But her mind didn't stop; she kept reassuring herself, or rather, using self-suggestion, hoping it would work.
After focusing all her attention on one thing, Song Lili gradually calmed down, and her anxiety lessened.
She exhaled again, finally relaxing her entire body and letting her mind wander, feeling somewhat exhausted.
With a creak, the door to Wang Daming's office was pushed open from the outside, and Song Lili looked up to see Qian Liulin standing smiling in the doorway.
"Brother Qian, you're here?" Song Lili quickly sat up straight to greet him.
"Yes, something came up and I was held up. I came as soon as I finished taking care of it. Lily, have you been waiting for a long time?"
"It won't be long, just a few minutes. Wang Daming and I have something to talk about, so we were waiting for you, Brother Qian. Please have a seat."
Qian Liulin sat down with a smile, then let out a long sigh, "I don't know what I'm busy with all day, but I just can't seem to find a moment to relax."
"Brother Qian is busy working for the people. The capable should do more work, which shows that you are very capable and competent."
"You little rascal, you have such a sweet tongue, you make me so happy." Qian Liulin smiled and pointed at Song Lili.
“I’m telling the truth.”
"Alright, I'll take it as you're telling the truth. Lili, what brings you here? Is something wrong with the elderly folks?"
When he asked this question, Qian Liulin was a little cautious, with worry and hope in his eyes.
"No, no," Song Lili quickly said, "All the grandpas and grandmas are fine, so don't worry."
Seeing Qian Liulin's expression, Song Lili was afraid that if she spoke too late, he would immediately run out, or that he would suddenly burst into tears.
“They are doing very well and have adapted well to life in Hongqi Village. They work in the fields and go up and down the mountains with the villagers. They are also in good health, so you can rest assured.”
"That's good, that's good. I'm relieved as long as they're okay." Song Lili's words reassured Qian Liulin and immediately put him at ease.
"Brother Qian, don't worry. The elderly people are in good health and will be fine with me taking care of them."
"Anyway, Hongqi Village is very peaceful now, and the villagers are friendly, so you don't need to worry."
“Even if something really happens to the elderly, I will notify you immediately.”
Song Lili knew Qian Liulin was anxious, so she quickly comforted him and calmed him down.
"Lili, it's inconvenient for me to visit the elderly, so I'll have to trouble you to take care of them. They're old and not as healthy as young people, so I'm afraid they might get sick or have some minor illness. I can only ask you for help, Brother Qian."
"Since I've already promised you, I will do it. Don't worry about it, I'll take care of them."
"I'm here today to tell you about the situation of these elderly people. I don't think you've seen them since they came to town, have you?"
Qian Liulin nodded, "Yes, I didn't meet them. I was afraid that if they met with me, it would be bad. I will try my best not to meet them in the future."
Qian Liulin reached into his pocket and pulled out a wad of cash. “Lili, this is the money the elderly people took from you for their groceries.”
Song Lili pushed it back somewhat unhappily, "Brother Qian, what are you doing? I grew those myself, they didn't cost any money at all."
"Besides, I really like these grandpas and grandmas, so I'm happy to give them things. What do you mean by giving me money?"
“Lili, listen to me…” Qian Liulin patted Song Lili’s arm. “I didn’t mean anything by it, and I’m not trying to insult you.”
“Several elderly people will be staying in Hongqi Village for a long time, so we can’t keep letting you fill the gaps. This is all my salary, and it’s not much.”
"Compared to what you filled in, it's nothing at all, but it's just my way of showing my appreciation to the elderly."
"Besides, if you don't accept it, I'll feel bad, and the elderly people will feel bad too. I'm afraid we won't dare to ask you for help again in the future."
"this……"
Song Lili knew that Qian Liulin was telling the truth. At first, when she delivered the gifts, the elderly people were somewhat resistant because they were wary of her.
After confirming her identity, he accepted her, but not long after, he became somewhat resistant again.
After Qian Liulin said that, it was precisely because he felt bad that he didn't want to accept it, but because Song Lili kept trying to give it to him, he finally had no choice but to accept it.
"Take it, otherwise Brother Qian will be too embarrassed to ask you for help again in the future."
Song Lili sighed, "Alright, I'll take it then. Consider it as food expenses for the grandparents."
However, Song Lili did not actually intend to take the money; she only accepted it to avoid putting Qian Liulin in a difficult position.
After returning to the village, he gave the money to several elderly people, saying that having money would make things easier for them in the future.
Although people living in Hongqi Village don't need much money, there are still places where they might need it, so let's give it to the elderly and let them save it.
"Otherwise, I'm afraid you'll all avoid me from now on, which would be counterproductive," Song Lili said with a smile.
Qian Liulin laughed and chimed in, "That's right. If you don't take it, I'll feel uneasy, and I might really start avoiding you in the future."
"Alright then, I'll accept whatever you give me from now on. Otherwise, it wouldn't be good if you avoided me, Brother Qian."
"OK"
The two of them jokingly brushed off the topic and didn't discuss it again.
Song Lili had finished all her business in town today, so she didn't plan to linger there any longer.
As she was leaving, she turned to Qian Liulin and said, "Brother Qian, the people coming from Hongqi Village are all elderly. I'm afraid some of them might not be happy about it. So, if anything happens in the future, I'll have to trouble you to find someone to make the trip. You don't need to explain it very clearly; I'll understand."
This was something she had just thought of. If the townspeople were to launch a surprise attack and something happened, it would cause a huge uproar.
Therefore, it is still quite necessary for some people to tip off others.
Qian Liulin smiled genuinely this time, a smile that was very sincere, with deep joy in his eyes, accompanied by a sense of relief.
He said, "Okay, I understand. I'll definitely have someone let you know if anything happens, so don't worry."
"Okay, thank you very much, Brother Qian."
This can be considered a win-win situation of mutual help.
She needed someone to pass messages to her in order to protect herself, and Qian Liulin needed her to take care of several elderly people in order to protect them.
Therefore, they need each other, and their goals are aligned. Perhaps they can really escape a lot of trouble in the future.
Song Lili didn't go to find Wang Daming. She took her things and went home alone, where a group of people were waiting for her.
Moreover, she had finished her business here, and all that was left were the village's problems to deal with.
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