Chapter 29
If you go to bed late the day before, you will naturally wake up late the next day.
When Chu Jiujiu was called up, she kept rubbing her eyes. If Chu Shao hadn't supported her, she would have fallen down on the spot.
…
After finally getting up and changing her clothes, Chu Shao walked in, took out two dollars from the closet and handed them to Chu Jiujiu.
"One dollar is for you to buy things, and the other dollar is for emergencies. You are not allowed to use it unless there is a special situation."
One dollar is already very generous. Some children in the village don't get any pocket money all year round. Only during the Chinese New Year will adults give them a few cents to spend. Children with better conditions will only be given a few cents or a dime each time. Chu Jiujiu didn't feel anything when she took the one dollar, but she was already considered a rich and beautiful woman in the village.
Chu Jiujiu took the money and agreed obediently, then was led by Chu Shao to go out and meet Han Shengyi.
Han Shengyi didn't know how long he had been waiting at his door. When he saw Chu Jiujiu coming out, he stood up straight.
After waving goodbye to Chu Shao, Chu Jiujiu and Han Shengyi left Qingzhu Village together in the morning sunshine.
It was not yet seven in the morning, but the sun was already glaring. Chu Jiujiu didn't have a hat, so she had to lower her head as much as possible. There were trees on some sections of the road, and the shadows cast by them could block the sun, but there were only farmlands on some sections. As far as the eye could see, it was all flat land, without even a thin bamboo pole.
Chu Jiujiu opened the small bamboo tube she brought with her and drank two sips of well water before continuing, "So this is what you use to collect herbs. Are these herbs very expensive?"
Han Shengyi: "The ones I caught are not expensive."
Grandpa Han had many ailments, but only rheumatism required monthly medication. This rheumatism was contracted after he arrived in Qingzhu Village, due to years of hard work and unfamiliarity with the climate. Doctor Huang initially prescribed more complex prescriptions for him, but later, to accommodate the Han family's needs, he replaced the expensive herbs with cheaper ones. While the medications were less effective, at least they were more affordable.
Chu Jiujiu let out an "oh" and began to think about how to get Grandpa Han to drink the magical water that her necklace had been soaked in.
Whether it works or not, she should give it a try first. If it really works, she can help Han Shengyi save money.
The two chatted as they walked. Chu Jiujiu walked slowly, and Han Shengyi accommodated her pace. By the time they reached the town, an hour and a half had probably passed. They had originally gotten up early to avoid queuing, but now it seemed that queuing was inevitable.
Chu Jiujiu didn't know about this, and Han Shengyi didn't tell her. The two continued to move forward slowly. When passing by a cornfield, Chu Jiujiu heard a woman's laughter. Her little head turned like a detector and she turned over.
The corn stalks in the cornfield have grown very tall, but the leaves are not lush. There is relatively little corn planted locally, and it matures late, and can only be harvested around October. Now there is a large and sparse patch of corn, and if there is a person in it, it can be seen from outside.
For example, now, Chu Jiujiu clearly saw that there was a man and a woman inside. The woman was facing them, and the man had his back to them. Chu Jiujiu saw the man raise his hand and touch the woman's braid in a rather strange way.
He touched her slowly and forcefully, and even paused for a moment in the middle. Chu Jiujiu could feel something was very strange, but she didn't understand what it meant. Naturally, she turned her head and asked Han Shengyi: "Brother Shengyi, what are they doing? Why is that guy pulling her braids?"
Han Shengyi: “…”
He wasn't very old either, but he was a bit more mature in this regard. Seeing the relationship between the two, Han Shengyi blushed immediately. He didn't say anything. He took Chu Jiujiu's hand and walked forward a few steps quickly. Then he whispered, "Those two are dating."
Chu Jiujiu still looked puzzled. "Why would you pull someone's braids when you're dating? Why would you run to the cornfield?"
Han Shengyi: “…”
How would he know? He has never been in a relationship.
After thinking for a while, Han Shengyi explained: "Maybe they are shy."
Chu Jiujiu was even more confused. "Why should you be shy when you're dating? Isn't this a legitimate thing? Only hooligans need to be shy, right?"
