Shen Qingli's days followed the same as usual, doing the easiest work and earning the most basic work points.
Every day she went to work, shelling corn and digging peanuts. When she had nothing to do, she seldom went to town. The aunties in the village treated her more like their own daughter, so she would take a detour every time she was away.
Half a month passed like this. One day, at dinnertime, Shen Qingli suddenly craved dumplings. As she pulled some out of the supermarket refrigerator, she decided to send some to the people in the cowshed. Although she had already sent some food to Grandpa Duan in the past two weeks, his complexion hadn't improved much. She planned to use the spiritual spring water to cook some dumplings and send them over. The spiritual spring water was quite effective. While it couldn't revive the dead, she had verified that it had immediate effects on strengthening the body, beautifying the complexion, and promoting wound healing. She also had other benefits that she was yet to discover.
If she went more often in the future, Grandpa Duan's health would probably improve. Father had also mentioned in the letter that Grandpa Duan was an elder whom he admired very much in his early years.
Seeing it was almost time for dinner, she put her own aside and cooked the larger portion first. She cooked 100 dumplings, enough for four or five people. There were three elderly people and one middle-aged man in the cowshed. This was enough for them.
She didn't dare to test human nature. In the same difficult environment, if Grandpa Duan lived a comfortable life, while they, who also lived in the cowshed, had to survive in misery, it was hard to guarantee that they would not develop dark thoughts.
After cooking the dumplings and the broth, she placed them in a pot and covered it. She put them in the space, closed the door, and quietly walked towards the cowshed. She could carry it, but with the space as a cheating tool, she wasn't stupid enough to carry it herself.
When he arrived at the cowshed, he could see Grandpa Duan still feeding the cows from a distance. He probably hadn't started cooking yet. He walked behind a tree, retrieved a large bowl of dumplings from his space, and walked over. "Grandpa Duan," Shen Qingli called softly to the old man sweeping the cowshed.
Old Master Duan looked up and saw Shen Qingli and got anxious: "Why are you here now, kid? If someone sees you, it will get you into trouble. Go upstairs quickly. I'll wash my hands and come right back."
"It's okay. I've been avoiding people all the way here. I cooked a lot of dumplings and brought some to you. You don't have to cook later, there's plenty." Shen Qingli put the basin on the small, broken wooden table in the room and opened the lid. Old Man Duan washed his hands and walked into the room to see: Wow, a basin full of dumplings. "You girl, ah." He sighed and glared at Shen Qingli helplessly, not knowing what to say. He had already told her about her the last time Shen Qingli came to deliver something. This child is too kind, and she still sent something here. This time she even cooked so many dumplings, which are precious things. He knew in his heart that this was not his child's request to her, but her own intention.
"Grandpa Duan, I'm going back first. My dumplings are still in the pot. If I don't go back now, they will rot in the pot." Shen Qingli was also hungry and wanted to go back to eat quickly.
"Well, then you should go back quickly. It's dry in autumn, and you can't leave the fire in the kitchen unattended. Don't do it again next time. If someone sees you, you'll be in trouble. And don't send so much food. How much money can a little girl like you have to do something like this?"
"It's just once in a while, it's okay. Goodbye, Grandpa Duan, I'm going back now."
Shen Qingli's inner thoughts: I know, but I won't change it, I'll give it to you next time.
"Go back quickly, the dumplings should be cooked in the pot."
Shen Qingli’s dumplings were indeed cooked in the space. They were cooked when he came, and it was just right for him to eat them now.
"Old Chen, Old Li, Xiao Lou, it's time to eat." Old Master Duan called out to the outside, and then he heard a loud voice coming from the back of the house: "Old Brother Duan, when did you cook? Isn't it Old Chen's turn to cook today? Don't you see any smoke?" The voice fell and the man walked to the door. He looked out and saw a bowl of white flour dumplings. "Wow, Old Brother Duan, have you made a fortune?"
"Go, go, go, wash your hands and eat."
The other two just happened to come back, and after the three of them took turns washing their hands, the other two came in and saw a bowl of dumplings. They were quite… shocked. It had been a while since I'd seen white flour dumplings. They were so white and plump, so pretty! And so delicious!
"Eat quickly, everyone's eyes are wide open. These dumplings were sent by Shen Zhiqing. She made extra portions for the three of you. You must remember her." Old Master Duan did not forget to help Shen Qingli make his presence felt.
All three nodded. Helping someone in need isn't something everyone does. Of course, they remembered the educated youth's kindness, eagerly filling a bowl each. Old Man Li took a bite and narrowed his eyes in satisfaction. "It's meat-filled! I haven't had meat-filled white flour dumplings in years." This made everyone feel a little sad. Ever since being sent to the cowshed, they'd been living in dire straits. Sometimes, even a hot meal was hard to come by, let alone dumplings.
Some people wanted to eat it all up quickly, but also wanted to savor it carefully.
“Brother Duan, when Shen Zhiqing comes next time, ask her if she wants to learn medicine. I can teach her.”
Mr. Chen is the oldest among them. He is seventy years old this year and it is unknown how many more years he can survive here. His ancestor was an imperial physician. Because there were old things at home, he was dragged out for criticism while he was sleeping. He was sent to the cowshed without even a chance to explain. It has been seven years. He doesn't know if he can return to the city in this lifetime. It is a pity that Shen Zhiqing still cares about these old guys under such circumstances.
He was alone and had nothing to repay her, so he could only hope to teach her his medical skills.
"Okay. I'll tell her next time I come." Old Master Duan looked at the other two with a smile. He wanted to find more benefits for the girl.
"Uncle Duan, next time you come, ask Shen Zhiqing if she is willing to learn Kung Fu from me. It would be fine for a girl to learn even a little bit for self-defense." Lou Chen asked seriously. He believed that one should be grateful to the person who brought him the food. Besides, he had seen the girl several times and heard the villagers talking about her. She was a capable and decisive girl and would surely be willing to learn some Kung Fu.
Before Mr. Duan could say anything, Li Gan became anxious, "You guys, what can I teach her? I'm just a rough guy. Hey, Brother Duan, what can we teach her? You all give me some advice." These people are so cunning that he couldn't remember what was so special about himself for a moment!
Old Master Duan was calm and composed and ignored him. He would never tell Old Li that he actually didn't know what he could give Shen Qingli. After all, he was in the bullpen and had no skills.
The four of them felt mixed emotions and extremely satisfied after eating the dumplings. It had been several years since they had eaten such a full meal!
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