Chapter 26: Midnight Money Qian Qing adored the little jade rabbit. Zhou Hao's drawing skills were impressive; the rabbit, with its endearing, eyes-closed expression, was utterly charming. Qian Qing held it reluctantly for a while before setting it down.

"I'll string it tomorrow and wear it then."

As if performing magic, Zhou Hao pulled a red cord from the bottom of the box.

"I prepared this long ago."

After tying the jade rabbit around her neck, Zhou Hao gazed admiringly at his wife for a moment before heading off to bathe and wash his hair. Taking advantage of this time, Qian Qing cooked a bowl of noodles for him. She also simmered a pot of ginger soup in the small stove; both of them had gotten slightly drenched in the rain earlier, and drinking ginger soup would help ward off colds. Just as Zhou Hao set down his empty bowl and Qian Qing was about to tell him about recent events, he swept her up into his arms and carried her into the inner room. Qian Qing: … Fine.

At this moment, anything she said probably wouldn't register with Zhou Hao anyway. It wasn't until dusk had fully settled that Qian Qing finally awoke from her deep sleep. Zhou Hao, however, showed not a trace of fatigue from staying up late. He had cleaned the house thoroughly, washed some clothes, and even prepared dinner. His cooking skills were quite good; he had even learned a few tricks from Qian Qing's mother, so feeding Qian Qing was no problem. He had steamed an egg custard, stir-fried some celtuce, tossed a cold salad, and simmered a winter melon and dried shrimp soup. It was a light, simple meal. Seeing Qian Qing sitting uncomfortably, Zhou Hao quickly fetched a cushion for her to sit on. Qian Qing's urge to punch Zhou Hao subsided slightly. She simply rolled her eyes at him, letting him figure out her feelings on his own. Only after dinner did the young couple finally find time to update each other on recent events.

Qian Qing felt slightly uncertain. She hadn't told Zhou Hao beforehand about selling popsicles, and now her stall had grown so large. Would Zhou Hao be somewhat reluctant? As it turned out, Zhou Hao listened with a serious expression, then fell silent for quite some time without speaking. Just as Qian Qing was about to explain her motives and reasons in detail, Zhou Hao's expression changed. Unable to conceal his anger, he demanded, "Wang Hua just watched his wife bully you like that? And he didn't even apologize?"

Qian Qing: … Isn't your focus a bit unusual?

"What exactly is going on in that whole family's heads? Do they think they can bully you endlessly?"

The more Zhou Hao heard, the angrier he became. His wife—his newlywed, sweet, and gentle wife—had to pedal that tricycle so arduously to earn money. Just thinking about it made him feel uneasy. However, he knew Qian Qing had her own ideas; she genuinely enjoyed earning money. Whatever his wife wanted to do, he would support. But this business idea was entirely Qian Qing's own. Why should Wang Hua's wife interfere? Previously, he had thought Wan Zhenzhen was merely cunning, but now it seemed she actually intended to harm Qingqing?

At this moment, Zhou Hao only wanted to rush next door, drag Wang Hua out, and teach him a lesson. His wife caused trouble, and he only added fuel to the fire. Zhou Hao refused to believe Wan Zhenzhen's tricycle hadn't been funded by Wang Hua. So, all the risky work was left to his wife, while Wang Hua hid behind her to reap the benefits? Qian Qing restrained Zhou Hao, her mind churning with turmoil. Originally, she hadn't planned to tell Zhou Hao about her dream because she was terrified. In the dream, she hadn't been herself at all; it was as if someone else wearing her skin had taken over. She had helplessly watched "her"

life plummet into an abyss. Although there had been several opportunities for improvement along the way, "she"

had lost herself amidst Wan Zhenzhen's childish schemes. Every time she recalled the dream, she shivered. She feared that everything before her eyes was merely temporary, and that one day, upon opening her eyes, she would find herself back in that nightmare. Zhou Hao noticed Qian Qing's hesitation. He gently took her hand in his. Perhaps it was Zhou Hao's unwavering steadiness that sparked a glimmer of hope in Qian Qing's heart. Taking a deep breath, she haltingly recounted her dream to him. Would Zhou Hao believe such an unbelievable story? If it were anyone else, Zhou Hao would simply tell them to go home early, wash up, and get some sleep. Well-read as he was, he had never believed in supernatural tales or ghost stories. But this person was Qian Qing… Zhou Hao's brow furrowed deeper and deeper.After Qian Qing finished speaking with trepidation, she waited for Zhou Hao to raise questions.

