. But beneath the excitement and anticipation, sadness was also present.
Life is like a play, all depends on acting.
Qiao Changshun was sitting in the courtyard, and Qiao Dami was squatting under a tree watching ants moving house out of boredom. Seeing the two of them arrive with sorrowful but joyful expressions on their faces, Qiao Changshun stiffened.
Sorrowful but also joyful… what was going on?
Qiao Xiaomai jumped off the ox cart before it could stop, ran into the courtyard, her pretty face expressing a mixture of jubilation and sadness, and her eyes welling up with tears, “Dad! We found Mom!”
Upon hearing those words, Qiao Changshun’s body trembled. His eyes reddened instantly, not only his lips but even his face that was full of wrinkles like tree bark started to shake. He tried to say something, but he couldn’t utter a word as if something was choking him.
Part of him felt joy, but the other part was fear.
Since they found her, why were Qiao Xiaomai and Tong Sanlang looking as if they were about to cry?
Did something bad happen? Did it?
Surprised and delighted, Qiao Dami also shouted out, “Sister, Mom is found?”
He stood up and rushed to Qiao Xiaomai, wrapping his small hands around her legs, looking up at her and asking repeatedly, “Where? Where is Mom? Why isn’t she back yet? Why isn’t she back?”
Qiao Xiaomai squatted, patted his head, and in a trembling voice said, “Mom went out for work, but she was deceived. She doesn’t have any money right now, and she can’t come back for a while.”
“Dad and I will go to fetch her tomorrow. Don’t worry.”
“Deceived?” Qiao Changshun finally managed to speak. As the word left his mouth, his tears started to fall.
I left because I couldn’t bear the previous life. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴovelfire.net
But who would have thought that I would be deceived after leaving, still unable to live a comfortable life.
Why… why is it so bitter…