country bumpkin

Chapter 73 Finding Jiaojiao

Xiao Zhe from Xingfu Village asked around and eventually arrived at Song Ke's house.

Aunt Du was airing out her quilts in the yard. Hearing someone approaching, she looked over and saw a young man with a resolute appearance.

He asked, "Ma'am, is this Song Ke's house?"

Aunt Du looked at him in confusion. Could it be that Ke'er had sent a letter back?

“I’m from Kongjia Village. I heard that Song Ke rescued a girl a while ago; that’s my sister. Ever since she ran away from home, my parents have been looking for her. Our whole family is very worried about her…”

Aunt Du suddenly realized, "Oh! So it's Qingjiao's brother!"

Upon hearing the name "Qingjiao," Xiao Zhe felt a surge of excitement. It really was her; he had found the right person.

He exclaimed excitedly, "Auntie, my sister is at home now!"

Aunt Du waved her hand and said, "No, after she recovered, she went to work in the city with my son."

Xiao Zhe was struck dumb upon hearing this news. What? Her son and Qing Jiao were together? Had they officially started dating? Were they planning to get married?

Aunt Du looked at the man who was in a daze and waved her hand in front of his face. "Young man, what's wrong?"

Xiao Zhe's thoughts returned. "Auntie, thank you for saving her and taking her in. Please accept this small token of our appreciation."

As he spoke, he took out a wad of cash and stuffed it into Aunt Du's hand.

Aunt Du was terrified and pushed him away, saying, "No, young man, I can't take your money. Qingjiao is a girl I have a connection with. I've already recognized her as my goddaughter. How can I take your money?"

The money returned to Xiao Zhe's hands.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhe secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If they had become godparents, her son and daughter would be siblings, and they wouldn't be able to be together.

Xiao Zhe's smile widened. "Auntie, do you know where they work now?"

Aunt Du said, "I don't know the exact location, I only know that my son works on a construction team and my daughter works in a restaurant."

Xiao Zhe then asked, "There are so many restaurants in the city, where exactly are they located?"

Aunt Du said, "I've never been to the city either, but I think I heard it's a restaurant near the bus station. It's two streets away from the bus station."

Xiao Zhe was overjoyed. "Aunt Du, thank you! I'll come back to thank you properly after I find my sister."

After saying that, he stuffed the money into Aunt Du's pocket, turned around, and ran away quickly.

As Aunt Du took out the money and watched the departing figure, she felt a pang of emotion, thinking that Qingjiao's brother was a kind and grateful person.

Xiao Zhe left the village, boarded a bus, and headed to the city.

On the car ride, Xiao Zhe was filled with a mixture of joy and trepidation at the prospect of seeing Qing Jiao.

As he gazed at the scenery rushing past the car window, his thoughts drifted back to the moments he had shared with Qingjiao.

Upon arriving in the city, Xiao Zhe headed towards the vicinity of the bus station.

He searched for restaurants street by street, not missing any possible shops.

Each time he entered a restaurant and asked for an answer without success, his heart tightened a little more.

Finally, when asking at the fifth restaurant, the owner behind the counter said that there was indeed a girl named Qingjiao working there, helping out in the kitchen.

Xiao Zhe's eyes reddened with excitement.

He stood in front of the restaurant counter, nervously straightened his clothes, took a deep breath, and went into the restaurant's kitchen.

At that moment, Qingjiao was busy carrying a plate when she inadvertently turned around and saw Xiao Zhe, almost dropping the plate in her hand.

Their eyes met, and a thousand words were left unsaid.

Xiao Zhe stepped forward and said softly, "Qingjiao, I've come to find you."

Tears welled up in Zhang Qingjiao's eyes. The chef and the workers helping to pick vegetables looked at them curiously. At that moment, it seemed as if the whole world consisted only of the two of them.

Zhang Qingjiao said in a trembling voice, "Brother Xiao Zhe, why are you here?"

Xiao Zhe hugged her tightly, tears streaming down his face. "I'm sorry I'm late."

All their words, spoken through their tears, conveyed their deepest feelings.

The shop owner walked over from behind the counter and said with a smile, "Qingjiao, since you have something to do today, I'll give you a day off!"