She had already made up her mind: even if Zhou Hao remained half-believing and half-doubting, telling him would at least ease her own mind, and more importantly, clearly explain to him the danger posed by Wan Zhenzhen—including Wang Hua—so they could all stay vigilant in the future. Even a little belief would help them keep alert. However, after listening, Zhou Hao took out a sheet of paper and a pen from the cabinet and asked something that nearly left Qian Qing stunned.

"Wife, tell me every single detail from your dream."

If Wan Zhenzhen's actions were driven merely by jealousy toward Qian Qing, then Zhou Hao could apply for a housing transfer, or even request a reassignment to H Province—as long as he took Qingqing with him, those troubles wouldn't be able to catch up with her. But since sheer jealousy could drive someone to ruin another person's entire life with such viciousness, Zhou Hao suddenly felt unwilling to avoid the confrontation. According to Qingqing's dream, in some unknown world, she had been helplessly pushed into such a hellish situation. Just thinking about it made Zhou Hao's blood run cold. He couldn't imagine how terrified and disoriented Qingqing must have felt during these past few weeks since having that dream. While he was away on a business trip, Qingqing had been home alone, with such a predatory creature living right next door. Zhou Hao couldn't treat this as a joke; his mind was now entirely focused on how to change the outcome depicted in Qingqing's dream.

According to his wife, the so-called "system"

belonging to Wan Zhenzhen never spoke; it only told Wan Zhenzhen where to obtain money. Zhou Hao sneered coldly. Money? Let Wan Zhenzhen keep dreaming!

Finally, Qian Qing couldn't hold back her tears.

"What I'm saying is true, Zhou Hao. We need to act quickly."

She feared that unknown force compelling her to do foolish things might descend upon her again at any moment. Zhou Hao gently stroked her head.

"I believe you, wife."

A force that makes my wife act foolishly? Zhou Hao thought to himself. What if I climbed to a higher position? What if I reached a place that neither Wang Hua nor Wan Zhenzhen could ever aspire to reach in their lifetimes? Then, he refused to believe Wan Zhenzhen could still drag them down. The couple carefully reviewed everything together. Qian Qing recounted every event from her dream without omitting a single detail. Zhou Hao rubbed the sheet of paper, now more than half-filled with notes, his mind already forming a plan.

"Don't worry about Wang Hua; I'll keep an eye on him. I'll pay close attention in advance to those rewards given for solving technical problems over the coming months. As for Wan Zhenzhen, according to your account, she will lie low for quite some time. It's inconvenient for us to change houses this year, but next year I'll find a way to move."

"Qingqing, go ahead and do whatever you wish to do. We have our own lives to live; we can't revolve our entire existence around the Wan family."

Life's focus must always remain on oneself. Placing one's hopes and objectives onto others is destined to destroy one's own life.

"I will work even harder to improve myself. You just focus on earning money peacefully, without any worries."

That night, Qian Qing slept more soundly than ever before. No matter what storms lay ahead, as long as Zhou Hao walked beside her, she would never feel fear. **** Zhou Hao successfully resolved the technical issue, and Repair Team Leader Zheng Xian generously granted him a week's leave. Although a rainstorm had passed, it failed to cool the scorching heat; the following days brought clear blue skies, and the annoying chirping of cicadas returned. With Zhou Hao present, Mother Qian only stopped by briefly before leaving. Since the young couple had just married, her staying there would be inconvenient. Before Zhou Hao's return, residents of the apartment building had been speculating about how he would react. After all, his new wife had boldly launched a private business venture; most men would consider such a situation embarrassing. Yet Zhou Hao seemed completely unconcerned. In fact, as if taking over the baton from his wife, he threw himself into their private enterprise even more energetically than she did!