Han Shengyi was speechless for a moment, "...That's possible."
But the woman was smiling happily and didn't look like she was being bullied. I guess they were still in a relationship.
Chu Jiujiu was still young, and without the idea of relationships between men and women in her head, she naturally didn't pay much attention to such things. After her curiosity wore off, she put it behind her. Arriving in town, Chu Jiujiu first went to the pharmacy with Han Shengyi. They waited in line at the Chinese medicine counter for half an hour before it was finally their turn.
Fortunately, the herbs in the prescription are not rare and can be bought anytime. Otherwise, if they don’t buy them today, they will have to come again tomorrow.
A large bag of Chinese medicine, wrapped in brown paper, is enough for a month. These herbs are not used to make a decoction, but to make pills. A large pot is boiled at a time, and after cooling, it is rolled into small pills. A single batch is enough for a month. This method can save a lot of firewood, labor and time.
Chu Jiujiu was eager to try rolling the pills. This was originally Han Shengyi's job. Seeing how curious she was, Han Shengyi agreed and asked her to help him roll the pills.
After leaving the pharmacy, Han Shengyi asked her where else she wanted to go. Chu Jiujiu tugged at his sleeve and said she wanted to go to the supply and marketing cooperative.
Han Shengyi thought she wanted to buy something, but he didn't expect that when Chu Jiujiu said "come and take a look", she really meant "take a look".
…
Standing not far from the counter selling meat, eggs, and herbs, Chu Jiujiu craned her neck to observe every person who came to the counter to sell their wares. Most of them came with eggs, which cost between six and eight cents each, depending on the size. Some people brought more eggs, which raised the price slightly. Some thought the price was too cheap and tried to bargain, but the salesperson scolded them, leaving them feeling humiliated and unable to save their dignity. They left in frustration.
Eggs are in oversupply, but herbs are in short supply.
Those who come to sell herbs are all mountain people living in the mountains. Although Qingzhu Village is also close to the mountains, the villagers all live at the foot of the mountains and are not so familiar with the situation in the mountains. These people grew up in the mountains, married and had children in the mountains. It can almost be said that they are part of the mountains.
They knew where to find herbs and which things seemed insignificant but were actually worth a fortune. When other mountain people came, they brought big and small bags. In addition to herbs, they also brought a lot of mountain products, including meat, fruits, furs and dried snakes. But there was one mountain person who brought a dirty red cloth. After unfolding it, the salesperson was stunned and gave him twenty yuan on the spot.
Chu Jiujiu was standing far away and couldn't hear what they were saying, but she could see clearly what was wrapped in the red cloth. It was a plant she had never seen before. Several roots of similar size were connected together. Chu Jiujiu gave it a vivid name in her heart.
——Twenty yuan.
…
Chu Jiujiu came here today to learn from others. She planned to write down all the valuable things and then go to the mountains to look for them after returning home. Although the possibility of finding them was not high, what if, what if she found them?
Han Shengyi saw Chu Jiujiu's intention and couldn't help asking, "Do you want to sell something?"
Chu Jiujiu nodded happily. She didn't think it was shameful to be poor, so she naturally didn't hide it. "There's no money at home, and there are so many places to spend money. Chu Shao is very tired from work every day, and I can't be idle every day."
Han Shengyi: "Digging herbs is physically demanding and requires experience. It's very hard work."
Chu Jiujiu sighed, "I know, that's why I just came to take a look. If we meet in the future, we'll meet. If not, that's fine too. It's better than meeting someone but not knowing him and missing him for nothing."
That’s true.
After thinking for a while, Han Shengyi asked again: "Do you want to raise chickens?"
Chu Jiujiu's eyes widened. "Can you get a chicken?"
Han Shengyi hummed, "If you want to raise one, I can get you two."
The current policy is that each household is only allowed to raise two chickens, not one more. Han Shengyi lives in a cowshed, so he is definitely not allowed to raise any chickens. However, Chu Jiujiu does not have so many restrictions.
