However, it seems the Niu family was being too naive; the neighborhood committee and the educated youth office were not easily fooled.
Niu Lili couldn't produce any evidence that she was sick, and the neighborhood committee had already come to her door several times to urge her to leave. If she didn't leave soon, it would be like deserting.
Not only her, but also Grandpa Niu's whole family will be punished.
So in the end, the Niu family had no choice but to send Niu Lili away, who was crying her eyes out.
...
After Niu Lili left, Aunt Lü would cry in the yard all the time, always saying that her daughter had a hard life.
At first, everyone felt sorry for her and was willing to offer some advice, but later they found that she was getting worse and worse, crying more and more the more they tried to persuade her, making people who didn't know the situation think that Niu Lili was having a really bad time.
But Niu Lili wasn't the only one sent to the countryside during that era; most families had children sent there.
No one else cried as badly as her. Besides, they had all seen what Niu Lili looked like when she came back, and she seemed to be doing quite well, so gradually everyone stopped caring.
As a result, within two days, police officers came to their door.
I told them some news.
Niu Lili is dead.
...
"What?"
Su He had just returned from school when she heard the news. Tomorrow was the weekend, and she had originally planned to take Grandma Su to the department store.
I never expected to hear this as soon as I got home.
Grandma Su was still a little dazed.
He said in a daze, "The police came over in the afternoon and said that they had asked the Niu family to come and identify the person."
Su He frowned upon hearing this. "Are you sure it's her? How did she die?"
"I don't know, I just heard that it happened at the train station. Several days have passed, but fortunately it's cold now, so we can still see the person's face clearly. Plus, there's a letter of introduction, so it should be pretty close to the truth."
Su He took a deep breath after hearing this, clearly still somewhat incredulous.
I saw him just a while ago, how could he just disappear like that?
Su He really wanted to ask her how she died, but she figured that Old Madam Su probably wouldn't know.
So I can only wait for news at home.
Actually, it wasn't just her; everyone else in the courtyard was quite surprised when they heard it.
Even though Niu Lili had caused quite a few bad things in the past, she was still a child they had watched grow up. Now that she's gone, everyone feels quite sad.
So that night, none of the people in the courtyard went to bed early. They waited in the courtyard for the Niu family to return, and also helped take care of the Niu family's children who had no one to look after them.
Grandpa Niu and his family didn't return until after 9 p.m.
Everyone rushed forward to check on him, only to find that Grandpa Niu was hunched over, looking completely listless, and Grandma Lü was sobbing uncontrollably.
If it weren't for her two daughters-in-law supporting her, she would have fainted.
Others who saw this also felt quite uncomfortable.
Although Grandpa Ma and Grandpa Niu didn't get along, Grandpa Ma took the initiative to step forward and ask, "What's going on with Grandpa Niu? How did our niece die? How should we handle the funeral arrangements? There are so many people in our courtyard, so don't hesitate to help us if we need anything. We'll definitely lend a hand if we can."
Everyone else agreed.
"Yes, a close neighbor is worse than a distant relative. Just ask if you need anything."
"That's right, Lili is someone we watched grow up, and now she's gone just like that. Sigh, you guys should try to accept it."
"Yes, no matter what, we're all from the same compound, we have to make sure the child has a safe journey..."
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