Li Jumei was busy with her hands, and she would glance at her daughter and son from time to time. She saw that Song Lan's cheeks were flushed, and she knew exactly why. But she just smiled and looked at Song Qinghui with loving and doting eyes, without saying anything, letting him chatter on.
It's a good thing that her daughter isn't shy at home and can get along well with her son; she likes to see the children like that!
...
Dinner was very plentiful.
Li Jumei not only served all the rabbits and old hens that Song Lan brought, but also used nearly two kilograms of cured meat from her home, and killed another chicken. She set up two tables in the yard, serving a total of eight dishes, which were quite substantial.
The meal was warm and lively. With introductions from Song Sanhe and Li Jumei, Song Lan introduced all the members of the Song family present.
Through observation, she felt that everyone from Grandma Song to her uncle's grandchildren was very simple and honest.
After the two families and Grandma Song left, in the main room, Song Lan half-truthfully revealed her relationship with Xiao Yu. Finally, after a slight hesitation, she spoke again:
"Dad, Mom, I believe the Xiao family is only temporarily in trouble. After all, based on my understanding of Xiao Yu and his family, there's nothing wrong with their character."
If I hadn't run into Xiao Yu today and didn't know about her family's situation, I probably wouldn't have gotten involved. But since I've come across her, I can't just stand by and lend a hand.
What do you want to do?
Song Sanhe asked.
"I'll go see them again later. Next time I come to the village, I'd like to bring them some daily necessities so they can have a slightly better life here."
Seeing that Song Sanhe and Li Jumei's faces showed no abnormality, Song Lan continued, "If it's convenient for you and Mom and Dad, could you occasionally go and check on Xiao Yu's family for me?"
Also, I wanted to talk to the team leader before going back to the machine factory and see if he could arrange suitable work for Xiao Yu and the others. After all, their family is old and young, and they're all not in good spirits. If this continues, I'm afraid…”
Song Lan didn't say what happened next, but Song Sanhe, Li Jumei, and Song Qinghui knew what it was.
“The brigade leader and the party secretary have always been fair in their dealings. I’ll have a chat with them later, so you don’t need to worry about it.”
Song Sanhe gave his opinion, and then said, "That old comrade is upright and looks like a decent person."
Song Lan hummed in agreement.
Actually... the Xiao family was unfamiliar to her. She only knew Xiao Yu, and from her impressions, she felt that Old Master Xiao, Xiao's father, and Xiao's mother were nice people.
In particular, Old Master Xiao exuded righteousness from his very bones, so in her opinion, with such an elder, the children and grandchildren in the family would naturally not be morally corrupt.
Moreover, Xiao Yu, also known as Prime Minister Xiao, was a man of great righteousness and noble character.
It was a good thing to begin with.
As for Mrs. Xiao, if you ignore the weariness in her eyes, it is not hard to tell that she is an elegant and cultured old lady.
In short, the Xiao family are all good people.
Help them, consider it an act of charity.
"There's a big bowl of stewed chicken in the kitchen that hasn't been touched. You can take it over there in a bit."
This is clearly Li Jumei expressing her stance.
"Thank you, Mom!"
Song Lan looked sincere, a smile playing on her lips: "Xiao Yu and his family will definitely remember our kindness!"
Li Jumei waved her hand: "Why are you talking about this?! Whether they remember or not, you told me and your father today that you know that family. Just for that, your father and I will naturally help if we can."
Since their daughter is willing to help others, all they, as parents, can do is support her!
Song Sanhe: "Your mother is right. We help them not for any other reason than because this is what you want. And you are our daughter. Helping them every day is not a big deal for your mother and me."
Song Qinghui: "Don't worry, little sister, I'll go visit when I have time."
"Yes. Thank you, Dad, thank you, Second Brother, and thank you again, Mom. But... you should be careful to avoid causing any unnecessary trouble."
Song Lan gave instructions.
Song Sanhe and the other two nodded in unison.
"Then I'll go prepare, and we'll go to the Xiao family in a bit."
After greeting Song Sanhe and the other two, Song Lan got up and went to her younger brother Song Guoqing's room, where Li Jumei had placed all the things she had brought there.
"I'll go reheat that bowl of chicken pieces."
Li Jumei got up and soon disappeared outside the main room.
About seven or eight minutes later, Song Lan returned to the main room carrying a cloth bag.
"The chicken nuggets are in this lunchbox; they've just been heated up."
As Li Jumei spoke, she helped put the aluminum lunchbox into a cloth bag: "Have your second brother go with you."
"I can do it alone."
Song Lan shook her head.
"Listen to me, with your second brother by your side, your father and I can feel more at ease."
Li Jumei shoved the cloth bag from Song Lan's hand into Song Qinghui's: "You take it, don't tire your sister out."
Song Qinghui really wanted to ask: Mom, am I my biological son?
Ignoring the resentment in Song Qinghui's eyes, Li Jumei said, "Lanlan, wait a little longer."
She disappeared in the blink of an eye. When Li Jumei returned, she had brought out quite a few things. She said, "This piece of straw paper contains malted milk powder. I also wrapped up two packs of White Rabbit milk candies that you brought back, and I packed three peaches..."
"Mom, let's not take the peaches. I took a few from the peaches I brought for my father-in-law and put them in a cloth bag. We can keep these three for ourselves."
Refusing the peaches Li Jumei offered, Song Lan called to Song Qinghui, "Second Brother, let's hurry back."
"good."
Song Qinghui responded and followed Song Lan out of the main room.
...
At the foot of the mountain, outside the thatched house of the Xiao family.
Knock knock knock!
Song Lan knocked on the door.
Song Qinghui was waiting a hundred meters away.
Inside the house.
Grandpa Xiao and his wife, along with Xiao's father and Xiao Yu, all paused in surprise, then looked at the dilapidated and obviously sturdy door.
Who is it?
The four quickly exchanged glances. Xiao Yu reacted the fastest, whispering, "It should be Comrade Song Lan." He got up from the wooden bed covered with weeds and said, "I'll go open the door."
"It's me, Song Lan."
Hearing footsteps approaching, Song Lan greeted the people inside the house softly.
With a creak, the door was opened by Xiao Yu. He saw Song Lan and hurriedly said, "Come in and sit down." He hadn't expected her to actually come again... No, he should have expected it. With her character, if she said she would do it, she would!
The once dark thatched hut was now illuminated by a dim, yellow light.
This light came from a kerosene lamp; it wasn't very good.
Song Lan didn't waste any words. She took out a lunchbox from her pocket and said, "This is stewed chicken that my mom made tonight. She even reheated it before we came over. You can eat with us."
Then, she took out five large peaches, malted milk powder and White Rabbit milk candy that Li Jumei had given her, and various commonly used pills in a small porcelain bottle from the cloth bag...
"This contains malted milk powder, and this contains White Rabbit milk candy, which my mom asked me to bring. Also, the medicines in these porcelain bottles are homemade; they can treat some common ailments, including fever reducers, cough remedies, and tonics..."
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