Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Xu Dahong was furious that Xu Bei would scold her like that.

"Well, you little brat, you've finally shown your true colors! I knew you didn't respect me or your grandma!"

Xu Bei deliberately said with a look of disgust, "Why don't you two do something that makes me respect you? If it weren't for you two, the mother-in-law and sister-in-law, causing trouble, my parents would be living a perfectly good life. Why would they have gotten divorced!"

The two were speaking loudly at the door, and the people standing or sitting in line quickly gathered around.

After all, divorce is a big deal these days, especially with the word "meddling" in the name, which suggests there might be something else going on.

Because the divorce was indeed related to her, Xu Dahong subconsciously felt a little guilty.

However, seeing so many people staring at him, he quickly retorted, "Stop spouting nonsense! Your parents divorced because your mother was unfilial. If she had..."

Xu Bei couldn't tolerate the other party saying anything detrimental to his mother in public, so he interrupted her directly, "That was because you forced her to do it! You know perfectly well that my mother lost her parents when she was young, and my older brother and younger brother died when they were very young, yet you still blame her for killing them!"

She only retorted a couple of times, and then my dad sided with you, making my mom apologize to you. Don't be smug now that you've ruined their marriage and gotten a divorce. Heaven is watching what people do; there will definitely be retribution!

Among the onlookers, some were excited and looking forward to more juicy gossip, while others couldn't help but point and whisper among themselves about Xu Dahong.

"Oh my god, this sister-in-law is really something else! How could she stab someone in the heart like that!"

"Who can argue with that? They lost both parents at a young age, and later, the elderly outlived their children. Even people from different families would feel embarrassed to say that!"

"To be honest, this kid's dad isn't any better. Even in this state, he still made his wife apologize to his sister. Killing someone is one thing, but dying is another; good thing they separated!"

"Indeed, if we didn't divorce, we definitely wouldn't be able to stand that humiliation forever."

"..."

Xu Dahong jumped up and down in anger, shouting excitedly, "Don't listen to his nonsense! This kid even hit his father! His mother and sister also hit me and my mother!"

Even if he had done it, Xu Bei certainly wouldn't be foolish enough to admit it. He deliberately feigned deep remorse, saying, "Even now, you're still trying to smear us! Justice will prevail, and I'm not going to waste my breath arguing with you! Get out of my way!"

After saying that, he grabbed the bundle in the sack and prepared to leave.

Xu Dahong couldn't help but raise her arm, trying to stop him from continuing to explain clearly.

But when she met Xu Bei's murderous gaze, she felt fear for some reason.

Furthermore, it seemed that none of the onlookers were on his side, and he figured that no one would believe him even if he talked himself hoarse. Besides, sending a telegram back home was of utmost importance, so he reluctantly put his hand down and stepped aside.

Xu Bei took one last deep look at Xu Dahong before lifting the cotton curtain and going out.

As for how Xu Dahong would gossip about them with the onlookers, he didn't care. Anyway, many people were already prejudiced and might not believe her words.

When Xu Bei returned to the shop carrying the sacks, he certainly didn't want to spoil or affect everyone's good mood, so he didn't mention to his mother and the others that he had met Xu Dahong at the post office.

After the goods in the sacks were counted, not only was Xu Bei very satisfied with the goods that Chen Jianguo had sent, but Zhao Fengying and the others also felt that it was worth spending a little more money to have someone help them load the goods.

Afterwards, Xu Bei checked the time and left, using the excuse of going home to get his camera.

When he arrived home at full speed, the two little girls were studying on a folding table on the floor of the east room.

Looking through the window covered with plastic sheeting, Xu Juan saw someone open the gate and enter the yard. When she saw it was Xu Bei, she exclaimed in surprise, "Why is my brother back?"

Although Zhou Qingwan has been tutoring Xu Juan every morning recently, she hasn't seen Xu Bei for several days.

She looked away and subconsciously tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "Probably going to get something or something else."

Xu Juan smiled in agreement, "I guess so. Sister Xiaowan, you haven't run into my brother for several days now. Let him buy us some good food later. I can't let you work so hard tutoring me for nothing."

Zhou Qingwan was not oblivious. She knew what the little girl was up to as soon as Xu Juan openly or secretly spoke well of Xu Bei.

"Xiaojuan, if you keep saying that, I won't come tomorrow."

"Oh dear, Sister Xiaowan, I misspoke. Please don't not come."

Just as Xu Juan was frantically trying to coax Zhou Qingwan, Xu Bei opened the door and came in.

As soon as he entered the open door of the east room, he saw Zhou Qingwan sitting at the table, wearing a red turtleneck sweater. Her long black hair was casually tied into a low ponytail with a handkerchief, giving her a casual yet fashionable look.

And the bright red color made her small, palm-sized face look even whiter, with a hint of pink.

Xu Juan stopped comforting him for a moment and asked curiously, "Brother, what did you come back for?"

Zhou Qingwan also greeted Xu Bei, "Brother Xu."

Xu Bei noticed that Zhou Qingwan was a little embarrassed, with the tips of her ears turning red, so he immediately nodded in response and then put on a serious expression.

"I'm back to get my camera. I'm planning to take it to the photo studio to get it developed. There are still two rolls of film left, I'll just let you two use them."

Xu Juan glanced at Zhou Qingwan and said excitedly, "Okay, okay, then brother, can you take a picture of me and Sister Xiaowan together first?"

Then he pleaded with Zhou Qingwan, "Sister Xiaowan, can I? I really want to take a picture with you."

Zhou Qingwan had already heard from Xu Juan that her parents had divorced and that Xu Bei had borrowed a camera to take pictures.

Now that he's been directly asked this question, he naturally doesn't want to be the one to spoil the mood.

"Sure, let's take a picture then."

"Okay, then you guys fix your hair and clothes, I'll go get the camera."

After Xu Bei finished speaking, he secretly gave his younger sister a praising look before leaving the house.

Xu Juan was overjoyed to have been able to help, but she tried her best to keep her lips down so that Zhou Qingwan wouldn't feel uncomfortable if she saw it.

Xu Bei quickly retrieved a camera from the west room and even gave the two little girls sitting at the table some pointers on how to pose for the photo.

With a "click," the first group photo of them was taken.

Then, Xu Bei casually said, "Little Zhou, how about we take another solo photo of you? Xiao Juan and I have already taken a lot, taking more would be a waste."

Zhou Qingwan knew that buying and developing film was quite expensive these days, so she quickly waved her hand and refused, "No need, no need. Brother Xu, you and your sister should take the picture. I can use a camera and take one for you."