How I Tamed My Wolfish Husband Back in 80s-Chapter 84: Spring Floods_1

The roommates whispered among themselves, the infighting between Li Qiao and Li Jinhua was unexpectedly intense.

If the school discovered the amulet, it would go on her record, right?

No matter how good Li Qiao’s grades were, a university seeing a blemish on her record wouldn’t accept her, would they?

Li Jinhua’s heart was quite ruthless.

Li Jinhua realized the talisman had been planted in her pocket by Li Qiao beforehand. In the cold weather, she happened to be wearing that garment, how malicious!

It’s over!

Her heart pounded like a drum, her face turned pale, yet she wanted to turn the tables, "It was clearly you who planted it on me in advance!"

Li Qiao said, "The eyes of the masses are sharp! Although I have had issues with my roommates, I trust everyone will stand on the side of reason. Liu Lanlan, what do you say?"

Liu Lanlan, wanting to drag Li Qiao down too, couldn’t deny the evidence presented like Li Jinhua shamelessly. "Hmm, when the teacher asks later, I’ll tell the truth."

There had always been noise in the dormitory, and the next-door neighbor reported it to the dormitory manager.

The dormitory manager knocked on the door for a room check, and at this moment, Hu Xiufang spoke up, recounting the incident with the roommates chiming in one after the other.

Superstition was no small matter; the dormitory manager took note of Li Jinhua’s name, ready to report it to the teacher of her class.

After the dormitory manager left, Li Jinhua cried.

Li Qiao thought to herself, what now? The talisman has already been drawn by me; just wait until I find out its specific function, you’ll get what you deserve!

...

The night passed, and Li Jinhua looked like a defeated rooster, dispirited, sporting panda eyes when she was called into the office for questioning during class.

Li Jinhua denied everything outright.

Mr. Zhou, furious, slammed the table, "The evidence is conclusive, yet you refuse to repent!" He commanded her to bring a parent.

Fearful of Dong Lamei coming to school and learning of her deeds and possibly beating her, Li Jinhua stubbornly refused until the grade director intervened and threatened to deal with her.

Only then did she go home to request a parent, not daring to tell Dong Lamei, she found Li Shengcai and, avoiding words unfavorable to herself, beat around the bush explaining the reason.

Li Shengcai was superstitious himself.

He failed to recognize the seriousness of the situation and didn’t think much of it.

After consoling Li Jinhua briefly, he accompanied her to the school.

He learned the details from Mr. Zhou.

Mr. Zhou said with meaningful emphasis, "For students who receive higher education to believe in superstitions is terrible for the school’s reputation. If we don’t investigate one, even my position as a teacher would be jeopardized. This child of yours, ah, already a repeater, and still not getting it?"

Li Shengcai was inwardly fuming but restrained himself and nodded and bowed in front of the teacher, admitting fault.

Mr. Zhou was relatively polite, not for any other reason but because this was also Li Qiao’s father, and Li Qiao intended to apply to prestigious universities, promising an incalculable future; perhaps he too would need to rely on that child someday. "Knowing your mistake is good. The fear is unrepentant stubbornness. I’ve been asking all morning, and your child still refuses to tell the truth. In the same household, Li Qiao is so much smarter and more honest."

Li Shengcai nervously rubbed his hands: "Ah, that child is my own flesh and blood, and Jinhua came with her mother; I don’t have the heart to scold her. When we get home, I’ll tell her mother to deal with her and ensure she behaves next time."

Mr. Zhou was surprised, so it was a blended family. "She does need to be dealt with properly. Even if she’s not her real sister, she can’t just falsely accuse someone with all this nonsense. It’s caused the classmates to think Li Qiao is superstitious and that’s why she scores high, a bad influence."

Li Shengcai agreed, yet thought, she’s just like him, smart and well-behaved with a good nature.

The seed of others was crooked.

Her reputation was now thoroughly ruined, and if she failed to get into a university, she’d have to marry after graduation.

She wouldn’t be able to marry into a good family.

Being a bit older didn’t matter; as long as the dowry was generous, he would agree.

Li Shengcai left the office, scolded Li Jinhua a few words, then called for Li Qiao.

