Chapter 376 Bad News and Good News

Yan Bugui was recognized by Qin Zhang at the first sight. He couldn't help but feel warm in his heart and said with a smile: "Wow, sister-in-law, I haven't seen you for many years. You are still so strong. I really envy you!"

No matter who you are, it is a pleasant thing to leave a deep impression on others, and Yan Bugui is no exception.

Yan Bugui was not good at making polite remarks, but Qin Zhangshi was a real laborer. The heavy pile of firewood at the door of her house weighed at least 100 to 180 kilograms, blocking the way of the visitor.

Qin Zhang just raised her hand slightly, and the pile of firewood seemed to come alive, and she moved it under the eaves effortlessly.

If it were a woman in the city, she would probably have to put in a lot of effort and would have to worry about spraining her waist.

Not to mention the woman, even Yan Bugui, a weak scholar, had difficulty moving it.

But in the vast rural areas, such scenes are commonplace. Rural women of this era are no less capable than men at work. They are hardworking, tenacious, kind, and have a strong sense of family responsibility, which is the greatest embodiment of women's qualities.

Qin Zhang was a little embarrassed, and said to Yan Bugui: "Teacher Yan, please sit down first. We don't have good tea at home, so you can only drink some boiled water. Please bear with me!" As a country girl, she was inevitably nervous when facing Yan Bugui who came from the city. She was afraid that her simple food and drink would be impolite and make people laugh at her.

We can't say that Qin Zhangshi, a poor rural woman, has anything to be particular about, because the people in the capital, whether in the city or in the countryside, all pay attention to old etiquette.

What is Lao Li'er? Let me briefly explain it here.

Few young people today know about it. Even the natives of the old capital who still know it well only learned a little from the discipline of their elders in their childhood.

For example, if you get up early, you must go to your grandfather's room to greet him: "Are you up?" When you come back from outside, you must greet your grandfather: "I'm back!"

Also, when meeting strangers, people tend to ask "Have you eaten?" When they meet, in fact, it is not specifically asking whether you have eaten, but just a greeting.

This saying comes from the fact that people in Beijing love to drink morning tea. Tea contains caffeine. After a night's sleep, people can use the caffeine to expel all the dirt and foul air that remain in the body overnight by drinking tea early in the morning!

Most old Beijingers have this habit, so when they meet in the morning, they first ask "Have you drunk?" They think this is a lucky and considerate word, and over time it evolved into the current "Have you eaten?"

It is true that every three sentences cannot be separated from tea, which shows how much the people in Beijing love the habit of drinking tea. Even if some families' conditions do not allow it, it is great to let the guests drink a pot of "Gaosui".

There are rules for drinking tea. When guests come to the house, tea must be served, the spout of the teapot cannot be pointed at the guests, and the teacups cannot be filled to the brim.

This shows welcome and respect so as not to burn the guests. There is an old saying in Beijing that "a full mouth of tea bullies people". When placing the teapot, the spout must not be facing the guests, because old Beijing people believe that a spout facing people means the host does not welcome the guests.

When you invite guests to your home for dinner, children are not allowed to sit at the table. If you invite someone to your home, don't mention it immediately. People in Beijing have this saying when inviting guests: "Three days is an invitation, two days is a call, and the same day is a mention."

This means that you have to invite guests in advance and not just invite them when the time comes. That will be considered impolite and even your best friends will find fault with you. This is especially true when it comes to wedding invitations, so you have to be careful.

Also, children are not allowed to interrupt when adults are talking, and must say hello to their elders when they see them.

You cannot return a borrowed bowl empty, you cannot show your teeth when you smile, you cannot shout when you talk, you cannot pull your shoes when you walk, you cannot pout while eating noodles, and so on. I won't go into detail about all the rules.

Qin Zhang, a typical housewife, was nervous when she saw the unexpected distinguished guest. She knew she knew nothing and was afraid that she would fail to entertain the distinguished guest and lose the courtesy, which made her feel very sorry.

So, she begged her neighbor Yan Bugui to take good care of him, and she hurried out to call back the head of the family to fulfill her role as a good host.

At this moment, Yan Mantun and Yan Manyin were working hard in the vast fields of the production team, sweating profusely.

