Chapter 20: Lin Xiuzhi’s Unexpected Troubles

After drinking the tea, Liu Chengpeng looked at Qiao Luo with a serious expression. “Sister-in-law, these things are all just tokens. You saved my father’s life, and these thanks are hardly enough. If you have any other requests, just say the word.”

Qiao Luo, feeling a bit bored at home every day, cautiously spoke up, “Then, I would like to work at the hospital. Is that possible?”

Liu Chengpeng pondered for a moment. “Do you have a diploma or degree from medical school or a medical college?”

But then he realized that if Qiao Luo really had those, she wouldn't be asking for his help.

Sure enough, Qiao Luo spread her hands. “I don’t have any of those.”

Liu Chengpeng couldn’t help but laugh wryly. “You’re quite frank, but without that, it’s unlikely you can work in medical care.”

Qiao Luo didn’t mind. “It doesn’t matter. I just want a place to work and pass the time. Besides, working in the hospital will let me gain experience. I often read medical books too. If there’s an assessment, I can take it then.”

Liu Chengpeng admired Qiao Luo’s character. “Most people look for jobs hoping to become leaders right away, but you’re so open-minded.”

Qiao Luo shrugged. “I don’t have the capability to do big things anyway.”

Qin Yanzhou, beaming with pride, glanced at Liu Chengpeng. “Isn’t my wife wonderful?”

Liu Chengpeng’s mouth twitched. “Alright, alright! Your ancestors must have been very virtuous!”

Liu Chengpeng didn’t stay long at Qin Yanzhou’s place since it was already evening, and he didn’t want to intrude on the young couple.

However, after Liu Chengpeng left, Qin Yanzhou grabbed Qiao Luo’s hand.

“You wanted to work at the hospital? Why didn’t you tell me?” Qin Yanzhou’s voice carried a hint of grievance. “Do you think Old Liu can do something I can’t?”

“That’s different!” Qiao Luo said seriously. “Captain Liu doesn’t want to owe me a favor, so I asked him to help me find a job—that way he’s repaying me. But if I ask you, you’d have to owe someone else a favor!”

A smile immediately lit up Qin Yanzhou’s eyes. “So it’s for me you’re thinking!”

He rubbed Qiao Luo’s hand. “I’m so happy, Luo Luo.”

His fingertips, roughened with calluses, tickled the palm of Qiao Luo’s hand.

“Don’t tempt me!” Qiao Luo warned. “You can’t, you can’t do anything…”

Qin Yanzhou laughed in exasperation. “What do you mean I can’t do anything…”

He sighed. “Our marriage report is under review. Just hold on a little longer. Let’s wait until we’re married, okay?”

Qiao Luo’s face turned green. “What do you mean I have to hold on… Don’t make it sound like I’m desperate, like I…”

Like I can’t wait!

Qin Yanzhou chuckled and pinched her cheek. “It’s my fault. I’m trying hard to hold on. Happy now?”

Only then did Qiao Luo pout in a playful, tsundere way.

Meanwhile, Chen Liao had stayed home for two days and was preparing to take his parents back to the army.

Although Chen Liao’s parents had some reservations about Fang Qing not wanting to hold the wedding in their hometown, Fang Qing’s background was truly impressive. Chen Liao was incredibly lucky to find such a partner, so no one said much.

Chen Liao’s mother, Zhu Cuilan, regretted not being able to collect wedding gifts in their hometown, but his father, Chen Zhenxing, was beaming, boasting to the whole village about how impressive his son was and what a great partner he had found.

One day, just after his boasting, Chen Zhenxing saw Lin Xiuzhi inside his home, talking to Zhu Cuilan.

His face immediately darkened, instinctively thinking Lin Xiuzhi had come to cause trouble over the engagement between Qiao Luo and Chen Liao.

“Aren’t you from the Lin family?” Chen Zhenxing felt uneasy. “What brings you to our home?”

Lin Xiuzhi smiled brightly. “Oh, I heard you’re leaving with Chen Liao for the army tomorrow. I talked it over with Old Qiao, and we decided to bring An’an along with Chen Liao to the army.”

Chen Zhenxing relaxed, realizing she wasn’t there to settle scores, but he was curious. “What are you going to the army for?”

Lin Xiuzhi’s eyes gleamed with shrewdness. “Well, since Qiao Luo and Chen Liao broke off their engagement, I heard she found someone else at the army. Old Qiao is worried. He can’t go himself, so he asked me and An’an to check things out.”

Chen Zhenxing knew about the broken engagement, but since Chen Liao was the one who broke his promise, he felt ashamed.

Hearing Lin Xiuzhi’s words, Chen Zhenxing’s lips curled in disdain.

Though Qiao Guojun was from the neighboring Xinglin Village, everyone in Taohua Village knew he doted on the wife he married later and her daughter, neglecting his own biological daughter.

No one in Taohua Village thought well of Qiao Guojun’s mind, and they all quietly awaited his comeuppance since Lin Xiuzhi had originally married into Taohua Village but was widowed and then introduced to Qiao Guojun.

Many in Taohua Village understood Lin Xiuzhi’s true nature.

Zhu Cuilan began to set conditions. “Xiuzhi, it’s not that we don’t want to take you, but the ticket and all the expenses along the way…”

Lin Xiuzhi immediately put on a sweet smile. “I asked Chen Liao to help buy two tickets since he’s capable! I’ll definitely pay the money, and of course, we’ll bring our own food.”

Zhu Cuilan enjoyed Lin Xiuzhi’s flattery and proudly nodded. “Alright, I’ll tell my son.”

After Lin Xiuzhi left, Chen Zhenxing snorted. “She’s not going for Qiao Luo’s sake!”

“How can you say that?” Zhu Cuilan sneered. “Didn’t you hear from Niu Niu that Qiao Luo hitched herself to a high official? She’s rushing over to see if she can mooch off him!”

Chen Liao happened to come in and heard his mother. He looked displeased. “Mom! I’ve told you not to call me by my nickname! You have to be careful once we’re in the army!”

Zhu Cuilan’s face lit up as she saw Chen Liao. “Alright, alright, I know!”

She then told him about Lin Xiuzhi’s plan.

Chen Liao laughed coldly. “I knew the Lin widow would come to the army to find Qiao Luo. This should be entertaining!”

Meanwhile, at the army base, Qiao Luo was completely unaware that her stepmother and stepsister were about to stir up trouble. She was busy digging up the yard with Zhou Mengni.

They had bought some vegetable seeds but didn’t know how to plant them, so they dug several holes of varying depths in the yard.

When Zhou Mengni came out after washing clothes and saw this, she couldn’t help but laugh and decided to teach Qiao Luo how to hoe the ground.

“Mengni, you’re so amazing!” Qiao Luo admired her with wide eyes. “You’re younger than me but know so much!”

Zhou Mengni blushed. “It’s nothing special. You’re the amazing one! You even saved someone’s life! But Commander Qin’s yard was always bare. Now that you’re here, it finally feels like home.”