Chu Jiujiu looked at Han Shengyi with admiration. "I've wanted to raise one for a long time, but I don't know where to get one. Aunt San said she'd go back to her parents' home after the New Year to ask for me. I don't know when that will be. If you can get one now, then in a few months, you'll be able to eat fresh eggs!"
Chu Jiujiu spoke excitedly, and she kept looking at Han Shengyi. Although she didn't say it explicitly, Han Shengyi knew from her expression that she had automatically regarded the future hen as their common property.
In fact, there is no need. Even if she doesn't give him any eggs, Han Shengyi won't care. However, he won't say this. He likes the way Chu Jiujiu treats him as if he is the same person as her.
After staying at the supply and marketing cooperative for a while, it was almost eleven o'clock. Han Shengyi took Chu Jiujiu away and stood in front of the state-owned restaurant. Chu Jiujiu looked conflicted, "Should we eat here? It's so expensive..."
The last time she came here to eat, Chu Jiujiu ordered dishes with an overwhelming attitude. Today, when she was short of money, she realized how extravagant she was that day.
If possible, she really wanted to travel through time again. This time, she would definitely not order so many pan-fried buns.
Chu Jiujiu looked hesitant, and Han Shengyi comforted her, "It's okay, I'll treat you."
Chu Jiujiu blinked. Without Han Shengyi having to explain, she said, "Is this money your grandma giving you again?"
Of course, Han Shengyi is so young, his money must have been given by adults, just like Chu Jiujiu.
Han Shengyi curled his lips and said, "Grandma also gave me food coupons. She asked me to treat you."
This time it’s true, Grandma Han really said this.
Chu Jiujiu was a little happy and a little proud, "I knew Grandma Han liked me."
She saw it the first time they met!
Grandma Han: You are so ordinary, yet so confident.
…
Han Shengyi: "Want to go in?"
"Wait," Chu Jiujiu confirmed again, "You want to eat with me?"
Han Shengyi nodded gently.
This time, Chu Jiujiu didn't need to be urged. She entered faster than Han Shengyi. "Hurry up, hurry up, if you're late there won't be any room!"
…
Han Shengyi had food coupons, and this time he finally made up for Chu Jiujiu's regret. She ordered a bowl of oil-splashed noodles, and Han Shengyi ordered a bowl of plain noodles. Both were not expensive, and only four taels of food coupons were used.
Chu Jiujiu had a small appetite and was full after eating half a bowl. Han Shengyi had to prepare the rest for her. Chili was added to the oil-splashed noodles. Chu Jiujiu felt very refreshed when she ate it. But after she finished eating, she realized that her lips were red and her throat was hot and spicy. She drank all the water she brought with her and drank half a bowl of noodle soup from Han Shengyi, which helped to suppress the spiciness.
When they came out with the empty bamboo tube, it was just past eleven thirty. The sun was high in the sky, making the tree barks hot. Chu Jiujiu looked at the weather and became worried. "The water is gone. Why don't we run back? Otherwise, I'm afraid I'll die of thirst on the road."
Han Shengyi: "If I run back, I might die of heat on the road before I die of thirst."
Chu Jiujiu: “…”
There was no place selling mineral water, so everyone had to bring their own water. If that wasn't enough, they would just find a public restroom to get tap water for washing their hands. However, this was a small town, and there were no public restrooms at all.
Fortunately, Han Shengyi was knowledgeable and said, "Let's go to the post office."
The post office is on the west side of Jiefang Street, right next to the bus departure point. There is no train station locally. If you want to take a train, you have to take this red iron bus first. Because people who come here are going on a long journey, there are two water taps installed at the door of the post office to facilitate these people who travel long distances.
It was Chu Jiujiu's first time to come to the post office. Sitting or standing by the faucet were people carrying large cloth bags, and each of them smelled of travel.
They were all adults, some of them looked very fierce. Chu Jiujiu didn't dare to get close to them, so Han Shengyi went to get water for her. Chu Jiujiu stood there, looking around, and found that there were quite a few people coming to the post office to do business.
Some are sending things, some are picking up things, and more are sending letters and telegrams. Some are happy and some are sad.
Chu Jiujiu casually glanced at the entire post office hall. Suddenly, her eyes fixed on a woman who had just walked out of the window.