Suddenly, they heard the news from Qin Zhang that an unexpected guest had arrived at their home. The two brothers looked at each other, both anxious. Then, they quickly explained the situation to the production team leader, and after getting permission, they hurriedly set out on the road home like a swallow returning to its nest, with all kinds of speculations and expectations about the visitor at home.

"Hey, it's really Teacher Yan who has come to visit! I was saying it, the magpie chirping on the doorstep this morning, it turns out to be a good sign, a distinguished guest is coming." Qin Mantun held Yan Bugui's hand tightly, his face full of smiles, and there was a warmth in his words, as if he was meeting an old friend after a long separation.

To be honest, Qin Mantun and Yan Bugui had only met a few times. The only time they had the chance to drink tea and chat together was when Qin Huairu and Jia Dongxu got married.

Qin Mantun was so enthusiastic because he heard from his daughter Qin Huairu that Teacher Yan's family was very powerful now, with three cadres in the family.

If you build good relationships with such people, you may be able to use them in the future. Isn't it safer and more efficient than cramming at the last minute?
"Teacher Yan, this is the financial situation at home. Please bear with me. Come and have a smoke..."

"You're welcome, Old Qin. The water in your Qin Family Village is great. It tastes sweet and refreshing, much better than tea!"

After a busy period, Qin Mantun finally couldn't hold back his curiosity and asked Yan Bugui directly: "Teacher Yan, I dare to ask you, what is the reason for you to visit my humble home today?"

Yan Bugui pondered for a moment and said bluntly: "I came here for two things, one is good news, the other is bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?"

Soon, all the family members of Qin Huairu arrived: Qin Mantun, his uncle Qin Manyin, Qin Huaihe, Qin Jingru and his brothers Qin Huaibei and Qin Huainan, Qin Huairu and her mother Qin Zhang, and Qin Jingru's mother Qin Dong. Everyone gathered together and the house suddenly became lively.

At this time, after listening to what Yan Bugui said, the Qin family looked at each other in confusion. Yan Bugui's words were like a fog, making it impossible to figure out his true intentions.

Qin Mantun was shocked when he saw this. "This... this, how do you say good news and how do you say bad news?"

"Well, I'd better tell you straight away, so you won't be caught off guard. Qin Huairu, she...something happened." Yan Bugui sighed and continued in a heavy tone, "Because it involves..., the trial has not been completed yet. But, her situation is indeed not good."

"What?! My daughter Qin Huairu... How is this possible!" When Qin Zhang heard that Qin Huairu had met with an accident, her face turned pale instantly. She screamed, her body went limp, her eyes widened, and then she lost consciousness and fell heavily to the ground.

"Mother...mother...wake up..."

"Mom...Mom, what's wrong with you?"

"Wow... I'm timid... Please don't scare me..."

"sister in law……"

"Quickly pinch the Ren Zhong ..."

"Get out of the way, everyone, get out of the way, let's get some fresh air..."

"She's awake, she's awake, stop pinching her, my sister-in-law is awake..."

Seeing Qin Zhang fainted, the Qin family members present were frightened and panicked. After a lot of effort, they finally woke Qin Zhang up.

"Wow... My poor daughter!" After waking up, Qin Zhang was heartbroken and fell to the ground crying.

Qin Mantun's face was so gloomy that it seemed as if water could be squeezed out of it. In fact, he had already known that Qin Huairu might be dating a rich man, but he had never expected that the other party's background was so strong.

At the beginning, after knowing that Qin Huairu was dating a rich man, Qin Mantun was actually optimistic about it. After all, Qin Huairu was already a widow, and there was nothing wrong with doing so for the sake of a better life for herself and her family.

However, if this matter gets out, my reputation might be affected...

However, the news brought by Yan Bugui was like a sudden blow, like a bolt from the blue, which dealt a heavy and cruel blow to Qin Mantun - Qin Huairu and her "big tree" who were once regarded as a solid backing, collapsed overnight.

This sudden change made Qin Mantun feel an indescribable anger and resentment. He thought to himself that if it weren't for fate, their Qin family might have been able to enjoy the glory through Qin Huairu's relationship. Everyone in the Qin family had different expressions, all showing some strange expressions. Privately, although they also secretly speculated about Qin Huairu's amazing changes, they didn't expect that she would make such a big deal and be so bold as to put herself in jail.

