Aunt Liu was deeply moved when she realized He Tiantian understood her intentions. The family had little food, their youngest son had fallen ill, and they had spent all their money. The food hadn't been distributed yet, and the child was very thin due to lack of nutrients. Meat might taste better than eggs, but it couldn't be eaten for long and wasn't suitable for a child with a weak stomach. These wild eggs were just right.
"Everyone found these, it wouldn't be right for me to take them all." Although Aunt Liu really wanted them, she felt embarrassed in front of so many people. Although these people were here for labor reform, they were all older than her and very kind. Putting herself in their shoes, she felt bad about making things difficult for them.
Zuo Li thought for a moment and said, "Since the child at home is sick, let's take two more pheasants back to help the child recover."
Zuo Li and the others weren't ignorant of social etiquette. Their peaceful existence in Qijia Village was largely thanks to the village officials and residents. Besides, these things were all unclaimed; they'd caught them in the mountains. They'd keep enough for everyone to eat, and give the rest to Aunt Liu. This would help Aunt Liu and also improve their situation!
Aunt Liu was taken aback by Zuo Li's words, not expecting these people to be so kind-hearted.
“Yes, take it back. We adults don’t mind having one more or one less bite, but it’s different for children, especially sick children,” Xiang Rong chimed in. “Take more for the children to eat.”
Professor Gu, Qian Shikun, and Sun Sihao echoed this sentiment. Since they weren't the ones who caught them, they were naturally willing to do a favor.
Aunt Liu was too embarrassed to take them, so He Tiantian put the three pheasants and eggs into the basket Aunt Liu had brought, saying, "Auntie, you should take them back. We still need to cut grass, maybe we can catch more later, and there's still quite a bit left, we can make chicken soup when we get back."
Seeing He Tiantian's words, Aunt Liu reluctantly accepted the gifts, saying, "My family is in trouble right now, so I'll take these things. If I catch any more, please share them with everyone. I don't want them anymore. You've all been so kind to me. Today, in front of everyone, I promise that when we work together in the future, I won't make things difficult for you. If there's anything I need to do, I'll remind you. Everyone has their own struggles and wants a peaceful life."
Actually, everyone was being so generous just because they were waiting for Aunt Liu to say that!
This is the back mountain. Even without guns, Zuo Li and Xiang Rong could hunt quite a few prey here. However, with He Tiantian and Aunt Liu by their side, they couldn't fully relax.
He Tiantian didn't care; she was from out of town too, so she was easy to talk to.
But Aunt Liu is different; she's a native of the area. Although they're generally nice to each other, when there's no shared interest or secret, everyone subconsciously keeps their distance from her.
We are all intelligent people, and that's how close relationships between people gradually develop.
Aunt Liu's words reassured them. They knew that as long as they received some benefits, Aunt Liu wouldn't report them.
“Aunt Liu, we are very grateful for your words,” He Tiantian said. “We must keep today’s events a secret and not let outsiders know.”
Aunt Liu nodded and said, "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But you still have to be careful. We haven't handed in the grain tax yet, so some people in the village are idle and some will go hunting in the mountains. Everyone takes the spoils home. Comrade Xiang, you can eat at the livestock team's place, as long as no one sees you."
"Oh, thanks for reminding me," Xiang Rong said. "It's getting late, let's hurry up and get to work, lest we fail to finish today's tasks."
Aunt Liu nodded and said, "Okay, then we need to speed things up. I'll tell Secretary Qi that you all work very hard and diligently, and you do your work quickly and well."
"Thank you." Everyone was overjoyed. They could only change their circumstances through hard work. During the previous busy farming season, their efforts had been recognized by the villagers, and many people had reported their situation to Secretary Qi, writing positive comments in the investigation report.
These comments prove that they are seriously undergoing reform through labor, and after a few such comments, the number of times they need re-education can be reduced.
Whatever the reason, all they want now is to change their situation and stop being dragged out for re-education; this is their most urgent wish.
At noon, each person carried a large basket on their back and walked down the mountain. There was still a lot of cut grass left on the mountain to dry, which they would carry down in the afternoon.
As soon as He Tiantian entered the livestock team, she saw that the clothesline in the yard was already full of cotton underwear.
Haha, Professor Wang is indeed a smart man.
Zuo Li, Professor Gu, and the others also saw it and were secretly delighted, but since it was a private matter, they couldn't thank him in person.
Old Qi was overjoyed to see that he had a good haul today, and said, "Finally, I can satisfy my craving! I'll go clean the pheasants now..."
Old Man Qi was highly respected in the village and was also very bold. There were some things that others in Qi Family Village couldn't do, but he could do without any problem.
"You've had a very fruitful trip!" Professor Wang stepped forward and helped her husband unload the basket from his back. Now, here, she has food and drink, and can live a peaceful life; she is completely content.
“Yes, it’s all thanks to Sweetie,” Professor Gu said. “If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have been able to catch so many prey.”
Professor Wang now treats He Tiantian like her own granddaughter. Sigh, speaking of her granddaughter, Professor Wang feels bitter. Previously, her son and daughter-in-law, to avoid being criticized and denounced, severed ties with them, and their grandchildren were also imprisoned, preventing them from visiting. Professor Wang knows this is to protect the children, but she still feels uneasy about it.
Ah, I don't want to think about it anymore. Children and grandchildren have their own destinies. The two of them were born together, and they'll die together. As for the younger generation, let it go, I won't force them.
He Tiantian felt embarrassed by their praise and ran over to help Old Man Qi clean up the pheasants.
He Tiantian was about to throw away the chicken feathers when Old Man Qi quickly stopped her, saying, "Tiantian, don't throw away the chicken feathers. Sew them into the quilt; they'll keep you warm in winter."
"Oh," He Tiantian replied. Since it was useful, she wouldn't throw it away.
"As you know, Old Gu and Old Bai don't have cotton-padded clothes. Summer and autumn are okay, but winter is tough. Even if they don't go out, they'll freeze to death," Old Qi said. "Now we're trying everything we can to prepare some things for them to get through the winter. Cotton is a rare commodity, so forget about that. We can only use whatever we can find around us."
He Tiantian thought for a moment and said, "I know the conditions are tough right now, there's no cotton, so I brought blankets. As for Professor Gu and the others, chicken feathers are fine, but you can use reeds from the lotus pond. They have lots of fluffy fibers on them, which can be woven into warm wooden clogs to wear as cotton shoes. You can also weave them into thick fluffy fibers and wrap them in coarse cloth. That makes simple blankets; they may not look nice, but they'll definitely be warm and clean." (To be continued.)
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