Zhao Shiliu? Why is she here too?
Chu Jiujiu reacted in a second and immediately ran to the crowd on the side. Zhao Shiliu didn't see her. When she walked out of the post office, she was in high spirits, as if she had picked up hundreds of dollars on the ground. Standing at the door of the post office, she patted her chest, breathed a sigh of relief, and then turned and left.
Chu Jiujiu looked at it strangely, and then she remembered that she had bumped into Zhao Shiliu leaving the village for two consecutive days. Could it be that she ran out every day just to go to the post office?
But it would be fine if she just came once, why did she come so many times, and in such a sneaky way?
Chu Jiujiu couldn't figure it out, but she had a hunch that there was something wrong. Just then, Han Shengyi came back, and Chu Jiujiu told him what had just happened. Han Shengyi was silent for a while, and felt that what she said made sense.
"What do you want to do?"
Chu Jiujiu tilted her head to glance inside the post office, then turned around and took the brown paper bag from Han Shengyi's hand. "I'll go in first. You can go in later when the time is right."
Han Shengyi: “……?”
Even if he is smart, he can't just give such a few hints.
Han Shengyi wanted to ask for more hints, but Chu Jiujiu acted decisively and ran into the post office. In the blink of an eye, she looked as if she was about to cry.
"Auntie, auntie, where are you?"
"Woo woo woo, I want to find my aunt."
The brewing was almost over, and Chu Jiujiu burst into tears, "Wow - Aunt, don't you want me anymore!"
Han Shengyi: “…”
The post office was crowded with people. When they heard Chu Jiujiu crying, some kind-hearted people came over to her, but no matter what they asked, Chu Jiujiu just cried and shook her head without saying a word until a staff member wearing a red armband came over.
"Little comrade, what trouble are you in? Don't cry, tell us and we will all help you."
The staff member was wearing a Dacron shirt and trousers. He was in his thirties and looked a bit stern but also a bit reliable. Chu Jiujiu wiped her eyes and choked up, "I can't find my aunt. She said she was going to the post office to do some business and asked me to wait for her at the pharmacy. But I waited for a long time and she didn't come to pick me up. I had no choice but to come to the post office to look for her, but, but... I can't find her..."
When the staff member heard this, they frowned. It was not easy to find a woman in such a crowded place. Who knew where she had gone? She wanted to ask Chu Jiujiu for more details, but before she could ask, Chu Jiujiu started gesturing.
"Auntie, have you seen my aunt? She has short hair, is not tall, and wears a gray-blue dress."
Chu Jiujiu looked around as she spoke. Almost everyone was looking at her, including the staff at the window. Chu Jiujiu sniffed twice and continued, "There's a black mole between her eyebrows..."
When this feature was mentioned, the expressions of many staff members changed. After all, Zhao Shiliu had been here for six consecutive days, and today she was waiting here even though the post office was open. She asked every three minutes whether her remittance had arrived, which almost annoyed the staff to death.
Chu Jiujiu saw the change in their expressions and quickly struck while the iron was hot and told them what she really wanted to know.
"Oh, yes, she also said that she came to the post office to do... to do..."
After a long while, she didn't say the next sentence and looked very distressed. A staff member sitting at the window straightened up and answered quickly: "Remittance!"
Chu Jiujiu was stunned, and at this moment, the staff member closest to her also spoke up, "So it turns out that you're looking for Comrade Zhang Fengjuan. She's been here all day and just left. You're a step too late. She should have returned to the pharmacy to look for you by now."
When Chu Jiujiu heard what the staff said, her eyes widened. She thought she had misheard and even forgot to maintain her expression.
She pointed at her eyebrow in astonishment, "There's a mole here, Zhang Fengjuan?"
The staff member didn't understand what she meant. "Yes, Comrade Zhang Fengjuan comes here often. I remember her. Yes, she has a mole right here."
At this point, she glanced at Chu Jiujiu suspiciously, "Why, isn't she your aunt?"
Chu Jiujiu was so shocked that she forgot what she should say for a moment.
