Chapter 153 The Whole Family's Dissatisfaction, but Sincere Repayment

"You...you..."

Zhou Weiren was so shocked that he couldn't speak. He tried to sit up to talk, but his body was too weak to do so.

"Grandpa, is there something you want to say?"

Zhou Ye's expression, aside from worry, was not good!

"call……"

Zhou Ji stared at Zhou Weiren, making him feel somewhat ashamed.

"Grandpa didn't mean it!"

His quiet rebuttal was his final act of resistance and explanation.

Seeing his grandfather so weak, Zhou Ye felt less resentful.

"Alright, that's enough of that. You take care of yourself first, I need to go out and check on things. I've been a lot of trouble for them these past few days!"

To treat Grandpa's illness, a few more medicinal herbs are needed. Zhou also asked Xie Jianshe to go out and look for them. Having grown up in the countryside, and with Zhou's description, he should be able to find them.

Just as I was about to go out, I heard arguing outside.

"Dad, you know our family's situation. We're having trouble even getting enough to eat, and you're giving away the best cornmeal to outsiders."

Your grandson is only three years old, and you have to borrow corn porridge from outside if he wants to eat some!

Do you think this is appropriate?

The one speaking must be the village chief's daughter-in-law.

The one who glared at me angrily when Zhou Ye first came in!

The village chief seemed somewhat embarrassed: "Second son's wife, it's not your place to run this household! Keep your voice down, everyone has their difficult times."

"Even if you lend a hand, you'll still get a piece of meat!"

"Dad... how can it be insufficient? What are we eating? Wild vegetables and corn on the cob. The powder made from the corn is so harsh on the throat, how can the child possibly eat it!"

Even adults can't defecate after eating it.

"The child has been scratching himself until he bleeds these past few days!" The second son's wife burst into tears as she spoke.

The village chief sighed deeply, but what could he do? At least the person was still alive. How could someone lying down possibly swallow anything if they didn't eat something good?

"Okay, that's enough! Their family is coming! Let's go! Let's go..."

The village chief could only sigh.

He smoked one pipe after another...

Zhou could smell it too; what he was smoking wasn't dry tobacco at all, but rather dried leaves he'd found on the barren mountain to satisfy his craving.

Smoking too much will definitely cause coughing...

The eldest daughter-in-law of the village chief also complained, "Dad, it's not that we daughters-in-law are hard to talk to, it's just that our family is too poor! If it were like in previous years, we would have plenty of food, and feeding one more person wouldn't be a big problem, but what about you?"

Not only did he neglect his family, he also bought medicine and found a doctor for that person.

How are we supposed to survive now?

I just gave birth to my third child, and I'm still in my postpartum period. I can't even afford an egg, boohoo..."

As she spoke, the grievances in her heart grew even heavier!

The village chief looked up and saw that his family members were all looking at him with disapproval.

In truth, he couldn't bear to see his family members suffer, but he really had no choice but to watch someone die.

How is that possible?

He knew he couldn't blame his family for saying that; they were simply too poor!

"Cough cough cough..."

Unable to hold back, the village chief coughed!

"dad……"

"dad……"

Next came the business that the children were worried about.

Zhou was at the door, and he didn't seem too dissatisfied with what the village chief's family said, since everyone was struggling.

Giving someone a bite to eat is already a great kindness!

I glanced at my grandfather, and his eyes were also full of sadness and guilt!

Zhou Ye whispered, "Grandpa, I know what to do!"

He lifted the curtain and went outside. The people talking in the courtyard felt awkward... They were talking to themselves, and Zhou knew it too.

The awkwardness stems from their kindness; they are inherently kind!

"Village chief, my grandfather has been in your family's care these past few days! I'm going out for a bit, I'll be right back."

The village chief nodded: "Go, child!"

At this moment, the second son's wife looked at her suspiciously: "You...you're not not coming back, are you?"

Zhou also laughed and said, "The person lying inside is my grandfather. I came all this way just to find him."

Now that we've finally found it, why would we leave?

I'll be right back! I'm just going to pick up some things.

The second son's wife snorted and said nothing more.

