Qian Xing is Qian Dazhi's third son and the youngest. He is 18 years old this year, which should be the age for him to get married, but Qian Dazhi's family is not wealthy and cannot afford the bride price, which is why he has not yet gotten married.
After exchanging a glance, Tang Shengkai and Lin Cuicui both turned their gaze to Tang Yue.
Tang Yue didn't have any particular thoughts. If these people were willing, it wouldn't be bad to have a few helpers when they went out.
Seeing Tang Yue nod, Tang Shengkai looked at Qian Dazhi and said, "Uncle Qian, go back and ask Qian Xing for his opinion. If he is willing to go, we can go together."
"Third brother, can you really join the army with that leg?"
Qian Dazhi was still a little worried, after all, his third son still needed to use crutches to walk.
"I plan to rest for two days and then give it a try. By the way, Uncle Li, how many days will this conscription last?"
"About half a month."
Tang Shengkai calculated that there should still be enough time. His gaze casually swept over Tang Yue before he confirmed with the two of them:
"My leg feels much better these past few days. I estimate that in a few more days I won't need to use crutches anymore, and then I'll sign up."
Qian Dazhi also wanted to say that he might not pass at that age, but if the third brother wanted to go, he had to try it himself.
"Alright, I'll go back and ask Lao San. If you approve and he's willing to go, then let him go with you."
"Uncle Qian, aren't you planning to find a wife for your third son?"
Lin Cuicui was a little curious. Now that Uncle Qian had money, why wasn't he worried about Qian Xing's marriage anymore?
“If he goes out with you, he might come up with someone even better. Anyway, he’s not that old yet, so let’s wait and see.”
After saying that, Qian Dazhi stood up and said, "There's nothing else going on now, I'm going home."
After seeing Qian Dazhi off, Old Li wanted to go home, but Lin Cuicui and Tang Shengkai stopped him. Everyone was exhausted and hungry after a long night, so Lin Cuicui started cooking.
There wasn't much food left in the house to begin with, and Lin Cuicui had been lavishing on the meals these past few days. Looking at the little rice left in the cloth bag, Lin Cuicui sighed and poured it all into the pot.
"Go to town this afternoon to buy some grain."
Tang Shengkai nodded without speaking, but Old Li interrupted, "Don't buy it, I still have some left, enough for a few days."
Lin Cuicui smiled and said, "Uncle Li, our family is rich now and we have food coupons, so we'll definitely have enough to eat."
Go to town and buy some noodles or something, then you can make some dry rations to take on the road.
Old Li thought that made sense, so he didn't argue anymore.
"Cui Cui, from now on, let's stop calling him Uncle Li and just call him Dad."
Old Li's face flushed red instantly, not from shyness, but from excitement. Lin Cuicui smiled and said, "Hey, Dad, come inside and lie down on the kang (heated brick bed) to rest for a while. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
Old Li choked back a sob and went into the west room.
The three Tang brothers followed them into the house. Tang Dong and Tang Nan went up to the kang (a heated brick bed) and laid out bedding for Old Li. Tang Bei helped Old Li up, saying, "Grandpa, hurry up and get on the kang and rest for a while. We'll go over there when the food is ready."
Old Li felt lightheaded and his head was buzzing. Just like that, he suddenly had a son and several grandchildren. He was overjoyed; his life had been worthwhile.
"Okay, Grandpa will listen to you. I didn't sleep well last night, so you should all go and rest for a while."
After saying that, he took out a stack of ten-yuan notes from his pocket and gave each person three notes.
"This is from your grandfather. Keep it safe. If you want to buy something later, go buy it yourself."
"No, no, Grandpa, this won't do. We're still young and don't need the money. Grandpa, you keep this. When we want something, we'll ask you to buy it for us."
Tang Bei blocked the three brothers' way, preventing Old Li from giving them money.
Old Li pretended to be angry, but Tang Bei remained unmoved, while Tang Dong clapped excitedly from behind.
"Big brother, second brother, now we have a grandpa too! We can ask grandpa to buy us delicious food. That's great!"
Upon hearing that there was something delicious to eat, Tang Nan immediately became excited, "Ah, that's right. Grandpa, from now on, if Grandpa buys us delicious food, we won't ask for money."
Finally, Old Li reluctantly put all the money back into his pocket. The old man and the three children lay on the kang with their eyes closed, all quite excited, but also really tired, and soon they all fell asleep.
Tang Shengkai, leaning on his crutch, sat by the stove tending the fire. Lin Cuicui finished cooking and said, "Husband, go and rest on the kang (heated brick bed) for a while."
Tang Shengkai shook his head. "I'm not tired yet. I'll help you out. You've been working hard all night. Get some sleep as soon as you're done. Don't overwork yourself."
Lin Cuicui felt very comforted, but since her husband was not fully recovered, she did not want him to overwork.
"That's enough. I'm not tired yet. You should go up to the kang and rest for a while. It wouldn't be good if your leg got worse."
Tang Shengkai didn't mention that after his daughter gave him a wisp of spiritual energy, he felt much better, but he insisted on starting a fire and didn't go inside. His wife had been exhausted lately, hadn't slept all night, and had dragged him up the mountain; she was much more tired than him. How could he go and rest?
After dinner, Lin Cuicui was allowed to lie down on the kang (heated brick bed) and take a nap. Old Li and the Tang brothers went back to the west room to sleep. Tang Yue and Tang Shengkai sat on the kang, staring at each other.
"Daughter, do you really think Dad's leg can get better?"
"Dad, don't worry, I'll definitely get better. I didn't sleep last night, so you should rest for a while. I feel like I'll be able to advance to the second level of Qi Refining soon, so I'll cultivate for a bit."
The two lay on the kang (a heated brick bed), and Tang Shengkai silently learned the method of guiding qi into the body that Tang Yue had taught him.
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