How I Tamed My Wolfish Husband Back in 80s-Chapter 97: Made Something of Himself_1

Mr. Song couldn’t help but laugh silently, "Didn’t the counselor just say? Your two students are quite excellent, and they can even consider applying here in the future, no need for comparison."

"How could you understand my feelings when your student got in?" Mr. Zhao was all set to take his two students back to the guesthouse.

Li Qiao discussed with Mr. Song the idea of browsing through the market before returning.

Mr. Song was concerned that Counselor Xiang wouldn’t find anyone when she went to buy tickets and went to the guesthouse, "You young people have fun, I’ll wait for that counselor to bring over the tickets."

Li Qiao couldn’t be happier, with everyone gone, wouldn’t she and Qin Jin have more freedom? "Be careful on the way."

Mr. Song waved his hand and went back with Mr. Zhao and the others.

Qin Jin and Li Qiao strolled leisurely out, stopping to buy a map of Beijing at a newsstand.

After studying the map for a bit, they decided to visit Tianmen first.

"It would be great if we could take pictures."

Qin Jin, "Can’t we just hire a photographer from a studio?"

"Wouldn’t that cost a lot of money? This trip you are paying for yourself, and you haven’t skimped on eating or drinking. Has your purse emptied out?" Li Qiao sometimes felt sorry for the money he spent, but she didn’t want to nag about it.

"That’s not something you should worry about, just focus on studying."

While they were talking, a girl in her early twenties stopped them.

"Comrade, how many is your home phone number?"

Qin Jin, expressionless, "Don’t have one." Not a single phone in the village, let alone at home.

"An address will do, then. What’s your name? Where do you live? How old are you? Do you have a partner?"

"I do." Qin Jin prioritized his responses.

"Sorry to bother you." The girl left.

Qin Jin expressed his disdain, "These city women are so bold, coming up to ask for my phone number and if I have a partner. It’s the third time today."

Li Qiao said smilingly, "You sure are popular. When I get old, will you dislike me for being ugly and find another woman?" He was handsome, and on the street, he drew many turning heads, even a mature woman like Counselor Xiang took extra glances at him.

Qin Jin smirked, a prospective university student worrying about him chasing women of all things, how much must she fancy him?

To him, she was actually an accident.

Before her, he never seriously considered taking a wife.

All he thought about was making money.

When Feng Hu from next door had an arranged date, Grandma also urged him, and Peng Chunhua was his first match-making encounter.

He was dragged to the matchmaker’s house by Grandma, and as soon as Chunhua’s parents saw him, they scolded the matchmaker in front of Grandma for deceiving them, criticizing him for being parentless, poor, and of bad reputation, and questioning the matchmaker if she intended to harm their daughter.

He turned his head and left.

Chunhua chased after him to explain that her parents’ attitudes did not represent hers, but he couldn’t be bothered with her.

Latterly, she actually married Feng Hu and became a neighbor to his house, often dropping by to visit.

Awkward.

Then came Li Qiao.

It was his bad luck.

Li Qiao jumped into the river when he was passing by; he was worried that if he just walked away and she drowned, others might come upon the scene and think he pushed her, so he pulled her to shore.

Gathering his thoughts, he said, "I would still look for you when I’m old."

Li Qiao protested, "I don’t believe that."

"Don’t believe it then, end of story."

Li Qiao, "...."

....

Qin Jin arrived at the photo studio and stated his request.

In the end, they agreed on nine yuan for three days.

Three hours each day to take photos for them, including both photographing and developing, but they could only take four shots each time.

The two of them went to Tianmen to have their photos taken and returned to the guesthouse only after playing until they were tired.

The teachers and counselors from the southwest were waiting at the entrance.

Seeing Li Qiao busy, they hurried forward.

"Li Qiao, have you finished visiting Beijing University? You promised to check out our school, how about a tour?"

"It’s getting a bit late," Li Qiao tactfully declined.

"Our school is brightly lit, and if you’re hungry, you can have a meal at the restaurant first. After the visit, we’ll give you a ride back."