After Zhou Ye went out, there happened to be a donkey cart heading towards the county town, and Zhou Ye simply chartered the cart for one yuan.

The old man who drove the cart was overjoyed with the one yuan he earned; the donkey was relaxed, and he was paid promptly.

"Grandpa, wait for me when we get to the county town, I'll be right back!"

The old man chuckled: "Are you a relative of the village chief?"

"No, sir, he's a guest!"

"Oh, I heard that's the person the village chief saved, right?"

"Yes, sir, I'm in a hurry, please hurry!"

Sure enough, the car accelerated as soon as he finished speaking!

Although the ride was a bit bumpy, Zhou was in good health and didn't get carsick, so they arrived in the county town in about twenty minutes.

Zhou pretended to go to the supply and marketing cooperative, but actually went to a secluded spot nearby and carried a 10-jin bag of cornmeal and a 5-jin bag of wheat flour.

He specially took out a bamboo basket, which contained five pounds of pork belly and thirty eggs!

Brown sugar was also taken out in a paper package, containing two pounds!

They carried it towards the donkey cart.

"Grandpa, I'm back!"

Zhou returned in about ten minutes.

The old man was dumbfounded when he saw what he was carrying!

"This...this is..."

Zhou smiled and said, "Grandpa, the village chief's family helped my grandfather and saved him. They are my grandfather's saviors. This is what I should do!"

"My God, my God, this is meat! The village chief's family has saved a good person and is now enjoying a good life!"

Good deeds will be rewarded!

"Hehe, yes! Sir, I see a state-run restaurant up ahead, shall we go there?"

"Okay... let's go!"

The old man was so straightforward!

When we arrived at the state-run restaurant, it was unlike anything in Beijing or the county town where Hongqi Village was located; there wasn't a wide variety of food available!

There were no white flour steamed buns, but there were cornmeal ones, though they contained some kind of vegetable mixed in.

They also had steamed buns, which were also made with a mixture of two types of flour, and some of them were yellowish!

The good thing is that they have both vegetarian and meat options!

Relatively speaking, restaurants offer a wider variety of pancakes.

Zhou also bought ten meat buns, ten vegetarian buns, five savory biscuits, and five sweet biscuits.

Of course, this generous gesture shocked the waiters inside, but since the customer had paid for it with food coupons, they were only slightly embarrassed!

The old man smelled the meat, sniffed, but didn't say anything.

Zhou Ye handed the old man a meat bun, saying, "Grandpa, thank you so much for today! Please try this."

The old man refused outright: "Oh dear, this won't do, this is a good thing!"

"Young lady, this is too precious! No, no... you can't accept it!"

The old man was really panicked by the string of things he couldn't accept!

This one dollar is already a lot of money, why would I need to ask for food?

This girl is so honest!

To everyone's surprise, Zhou smiled and handed the old man a steamed bun and a sugar cake: "Grandpa, you've helped me a lot today, thank you so much!"

Even if you don't eat it, take it home for the children to try!

One sentence made the old man waver!

Children...yes, how long has it been since the children have eaten!

He thanked them and accepted it.

"Well... I'll accept it. If you ever need anything, just call me grandpa! I live not far from the village chief's house! Hehe..."

"good!"

The old man didn't eat them himself, but carefully put the buns and pancakes into his pocket and touched them with relish.

It seems they really intend to feed it to the children.

The village chief's house was bustling with activity. The eldest son's wife had gone back inside to take care of their youngest son, who was a rare son, but unfortunately, the family had nothing to eat or drink, so the mother and son had to make do.

I remember when I first married into the family, things were good. When I was pregnant with our first child, I ate an egg every day!

Things are getting worse and worse, my poor son. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache!

He wiped away his tears just as his second son's wife came in, carrying a bowl of sweet soup.

What is this?

The eldest son's wife asked.

"Sister-in-law, I was tidying up just now and found some sugar in the sugar jar. Whatever it is, it's always sweet."

It can nourish your body!

You just gave birth, you're exhausted, and you still have to take care of the baby? You can't manage!

Drink it quickly!

