Huo Family was delighted and looking forward to Da Qiao's arrival.
Huo Hua Qing and Dai Shu Fang noticed the dried flowers that Da Qiao gave them had a very magical effect. After each use, they could sleep until dawn. Their bodies improved day by day too.
One must know that they suffered a lot on the farm in the early years. Not having enough to eat every day was only the tip of the iceberg. The worst thing was that they live in the cowshed, which was dirty, smelly and damp. Every winter, the wind blew from all directions. So freezing that their teeth were chattering.
Huo Hua Qing's arthritis and rheumatism's root illness were planted at that time. Every time it rained, he was in pain to the point of cold sweat and wanted to slam his head into the wall!
Later, they went to Qili Village. Although the situation had improved, it still occurred a good few times each year. But after returning to the capital, this time, he never had those attack except for one when they first came back!
And this only happened after drinking the dried flowers that Da Qiao gave them.
He remembered what happened when he just arrived at Qili Village. At that time, he had a high fever and coughed for half a month. He thought he wouldn't survive that time. Who knew that after eating a few eggs from Da Qiao, he actually gradually got better.
At that time, he was a little suspicious. But there was no evidence. And because of their identities at the time, even if they found something, they didn't dare to talk about.
It was different now. They had examined Da Qiao's dried flowers to confirm whether it was due to dried flowers. They had even given some to their neighbors.
Within their neighbors was an old woman in her 70s. She couldn't sleep all day and all night because of her illness. She was just waiting to die. After consuming the dried flower tea sent by Huo Family that night, her appetite had increase. On top of that, she fell asleep early that night!
When her family saw her falling asleep, they thought she was dead for a moment. They even secretly put their hands under her nose to check for her breathing. When they discovered that she was only asleep, they were shocked!
The next day, the neighbors immediately came over in person and asked them where the dried flowers were bought. They were willing to pay big money!
However, Huo Family only had a few jars. How could they be willing to give the dried flowers. As for where to buy them, they dared not make this decision. In the end, they couldn't win against the begging of the neighbors and gave them half a jar.
The neighbors were also wealthy people. They gifted them a lot of valuable supplements on the spot and kept nagging; telling them that if they have any more dried flowers, they must not forget them!
Only then, Huo Family concluded Da Qiao's dried flowers were indeed not ordinary things. As for why it had such an effect, they didn't know. They didn't investigate further.
The only thing they were sure of was that they must thank Da Qiao!
That was why they were looking forward to Da Qiao's arrival. They sent letters and things to Qiao's house before the holiday. Later, they were afraid that she wouldn't come. When Huo Chi volunteered to pick her up, Huo Hua Qing and Dai Shu Fang didn't stop him.
In addition to thanking Da Qiao, both of them have their own little thoughts in their hearts.
In their opinion, Da Qiao was not only beautiful, but also well-behaved and sensible. Her study reflected her intelligence. Quite astounding in every aspect.
Apart from Da Qiao's own excellence, another important point was that Huo Chi didn't reject Da Qiao. He would listen to her very much. If Huo Chi can marry her as a wife in the future, it will be his few lifetime's blessing!
That was why Huo Family was so eagerly looking forward to Da Qiao's stay here. In addition to their desire, it was to create opportunities for this pair of little childhood sweethearts.
Of course, Huo Family will definitely not force Da Qiao.
If Da Qiao had no feeling for Huo Chi after growing up, then Huo Family will prepare a dowry for her like she was their own daughter!
"Come Da Qiao, this is the dress that Auntie Fang bought for you. What do you think?"
As soon as the meal was over, Dai Shu Fang took Da Qiao to her room, opened the wardrobe prepared for her, and displayed the various dresses.
Da Qiao knew that everyone in Huo Family liked her very much, but she couldn't help being shocked when she saw a wardrobe full of clothes!
Her big eyes widened and she softly responded, "Auntie Fang, isn't this too much? And didn't you send me a good few dresses before?"
Dai Shu Fang took out the dresses one by one and put them against Da Qiao: "Not much, not much. Wear one, one a day. If you don't like them, throw them aside. Auntie Fang can afford it!"
When she first became pregnant with Huo Chi, she often jollily told Huo Zheng Chen that she hoped that there was a baby girl in her stomach. That way, she could dress her daughter every day and the two mother and daughter could wear the same clothes. It was a pity that a son came out.
She remembered that Huo Zheng Chen held her hand and comforted her; saying he would make persistent efforts to let their daughter appear in Huo Family earlier!
When she heard it, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry. In fact, no matter whether it was a son or a daughter, she would them as they were their child. She thought they would have a daughter soon. Who knew...
