Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Became a Hot Commodity Chapter 78: Chapter 78 Became a Hot Commodity Luo Qiao followed the onlooker’s gaze and saw the Gao Family approaching. Li Xiulan immediately spotted Luo Qiao in the crowd and, with a beaming smile, made a beeline for her.
Seeing the look in Li Xiulan’s eyes, Luo Qiao felt uncomfortable, thinking, ‘This woman is up to no good.’
“Luo Qiao, why haven’t we seen you at work these past few days?” Li Xiulan pretended to be close, attempting to grab Luo Qiao’s arm.
With cautious movements, Luo Qiao dodged: “Good morning, Auntie Li.”
Li Xiulan clearly saw Luo Qiao’s subtle evasion but still cheerfully said, “Luo Qiao, if there’s any heavy work you can’t handle, just tell Auntie. It’s no trouble for someone from a big family like mine to lend a hand.”
Luo Qiao eyed this village gossip, known to never do anything without expecting something in return, and wondered what ulterior motives she might have for being so unexpectedly kind.
Luo Qiao smiled and said, “Thank you, Auntie,” her politeness tinged with aloofness.
Li Xiulan responded, “There’s no need to be formal with Auntie. Now that you’ve settled in Qingshan Village, we’re all family here.”
Luo Qiao narrowed her eyes, pondering over Li Xiulan’s shrewd calculation. What was she up to?
Just then, Auntie Gao from the team leader’s household came over; Luo Qiao politely nodded at Li Xiulan and walked towards Auntie Gao.
Luo Qiao sensed something off about Li Xiulan’s gaze and knew she had to keep her distance.
Auntie Gao asked with a smile, “When did you get back? Is everything settled?”
Not hiding anything, Luo Qiao spoke softly, “I got back yesterday afternoon. Everything’s taken care of. By the way, Auntie, I’ve taken the quilt apart to wash it, and I’ll bring it over tomorrow.”
Auntie Gao replied, “What’s the rush? You hardly used it; why bother washing it?”
Though she said that, she actually thought highly of Luo Qiao for being so considerate.
Luo Qiao simply smiled without saying much.
Today, while weeding the sweet potato fields, Luo Qiao ended up working with Auntie Gao as usual. They were joined by a couple of women who had ridden with them on Lu Yichen’s tractor to the commune that day.
The topic of Li Xiulan getting kicked off the tractor came up, and it led to discussions about how Li Xiulan had been recently trying to find suitors for Gao Taohua, starting a while ago, but Taohua was not impressed by the two families she had seen so far.
Remembering how she’d encountered Gao Taohua confessing to Lu Yichen that evening, Luo Qiao suddenly laughed. It seemed Taohua had decent taste, but it was unfortunate that Gao Shunyi and Li Xiulan likely wouldn’t agree to it.
Even if they did agree, Lu Yichen probably wouldn’t fancy getting involved with such a troublesome Yue Family himself. Luo Qiao had overheard enough village gossip about the couple to know that much.
One appeared honest but was scheming, while the other was not only gossipy and argumentative but also liked to take advantage of others—they indeed made a perfect match.
Seeing Luo Qiao laughing and chatting with the team leader’s wife in the distance, the people from the Zhao Family were full of scorn. She hadn’t been in the village long but had already cozied up to the team leader’s wife—clearly having someone powerful in her corner, not giving a second thought to the Zhaos.
Gao Suhua kept her eyes on Luo Qiao, who was growing more attractive day by day. Now she even regretted her past decision, thinking she could have cashed in on the girl by now.
A few days earlier, her sister-in-law made another visit saying that the family from Beipo Village hadn’t found a suitable match yet. According to her, the dowry had risen from fifty to a hundred, as her city sister had chipped in more, aiming for a decent husband.
The more she watched Luo Qiao, the more suitable she believed her to be, with the calculations flashing undisguised in her eyes.