Adored Koi in the ’70s

Chapter 75

Hearing Wang Yan Sheng's words, Qiao Hong Xia felt that something exploded in her mind!

Her whole body was like a shrimp thrown into boiling water, turning red at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Her grasp on the corners of the clothes repeatedly tighten and loosen. The corners of the clothes were creased so badly by her. It took a long time before she found her voice and responded, "Why me?"

Not only was she one year older than him, but she was also divorced and had a child. With his status and achievements, he can absolutely marry a better girl!

It wasn't impossible for him to marry a city girl. If she hadn't known that he wasn't the type to make fun of others, she would have thought he was making fun of her!

Qiao Hong Xia was nervous. While Wang Yan Sheng was more nervous than her.

It was just that he was dark-skinned and serious. If one wasn't particularly familiar with him, they couldn't notice.

Unblinkingly, he stared at her face. Seeing her cheeks were flushed with pink, he thought it was beautiful.

After staring at her for a while, he forced himself to look away from her face due to being afraid that she would think he was a hooligan. Then he heard her question.

He breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, she didn't reject him: "I-I've noticed you for a long time."

As soon as he said this, he wanted to slap himself.

Pah, this sounds more like a hooligan!

Sure enough, when Qiao Hong Xia heard what he said, she looked up at him.

Wang Yan Sheng was so nervous that his heart jumped out of his throat: "I-I didn't mean that. I mean do you remember the year 1960?"

Qiao Hong Xia was stunned for a moment. Then she nodded, "Of course I remember. The three years of famine. Can't forget it in this life!"

Wang Yan Sheng nodded his head. From 1959 to 1961, there was a famine across the country. Many people didn't survive those years.

In the past, Wang Family wasn't wealthy. It could even be said that they were very poor. When the great famine came, people with a large family and a large population like them were the first to take the hit.

His grandfather, grandmother, and a youngest aunt died from eating white clay. He originally had a little sister. She also starved to death that year.

In those three years, people in the production team starved to death almost every day!

Although the family warned them not to eat white clay every day, but on that day, he was so hungry that he couldn't bear it. When his trembling hands were about to stuff the white clay into his mouth, she appeared in front of him with half a coarse mantou.

He still remembers what she said to him. She uttered, "If you eat this soil, you will die. Don't eat it. Eat my piece of mantou!"

He raised his head and looked at her blankly. He thought that she was really stupid. How important food was in those days. She actually gave him mantou to eat!

Seeing that he hadn't moved, she shoved the mantou into his hands. Before leaving, she warned him again to not eat white clay in the future.

At that time, he stared blankly at her departing back while gobbling his food. He felt that she was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. Even when she was thin and pale at that time.

She was thirteen years old that year, while he was twelve years old. After that day, he found out her name and knew that she was the third child in the family like himself.

Later, they all survived the most difficult three years. After that, Qiao Family's life became more and more prosperous, while Wang Family was still very poor. His eldest brother and second brother got married one after another.

A girl in the village can seek an in-law family at the age of sixteen or seventeen. When she was sixteen, the matchmaker frequently went to Qiao's house to talk about match. The young men in the production team near and far all wanted to marry her as a wife. He did to.

But he didn't want to marry her back to make her live in a thatched hut or eat pickled veg and gruel with him every meal. So when the troops went to the production team to select people to serve as soldiers, he seized the opportunity.

Before going to the army, he really wanted to ask her to wait for him. He couldn't open his mouth though. He had nothing. If he didn't get any results, why should he let her waste time for him?

In the end, he didn't say anything and went to the army alone with a suitcase on his back.

He went all out with his life. When others put in 100% of sweat, he paid 200%. When others practiced for ten hours, he gave himself two additional hours of practice.

His hard work paid off with a hefty result. He was promoted from soldier to squad leader to platoon leader. When he thought he had finally made some achievements and could come back to propose marriage to her, she got married.