Han Shengyi listened outside the door for a long time. Seeing Chu Jiujiu stuck, he knew that the time had come. He squeezed through the crowd and ran in quickly. Han Shengyi took two breaths and stopped beside Chu Jiujiu.
"Where have you been? I've been looking for you for a long time. My aunt is back. Come back with me, or she'll be angry."
Han Shengyi pinched Chu Jiujiu's wrist hard. Feeling his strength, Chu Jiujiu turned her head to look at him. After seeing his face clearly, Chu Jiujiu finally reacted.
In a second, her expression changed to one of timidity and anxiety. Chu Jiujiu jumped on the spot like a rabbit, "Really? Really? Let's go!"
After saying that, she no longer cared about the staff and onlookers around her. She and Han Shengyi ran out quickly, one after the other. After a while, they disappeared from sight.
Poor thing, he ran away so quickly when he heard that his aunt was going to be angry. It seems that his aunt is not a good person either.
well.
…
After running for an unknown amount of time, the two stopped under a dense sycamore tree. Chu Jiujiu leaned against the trunk, panting heavily as she sorted out her messy thoughts. The more she sorted them out, the uglier her expression became.
Han Shengyi had been standing nearby, watching Chu Jiujiu's expression grow increasingly gloomy, until finally, she angrily slapped the tree trunk, "Shameless!"
"She must be impersonating my mom to collect the money someone else sent to my mom!"
Good man, I was so angry that I almost slipped up and told the truth.
Chu Jiujiu walked back and forth drunkenly, not even caring about the high temperature of over 30 degrees. Rolling up her sleeves, Chu Jiujiu turned around and was about to walk back.
"No, I'm going to go back and ask her clearly!"
Han Shengyi had no intention of speaking. He wanted to wait for Chu Jiujiu to calm down on her own. Obviously, she could no longer calm down. Seeing that she was about to leave, Han Shengyi hurriedly took a few steps forward and pulled her back.
"Wait," he said first after meeting Chu Jiujiu's gaze: "How are you going to ask her?"
Chu Jiujiu: "Of course I'll ask directly! Why did you pretend to be Zhang Fengjuan? Why did you falsely claim Zhang Fengjuan's remittance?"
Han Shengyi: "Do you have any evidence?"
Chu Jiujiu's eyes widened, "I saw it with my own eyes!"
Han Shengyi: "What about the fraudulently claimed money? Where's the receipt? You saw it with your own eyes, but who can prove you saw it with your own eyes?"
Chu Jiujiu opened her mouth to say, "Can you prove it?", but when the words reached her throat, she realized that there was something wrong with them.
She and Han Shengyi were both children, and no one would listen to a child. Furthermore, Han Shengyi had a special status, and many people were prejudiced against him. If Zhao Shiliu said he was lying, many people would believe him. Not only would she be unable to deal with Zhao Shiliu, but she would also get herself and Han Shengyi into trouble.
The more Chu Jiujiu thought about it, the more frustrated she felt, and the more she realized that directly questioning was not a good idea.
The lack of evidence is secondary. The biggest hidden danger is that she doesn't know who the person who sent the money is.
Chu Shao had already told her about the current situation of the Chu family. He lived in this small mountain village to avoid the danger outside. Zhao Shiliu and the others didn't know how long they had been receiving the remittances, nor did they know whether they had discovered the true situation of the Chu family. If she went over to question them regardless, and Zhao Shiliu used this as a handle, then the matter would be serious.
Chu Jiujiu was anxious and angry, but she didn't dare to tell Han Shengyi about these concerns. She could only complain vaguely, "Am I just going to suffer in silence? You heard that auntie say that Zhao Shiliu often goes to the post office. Who knows how long she has been pretending to claim money!"
Han Shengyi supported himself on his knees. When he bent down like this, their eyes were level. Looking into Chu Jiujiu's eyes, he said in a calm voice, "Let's think of a solution together. Don't worry, no one will let her go so easily."
Chu Jiujiu pursed her lips and finally nodded reluctantly. Han Shengyi straightened up and stretched out his hand. Chu Jiujiu habitually handed over her hand. The two turned around and walked towards Qingzhu Village together.
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