Niu Dajun was taken aback, but he was a composed man and remained calm. He was especially cautious when in front of outsiders, and when he saw Qi Xiaoyan not far behind Qi Fangfang, he did not show any joy, for fear of causing trouble for Qi Xiaoyan.

"No, Secretary Qi asked me to buy some medicine for Xiaoyan, and I brought it over on my way," Niu Dajun said, standing up instead of sitting on the roadside stone. "Xiaoyan, hurry up, I still have to deliver messages to other villages!"

Upon hearing this, He Tiantian looked at Qi Xiaoyan and asked with a smile, "Did Uncle Qi really ask him to buy it?"

Qi Xiaoyan blushed, shook her head, and quickly walked over.

He Tiantian followed closely behind. Haha, these two are really interesting.

Qi Fangfang then noticed Qi Xiaoyan and He Tiantian behind her.

Qi Fangfang was a very clever girl. Seeing that Qi Xiaoyan's face was rosy instead of pale as usual, she asked with a smile, "Sister Xiaoyan, why are you blushing?"

"Hehe, I left in too much of a hurry," Qi Xiaoyan replied, though this reason didn't seem very convincing.

Qi's mother's restless eyes swept back and forth between Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun!

So gossipy!

Qi's mother might not report Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun, but with her mouth, she might say some unpleasant things.

He Tiantian didn't want Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun to be criticized before they sorted out their own affairs, so she added, "Oh my, I've done a great service today! Comrade Zuo, Comrade Xiang, and I went up the mountain to collect wild produce and found two big wild boars that had fallen into a crevice. The pigs have already been taken to the village committee. Let's hurry up and go see them slaughter the pigs and distribute the meat."

"A wild boar? Cut into pieces?" Mother Qi's voice rose, sounding incredulous.

Ever since someone in the village was gored by a wild boar, no one has gone hunting in the mountains behind the village. Most importantly, before, most of what they hunted was kept for their own families, but now, if they catch a big wild boar, their families can only keep a small amount; the rest is shared among the whole village. So, for a long time now, no one has been willing to risk hunting, and naturally, there's no wild boar meat to share.

As for the pigs in the village, after the quota is handed over, only one or two are slaughtered each year, and not many are distributed to each family. Moreover, they can only eat meat during the New Year. It's difficult to eat meat at other times!

"Yes, that's why we rushed over to help," He Tiantian said. "You guys hurry up too, don't be late!"

"Yes, we need to hurry up. Fangfang, don't dawdle, come home with me quickly and let's help out." As if worried that if they were late or there were fewer people, she would get less pork, Qi's mother pulled Qi Fangfang's arm and walked quickly forward.

Qi Fangfang wanted to say a few more words and nudge Qi Xiaoyan, but her mother was very strong, so she had no choice but to follow.

"I'll come find you guys to play later!" Qi Fangfang said before leaving, feeling reluctant. If she went too early, she wouldn't get more things; if she went too late, she wouldn't get less either.

Neither Qi Xiaoyan nor He Tiantian answered.

"Brother Dajun, we're distributing pork at home today, don't leave." Qi Xiaoyan urged, "Don't stand here, come back with me quickly."

"No need, I'll give you the things and then I'll leave." Niu Dajun was a little embarrassed in front of He Tiantian.

He Tiantian smiled and urged, "Go ahead, I deserve a lot of credit for catching those two big wild boars. Secretary Qi said I'll get a good share of the meat! I'll cut some for you and Sister Lili later, you can take it and eat it."

"No...no need!" Niu Dajun said nervously, rubbing his hands together awkwardly.

"If you don't come home with me for dinner, I won't take your medicine, and I'll give your shoes back too," Qi Xiaoyan said, dissatisfied. Whether it was the shoes or the medicine, she wanted to pay for them, but Niu Dajun refused. It seemed like he was interested in her, but he wouldn't say it.

This limbo, stuck in this limbo, is so annoying!

Today, Sister Sweetie analyzed some things for her, and she wanted to ask her about them herself to understand.

"Go ahead, Brother Dajun," He Tiantian also urged. Just now, Qi's mother's triangular eyes were scanning back and forth. If things weren't clarified soon, Qi Xiaoyan would definitely be gossiped about in the village.

Niu Dajun couldn't refuse, so he agreed: "Then I'll have to bother you. Take this medicine. I asked the doctor, and he said this is better than what you're taking now. You must take it as written on the label."

Qi Xiaoyan took the medicine and glanced at He Tiantian. Seeing that He Tiantian wasn't looking at her, she quickly stuffed it into her pocket.

Niu Dajun was embarrassed and opened his mouth to explain, but in the end he didn't say anything.

Xiao Yan was too young to understand his feelings. He was afraid that if Xiao Yan rejected him, they wouldn't even be able to be friends anymore, and he wouldn't be able to visit her every time he delivered a letter.

Each with their own thoughts, the three returned to the village together.

Niu Dajun and Qi Xiaoyan went home together, while He Tiantian went back to Qi San's grandmother's place.

When Grandma Qi heard that He Tiantian had actually gone hunting in the mountains and that she was all dirty, she immediately asked with concern, "Are you alright?"

"No, I run really fast, even wild boars can't catch me," He Tiantian said proudly. "When we get our share of pork later, I'll make you braised pork."

"Hehe, your teeth aren't good anymore, you can't chew anything. You should keep them for yourself," said Grandma Qi. "Just give me a few big bones, I'll make bone broth."

"I'll make bone broth and braised pork. My cooking style is different from the villagers', so you'll definitely like it," He Tiantian said with a smile. "Those are specialties from our Nanshi area, and they taste especially good."

Grandma Qi didn't stand on ceremony and chuckled, "Then this old woman must try it. It's a gift from my granddaughter."

“That’s right, you’re right to think that way.” He Tiantian said as she poured the pine nuts from the bamboo basket onto the ground to dry.

"Oh my, these are top-quality pine nuts!" Grandma Qi said. "Bring them over here, peel them open and dry them faster. Once they're dry, I'll stir-fry them for you in a pan. They'll be delicious!"

He Tiantian especially loves eating these little things, and said, "Okay, let's peel them together, I can't wait to eat them."

"Go, go, go, wash your hair, wash your face, change your clothes. You're such a pretty girl, and you've made yourself look like a beggar," Grandma Qi urged. She loved cleanliness all her life and couldn't stand seeing a young girl sloppy.

He Tiantian chuckled a few times, then went to wash up and change her clothes.

By the time He Tiantian had changed her clothes and washed her hair, Grandma Qi had already peeled a large ladleful.

“This is too dry, I’ll go stir-fry it for you right away,” said Grandma Qi. “You put a towel on your head and come over here to help me start the fire.”

"Okay!" He Tiantian readily agreed and followed Grandma Qi to the kitchen. Every time Grandma Qi cooked, the snacks and treats she made were met with rave reviews from He Tiantian. (To be continued.)