Chapter 157 Badong Farm
Xu Hexiao did not approve of Lin Qi's actions and was even very angry. He waited until Feng Zhen and the other two left. He suppressed his anger and said, "I know you are doing this for my own good, but I also don't want you to be in danger. I am also worried about you, Qiqi."
Lin Qi smiled, "I'm just going to Badong Farm to take care of Lu Huazhang's sick grandfather. It's not like I'm going through fire and water. What are you afraid of?"
"But with what identity are you going?" Xu Hexiao's heart was still in pain.
"In addition to the people who were sent down to the farm, there are also staff members of the farm itself. I will go there in the capacity of visiting relatives, and I will just temporarily recognize them as relatives when the time comes." Lin Qi didn't think this was a problem.
Xu Hexiao pursed his lips and said nothing. He found that he could not argue with Lin Qi.
Lin Qi patted his shoulder and said, "In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with your family. The shop and the land have been handed over, and the only thing left is the savings accumulated over generations. I guess someone is jealous of your family and is trying to make things difficult for you."
This can be seen from the fact that the Xu family's old house was smashed and dug up three feet deep.
Xu Hexiao shook his head. "It's not that simple. My family supported the revolution and both sides. Before the civil war started, my family supported the other side."
"But you also said that it was before the civil war started." Lin Qi said.
"The situation is different now..." Xu Hexiao paused. He couldn't clearly explain what was going on now. There was a vigorous movement outside, but he had read a lot of books and listened to Lao Yi and others' lectures for a year, but he became more and more confused.
"Maybe it will work. Now that I have the opportunity, if I don't try it, I won't be able to sleep well at night." Lin Qi said.
"Then promise me not to be impulsive. If it doesn't work, you will return immediately." Xu Hexiao said.
"Okay, I promise."
Feng Zhen and his two companions came empty-handed but returned with a full load.
The three men were carrying large backpacks filled with food and some bacon.
"I said they were here to take advantage of us," Lowe said.
"If you say so, our entire team has also taken advantage of Lin Qi a lot." A Liang said.
Luo Wei glared at A Liang, "How can that be the same? Lin Qi is from our team."
A Liang: “…”
If it is called "begging for money" between relatives, why can't it be "begging for money" if it is just a brigade?
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, after dealing with the children who came to pay New Year's greetings, Lin Qi went to the captain's house carrying a jar of wine weighing ten kilograms. No one knew how Lin Qi talked to the captain about it, but in just ten minutes, she successfully got the letter of introduction.
Nowadays, if you want to go to a far place, you not only need a letter of introduction from the brigade, but also a seal from the commune. So after leaving the brigade leader's house, Lin Qi rode her bike to the commune.
This time, she brought a jar of honey produced by bees in the planting area.
Thanks to her current fame, even though the commune was on holiday, the officer on duty boldly stamped her passport because of Lin Qi's honey.
"You are just going to visit your relatives, not to break out of prison, right?" the officer asked nervously.
Having heard of Lin Qi's deeds and some legends, everyone in the commune considered Lin Qi to be powerful and courageous.
If they dare to beat someone in front of the commune office (guess), it seems possible that they can rob someone on the farm.
Lin Qi gave the other person a look that said 'you think I'm an idiot', "I was going to visit my relatives. How dare you cause trouble in a place like that? Am I tired of living like this?"
The clerk was relieved to see that Lin Qi knew the seriousness of the situation, and said, "That's good, that's good."
On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Xu Hexiao and Lin Qi each rode a bicycle to the town. A large sack full of things was tied to the back of each bicycle. In addition, Xu Hexiao also carried a canvas bag on his back, which was Lin Qi's bag.
"We'll be on the street just after turning the corner. Just drop us off there." Lin Qi said to Xu Hexiao.
Xu Hexiao still wanted to send him off, but with his current status, although there was no clear written regulation from above, the Revolutionary Committee had verbally requested them not to leave their brigade, so he could not go to the town.
The two men untied the sack on the back seat of the bicycle, and Xu Hexiao also had an extra carrying pole.
Lin Qi carried her bag, picked up two large sacks of stuff, and looked at Xu Hexiao, "You should go back quickly, or you won't run into anyone from the Revolutionary Committee."
After giving her instructions, she turned around and walked towards the town without any reluctance to leave.
"What a little rascal." Xu Hexiao murmured, but his heart felt very sour. Looking at the figure disappearing from his sight, he blinked his moist eyes.
After calming down, Xu Hexiao put the other bicycle on his shoulder, and rode one with one hand, heading towards the Anliang Brigade.
Lin Qi first took a bus to the county bus station, and then took a bus from the county bus station to Badong County. The two counties are less than 100 kilometers apart, and it only takes more than an hour to drive there.
After taking the bus and waiting for the bus, Lin Qi arrived at Badong County at 11 a.m. She bought a ticket to Badong Farm as soon as she got off the bus, and there was still an hour before the departure.
Lin Qi hadn't used the restroom since she left home in the morning. She glanced in the direction of the restroom, then walked to the staff carrying her things. Before she started talking, she stuffed two White Rabbit candies into the staff's hands, "A single spark can start a prairie fire. Hello, I want to go to the station. Can you help me look after my luggage?"
The staff member glanced at the candy in his hand and said, "Serving the people, I will help you look after your luggage, so you can go earlier and come back earlier."
After coming out of the toilet, Lin Qi went to get her luggage, found a place to sit down, then opened her backpack, took out her military canteen and drank a mouthful of water. The cold water entered her stomach, making Lin Qi shudder. After drinking the water, she took out two boiled eggs.