"Hey, what are you giving this to me for? To give to the child!"

“Sister-in-law, what are you saying? My child is three years old and can eat anything! If you don’t eat something good, where will your milk come from…”

"Drink it now!"

The second son's wife was a strong-willed woman, and she immediately offered the food to the eldest son's wife.

The eldest son's wife wiped away her tears and gulped down her water.

"Alright, sister-in-law, stop crying! It's bad for your eyes!"

"Um!"

A moment later, the curtain was lifted again, revealing the mother-in-law! She was the village chief's wife. The village chief's wife wasn't very talkative, but she was a good person!

He was holding a bowl of wild vegetable porridge with a few millet grains in it, but you could count them with the naked eye.

"Eldest daughter-in-law, drink this soup first."

"Thank you, Mom..."

"Why!"

The second son's wife complained, "Could it be that they all ran away because they saw that the person was dying?"

"No, our family saved their own grandfather!"

"That's what the village chief's wife said."

"Then why are you leaving? Even if it's to buy medicine, can't one person go alone? Why do you have to go with both of you!"

Maybe he ran away! Hmph! He doesn't look like a good person at all!

The village chief's wife, being the mother-in-law, didn't want to argue with her two daughters-in-law, so she shook her head and went out to work!

As they were talking, they heard a sound coming from the main gate outside.

"Thank you so much, sir!"

"You're welcome, I'm off!"

Zhou watched the old man walk away, then walked into the yard with his hands full of things.

The village chief was smoking his pipe, looking worried, when he saw Zhou Ye come in, his hands full of things, and he was startled.

"Young lady, where have you been?"

Upon hearing this, the eldest son's wife, the second son's wife, and the village chief's wife all came out!

Zhou Ye said generously, "Uncle Village Chief, Auntie, I'm really sorry, my grandfather is here and causing you all a lot of trouble."

I bought a few things, just to cover my food and medical expenses for the next few days!

The village chief quickly stopped him: "Oh, what are you saying! It's not worth it, it's not worth it! We have food at home, we really have food!"

Isn't that a waste of money?

But Zhou Ye also knew about the village chief's family's difficulties!

"No, Uncle Village Chief, please listen to me! It was all worth it. I'm able to see my healthy grandfather again, all thanks to you!"

As he spoke, he took out some food.

"Auntie, here's ten catties of cornmeal and five catties of wheat flour. I see that my sister-in-law is in her postpartum period and needs some refined grains."

Here are eggs and pork belly, would you like to add something else?

Thank you for your hard work during this time!

"This is two jin of brown sugar, which your sister-in-law and child need!"

"This...this..." The village chief's wife was an honest woman, and seeing so much stuff, she didn't dare to take any of it.

Zhou Ye understood, of course. He put the things down and said with a smile, "Uncle Village Chief, Auntie, I dare not say I can repay your life-saving grace! But you must let me repay your kindness!"

I'm so happy that my grandfather is still alive!

I'm very grateful!

You have to accept this, otherwise I'll feel embarrassed to stay here! You know my grandfather's health; he's not able to move around easily right now.

We're in an unfamiliar place, where can we go?

We might have to stay for a few more days!

Thank you so much for your help!

Now that these words had been spoken, the village chief looked at the expectant eyes of his two daughters-in-law and the drooling faces of his children, and his heart softened!

They compromised too!

"Alright, I'll accept it! Thank you so much, young lady!"

"Uncle Village Chief, we should be thanking you!"

With great excitement, the village chief's wife and two daughters-in-law moved the food to the kitchen and locked it up.

The eldest daughter-in-law was very excited. She had just seen the brown sugar—two jin! Most women in their postpartum period would only have half a jin at most!

Dad really saved the right person!

The second son's wife saw the grain; shouldn't this fine grain be given to the children?

That's great!

There were several children in the yard: a ten-year-old, a six-year-old, a five-year-old, and a three-year-old!

The three-year-old is a boy, and the rest are girls.

Oh, right, there's also a newborn baby in the house.

It's not mealtime yet, but the children are smelling the delicious aroma; they must be starving.

