The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 137 How to Choose a Man (Plus 720 Monthly Tickets)_1

Chapter 137: Chapter 137 How to Choose a Man (Plus 720 Monthly Tickets)_1

Just as Third Grandma Qi was about to recount stories from the past, Qi Xiaoyan came over. After dropping out of school, Qi Xiaoyan had felt quite bored, but now the prospect of hearing a story delighted her.

"Xiao Yan, come quickly, Grandma Qi is going to tell a story from the past, come and listen," said He Tiantian, hoping that Qi Xiaoyan could also learn something. Third Grandma Qi was a legend, although not many knew of her. But in He Tiantian’s eyes, no ordinary old lady could compare to Third Grandma Qi.

Not being an outsider, He Tiantian went inside to fetch a stool for Qi Xiaoyan too, and they sat down side by side next to Third Grandma Qi.

Third Grandma Qi had always been close to Secretary Qi’s family and considered Qi Xiaoyan her granddaughter. She knew that Qi Xiaoyan wasn’t a gossipy person, so she said with a chuckle, "I’ll tell the story, just don’t find it bothersome, alright?"

"Not bothersome, not at all," He Tiantian hastened to say, "Go ahead."

"Third Grandma, I want to listen too; please, start!" urged Qi Xiaoyan. With no entertainment available, life was far too monotonous.

Third Grandma Qi slowly sorted through her long-buried memories and began, "After our family’s land was divided and distributed, we only had a few acres left. The servants from our family, once they received their share of land, became masters of their own houses, and everyone was equal. My sisters went to the city to seek their fortunes, while I stayed to take care of our aging parents. In those days, despite having the negative label of being from a rich peasant family, my looks were good enough to attract suitors who were willing to marry me. They all said that as long as I married them, they would take care of my family’s fields and ensure we had food and clothing. But there was one person who said nothing and would always work in our fields in the middle of the night. At first, I didn’t notice it, thinking that I was just skilled at the work, but after comparing it with others, I realized someone was helping me. Since I never saw anyone in the fields during the day, they must have come at night."

Is there such a diligent young man?

He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan were both very curious and listened intently to the story.

"At that time, I planted many cabbages to sell in the winter to have some money for the New Year. I was slow at catching pests in the daytime, but the next day, I would find there were fewer insects. I guessed that someone was helping me again. I was very curious to find out who it was. I sneaked into the fields at night, only to discover that it was one of our long-term workers, a man who was not good with words, but dedicated to hard work," Third Grandma Qi recounted, her face showing happiness. He was the first to help her when she was in need and did it without seeking anything in return.

"That was my great-grandfather, right?" Qi Xiaoyan asked curiously, touched by the man’s silent contributions for the woman he loved.

"Yes, that was your great-grandfather," Third Grandma Qi confirmed, "While others were still all talk, he was already quietly helping me. During the time others were advising me to take care of my health and to eat well, your great-grandfather was saving up or buying treats from his earnings to leave for me."

"Great-grandfather really was a good man!" exclaimed He Tiantian. Sweet talk may seduce, but it can’t compare to the genuine actions of a sincere man.

"Indeed, your great-grandfather was a good man. After I married him, life was simple, but free from hardship. It was just hard on him; he passed away too soon," Third Grandma Qi said with a sigh. "I’m not just telling you this for the sake of it, but to say, for girls of your age who are just beginning to experience feelings, you might feel shy and easily fooled by passionate sweet-talkers. The man you rely on for a lifetime, the one you’ll live with, should not be judged by what he says but by what he does. A person’s words can change at any moment, they’re not to be trusted. Only the person who is willing to give selflessly can be said to truly care."

"It sounds very sensible!" said He Tiantian, nodding seriously. Grandma Qi’s words may have been simple, but they contained profound wisdom.

Yes, men’s flattering words can be bewitching, often blinding women. Only through genuine acts can one discern the sincerity of a person, not just by what they say.

"That makes a lot of sense." Qi Xiaoyan nodded, Third Grandma Qi’s words reminded her of Niu Dajun.

"Hehe, men fear the wrong profession, and women fear marrying the wrong man. Although this is a new society and divorce is possible, public opinion is still daunting, and it can influence you. That’s why you all must be vigilant when choosing a partner," Third Grandma Qi advised. She had seen many women with men who were lazy and abusive, which is no way for a person to live.

The entire morning was spent listening to Third Grandma Qi talk about herself and others.

Listening was not only interesting but also educational about life and social interactions.

In the afternoon, after He Tiantian had eaten, she wanted to go out, but Third Grandma Qi stopped her, not allowing her to go out, telling He Tiantian to rest a while longer before heading to the back mountain.

He Tiantian felt she had already recovered, but Third Grandma Qi meant well, so He Tiantian reluctantly agreed.

Thinking about going to the back mountain during the day, she knew Zuo Li and Xiang Rong would insist on accompanying her. That would mean she couldn’t gather some things in secret for her family and Huo Yingjie. With that in mind, she decided to go at night. Besides, with the Snake King around, she could see clearly and wasn’t afraid of wild animals!

With this in mind, He Tiantian began to prepare, while pleading with the Snake King, "Snake King, I’ll have others around me during the day, so I can only hunt more at night, get everything ready, and take it back to Nan City when the New Year’s holiday comes."

"Not interested!" The Snake King said lazily, as there was no benefit for him.

He Tiantian knew that despite the Snake King not hibernating in winter, he was lazier than in summer and autumn.

Suddenly, He Tiantian had an idea, playing to the nature of snakes, she remembered that the Snake King liked to swim in the pond inside the cave, and she knew she could persuade the Snake King.

"Snake King, I want to go play in that cave, it’s our secret base after all. The water in that cave stays warm in the winter, with steam rising; it’s so comfortable to soak your feet." He Tiantian spoke softly, "Shall we go take a look?"

The Snake King hadn’t been in the water since winter’s arrival, and his eyes the size of mung beans rolled around as he asked, "Are you... Are you lying to me?"

He Tiantian rolled her eyes cutely and pouted as she complained, "I hate lying the most, why would I lie? If you don’t believe me, you can come and see for yourself. If there’s no hot spring, then just don’t go again, you won’t lose anything. But think about it, if I lied to you and you stopped trusting me, I would be the one at a loss. Do I have any reason to lie to you?"

Since her rebirth, He Tiantian had stuck to her own ideas, opened her heart to others, and became quite persuasive. Those words she just spoke were so convincing, He Tiantian had even persuaded herself.