Li Qiao had no intention of dealing with him.

Time and again, Li Jinhua had harmed her, and she didn’t believe her father was unaware of it all.

Knowing yet allowing it, how disappointing. She said, "I’m busy with homework, you should go back."

"Doing homework, ah, studies are important. Visit home when you have time," Li Shengcai said.

Li Qiao, expressionless, replied, "I understand." She wouldn’t visit her maternal home. If he truly cared for his daughter, he could visit her at her in-laws’ home; it wasn’t far, just over half an hour walk.

...

Li Jinhua caused some trouble and was publicly criticized at a school meeting, ruining her reputation thoroughly and keeping her on her toes for a while.

It was another Saturday.

She didn’t wait for Qin Jin. The rice and pickles she brought were finished, and she had almost spent all her money, so she prepared to go home. freёnovelkiss.com

But today, it was raining again.

Everyone stayed in their dorms, waiting for the rain to stop.

Hu Xiufang said, "I remember when we just started eleventh grade, around this season, it rained heavily for several days in a row. Many villages were flooded, and in our village, the flood swept away two people."

Li Jinhua also remembered, "Our village was flooded too. My third brother-in-law’s village is in a low-lying area; many houses collapsed." She deliberately raised her voice to tell Li Qiao.

On the map, their region was situated downstream; it was dry in winter but often flooded in spring.

Floods occurred every few years.

But Li Qiao didn’t know; with the heavy rain pouring down as she travelled, it was possible she might be swept away.

Cai Hechuan’s first wife had been caught in a flash flood while walking home in the rain. She was swept away while crossing a bridge.

When people found her, she was barely recognizable.

Looking at the slanting rain under the eaves and the dark clouds overhead, Li Qiao started to worry about Old Mrs. Qin back home. She decided to brave the rain and go back.

No sooner said than done.

She borrowed a rain cape and rubber shoes from the dorm supervisor.

Hu Xiufang tugged at her, "Li Qiao, the spring flood might cause a lot of water; it’s dangerous on the roads, you shouldn’t go."

"My grandmother is alone at home; I’m worried about her. We also have many woven goods at home that can’t be used if they get soaked. I should take a bus home to check on everything. It’ll be fine," Li Qiao said optimistically.

She left, determined.

She caught the minibus after standing in the rain at the gate for half an hour.

When she got off, the water on the road rose above her ankles.

The rain splashing on her face filled her with worry; if the road was flooded like this, what was the state of her home?

She rushed towards her house, disregarding everything else.

Upon reaching the village entrance, she saw that her family’s doorstep was on higher ground.

She couldn’t help but laugh at herself.

She had completely forgotten that their house was built on high ground within the village.

She went straight home.

Old Mrs. Qin opened her mouth, "Qiaoqiao, why have you come back? Oh, you’re all wet; aren’t you cold?"

Li Qiao said, "A bit cold. Hasn’t Jin come back yet?" They’d agreed on a fortnight. "Are all the weavings put away?"

"They’re put away. What for? He’s not a three-year-old child," Old Mrs. Qin busied herself fetching water to help Li Qiao wash.

Li Qiao decided to take a thorough bath.

After changing into dry clothes, she looked out the window.

The water outside their door had already reached the area where her aunts used to do their weaving. She went to Old Mrs. Qin’s room, concerned, "Grandma, the water won’t flood up here, will it? Should we move to higher ground for a while?"

A house made of clay; with the rain continuing to pour, wouldn’t it be washed away?

"It shouldn’t, right? About three years ago, the water got into the house, but in the end, it didn’t flood," Old Mrs. Qin replied.

"Won’t the house get damaged by the water?" Li Qiao asked.

Old Mrs. Qin chuckled, "What are you thinking about? The house is made of earth, but it’s also well-compacted. Don’t be scared."

Li Qiao felt reassured, and the rain got lighter the next day, but it didn’t stop.

The village loudspeakers announced that there might be heavy rain in the afternoon, reminding everyone not to go out in case the flash flood caught them unprepared and caused misfortune.

Indeed, the heavy rain came in the afternoon, flooding the courtyard and the fields.

A surge of rapid water roared past the door; wherever it went, homes were destroyed and trees fell.