After knowing that she was married, he regretted and blamed himself very much in his heart. He should have come back earlier. He should have the cheek to express his heart to her. Maybe she will be willing to wait for him.

But it's useless to regret. Before returning to the army, he made an excuse to go to the production team where her husband's house was located. Just so that he could take a look at her from a distance.

After returning to the army, he worked even harder. Although he didn't know who he was fighting for, he didn't want to miss the next person he liked because of his incompetence.

It took him three years to be promoted to the platoon leader and eight years to be promoted to the head of the regiment. During this period, countless people wanted to match with him. Some of whom he directly refused, while some couldn't be refused and he went on a blind date. None made his heart move.

When he came back this time because of family matters, he had never thought that he would meet her. Let alone that she would go home after a divorce!

The moment he heard her divorce, he felt his heart beating fast. His blood was pumping. This sounded a bit of despicable gloating, but he was really glad that the man had no eyes!

In the past few days since he came back, he was busy with Huo Family's matter and going to the county city to inquire about his fifth younger brother. He thought that he wouldn't be able to think of other things when he was busy. But her appearance seemed to be engraved in his heart. The busier he was, the more he wanted to see her.

A few days of brewing, it made him understand that he wanted to marry her!

He didn't want to miss this opportunity again. If he missed this opportunity again, he will regret it for the rest of his life!

Qiao Hong Xia heard him mention that she gave him half a mantou back then and that he wanted to marry her eleven years ago. Her heart seemed to contain many jumping rabbits. They were all jumping wildly.

Thump thump thump...

It was the sound of her heartbeat.

The two stood so close. She wondered if he would hear her heartbeat.

She tried to calm herself down, but it didn't work at all!

She blushed. She bit her lower lip and said, "So... are you trying to repay your gratitude?"

Wang Yan Sheng nodded his head like a fool: "Didn't the ancients say that life-saving grace should be repaid with body? I want to promise myself to you..."

After that, he wanted to kick himself again!

What the hell was going on with him today?

Why was he saying such a hooligan words?

Qiao Hong Xia's neck turned red: "Do you usually talk to women like this?"

Wang Yan Sheng shook his head like a rattle: "No, I don't talk to other women like that. No, no. I don't have any other women!"

"Pfft..."

Qiao Hong Xia finally couldn't help laughing when she saw how he was nervous to the point of talking nonsense.

Wang Yan Sheng took in her pink cheeks and the corners of her lips curled up. An impulse surged in his heart; he wanted to hug her in his arms!

He took a deep breath and stated, "Hong Xia, I got a clumsy mouth and can't speak. But I really want to get along with you. If you want, we can get engaged immediately. It's just marriage is a year later."

According to the custom of the village, after the death of an elder in the family, one year must pass before getting married and having a wedding.

Qiao Hong Xia felt like her mouth was stuffed with sweet dates. The sweetness seeped from her mouth to her heart: "I-I'll talk to you after I think about it!"

After speaking, she turned and ran down the mountain as if a wolf was chasing behind her.

Wang Yan Sheng watch her fleeing back. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but lift.

...

Qiao Hong Xia ran home in one swoop.

Lin Hui walked out of the kitchen holding her belly. Just in time to see her panting. She couldn't help but ask, "Why did you run to this state? Did something happen?"

Qiao Hong Xia had a guilty conscience of a thief. Her eyes were erratic and dared not look at her: "Nothing happened."

Her temperament had always been open. And at this moment, she was fidgety. Lin Hui can't even notice if she doesn't want to. It was just she was gentle. She would never be nosy about things the other party didn't want to say.

She reached out and grasped her basket, "Give me the vegetables. I'll wash them."

Qiao Hong Xia shook her head: "No, I'll do it. You have such a big belly. Don't do the usual housework. Let me come back and do it!"

Lin Hui curled the corners of her lips: "It's only been five months. It's still a few months before the actual delivery. How can I do nothing?"

