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Because of the Snake King, the cave was brightly lit, as if it were daytime.
He Tiantian looked around and saw that the area was more lush than outside, just as vibrant as last year.
The Snake King swam around in the water, and after feeling comfortable, he poked his head out and asked, "Why did you decide to come here? In the middle of the night, aren't you afraid?"
He Tiantian sat on a rock by the pool, took off her shoes, soaked her feet in the water, and said with a wry smile, "I just remembered, there will be a severe drought this year, I have to take advantage of the food still on the mountain and prepare more."
"Oh!" the Snake King replied. "Do you need my help?"
"No need. In years of famine, everyone else is starving and emaciated. If I have a rosy complexion, people will suspect me," He Tiantian said. "As long as there are enough wild vegetables and I occasionally come here to get some meat, I can get through it."
He Tiantian didn't want to be special or become the center of attention.
The thought of many people going hungry made He Tiantian feel terrible.
The feeling of hunger is particularly unpleasant, like having many ants gnawing at your stomach.
Seeing He Tiantian's low spirits, the Snake King slowly said, "Actually...actually, there is a way..."
He Tiantian was taken aback, then looked at the Snake King hopefully and asked, "Is there a way? Won't it consume your magic power? Won't it be discovered by the Heavenly Dao?"
If you don't know either of those, He Tiantian might want to consider it.
"It won't be detected by the Heavenly Dao, but it will consume some of my magical power," the Snake King chuckled. "Have you forgotten the stone statue you dug up in Peach Blossom River last year?"
Stone statue?
He Tiantian was taken aback, then remembered!
That guardian beast stone statue!
Now it's placed in a square or small park, and those kids ride on it until it's completely naked!
"Yes, you said last time that if we disturb that stone statue, Taoyuan County will be in turmoil. There will be a severe drought soon, followed by earthquakes and floods," He Tiantian said anxiously. "I think we've already sealed that stone statue. So what should we do now? Should we put it back in the river?"
The Snake King looked at the incoherent He Tiantian, speechless for a moment, and said, "You can speak slowly, there's no need to rush. I don't know what will happen to that stone statue either. We need to break the seal first."
"How can I not be anxious?" He Tiantian held her head in her hands and rubbed it. How could she have forgotten something so important!
It's true that when people have too many good days, they become complacent and decadent!
"What good will your anxiety do?" the Snake King said disdainfully. "It's nighttime now, you can't go to the county town! Besides, even if you went to the county town, how would you get that stone statue back? Finally, the seal on it was sealed by my magic power. Without me, your anxiety is useless!"
Upon hearing this, He Tiantian deflated like a punctured balloon, hanging her head in dejection. Yes, there was no use in worrying! Everything still depended on the Snake King!
"Let's go tomorrow and bring that stone statue back," He Tiantian said, hoping that the matter could be handled properly and that the stone statue could continue to exist in Taoyuan County, Taiping.
"It's so far. If no one goes to the county town, are you going to walk there yourself?" the Snake King said. "You can't do this openly. The stone statue is in the square, with so many people there. You can't just move it into my barrier; that can only be done at night. What reason will you use? You haven't even thought about these things. How are you going to proceed? You want to help others and hope the famine will end soon, but you must act within your means. If you act recklessly, you won't get anything done!"
He Tiantian was so scolded by the Snake King that she couldn't lift her head.
Seeing that He Tiantian remained silent, the Snake King's tone softened, and he said, "You don't need to blame yourself. You didn't dig up that stone statue, and even if there is a famine, it's not your fault. Think about this matter carefully, and you'll definitely be able to find a suitable solution."
"Okay, I was too hasty," He Tiantian said in a low voice. There was enough food here for her to keep her from starving. After the Snake King had had her fill of swimming, she took him away.
He Tiantian didn't sleep well after returning home, and when she woke up in the morning, she had big dark circles under her eyes.
Seeing that He Tiantian didn't look well, Grandma Qi asked, "Tiantian, what happened to you last night? Didn't you sleep well?"
He Tiantian said with a bitter face, "I woke up a few times during the night, but it's okay. I'll go back to sleep when I get back at noon."
Drink less water at night to avoid puffy eyes.
"Oh, I see." He Tiantian nodded. "I'll go prepare breakfast."
Breakfast consisted of only a dish of wild vegetables and a bowl of porridge for each person, and the family's grain was used sparingly.
Just after finishing her meal, Qi Xiaoyan came over to find He Tiantian to go to the livestock team.
"Sister Tian, Brother Dajun sent me a message yesterday that he'll pick me up in three days to go to Huai City to audition for the performing arts troupe. It will take five days in total. Could you... come with me?" Qi Xiaoyan whispered. Her father was busy with spring plowing, her mother was also busy, and Er Gou was getting married soon, so he didn't have time either.
Brother Dajun can take leave, but Qi Xiaoyan doesn't like being alone with Niu Dajun.
Furthermore, it takes several days in total, and Niu Dajun taking such a long vacation will affect his work!
He Tiantian's eyes lit up. Oh dear, she had been worried about not having a chance to go to the county town!
Qi Xiaoyan came over, and just as the Snake King had said, we shouldn't be impatient; things can always be resolved.
“Okay, when?” He Tiantian asked, very happy, “so I can ask Aunt Liu for leave in advance.”
Qi Xiaoyan was very grateful to He Tiantian for agreeing so readily and said, "Thank you, Sister Tiantian. We'll set off tomorrow morning. Tonight, we'll stay at Sister Lili's place and leave for Huai City early the next morning, then take a bus to Huai City."
"Just us? Is Brother Dajun coming?" He Tiantian asked, smiling at Qi Xiaoyan.
"After Brother Dajun took me there and settled me in, I let him come back. After all, he still has work and can't take too much leave," Qi Xiaoyan said shyly. "Besides, he can't help me with my exams!"
“Okay, I’ll go to Secretary Qi’s place this afternoon to get the certificate. Let’s go together,” He Tiantian said. “Relax, you’re very talented, you’ll definitely pass the exam.”
"Thank you for your kind words!" Qi Xiaoyan said with a smile; she had tried her best.
She was happy to have passed the exam!
It doesn't matter if she doesn't pass the exam; she'll just stay at home and wait a few years before getting married.
Thanks to Niu Dajun's family connections, they were able to find her a job in the county town.
Since getting engaged, Qi Xiaoyan's mindset has changed; she is no longer as anxious and insecure as she was when she was unwell.
In the afternoon, He Tiantian went to get a letter of introduction. With this, she could buy bus and train tickets, and also stay in guesthouses.
Without proof, you can't move an inch!
Professor Wang also told Qi Xiaoyan some things to pay attention to during the exam, which Qi Xiaoyan wrote down one by one.
Professor Wang had always noticed Qi Xiaoyan's hard work, and Qi Xiaoyan was indeed talented. If the exam were fair, Qi Xiaoyan would definitely pass. (To be continued.)
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