Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

Chapter 356 Why does this water taste a little bitter?

Chapter 356 Why does this water taste a little bitter?

Lin Wanhua raised her hand and almost knocked over the enamel mug.

Li Chuncao showed a hint of guilt: "Mom, I'm sorry, I acted impulsively just now. I had a nightmare last night, dreaming that Dad came back, which scared me to death."

Don't worry, after tonight I won't say anything out of line again. If Mother likes Sun Laojiu, I'll cover for you!

Lin Wanhua stared at her intently, making sure Li Chuncao wasn't lying. She snorted coldly, took the cup, and drank the brown sugar water in one gulp.

He frowned and asked, "Why does this water taste a little bitter?"

"Maybe too much sugar was added!"

"You're such a grown man, how can you still put so much food in your pantry? Do you really think you're so rich that you don't need to plan your finances? You're not allowed to eat tomorrow!"

Li Chuncao glanced timidly at Lin Wanhua: "I know, Mother!"

He took the enamel mug and went to the kitchen to wash it. Instead of going home to sleep in the middle of the night, he squatted outside Lin Wanhua's house.

Hearing her clutching the sheets in distress, hearing her hoarsely call out "Chuncao," Li Chuncao's lips curled into a nonchalant smile: "If you hadn't sold me, I could have been filial to you for a few more days. It's all your own fault, Mother, don't you think?"

Unfortunately, she only moved her lips. Through the door, Lin Wanhua had no idea that she was waiting for her to kick the bucket in the yard.

***

As dawn broke, Qiao Manman came out of the house and took out a lot of dried goods to soak.

After Ma Qiuhua came towards the sun, the two of them went to the well to get the meat.

After a quick rinse, slice it and stir-fry it in oil.

While busy with her work, Ma Qiuhua gossiped with Qiao Manman: "I heard that last night, Old Lady Zhao was caught in bed with that guy by her daughter-in-law! Oh my, she's so old, doesn't she feel ashamed at all!"

Qiao Manman didn't reply, but Aunt Qiuhua continued to ramble on: "Even if you can't live without a man, you should wait at least six months or a year before talking about it. Sleeping together right after receiving the compensation, aren't you afraid someone's after your money!"

Qiao Manman countered, "Then why do so many widowers remarry before their first wives have even been buried? They even say that they can't delay getting a wife during the mourning period."

Ma Qiuhua was stunned and didn't know how to explain, so she brushed her off, saying, "How can a man and a woman be the same!"

Qiao Manman nodded: "Since ancient times, it has always been women who have remained chaste for men!"

"Girl, you wouldn't happen to support that old woman Lin Wanhua, would you?"

"No, I was just saying, I can't be bothered with other people's business!" Qiao Manman smiled and took the garlic sprouts from her hand: "No comment!"

Ma Qiuhua patted her chest: "Battalion Commander Lu is so good, you mustn't be like her!"

Qiao Manman leaned closer to her and whispered, "Lu Yuan got promoted; he's now the deputy regimental commander!"

Ma Qiuhua gave a thumbs up: "He's so young, he's amazing!"

Qiao Manman also thought it was impressive: "That's why I could never fall for someone else!"

The two quickly prepared the dishes, and then Da Huang returned with Xia Zhao, carrying a rabbit and two pheasants.

Ma Qiuhua went out to gather wild animals, Qiao Runming lit a fire in the large stove in the yard, He Nian stayed home to take care of the twins, and Xiao Hua laid two double-yolk eggs in the chicken coop.

A group of people worked until almost noon before they finished preparing the soupy stew. Ma Qiuhua stood on tiptoe and looked outside, but couldn't see anyone.

"Hey, these guys, they're always complaining about taking advantage of others, but now that there's a bargain to be had, none of them are showing up?"

Qiao Haoyang and Qiao Chengping came over and whispered to Qiao Manman, "Sister, something's happened to the Zhao family!"