Thinking of the old days, Dai Shu Fang's nose felt sour. Her eyes suddenly turned red.
Da Qiao noticed Auntie Fang acting weird. She grasped her hand and anxiously asked: "Auntie Fang, what's wrong? Do you feel discomfort somewhere?"
Dai Shu Fang shook her head, dispelling the sadness in her heart, and smilingly assured, "Auntie Fang is fine. Come, try this. Your skin is so fair, you must look good in it!"
Da Qiao couldn't bear to refuse Auntie Fang's kindness, so she took the dress and went into the cloakroom to change into it.
Dai Shu Fang was a young miss before she got married. At the time she married in, Huo Family was one of the richest people in the capital. In other words, she had no shortage of money since she was born. On top of that, she loved to dress up. That was why she was always at the forefront of fashion trends. It went without saying she didn't have bad taste when it came to choosing clothes.
Some of the dresses she bought for Da Qiao were ready-to-wear, while some were tailored. No matter which type they were, they all matched Da Qiao's aura and age.
The white dress on Da Qiao's body emphasized her fair skin. Her whole body was as delicate as the first spring jasmine that bloomed on the budding branches. So delicate and tender, it made people urge to cherish her.
"Oh, I knew you would look good in this dress!"
Dai Shu Fang looked at celestial fairy-like Da Qiao and wished that she was her own daughter.
At this moment, Huo Chi came in.
Dai Shu Fang saw her son coming over and hurriedly waved to him: "Chi-er, come and see. Does your younger sister Da Qiao look pretty in this dress?"
Da Qiao wasn't one to be shy. She twirled in a circle and asked, "Elder Brother Huo Chi, do I look good?"
Her voice was soft and smooth. This 'Elder Brother Huo Chi' sounded like glutinous rice paste dipped in sugar; it almost stuck to people's hearts!
Huo Chi looked at Da Qiao, who was as fair and fresh as flowers and his face became hot. Then his heartbeat picked up the pace: "It's... It's okay."
When Da Qiao heard this response, her mouth pouted slightly: "Elder Brother Huo Chi, you should say superb!"
Huo Chi suddenly didn't dare to look into her eyes. His ears were turning red little by little: "When I saw little Dong Yun being so vain before, I couldn't figure out who she was like. Now that I think about it, she must have been influenced by you. So vain at such young age!"
Da Qiao became more and more dissatisfied. Her cheeks bulged: "Elder Brother Huo Chi, we aren't called vain. We are called self-confident!"
Huo Chi raised his eyebrows: "Self-confident?"
Little Dong Yun was ugly and tanned. It was actually a very rare thing to have such self-confidence.
Dai Shu Fang originally intended to let her son praise Da Qiao and let them nurture mutual understanding and feelings since they were young. Unexpectedly, her son wasn't putting in effort!
With a look of disdain, she pushed her son out: "Go out. Look how you made Da Qiao angry!"
Da Qiao hid behind Auntie Fang and made a face at him.
Huo Chi took in how his mom and Da Qiao were untied in face of foe and smiled helplessly: "Okay, then I won't disturb you."
He wasn't jealous about Da Qiao garnering his mom and grandfather's like and dating. Instead, he was delighted.
In his opinion, it was only right to be good to Da Qiao!
——
When Da Qiao came over this time, she brought a good few jar of dried roses and dried jasmine to Huo Family.
After receiving it, Huo Hua Qing immediately locked the dried flowers in the cabinet. To someone unknowing, they would have thought he was hiding some rare treasure.
After hiding it, he remembered what the neighbors had asked him to do. so he tactfully asked Da Qiao about the dried flowers: "Da Qiao, did you grow all the dried flowers you made by yourself?"
Da Qiao obediently nodded: "Yes. The flower seeds were given to me by God-grandfather from Shen Family. I have been planting them for many years. Is Grandpa Huo also interested in planting flowers?"
Huo Hua Qing nodded at once: "Yes, after your auntie and I drank the dried flower tea you gave, we feel very healthy. So I also want to plant some and try it myself."
Hearing this, Da Qiao felt a little guilty.
If Grandpa Huo wanted to grow flowers, it wouldn't be difficult. But it would be impossible to achieve the same effect as hers.
Huo Hua Qing was an old experienced man. Seeing Da Qiao's reaction, he knew she was hiding something. But he didn't plan to use his identity as an elder to force it out of her.
He pretended not to know anything and only asked how to grow flowers.
Seeing this, Da Qiao was greatly relieved. She told Grandpa Huo all the things that should be paid attention to when planting flowers.
