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I had to tell Grandma Qi that I was away from home for five days.
That evening, when He Tiantian spoke to Grandma Qi, Grandma Qi took out money and tickets and said, "A poor family needs to be frugal on the road. Take this money just in case."
"I have money on me, I don't need it." He Tiantian refused, not wanting Grandma Qi's money, which was all her savings.
"You silly child, when you go out, Grandma will give you some money, just take it," Grandma Qi said. "If it's convenient for you, buy some grain. Buy it early, so that you won't have money and grain coupons but can't buy grain, which will be of no use to you."
When He Tiantian heard what Grandma Qi said, she accepted the money and grain coupons.
She doesn't have time to buy it herself, but she can ask Niu Lili for help!
Since last time, Niu Lili has regarded He Tiantian as her good friend and benefactor!
Furthermore, Niu Lili works at a restaurant and can talk to people at the supply and marketing cooperative, so she can easily buy grain.
If it were just the money and food coupons that Grandma Qi had, He Tiantian could queue up and buy them herself. However, in He Tiantian's barrier space, there were still many coupons and money given to her by her parents and Huo Yingjie, plus the money she had on hand. The amount was quite large, and it would be quite difficult to exchange them all for food.
"Okay, I'll take it. I'll buy more grain," He Tiantian said, not wanting to upset Grandma Qi.
"Be careful on the road and pay attention to safety," Grandma Qi said. "When you're traveling, it's best to go out during the day if you need to, but don't go out at night, it's not safe. As long as you stay in a guesthouse, you'll generally be fine."
"I understand, Grandma," He Tiantian replied.
After packing a few clothes, He Tiantian took out the food coupons and money from the barrier. She planned to give some to Niu Lili in the county town tomorrow so she could help buy food. The rest, she planned to take to Huai City to buy food and store in the barrier space, just in case.
"Sweetie, it's getting late, go to sleep." Grandma Qi got up in the middle of the night and saw a light coming from He Tiantian's room, so she urged her softly.
"Okay, I'll go to sleep right away." He Tiantian was worried about Grandma Qi, so she came out to help her and escorted her into the room before leaving herself.
He Tiantian was also sleepy, but as she was about to fall asleep, she was still thinking about the guardian beast statues in the square!
Once we get to the county town, we must find a chance to bring back the guardian beast statue. Hopefully, the Snake King's protective space can carry it!
The next morning, Grandma Qi cooked breakfast, and after He Tiantian ate, she got into the oxcart driven by Secretary Qi himself.
Although Secretary Qi was very busy and could not accompany his daughter, he still insisted on personally taking her to the county town.
Upon arriving in the county town, we took He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan to Taoyuan Restaurant and treated them to a meal.
"Dajun, I'm entrusting Xiaoyan and Tianya to you. You must make sure they're taken care of and nothing goes wrong." Secretary Qi instructed Niu Dajun. If it weren't for the spring plowing season, he would have personally taken his daughter there.
"Yes, Uncle Qi." Niu Dajun quickly assured him, "I have a comrade-in-arms that my second brother also knows. He works at the Huai City Police Station. Don't worry, I guarantee I will complete the mission successfully."
"That's good," Secretary Qi said. "By the way, what about your work?"
"Hehe!" Niu Dajun chuckled. "I've been transferred to a different post, so I don't need to deliver mail every day anymore. The transfer order hasn't been officially issued yet, but our bureau chief told me to take a few days off."
His uncle told him that he couldn't deliver letters for the rest of his life! So he was transferred to an administrative position, which would make it easier for him to get a new job later.
Niu Dajun thought that if Qi Xiaoyan were to be admitted to the cultural troupe, he would still be a messenger and felt that he was not good enough for Qi Xiaoyan, so he went along with his uncle's arrangement.
"Then I'm relieved. I was worried it would interfere with your work," Secretary Qi said with a smile. This son-in-law is good and has a promising future. But his daughter is not bad either. If she can pass the exam for the cultural troupe this time, she will also be able to join the army.
It's rare to see two soldiers in one family in the entire Taoyuan County.
Secretary Qi went back home reassured! He agreed to come to the county town to pick up his daughter, He Tiantian, in five days.
It's already past 3 PM, and there are no more buses to Huai City. I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning.
He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan moved into Niu Lili's dormitory, saving them the money of staying in a guesthouse, and it was also very safe.
Qi Xiaoyan wanted to go outside to talk with Niu Dajun, but He Tiantian said slyly, "Alright, you guys shouldn't go out. What if Xiaoyan catches a cold and her throat gets sore? It will affect her exams later. I'll go out instead!"
It wasn't raining outside, but it was a bit gloomy.
"Sister Tian, you shouldn't go out either. What if you get caught in the rain?" Qi Xiaoyan blushed, feeling embarrassed.
"It's okay, I'll take an umbrella with me. I can go for a walk." After saying that, He Tiantian walked out, and before leaving, she winked at Qi Xiaoyan in a suggestive way.
Qi Xiaoyan was utterly embarrassed again!
However, in order to talk to her crush, she had to ask her best friend to make the sacrifice.
If Sweetie's sweetheart comes, she'll simply avoid him and not bother him.
He Tiantian came out not only to make room for Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun, but also because she wanted to go to the square!
Go visit the guardian beast statue that she forgot!
Taoyuan Hotel is not far from the square; He Tiantian arrived in about ten minutes.
The square was mostly filled with children. They weren't in school or working, and the adults were too busy to look after them. The square was spacious, making it a great place for children to play.
He Tiantian looked up and immediately saw the dark, polished stone statue of the river guardian beast!
How pitiful!
The Snake King's voice drifted out from within the barrier, saying, "Wouldn't you say this is a case of a tiger fallen into the plains being bullied by dogs?"
"Uh... I guess so." He Tiantian hesitated for a moment before walking towards the stone statue.
"With so many people, it's difficult to move around!" the Snake King said with difficulty. "You can't bring that stone statue in in front of so many people!"
He Tiantian chuckled awkwardly and said, "Of course not, there are people around. Do you think I'm stupid?"
“You’re not stupid, but you’re not smart either,” the Snake King muttered. “Go check if the seal has loosened. Logically speaking, even if it’s bringing disaster, it shouldn’t be this serious.”
The Snake King was worried that the seal had loosened and the guardian beast statue was beginning to take revenge on humanity!
Actually, this stone statue is quite innocent too!
The creature lived peacefully at the bottom of the river. Even without the reverence and offerings of the people, it could cultivate itself. Even if it wanted to cause trouble for humans, it wouldn't exterminate them. But now, this sentient idol not only resents humans but also harbors hatred!
This makes things difficult!
If its magic power has been fully restored, there is no need to worry. The Snake King can easily subdue this ancient stone statue.
But now!
Sigh, it's a long story! (To be continued.)
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