The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Xia Qingqing was awakened by a knock on the door.

Then Zhang Hongyan's voice rang out: "Qingqing, get up, or the oxcart will leave."

Xia Qingqing, who had just turned over and was about to go back to sleep, suddenly woke up. Right, she still had to go to the county today.

"Mom, I'll be right there," Xia Qingqing said, quickly getting dressed and opening the door.

Going to the kitchen, Xia Qingqing painstakingly dipped a willow twig in a little salt and carefully rubbed her teeth, secretly planning that when she had money, she would definitely buy a toothbrush.

Few families in their village can afford toothbrushes; almost every household uses willow twigs to clean their teeth.

This is already considered good; many families can't even afford to use salt, and some are so unhygienic they don't even brush their teeth.

Zhang Hongyan had already prepared breakfast. She handed Xia Qingqing a steamed sweet potato and a boiled egg, saying gently, "Take this and eat it on the way."

"Thank you, Mom," Xia Qingqing said, taking the breakfast and putting it into her handbag. This handbag was made for her by Zhang Hongyan when she went to school in the county. Xia Qingqing cherished it and it was still in perfect condition.

"Mom, I'm leaving now," Xia Qingqing said, but her mother grabbed her foot as soon as she lifted it, saying, "Wait a minute."

Zhang Hongyan took out two yuan in change that she had prepared beforehand from her pocket and handed it to Xia Qingqing, saying, "You child, you need to bring money when you go to the county. If you want anything else, you can buy it. Remember not to lose the money."

Xia Qingqing took the few coins. Of course she knew that she would need money to go to the county. She was carrying a 'huge sum' of 1.4 yuan that the original owner had saved.

However, she was going to the county to make money, so she didn't intend to ask Zhang Hongyan for money.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and put the money away," Zhang Hongyan patted her daughter, who was in a daze.

When Xia Qingqing arrived at the village entrance, the oxcart was almost full.

An auntie who was familiar with the Xia family saw Xia Qingqing coming and greeted her, "Oh, isn't this Qingqing from Hongyan's family? There just happens to be an empty seat next to me, come and sit down."

Xia Qingqing remembered this person; this aunt had a good relationship with her mother, so she didn't refuse and sat down next to her: "Thank you, Aunt Peach Blossom."

Aunt Peach Blossom waved her hand and said, "Oh, there's no need to thank me. You educated kids are so particular."

"Qingqing, didn't your mother say you were seriously injured? You don't look like it," said a middle-aged woman who had some conflict with Zhang Hongyan.

She heard last night that Zhang Hongyan had extorted 20 yuan from the He family, and she was extremely jealous.

You have to understand that in rural families, after deducting living expenses, they might not be able to save 20 yuan a year. Zhang Hongyan, on the other hand, cheated people out of 20 yuan just because her daughter got a minor injury. She's incredibly heartless.

Upon hearing this, Xia Qingqing gave a weak smile: "Yes, Auntie, I was seriously injured. I feel dizzy and nauseous every day. Now that the He family has paid compensation, my mother told me to go to the county hospital for a check-up."

Hearing this, the woman was speechless. She wanted to say something in rebuttal, but Aunt Peach Blossom stopped her: "What kind of person bullies a little child? If you have any complaints, go and talk to Hongyan."

Just then, the oxcart was already full, and Old Ding, the driver, cracked his whip and shouted, "Sit tight, everyone, let's go!"

This was Xia Qingqing's first time riding in an oxcart. Whether it was because she got up too early or because the oxcart was too bumpy, she soon started to feel dizzy.

Aunt Peach noticed that Xia Qingqing was not feeling well and said considerately, "Qingqing, lean on me and sleep for a while. We'll be there when you wake up."

Xia Qingqing didn't force herself to stay awake. She forced a smile, thanked Aunt Taohua, and then leaned against her and fell asleep.

When Xia Qing woke up, the oxcart had already arrived in the county.

Old Ding cracked his bullwhip and shouted to the people in the vehicle, "Meet here in two hours! No waiting for latecomers!"

The passengers immediately dispersed, chattering away. Xia Qingqing also got off the bus and leisurely looked around the county town from the 1970s.

Although the county town looks poor now, it is much more prosperous than the countryside. The streets are lined with brick and tile houses, such as supply and marketing cooperatives, post offices, grocery stores, state-run restaurants, and so on.

As Xia Qingqing passed by the state-run restaurant, she could clearly smell the aroma wafting from inside, and couldn't help but swallow.

Xia Qingqing touched the money in her pocket and sighed helplessly. Although she had a "huge sum" of 3.4 yuan, she couldn't afford a meat bun that cost 1 mao each because she didn't have any food coupons.

"Comrade Xia, what a coincidence," a smiling male voice came from behind Xia Qingqing.

She instinctively wiped her mouth, then turned her head and was met with a handsome face. The man had delicate and three-dimensional features, deep brow bones, and a pair of bright, sparkling eyes. The beauty mark under his eye gave him a unique charm that made people want to take a second look.

Xia Qingqing thought to herself, 'Isn't this Song Zhiqing? How come I've run into him again?'

Song Ze came to the county on business today, but unlike Xia Qingqing, he came by bicycle, so he set off a little later than them.

The first thing Song Ze did upon arriving in the county town was to head straight to the state-run restaurant, intending to buy a few steamed buns to fill his stomach. However, as soon as he arrived at the entrance of the state-run restaurant, he saw a familiar figure staring blankly at the meat buns in the other person's hand, swallowing his saliva.

The little girl's greedy look was so cute that Song Ze instinctively went up to greet her.

As the saying goes, one doesn't hit a smiling face, so Xia Qingqing nodded slightly to Song Zewei: "Comrade Song, what a coincidence!"

"Comrade Xia, are you also here to buy meat buns at the state-run restaurant?" Song Ze asked with a smile.

Xia Qingqing subconsciously licked her lips when she heard the word "meat bun". To be honest, she never thought she would crave meat buns so much. It must be because this body is too lacking in meat. She can't resist the smell of meat.

However, when faced with Song Ze's question, she honestly replied, "I don't have any food coupons, so I can't buy steamed buns."

Song Ze was somewhat surprised by her nonchalant demeanor and casually suggested, "How about this, you pay the money and I'll provide the food coupons?"

After saying that, he waited for Xia Qingqing's reply. Even if she was unwilling, Song Ze wouldn't mind. He just felt sorry for the little girl looking so hungry for the meat buns, so he inexplicably wanted to meddle in her business.

As for directly offering Xia Qingqing meat buns, he really hadn't thought of it. There are so many people in the world who don't have enough to eat, and he can't possibly help everyone.

Xia Qingqing was surprised by this unexpected joy and didn't care whether she would lose out in the deal. She happily handed Song Ze 50 cents and said, "Here you go, thank you."