1970s: My childhood sweetheart ran away, and I turned around and married the wildest chief.

He also felt that the textile factory was being dishonest, but there was nothing he could do; he couldn't make the decision himself!

He also wanted the textile factory to move these employees away as soon as possible. This dilapidated building might collapse one or two days from time to time and kill one or two of them. He couldn't bear the responsibility!

Winter is just two or three months away, and he's really worried that the house will collapse when it snows heavily!

The textile factory was also worried that the building would collapse and kill people, which is why they wanted to sell the property, but they didn't want to pay for the resettlement of their employees.

That's why things are stuck here, and Director Wang is also worried.

Qiao Wanqing wasn't about to give in. "I can buy the houses, but the textile factory should take care of its own employees. With a factory this big, don't they have enough places for all these people to live?"

The textile factories in Beijing should be doing quite well, and the benefits are good. They certainly shouldn't be unable to accommodate this number of people. They already have a large area of ​​residential buildings for employees, and now they've bought another plot of land here to build more. It would be strange if they couldn't accommodate this number of people.

Maybe one of the people in charge of arranging these things is just trying to make money off them!

Qiao Wanqing looked closely and realized that this area was actually much larger than her own courtyard. The side section was in the alley, next to her courtyard, and was the second house in the alley. However, now only a row of walls remained.

Inside the courtyard wall were these dilapidated houses, which were nothing compared to her own courtyard.

If we demolish and rebuild the wall on the side, we can turn it into a storefront, and we won't lose money in the future. As for the area behind, if we buy it and plan it well, we can build a larger area, and the side closest to the road can also be turned into a storefront.

Qiao Wanqing looked at it carefully and understood what was going on.

"Director Wang, I'll buy this area for 15,000. I'll make them move their employees out and transfer the property immediately. If they don't move their people out, then I'll pay them whenever they leave."

Anyway, she won't transfer the house to her name or pay any money before she leaves.

Many of these houses are dilapidated, and with heavy snow coming soon in winter, they might collapse under the weight of the snow, which would be terrible. She doesn't want to get involved in such trouble.

Director Wang's face fell. "Comrade Qiao, this... fifteen thousand is too little!"

Qiao Wanqing's face turned cold. "Buying a piece of ruins for 15,000 is already giving the textile factory face. Otherwise, who would spend 15,000 to buy such a dilapidated building? I'll have to spend money to clean it up after I buy it! If the textile factory can't bear to part with it, then they can deal with it themselves."

Director Wang glanced at the place. Although he was optimistic about the future, the current situation was indeed like this. Who would spend tens of thousands of yuan to buy a piece of ruins?

He felt he could understand if they offered 15,000, but he wasn't sure if the textile factory would agree.

"Comrade Qiao, to be honest with you, if you really want to buy, you might have to pay a little more. 15,000 is impossible. But with all the subsidies given to the residents here before, if you're not willing, there should still be room for negotiation. This area depends on your judgment. If you want to buy, you'll definitely have to pay a higher price, otherwise, you won't be able to get it."

Qiao Wanqing raised an eyebrow, meaning there was indeed something going on, but the person who orchestrated it was quite capable.

They just want more money to put in their own pockets. Anyway, the house is here. If you want to buy it, just pay up. But it's impossible to buy it at the market price.

"Is there a problem with the paperwork? Judging from your tone, the other party has quite a background. Don't let them take my money and then cause trouble when the residents come back. My family isn't easy to bully. My family and my husband's family are both in the military, and the money was given to me by my grandfather, who is an overseas Chinese. They think they can cheat me out of my money so easily."

Director Wang paused for a moment, realizing that the person had an overseas Chinese background. No wonder they were so wealthy; military dependents must be even better off.

"Don't worry, it's true that this house is for sale. The employees here have been making a fuss many times. The house is uninhabitable. If things continue like this, everyone is afraid of problems. So relocation is inevitable. Since you have this background, the other party definitely won't dare to lie to you. There will definitely be no problem with the procedures."

"Who is the person in charge on the other end? I'll send someone to investigate."

Director Wang: "..."

"Zhang Guoqing, Director of the Logistics Department!"

Qiao Wanqing made a note of this person and then left.

The textile factory and its manager are the ones who are worried about this dilapidated house; she's not worried at all!

Back at the family compound, the twins were taken out to play by Qi Ya. Only Aunt San and two housekeepers were at home with the triplets. The three little ones were already learning to walk, and their little legs were constantly moving around anxiously, needing someone to help them walk. It was the most difficult time to take care of them.

Unlike later years, there weren't all sorts of baby care tools and things to help toddlers learn to walk online. Helpless, Qiao Wanqing drew a diagram and asked the logistics department if they could make it.

