Reversed Fate in the 70s: Marrying the Factory Director rather than Rough Man Chapter 139

Chapter 139 : Driving a Car

Jiang Li didn’t stay up to keep watch that night. Lately, she had been feeling quite sleepy. Qi Shaoqiang held her close, gently tucking her slightly damp hair behind her ears, and began to massage her swollen calves with care.

At six months pregnant, Jiang Li’s belly had grown significantly, making it unfortable for her to eat and sleep. She seemed to be suffering, and it pained Qi Shaoqiang to see her this way. Although he couldn’t bear the physical burden for her, he tried his best to lighten her load, taking care of the household chores to ensure she always came home to a warm meal and a restful environment.

As midnight approached, the sound of firecrackers intensified. Fireworks lit up the night sky with dazzling sparks, especially from wealthier households. Jiang Li stirred uneasily in her sleep, and Qi Shaoqiang gently covered her ears. Gazing at the fireworks, he silently made a wish: “I hope my wife has a smooth delivery and we live a long, happy life together.”

—

The next morning, Wang Juan and her sister Wang Fen came to pay New Year’s greetings. Jiang Li, having stayed up late, was still in bed.  

Chen Xianyun weled the sisters warmly, offering them fruit. “There’s candy on the table too, help yourselves!”  

“Thank you, Aunt Yun! Don’t mind if I do,” Wang Juan replied cheerfully. Her time working at the clothing store had made her more outgoing, and at times, even a bit playful.  

Wang Fen, on the other hand, shyly nibbled on the orange slices Chen Xianyun had prepared.  

Still feeling drowsy, Jiang Li lingered in her warm bed. Qi Shaoqiang brought her fresh, dried clothes and coaxed her to get up. Once she had eaten a bowl of sesame and peanut dumplings that had been reserved especially for her, she finally felt fully awake.  

—

Chen Xianyun handed out red envelopes to everyone, including Wang Juan and Wang Fen.  

Wang Fen tried to refuse hers, but Chen Xianyun smiled firmly, leaving no room for objection. “This is New Year’s money from an elder. You can’t turn it down.”  

Qi Shaoqiang handed his own red envelope to Jiang Li. Along with the ones she received from the old lady and Chen Xianyun, Jiang Li found herself holding four thick envelopes and couldn’t hide her delight.  

“Xiaojuan, Xiaofen, stay for lunch! We’re having mutton hotpot today,” Chen Xianyun said while admiring the sausages and bacon the sisters had brought. “These sausages are so well-made!”  

Wang Juan happily agreed and took the opportunity to discuss work with Jiang Li.  

After some thought, Jiang Li nodded. “You’re right. Hard labor doesn’t pay well, and it’s too exhausting.”  

Suddenly, an idea struck her as she recalled a child’s blue and yellow knitted sweater she had seen. Turning to Wang Fen, she asked, “Xiaofen, you seem quite skilled at knitting sweaters. Did you practice at home before?”  

Wang Fen shook her head shyly. “Not really. I was bored while recovering from my leg injury, so Xiaojuan gave me a knitting book to pass the time. I just learned as I went.”  

“You’ve learned so quickly and knit so beautifully already. You really have talent,” Jiang Li praised. “I have some sweater patterns here. Take them home and try making them. If you can, I’ll sell them in the store.”  

Wang Juan’s eyes lit up at the suggestion. Knitting sweaters was an ideal solution. Her sister could stay home, avoiding the challenges of a public workplace while still earning money. It would also allow her to rest her injured leg.  

“Thank you, boss!” Wang Juan exclaimed, readily agreeing.  

Wang Fen, however, hesitated. She worried that her work might not be good enough to sell, potentially causing Jiang Li to lose money.  

“Backing out before you even start? That’s not how we women do things,” Jiang Li said with a reassuring smile. “I believe in you!”  

“Yes, sister, you should try it first and see how it goes.”  

Encouraged by her sister and Jiang Li, Wang Fen mustered up her courage and said, “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”  

Jiang Li immediately handed her several patterns for scarves, shawls, and blankets. “I’ll cover the cost of the materials. Just bring them to me when you’re finished.”  