Out of the entire production, one won't be able to find a second pair of sister-in-laws who gets along so well like them.

In the end, Qiao Hong Xia took on the job of washing vegetables.

But after washing half a day, she didn't finish. She had ruined all the cabbage!

When Lin Hui came out again, she found her like this. She couldn't help but be a little worried: "Hong Xia, do you have something on your mind? The women in the village always speaks badly, so don't take their words to heart!"

Some time ago, Zhao Jie Fang remarried. It was publicized by Song Jin Lai's wife. The whole production team knew about it.

She was worried that Qiao Hong Xia had heard something unpleasant when she went out just now and kept her grievance in her heart.

Qiao Hong Xia looked up and saw Second Elder Sister-in-law looking at her with worried eyes. Her heart warmed: "Second Elder Sister-in-law, I'm really fine. But I have something...I want to ask for your opinion."

Lin Hui saw her cheeks suddenly turned red. A strange feeling surged in her heart: "What's the matter?"

Qiao Hong Xia hesitated: "Second Elder Sister-in-law, how did you make up your mind to be with my second elder brother?"

Speaking of which, Second Elder Sister-in-law was really infatuated with Second Elder Brother!

Back then, when her second elder brother's legs weren't healed, she had no hesitation to marry her second elder brother!

This time, it was Lin Hui's turn to blush: "How did I get pulled in? Actually, there's nothing to say. I just don't want to miss it again."

Qiao Hong Xia looked at her with bright eyes: "Then were you worried that you will not unsuitable for each other after remarriage?"

Speaking of which, them sister-in-laws have a very rough marriage. One was a widow and the other was divorced. In the eyes of others, they were all "broken shoes"!

People like them who had been married once needed more courage to remarry. That was because they were afraid of making a wrong decision. If she made another wrong decision, can she still get divorced again?

If she really get divorced again, her reputation will stink all over the world!

Lin Hui smiled and nodded: "Of course I'm worried. But compared to worrying about inappropriateness, I'm more afraid of regrets."

She had regretted it once. A rare chance to try again appeared to her. If she missed it again this time, she will definitely regret it for the rest of her life!

Qiao Hong Xia was holding a vegetable leaf in her hand as looked on in contemplation.

Lin Hui looked at the vegetable leaves that were kneaded out of shape in her hands. She tentatively asked, "Hong Xia, do you... have any thoughts in your mind?"

Qiao Hong Xia came back to her senses and her face burst into flames.

She stood up in a panic. Holding the pot of broken vegetable leaves, she spoke, "Second Elder Sister-in-law, I'm going to cook. You go to the room to rest for a while. I'll call you later when dinner is ready!"

After speaking, she ran away again.

When it was time to eat, the table was full of "sorrows and complaints".

"Third Aunt, this dish is so salty!" Da Qiao almost cried when she took a bite of the dish.

When Qiao Hong Xia heard this, she quickly took a sample with her chopsticks and almost spit it out. It was too salty. How many times did she put the salt in?

Little Yi Ming crossed his little arms and said with a sullen face: "Mom, waste is shameful. You can't spit it out!"

Qiao Hong Xia: "..."

Seeing the slumped appearance of Third Aunt, Da Qiao covered her mouth and giggled.

Qiao Hong Xia stood up and declared, "Don't eat these. I'll make you some noodles."

Lin Hui followed and stood up: "Forget it. Let me. With the way you are, I worry about handing over the kitchen to you again!"

She was now quite sure that Qiao Hong Xia had something on her mind. And it should be a good thing.

Qiao Hong Xia felt guilty again.

That night, the dinner at Qiao's small house was a little late. That same night, Qiao Hong Xia had insomia again.

...

"Clang clang clang..."

The next day, Wang Shui Sheng got off work half an hour earlier. Then he sounded the gong and asked everyone to gather at the threshing yard. He had something to announce.