Such a large family compound needs to be maintained, and the logistics department naturally has people in this field. She took the blueprints and went to find someone to try to make a baby walker.

The carpenter took one look and exclaimed, "This is..."

"A baby walker with support here. The child can put their legs in it, walk, and support themselves so they won't fall."

The craftsman immediately understood, "This is good, it's really convenient."

"Can it be made?"

"Yes, you can."

"Okay, I'll take three."

The other person was taken aback. "Three?"

Qiao Wanqing nodded and smiled, "My family has triplets."

The other person's eyes lit up, and they said enviously, "That's really rare! Okay, I'll make it for you. Just come and pick it up in three days."

Qiao Wanqing gave him the blueprints, paid the money, and went back.

Walking on the bluestone path home, standing under the shade of the trees, feeling the gentle breeze, Qiao Wanqing felt that the North was really different from the South, it was so much drier than the South!

It's not even winter yet, so the air quality is still a bit better. But once winter comes, it will be so dry that it will be far less comfortable than the south, and it will be freezing cold.

Fortunately, modern houses have heating, so winters are a bit more bearable.

The hottest weather has passed, and since it gets cold quickly in the north, the weather has already turned cool.

The environment in this community is better than that in Beichuan. There are many places to walk and relax. She is walking on a bluestone path with grass and tall trees on the side. In summer, you can sit under the trees to cool off.

Walking home along the shaded path, I gradually noticed more flower beds appearing, and the air was already filled with the fragrance of osmanthus blossoms. As the weather gets colder, the scent of osmanthus will soon be gone.

Qiao Wanqing was in a good mood and strolled home along the shade of the trees. When she was almost at her door, she noticed a woman looking around at her door, seemingly hesitant to go in.

Qiao Wanqing walked over and asked, "Comrade, who are you looking for?"

The woman turned her head, revealing a serious yet proud face.

She was of medium height, looked to be around thirty-five or thirty-six years old, and was slightly overweight. She dressed very well, but her style was a bit old-fashioned and conservative. She wore a gray top, black pants, and leather shoes, all made of good quality materials. Her clothes were perfectly wrinkle-free, giving her the stereotypical image of a school principal.

She glanced at me up and down, frowning with obvious displeasure, her voice cold, "Who are you?"

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

No, you don't know me, so why are you acting like I owe you millions?

"I saw you looking around here, so I came over to ask. This is my house."

The woman's pupils contracted as she stared at Qiao Wanqing's face. Her initial dissatisfaction gradually turned into anger. "You mean, this is your home, and you're Lu Mingzhou's lover?"

"yes!"

The woman's gaze grew colder, and her stare at Qiao Wanqing gradually turned into hatred.

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

During the time she's been in the family compound, she hasn't offended anyone. She spends most of her time at home taking care of her child, writing novels, and occasionally visiting her aunt. She only knows a few neighbors in the area.

She didn't know this woman at all, so she shouldn't have treated her this way.

Knowing she's Lu Mingzhou's lover, she's still like this. Could she be some kind of troublesome romantic entanglement for Lu Mingzhou?

isn't it?

Lu Mingzhou has been married for so many years, and there are still people coveting this man with five children?

That shouldn't be happening!

The Bai family?

Qiao Wanqing frowned, displeased, and asked, "Comrade, what are you doing here? Who are you looking for?"

The woman stared at Qiao Wanqing for a while, then snorted and turned away.

Qiao Wanqing was completely bewildered. "Hey! Who are you?"

The other person ignored her and walked away quickly.

ill!

Qiao Wanqing rolled her eyes and prepared to go inside.

"Young lady, she probably has her eye on your man."

Qiao Wanqing paused, turned around, and saw an old man sitting by the flower bed not far away, enjoying the cool air.

The old woman looked quite old, a thin figure, sitting by the flower bed, completely hidden by the flowering trees; one wouldn't see her at all if they weren't paying attention. She held a banana leaf fan in her hand, waving it gently.

The old man had a full head of white hair, kind eyes, and wore a floral short-sleeved shirt, black pants, and black cloth shoes. He looked very simple and unassuming.

Qiao Wanqing took two steps forward and asked, "Grandma, are you talking about that person from earlier? Do you know him?"

The old lady also stared at Qiao Wanqing's face, but her gaze was not malicious; rather, it was as if her eyes were shining when she saw something beautiful.

"Of course I know them. I've lived in this compound for many years, and I know most of the people there. That guy just now! His family has some connections, and he likes young, promising military officers. Your husband is a very handsome young man with a high rank, right? He's got his eye on him!"

