Chapter 17
Visiting the elderly
Early the next morning, Fang Xin arrived at Xiaohe Town. She stood at the gate of the elementary school principal's house. The big black iron gate had become a little old and peeling after years of baptism.
The door was open and Fang Xin walked straight in.
A small garden full of vegetables comes into view.
There are also some chickens in the yard.
Fang Xin often came here when he was a child and was familiar with every tree and blade of grass here.
There was an old lady feeding chickens in the yard. She was not old actually, about sixty years old, and in very good health.
The old lady was the principal's wife. She was very kind to her and never got tired of her coming to eat with her often.
Fang Xin was a little dazed. She hadn't seen the two elders for more than two years. Her eyes were slightly red and she called out, "Grandma."
"Xinxin"
The old man came forward, smiling gently, "Xinxin, why are you here? Didn't you go to school?"
"Not yet, come and see you guys."
"You kid, what's so good about us old bones? Academics are more important. You must study hard, understand?"
Grandma Li took Fang Xin's hand and walked into the house while nagging.
"I remember everything I know about my grandmother."
"Let's go inside and talk. You haven't eaten yet."
Fang Xin didn't pretend at all and nodded honestly, "Not yet."
"Then come in quickly. You look so thin. Eat more later."
"Yeah, okay."
Before she even entered the house, Grandma Li shouted at the top of her voice, "Old Li, Old Li, come out quickly and see who's here."
Immediately, a voice responded from inside the house, "Come on, who's that?"
Grandpa Li came out of the house and was a little surprised to see Fang Xin. "Xinxin, why are you here? Didn't you go to school? Is it because you don't have enough tuition?"
Fang Xin felt a lump in his throat from this series of questions.
"The tuition is enough, I just came to see you."
"Okay, okay, why don't you tell me why you are so dark and thin? Are you tired from work?" Grandpa Li said with some concern.
"It's okay. I guess it's because I've been running around in the sun recently. It's fine, don't worry."
"You have to take care of your health. Don't skip meals just to save money, okay?"
"Okay." Feeling the care of the two elders, Fang Xin felt warm in his heart.
Fang Xin also sat down to eat. It was a simple home-cooked meal, two vegetarian dishes and two meat dishes. Because Fang Xin came today, Grandma Li also made two meat dishes.
Grandma Li filled Fang Xin's bowl with rice and placed all the dishes in front of her.
Fang Xin's heart felt bloated and swollen, as if it was filled with something.
Time seemed to have gone back to elementary school, when Grandpa Li often took her home just so she could have a full meal.
The two elders were like a ray of light that penetrated into her heart and kept her from getting lost in the darkness.
The two old people have no children, and sometimes they think that it would be a very happy thing if they were reborn into their family.
Grandpa Li lives a very leisurely life now. He is retired and at home, and has nothing to worry about. He takes a walk and practices Tai Chi every day. He lives a very carefree life.
Grandma Li is not retired. She only works four days a week. She is an old Chinese medicine doctor in the town and her work is not too tiring.
"Xinxin, you came here for something today, right?" Grandpa Li asked straight to the point.
Fang Xin should be in school at this time. She must have something important to tell him that she has asked for leave to come to her place.
Fang Xin nodded, "Well, there is something I want to tell you."
Fang Xin didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "One of my classmates' parents works at the meteorological observatory. He told me that the temperature will drop significantly in the next few days."
"It's okay if the temperature drops sharply. The temperature hasn't dropped too cold in previous years." Grandpa Li said nonchalantly.
"Grandpa, this temperature drop is going to be very cold!"
'How cold is it'
“It’s about the same as the North Pole!”
"How is that possible! It's never been that cold here." The two elders looked shocked.
"Yes, it's true. They said it was an internal secret and asked me not to spread it to avoid causing panic."
"Could it be a joke between friends? Why do I feel so nervous when I hear it?" asked Grandma Li.
"Probably not. His tone was very serious and didn't sound like a joke."
The temperature in the Arctic is about 50 degrees below zero. If it is similar to the Arctic, it will freeze people to death. Grandma Li's heart sank, "Will it be that cold?"
Fang Xin nodded.
"Whether it's true or not, you should prepare some supplies. It's best to have nothing, but if you have some, you won't be at a loss." Grandpa Li reacted quickly and said solemnly.
"Yeah." Grandma Li was still a little bit incredulous and nodded blankly.
"It's better to be low-key when buying things." Fang Xin warned seriously.
The two elders were stunned for a moment, then they thought of something and nodded, "Yes, Xinxin is right."
"Buy more things that have a long shelf life, such as dried foods like kelp, bean curd sticks, and black fungus. Also, it's best to reinforce the doors of your house."
The two elders listened attentively.
The two elders believed what Fang Xin said very much. They had known Fang Xin very well over the years. He had come to tell them this specially, so they became solemn.
Fang Xin didn't plan to stay any longer, so he stood up and said, "Grandpa and grandma, I got some things for you."
Two large boxes of medicines, two large boxes of canned fruits, two large boxes of dried vegetables, two large boxes of milk powder, two large boxes of compressed biscuits, and two smokeless stoves.
The living room was filled with them.
When extreme cold comes, vegetables are hard to buy and are basically out of stock. Canned fruits and dried vegetables are for replenishing vitamins when there are no vegetables in the future. A bag of dried vegetables can be used to soak a lot of vegetables.
"These things can be stored for a long time. You should keep them in case you need them."
The two elders were very moved when they saw the supplies prepared for them in the living room. How much did it cost? This girl had no money to begin with, yet she still spent money to buy things for them.
"Xinxin, how much is it? Grandma will give you the money."
Fang Xin knew that her grandmother was afraid that she had no money, so she insisted on giving it to her, but Fang Xin would definitely not accept it.
These old couple helped her from time to time, and no one knew how much money they spent.
"Grandma, this is my way of showing my filial piety to you. It's only natural for me to buy things for you. Just keep it. I have money, so don't worry."
Fang Xin was afraid that grandma would be reluctant to spend money, so he reminded her again, "And grandma, don't be reluctant to spend money. You must buy more food and stock up on coal and other things."
Finally, Fang Xin forced the money back into Grandma Li's pocket and ran away.
Grandma Li scolded, "Child, do you have enough money?"
"I'm good enough, grandma, don't worry."
The old couple watched Fang Xin's car getting farther and farther away until it was out of sight.
Grandma Li grabbed Grandpa Li's hand and asked nervously.
"Lao Li, don't you think this is true?"
Grandpa Li looked up at the scorching sun and sighed, "The weather should be changing soon."
In fact, when a disaster strikes, life in the countryside is better than in the city. Most families in the countryside have farmland and some stored food, so the food is relatively better.
Fang Xin watched the figures of the two old men in the rearview mirror getting smaller and smaller until they were no longer visible.
She didn't know what the ending of their previous lives was, but she thought it wouldn't be good. The elderly would have no place to stand in the end times. They would be abandoned, sacrificed, and harmed.
But it doesn't matter, everything will be fine in this life.