"What do you think the leader wants to say? Could it be that West Wood matter has been spread out?"

"No way? Didn't the captain tell everyone not to speak out?"

"It's hard to say. You also know that there are a lot of loose mouths in this production team!"

"Damn, if this is the case, I would definitely let that person go when I find out who said it!"

This spread in an instant. The more it spread, the worse it became. Everyone suspected each other. A few people almost fought.

Wang Shui Sheng came over, knocked on the gong, and bellowed, "Just be quiet. No fights allowed, or I'll deduct work points!"

When everyone heard that work points would be deducted, they quieted down.

Wang Shui Sheng coughed and stated, "Our production team has so-so harvests. We don't have any specialties, nor do we have a geographical advantage. As a result, our production team has been unable to go up and down over the years. We won't starve to death, but we can't be rich!"

"Since I have become the production leader, I naturally want to help everyone and the entire production team to become rich. But I am slow brain that's inflexible. Nor do I have connections. So I'm really sorry for everyone over the years!"

When everyone heard the beginning, they couldn't help but be a little stunned.

What did Leader mean?

Did he not want to do it?

Most of the people looked worried. Though Wang Shui Sheng was not very skilled as a production team leader, he was fair and not greedy. Everyone was quite satisfied with him as the production leader.

There were also a small number of people who were delighted. Some people have long wanted to remove Wang Shui Sheng from the position of production leader and replace him. But because Wang Family had old Third Wang, who was an official in the army. No one dared to go against him outright.

Wang Shui Sheng ignored everyone's discussion and continued to shout with his deep voice: "My third younger brother came back this time and showed me a way. He said that the country needs a lot of Chinese herbal medicine now. There are almost no production teams that can grow Chinese herbal medicine. So he suggested that our production team can develop in this direction!"

Someone shouted: "Leader, how can we develop? It can't be that everyone plant Chinese herbal medicine instead of food? Then what will we eat at the end of the year?"

"Eat the northwest wind!" Someone contradicted. "The community stipulates that the production team can only grow commercial crops. If the leader privately change to Chinese herbal medicine and we can't pay the grain, each and every one of us will have to go to jail!"

When everyone heard this, they panicked.

"Leader, you can't do this!"

"Yeah yeah. we don't want to go to jail. What's wrong with growing food?"

"That's right, although we can't be rich, we still have food to eat. If we plant some Chinese herbal medicine, can those thing survive? Even if we grew it, it can't fill our stomach!"

Wang Shui Sheng saw that everyone was very spirited. So he banged on the gong quickly. Even when his voice was hoarse, there was still no way to calm everyone down.

At this moment, Wang Yan Sheng walked out of the crowd with his long legs and came to the stage.

He glanced coldly at everyone. His strong and powerful voice boomed, "Everyone quiet!"

As soon as this sounded, the whole threshing floor seemed to be like a duck strangled by the neck. There was no sound.

Very few people in the production team didn't know Wang Yan Sheng's identity in the army. This time, when he came back, many people wanted to have a relationship with him. Unfortunately, after he came back for so many days, he was almost out every day. It was difficult for everyone to see him!

At this moment, he was standing tall and straight on the top. His aura carried unspoken power. With this holler, everyone naturally became fearful.

Wang Yan Sheng explained with a solemn face: "When my eldest brother said planting Chinese herbal medicines, he doesn't mean that we do not grow food. The land of the production team belongs to the state. Only after confirming with the government can the plant be changed, otherwise it is illegal!"

"Then what did Leader mean just now?" Someone asked boldly.

Wang Yan Sheng responded: "Every family has a private plot. Though the area isn't large, you can use this private plot to try to grow Chinese herbal medicine if you want."

It turned out he meant the private plot. When everyone heard this, their hearts finally settle back down.

Private plots weren't allowed to grow commercial crops. So ordinary households use them to grow vegetables, such as cucumbers, pumpkins, radishes, and cabbage. Though it wasn't much, it was enough for the family's daily needs.

