However, Qiao Jie was an old man and had no real authority; none of those teenagers would listen to him.
Jiang Qiao was so angry that she threw the basket on the ground and rushed towards the people with her legs moving quickly.
"Girl, slow down, don't fight with them, you can't beat them."
Although she knew the child had some training, she was no match for these dozen or so young boys. If she had, she wouldn't have let Jiang Hai beat her up like that back then.
The old man was worried and chased after him. When Jiang Qiao got there, she saw that all the children's fists were landing on the boy.
The skinny boy struggled, but he couldn't overcome the sheer number of people.
"Let me go, let me go—"
"I'll beat you to death, I'll beat you to death, you landlord's son! Your whole family are exploitative villains!"
Hearing this, Jiang Qiao understood perfectly well that the little boy was probably a descendant of a landlord.
Jiang Qiao didn't hate landlords like these kids did. After all, she had lived through a lifetime, and many of the anti-Japanese war supplies came from donations from capitalists and landlords.
Therefore, she viewed these people in a two-sided way: some were really not good, but some were truly patriotic.
However, no matter what kind of family they were, her heart wouldn't allow her to hesitate any longer. She went up and punched and kicked the teenagers who were pressing down on the little boy.
"What are you doing, you brat? Where did you come from? I advise you to mind your own business, or I'll beat you up too."
Jiang Qiao puffed out her chest and pointed at them arrogantly, saying, "Don't worry about who I am, hitting people is wrong."
What unforgivable mistake did he make that you all ganged up on him like this, bullying the few with the many? That's not heroic behavior. Humph, I despise people like you the most.
"What do you know? He's the landlord's grandson. If we don't beat him, who will we beat? You're helping him? Are you a relative of the landlord too?"
Jiang Qiao's eyes flashed like knives as she looked at the boy who doubted her, her aura surging.
"Pah! You can't expect anything good to come out of a dog's mouth, but you're more like one."
The boy hurriedly tried to defend himself. He didn't know who the girl in front of him was, but he was a little scared by the look in her eyes.
“I, I’m not like that. They can be legitimate. My family has been poor farmers for three generations.”
Jiang Qiao waved her hand and said, "I don't care who you are. Get out of my way, or we'll have a fight. If you win, I won't interfere. If you lose, you'll have to listen to me from now on. Of course, I'll also give you a bonus: candy. Do you want some?"
Jiang Qiao reached into her pocket and pulled out a handful of candy. The eyes of the dozen or so boys lit up immediately when they saw the colorful wrappers in Jiang Qiao's hand.
Sugar is a luxury for them. Even if their family buys a few pieces, they can't possibly eat them because they have younger siblings to feed.
There was a weasel-faced boy who, upon seeing the candy in Jiang Qiao's hand, revealed such greed in his eyes that even Jiang Qiao didn't want to look at him anymore.
"Shall we all attack together?"
If Sharp-Mouth wants to get the candy quickly, the fastest way is to beat Jiang Qiao.
The others rolled their eyes at him. "You're really shameless. There are so many of us, and she's just a little girl, younger than all of us. You have the nerve to do this, but we can't afford to lose face like this."
Jiang Qiao smiled faintly at these people and said, "I haven't explained the rules yet, why are you in such a hurry? You guys fight each other first, and whoever wins can then fight me. That's fair. Otherwise, bullying the weak with numbers is not something we poor and lower-middle peasants do."
The one with the pointed face and monkey-like features immediately became agitated: "You dare to play us? Beat him up—"
That's what he said, but he didn't move the place himself.
The others aren't stupid; if you say you'll fight, the other side won't. They're counting on them.
"Forget it, forget it, a good man doesn't argue with a woman."
Jiang Qiao was waiting for this result: "Hey, I love hearing that. I'm younger than all of you. If you bully me and hurt me, I'll come and stay at your house in turns and make you pay for it. In the end, you'll be the ones getting beaten up."
Here, have some candy. Now we're all acquainted.
After getting the candy, the boys scattered again. Qiao Jie ran over, panting, and saw Jiang Qiao helping a boy up.
The old man was surprised when he first saw the boy. Not to mention him, even Jiang Qiao felt a sense of familiarity when she saw the boy.
But she was certain that she didn't know this person, had never even met him, and didn't know why she had this inexplicable feeling.
The boy shyly thanked Jiang Qiao. Old Master Qiao stepped forward, took the boy's hand, and excitedly asked, "Young comrade, may I ask what your surname and name are?"
The young man gave a wry smile. "Old comrades, my surname is Gu, and my name is Gu Zhixuan. Thank you for rescuing me."
The boy bowed deeply to Jiang Qiao and Grandpa Qiao, then turned and ran away.
Jiang Qiao reached out her hand and said, "Hey, why are you running away? Don't run away, I still have something to ask you."
Qiao Jie sighed and shook his head. "Girl, stop calling him. He means well. He's afraid his identity will cause you trouble. Let's go."
Jiang Qiao couldn't describe how she felt. She just felt that the little boy from earlier seemed to have some connection to her, otherwise she couldn't explain her unusual discomfort. Now she felt completely normal again.
She now has a suspicion: is this boy surnamed Gu a relative or family member of hers?
If that's the case, then this matter is going to be difficult. Having been here for so long, she has learned everything she needs to know. The issue of identity is very serious, especially since the other party is a descendant of a landlord.
Qiao Jie hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke up, "Qiao'er, has Wang Dahua ever told you about your background?"
Jiang Qiao gave a wry smile. "Grandpa Qiao, do you think that boy looks somewhat like me?"
The old man nodded without hesitation. "I can't quite put my finger on where it's similar, but there are some resemblances. After all, you're a girl. If you looked like everyone else, that would be terrible. Although there are many people in this world who look alike, it's still fate that we meet."
Besides, you haven't found your parents yet. Asking around might yield some results.
"However, girl, you should think this over carefully. It's not that Grandpa is selfish, but at this time, given their status, even if we acknowledge them, not only can you not do anything, but you'll also be a burden."
Jiang Qiao gave a wry smile. "This is a bit difficult. My grandmother said that she found me on the way to escape. She didn't know my identity or situation. She only said that there were gunshots all around at the time."
I suspect that my parents or the person who escorted me have special identities, otherwise no one would be targeting him. But these are just my guesses, and I don't know anything else.
As for this guy surnamed Gu, I'll investigate him properly later. Grandpa Qiao, let's come back tomorrow. No matter what, it's only right to ask him.
Whether my parents are still alive or not, everyone has a place to come from. As for whether we'll acknowledge each other or not, that's a matter for later. Even if we do acknowledge each other in the future, Grandpa Qiao, don't worry, I'll take you with me wherever I go.
Qiao Jie chuckled and patted Jiang Qiao's head. He was right about this girl; she was a kind and loyal child.
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