Chapter 7
Lin Youqing carried her to the front bar of the bicycle and sat her on it. He Guijuan sat on the back seat, and the three of them went to the street.
They saw many villagers on the road, most of whom were working with hoes. The villagers greeted Lin Youqing and his wife enthusiastically, and were somewhat surprised to see Jiang Jiang on the front bumper.
"Secretary Lin, this is Jiang Fusheng's daughter, right?"
Lin Youqing looked at the villager, smiled cheerfully, and said, "My husband and I don't have any children, so we plan to bring Jiang Jiang to live with us."
As soon as Lin Youqing said this, everyone looked at Jiang Jiang with more or less envy.
This is really a stroke of luck. Lin Youqing and his wife are both cadres and their family is very well-off. If Jiang Jiang can follow them, she will definitely enjoy endless blessings in the future.
"I won't tell you anymore. We still have to go to the street."
"Okay, Secretary Lin, take care."
It is more than ten miles from Dongxi Village to Luling Commune. The last time Jiang Jiang came here was two years ago with her father. Her father carried her on his back and went to the market to sell old pumpkins grown by his family. He used the money to buy her sugar, salt and soy sauce for cooking.
Lin Youqing parked his bicycle in front of the supply and marketing cooperative and got off the bike holding the child.
"Are you tired, Jiang Jiang?"
Jiang Jiang shook her head and reached out to wipe the sweat off Lin Youqing's forehead. Along the way, when going uphill, Lin Youqing didn't let them get off, so he got off and pushed the bike himself. Even in the middle of winter, his forehead was covered in sweat.
Lin Youqing smiled and patted her head, "Jiang Jiang is so good."
"See if the supply and marketing cooperative has any good fabrics and buy some to make new clothes for the kids."
The salesperson had met many parents who brought their children to buy fabrics to make clothes. Seeing that they did not look poor in their attire, the salesperson pointed to the fabrics beside them and said, "This is the newly arrived polyester-cotton material. It is of very good quality and is most suitable for making coats. It is very warm, but the price is a bit higher."
"Then take this, tear off a piece of this red material, and another piece of that beige material."
It was the first time for Lin Youqing and He Guijuan to take care of a child, so they were not stingy and asked the salesperson at the supply and marketing cooperative to help them buy a set of red cloth and also a beige one. He Guijuan thought that Jiang Jiang would look very beautiful in this color.
After pulling the cloth, He Guijuan weighed a pound of milk candy. Those candies were all White Rabbit milk candies, with blue rabbits printed on them.
He Guijuan also bought two pairs of thick cotton socks and a pair of white plastic-soled cloth shoes for Jiang Jiang. The shoes sold here are not as good as those in the county, but they are not expensive either. They can be used as a temporary transition and she will buy new shoes for the child when they arrive in the county.
She also weighed a few pounds of egg cake, which is made of fresh eggs, sugar, sesame oil and flour. It is baked in the oven and looks golden, shiny, crispy and delicious.
Whenever I go out, I always have to bring some snacks for my nephews and nieces at home.
Coming out of the supply and marketing cooperative, Lin Youqing was carrying a handful of things. Jiang Jiang, led by He Guijuan, went to the state-owned canteen in the market.
The state-owned canteen was built with money from the state. There was a small two-foot square sign hanging at the door of the canteen, on which was written in chalk the staple food and menu served in the canteen that day.
Lin Youqing estimated that it was Jiang Jiang's first time to eat in such a place, and wanted the child to try more dishes, so he bought a plate of sweet and sour pork, garlic lettuce, sesame cake, rose cake and three bowls of shepherd's purse wontons.
It was the first time that Jiang Jiang saw such a sumptuous meal.
"It's been so long since breakfast, you must be hungry. Eat quickly." He Guijuan scratched her nose and said with a smile.
Jiang Jiang then started to eat. He Guijuan was afraid that it would be inconvenient for her to eat, so she went to ask the cook for a small spoon so that she could scoop the wontons.
Jiang Jiang ate one wonton in one bite. Although the shepherd's purse wonton was small, it had a thin skin and a large filling, and was crystal clear. It was especially delicious. And the sesame cake, when it was just served, was very crispy and fragrant when it was hot. The rose cake was also delicious. In fact, it was just a shortbread, but because of the rose sauce added in it, it became particularly delicious.
Coming out of the state-owned canteen, Lin Youqing and his wife took turns holding the child and were reluctant to let go.
"There's a store selling maltose over there. Go buy some for Jiang Jiang to eat on the way."
As the year draws to a close, adults in the commune bring their children out to the market. The old man selling maltose is crowded with people. Lin Youqing frowned and asked, "Didn't you just buy some candy at the supply and marketing cooperative?"
He Guijuan glared at him and said, "The milk candy I bought is not the same taste as the maltose. Just go when I tell you to."
Lin Youqing had no choice but to accept his fate and go.
While Lin Youqing was buying maltose, He Guijuan bent down to give her daughter a heads-up in advance, "Jiang Jiang, your grandma is a bit stubborn and not easy to get along with. She might say something harsh. When we get home later, if she scolds you, don't mind it. You are your parents' beloved daughter, and we won't treat you badly because of her."
"Mom and Dad have another home in the city. After the New Year, we will take you back. From now on, we will live as a family of three."
Since Jiang Jiang had become their daughter, they naturally would not let her live alone in that dark house anymore.
Thinking of Old Mrs. Lin’s attitude, He Guijuan couldn’t help but sigh.
Jiang Jiang nodded, "Mom, I remember it."
He Guijuan couldn't help but kiss her on the face, "Jiang Jiang is really sensible."
"What are you talking to the child about?" After they finished talking, Lin Youqing had already returned with the maltose.
The sweet and crispy malt sugar was skewered on bamboo sticks. Lin Youqing bought two in total, one for his wife and one for his daughter.
"Nothing."
He Guijuan shook her head and refused to mention the content of the conversation just now. How could she possibly say bad things about his own mother in front of him?
Even though she didn't say anything, Lin Youqing had almost guessed what she would say to Jiang Jiang. He lowered his head and touched his daughter's head, "Jiang Jiang, is the maltose delicious?"
There is no child who doesn't like candy. Jiang Jiang licked the maltose, nodded vigorously, and squinted his eyes happily, "It's delicious."
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