If this private land was changed to Chinese herbal medicine, what will they eat after that? Eat plain congee with boiled water every day?

So some people weren't willing!

"Old Third, the Chinese herbal medicine you mentioned, is there any benefit after planting it?"

For example, can it be sold to a supply and demand cooperative for a good price. Or the state might send someone to buy it? If the price is good, they will be happy. But if it's not good, why would they plant it?

Wang Yan Sheng answered: "If you can plant a large area, it will naturally be beneficial. But at the beginning, the amount isn't large. On top of that, everyone hasn't plant it before. It needs a process of exploration and adaptation. In other words, in the short term, it may be possible that there's no benefit."

If one can't get any benefits, would any one want to plant it?

Were they retarded?

The crowd boiled again and all kind of complaints erupted.

Qiao Hong Xia looked at the man on the stage with a complicated mood.

Before yesterday, he was another villager to her. Other than that, there was no relationship between them.

But after yesterday, they got a tie that no one else knew about. At this time, seeing everyone disobeyed him, she felt nervous for some reason.

"Mom, I don't think Wang... old Third Wang isn't someone who mess around. Since he dares to say such a thing. He must have a plan later, but it's hard to tell everyone now."

She considered it for a while. Then she turned her head and said to her mom in a hushed voice.

Qiao Xiu Zhi glanced at her and said, "You... seem to know him well?"

"Boom!"

It seemed that a thunder had struck in Qiao Hong Xia's heart. Her face instantly turned red.

She wanted to say that she didn't know him. But when she met her mom's penetrating eyes, she couldn't say a word. She could only bow her head with a blushing face.

In Qiao Xiu Zhi's eyes, it appeared more and more guilty.

At this time, there was another woman's eyes fixated on Wang Yan Sheng in the crowd.

That person wasn't Fang Xiao Juan, but a female educated youth, Da Zhi.

Da Zhi's eyes were bright and her cheeks were pink. She stared at the tall and straight man on the stage without blinking and asked the female educated youth beside her, "Who is that man on the stage? Why haven't I seen him before?"

The man on stage was amazing!

Those pair of straight and slender long legs. That tall and straight figure. Those handsome and resolute facial features. No matter which, they were all in line with her interpretation of the perfect man!

"Him? He's the production team leader's third younger brother. I heard that he is a very capable person. He was just promoted to the regiment leader in the army last year. He hasn't been home for a few years. It is normal for you not to know him."

The female educated youth beside her was from the first batch of educated youth entering the countryside. Because she was old and married someone from the production team a few years ago and had children, she knew Wang Yan Sheng's background very well.

Regiment leader!

Da Zhi's face turned even redder. Her body trembled with excitement.

This man was simply a dream lover tailored for her!

This man was hers!

Wang Yan Sheng spoke up again to silence everyone: "My eldest brother and I are just telling everyone about this. As for whether you want to change to Chinese herbal medicine, you can decide for yourself. If you don't want to, the production team will never force you! Give you one day to think about it. If you want to change to Chinese herbal medicine, go to the production team office tomorrow to sign up!"

"None of us have ever grown Chinese herbal medicine, what if it die?"

Some people know that Wang Yan Sheng was a capable person. Like Qiao Hong Xia thought, he did nothing aimlessly. So they were a little moved when they saw him on stage just now.

When Wang Yan Sheng heard this question, the corner of his mouth twitched slightly: "Our production team has three people from the farm before. They happened to have experience planting Chinese herbal medicine. At that time, they can ask them to guide everyone in planting!"

Some people who want to grow plants were relieved when they hear this.

"Do you have any questions? If not, then..."

Just when Wang Shui Sheng was about to dismiss everyone, a delicate voice suddenly rang out: "Leader, I have something to say!"

Da Zhi squeezed out of the crowd and walked toward the stage with her hip swaying.