During the period of slow agricultural development, when people were struggling to feed themselves, who would have extra land to grow fruit? Most people were growing grains, except in economically prosperous areas. Most regions were still in the agricultural stage, and there were very few tractors in the entire country. After all, the country had just been established, and everything was developing slowly.
So even though it was just a few strawberries, it made the whole family feel the sweetness and beauty of life.
As for Xiao Jiu, looking at the warehouse full of supplies but unable to share them, she felt really bad and could only try her best to subsidize her family in her own way.
There is a well in the Tao family courtyard. Every day before dawn, Grandpa would turn the axle to draw water. Because there were many children in the family, he would lock the water tank immediately after filling it, for fear of any accidents.
In those days, food was almost devoid of oil, so the water used for washing pots and dishes was poured directly into the vegetable garden in the yard. The water used for bathing and washing faces was also collected to irrigate the fields and feed the chickens and ducks. Saving resources seemed to be an innate quality of the Chinese people, something they learned without being taught.
The well water was sweet and delicious. In the summer, when her brothers were thirsty after school, they would scoop water directly from the water vat with gourd ladles and drink it. Although she wanted to stop them, she realized that this was how children grew up in this day and age, so she choked on her words.
The reason why Chinese people drink hot water is actually something that was advocated after the liberation. People accidentally discovered that drinking hot water makes it less likely to get sick. However, we are still in the early stages of publicity, so not everyone takes this issue to heart. It is only when children get sick from drinking contaminated water that doctors start to advise people to change their lifestyle habits.
But it's estimated that our ancestors themselves never imagined that the idea that "drinking hot water is good for your health" would make China the only country in the world to drink hot water. The key is that this idea has been passed down from generation to generation and deeply rooted in the promotion of health concepts, which is quite an achievement.
That day, after school, the third and fourth brothers were chasing the big white goose in the yard when suddenly the youngest brother tripped and fell. It was an ordinary thing, but the youngest brother couldn't get up and started panting. When Xiao Jiu saw this, he quickly called the eldest brother who was studying inside the house.
"Brother, Grandma, Sister, come quick! Little brother, little brother is choking on a peanut!"
Xiao Jiu pried his hand open and saw the peanuts he was holding. She was furious. Her older brother ran towards their grandmother, but Xiao Jiu went up to him and patted her younger brother on the back.
"That won't work. Stand behind him, clench your fists, and push him back with all your might. Quickly, you have to be fast. You can see he can't breathe."
At the critical moment, Xiao Jiu didn't care about anything else. If she weren't short, she might have actually done it herself. The older brother listened to Xiao Jiu and followed her steps to use the Heimlich maneuver. He held Tao An and squeezed him forcefully to increase the internal pressure, thereby pushing the foreign object out of the mouth and relieving the obstruction.
Tao Zui was also anxious. Everyone formed a circle, and while Tao Zui pressed down hard according to Xiao Jiu's method, he also pressed Tao An onto his lap and pounded his back hard. He tried both methods, and after about two minutes, the peanut was spat out of Tao An's mouth, along with other vomit.
After Tao An's breathing returned to normal, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Tao An had already been crying loudly in fear, and his grandmother quickly went over to comfort him.
By the time everyone realized what was happening, Xiao Jiu tried to slip away, but her older brother grabbed her by the back of her clothes, scooped her up, and held her in his arms.
"Jiu'er, where did you learn this move?"
Xiao Jiu started making things up: "I saw it on the road. That guy choked on a walnut. The guy next to him was strong and just rubbed it a couple of times, and he spat it out. People say you shouldn't run, jump, or laugh while eating. That guy was terrifying. Wasn't Grandpa Cui's eldest grandson on our street choked to death by something stuck in his mouth?"
Although everyone has gotten used to her articulate side, to be able to recount things so clearly, including the cause, process, and result, as well as a piece of advice afterward, and remember it all, is truly remarkable for a child!
When Grandpa arrived, Tao An had already been comforted by Grandma, and Grandma's eyes were full of admiration as she looked at Xiao Jiu.
"Thanks to our little Jiu today, you're really amazing. But don't meddle in other people's business in the future. You're still too young, they'll think you're a monster."
These words were meant for Xiao Jiu, but also for the children. Grandpa was the first to realize this and quickly gave everyone instructions.
"Did everyone remember what happened today? From now on, no one is allowed to laugh while eating, or run or jump around. If it weren't for Xiao Jiu, Xiao An would have been finished. Our Xiao An is young and smart, and people outside have already started gossiping about her. So from now on, when you go out, don't mention your sister and don't cause her any trouble, understand?"
Now the Tao family has realized that Xiao Jiu is different from ordinary children. She seems to be more mature. Even Tao An sometimes doesn't seem as smart as Xiao Jiu. She is definitely an anomaly among children nowadays. Fortunately, they don't go out often, otherwise, she would be exposed even more.
They just want to live a peaceful life and don't want to be targeted. Being too smart might be a good thing or a bad thing, so they must protect her well before she starts school.
Xiao Jiu was well aware of what showing off her talents at this age would bring her, but sometimes she had no choice. Just now, for example, it was a matter of life and death. Last time she played with that Tiger, her grandmother wrongly accused her. It would be strange if she didn't defend herself.
Now her grandparents seem even more worried about her. Some people might think it's making a fuss, but she understands them very well. After all, they all survived that period. Before, they had land, food, and money. What do they have now? Isn't it all because of people's jealousy and envy that they've ended up like this?
Therefore, protecting children as much as possible before their minds are fully developed is the most important thing parents should do.
It took Tao An a long time to recover from the ordeal. He was terrified, but he knew that Xiao Jiu had reacted quickly and saved him.
He went over and hugged Xiaojiu. Although Xiaojiu looked disgusted, she still pouted and reached out to comfort him from behind.
"Have you learned your lesson yet?"
"It's grown."
"Will you dare to run like that again? Did I teach you how to eat peanuts? Didn't Grandma tell you that you have to bite them open and not swallow them whole?"
"I won't dare to do it again, I'll never dare to do it again. I'll never eat peanuts again. Waaah, Jiu'er, I thought I was going to have to say goodbye to you."
Xiao Jiu rolled her eyes. "The greatest respect you can show your grandma is to stop making her chase you all over the streets and beat you."
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