The next morning, instead of holding a large meeting, Deputy County Head Niu respectfully visited each household to do his work. He first praised the villagers of Qijia Village for their high level of awareness and ability; then he began to talk about how good Qijia Village was this year, not only having enough food but also receiving a considerable amount of money; finally, he described the dire situation of other disaster-stricken villages, where there was no food or water, and they were practically forced to eat clay.
The atmosphere was right, and Deputy County Head Niu took the opportunity to talk about the difficulties in the commune, and he burst into tears again.
The villagers were simple and honest. Seeing that such an official was so dedicated to the people, almost to the point of dying for them, they agreed that the commune would manage the back mountain of Qijia Village until the mountain was blocked by heavy snow.
In just two days, Niu Peng had convinced all the villagers to agree to the commune's decision.
When He Tiantian heard about this, she was very impressed; Niu Peng was quite a character.
With such an uncle, Niu Dajun probably wouldn't suffer any losses in these turbulent times.
Before they knew it, it was December. On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, the year-end money and grain were distributed, and the educated youth in Taoyuan County could buy tickets to go home.
The commotion in Qijia Village had nothing to do with He Tiantian. She was more worried about Grandma Qi San, who had gone home for the New Year, leaving Grandma Qi San all alone in Qijia Village. In the past, although He Tiantian would have been reluctant, she would have left to go back to Nanshi for the New Year.
But now He Tiantian is telling herself she can't do that!
I remember the night after she fainted, Grandma Qi personally carried paper money and, in the cold wind, tiptoed to the small grove in the flat graveyard, devoutly burning paper money for those illusory but mysterious ghosts and gods, praying that He Tiantian could recover her health soon.
Why would someone do this if they weren't a close relative?
Grandma Qi had no other relatives, so she treated He Tiantian as her own.
He Tiantian received care and love from Grandma Qi, so how could she remain indifferent?
He Tiantian couldn't bear to leave Grandma Qi alone for the New Year, so she went back to Nanshi to reunite with her parents. However, her parents had to work and probably wouldn't get a seven-day holiday until the end of the year. Bringing them to Qijia Village in Taoyuan County for the New Year would not only be hard work, but they could only stay there for two or three days before having to go back, so they wouldn't be able to spend many days together.
He Tiantian was very distressed, so she went to Qi Xiaoyan and talked to her about her feelings.
Upon hearing this, Qi Xiaoyan patted He Tiantian's shoulder, wrinkled her little nose, and laughed, "Sister Tiantian, you're so smart, how come you don't know how to be flexible! Your parents have to work and can't come back, but you can take your third grandmother to Nanshi!"
"Huh?" He Tiantian was taken aback. She had always thought that her parents couldn't come, but she hadn't expected that Grandma Qi could go to Nanshi!
However, He Tiantian thought again that Grandma Qi was old and that taking the train for a whole day and night would be quite tiring. She guessed that Grandma Qi's body might not be able to handle it.
“But Grandma Qi is old…” He Tiantian hesitated, “What if she…”
Qi Xiaoyan pursed her lips and said, "I once heard my dad say that Third Grandma has always wanted to go to Nanshi to see where her son used to study and work, and also to find out where he is. But as you know, farmers don't have the time or the money, so it's been delayed. If you really want to repay Third Grandma, you should talk to her and ask her if she's willing?"
After hearing Qi Xiaoyan's explanation, He Tiantian suddenly understood and muttered to herself, "No wonder! I often hear Grandma Qi talking about Nanshi in front of me, and then she thinks of her son and becomes depressed. So that's the reason!"
“Yes, although Third Grandma has bound feet, she has always been in good health. Go back and ask her. If she is willing, she can go back to Nanshi with you,” Qi Xiaoyan said, also wanting to help Third Grandma Qi fulfill her wish.
He Tiantian nodded and said, "Okay, let's go home and talk to Grandma Qi now. If she's willing to come to Nanshi with me, I'll take Grandma Qi home."
"Don't worry about the money. We'll distribute the money tomorrow. Grandma Qi will also get some money and things. It won't cost you too much," Qi Xiaoyan explained. "If you're worried about your things at home, you can leave them with us. I'll look after them for you."
"Okay, very good. I'll be going now." He Tiantian said goodbye and left to go home and discuss the matter with Grandma Qi.
After carefully considering her words, He Tiantian said to Grandma Qi, "Grandma Qi, the New Year is coming soon. Why don't you and I celebrate the New Year together in Nanshi?"
Nanshi?
That's a place my son used to go!
Grandma Qi's eyes lit up upon hearing this, but then she thought about how that was He Tiantian's hometown, and how far away it was. He Tiantian was going home for the New Year; what would it mean for her to go with her? Perhaps He Tiantian was just being polite.
Thinking of this, Grandma Qi shook her head and said, "No, it's too far, I'd better not go."
If Qi Xiaoyan hadn't said those things to He Tiantian, perhaps He Tiantian would have missed the fleeting hope in Grandma Qi's eyes.
He Tiantian moved a small stool and sat down at Grandma Qi's feet, resting her chin on her hands and saying with a smile, "Grandma Qi, I can tell from your eyes that you want to go to Nanshi. Not only because it's my hometown, but also where your son goes to school and works. You want to go and see it, to find traces of him."
Upon hearing He Tiantian's words, Grandma Qi raised her head, her chin trembling slightly, her eyes brimming with tears. Her dry hands gripped He Tiantian's arm tightly, and she couldn't help but say, "You little rascal, are you a mind reader? How do you know everything I'm thinking!"
In less than six months of getting to know each other, this girl has guessed everything she's thinking.
Grandma Qi was gratified. If she didn't genuinely care about her, how could she have guessed?
"Hehe, if it were me, I would also want to go and see where my loved ones disappeared," He Tiantian said sadly. "Put yourself in my shoes, someone as strong as you probably feels the same way."
Grandma Qi took out a neatly folded handkerchief from inside her clothes, wiped away her tears, and choked out, "Yes, I've always dreamed of going to Nanshi, but as an old widow with bound feet, I dare not go in this turbulent era. So many years have passed, and I still haven't gone to Nanshi. I want to go to Nanshi before I die. Even if I can't find my son, I want to see the place where he used to live."
He Tiantian realized that Grandma Qi had confided in her, so she guessed that Grandma Qi had agreed to go to Nanshi with her.
“Grandma Qi, since you want to go, and you're still in good health, why don't you come with me and fulfill your wish?” He Tiantian said. “My parents also agree that I've recognized you as my grandma. Logically, my parents should be the ones visiting you, but they don't get their holiday until the 28th of the twelfth lunar month, and they have to go back to work on the sixth day of the new year. A round trip by train would take almost three days, and train tickets are scarce during the New Year; we might not even be able to get them. That's why I thought of bringing you back to Nanshi with me.” (To be continued.)
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