"Xuemei, what are you thinking about? Are you listening to me carefully?"
"Yaoyao, I'm listening. The Little Red Book... Yes, is the Little Red Book sold in the library now? I also want to buy a few copies to take home for myself and my family to read." Xuemei found that this book was very useful in her dream.
"Yes, I bought a copy from the library a few days ago."
"That's fine. I'll buy some books when I go home this time."
"Xuemei, actually I wanted to go this time, but my parents wouldn't let me go."
"Yaoyao, don't go, and don't join them in any big gangs in the future. You are so beautiful, what if you run into human traffickers? Human traffickers love girls like you who are delicate and tender. Do you remember what I told you before?"
When Xuemei was in fifth grade, she went shopping in the county town with her father, Liu, and Qingya. On the way to the supply and marketing cooperative, they saw an elderly woman holding a four or five-year-old boy. The boy's eyes were closed, and his face was red, as if he had a fever. Liu's father, believing the woman was taking her grandson to see a doctor and not knowing where the hospital was, walked over to offer his help. The woman said her grandson was fine, just sleeping. Thinking something was amiss, Liu's father sent Xuemei and Qingya to the police station to call them, while he went to help the elderly woman.
After the police arrived, they found out that the little boy was not her grandson at all, but the child of a young couple who came from another province to visit relatives. They came to visit relatives and met the old lady on the way and asked her for directions. The old lady's home was in a village near the county town. She had no grandchildren at home. Seeing the little boy's cute appearance, she became worried. After the couple asked for directions, she quietly followed them and took the little boy away when they were not paying attention. She was afraid that the little boy would shout and attract other people's attention, so she fed him a few sleeping pills.
After this incident, Liu's father taught Xuemei and her two siblings boxing and kung fu more seriously. He also took Xuemei and Qingya to school for a month and was relieved when he found nothing unusual.
"Xuemei, I remember now. I won't go, and I won't go again. I promise."
…
When the holiday came, Xuemei went to the library and bought several copies of the Little Red Book. As soon as she got off the bus, she went to the grain station to find Wang Weidong.
"Third uncle, please come out for a moment. I have something to talk to you about."
"Xuemei, today is a holiday. What's up?"
"Third Uncle, take this book back with you and read it more often with Third Aunt during your free time. It would be best if you could memorize the contents."
Wang Weidong took the book and looked at the cover.
"The Little Red Book..." Wang Weidong's expression turned serious. "That classmate of yours also said that."
"Yes, that's right. Third Uncle, are you going back to the village tomorrow?"
"I'm going back to pick up your cousin tomorrow. Your aunt misses him."
After my grandparents come back, they plan to stay at home for half a year to help my third and fourth aunts take care of the children. After my third aunt has given birth and finished her confinement, they will prepare to join my eldest uncle's army.
"Then take two copies of the Little Red Book back tomorrow and let grandma, grandpa, and second uncle read them more." Xuemei took out two more Little Red Books from her schoolbag and handed them to Wang Weidong.
"Okay, Xuemei, wait for me here."
Wang Weidong went in, put the book away, and then took out something wrapped in oil paper.
"Xuemei, take this back. Uncle San was lucky today and bought two pounds of beef. Take some home and share it with your family."
Beef was a rare commodity. It was only available when old oxen could no longer plow the fields or when they died accidentally from a fall. The commune would rarely get beef for a year or two.
"Uncle, this beef is so hard to come by. Why don't you take it back and give it to Auntie? She's pregnant and needs to eat more."
Wang Weidong touched Xuemei's head and said with a smile, "Little Master, just enjoy your meal. You're so young, don't worry about so many things. I've saved your Third Aunt's money, and I can still benefit her. Don't worry, even if you don't come today, I'll still send it to your house tomorrow. Besides, I haven't given you the money for the book yet. How much did you spend on the book? Third Uncle will give you the money."
"No need, Third Uncle. Just remember to let everyone read that book. Also, remember to buy more beef next time you see it. I'm leaving, Third Uncle."
"Little girl, do you think beef is so easy to grab? I, your third uncle, worked so hard to grab two kilograms. Go home slowly. This girl is also very impatient. I haven't even finished my words yet."
…
"Qingya, Ruirui, Feifei, come in quickly, there are good things for you."
As soon as Xuemei finished speaking, Qingya and the other two ran into the house like three calves.
"Sister, what is it?" Ruirui asked anxiously.
"Where are Dad and Mom?"
"In the kitchen, Feifei, go call dad and mom over and tell them that your elder sister has brought back some good things." Qingya urged Feifei.
Xuemei put her things down and just sat down when Feifei pulled Liu's father and mother over.
"Xuemei, what good things have you bought again?" asked Liu's mother.
"Dad, Mom, this is the half pound of beef my third uncle gave me. It's still fresh."
"Your third uncle is lucky. He bought some beef. Mother, fry it and have it for dinner tonight. Xuemei, how did you meet your third uncle today?" said Liu's mother.
"I'm going to give the Little Red Book to my third uncle. I also bought two copies for the family. Tomorrow I'll go get one for Grandpa and his family so that my second uncle and his family can read it together. Oh, and I'll also get one for my aunt and her family. My third uncle will take it back to Grandma's tomorrow."
"Why did you suddenly buy so many red books? Is it required by your school? And you also require your family to study together?" asked Liu's father.
"Dad, Mom, there is a lot of knowledge in here that we should learn." Xuemei pointed to her head as she spoke. Father and Mother Liu immediately understood that it must be something that appeared in Xuemei's dream.
"From now on, our family will read this book together for half an hour every night, and Qingya and the others will join in."
"Sister, my brothers and I need to read too?"
"That's right, you should read it carefully and try to memorize it. From now on, when I go to school, you can supervise everyone at home. If you see anyone not reading one night, wait for me to come back during the holidays and tell me. Here, I'll give you this book and keep it well. If you do well, I'll give you a reward."
"Okay, big sister. You know, I listen to you the most. Dad, Mom, you will be under my care from now on. Hehehe... hehehe..."
Mr. and Mrs. Liu looked at their second daughter who was grinning foolishly and shook their heads.
"Dad, let's go cook!"
"Okay, mother, can I have a few drinks tonight? It would be a shame not to have a drink with such delicious food."
"Then go and call Dad, Mom, Second Uncle's family, and Xiu'er's family to come over for dinner. Our whole family hasn't been together for a long time."
"Okay, thank you, wife. Then I'll ask Ruirui and Feifei to go and call them, and I'll help you cook."
"Rui Rui, Fei Fei, did you hear that? Go call someone, Dad is going to help with the cooking."
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