I've been persisting!
Zhang Hongmei finally understood why Liu Jingze had been holding her and talking to her so persistently. She was quite touched.
"Sister Er Ya and Brother Zhu Zi haven't gone home for the holidays yet."
Liu Jingze did not answer Zhang Hongmei, but looked at her and smiled.
Seeing that the two of them had finally stopped chatting, the ticket seller walked over and asked, "Young man, are you still going hunting in the mountains this year?"
"Auntie, I really don't know. I probably won't go. The snow is too heavy this year. It's too dangerous to go up the mountain."
"Oh, is that so? If you know anyone who slaughters pigs, could you help Auntie buy some meat?"
"Auntie, if someone slaughters a pig, I'll ask them for you."
"Thank you in advance, Auntie. The supply shortage is really tough on the elderly and children."
“You city folks have supplies, but we country folks eat tree bark and grass roots.” Liu Jingze disliked the ticket seller’s tone, so his tone was not very friendly.
"Yes, it was difficult, but things are better now. There's no more drought, so we can harvest crops. With crops, we can have everything else."
"Yes, we've finally made it through. There are still six months left, the most difficult of which."
Zhang Hongmei thought to herself, "We've survived the hunger, and I hope it won't be like my previous life, where a disaster caused economic setbacks."
What was lost in those ten years is beyond description.
Liu Jingze looked at Zhang Hongmei, who seemed lost in thought. "Hongmei, what are you thinking about?"
Zhang Hongmei glanced at Liu Jingze with a puzzled look and shook her head.
Liu Jingze was startled. What was that look in Zhang Hongmei's eyes just now? Pain? Helplessness? Confusion? And most importantly, she looked at him as if he were a complete stranger.
But I can't ask anymore. Has something happened that I don't know about? But why are you looking at me with unfamiliar eyes?
"Hey kid, aren't you a sophomore in high school? Aren't you supposed to fill out your college applications based on your grades?"
"Oh, I filled out the college application yesterday. Auntie, is your child a junior in high school this year?"
"Yes, they're still having extra classes. They're going to be in their second year of high school soon, and I'm really worried. Last year, some students from our city and high school got into universities in the capital. I wonder if they'll get in this year? I'd be content if my child could get into a university in the province."
"Hehe." Zhang Hongmei just laughed, glanced at Liu Jingze and winked at him.
Liu Jingze smiled, thinking to himself, "It'll happen again this year, right in front of you, you just don't know it."
The road from the county to the township is even more difficult to travel because fewer people use it and the road is particularly slippery, so the driver drives even slower.
"Auntie, there are so few people taking the bus now. Do you still have to run the bus every day?"
"The bus will definitely depart, even if there are no passengers. Usually, the first bus departing from the city doesn't have many passengers. There will be more passengers returning from the city in the afternoon."
Are you staying in the countryside tonight?
"Yes, the bus will depart from your township tomorrow."
"You guys have it pretty tough too."
You'll get used to it.
Suddenly the driver slammed on the brakes, and the car swayed wildly from side to side as the driver frantically steered back and forth.
Zhang Hongmei let out a short scream in fright and quickly covered her mouth.
Seeing Zhang Hongmei's face turn pale, Liu Jingze pulled her into his arms and pressed her head against his chest.
"Hongmei, don't be afraid, I'm here." After saying that, Liu Jingze bent down and lay on top of Zhang Hongmei, protecting her in an absolutely protective posture.
"Hongmei, I'm here for you. Don't be afraid, I'm with you."
Zhang Hongmei's mind is now filled with images of the car accident she had in her past life. Her hands and feet are ice-cold, and she can't hear any sounds from the outside world.
This only lasted for a moment; the car gradually stopped shaking and started moving smoothly.
The driver and ticket seller were used to it, and Liu Jingze straightened up, but Zhang Hongmei in his arms was still trembling slightly.
"Hongmei, Hongmei? What's wrong?" Liu Jingze nudged Zhang Hongmei, who was nestled in his arms, and was startled when she didn't respond.
He picked Zhang Hongmei up and made her sit sideways in his lap. Only then did he see her pale face, her tightly closed eyes, and her pale lips pressed together.
Liu Jingze grabbed her hands; they were icy cold, her palms were sweaty. He lowered his head and pressed his face against Zhang Hongmei's forehead, which was also icy cold.
"Hongmei, don't be afraid, it's alright, it's really alright, the car is stable now. Shall we get out and walk back?"
Liu Jingze grabbed Zhang Hongmei's hand and pressed it against his face, hoping to warm it up for her.
Zhang Hongmei slowly recovered, blinked, and smiled at the anxious Liu Jingze. She gently struggled and slowly moved off Liu Jingze's lap.
Sitting in his seat, he rubbed his face and said, "Brother Jingze, I'm fine, don't worry."
Liu Jingze knew that Zhang Hongmei was really scared, so he put his arm around her shoulder and said, "It's okay. Look, the driver isn't panicked at all. It's okay. We'll get off soon."
"I know, don't worry. I'll close my eyes and rest for a while."
Zhang Hongmei leaned back in her chair, feeling particularly uncomfortable because of Liu Jingze's arm. She moved around a bit, and only felt better after Liu Jingze pulled his arm away.
Zhang Hongmei had not yet fully recovered from the fear she had just experienced. In her past life, she had been in a bus accident, and the scene she had just witnessed was so similar that she was now possessed.
Now that I've calmed down, I'm still scared, and I feel like all the muscles in my body are trembling uncontrollably.
It was terrifying; it was like a reenactment of the car accident.
Liu Jingze also felt guilty, not knowing that Zhang Hongmei was so afraid of riding in a car. Seeing the little girl's pitiful appearance, he felt genuinely sorry for her.
Another half hour passed, and Liu Jingze still didn't dare to disturb Zhang Hongmei, letting her sit quietly by herself.
When they arrived at the entrance of the village primary school, Liu Jingze gently nudged Zhang Hongmei and said, "Hongmei, we've arrived. Let's get out of the car."
"Oh, okay. Zhang Hongmei tried to stand up, and it took her two attempts to get her steady."
Liu Jingze frowned. What on earth was going on?
He grabbed Zhang Hongmei, ignoring her slight struggles, and helped her out of the car first. Only then, with the driver's help, did they unload all their belongings from the vehicle.
The ticket seller was supporting Zhang Hongmei from below, saying, "Girl, it's okay, don't be afraid. This happens whenever it snows. The driver is very skilled."
Zhang Hongmei smiled weakly, "It's alright, thank you, Auntie."
"Ticket seller, please help me hold her while I go and push the bicycle into the school."
After Liu Jingze finished speaking, he pushed his bicycle to the school gate. The gatekeeper opened the gate, saw Zhang Hongmei in the distance, and immediately took the handlebars from Liu Jingze and helped push the bicycle into the school.
Liu Jingze rushed back. He half-squatted in front of Zhang Hongmei, grabbed her arm, wrapped it around his neck, and hoisted her onto his back.
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