Speaking of what happened back then, Wang Dahua's eyes were somewhat vacant. "When I saw you back then, you were only about one year old. You were placed behind a pile of junk. There were gunshots all around. I didn't dare to stay where I was. I could only hold you and hide."
I was hoping someone would come looking for you, but unfortunately, they never came. So, I had no choice but to leave with you in my arms.
Back then, you could only say "Dad," "Mom," and "Grandpa," but not anything else. I don't know who put you there.
Jiang Qiao frowned and asked again, "Where did you find me, and what was I on me at the time?"
“It was in the city. You were wearing a floral cotton-padded jacket and trousers, both of them new. But they wore out later, so I altered them and made you a new cotton-padded jacket. However, you had a wooden tag around your neck with a character on it. I asked someone and it was the character Qiao. I don’t know what it means, so I named you Jiang Qiao.”
Wang Dahua turned around and took out a wooden plaque from the cabinet behind her. At first, Jiang Qiao thought it was just an accessory, but when she got it in her hand, she realized that it was not a simple plaque, but a sandalwood carving with patterns on it.
Seeing her granddaughter remain silent, Wang Dahua cautiously asked, "Little girl, do you want to find your parents?"
Jiang Qiao gave a bitter smile. "In such a vast country as China, where am I supposed to look? I don't even know who they are or where they are."
I was just curious. Everyone has a source, and I should have one too. I just don't know if they deliberately abandoned it or if something else happened.
Sigh, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. So many years have passed, it's hard to find now.
Grandma, don't worry, no matter if I ever meet my mother or the others again, you will always be the most important person in my life. I will never forget your kindness.
Jiang Hong stared at Jiang Qiao with envy for a long time after seeing his sheepskin coat.
Jiang Mei was a bit blunt. "Grandma, are those the clothes Grandpa bought for you? How can you let her wear those clothes? We've never even worn them."
Jiang Qiao sighed inwardly. They hadn't even gotten to know each other yet, and they were already comparing themselves to each other on their very first meeting. She glanced at the people sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed). They were much cleaner than the last time she met them, and their clothes looked very familiar. It seemed to be her uncle's old military uniform that had been altered.
Seeing Wang Dahua glaring at her granddaughter, what could Jiang Qiao say? "Grandma, I'll take this off and give it to you in a bit. I bought a new one on the way here."
After saying that, she got off the kang (a heated brick bed) and went to the next room. When she saw the quilt on the kang rolled up like that, her heart felt heavy.
When Jiang Qiao came out wearing a brand-new cotton-padded coat, the eyes of the two sisters, Jiang Mei and Jiang Hong, became even more eager.
Jiang Qiao's padded jacket was something she had collected in her previous life. If it could be sold in a shopping mall, its color and quality must be impeccable.
Jiang Hong shook the old lady's arm, "Grandma, Grandma, I want one of hers too, will you buy it for me?"
This time, Jiang Qiao didn't refuse. Without saying a word, she handed the sheepskin coat to the old lady, saying, "Grandma, this can't be washed right now. I'll wash it for you when the weather gets better."
The old lady patted her granddaughter and said, "You're so short-sighted. You're envious just because your sister is wearing a new cotton-padded jacket. She bought it with her own money. If you're so capable, go and earn your own money to buy one."
Jiang Qiao was too lazy to stay at home any longer. "Grandma, I'm going out to find Brother Ning Hao first. We can talk about it later."
"Oh, you're not eating at home?"
Jiang Qiao smiled and shook her head, "I'm leaving—"
When she passed by the kitchen, she saw the pot of mushy porridge that Niu Guihua had cooked. She had no appetite at all. It was a mixture of vegetable leaves, seaweed, and seafood. She didn't know how this woman usually cooked. It looked like she was making pig swill. Anyway, she had no desire to eat it.
Stepping out of the courtyard, Jiang Qiao felt much better. She no longer felt the joy of returning home; on the contrary, the house felt suffocating.
"Qiao'er, Qiao'er, when did you get back?"
When Du Chunming saw Jiang Qiao, he happily ran over and asked, "Have you eaten yet? Come to our house for dinner!"
Before Jiang Qiao could even speak, Song Lianfeng came out carrying a shovel. "Qiao'er, it's already noon. Why don't you eat at our house? We've heard about what happened to you. Let's go inside and talk—"
These days, Wang Dahua is happy to be reunited with her family, but Song Lianfeng has something on her mind.
You said that when you were neighbors with the old lady and Jiang Qiao, we got along very well. But after this family came, why are there so many troubles?
Jiang Qiao didn't stand on ceremony with Song Lianfeng. They had been neighbors for so many years, and she didn't think that eating a meal would bankrupt the Du family. Besides, Chunming and the others were very hospitable and pulled Jiang Qiao into the house.
"Qiao'er, where are you going? Didn't you just get back? Haven't you eaten yet?"
Jiang Qiao touched her stomach and gave a wry smile. "I really haven't eaten."
Chunxia asked curiously, "Qiao'er, what happened? You've just come back, your grandma should be missing you."
Song Lianfeng brought the food into the house. "Oh dear, if this were before, it would be normal for your Grandma Wang to miss Qiao'er, but it's different now. She has a whole bunch of her own sons, grandsons, and granddaughters, and she's too busy to take care of them all. It's not like before."
It was because of this that Song Lianfeng dared to say that. Jiang Qiao, this child, may seem quiet and reserved at times, but she is very sensitive and strong-willed. If it weren't for what the Jiang family said, this girl definitely wouldn't have gone outside in the freezing cold without even eating.
"I really can't say for sure. Anyway, I just got back, and my aunt asked me to do their laundry, but I refused."
My uncle's child kept asking for a cotton-padded coat, saying that I used to wear my grandma's cotton-padded coat and she wanted one too, so I simply took it off and gave it back to my grandma.
Who knew that after I changed into this outfit, she started clamoring for it again? I was afraid of putting my grandma in a difficult position, so I left.
It would be a lie to say I wasn't upset. I traveled all this way back, only to find myself in this situation, without even getting a sip of hot water.
She looked up at Chunming and said, "Brother Chunming, is there any hot water? I'm thirsty—"
"Yes, yes, yes, you wait, I'll pour it over—"
Without even needing Chunming's help, Chunxia went straight downstairs and poured Jiang Qiao a cup of hot water. "It's not too hot, drink it while it's hot. You really are something else. Your grandma is back, and you're still outside. Your grandma said she was helping a friend with something. How old are you? Luckily, you didn't lose yourself."
Jiang Qiao finished a cup of hot water, and finally felt a little warm. "I helped a friend out, and he didn't shortchange me. He paid me for my work. Otherwise, where would I get the money to buy a new coat?"
"Oh, by the way, the things are with my friend. I'll go find them in a bit. I brought back some things for you, just what you need for the New Year."
While urging Jiang Qiao to eat, Song Lianfeng said, "What are you taking? You're just a child, mind your own business—"
Jiang Qiao chuckled and then ate her food heartily. In her memory, she had eaten a lot of food at Song Lianfeng's house. When the old lady was busy, it was this third aunt who took care of her. She didn't bring the food over directly just now because she was afraid that her aunt would nag her in front of the old lady again.
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