"I was wondering why my second sister suddenly got so excited. It turns out she really is hooking up with a rich man!" Qin Huainan whispered in his brother Qin Huaibei's ear.

Qin Huaibei gave him a look, signaling him to be careful with his words, and then he scolded him in a low voice: "If you can't speak, just shut up. No one thinks you are dumb!"

Qin Huainan was scolded. He was not a pushover and instinctively wanted to refute his brother Qin Huaibei after being wronged.

However, when his eyes accidentally met the gloomy face of his great uncle Qin Mantun and those eyes that seemed to be able to eat people, he was suddenly frightened and instantly restrained all frivolous words, and dared not say a word again.

"Hmph..." Qin Mantun looked at his nephew's behavior just now, his heart burning with anger, but he had nowhere to vent. He could only snort heavily, showing his extreme dissatisfaction and disappointment in his heart.

"This is your own sister. She's in trouble. It's fine if you don't feel sorry for her, but how can you even mock her? Can you still call this a family?"

"Uncle, we didn't mean that. You must have misunderstood!"

"Yes, uncle, we don't mean to make fun of my second sister. You are overthinking it!"

"Alright, alright, stop talking. Just go away so you don't have to laugh at our family..." Qin Mantun had a cold face and wanted to drive his nephews and nieces away to save him from being annoyed.

Qin Manyin and his wife saw their brother ruthlessly driving people away in front of the guests, and their faces instantly turned gloomy. Their children have grown up and are no longer children, so such a shameless act made them very unhappy.

"Brother, you are being unreasonable. No matter how useless my child is, he is not as bad as you say. Why are they making fun of his second sister? It's not true at all!"

"You are just too sensitive!"

Qin Mantun was furious when he heard this: "Bullshit, do you mean I am blind?"

Qin Manyin turned her face away and said, "I didn't say that! You are just imagining this."

"Kids, since your uncle is unhappy, let's go home. Humph, we shouldn't get involved in their family affairs." He stood up and was about to leave with his family.

Qin Mantun's face suddenly became so gloomy that water could be squeezed out of it. His eyes were wide open, and his tone was filled with disdain and reproach: "What kind of person are you, huh? On weekdays, when there are benefits, you run faster than a rabbit. Now that something bad has happened, you want to run away? Humph, you are really a piece of shit!"

Qin Manyin was also angry: "Who the hell wants to hide? Don't you dislike us? Why don't you let us go? Besides, how can I not know what benefits I have gained from your family?"

Qin Mantun slammed the table and shouted angrily, "How come there is nothing? Huairu brought me the good cigarettes and wine, didn't you take a sip or smoke a cigarette? Good fellow, you drank and took them at the same time, when did I ever say a word of no?"

"Now that your niece is in trouble, not only do you not think about how to help solve the problem, but you are also thinking about evading responsibility..." His voice was full of disappointment and anger, and every word fell like a hammer on people's hearts.

Qin Manyin scolded him, knowing that he was wrong, and said timidly: "He said he wanted to escape. My niece is in trouble, how can I not be anxious? I am also thinking..."

Qin Mantun waved his hand and said, "No need, just get out of here, you are an ungrateful person..."

"Just go, huh..." Qin Manyin was completely enraged by his brother's bullying. He stood up, swung his arm and was about to walk out.

At this moment, Yan Bugui, who had been watching the show for a long time, suddenly said: "You guys wait a moment, I haven't finished what I want to say!" Just now, he had only said half of his purpose when he was interrupted by the chaos of the Qin family.

Because this was the Qin family's family affair, and he, as an outsider, had no say in it. He waited until they finished arguing and the Qin Manyin family was about to leave before he spoke out to stop them.

Qin Manyin bowed slightly to Yan Bugui and said concisely: "Teacher Yan, please talk to my brother. There is nothing for us to get involved in here, so we will leave first." After that, he turned around and was about to leave.

Yan Bugui pulled him back to his side with a sudden tug, his tone was anxious and mysterious: "Don't worry, I haven't finished what I want to say yet! Listen carefully, I have good news here, it is closely related to your family, we have to talk about it."

