Han Family Village is the same Han Family Village as the male protagonist's. It's about 30 kilometers from the county seat. Sang Shen followed Xie Dong, leaving the county seat and heading south. After riding for about two hours, they finally saw the outline of Han Family Village.
By this time, it had gotten dark, which made things easier for the two of them.
"Old Sang, let's go in through the side path and try not to disturb the villagers," Xie Dong reminded him.
"Okay, lead the way!" Sang Shen's complexion had been poor ever since they arrived in the village.
Xie Dong knew why he was asking: "Old Sang, this village is the result of Sangzi's best efforts. It's one of the better villages in the area."
At this point, he seemed to remember something else: "Do you remember those people who sold vegetables today? They were from this village. It shows that there are some capable people in this village."
Sangshen nodded and followed Xie Dong down the mountain.
He didn't care whether he was human or not; he'd be grateful as long as the bookworm wasn't tormented.
After walking for about twenty minutes, the two arrived at a cowshed at the foot of the mountain. The cowshed was very simple, with a thatched roof and mud brick walls, only half of which were in place. There was no door, and as they approached, they could smell a faint stench.
"Bookworm, bookworm," Xie Dong called out softly as he walked into the cowshed.
Inside the cowshed, Shen Ci lay on his back, his face pale and his eyes lifeless. Hearing someone enter, he merely glanced at them, his gaze calm and unwavering.
As the two people who had entered drew closer, he could make out their figures, and only then did his eyes regain their light.
"Dongzi, Xiaoqi!" Shen Ci said in a hoarse voice.
As Xie Dong and his companion approached, their eyes welled up with tears as they looked at Shen Ci's barely-there clothes and the bruises on her skin.
“Bookworm, Xiaoqi and I came to see you. You… Sangzi is trying to find a solution, and we will too. Hang in there.”
"Don't worry, I'm fine!" Shen Ci forced a pale smile at her two brothers.
Sangshen suppressed her anger, "How could nothing be wrong? It's so cold, and you're only wearing a thin shirt, without even a blanket. Are they trying to freeze you to death?"
Speaking of quilts, Xie Dong quickly opened the bundle in his hand, revealing tattered cotton clothes inside. He took them out as he spoke.
"I asked someone to make you a thin cotton coat. It's made with this year's new cotton and I made it look old. Wear it for now. When it gets colder, I'll bring you a thicker one. The same goes for the quilt. Be careful when you use it, or someone will steal it."
Shen Ci sat up, looked at the two of them, a warm feeling washed over her, and smiled gently: "I understand, thank you."
As he spoke, seeing that Sangshen's face was pale, he explained, "I'm really fine. The people in this village haven't bothered me. They've just ignored me. It's much better than other places. Please thank Brother Sangzi for me."
The two of them fell silent for a moment.
Shen Ci continued, "Don't worry about me, and don't come over too often, it's not good for you."
Xie Dong silently handed him the cotton coat: "Put this on first." He refused to respond to Shen Ci's words.
"Bookworm, don't worry, I have my brother. He's so capable, he'll definitely figure something out," Sangzhen comforted him.
"That's right, that's right, you bookworm, don't worry so much. Just take care of yourself, we'll handle things outside." Xie Dong said, draping the blanket over his lap.
"Also, I've spoken to the brigade leader, and he promised he wouldn't deliberately make things difficult for you, but you can't avoid going to the fields. Just pretend to be working. Xiao Qi and I will bring you food every few days. We don't need to rely on work points for food, so don't overwork yourself."
The bookworm has been in poor health since childhood; if he's subjected to any kind of hardship, he might not survive.
Sangshen pulled all the banknotes from his pocket: "Take this money. It'll be good for emergencies. Don't panic if someone finds out. Just give it to them. Nothing is more important than yourself." He stuffed all the banknotes into Chen Ci's arms.
Shen Ci looked at his two childhood friends chatting away, a flash of warmth crossing his eyes. He had a weak bond with his parents in this life, but he was fortunate to have two good brothers who treated him like family since childhood, and also Brother Sangzi. He would always bring him a copy of whatever Sang Xiaoqi had. It was all worth it.
"Don't worry, I know what's important." That was the last sentence Shen Ci said.
He certainly knew what was important; to avoid causing pain to his loved ones and joy to his enemies, he had to struggle to survive.
"And these cornbreads, I put meat in them. Be careful when you eat them, and I'll come back in a couple of days to bring you some more food."
Xie Dong took out the last item from the package and put it away carefully.
Shen Ci's eyes were bright, a smile played on her lips, and she nodded.
Sang and Shen had come secretly, so they couldn't stay too long. They told Shen Ci everything they could, and then rode their bicycles out of the village in the dark.
On the way, both of them were somewhat silent. The three of them had grown up together since childhood, inseparable, and later came to this small county town to escape the turmoil, but they never expected to be affected by it.
That nerd's stepmother is truly vicious; even though he's hidden so far away, she still won't let him go.
Back in the county town, the moon was already high in the sky. Sangshen guessed everyone in the courtyard was asleep, so he didn't go back. Instead, he went to the house his brother had been allocated, located in the government compound. It was a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, just right for the two brothers.
Xie Dong still had some things to take care of, so he parted ways with Sangshen once they arrived in the county town.
The hallway was silent except for the sound of Sangshen's footsteps.
With a soft creak, the mulberry entered the house.
Just as she was about to turn on the light, she saw someone sitting on the sofa in the living room, with a faint light coming from the fire. By the moonlight, she could see that it was her brother, and only then did Sangzhen feel relieved.
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