He took on almost all the physically demanding tasks: pedaling a tricycle to deliver popsicles, riding a bicycle for deliveries, and even leveraging acquaintances to secure agreements. Just before summer ended, he arranged a weekly supply contract with the gatekeeper of the single dormitory building.Qian Qing finally enjoyed a long-overdue break. Every day, aside from counting money, she would sit in the small guardhouse, fanning herself and listening to the radio. After a week, Qian Qing tallied her earnings and officially declared the popsicle business concluded. In less than four weeks, she had earned 1,800 yuan; adding the 200 yuan given to her mother, the total effectively reached 2,000 yuan. This sum was considerable for the entire residential compound; even the highest-paid eighth-grade worker at the factory earned less than 200 yuan per month! On the last day of Zhou Hao's leave, the couple finally made up for their belated return visit to her parental home.

Zhou Hao brought an abundance of gifts: five jin of meat, a whole chicken, three jin of Chinese sausage, a packet of dried shrimp, a large bag of creamy candies, two jin of peach cookies… Carrying numerous bags and parcels, they returned to her family home. Upon arriving downstairs, several gossiping women who had been chatting ignored Qian Qing completely, not even offering a greeting. Qian Qing didn't mind; in fact, she felt somewhat pleased. Her mother spotted them from upstairs and immediately came out to welcome them, her face beaming with uncontrollable joy.

"Oh my, why bring so many things! Qianqian, Qianqian! Call your aunt over to help!"

Soon, a thin woman with a sallow complexion appeared. She deftly took the bags, laughing heartily, "It's late, so bringing extra is perfectly fine. Qianqian, greet your uncle."

A tiny child, slender as a bean sprout, blinked while staring at the creamy candies inside the bag, sweetly calling out, "Uncle! Little Aunt!"

Qian Qing held her older sister's hand, her heart aching deeply.

"Why are you so thin? How does the Huang family feed you two?"

There was a seven-year age gap between them, and her older sister had raised her since childhood. Seeing her sister now, so thin that there was no flesh left on her hands, Qian Qing felt both anger and frustration toward her brother-in-law. Qian Yu pulled her inside, saying, "Your brother-in-law treats us very well!"

Qian Qing remained troubled; it was precisely because he was good that the situation felt so helpless. If her brother-in-law were unpleasant, Qian Qing would have ruined her own reputation to extract her sister from the Huang family. The crux of the matter was that while the rest of the Huang family was terrible, her brother-in-law was decent. With her sister and brother-in-law having a good relationship and already having Qianqian, how could her sister possibly abandon everything to leave? Qian Father was still at work and hadn't returned yet. The whole family gathered together.

At this moment, Zhou Hao dropped his usual aloofness, calling "Mom"

repeatedly, even more affectionately than Qian Qing herself. Qian Qing secretly leaned toward her mother and asked mischievously, "Why did Auntie Yang give me such a cold reception when I came upstairs earlier?"

Holding a kitchen knife, Qian Mother replied carelessly, "Who cares about dealing with her! A few days ago, she came asking to borrow a comb. I was steaming buns on top of mine, so I said I couldn't lend it. She then sarcastically accused me of being stingy. As if I should stop cooking my own meal just to lend her my comb! I closed the door, and she left. Now she tells everyone I'm stingy."

"What about Grandma Zhao?"

"Her grandson gets along well with Wan Baojin and has grown accustomed to freeload meals at our place. When I stopped letting him eat here recently, naturally, his grandmother wasn't happy."

"It seems Sister Sun hasn't said anything either."

"She tried to borrow money. When I refused, we became enemies."

