Jiang Qiao immediately rejected the idea, saying, "No, Grandpa told you to go back less often. You can't change the current situation."
"Dad, look at the people around here, look at the crops in the fields, they're all withered and dry. They're already digging for wild vegetables to save for winter. What good will it do you go back? Take food back? But how much can you take?"
This question stumped Gu Zhengfeng. He was filled with worry for his child and elderly father, but he hadn't thought that far ahead.
His child's reminder made him realize how incompetent he was as a son. Just as his daughter had said, how much grain could he bring back? And how long could his elderly father and the others hold out?
However, he still argued, "That's different. Bringing some will at least alleviate the situation. It's better than starving to death. Besides, the wheat will be harvested next spring. We'll just have to hang in there."
Jiang Qiao gave a wry smile. "They're still holding on, Dad? What if the drought continues next year? How are they supposed to hold on then?"
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhengfeng's eyes widened suddenly. He hadn't expected that to happen, and he muttered to himself, "No way, if that happens, people really will die—"
Jiang Qiao sighed and shook her head. "Dad, let me tell you, my intuition is pretty accurate, but it's not good. Everyone says you have to plan three moves ahead for the next move. I can't gamble with my family for something whose outcome is still unknown."
Your nephew is still young, and my grandfather is old. You and your uncle are not here, so I have to take good care of them for you.
My grandfather, Grandpa Qiao, is even older than my grandfather. He had no children his whole life, and in his old age, he took in me, a burden that isn't really a burden, and the old man was happy to accept it. Just for his sincerity, I will treat him well.
"Don't worry, I'll find a way to get food. I'll make sure nothing happens to them."
Upon hearing the child's words, Gu Zhengfeng suddenly thought of a possibility and urgently grabbed Jiang Qiao's hand, "No, this is absolutely not allowed, Qiao'er. Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking. This is too risky. You could lose your life."
Although he was confined to a small corner, his comrades' letters had mentioned the situation outside. All regions were experiencing drought. Although there was no complete crop failure, it was close to that. Food was scarce everywhere, and people didn't have enough to eat. Where could they buy food for their children?
The only thing he could think of was that this girl wanted to risk going out, and he absolutely could not agree to that.
Jiang Qiao smiled and said, "Dad, you're overthinking it, aren't you?"
Gu Zhengfeng looked at his daughter with a serious expression. "Qiao'er, remember this: nothing is more important than your life. You must never have this thought. The outside world is very strict about this. You can't take risks because of your stutter."
Jiang Qiao's smile froze, then she sighed deeply, "Dad, do you have a better idea?"
This presented Gu Zhengfeng with a major problem, but he immediately thought of a problem: this was just their idea, and the event hadn't happened yet.
Jiang Qiao could only sigh helplessly at her father's theory. "Dad, how about we make a bet? I can not go, and you can try again next year. If my guess is right, then you can't control me anymore, okay?"
Gu Zhengfeng readily agreed, "Alright, go back and practice diligently. This is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Once you're skilled enough, Dad won't stop you. You can go wherever you want, as long as your safety isn't threatened."
Jiang Qiao suddenly remembered a question, but before she could even ask it, she grabbed Gu Zhengfeng's hand and started taking his pulse.
Seeing the child like this, Gu Zhengfeng was initially confused, but when the child asked the question, he gave a wry smile.
"You silly child, you scared me with your strange talk. How should I put it? Your mother and I lost you, and we can't get over it. We thought that if we had another child, we wouldn't have had the energy to search for you."
Besides, your mother and I have both had some health problems over the years. And it's not just us; my comrades-in-arms are facing the same predicament—difficulty conceiving. Some can be cured, some very difficult.”
Just as her father said, he had many hidden injuries. If he could take good care of himself, it wouldn't be impossible. Jiang Qiao already had a good idea of what was going on. She would take her mother's pulse again later. She had plenty of good medicinal herbs in her space.
"Little girl, what's wrong? Want another younger brother or sister?"
Jiang Qiao grinned, "I was just thinking that if I could help you get better treatment, I should. Maybe I'll have a younger brother or sister?"
Gu Zhengfeng patted his daughter's head and said, "Little thing, even if we have a baby, do you think we'll neglect you? Don't worry, you're our first child. No matter if we have another one or not, our care for you will never change. No other child can compare to your place in our hearts. Actually, I'm already very content with you."
Jiang Qiao would be lying if she said she wasn't moved. In this country, which man doesn't hope to have a son? But her parents thought differently and treated their daughter like a treasure. But it felt really good to be a treasure.
“Dad, you don’t seem like a young master from a landlord’s family at all. People usually hope for many children and grandchildren to bring good fortune, but you’re content with just having one child like me.”
Gu Zhengfeng leaned comfortably against the earthen dam. "Girl, one shouldn't be too greedy. Compared to those comrades who sacrificed their lives, I'm already very fortunate. We've also found our daughter. Tell me, what could be happier than our family reunion?"
Jiang Qiao also admitted that for those who have experienced war, being able to return alive is already a very lucky thing.
"Alright, I'll help you two get some rest and recuperate later, okay? I've done my best as your daughter. Now, you should go to work, and I need to go home and prepare things for winter."
"What's there to prepare? We'll all eat in the cafeteria."
Jiang Qiao patted the dirt off her bottom and said, "That's why I have to prepare for you two. You don't know anything about life. The food in the cafeteria is convenient, but in terms of nutrition, it's just so-so. You can't see any greens at all in winter. Wait, your daughter will prepare it for you when she gets back. Then you'll know."
Gu Zhengfeng stopped his daughter who was about to leave, "Qiao'er, you promised your father."
Jiang Qiao waved her hand. "Don't worry, I keep my word. I'm leaving."
Jiang Qiao started preparing everything she could think of at home: tomato sauce, pickled cucumbers, pickled vegetables, dried vegetables—she basically made everything that could be found in the garden. Even if she didn't have much, she had it all in her space. Compared to what she grew outside, the food in her space tasted much better.
While no one was home, she harvested everything in the space, then planted some more. She also got a lot of seeds from the nearby countryside, so she could plant whatever she wanted to eat.
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