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

Chapter 36 Sun Jianhong

Qiao Manman comforted him, "It's okay, Dad. Once your leg is healed, we'll work hard together, and our lives will get better and better!"

Qiao Runming couldn't help but chuckle at her words: "Okay!"

The father and daughter laughed and joked for a while, then He Nian suddenly spoke up: "Your grandma came to our house this afternoon demanding an explanation, and I blocked the door with a kitchen knife, so she couldn't come in!"

Qiao Manman gave a thumbs up: "Mom is awesome!"

Then she looked at Qiao Runming and saw his dilemma, and smiled provocatively: "Dad, I heard from the aunties in the team that when Grandma Qiao went out for a stroll, she came back and hugged you."

Nobody in the team has seen her pregnant. Do you think it's possible you're not her biological child?

This was the second time Qiao Manman had brought up the issue of Qiao Runming's background. Compared to her initial skepticism, this time she clearly agreed with the explanation.

"Once Dad's leg is healed, we'll find a chance to ask your grandma."

Qiao Manman shook her finger: "She's not my grandma, we're no longer related! Dad, you'd better keep quiet. Grandma Qiao is obviously hiding something, don't get caught in the crossfire."

Qiao Runming was so moved by what she said that he couldn't swallow a word.

Qiao Manman chuckled and took out a black jade mending plaster: "Alright, stop thinking about it, let's put on the plaster!"

A look of fear rose in Qiao Runming's eyes. He was about to say something when Qiao Manman grabbed his legs.

With two quick slaps, the plaster was applied to the affected area. He Nian swiftly grabbed Qiao Runming's arms, and soon after, he was heard wailing and howling.

Sigh, I held back for more than half an hour yesterday, but I couldn't hold back today. I startled two birds into flapping their wings, and a timid educated youth even dropped his bowl and chopsticks.

Lu Yifeng nudged Lu Yuan with his elbow: "Old Lu, what's going on next door?"

Lu Yuan kept his head down and ate without saying a word.

Lu Yifeng chuckled: "I heard that Manman is back!"

Lu Yuan paused in his eating, but remained calm and composed.

"I heard they've severed ties with the Qiao family. Tsk, how pitiful! A frail mother, a bedridden father, and little Manman who's just come of age—how will she shoulder the responsibility of supporting the family? It's tragic, truly tragic!"

Lu Yuan was getting a headache from his nagging, and glared at him coldly: "Are you free? If you are, go and work out tonight's action plan!"

When serious matters were mentioned, Lu Yifeng's joking demeanor vanished. He responded with a low "Yes," and went off to get busy.

As for Lu Yuan, Qiao Manman's image flashed through his mind, and he began to sort out the clues again.

Completely unaffected by the screams, sometimes loud and sometimes soft, in the darkness.

***

For Qiao Runming, those half hours felt like an eternity. The pain and itching from the healing bones made him want to bang his head against the ground.

By the time it was over, his clothes were soaked through. Exhausted, Qiao Runming lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), staring blankly at the thatched roof.

Qiao Manman let go of his hand: "Mom, I'm going back now. You help Dad wash up and get some rest."

Just as He Nian was about to stop Qiao Manman, he remembered that they were no longer at Old Qiao's house.

Yes, the Chen hunter's courtyard has two rooms, one for them and one for his daughter.

The thought of having to stay with her husband alone tonight made He Nian blush like an apple.

Who would believe it? For eighteen years, the couple hadn't had a single day together as a couple.

Even if He Nian has no health problems, she still can't have a second child.

cough!

Hearing the sounds of people coming and going from next door, Qiao Manman quickly made up the bed.

It's nothing really, just a straw mat.

But could she sleep on a straw mat? Absolutely not!

She took out a cotton quilt from her spatial storage and spread it on the straw mat. She took off her shoes, lay down, and told the system to wake her up in half an hour.

Qiao Manman was exhausted after an afternoon of work, and she fell asleep instantly as soon as she lay down.

He Nian also changed Qiao Runming's clothes to clean and lay down on the kang (a heated brick bed) to fall asleep.

Half an hour later, Qiao Manman woke up. She rolled around on the kang (a heated brick bed) several times, not wanting to get up at all.

But she still had to deal with Director Sun's matter, so she got out of bed and changed into clothes that were more practical for getting around.

She unlatched the door and stood at the doorway, listening carefully to the sounds from next door. Once she was sure Qiao Runming and He Nian were asleep, Qiao Manman locked the door and climbed over the wall.

He jogged toward the quarry, completely unafraid of the dangers of the dark night.

Of course, she dares to be so arrogant because there is a system backing her up—it monitors the surroundings in all directions, and will activate the protection mode if there is any problem.

In the system's words: "The host has a mission to complete, and the host's existence is more important than the system!"

Qiao Manman had never known she was so important. She asked with a sheepish grin, "Dear System, what's my mission?"

A crackling sound of electricity came from the wires, and Qiao Manman quickly called out, "That's enough, don't say it, it's giving me a headache."

I thought to myself, whatever, life has to go on as usual anyway, I'll find out someday.

The system breathed a sigh of relief and encouraged Qiao Manman: "Host, as long as you don't do anything reckless, we'll be with you forever."

Qiao Manman joked, "Even if you complete the task?"

The system paused for a moment: "Logically speaking, the system will be recycled on the day the mission is completed. If the host insists, all of them can stay."

Qiao Manman asked with a smile, "Then do you want to stay?"

The system hummed in agreement: "The system likes the host."

Qiao Manman whistled with satisfaction: "Hehe, then all of you should perform well and try to get me to keep you here."

They chatted amongst themselves and before they knew it, they had arrived at the quarry.

Qiao Manman took out a fruit knife from the system and hid it in her sleeve.

Adjusting his expression, he moved hesitantly and fearfully toward the shed.

The quarry is bustling during the day, but desolate at night.

A gust of wind gave Qiao Manman goosebumps. Moonlight shone on the stones, reflecting a pale white light.

Qiao Manman carefully stepped on the stones, glancing around every now and then, as if afraid of being discovered.

Sun Jianhong, who was observing from near the shed, was very satisfied with Qiao Manman's sensibility. When she got close to the shed, he suddenly popped out from behind a big rock, grabbed Qiao Manman's waist, and his thick lips, which smelled bad, were about to bury into Qiao Manman's neck.

Qiao Manman didn't expect the man surnamed Sun to be so eager, and she raised her hand to push him away: "Director Sun, what are you doing?"

"What? To kiss you! You're already here, don't you know what that means?" Sun Jianhong chuckled and reached out to touch Qiao Manman's butt, but she grabbed his arm tightly.

Who would have thought that such a delicate and frail little girl would have such great strength?

Sun Jianhong remained calm despite being restrained. He figured the girl was probably just nervous, which was why she was displaying a potential beyond her physical stature.

Qiao Manman frowned and asked, "Does Director Sun mean that as long as I go along with you, my father's medical expenses will be reimbursed?"

Sun Jianhong licked his lips: "Of course! The entire quarry is my territory. Whether it's a work-related injury or not is just a matter of my word."

Qiao Manman understood, and with a forceful push, she pushed Sun Jianhong away.

Sun Jianhong was thrown hard to the ground. Before he could react, Qiao Manman climbed onto his back.

There was also a small knife at his neck.

With the slightest touch, a thin line of blood appeared, and Sun Jianhong hissed, somewhat flustered.