I Got Rich in Period Fiction-Chapter 562 - 556

Then Uncle Sun and Qiao Zhiyuan just chuckled.

Uncle Sun said, "Old Qiao and I were just keeping it a secret. I instructed him not to tell you beforehand so we could give you both a surprise. Even if you don’t come back to live here, the Qiao Family Team will always have a house for you. This will forever be your home."

Uncle Sun’s words were heartfelt and sincere.

Qiao Qingyu truly hadn’t expected this.

Because no one had mentioned it to her beforehand.

Even if she had made great contributions, her household registration was at the Tenghai Research Base.

Which was very far from here.

Before Qiao Qingyu could express anything, Uncle Sun and Qiao Zhiyuan pushed open the big door.

The place was empty, but the plumbing and heating had already been installed.

And it was clear that someone had deliberately cleaned the place, with the window frames, glass, and sills all wiped spotlessly clean.

Even the white lime splatters by the door were not present here.

Clearly, preparations had been made in advance.

Uncle Sun took out a kraft paper bag from his black briefcase and opened it to reveal a property deed from that era.

The name written on it was Qiao Qingyu.

This gift was a heavy token of sentiment, and Qiao Qingyu happily accepted it.

By this time, most of the Qiao Family had already left, but Qiao Tianbao’s wife hadn’t. She was all smiles, bustling about after having bought pastries, fruit, canned goods, and even braised pig’s head and pig’s trotters from the county town.

She and Qiao Qingyu weren’t very familiar, but she knew that as long as she pleased little aunt Wu Qianyun, that would be enough.

Her current job was easy and prestigious, and her relatives all looked up to her a bit more, her former classmates were excessively warm and cordial when they saw her.

These glories were all brought to her by Mr. Wu.

And whom did Mr. Wu respect for all this? Of course, it was for her little aunt’s sake, and Tianbao’s wife was very clear about this.

She felt she wasn’t that ungrateful, either.

When her family was in difficult times, she and Tianbao would only keep half of their salaries, sending the other half back home to her in-laws.

As the Qiao Family’s patriarch and the eldest brother, her father-in-law was caring towards his two younger brothers, especially towards the youngest, Qiao Zhicai.

But truly speaking, little aunt had also been very good to all these nephews and nieces-in-law. She never forgot the beautiful and comfortable clothes and shoes little aunt made for the kids when they were little.

She wasn’t the kind of woman who took things for granted.

Tianbao’s wife was clever, or else she wouldn’t have used that strategy to force her family to change her job for her. Once she landed the job, she became much more humble, greeting everyone with a beaming smile.

Moreover, the family’s days had improved. Before, she and her husband would occasionally subsidize the Qiao Family, but now such situations were almost nonexistent, so she became even more generous.

With money, many things ceased to be problems.

Because Doudou and Feifei were studying in Yun City, Qiao Genbao and his wife hadn’t returned, and Tianbao’s wife had specially taken a few days off, which her superiors granted readily. It was an unspoken understanding, and the leaders had even hinted, could a word be passed to invite Chief Engineer He for a meal?

Tianbao’s wife, who came with a mission, was even more attentive, busily cooking in the kitchen and saying, "Little Aunt, you just rest well. Leave the kitchen to me and Qiao Ye."

Wu Qianyun was getting on in years and indeed tired. However, Chaoxuan had been taken out to play by Shengbao, and she needed to see where he had gone. Although it wasn’t very cold outside, she had cared for Chaoxuan so tenderly; the strong wind and cold air could harm his face, and she would be heartbroken.

So, seeing that she wasn’t needed here, Wu Qianyun went out to look for Shengbao and Chaoxuan.

Just as she stepped out, she ran into Liangbao’s wife coming over to help.

Liangbao’s wife carried a large basket filled with black fungus, mushrooms, dried potatoes, and fresh vegetables.

Knowing that the little aunt was looking for Chaoxuan, Liangbao’s wife smiled and pointed westward, "Little Aunt, Shengbao and the others took Chaoxuan to play near the school."

Then she added, "You don’t need to worry, Aunt. They’re having a good time. I just saw them; little Chaoxuan was giggling with joy. His face is wrapped in a scarf and a hat; he won’t catch cold. You should go back and get some rest. You look pale."

Qiao Zhicai, who had followed behind, said, "The kang is warm, go and take a rest."

Wu Qianyun didn’t insist, so she turned around and went back to her room.

By the time Qiao Qingyu and He Xiuyu returned, dinner was ready.

Wu Qianyun had rested for a while and felt much better. Shengbao had also returned with Chaoxuan. The Old Qiao and Old Lady Qiao, who lived nearby, came to the villa area for dinner accompanied by Qiao Zhihai.

When everyone learned that the township had gifted Qiao Qingyu a villa, they all felt proud.

Old Lady Qiao nodded and said, "Although we’re not educated and worldly, and some have shallow eyes and a sharp tongue, most of us know how to be grateful in our hearts."

Qiao Zhicai agreeably nodded and said, "That’s the principle, but we shouldn’t be complacent about our achievements. It’s enough to be clear in our hearts, stay the same as before. Our fellow villagers aren’t cunning—just interact with each other normally."

And indeed, the Qiao Family knew their limits; being too noisy and boisterous could sometimes attract resentment.

The Qiao Family may have wanted to keep a low profile, but the township, the Qiao Family Team, and the relevant department heads were not willing to be understated. As for the up and coming rural town, they wanted to make a statement, which naturally couldn’t remain low-key.

The next morning, the villagers didn’t go to work but first gathered for a meeting at the Team’s office. It was Sunday, and the school students had a day off. Holding sticks and little red flags with red pointers, they were responsible for welcoming. The county’s cultural propaganda team had also arrived early, including Fang Yulan, who had become a formal worker.

This time she was leading the team, in charge of the cultural activities after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The stage was set, and everyone was in place.

Drums and gongs filled the air, and the sound of loudspeakers echoed; firecrackers burst from the village entrance all the way to the villa area’s gate.

The leaders stood at the gate, with Qiao Qingyu also standing above. Initially, they had invited He Xiuyu to come forward, but he had declined politely, holding his son and watching his wife with a smile in the crowd.

It was supposed to be her ribbon-cutting, but Qiao Qingyu offered the opportunity to a county official.

She was young and did not seek the limelight. Besides, being asked to cut the ribbon was a mark of esteem, but she couldn’t take it for granted.

Sure enough, the official was delighted. To be honest, he had invested a lot of effort in the Qiao Family Team. Whether it was construction, projects, or plans, none could be completed by a single individual. It required comprehensive cooperation, from top to bottom, inside and out, lacking any part could not be.