… These past few days, Qian Mother had truly experienced happiness. Having lived in this building for twenty years, never before had she felt so joyful. She refused to give what she didn't want to give, refused to lend money she didn't wish to lend, and chased away anyone trying to freeload meals! Initially, she had worried that behaving this way might leave her without anyone in the entire building to talk to. Instead, recently, several women had started liking her doorstep, coming over to chat and do needlework together. Qian Mother thought about it and finally understood: previously, regardless of whether others treated her well or poorly, she always responded the same way. Consequently, no one valued her kindness, thinking, "Even if I don't contribute, she'll surely help when trouble arises."

Just a few days earlier, Qian Qing had lectured her, explaining that such behavior made her kindness seem worthless, leaving others with no incentive to maintain a relationship with her.Now, by putting on an air of "clear distinction between kindness and resentment,"

she has instead made some people think her character has changed, earning their higher regard. Moreover, those who used to visit her home were mostly there to take advantage. Even families with good reputations dared not get too close, lest others misunderstand them as also coming to exploit her. Furthermore, Mother Qian was always excessively polite to others; whenever someone visited, she would immediately bring out the best food. Feeling too embarrassed to eat it, guests simply stopped coming. Now, however, everyone gets along quite pleasantly. Visitors casually bring some tea leaves, or if they can afford it, a handful of peanuts. Several people sit together, doing needlework, sharing bites of each other's food and sips of each other's drinks. Their relationships have gradually become more harmonious. Mother Qian feels somewhat ashamed; having lived to this age, she still hasn't seen things as clearly as her youngest daughter. Qian Qing thought for a moment and asked again, "What about the Wan family?"

Wan Zhenzhen must have run back to her parents' home, right? Could she be causing trouble again? Mother Qian's mood became complicated: "Wan Baojin doesn't come around anymore. His mother did come over once to cry, but I didn't take it seriously. Nowadays, neither family speaks much to the other."

Only now did Mother Qian feel chilled to the bone. In this building, she had helped the Wan family the most. Both families faced similar circumstances: each had first borne two daughters, inviting gossip in those years.

Later, Father and Mother Qian decided not to have more children; two daughters were enough, especially since Mother Qian's health couldn't withstand another pregnancy. The Wans, however, were different. They tried for two more pregnancies; one miscarried, and the other resulted in Wan Baojin, whom they cherished like the apple of their eye. For this long-awaited son, Mother Wan ruined her health, and the Wan family exhausted their savings. Sometimes, reflecting on her own situation, Mother Qian naturally treated Mother Wan somewhat better. Who would have guessed that merely refusing to let her son freeload on their meals would make Mother Wan cry once, then, seeing it ineffective, immediately reveal her true colors, speaking words so hurtful they pierced straight to the heart.

"Having only two 'money-losing goods' yet stubbornly clinging to every penny, you're just jealous that our Wan family has a male heir. Why must you make things difficult for a child? And we've been neighbors all this time!"

"How much could one child possibly eat? Truly, old age brings greediness, without a shred of human warmth."

Completely disheartened, Mother Qian could now better understand her youngest daughter's words. There's no need to ponder what such people are thinking; some individuals are simply like that. Even if you offer them your own flesh, they'll still find it fishy. You don't need to understand their motives or thoughts because normal people wouldn't behave this way. Similarly, normal people have no necessity to form deep friendships with such individuals. After listening to all this, Qian Qing still hadn't heard what had happened to Wan Zhenzhen. She asked again, but Mother Qian just shook her head.

"She said she returned to her parents' home, but I've rarely seen her. Actually, a few days ago, I heard her mother scolding her, but these past few days, there's been silence. Instead, I've seen her mother delivering meals to her."

A chill ran through Qian Qing's heart. It was already abnormal for Wan Zhenzhen to stay at her parents' home for so long. And Mother Wan was bringing her food? This was truly a case of the sun rising in the south.

"I'll go check on her later."

She wasn't afraid of Wan Zhenzhen causing trouble, but whatever mischief Wan Zhenzhen might be up to, Qian Qing felt it best to understand the situation. Since she hadn't moved away yet and lived nearby as a neighbor, she naturally needed to keep an eye on this family.