Li Qiao, finding it hard to resist, finally admitted, "I have already filled out the application for Beijing University, and they said they would send an acceptance letter in half a month."

"You haven’t gone through the enrollment process yet; they can send their letter, but that doesn’t conflict with you visiting our school. With your talent, you would have great prospects at our school, even the possibility of staying on as a faculty member after graduation..."

Li Qiao bowed, "I’m sorry, and thank you for your kind offer, but I’ve decided to attend Beijing University."

With Li Qiao’s firm refusal, the group could only leave.

...

The next day.

Mr. Zhao took his two students back to his hometown.

Li Qiao and Qin Jin met up with Mr. Song, and the three of them climbed the Great Wall. The next day, they visited the Temple of Heaven and the museum.

They rested on the third day.

They set out for home early on the fourth day.

After boarding the train, Li Qiao took out some photos she had rushed to get developed, "Mr. Song, these two include you, I’ll give them to you."

"They turned out well. This trip was worthwhile; I learned a lot, all thanks to you. The round-trip train tickets were supposed to be covered by the school, but now the university has taken care of it. When you go back, don’t mention the early admission to the other students. Let’s wait for the school to receive your acceptance letter before we announce it, okay?" Mr. Song, feeling uneasy without the acceptance letter, gave these instructions.

Li Qiao obediently nodded. She didn’t want to boast and risk envy from others.

....

After nearly a day and a night of traveling, the three finally returned to their hometown.

The minibus passed by the turnoff near Feng Family Village.

Li Qiao and Qin Jin said goodbye to Mr. Song and got off to walk home.

The wheat fields previously ruined by floods had been cleared and were now planted with peanuts and corn, which were sprouting green shoots.

Li Qiao, "Is it okay to plant crops now? Won’t it affect the harvest?" She had seen an agricultural program before, where there were specific times for planting and harvesting.

"It’s better than nothing. This year we’ll have to go hungry," Qin Jin said, thankful that he had earned some money during this time.

And he had found other ways to make money.

His wife had also been admitted to university successfully. Once her residence was transferred to the school, not only would they not have to pay for grain, but she could also retrieve grain tickets.

A few months ago, under such conditions, someone in the family might have starved to death.

Approaching the house.

Li Qiao called out, "Grandma, we’re back!"

Old Mrs. Qin turned around, her face bright with joy, "Ah! Qiaoqiao, Jin, you’re back. How did the exams go?"

Li Qiao smiled but said nothing.

"I guess it didn’t go well? If it had, you would have said so earlier."

"Even if you didn’t do well, I won’t blame you," Old Mrs. Qin said.

"If you ask me, Qiaoqiao isn’t cut out for academics; she’d better do some work instead. Jin is not young anymore, he’s the same age as Fugui who already has a wife. And Chunhua next door, she’s already showing. Qiaoqiao is still single."

The aunts advised.

"We have you to do the work; we don’t need her for that," Old Mrs. Qin retorted, and by the time she had finished, Li Qiao had already come closer.

"Grandma, let’s talk inside the house."

Old Mrs. Qin, steady on her feet, entered the courtyard, "All this secrecy, how did it go?"

Qin Jin said, "Qiaoqiao got first place and has been preemptively admitted to Beijing University. The acceptance letter will be sent in a little while."

Old Mrs. Qin was so delighted she nearly fainted, clasping her hands in prayer towards the south in silent thanks to their ancestors.

"Qiaoqiao is amazing. Tonight, I’ll burn some paper money for my son and daughter-in-law, to tell them their daughter-in-law has made something of herself," she exclaimed.

Li Qiao grinned, "There’s no need for that; it’s not such a big deal."

"Not a big deal? If your grandfather were here, you’d probably be added to the family tree by now," Old Mrs. Qin said as she took out some money, beaming with happiness, "I’m going to see if Feng the butcher has any meat left. I’ll buy a piece to make pan-fried buns tonight to celebrate this occasion."