Jiang Qiao nodded silently. What could she say? She was already a beneficiary herself. "Okay, I'll study hard. I'll join you in a month."
Chunming spoke up, "Master, you have to take me with you. I need to see my uncle. I've only heard you talk about him, but I have to go see him for myself."
Hou Diankui nodded in satisfaction. "Alright, you two go together. Remember to let the school know when the time comes."
On the way back, Jiang Qiao didn't even need to ask; she just asked directly, "Brother Chunming, you studied feng shui with your master, right?"
Chunming nodded, then looked somewhat bewildered. "I don't know if this thing is good or bad. Everyone says it's feudal superstition, but I've really experienced it myself."
Jiang Qiao could see the confusion in Chunming's eyes.
"Why do you care what others say? As long as you think it's useful and effective, that's all that matters. Besides, feng shui has been passed down for thousands of years. It's a kind of culture. Anyway, you've already learned it and have your own experience. Since someone is willing to teach you, then you should learn it well. Once you've mastered it, that will be your skill."
Chunming scratched the back of his head. "That's what my master said too. Since you say it's good, then I'll learn it."
“Ah, that’s right. I might need what you’ve learned in the future. Besides, I’ve had a similar experience. The plaque your master gave me made me feel like it was springtime all around, with springtime everywhere.”
Chunming smiled innocently and said, "Once I've mastered it, I'll carve it for you too."
Because of Hou Diankui's request, Jiang Qiao has been focusing her energy on learning medical skills these days, and she hasn't even missed a day of school.
Zhao Jianjun saw Chunming and Jiang Qiao and even had a teasing expression on his face.
"What's going on with you two? One of you disappears as soon as you ask for leave, and the other is nowhere to be seen all day long. What, did you two plan this together?"
Jiang Qiao snorted, "Even if we had a plan, it wouldn't be as good as you. You should tell me honestly where you went during this whole holiday. I didn't even see a trace of you."
Zhao Jianjun smiled and said, "I went to my maternal grandmother's house. How would you know?"
Jiang Qiao shrugged and said, "That settles it then. I haven't seen you since I came back from my vacation. Where are you going to see me?"
"No, you can stay at your maternal grandparents' house for so long, but do you think your aunts and uncles would allow that?"
Zhao Jianjun stiffened his neck somewhat awkwardly, "I brought my own food rations, why can't they let me? I even helped them with the work."
Chunming sighed, "The exams are coming up right after the start of the semester. I haven't studied much during the whole vacation. I'm so worried."
Jiang Qiao saw Zhao Jianjun's smug expression and guessed that he had probably taken advantage of the holiday to find someone to tutor him. Although Zhao Jianjun was not stupid, his grades were not very good. She didn't know what had gotten into him to think of extracurricular tutoring. He was smart, but she didn't point it out. It was a good thing that he was motivated.
Zhao Jianjun then steered the conversation toward Jiang Qiao, saying, "Jiang Qiao, what's wrong with you? You took a vacation, and you look like you just came out of a coal mine."
Jiang Qiao said helplessly, "I was hungry. Our family can't compare to yours. At least your older brother, sister, and parents all have jobs. My grandfather struggles to support the two of us."
"Later, after you guys have eaten your fill, I'll come over and mooch a meal off you."
Zhao Jianjun laughed it off, "Oh, we don't eat anything fancy at home. We only have dumplings for Chinese New Year. We usually eat pretty much the same as everyone else. If you're craving anything, just tell me later. We have some at home and I'll send you some."
"By the way, you helped your grandma find her biological daughter, didn't the old lady thank you properly?"
Jiang Qiao shook her head, her expression indifferent. "It's good enough that they don't blame me. They're even thanking me? Do they look like the kind of people who would give thanks?"
Chunming nodded in agreement, "That's right. You can hear them arguing every day. They're probably complaining about Jiang Qiao's meddling right now."
The three of them traveled together, so they weren't lonely on the road. It was just tough on Chunming, who had to ride alone while carrying two other people. Zhao Jianjun, who was so shameless, never offered to give them a ride.
Chunming is a magnanimous person who doesn't care about these things.
To Jiang Qiao's surprise, as soon as she entered the yard, she saw that the kitchen door was open, and her two grandfathers were cooking.
"grandfather--"
Qiao Jie looked up and smiled at Jiang Qiao, "Girl, school's over. Go wash up, we'll eat in a bit."
"Why are you back?"
Gu Hanting stood up. "Why can't we come? We just missed you, girl. Come on, let's go inside and talk."
Qiao Jie smiled and nodded, gesturing for his granddaughter to go inside. This time, the two of them really had something to do and company. Otherwise, in this freezing weather, he really wouldn't want to come back. It's so much better in the countryside, where there are old men and women to chat with, the villagers are simple and honest, and everything is convenient.
Upon entering the house, Gu Hanting immediately explained their purpose.
"Girl, do you have any coal?"
Jiang Qiao nodded, then looked at Gu Hanting with some surprise, "Grandpa, you want this? Is there nothing left to burn at home?"
Gu Hanting waved his hand and said, "It has nothing to do with our family. The little bit we burn is enough. It's from the commune's brick kiln. Da Tou said that there was heavy snow in the north and coal couldn't be transported over. All the commune's brick kilns have stopped. The leaders are anxious and are asking around for help. But coal is already in short supply, and with this heavy snow, even if there's some stock, they can't give it to our village."
"Big Head said, 'This time the leadership has given an order: whoever can get coal will be credited with the greatest achievement.'"
Jiang Qiao pondered to herself, "Grandpa, do you have connections with the commune leaders?"
Gu Hanting looked at Jiang Qiao approvingly and reached out to help his granddaughter straighten her hair. "Yes, the leader who just came up is the son of my old friend. I helped their family before, and that kid knows me. This time, he just came through Wang Datou to pass on a message. He knows about your father and your uncle's current situation and should be able to help them get coal."
Jiang Qiao nodded knowingly. "I knew it, Grandpa. This little kid of yours isn't the top leader, is he?"
Gu Hanting nodded. "So we should help him, so that Da Tou can do better in the commune in the future."
Gu Hanting could easily see what his granddaughter was up to. It was precisely because he saw it that he felt moved. They hadn't given the child anything, yet they had always received care and help from her.
Jiang Qiao didn't waste any words. "Grandpa, when will it be shipped over? There has to be some time in between, right?"
"The day after tomorrow, that's the time I mentioned to them. I heard your dad mention it last time, but I don't know how much of it you have here?"
"Grandpa, how many do they want?"
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