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n“My Mei Mei can use those betrothal gifts in any way she wants. She can give them to whoever she wants, or not. You people have no right to kick up a fuss there!”

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nWith that, he made a big tap with his walking stalk, which made a crisp knocking sound in the courtyard.

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nAfter the sound rang out, no one refuted him.

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nThe remaining neighbors saw that Qiao Qiang did not look too good and found excuses to leave.

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nFortunately, the leftover food and utensils in the courtyard were almost all cleaned up. When Qiao Mei came out later, she would just need to tidy up a little.

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nThere were now only a few Qiao family members left in the courtyard.

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nQiao Zhuang sat at the table next to Qiao Qiang and looked at him. “Big brother, don’t be angry. We’re not the kind of people who covet your Qiao Mei’s betrothal gifts. Look, our Qiao Yu and Qiao Ye even helped you clean up the courtyard, right?”

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n“After all, we’re all relatives!”

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nThese words did not sound like Qiao Zhuang at all.

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nQiao Qiang looked at him strangely and kept quiet. Big Auntie Qiao and Third Auntie Qiao, who were next to him, hurriedly nodded in agreement.

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nSeeing this, Qiao Zhuang continued, “However, I have a favor to ask of you and I hope you can help me. If you can help me, we will always remember your kindness.”

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nHe spoke so nicely, but once Qiao Qiang recalled what he had done before, he remained furious.

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nQiao Qiang glanced sideways at him. “What favor?”

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nHearing this, Qiao Zhuang continued, “I found a job in town for my fifth son at the town’s supply and marketing cooperative. It’s a good job!”

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nHe rubbed his chin proudly.

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nQiao Qiang nodded. “It is a good job!”

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nIt was true that in the current era, having a job in the supply and marketing cooperative was equivalent to working at a supermarket in a shopping mall. One did not have to do farm work in the village and it was a good job that everyone would be envious of.

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nAmong the people living in the areas surrounding the village, who would not want a job in town?

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nFurthermore, it was still in the supply and marketing cooperative. There was money to be made and the work was light.

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n“Right, so our village is more than ten miles away from town, which means that it’s a walk of about 30 miles a day. This is really too far,” Qiao Zhuang continued. “I’m actually thinking of getting my fifth son a bicycle. Coincidentally, Qiao Mei doesn’t really go out and won’t need a bicycle.”

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n“Why not let my fifth son ride it for now and if Qiao Mei needs it in the future, we will send it over whenever you want!”

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nSend it over?

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nThis is definitely impossible. After all, once things are in our house, there would be nothing to spit out.

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nA smile flashed across Qiao Zhuang’s eyes, but he did not show it on his face.

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nIn this era, it was normal for relatives to borrow things from each other. Although the things that they wanted to borrow were Qiao Mei’s betrothal gifts, betrothal gifts were also things meant to be used, were they not?

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nBig Auntie Qiao, who was beside him, was instantly filled with delight and looked eagerly at the bicycle parked in the courtyard.

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nThis was a brand new bicycle!

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nOnce it reached Qiao Zhuang’s house, it would mean that she would also be able to ride it. This bicycle would belong to them and no one would be able to take it away.

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nUnexpectedly, Qiao Qiang did not beat around the bush at all.

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nHe pulled a long face and said gruffly, “No!”

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nThis answer shattered Big Auntie Qiao’s fantasy straightaway, making her frown with unhappiness. “Uncle, you won’t lend us either this or that. Are we still relatives? Are you really not going to give us any favors? Then if anything happens to Qiao Mei in the future, don’t look to our family for help!”

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nShe did not say much, but her words carried a faint threat.

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nThe meaning was obvious. They wanted Qiao Mei’s bicycle and if they did not get it, they would not consider the two families to be relatives anymore!

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n“Haha!” When Qiao Qiang heard this, he laughed so happily that his beard shook.

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