Qian Xiao is good at maintaining her attitude. The two families are too different. It's fine to be friends, but if they become family, their different living environments will inevitably lead to a lot of trouble. She hates trouble the most.
"Oh my, you two siblings don't look alike at all." This is the first time I've ever seen siblings who look so different; they have almost no resemblance whatsoever.
Qian Xiao... It would be strange if half-siblings looked alike.
The old lady across from her seemed to be traveling alone as well. She had a very pleasant appearance. Qian Xiao didn't sense any awkwardness or malice from the old lady, otherwise she definitely wouldn't have spoken to her.
"Hehe, yes, everyone says we don't look alike. Are you going home or visiting someone?" It would be nice to have someone to chat with and who is also safe on the way.
"I'm going to see my youngest son. He went to the countryside in the spring and always wrote back saying he was doing well. I was worried and thought I'd go see if he was really alright."
At this point, the old lady couldn't help but show worry on her face. The youngest child had always been the family's favorite. Since the family was well-off, the child had never suffered. She didn't know if things were really good over there, or if it was just to put her mind at ease.
If it weren't for the fact that someone was watching the family, she would never have let her youngest son go to the countryside.
"Oh, educated youth? There are quite a few educated youth in our village. In fact, as long as educated youth work hard in the countryside, they can fill their stomachs." Of course, this is an exception in the last two years. There was no harvest, and no matter how many work points you have, you can't exchange them for grain.
The old lady was worried because she had to work. Her son had never done any work since he was a child. The family sent him money every month, but food was scarce in the city. Even if you had money, it was hard to buy food. The situation was even worse in the countryside.
"You're not from Longshi? Are you here to visit relatives?"
Qian Xiao shook his head: "I'm studying at a university in Longshi. I came home for the holidays to visit. Where is your son working as an educated youth?"
The old lady's eyes lit up: "Oh, you're a college student? You must be doing very well in your studies." If her son could also get into college, would he not have to go to the countryside?
Qian Xiao put on a humble face, but she was secretly thrilled. She loved it when people praised her for being smart: "Not bad, not bad."
The old lady looked on with envy: "You're too modest. These days, people who can get into university are all extremely smart."
"So-so, so-so, just lucky. You haven't told me where your son is being sent to the countryside yet. Let me see if I know the place."
“My son is working in a rural area called Qianjia Brigade. It’s supposed to be a pretty big village. Have you heard of it?”
Qian Xiao clapped his hands: "Isn't this a coincidence? My family is from Qianjia Brigade. When you get off the bus, come with me. My family will definitely come to pick me up and can take you there on the way."
Otherwise, the old lady would have to take a bus, and if she couldn't find a oxcart going the same way when she got to the commune, she would have to walk to her village, which would have exhausted her. The key problem was that there were almost no people on the road to ask for directions, and it would be even more troublesome if she got lost.
The old lady's eyes lit up. "Really? Thank you so much! I was worried about how to get there after getting off the bus. I didn't know the exact route."
Qian Xiao waved his hand: "It's just a favor, no need to thank me." Anyway, the oxcart was empty, one more wouldn't make a difference.
Wait a minute, this old lady said her son came to be an educated youth in the spring, which means there are new educated youth going to their village? My goodness, food is already scarce, and now there are so many more mouths to feed. My great-uncle is really worried.
When the old lady learned that her youngest son was from the same village as Qian Xiao, she became even more enthusiastic. This young girl was from the village, and if she could get along well with her, wouldn't it be even better if she could help take care of her son?
There's no need to worry too much; all that's needed is for someone to send a message home when something happens.
Qian Xiao... It would be so much better if we just chatted like before. This is too enthusiastic, and she's not used to it!
However, it's quite convenient to have someone look after you when you're traveling alone. At least you won't have to worry about losing your luggage if you need to use the restroom or have a meal.
When Qian Xiao came back this time, she brought some things for her family. There weren't many things, but the old lady across the street really brought a lot of things. If you didn't know better, you would think that the old lady was moving house.
When getting off the bus, Qian Xiao helped carry most of the luggage. If they didn't hurry, the old lady really wouldn't be able to get off the bus.
As soon as she got off the bus, she saw her third uncle waiting for her with an oxcart: "Erdan, your third uncle is here."
Qian Sanbao quickly helped his eldest niece carry her things: "Why did you bring so much stuff back again? Didn't your grandma say that you should just use that money to feed yourself and not worry about the family?"
"Oh dear, this isn't our stuff, I took it for someone else."
Qian Sanbao then noticed an old woman following behind his younger sister: "Who's this?"
Qian Xiao put all the luggage on the oxcart, helped the old lady sit down on the oxcart first, and then jumped on the oxcart himself: "Third Uncle, let's go first, we can talk on the way."
"Okay, let's go." Qian Sanbao got on the oxcart, cracked his whip, and the oxcart started moving.
Qian Xiao glanced at the cow in front of him and asked, "Why did you drive the calf out? Where's the mother cow?"
Compared to the calf, the big ox has a much better temper. In the village, the calf is never used for oxcarts to get things done. Once it gets going, no one can handle it, except for Qian Xiao, of course.
Little calf... This guy really dares to beat the calf! Unlike everyone else who coaxes it.
"The big ox works with the old ox," he said, explaining that the little ox was prone to shirking its duties, so he got it out of there, and now it listens to its family.
Qian smiled mischievously and patted the calf's bottom: "Be a good boy and listen to me."
Qian Sanbao...aren't you afraid it will spray you with feces?
"Oh, by the way, this old lady's son is a sent-down youth in our village. We just happened to be passing by, so we thought we'd give him a ride back."
Qian Sanbao turned around and greeted the old lady: "Grandma, welcome to our village!"
"Auntie, this is my third uncle. By the way, do you still know what your surname is?" She kept calling her "Auntie" on the bus, and she didn't think to ask what her surname was. She would still call her that when she went back to the village.
When she opens her mouth, at least ten people turn around thinking she's calling them.
"Ah! I didn't say what my surname is? Oh dear, my husband's surname is Qian, and everyone calls me Aunt Qian. You can call me that too." The old lady patted her head. She thought she had already said it.
Qian Sanbao exclaimed, "What a coincidence! We might have been family five hundred years ago, and our family name is also Qian."
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