Zhang Qingjiao looked at the boss gratefully: "Thank you, boss! Thank you!"

She then bowed to the boss, who generously stepped forward to help her up.

He joked, "Why is this girl being so polite? I'm not an unapproachable person!"

Zhang Qingjiao burst into laughter through her tears, and the chefs and workers beside her chuckled and joked, "Yes, our two bosses are the most loyal and righteous. Hahaha..."

Xiao Zhe was extremely grateful and shook hands with the boss.

The boss patted him on the shoulder and said, "Young man, you have good taste. Qingjiao is a hardworking and good girl."

The two exchanged a few more words, then said goodbye and left.

Back in Zhang Qingjiao's rented room, Xiao Zhe told her about his divorce.

She also told Xiao Zhe about what had happened to her.

Xiao Zhe asked Zhang Qingjiao, "Jiaojiao, is Song Ke, the one who saved you, now your sworn brother?"

Zhang Qingjiao nodded. "Yes, why? Didn't I already tell you?"

Xiao Zhe breathed a sigh of relief. "It's okay, it's okay. I'm just happy for you. You have another brother and godmother now."

Zhang Qingjiao didn't think much of it and asked him again, "Brother Xiao Zhe, you quit your job, what kind of job are you planning to do after that?"

Xiao Zhe said, "I'll work wherever you are."

Zhang Qingjiao looked at him suspiciously, "Brother Xiao Zhe, what do you mean? You... you don't want to work at our restaurant too, do you?"

Xiao Zhe chuckled and reached out to stroke her hair. "Silly girl, your brother Zhe has plenty of strength, why would I work in a restaurant? I just wanted to be in the same city as you, so we could meet up whenever we have time. Isn't that convenient!"

Zhang Qingjiao nodded. "Yes, that's good."

Looking at the furnishings in the rented room, Xiao Zhe asked, "Are you living here alone now? Where does your godbrother live?"

Zhang Qingjiao explained, "Brother Xiao Zhe, don't misunderstand. Brother Ke lives on the construction site. He lives and eats with the construction site. Wherever his boss takes on a job, he goes there to live. He usually doesn't come back, except for holidays."

Xiao Zhe smiled and said, "Silly girl, your brother Zhe didn't misunderstand you. I know you're a good girl."

Zhang Qingjiao looked at him tenderly, feeling a sweet warmth in her heart.

Xiao Zhe then said, "Jiaojiao, could you take me in for now? I've just arrived in this unfamiliar city and have nowhere to stay or find a suitable job."

Zhang Qingjiao nodded. "Okay! Don't rush to find a job, take your time. You can stay here for now, but there's only one bed, so you can sleep on the floor for now!"

Xiao Zhe laughed and said, "Alright, let's sleep on the floor first, and talk about it after we've settled down."

The two chatted for a while longer when Zhang Qingjiao's stomach made an unpleasant "gurgling" sound.

She smiled sheepishly, got up, clutched her stomach, and prepared to go to the kitchen to cook.

It was lunchtime when they checked the time. They were so engrossed in their conversation that it went on for a while.

Xiao Zhe said, "How about I go cook, and you take a break?"

Zhang Qingjiao smiled and said, "Let's cook together! I can help you with the cooking."

Xiao Zhe agreed, and the two went to the kitchen hand in hand.

In less than half an hour, two bowls of shredded pork, vegetable and egg noodles were ready.

Zhang Qingjiao picked up a handful of noodles from the bowl and took a bite. The shredded meat was fresh and fragrant, and the egg noodles were smooth. It was truly delicious.

After finishing the first bite, I couldn't stop eating and kept my head down, simmering my rice.

After finishing a bowl of noodles, Zhang Qingjiao finally had time to speak. As she spoke, she gave the meal a thumbs-up.

"Brother Xiao Zhe, I didn't expect you to be such a good cook. Can you cook for me from now on?"

She looked at Xiao Zhe with starry eyes after she finished speaking. Xiao Zhe stroked her hair again, "As long as you love my cooking, I'm willing to cook for you for the rest of my life, okay?"

Zhang Qingjiao looked at him with a flushed face, feeling joy and happiness in her heart. Her eyes were even red.

"Brother Xiao Zhe, you're so kind!"