Since he started the play, he do the full show. He took out a pen and paper to record it.
After Da Qiao left, Huo Hua Qing studied the dried flowers in the study alone.
From the appearance, the dried flowers were no different from other dried flowers. The production process wasn't unusual either.
Huo Hua Qing couldn't understand, but he knew that this matter must not be known to others. Otherwise, it would bring disaster to Da Qiao!
As for the neighbor, he could only lie and say that it was given to him by his old deceased friend and he didn't know where these dried flowers came from.
It wasn't that he didn't want to help the neighbor. It was just that between the neighbor and Da Qiao, he chose to protect Da Qiao without hesitation.
Da Qiao stayed at Huo's house for a day before she mentioned going to teacher college to see her elder cousin sister Qiao Dong He.
When Dai Shu Fang heard this, she immediately blamed herself: "Look at my brain. Why have I forgotten such an important thing! I should have sent someone to pick up your elder cousin sister yesterday!"
Da Qiao thoughtfully responded, "Auntie Fang, don't blame yourself. I don't blame you."
Seeing how sensible she was, Dai Shu Fang's love for her grew.
She hurriedly arranged for a driver to take her to teacher college. Because she still had something to do, she asked Huo Chi to accompany her.
In the car, there was a lot of snacks considerately prepared by Huo Family for her.
Huo Chi helped her open the snack bag and handed the snack to her. The movement was very natural. as if he was used to it before.
Da Qiao didn't feel anything wrong. Like a little squirrel, she stuffed her cheeks full and told Huo Chi what happened in Qiao Family during this period while eating.
Huo Chi attentively listened and didn't think she was too talkative.
When the driver driving in front saw this, he sighed very much in his heart. Huo Family was so kind to this girl from the countryside. So nice that it made people jealous!
In his opinion, it was Da Qiao's few lifetime's blessings to make Huo Family like her so much.
He only knew one thing and didn't know the other. If he knew what Da Qiao had done for Huo Family, he wouldn't say such a thing.
Because the college started relatively late, Qiao Dong He and the others hadn't had a holiday yet when the primary and secondary schools did.
When Da Qiao passed by, Qiao Dong He was in class. So Da Qiao and Huo Chi casually strolled around the campus.
When the students on campus saw them, they couldn't help but glance at them as they were good-looking and dressed fashionably. At first glance, one could tell they weren't ordinary children.
Despite looking, everyone didn't think too much.
No matter how beautiful Da Qiao was, she was a twelve-year-old girl. In the eyes of these college students, she was a little girl.
Suddenly, a woman rushed out in front. The woman was chasing the man ahead and called: "Ming Cheng, why haven't you found me these days? I've been waiting for you at school!"
The man named Ming Cheng didn't even look at the woman. He indifferently replied: "Comrade Da, we are just strangers who met by chance. We only met once or twice before. In essence, we are still strangers. Please don't harass me in the future, okay?"
Initially, Da Qiao hadn't pay attention to them. But when she heard 'Comrade Da', she couldn't help but look over curiously.
Only the sight of the woman's back entered her eyes; short hair and wearing half-new clothes. She looked very similar to Gou Sheng's wife.
The main reason was that there were too few people with the surname Da. So she suspected the woman in front of her was Da Zhi.
Huo Chi noticed her staring blankly at the woman and asked, "What are you looking at?"
Da Qiao leaned over and whispered, "Do you still remember the man in the village named Gou Sheng?"
Her breath brushed against his chin. An itchy feeling. Huo Chi froze for a moment before responding, "Remember. Why do you mention him out of the blue?"
Da Qiao explained: "That woman should be his wife. Before when she was admitted to the college, there was no news. Everyone said that she abandoned her husband and children. I didn't expect her to appear here!"
Huo Chi looked up and followed her gaze.
It had been five years since he left the production team. He had long forgotten what Da Zhi look like. Still, he detested those who abandon their families, no matter if they were men or women!
His mind spun and spoke, "What's the name of the children she and Gou Sheng have?"
Da Qiao blinked her long eyelashes and asked curiously, "Elder Brother Huo Chi, what do you want to do?"
Huo Chi copied her and blinked at her: "You'll know in a while. Tell me what the children's name is now!"
Da Qiao answered, "The boy's name is Liu Xiao Hu, while the youngest daughter's name is Liu Xiao Ying. One is five years old and the other is only three years old."
Huo Chi heard that the children was so young, a flash of anger flashed in his eyes: "You hide behind the tree and wait for me. I'll come back soon!"
