C17 She Should be Heqiu's Wife

After the commotion settled down, Bai Feng called his younger brothers over. Lin Yuefen tidied up a bit, then went upstairs to gather the remaining money, totaling three thousand dollars.

"Over the years," she said, "I've managed to save this for you all."

Bai Feng was surprised by the amount. "Auntie... you held onto this for us?"

Lin Yuefen glanced at Bai Shengli and said, "Don't bring up working again. This year, you must take the exam, no matter what. Whether you pass or not is another story. Your parents were resourceful, and this money can support you and Bai Liang when you leave."

At the mention of their late parents, the older boys' eyes turned red. Even Bai Rui leaned against his brother, pouting silently.

Bai Feng remarked, "I heard just traveling costs dozens of dollars. Once Bai Liang gets through, in a few years, Bai Jin and Bai Xi will need to take their exams too..."

Bai Shengli, who had been quietly smoking, finally spoke up, "You don't need to worry about that. If you want to show your gratitude, make something of yourself. When Qiaoqiao grows up and gets married, be there to support her."

Qiaoqiao: "???"

Hearing this, Bai Feng managed a small smile, but he still felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

Bai Shengli and Lin Yuefen exchanged a glance, both sighing inwardly. They were mainly concerned about whether he would pass the exam.

Sometimes, you just have to push forward, even if it feels like you're forcing a square peg into a round hole. Otherwise, as the older folks in the family, you'd never get over it.

...

As the Bai family discussed their affairs, Shen Heqiu stood up and said, "I'll go get my mom." He suggested that Lin Yuefen and Mao Jinlan go together. Seeing this, Qiaoqiao followed along, quietly trailing behind him.

Today's events were a bit strange... She knew it was all orchestrated by Heqiu, and she believed in his intelligence, both in this life and the last. But... he's only ten years old! Even though in the past life, he and Bai Feng were good friends, is it normal for a ten-year-old to manage his friend's family matters?

The two of them, one big and one small, walked along the field path in silence. Shen Heqiu walked slowly, clearly aware that Little Dot was following. A gentle breeze rustled through the nearby sweet potato field.

"Heqiu," she ventured softly, "how did you know my Third Uncle would act that way?" Not to mention predicting that the Third Branch would send the older brothers to cause trouble, or that Zhao Xiaohong would expose herself.

Shen Heqiu stopped, looked down at her, and then suddenly picked her up. Qiaoqiao was a bit taken aback. After all, Shen Heqiu wasn't much older himself.

He said, "You're too young to worry about all this."

Qiaoqiao was puzzled, "Huh?"

She had been carried around a lot lately, mostly because her dad and big brother spoiled her. It was as if her feet were just for show, and they would carry her whenever they could. So, she developed a way to make it comfortable for adults to hold her. One chubby little arm would rest on the adult's arm, and she'd lean her body against them as much as possible.

At that moment, it was as if Shen Heqiu was speaking right into her ear: "If you worry too much, you'll stop being like a three-year-old. You're already quite the standout."

Bai Qiaoqiao was taken aback: "Heqiu?"

Shen Heqiu didn't respond or even look at her; he just kept walking ahead.

Bai Qiaoqiao's mind was suddenly a jumble, as if the boy before her had transformed into the serious, always-on-guard young man from her past life. Could he be...?

Seeing her shocked expression, Shen Heqiu laughed. He actually laughed!

"Heqiu, are you...?"

Reincarnated? What if he's not?!

What if Heqiu thinks she's possessed or something?

The little girl was completely frozen, as if she was being carried forward like a statue. Her mind was racing.

She couldn't remember what happened at this time in her past life, nor did she know how the five Bai brothers were successfully adopted by the main family.

She remembered vividly that her second brother, Bai Liang, took the college entrance exam in 1988 and was the top scorer in the state. The family kept the newspaper clipping of his achievement.

But something didn't add up...

It's 1984 now, and Bai Liang is a freshman in high school. If everything goes smoothly, he should take the exam in 1986. Somehow, two extra years have slipped in.

If he had been with the main family from the start, Bai Shengli and Lin Yuefen would have done everything to support him. Unless something unexpected happened.

In Bai Qiaoqiao's memory, she never heard of Bai Liang being injured or seriously ill, anything that would delay the exam by two whole years. The college entrance exam is too important for that.

When Bai Feng was a senior, right after their parents passed away, Bai Shengli and Lin Yuefen pushed him to take the exam immediately. So, unless there was some other unavoidable reason...

Like if Bai Feng and Bai Liang were tricked by Bai Yuanchao and ended up working in a labor crew for a few years.

Bai Qiaoqiao struggled to lift her head, trying her best to stay calm.

"And, and Mr. Heqiu..."

"Yes."

He walked leisurely, holding the little chubby one effortlessly.

"Do you, do you know if my brothers were tricked?"

Shen Heqiu replied, "Absolutely. They might even claim they went willingly and try to convince your parents."

Bai Feng and Bai Liang were still young and naive. If the Third Branch put in some effort to deceive them, the main family wouldn't stand a chance.

It sounds like pure speculation! But it kind of makes sense, doesn’t it?

Still, could a ten-year-old like Shen Heqiu really be that sharp?

No, he really seems like...

"You, you need to put me down..."

Bai Qiaoqiao was feeling uncomfortable.

If he is... then wouldn’t that mean a thirty-year-old Shen Heqiu is carrying her, a twenty-three-year-old, like a doll?!

That mental image is terrifying!!!

Yet, Shen Heqiu acted like he didn’t hear a thing and continued carrying her back: “Your legs are short, so I’ll carry you home.”

This little chubby one is surprisingly nice to hold.

On the way, they ran into Mrs. Mao, who was carrying a hoe and a basket, heading home to make lunch.

“Well, look at Heqiu carrying our Qiaoqiao,” Mrs. Mao said with a big smile. “Qiaoqiao, I just adore you. How about you become Heqiu’s wife in the future?”

Bai Qiaoqiao was so shocked she could almost feel herself splitting apart.

Shen Heqiu jokingly replied, “Sure.”

Bai Qiaoqiao: “????”

Mrs. Mao was both surprised and delighted, unable to resist pinching little Qiaoqiao’s cheek. “Then it’s settled, okay?”

Bai Qiaoqiao turned and reached out to Mrs. Mao: “Auntie, carry me.”

Mrs. Mao was overjoyed and didn’t care about her hoe and basket, ready to scoop up the little darling.

But her eldest son just turned around with Bai Qiaoqiao in his arms and walked away, saying as he went, “Mom, the Bai family is in an uproar today. Mrs. Lin even got into a fight with Zhao Xiaohong.”

Mao Jinlan was startled and quickly grabbed a stick, running off in a hurry. "Oh no, is Yuefen hurt?! I need to check on her!"

Watching Mrs. Mao sprint away with the stick as if it weighed nothing, Bai Qiaoqiao stood there, speechless.

"I told you, my mom's trained in martial arts," Shen Heqiu said calmly. "She's quite fierce."