He Tiantian then introduced, "Grandma, this is Aunt Jiang, a family friend, and Uncle Huo."
"Hello, nice to meet you all. I didn't bring any nice gifts, just some local specialties from my home. I'll sort them out tomorrow and bring them to you to try," Grandma Qi said with a smile, her demeanor as composed and calm as someone from a wealthy family.
"We'd like to decline your kind offer, Auntie," Jiang Lifang said happily. "Zhekun, which elder in the family was that just now? Why don't you introduce her to us?"
Seeing everyone's gazes directed at him, Huo Zhekun explained, "This is my father's comrade-in-arms and good friend. Back when we were fighting the Japanese, my father was seriously wounded, and it was Uncle Qi who carried him back. Without Uncle Qi, there would be no family like us. After the Korean War, Uncle Qi resigned from his post and returned to his hometown. I never expected that this would be the place where Tian Tian lives."
"So this is our Huo family's benefactor!" Jiang Lifang said happily. "My father would be very happy if he knew."
“That’s for sure,” Huo said excitedly.
"Don't rush to reminisce yet. This holiday is quite long, we can talk about it later. The air conditioning is out now, let's go wash up and then come back for dinner," He Tiantian said, feeling the urge to urinate, not to mention the two elderly people.
Everyone understood, and He Tiantian took the two elderly people to wash up and use the restroom.
When I got back, a steaming bowl of beef noodles was already on the table. On such a cold day, other dishes would easily get cold, but noodles, with the broth, warmed me up nicely after I ate them.
The beef was very tender, and even though Grandma Qi's teeth weren't good, she could still chew it.
After the meal, everyone was exhausted, so Jiang Lifang and Huo said goodbye and left. They figured there would be plenty of time to chat later, so there was no rush.
Long after receiving the telegram, Wang Shuping began preparing for the two elderly people, choosing two side rooms on the east side. Although the contents inside were simple, they had everything, even a chamber pot for getting up at night.
"Grandma, treat this place like your own home, just like Qijia Village. Don't be shy," He Tiantian said. "It's cold outside and the ground is slippery. If you need to get up at night, just use the chamber pot. My room is on the right side of the main hall, very close to yours. Just call me if you need anything."
Grandma Qi was filled with emotion. She had expected He Tiantian's parents to be very polite to her, but she never imagined they would treat her so well!
"Alright, I won't stand on ceremony. You should go and rest too." Grandma Qi let down her neatly combed hair and lay down.
He Tiantian helped Grandma Qi tuck in the blankets and instructed, "Grandma Qi, just pull the rope at the head of the bed and the light will turn on."
Click, the light went out.
Click, the light came on.
"I got it," said Grandma Qi. This thing is really bright, much better than the kerosene lamp at home. Back when she was still a landlord's daughter, they used electric lights in their home in the county town. But that's all ancient history; they haven't used it for decades.
"There's hot water in this kettle, it's about half full, it's not heavy," He Tiantian explained, chattering on and on.
Grandma Qi smiled and said, "Sweet girl, go back and rest. You said you'd let me make myself at home, so don't be nervous."
He Tiantian scratched her head, gave an awkward smile, and realized that she seemed a little nervous. She said, "Okay, I'll go out then."
He Tiantian helped close the door and went out.
When we passed Old Man Qi's place, the lights inside were already off, so he must have been asleep.
He Tiantian returned to the main room and was urged by her parents to go and rest.
Taking care of the two elderly people along the way, climbing up and down stairs, was truly arduous.
I had originally planned to write to Huo Yingjie to tell him that she had returned. However, my eyelids were drooping, and I couldn't stay awake any longer, so I'll write it tomorrow.
When I woke up the next morning, it was already broad daylight.
He Tiantian changed into a clean blue floral jacket and cotton pants and came out.
Grandma Qi, Old Man Qi has already gotten up.
The snow in the yard had been cleared, and there was breakfast in the pot. He Tiantian glanced at the clock on the octagonal table; it was already 9:30. Her parents would have already gone to work by then.
"Grandma, Grandpa, have you had breakfast?" He Tiantian asked from the left after washing up, showing no awareness of her late sleep.
"We've already eaten, you should eat too," Grandma Qi said. "That pot contains hot soy milk your mother bought; pour it out and drink it."
He Tiantian poured out the soy milk. There were fried dough sticks, eggs, and a plate of vegetables on the table.
The simple breakfast was made by my mother, Wang Shuping.
“You might not like the breakfast here, so I’ll make it tomorrow,” He Tiantian said. “Corn porridge with side dishes, or small pancakes with side dishes.”
"Then you have to make it tomorrow. I really can't get used to it," Old Qi said directly, without any politeness.
"You old man, you should be grateful to have anything to eat, yet you still complain about everything," Grandma Qi complained. After leaving Qi Family Village, the distance between the two old people lessened, and they felt more at ease.
Old Man Qi was speechless after being talked to by Third Grandma Qi; he just chuckled.
"Okay, I can meet this request," He Tiantian said. "I was a little tired yesterday and got up late, but I definitely won't be lazy tomorrow."
He Tiantian talked to them about the situation in Nanshi, and said that she would take them out for a stroll when the weather got better.
During her lunch break, He Tiantian wrote a letter to Huo Yingjie and sent it to him along with two dried wild rabbits.
He Tiantian didn't bring much luggage this time, mostly a dozen or so dried wild rabbits, three pheasants, and a large bag of dried goods she found in the mountains. Grandma Qi knew about all of these. As for the things in the barrier space, He Tiantian would have to sell them during the New Year period.
In the evening, He Jingyu, Wang Shuping, Jiang Liping, and Huo rushed home after getting off work.
I originally wanted to cook something delicious to treat the two elders, but when I got home, I found that He Tiantian had already prepared the meal: stir-fried cabbage with vinegar, stewed wild rabbit meat with potatoes, a plate of dried radish, fried peanuts, and a bowl of wood ear and egg soup.
"Hurry up and wash your hands, it's time to eat." He Tiantian had already put hot water in the stove and placed it on the basin stand for everyone to wash their hands.
Wang Shuping frowned when she saw the delicious-looking soup and dishes on the table. "You silly girl, how could you let your godmother cook! I get off work quite early, it's not too late for me to cook when I get home!"
"I didn't make this, it was all done by Tian'er. That girl is very good at cooking," Grandma Qi explained. "Don't just stand there, hurry up and eat."
Wang Shuping was taken aback, feeling a pang of sadness. Her daughter had endured a lot of hardship outside before she could learn to cook such delicious meals.
While feeling sorry for He Tiantian, Jiang Lifang was even more satisfied. He Tiantian was such a good cook; wouldn't her son be lucky to have such delicious food in the future?
Everyone sat down to eat and praised He Tiantian's cooking skills, making her blush and shyly look up.
After dinner, He Jingyu and Huo played chess with Old Man Qi. Wang Shuping, Jiang Lifang, and He Tiantian chatted with Third Grandma Qi. (To be continued.)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com