Da Qiao somewhat guessed what he was going to do, but she didn't plan to stop it. She ran behind the tree and hid like a good baby.
Huo Chi watched her act like a little girl playing hide and seek. The corners of his mouth couldn't help but twitch.
Then, he ran past Da Zhi.
After running a few steps ahead, he turned his head and stared at her wide eyes, "Gou Sheng's wife, why are you here? Your man and children are going crazy looking for you. Haven't you received their letters?"
Da Zhi had just finished coaxing Lin Ming Cheng, but unexpectedly a Cheng Yao Jin would suddenly charged over halfway through!
Her face turned white with fright on the spot: "You... you recognized the wrong person. I don't know you!"
How could Huo Chi let her go so easily: "I recognize the wrong person? Isn't your name Da Zhi, a female educated youth who was admitted from Qili production team?"
All the information was correct, Da Zhi's face was as white as a piece of paper. Her whole body shook.
The man beside her looked at Huo Chi and then looked back at pale Da-Zhi. He asked with a frown, "Excuse me, what's going on? You said Comrade Da is married?"
Lin Ming Cheng had met Da Zhi when he went to the technical school to look for his classmates. Da Zhi was beautiful and gentle, which fit his partner selection criteria. So he sincerely expressed his desire to pursue the other.
But Da Zhi was pulling him along. She said in front of his classmates that they were just strangers who met by chance and told him not to harass her in the future!
He also want face. Even though he liked her, he rested that thought. Who knew that within half a month, she actually chased after; saying that she already had him in her heart and that she was just testing him!
He was almost persuaded by her. Just when he was thinking about forgiving her, this young man appeared.
Huo Chi answered: "Yes. Back then, this comrade Da Zhi went to the countryside to become an educated youth in Qili production team. She married a local man named Gou Sheng and gave birth to two children. The son's name is Liu Xiao Hu and the daughter's name is Liu Xiao Ying. It's just this. After Comrade Da Zhi who got admitted to technical school, she had lost contact with the world like she had disappeared from the world!"
Da Zhi wished she could faint right there and then: "I...I didn't...you... don't slander people!"
Huo Chi twitched the corners of his mouth: "Whether I was slander or not, fellow comrade can go to your school and check your file to find out."
After speaking, he ignored them and turned away.
Da Zhi swayed. She reached out to grab Lin Ming Cheng's hand and came up up empty-handed: "Ming Cheng, listen to me..."
Lin Ming Cheng's face flushed red, while his eyes burned with anger: "What else do you want to say? I didn't expect you to be such a person. I was really blind!"
After he finished speaking, he flung his sleeve and deparrted.
Da Zhi's face was red and white. She almost vomited blood!
After she came to the technical school, she wanted to catch a rich man and marry again. However, she wasn't young anymore. More importantly, she had given birth to two children. Her figure was seriously out of shape. Under such circumstances, she was naturally inferior to those young girls.
Later, she met Lin Ming Cheng. Lin Ming Cheng was average-looking and his family's economy was average. She wasn't satisfied. The only good thing was that he was from the city.
She originally planned to accept the other party, but who knew that a rich male classmate in the next class suddenly pursued her. It went without saying, she dumped Lin Ming Cheng without even thinking about it. However, to her shock, that male classmate was only aiming for her body!
After he slept with her, he casually threw her some money and stopped contacting her!
She was so furious that she threatened to go to the school director to report him, but the other party wasn't worried at all. Instead, he told her that the school director was a relative of his family. If she really reported it, the only person who would be kicked out was her.
She had no choice but to come back to Lin Ming Cheng. She had almost convince him, but...!
She really wanted to kill the other party. But when she came back to her senses, was there any trace of that young man?
Huo Chi deliberately took a detour before going back to Da Qiao: "Let's go. Let's find your elder cousin sister."
Da Qiao looked at him with bright eyes and said, "Elder Brother Huo Chi, you are amazing!"
The corners of Huo Chi's mouth curled up every so slightly: "Qiao Nian Nian, do you find that you worship me a little too much? But if you want to worship me, worship me. I won't stop you."
When Da Qiao heard this, she couldn't help but burst out into laughter: "Elder Brother Huo Chi, you were saying that I am vain. Actually, you are the most vain one!"
After that, she jollily ran away.
Huo Chi rubbed his ears with a shy smile and soon chased after her.
——
Qiao Dong He couldn't close her mouth when she saw Da Qiao: "Younger Sister Da Qiao, why are you here? Am I dreaming?"
Da Qiao ran over and grabbed her elder cousin sister's arm, "Elder Cousin Sister, you aren't dreaming. How about you pinch me!"