"Ah! Good news, and it's related to our family?" Qin Manyin's family looked at each other in surprise when they heard this. They didn't understand why there was a so-called good thing waiting for them. The key point was that they were not familiar with Yan Bugui, so what was going on?
Even Qin Mantun's family looked surprised. What does this have to do with the second brother's family?
Yan Bugui noticed that everyone's eyes were on him. He nodded slightly in response to the Qin family's gesture. Finally, a warm smile bloomed especially for Qin Jingru.

Qin Jingru's heart trembled slightly, and her thoughts couldn't help but wander: "Could it be... Oh, how can a father personally propose marriage? Isn't it the rule that the matchmaker should go first?"

"Oh, forget it! No need to dwell on this... Is he here for Jiefang, the elder brother of the Yan family, or Jiekuang, the third brother..." Qin Jingru's cheeks flushed when she thought of this, and she covered her face with her hands, feeling extremely shy.

"This..." Qin Manyin's eyes wandered between Yan Bugui and Qin Jingru, whose face was flushed. He couldn't help but have some speculations in his heart. He said with a little excitement: "Teacher Yan, are you here this time to propose to Jingru for your son's marriage?" If so, it would be a blessing from heaven.

The Yan family is no longer an ordinary family. The three sons of Old Yan are all outstanding. For the Qin family, it is undoubtedly a great honor to marry into such a family. Naturally, they are very happy and impeccable.

Even Qin Mantun, who was furious just now, couldn't help but show a look of joy at this moment, thinking to himself: "If Qin Jingru can also marry into the city, with such relatives to rely on, the future life will be much better..." These thoughts circled in his mind, making his originally furrowed brows gradually relax.

Qin Jingru's brothers, Qin Huaibei and Qin Huainan, were so excited that they could not hide their joy. For a long time, they envied their cousin Qin Huairu for being able to marry into the city and enjoy a good life.

Now, their younger sister Qin Jingru also has the opportunity to marry into the city, and the conditions are even more favorable. The two of them couldn't help but feel ripples in their hearts, and their longing and expectation were intertwined.

“Hahaha…” “Hehehe…”

"Hey, look at what a misunderstanding this has caused!" Yan Bugui saw the sudden change in the Qin family's expressions and his mind became clear as a mirror.

To be honest, Qin Jingru's appearance is really outstanding. She is even more beautiful than her cousin Qin Huairu when she was young. If the Yan family in the past had the good fortune to marry such a daughter-in-law, it would really be a blessing from their ancestors.

However, as time goes by, the Yan family's standards have also risen. Although Qin Jingru looks good now, her family conditions and her own abilities are much worse.

"Old Qin, you misunderstood. It's not what you think. But this is also a good thing, especially for your daughter Qin Jingru."

"Everyone, please be patient and allow me to explain in detail..." Yan Bugui spoke calmly and explained the core purpose of his visit to the Qin family in a clear and logical manner. Every detail was explained in a thorough and direct manner without any concealment.

When Qin Manyin's family heard this, although the man was not here to propose marriage, they could arrange for Qin Jingru to work as a clerk in a large state-owned factory.

This sudden good news was like a blessing from heaven to these people who had been digging for food in the fields for generations.

They also knew that without this opportunity, relying solely on their own strength, it would be an unattainable dream for a farmer's son like Qin Jingru to make the leap to success without the knowledge and ability.

At this moment, the family's joy is beyond words, and their longing for the future is quietly growing.

Qin Jingru was a little dazed by the sudden great joy. The life in Beijing that she had dreamed of for a long time came so suddenly that she felt an indescribable sense of unreality in her heart.

She was afraid that all this was just a dream that would vanish with the slightest touch. The mixture of anxiety and excitement kept surging in her heart.

"Why!" This deafening roar, like thunder out of the blue, instantly froze the air around it, and everyone's eyes were focused on the Qinhuai River.

His eyes were red as if they could spit fire, and every word seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth, with unquestionable anger and unwillingness: "Why should my sister's job opportunity be handed over to Qin Jingru? What virtue and ability does she have? Why can't it be me?"

(End of this chapter)