She smiled and said, "Kids, come on over, it's time to eat steamed buns."

At a call, the younger children were about to come over, but were stopped by the older ones.

Zhou smiled and said, "They're all good kids!"

"Don't worry, your sister bought some steamed buns and pancakes, come and eat!"

The children looked at their grandfather.

The village chief said somewhat embarrassedly, "Young lady, why don't you take it inside to eat? It'll be noon soon, and we'll have to cook!"

Zhou also smiled and said, "Uncle, you're too kind. Let the children have some. It's alright, please let the children eat!"

The village chief wanted to refuse, but looking into the children's eyes, he couldn't resist.

"Then... let's take one and divide it up?"

One steamed bun per person? I can't even imagine that!

However, Zhou also gave one to each of the children. Perhaps the children were really hungry, or perhaps they hadn't eaten meat for a long time, because they picked it up and wolfed it down!

The village chief didn't even have time to say anything!

Zhou felt a pang of sadness watching the children eat so heartily.

Children these days have it really tough; even filling their stomachs is a luxury for them!

Not to mention eating meat!

Oh... these children!

The village chief only had time to utter a sigh.

In the kitchen, the eldest son's wife and the second son's wife secretly glanced into the yard.

"Sigh, it's my fault too. I just can't keep my mouth shut. Nobody paid any attention to what I said this morning!"

If you hold it against me, the children won't get to eat steamed buns!

"That's right, I even looked down on people for eating for free, sigh... I have a bad tongue! But luckily, they're very generous!"

They're not going to hold a grudge against us!

The two were consumed by self-blame!

The children finished their meat buns, licked their lips, and were still wanting more, though they knew they couldn't eat anymore!

"Thanks……"

The older children said it in a low voice.

"You're welcome!" Zhou Ye replied in a low voice as well.

The payment we just received is about right. I was thinking of giving the village chief and the others some steamed buns, but judging from their mood, they probably wouldn't accept them!

There are still a few days left, there's still a chance!

"Uncle Village Chief, I'm going back to check on Grandpa first!"

"Okay, go ahead. Hehe..."

The village chief watched Zhou Ye's retreating figure with satisfaction. What a good boy! He had been doubting whether he had really done something wrong when faced with his family's accusations.

The only cornmeal in the house was given to the old man inside.

Even the children have no food to eat!

Why……

But look at the food they gave us now, just ten pounds of cornmeal alone, ten pounds! That's enough to feed the whole family for a long time!

And those five pounds of wheat flour—it's been so long since I've tasted wheat flour!

Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!

Not to mention the thirty eggs and brown sugar!

A whole bag full of these, what a rare find!

"Grandpa...I'm back!"

Zhou Ye moved closer to Zhou Weiren, who had been asleep for a while and whose fever had subsided!

The medicine is working!

"I feel much better!"

His voice was hoarse, but he could speak!

Zhou also fed his grandfather some spiritual spring water, and his grandfather slowly sat up!

"Hey... what are you doing here?"

Grandpa was a little annoyed.

"Grandpa... what are you saying? If I hadn't come, you wouldn't have..."

She gave her grandfather a meaningful look as she spoke.

Zhou Weiren was well aware of her current situation!

He glared at Zhou Ye: "You little brat, you're making fun of your grandpa? Sigh... I was too careless. I thought I was still young and could do anything."

It's fortunate that something went wrong!

Ha ha……"

Seeing that his grandfather seemed fairly cheerful, Zhou felt a little relieved.

"Have you found any information about my parents?"

Zhou also asked.

Grandpa's expression turned very serious!

"I found it, but the place is in the back mountains, and many people don't want to talk about it! That's why I'm here!"

Zhou Ye frowned!

"Don't the people in this village know?"

"We know! Most people know, but they also know that the people in that quarry are all exiled criminals!"

Nobody dares to go there!

I heard that whenever they need ingredients or other supplies, the village chief of Dabi Village delivers them!

Only the village chief can go in!

"Dabi Village?"

Zhou asked, puzzled.

"This is it! This is Dabi Village!"

"So, that quarry is the Progress Quarry?"