Qiao Dong He couldn't bear to pinch her: "Why didn't you tell me in advance that you were coming over. I could have pick you up at the station!"
Da Qiao replied, "Elder Brother Huo Chi came to pick me up from our house. Elder Cousin Sister, don't worry about me."
Only then did Qiao Dong He notice the young man following behind Da Qiao. She smiled shyly at him.
At this moment, Qiao Dong He's roommates came out of the classroom.
Among them, a girl named Jiang Shao Li came over and spoke, "Dong He, why is your younger cousin sister here again? You have no relatives and no house in the capital. Where will your cousin live?"
This sounded like she was caring about Da Qiao. Actually, she wasn't.
When she said this, her tone carried disdain. Her chin was slightly raised as she looked at people with her nostrils!
Da Qiao glanced at the other party and recognized that the other party was the snarky beautiful girl back then.
From what she heard from her elder cousin sister, Jiang Shao Li was a native of the capital. That was why she looked down on outsiders, especially people from the countryside like her.
Qiao Dong He pulled a long face, "You don't have to worry about where my younger cousin sister lives. Da Qiao, let's go!"
There were ten people living in one dorm. All of them come from all over the country. Most of them got along very well. Only a few dogs looked down on others and always considered themselves as superior.
Jiang Shao Li was one of them.
Seeing Qiao Dong He wiping her face off in front of so many people, Jiang Shao Li became irked: "Pah, just a country bumpkin, what are you so proud of!"
When Da Qiao heard this, her face flushed with anger. She wanted to go back and reason with her, but was halted by her elder cousin sister.
Qiao Dong He shook her head and said, "Ignore her!"
Da Qiao didn't want to cause trouble for her elder cousin sister. So she angrily harrumphed: "This person is really annoying. I hope bad luck will follow her all the time!"
As soon as she finished speaking, a scream sounded from behind them.
They saw Jiang Shao Li's foot swelled. She had fell flat on the ground!
The girl who was walking with her was obviously frightened. After a moment of daze, she helped Jiang Shao Li up. Soon her scream also rang out.
Due to the fall, Jiang Shao Li's mouth was bloodied. Her appearance looked so scary!
Jiang Shao Li was in pain and embarrassment. She cried out with a 'waaa'. If she didn't cry, what followed wouldn't had happened; she spat out a front tooth!
Her friend appeared stunned at the sight of missing front tooth. She didn't know how Jiang Shao Li fell from the beginning to the end. And this fall was so bad!
Seeing the bloody teeth on the ground, Jiang Shao Li rolled her eyes and fainted!
After waiting for Jiang Shao Li to faint, Qiao Dong He looked back at Da Qiao. She was extremely shocked.
Da Qiao blinked at her elder cousin sister and innocently uttered: "Cousin, you can't blame me. It's just an expression. It's her own bad luck!"
Qiao Dong He kept have the feeling this was too coincidental. But when she heard her younger sister's words, she nodded again and again: "You are right. She is unlucky!"
——
Qiao Dong He wanted to take Da Qiao to the dining hall, but Huo Chi didn't agree. He invited them to Quanjude to eat roast duck.
Da Qiao already ate it yesterday.
Qiao Dong He hadn't eaten since the last time. Although she wanted to eat it, she refused. Mainly because she didn't want to take advantage of Huo Family.
However, she got dragged over by Da Qiao.
After lunch, Qiao Dong He went back to school since she got classes in the afternoon. Da Qiao and Huo Chi went to the department store.
Before the two of them reached the department store, they saw a woman in her thirties hugging a four or five-year-old boy as she ran out of the department store in tears.
Panic covered her face. Running, she called for help: "Someone, save my child. Please save my child!"
It was unknown what happened to the boy in her arms. Blood kept running out of his nose and stained his face and clothes. It was a startling sight!
When Da Qiao saw the woman, she found her a little familiar. But she didn't know where this thought come from for a moment.
The woman was begging for help like a headless fly. She wanted someone with a bicycle to take them mother and son to the hospital. However, everyone silently avoided the little boy who was covered in blood.
The woman was so anxious that tears came out. She stumbled forward with the child in her arms. When she passed by Da Qiao and Huo Chi, Da Qiao suddenly spoke, "We will help you."
The woman froze for a moment and looked at them blankly.
Da Qiao turned her head and asked Huo Chi, "Elder Brother Huo Chi, shall we drive them to the hospital?"
She couldn't explain why, but when she saw the woman's appearance, she felt some kind of inexplicably closeness.