Refusing to marry a widower, I went on a crazy spree of sending my children to the army.

The transparent candy wrapper was wrinkled and had something sticky on it, making it look like it had been handled for a long time.

Zhao Zhaodi, as if she hadn't seen it, happily accepted the gifts, carefully putting one into her pocket and opening the wrapper to put the other into her mouth.

It has a salty taste upon first bite, followed by subtle hints of sweetness.

A smile appeared on Zhao Zhaodi's dark face: "It's delicious, Comrade Qin!"

"Ah, I'm glad you like it!"

Putting aside what was happening here, Qiao Manman jogged home, greeted He Nian, and went inside.

I opened the envelope and carefully read the reply.

I then noticed that the articles were published at different times in the two newspapers.

Upon opening the letter, I learned that the provincial newspaper had published the article immediately after it arrived.

Later, an editor from the Beijing Daily saw the article and felt it was very meaningful and in line with the current concept of governing the country according to law.

With the consent of the provincial newspaper, a nationwide essay contest was launched, which led to the current situation.

Qiao Manman was flattered and honored.

After carefully reading the article in the Beijing Daily, I discovered that the author was actually "Qiao Manman, Special Correspondent for XX Provincial Newspaper"!

Qiao Manman was puzzled. She turned the letter over and learned that the provincial newspaper editor-in-chief had invited her to join the newspaper because he thought she was very talented and could criticize current affairs.

I was appointed as a specially hired non-staff member, responsible for submitting articles to the provincial newspaper.

Of course, this special appointment does not come with a base salary, but the royalties will be 20% higher than before.

Moreover, having the title of unofficial reporter makes it much easier to get things done.

Qiao Manman hesitated for a moment, then decided to agree. She picked up her pen and wrote back, thanking the editor-in-chief for his appreciation.

Once the grain output of Qingshan Brigade for this year was tallied, Qiao Manman wrote a report and sent it out along with a letter of thanks.

After finishing writing, Qiao Manman carefully put the newspaper into her spatial storage, took out the remittance slip, and discovered that this time the manuscript fee was twelve yuan.

I happily put it away and went out to eat.

To celebrate, they took half a watermelon out of the system space, which startled Qiao Runming and He Nian so much that they almost screamed.

"Good heavens, why are you taking everything out like this! Quick, quick, take it back, just eat it secretly yourself!"

Qiao Manman smiled and placed the watermelon on the table: "My article was published in the newspaper, I'm so happy!"

The couple were taken aback for a moment, then smiled and praised their daughter for being so promising.

He didn't refuse Qiao Manman's kindness this time, quickly finished his meal, cut the watermelon into wedges, and slowly savored them.

Mmm, this melon is so sweet and crisp, it's delicious!

After eating one bite, I didn't want to eat any more.

Qiao Manman pushed the remaining melons in front of the two of them: "It's hot and they won't keep well, so hurry up and get rid of them. Don't waste such good stuff."

He Nian glanced out the window: "How about I put it in the ice well for you to eat when you get back from work?"

Qiao Manman shook her head: "No way, I'm afraid the little black flies will lay eggs!"

He Nian stopped talking, took out two slices of watermelon and shared them with Qiao Runming, and put the remaining slices in an enamel bowl to eat in the afternoon.

"Father, Mother, I'm going back to my room to rest!" Qiao Manman said, and then went back to the west room.

Lying on the kang (a heated brick bed), he mentally ground two stalks of wheat before falling into a deep sleep.

No one knew that after Qin Youbin went home with Qin Erhua, he kept saying he wanted to marry her.

"Sister, please help me think of a solution! That Zhao Zhaodi is so ugly! If I marry her, people will laugh at me!"

Qin Erhua snorted coldly: "You're dreaming! Who is that Qiao Manman? She's the cousin of a reporter from the provincial capital's newspaper. Do you think you're good enough for her?"

Qin Youbin paused for two seconds, then laughed: "Wouldn't that be even better? If I marry your brother, having a powerful in-law family will make people look at me with more respect!"

