Tang Yue gently stroked the thin pieces of paper with her little hands, nodding her head rapidly. The patterns and symbols on these papers were so unfamiliar to her; she was determined to find out what these things called "money" were used for.
"Big brother, what are these drawings on these papers?" Tang Yue's voice carried a hint of childish curiosity.
Tang Bei and Tang Nan exchanged a smile. Tang Bei knew that his younger sister had never had the opportunity to read and write due to her health condition, so naturally she didn't recognize the patterns and characters on these coins.
Because of his family's financial difficulties, the only opportunity to go to school was given to him. Tang Bei saw that Tang Nan was also curious, so he simply told them both, even though he didn't know much either.
However, Tang Bei memorized everything the teacher taught.
"These are all banknotes issued by our country, featuring our country's leaders and some of China's famous scenic spots."
Tang Bei patiently explained, "This money can be used to buy things, such as food, clothes, and medicine for Dad's treatment."
Tang Yue nodded. Although she didn't quite understand how to spend the money, it was very important to her family.
She carefully handed the money back to Tang Nan, saying, "Second Brother, put the money back. We can't touch Mom's things."
Tang Nan took the money and put it back into the bundle in the cabinet. He moved gently and carefully, as if afraid of damaging these precious pieces of paper.
Lin Cuicui's voice came from outside, "Da Bei, Er Nan, come help Mom pack. We're going to the county hospital tomorrow."
Tang Bei and Tang Nan immediately went out to help, while Tang Yue stayed inside. Her small hand gently stroked the dilapidated cabinet. Since this money was so important, she would try to earn as much as possible. Tang Yue had no idea that making money in this era would involve so many difficulties.
There wasn't much left in the house, so Lin Cuicui packed up quickly. She was still debating whether or not to bring the children along. Tang Yue saw that it was still early and came out to check on Lin Cuicui.
"Mom, is the county town far? If it's not far, let's go today."
Lin Cuicui, interrupted by Tang Yue, instinctively asked, "Why are we going today?"
Tang Yue didn't hide anything and told him her thoughts.
“I noticed that my uncle was looking at us very strangely just now, and I’m afraid he might be up to something.”
Lin Cuicui hadn't really paid attention at first, but after Tang Yue said that, Tang Bei chimed in, "Yes, Mom, Dad's condition isn't good either. Why don't we go sooner? The sooner we see him, the sooner we can put our minds at ease."
Lin Cuicui was persuaded by the two children. She had originally wanted to leave the two children at home, but then she thought about her husband's two brothers' families and felt uneasy about it. So she decided to let them go together.
"Then you all wait at home, I'm going to talk to your brigade leader now."
The children waited patiently at home.
When Lin Cuicui was walking back from the brigade leader's house, she saw Tang Shengjun standing on a dirt slope, looking at her with a sinister smile. Lin Cuicui was puzzled, thinking that as long as he didn't cause trouble for her family, she wouldn't bother with them.
But before they even reached their doorstep, they ran into Aunt Qian.
Uncle Qian was also a hunter, and he often went hunting in the mountains with Tang Shengkai. Sometimes Tang Shengkai would share some with Uncle Qian. The two families had a pretty good relationship.
"Auntie, what brings you here? Are you going to my house?"
Aunt Qian was already a little nervous when she came over, and now that she saw Lin Cuicui, she was even more embarrassed, her face turning red.
"Hmm, Cui Cui, what are you busy with?"
"Hey, Auntie, I just came back from the brigade leader's house. The county gave us some bonuses, and I was thinking of taking Shengkai to the hospital to get him checked out. I don't know if he can still be cured."
As she spoke, Lin Cuicui's voice choked with emotion. Seeing this, Aunt Qian was even more unable to speak.
"Then, you should hurry home and get ready. Getting better is the priority. I'll head home now."
Without waiting for Lin Cuicui's reaction, he turned and ran home.
Lin Cuicui was a little confused. When she got home, her face was still full of doubt.
"Mom, you're back. How are things? Can I go?"
"Yes, you can go."
After replying to Tang Bei, Lin Cuicui prepared to attend to other matters. Tang Yue noticed something seemed off.
"Mom, what happened to you just now?"
It wasn't a big deal, Lin Cuicui said directly.
"Nothing, I just ran into Aunt Qian. She said she was coming to our house, but when I said I was going to the county, she turned around and ran away. I don't know why Aunt Qian is acting so strangely today."
Tang Yue's face fell, and she looked up at Lin Cuicui, "Mom, do we owe Grandma money?"
Lin Cuicui paused in her carrying of things, looking at Tang Yue with some suspicion, "Is your Grandma Qian here to ask for money?"
Tang Yue gave her an affirmative look. Lin Cuicui reacted a beat slower, slowly putting down the winnowing basket in her hand, looking somewhat dejected.
“Now that we have money, we should pay off our debts first. But your father is so sick, Mom wants to get him checked out first. But what if Aunt Qian's family has an emergency…”
Tang Dong figured out what was going on.
"Mom, did Grandma Qian tell you about asking for money?"
"without."
"Mom, let's just pretend we don't know."
Lin Cuicui stared at Tang Dong in surprise. Tang Dong looked at Tang Yue and said, "My sister just said that she saw something unpleasant in Uncle's eyes. Maybe Grandma Qian was sent here by Uncle."
"What a bastard! Not only will he refuse to lend us money for Dad's medical treatment, but now that we finally have a little money, he's sabotaging us."
Upon hearing this, Tang Nan was so angry that he kicked a small stone, which flew out of the courtyard.
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