The more Wang Fen looked at the designs, the more captivated she became. Each one was beautifully unique and novel in style, sparking her fascination. After lunch, she grew eager to head home and start knitting.  

—

In the afternoon, Qin Xiaoting’s family arrived. Her two little children, dressed adorably like the lucky dolls from New Year paintings, were carried by Liu Lixin and her.  

As soon as they entered Jiang Li’s house, the children, He An and Ning, started clamoring to go outside. A light snowfall that morning had left a thin layer of snow on the ground, and the two were eager to build a snowman.  

The more Qi Shaoqiang observed the children, the more he adored them. He couldn’t resist sweet-talking He Ning’s charms. He built a snowman for them, pushed them on the swing, scattered millet on the snow, and used a bamboo basket to catch sparrows.  

Meanwhile, Jiang Li and Qin Xiaoting roasted melon seeds by the fire, occasionally using tongs to pull out baked potatoes and sweet potatoes.  

“I was so exhausted last year. This year, I definitely need to hire some help. Running a restaurant is profitable, but it’s too tiring,” Qin Xiaoting said.  

“You must’ve made a fortune this year!” Jiang Li teased with a laugh. “You’ve turned into a rich woman.”  

“Of course,” Qin Xiaoting said proudly. “Don’t underestimate my skills!”  

“Have you saved up enough yet, Lizi? We should start looking at houses!” Qin Xiaoting leaned in conspiratorially. “I’ve scouted some properties. We can buy two along the street, live in one, and rent out the other. And when demolition happens in two years, the payout will be huge!”  

Intrigued, Jiang Li asked, “Demolition?”  

“Yes,” Qin Xiaoting whispered. “In 1990, they’ll be tearing it down to build a shopping mall.”  

Jiang Li’s interest piqued. “How much are the houses?”  

“The quieter ones further in are a bit over 6,000 yuan, but the ones along the street are cheaper, just under 6,000.”  

“Let’s go check them out in a couple of days!” Jiang Li said enthusiastically.  

“Deal!” Qin Xiaoting replied.  

—

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Jiang Li and Qi Shaoqiang visited the Xu family’s old house. Fang Peilan had instructed someone to open the gates early. Before Jiang Li even reached the door, Fang Peilan came out to greet her, her face brimming with joy.  

“My dear, are you cold? It must’ve snowed on your way here.”  

Jiang Li, bundled in waterproof clothes, woolen boots, a scarf, and gloves, smiled. “I’m warm, Grandma.”  

After exchanging New Year’s greetings, Fang Peilan beamed at Jiang Li, whose six-month pregnancy had given her a fuller, glowing appearance. Her round, fair face exuded good health.  

Beside her, Qi Shaoqiang stood tall and attentive, one arm protectively around Jiang Li’s shoulders and the other guiding her carefully. Together, they looked like a perfect couple, as harmonious as a “golden boy and jade girl.”  

Fang Peilan handed each of them a red envelope, giving Jiang Li an additional small box.  

Curious, Jiang Li opened it to find a car key inside.  

Fang Peilan smiled warmly. “Take it. You must accept it. It’s too cold to be walking everywhere in this weather.”  

The housekeeper led Jiang Li to the yard, where a red Santana car awaited. Jiang Li walked around it, admiring the sleek vehicle, and felt a genuine fondness for the gift. Having a car would indeed make life much more convenient.  

“Miss, I’ll arrange for a driver to teach you how to drive,” the housekeeper said.  

Jiang Li, who already knew how to drive, pretended to learn for a couple of hours before confidently taking the wheel.  

The housekeeper was amazed by her quick grasp of driving, while Fang Peilan’s smile grew wider. “My granddaughter is so smart! She learned to drive in under two weeks. She must’ve inherited this talent.”  

Jiang Li carefully practiced driving twice around the courtyard before parking the car at the entrance of the old house. Just then, another vehicle arrived, and the housekeeper went to wele the visitors.