Grandpa paused for a moment: "It's not called Jinbu Quarry anymore, it's called Houshan Quarry! Jinbu Quarry was the name given when it was first built a few years ago."

When I first arrived, I almost gave up after asking around!

Later, by chance, I learned its real name! But the gates there were always closed, and people weren't allowed in!

"As for whether your parents are still alive, we don't know. We at least have to go inside first!"

Grandpa's words made Zhou Ye fall into deep thought again.

This is too difficult!

It seems I'll be staying here for quite a while!

Then you need to build a good relationship with the village chief!

"Okay, Grandpa, I understand! You should eat something first!"

Although Grandpa was covered in bruises from the fall, it was fortunate that he didn't break any bones! His fever has subsided, and after drinking the spiritual spring water, he has regained a lot of strength!

"Grandpa, you might need to stay in bed for a few more days!"

With a glance, Grandpa knew what Zhou Ye meant.

"Alright, then this old man will rest a bit more..."

In the kitchen, the village chief's wife was looking at her two daughters-in-law with a troubled expression. "The guests are all here at noon," she said. "What should we eat?"

The eldest son's wife said while drinking brown sugar water, "We have grain today, how about we make some corn porridge?"

Add a small amount of wild vegetables.

Fry two more eggs and serve with spicy pickled vegetables.

It's quite delicious!

"Won't that work? They've already bought meat. Can we really not cook it? It won't look good, will it?" the second son's wife said.

After he finished speaking, everyone nodded.

"That's true," the village chief's wife sighed. "This meat is delicious! I don't even know how to cook it!"

The second son's wife pursed her lips and said, "I'll go to my mother's house and see if there's any tofu left. Stir-fried tofu with sliced ​​meat is quite a dish!"

Besides, tofu takes up space.

Rural people also care about face; isn't it said that the poor are generous?

The village chief's wife was also a little embarrassed. Her second son's wife's family made tofu, and they had been having a tough year, so they had helped her out quite a bit!

But no one is happy!

How can we always rely on others for help?

"Second son's wife, wait a minute!"

As he spoke, he took out five eggs and a pound of flour from the basket!

"Second brother's wife, take this back to your parents. Otherwise, if you keep going back to ask for help, even if your parents don't say anything, other people will feel uncomfortable!"

"Relatives, after all, should reciprocate!"

The second son's wife glanced at her eldest sister-in-law, afraid that her sister-in-law might overthink things.

To everyone's surprise, the sister-in-law smiled and said, "It's all only right! Your family has helped us a lot!"

The second son's wife then went to her parents' home.

Actually, saying what I just said made me quite sad. When I first got married, I thought I had married into the best family, and I always helped my younger siblings. But in recent years, things have gotten worse!

She always tries to take advantage of her parents' home. Although her family says they don't mind, how could they not mind at all?

But this time it's different; I can take things back with me, and it feels like I've returned to the beginning.

really……

A little while later, the second son's wife returned with a small basket!

"Mom, look!"

When the village chief's wife looked, she saw that the basket contained not only two large pieces of tofu, but also a large vat of soy milk!

There was even a bowl of dried tofu!

In addition, the second son's wife was also carrying a large cabbage.

The eldest son's wife was both happy and envious, because she herself didn't have a good family to rely on!

"Mom, my mom said you're too kind! This cabbage was stored in the cellar, and it's quite good! Bring it back so we can make a big stew!"

"Let's stir-fry cabbage, tofu, and meat, and add some sweet potato noodles we made last year. It'll be delicious!"

The village chief's wife smiled and said, "That's right, that's right...hehe..."

"Okay, let's make corn porridge. Let's cook a big pot of it and add some lard. It'll smell amazing!"

Xie Jianshe returned around noon.

She was carrying quite a few wild vegetables, some for reducing inflammation and swelling...

Zhou also tidied up the medicinal herbs and arranged them into several prescriptions! She planned to decoct the medicine for Grandpa in the afternoon! There were also some herbs to replenish qi and blood and nourish the body!

"Girl, are you a doctor?"

The village chief asked curiously!