"Hmm?" Qiao Manman asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

She seemed perfectly normal when I went over last night. Could something have happened after I left?

"Last night, Zhao's mother was... This morning, Li Chuncao called her for breakfast, but she didn't come out for a long time. She thought her mother-in-law was ashamed, so she didn't care."

When I got back to breastfeed my baby late in the morning, I found that she had long since died. There was even a packet of rat poison next to her!

"The villagers said that Lin Wanhua felt ashamed and went down to apologize to Zhao Laogen."

Qiao Manman: "...If she had such a strong sense of morality, she wouldn't have forced Li Chuncao to marry her dead son!"

He wouldn't have been fooling around with people right after Zhao Laogen was buried.

"You mean, someone murdered me?"

Qiao Manman laughed: "Who knows! They're all bad people, and she's too lazy to stand up for justice."

"So, they went to watch the excitement but didn't come to eat?"

"I think it's better if they don't come; it'll bring bad luck!"

"You're right!" Qiao Manman was just about to close the door when she saw the scorekeeper arrive late with his team.

He added, "Don't worry, Man'er, none of these went to Old Zhao's house. The brigade leader asked me to apologize to you; he has to oversee things over there."

Qiao Manman welcomed them with a smile, and everyone tactfully refrained from mentioning Lin Wanhua.

The atmosphere was quite harmonious until the afternoon when Li Chuncao came to Qiao Manman's door, actually asking her to help her find her daughter.

"Sister Manman, I know I've let you down, but I've already paid the price. Could you please help me find my daughter?"

Seeing her crying with snot and tears streaming down her face, Qiao Manman was still somewhat moved.

But what could she do? Her connections in the local area were not as good as Wang Defa's.

"Instead of begging me, why don't you ask the captain? Or if you have any leads, go find Director Zhang!"

"I don't want Jincheng to suffer from gossip!"

So even though everyone knew the truth, she was unwilling to bring it up openly. She didn't want the villagers' help and hoped to be truly adopted back as their goddaughter.

"A bright future" is a phrase often used to describe a promising career, and it carries a sense of hope and good fortune. Qiao Manman looked at Li Chuncao with newfound respect.

"Then find Director Zhang. Don't worry, he won't disregard you just because of you!"

"I'm afraid, I'm scared, I..."

"Li Chuncao, remember this: if you have any trouble, go to the police. Most of the time, they are more reliable than you think!"

Li Chuncao hesitated for a few seconds, then nodded and left the foot of the mountain.

The Qiao family packed their things and went back to the county together.

They also ran into the police officers who had taken on the case and were investigating in nearby villages and towns.

Qiao Manman said a few kind words, which moved Li Chuncao to tears.

The two sides passed each other, and Qiao Runming sighed, "That girl is quite pitiful. I hope things will go more smoothly in the future!"

Qiao Manman said meaningfully, "You choose your own path, and whether it's bitter or sweet, you have to accept it!"

After returning from Qingshan Brigade, Qiao Runming felt relieved and became more focused on his work.

Ma Qiuhua is also very dedicated, taking care of the two babies wholeheartedly every day. They spend every day and night together and have developed feelings for each other.

Qiao Manman left He Nian two fertility pills, saying that she would give them to Ma Qiuhua when her two younger brothers could walk.

He Nian grabbed her hand: "Are you leaving again?"

Qiao Manman didn't want to lie to her, but the truth was, she should go back.

Seeing her silence, He Nian's eyes reddened. Without even preparing herself, tears began to fall in a steady stream.

He even made excuses: "I'm getting old and my eyes are easily moved."

Qiao Manman didn't expose her, but used her fingers to wipe away her tears.

He Nian forced a smile: "That's true, we've been out for so long, my son-in-law must be getting impatient!"

Qiao Manman nodded: "He's on a mission, and we haven't seen each other for over two months!"

He Nian asked worriedly, "Will everything be alright?"

Qiao Manman was confident in her talisman: "Lu Yuan is very powerful, he will return safely!"