Hehe, I thought she was just an ordinary, slightly prettier country girl!

Qin Erhua frowned and poked Qin Youbin's head: "What are you thinking! Aren't you afraid someone will write your shameful deeds in an article and make it known to everyone?"

Qin Youbin didn't take it seriously: "What's there to be afraid of? Once she's in the Qin family, how we discipline her is up to you, brother, me."

If she dares to yell, I'm willing to hit her. One beating isn't enough, I'll give her two, and I'll make sure she's completely submissive!

If all else fails, get her pregnant. Women are all soft-hearted; once they have someone to care about, they won't dare cause trouble anymore.

Qin Erhua thought about it and agreed, then asked, "Then shall I come over and speak to them on your behalf?"

"Oh, thank you so much, my dear sister! Once the marriage is settled, I'll have my grandma give you a big red envelope!"

Qin Erhua was so pleased with him that she completely forgot how badly the last person who went to Qiao Manman's house to propose marriage was struck by lightning.

In the afternoon, Qiao Manman went to work and found that Qin Erhua was not there. She even muttered to Ma Qiuhua, "Did she go to Old Zhao's house to propose marriage?"

Ma Qiuhua shook her head: "Who knows! But seeing Zhao Di here, I guess not!"

Neither of them paid any attention to the Qin siblings, but unexpectedly, they went directly to find Qiao Runming and He Nian.

"Hey Uncle Qiao, it's been a while. How's your leg?"

Qin Erhua placed a basket of vegetables in the corner, looking very familiar with Qiao Runming and He Nian.

In reality, the two families had little interaction and only exchanged nods on a regular basis.

But one can't refuse a smiling face, so the couple still poured water for her and asked with smiles, "Mrs. Zhao, is there something you need?"

Qin Erhua took a sip of water; it tasted bland. She was unhappy, but she didn't show it on her face.

She pulled Qin Youbin, who was standing next to her, and introduced him: "Uncle, Aunt, this is my cousin from my maternal side. He also has the surname Qin and his name is Qin Youbin."

He Nian was suspicious, wondering why he was telling her all this.

Qiao Runming knew perfectly well, but this young man was blinded by greed and was far inferior to Lu Yuan.

Seeing that the two didn't respond, Qin Erhua continued, "You Bin is a temporary worker at the sugar factory. He can earn eighteen yuan a month!"

My sister's family has always wanted him to find a city girl, but he's stubborn and says that city girls aren't as capable as country girls!

So, I originally wanted him to go on a blind date with Zhao Di from the Zhao family, but wouldn't you know it, You Bin actually took a fancy to our Manman!

I thought to myself, isn't this even better?

After Manya graduates from high school and gets married, I'll ask my sister's family to put in some effort and maybe find her a job in the city!

Once the two of them settle down and have a few kids, life will be wonderful!

Qin Erhua thought that saying this would get the Qiao couple's approval, but to her surprise, the two of them frowned.

He Nian asked, "So, your family wants our Manman to both earn money and raise a child, making her suffer even more than a maid? Even landlords and jackals aren't as oppressive as you!"

Qiao Runming refused outright: "No need. My Manman has a job. There's no need for her to suffer at someone else's house."

"You two should leave!"

"No, what kind of job does Man do? I've never heard anyone mention it."

He Nian was about to say that her daughter Manman was very capable. Not only did she have a formal job at the machinery factory, but she had also just received an invitation from the provincial newspaper and was now a contracted reporter.

Qiao Runming grabbed her arm and said, "It's nothing. My family isn't very capable, and we can't afford to associate with the Qin family. Zhao's wife, you should go back to work!"

After being rejected repeatedly, Qin Erhua got angry.

Just as she was about to put her hands on her hips and start cursing, Qin Youbin blocked her behind him: "Uncle, Aunt, I really want to marry Manman!"

I inquired before I came here, and your family has a bad reputation. I doubt you'll find a better family than me!

"In that case, I'll give sixty yuan as a bride price!"