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

Seriously? It really is Lu Mingzhou's unfortunate love life?

Are you kidding me? He's only been in Beijing for a few days, barely even stayed in the family compound, and he's already attracted unwanted attention?

Qiao Wanqing touched her face. Her face wasn't bad at all, so why didn't she have any suitors?

Thinking of this, Qiao Wanqing shuddered and quickly banished the crooked thoughts from her mind. She was still young, and she liked handsome young men with promising futures. She didn't want any guys with powerful connections to become her suitors.

She doesn't need it!

Qiao Wanqing explained with a smile, "Grandma, my Mingzhou already has a family and five children. He can't have this kind of good fortune, haha!"

The grandmother smiled, looking at her with an expression that suggested she was enjoying the drama. "They know your husband got married! Otherwise, they wouldn't have come to the family compound! You think they came to see your husband?"

"You've only been in the capital for a short time, haven't you? Your handsome young man probably hasn't even been back for more than a few days. How could she possibly be looking for him? She came to see you, but when she saw how beautiful you are, she ran away in a huff!"

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

Grandma, are you good or evil?

Qiao Wanqing immediately scurried over to her grandmother's side, took the large palm-leaf fan from her hand, and diligently fanned her. "Grandma, you're clearly the kind of old lady who'd help anyone in need. Who was that just now? What's their family background? My uncle lives in this compound too! Can he handle them?"

The old lady was taken aback, seemingly not expecting that this young girl, despite her young age, would speak so wittily.

Most people would have started cursing if they knew another woman was eyeing their man, so how come she's so calm?

The old lady couldn't stop laughing. "Her surname is Bai, and her name is Bai Ru. She is the youngest daughter of the Bai family patriarch and was very favored at home. She got divorced last year and has three children, two sons and a daughter, all of whom live with her ex-husband."

"Oh, by the way, this ex-husband is her second ex-husband. She also had a first ex-husband, with whom she has a son and a daughter. The two children live with their father."

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

"Her second ex-husband is three years younger than her and holds a regimental-level position. It seems she disliked her ex-husband for not being ambitious enough. They had been arguing and fighting for the past two years and got divorced last year. The divorce was very messy. It was her ex-husband who wanted the divorce. He even went to the Bai family and knelt down to the old man for a whole night. She raised three children on her own and gave all her belongings to Bai Ru. But I heard she didn't have much left. Bai Ru had already spent all the money. The man was so poor that he couldn't stand it anymore and wanted a divorce."

"Her ex-husband even paid her half of his monthly salary until she got married. When they divorced, Bai Ru felt very ashamed and made a huge scene, declaring that she would find a man younger and more capable than her ex-husband."

"So, she must have taken a liking to your man."

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

Two ex-husbands, five children, and she still wants to find a handsome, young, and promising military officer like Lu Mingzhou!

My god, it's so cool to have connections in your family!

Uh……

My thinking has taken a turn!

Qiao Wanqing quickly pulled herself back to the present.

"The Bai family? And the Bai family patriarch's most beloved youngest daughter? Is the Bai family very powerful?"

It must be the Bai family, the one owned by Bai Zhengxiong, right?

Is it still there?

It's already 1981, and they haven't been held accountable yet?

The old lady enjoyed the breeze that Qiao Wanqing was fanning her and nodded. "It's alright! It was quite powerful a few years ago, but it's not so good in recent years. That's why Bai Ru's ex-husband dared to divorce her. Bai Ru must marry someone capable. Her father is old, and the rest of the family is supported by nepotism. After Bai Zhengxiong died a few years ago, the Bai family was severely weakened and has not recovered yet."

When the old lady talked about nepotism, there was a clear hint of disdain in her eyes.

These old men, who had been through the battlefield, looked down on families like this the most.

It really is the Bai family. Qiao Wanqing was a little surprised. Back then, she didn't dare to go head-to-head with them. Now that the Qiao family's status is no longer a threat, they still dare to make a move on Lu Mingzhou.

Does this mean the Qiao family no longer exists?

Or... did they just try anything in desperation?

Qiao Wanqing feigned a troubled expression, "What should I do? Is the Bai family very powerful? Will they come after my family? Can my handsome young man still be protected?"

old lady:"……"

This is the first time I've encountered something like this and been able to joke with her.

"Have your uncle kill him!" the old lady said directly.

Qiao Wanqing: "..."

Grandma, you're so kind, yet you're so volatile? Are you going to wipe out someone's whole family?

Qiao Wanqing was clearly more interested in the old lady in front of her. "Grandma, what should I call you?"

The old woman glanced at her. "Why are you asking this?"