“They have to work in the fields every day after they arrive. I’m worried they won’t be able to keep it up,” the buyer said with concern when asked by Song Lili.
"I hope they can get through this," Song Lili sighed softly.
She couldn't do anything about this problem either. It was impossible for them to just raise the animals without doing anything, especially since it wasn't winter.
Even in winter, these people who have been sent here cannot be idle, otherwise they will not be able to be properly cared for.
So, we can only hope that they can pull through on their own.
"Lili, what brings you here?" someone suddenly asked Song Lili.
"Oh, I came looking for Qinghua, but he wasn't here, so I came to check on him." Song Lili paused slightly before speaking.
The person asking the question glanced suggestively at the basket slung over Song Lili's arm. "Oh, so you're here to deliver something!"
"Qinghua is so lucky. You're already thinking about him even before you're married? Once you're married, Qinghua will be living a life of luxury."
"It's not that exaggerated. I'm going to find him now." Song Lili was embarrassed by what she was told and could only make an excuse to leave.
Unexpectedly, that person shouted from behind, "Hurry up and go, the young couple has such a good relationship."
"..." Song Lili felt awkward, wishing she could shut that person up.
Song Lili went in without saying a word, greeted a few people, and then stood with Zhang Qinghua.
There are so many people here right now, it's really not a good place to talk.
After a while, when everyone had finished getting their things sorted out, Li Weiguo then sent them away.
"Alright, alright, stop watching. Hurry up and go home. It's almost dinner time, and your family is waiting. What's so interesting about it? You can watch it every day from now on. Go home now."
After much persuasion, everyone was finally sent away, restoring peace and quiet to the somewhat secluded courtyard.
This small courtyard is located at the very edge of the brigade, and it's the same as Zhao Qian's house. Few people usually pass by it.
So now that everyone has left, it's become quite quiet.
"Lili, what brings you here?" Zhang Qinghua asked, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. He knew she was worried and that's why she asked that.
"Hehe...I...I just came to take a look." Sure enough, Song Lili touched her nose guiltily as she spoke.
"You," Zhang Qinghua could only laugh and tease her, but he didn't really blame her.
"What did you take?" Zhang Qinghua asked, raising his chin as he looked at the basket in Song Lili's hand.
"It's nothing, just some vegetables and noodles. It's their first day here, so they probably don't have much to eat."
It's already quite kind of the village to send people to tidy up their lodgings; if they were to send food as well, probably not many people would be willing.
These days, everyone is facing a food shortage.
So, after thinking it over, Song Lili decided to send it over anyway.
"Hmm... I really forgot if you hadn't mentioned it," Zhang Qinghua said, stroking his chin.
The whole day was chaotic. After getting everyone settled, he finally breathed a sigh of relief and completely forgot about dinner. By the time he remembered, it would probably be very late by the time he got home for dinner.
"Their health is already very poor, and if they don't eat something, their bodies won't be able to take it."
It's already quite remarkable that they managed to get here conscious.
"I...I'll go and make them something to eat; it's almost dark," Song Lili said to Zhang Qinghua.
"Okay," Zhang Qinghua said, pursing his lips, and then brought Song Lili the firewood and other things she needed.
Song Lili was very fast. She made it every day and was already familiar with it. In no time, the batter mixed with finely chopped cabbage was ready.
However, there was only one bowl in the house, so the group had to take turns eating.
They were so hungry that they wolfed down any food they saw, not caring whether the porridge was hot or not; they just kept shoveling it into their mouths.
Once the burning sensation in his stomach subsided, he slowed down and drank it sip by sip.
However, the group was very self-disciplined and did not greedily want more. They stopped eating when they were half full, leaving the food for the next person.
Song Lili didn't make much, and she didn't realize that they probably hadn't eaten in a long time. The gruel she made was only enough to feed a few people until they were half full.
"This... I didn't expect this." Song Lili felt a little guilty looking at the situation.
“It’s alright. They’ve been hungry for a long time. If they eat too much, their stomachs won’t be able to handle it. Let them eat tomorrow,” Li Weiguo said.
"Okay, that's the only way." Song Lili originally thought about making some more, but then she felt that Li Weiguo was right, so she didn't insist.
"Alright, there shouldn't be anything else here." Li Weiguo looked around and felt that he had done enough.
“Grandpas, everything’s packed up here. We’re leaving now,” Li Weiguo said to the elderly people who had been silent.
None of the elderly people could answer; they just looked at them, their fear still evident in their eyes.
As Song Lili watched, her nose couldn't help but sting with tears. How cruel must it be to destroy a person like this?
It's hard to imagine what they've been through to make a normal, even outstanding, person so timid.
"Uncle, let's go. It's almost dinner time, and Auntie is probably getting impatient waiting at home."
Song Lili broke the awkward silence, not caring that they hadn't said a word. She figured things would get better with time, and that time would tell.
“Let’s go. We should go home too,” Zhang Qinghua said, patting the dirt off his hands.
"Sigh...they're all pitiful people." Li Weiguo couldn't help but say as he stepped outside.
This is why he is personally involved today; he feels deep sympathy for these people.
"Who can do anything about it? Who can escape it?" As long as you don't want to go against your conscience, you have to live cautiously.
Everyone is the same.
Caught in the vortex, one can only resign oneself to fate.
"What did you say?" Song Lili spoke very softly, muttering to herself. Zhang Qinghua didn't hear her clearly and asked again.
"No...it's nothing, I just think what Uncle said is really right," Song Lili quickly replied perfunctorily.
"..." Zhang Qinghua looked at Song Lili with a puzzled expression, feeling that this was not what she meant just now.
However, looking at Song Lili's calm expression, it seems that this is indeed the case.
Zhang Qinghua shook his head. Forget it, why think about these things? Whatever she says is fine.
"By the way, what else did you send?" Zhang Qinghua asked Song Lili. Her basket was covered with a cloth, so it was impossible to see what was on it.
"Oh dear, I forgot my basket. It's still in their house. I need to go back."
Zhang Qinghua's question unexpectedly reminded Song Lili that she had forgotten her things, so she had to turn around and run to the village entrance to retrieve them.
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