The next second, a soft little body appeared on her, smelling of milk, hugging Jian Dan's neck. The blanket wrapped around her body was pulled up to her calves. She kept kicking, but she couldn't shake it off.
For a moment, stunned by the scene, Jian Dan couldn't help but straighten her face again. She reached out and hugged the child, and with her other hand, she pulled the blanket over both of them.
The little girl hugged her neck,
"My sister is holding me, so we don't need that blanket. Let them use it."
Simple was somewhat surprised, and the old man also turned around in astonishment.
"This child is quick-witted."
Jian Dan couldn't hide the smile on her face anymore. She had been a little embarrassed just now, afraid that the child was being too kind.
The result was quite unexpected for her.
"No problem, you came up with the solution, so we'll do as you say."
The little girl grinned, showing off her white teeth with a sense of accomplishment.
"Alright, stop moving, I'll cover it up."
Looking at the two children who were still completely unconscious, the old man wanted to sigh again. The cart floor had large gaps, and even though the blankets were on top, cold air was still blowing up from below.
He's wearing so many layers; it must be cold right up to his bones.
I don't know which family is so wicked as to drive their child to this point.
After kissing her enough, the little girl sat quietly in Jian Dan's lap, her little head turning around, her big eyes sparkling, everything looking new and exciting.
"Third Master, where are you planning to deal with these two?"
This time, the old man really sighed.
"They're still not awake, and we don't know where they went. Let's take them back first; after all, they're two lives at stake!"
When I get back, I'll talk to Weimin and ask him to ask around the surrounding villages if any children have gone missing.
"A child this age, I wonder if they can even speak properly, or know where their home is."
I admire the simplicity and honesty of people in this era, even though I don't agree with it, I respect it.
"About that? That big one, isn't it about the size of a tiger? How could someone that big not know anything?"
The old man looked back again.
"More or less? Sigh!"
Soon, after passing the commune, the oxcart embarked on the dirt road leading to Liujiatun.
The oxcart traveled a little faster than usual today, and it didn't waste any time in the county town or wait for anyone. It was almost as soon as it finished its business and headed back. When it entered the village, it was still light out.
As soon as we entered the village and parked the car in front of Jian Dan's house, we saw a group of children running towards us from the direction of the village. The one leading them was none other than Tiger, whom we had just mentioned.
Old Master Liu muttered to himself,
"Where is this mischievous boy going?"
The corners of his mouth were already turned up.
"Grandpa, Sister Jian, you're back!"
As soon as Jian Dan opened the door, Hu Zi was already there, playing with Ji Xiang and the others who had just come out for a stroll.
The little girl watched with envy, staring longingly at Jian Dan as soon as she got off the bus, as if Jian Dan were a bad person. Jian Dan touched her palms and forehead; they were still warm, and her back wasn't sweaty. Jian Dan didn't stop her.
"Go on, go on, just run for a bit and come right back. It'll get cold soon if the wind picks up."
Several children answered in unison, and with the help of several dogs, the scene immediately became lively.
After taking down the large package and basket, and seeing the two unconscious children, I quickly went back into the house to get a piece of ginger, a packet of brown sugar, and a pound of lard. I brought them all out, since I couldn't just use the vehicle for free. It's so cold, and everyone has a hard time.
"Third Master, take this. If the child needs anything, just have Tiger come to me, like you said. After all, it involves two lives."
The old man nodded repeatedly, knowing that although the child appeared cold, he had a soft heart.
"Okay, okay, I understand. You should go back now."
"I've taken the things."
The two families are close, and it's common for them to exchange gifts, usually food or household items.
Moreover, Jian Dan wouldn't give her anything expensive or that would make them uncomfortable; he was used to it and didn't stand on ceremony with her.
When Tiger came home after running around outside, he found, "Huh?"
Why are there two kids in the house?
Having been away from home all day, the warmth from the fire in the morning had long since dissipated. As soon as I entered the house, I shivered and quickly put down my things to light a fire.
Firewood and other necessities were prepared in advance in the kitchen.
Otherwise, on such a cold day, the firewood that has just been brought into the house will be covered with a layer of frost, especially in the early morning, when it is daytime and the cold air permeates from the inside out.
If you put it directly into the stove after bringing it back, it won't light; it will just smoke. You need to let it cool down in the house and let the cold air dissipate first.
It was too cold inside, so they quickly and simply broke off a few corn stalks and stuffed them inside. They placed two small pieces of cloth on top, lit a corn husk, and stuffed it directly under the corn stalks. The husks were all flammable, so the fire quickly started.
The stove on the west side is even easier to set up. Just put the firewood in, pull out a burning firewood from the east side, put it in, and it's done.
Both pots were filled with boiling water, but the water hadn't boiled yet. The room was already warm, since it had only been empty for a day, so it wasn't damp or frozen solid.
I filled the thermos with boiling water, diluted it with water, and gave it a quick rinse. Only then did I feel like I was alive again.
After being frozen all day, she didn't want to bother with anything else, so she simply pulled out a bowl of hand-pulled noodles and some braised beef. Just as the two bowls of beef noodles were ready, the child ran back.
In the kitchen, you could hear her cheerful voice everywhere.
"Brother Tiger, I'm home now. You can go back now and play again tomorrow."
Tiger is quite the older brother.
"Go inside quickly, I'll close the door and leave. Jixiang and Ruyi, go inside and go home."
About half a minute later, the door slammed shut, followed by Tiger's shouts.
"Xin Xin, go inside quickly, and remember to ask Sister Jian to come out and lock the door."
"Okay, I know."
Then the little girl came in excitedly.
"Sister, lock the door."
Xiao Jianxin had instant noodles for breakfast, which she thought was the best thing ever. Then, she had even better beef noodles for dinner. The little girl was so happy, her cheeks puffed up as she ate.
"What is this? It's so delicious! It's the best!"
A simple, light laugh.
"You said this morning that instant noodles were the best, yesterday you said the oily noodles were the best, and today it's beef noodles?"
Speaking of fried dough sticks, the little girl remembered those crispy treats, and lately her movements have slowed down.
"But it's all so delicious! This noodle soup is enough to fill you up, and it's so oily, slurp!"
I couldn't resist, and I'm craving it again!
"That oily stuff won't fill you up, but it's so fragrant and delicious!"
"You really like eating this much?" Jian Dan found it funny. Why crave this of all things?
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