"Grandma, I want to eat eggs, too."
A little boy opposite pointed at Lin Qi's eggs.
"Grandma doesn't have any eggs now, let's go home and eat some." The old woman comforted the little boy.
The little boy ate his fingers, a little disappointed, "Okay then. Grandma said we can eat it when we get home, remember to cook it for Binbin when you get home, don't lie to Binbin."
"Of course. Today is New Year's Day, Binbin not only has eggs to eat, but also meat." The old man said with a smile.
"Wow—" Binbin exclaimed, swallowing his saliva, "Chinese New Year is so great, I wish it were Chinese New Year every day."
The old man touched the boy's head and smiled without saying anything.
An hour passed quickly, and Lin Qi got on the bus to Badong Farm. The old man and the boy happened to be on this bus.
What’s even more coincidental is that Lin Qi got off the bus at Badong Farm, and the old man and the boy also got off at Badong Farm.
"Hey, little girl, you are here at Badong Farm too?" the old man asked in surprise.
Lin Qi nodded, "Come to find someone."
"I was just wondering, if there is such a beautiful girl on our farm, I should have heard of her." The old man looked at Lin Qi and was not in a hurry to leave.
Lin Qi also put the pole upright and looked directly at the old man. Under the old man's wise gaze, Lin Qi said, "There is an elderly elder here. My family is worried about him, so they asked me to come and take a look."
The old man groaned, "An elder who is older? This elder is alone?"
Lin Qi nodded slowly, "Yes."
The old man's expression also became serious, and he had obviously guessed something. "Tell me who that person is first, and then I'll consider whether I can take you in to meet him."
By using the three words "can or can't", the old woman's meaning was clear enough. If it was someone she couldn't bring in, Lin Qi didn't have to go in.
Lin Qi reported a name and saw a flash of surprise in the old man's eyes. The old man nodded and said, "I can take you in to see this person. He hasn't been in a good condition recently. Also, to be safe, you'd better stay at my house temporarily and tell others that he is my relative."
"I can pay the rent and food." Lin Qi said with a tactful look.
"You are that person's junior, so how can I charge you rent? But food is hard to come by, so you still have to bring your own rations," said the old man.
Lin Qi agreed, "Okay."
Lin Qi walked into the farm with the old man and registered at the door. When registering, Lin Qi also needed to show her letter of introduction. Only then did Lin Qi know that the old man's surname was Li, and the old man also knew Lin Qi's name.
Lin Qi grabbed a handful of fruit candies from her backpack and placed them at the gate, saying obediently, "Grandpa, please have some candy."
Looking at the handful of about 20 to 30 fruit candies, the guard smiled and said, "Binbin's grandmother, your granddaughter is really generous."
Grandma Li smiled and said, "She gave it to you, you can take it. Next time she comes, if I'm not here, you have to give her some convenience."
"Of course." The guard smiled.
Binbin looked at the candies, then looked at his grandmother. His grandmother stroked his head and said, "Let's talk about it when we get home."
Binbin agreed obediently, "Okay."
But before he could get home, a few meters after he walked out of the guard room, Lin Qi handed him a White Rabbit candy and said, "Eat some candy."
"Oh, it's White Rabbit Milk Candy!" Binbin exclaimed softly, looked up at his grandmother and asked silently.
Grandma smiled and nodded, "Take it."
Binbin reached for the candy and said sweetly, "Thank you, sister."
All members of the Li family work on the farm, including Grandma Li, Grandpa Li, and Binbin's parents. Grandma Li and Grandpa Li also work in the fields on weekdays, Binbin's father does some clerical work, and Binbin's mother is the accountant of the farm. However, during the busy farming season, the two of them also have to work on the farm with the farm workers.
Lin Qi followed Grandma Li for a while and saw a row of bungalows.
"Our house has the three rooms on the far left. One is your uncle and aunt's room, one is mine and your grandpa Li's, and the other is the dining room. I'd like to ask you to stay in the dining room." Grandma Li said.
"It's not a grievance. It's good to have a place to stay." There was no reluctance in Lin Qi's eyes.
Grandma Li nodded secretly and became even more satisfied with Lin Qi.
Today is the second day of the Chinese New Year, and Li Bin’s father and mother are at home. They don’t have to go to work.
Li Bin looks no more than eight or nine years old, but his parents appear to be around forty years old.
"Your Uncle Li is 42 years old this year. He had a son, Binbin, when he was 33," Grandma Li explained to Lin Qi.
Lin Qi understood.
"Mom, whose little girl is this? Why haven't I seen her before?" Uncle Li looked at Lin Qi. The more he looked, the more he felt that the girl in front of him was extraordinary. She was wearing a thick military coat, and her figure could not be seen. Only her fair and beautiful little face was exposed. Her eyes were so clean that there was not a trace of impurities, as if she could see through the darkest corners of people's hearts.
"Oh, her name is Qiqi. She is the granddaughter of a distant relative of mine. She is here to visit relatives." Grandma Li said. She looked around the living room and ordered, "Everyone, move the things in the living room to my room. Qiqi will stay here for a few days. By the way, son and daughter-in-law, move the one-meter-wide bed in your room out and let Qiqi sleep for a few days."
Uncle Li and Aunt Li, who originally wanted to find out more information about Lin Qi, no longer had time to ask and became busy.
"Sit down and rest for a while." Grandma Li poured Lin Qi a glass of water.
Lin Qi took the water, drank it, and then began to take things out of her backpack. She first took out a bag of rice weighing about 20 kilograms, "This is my food for the next few days."
"Too much." Grandma Li said, frowning in confusion, "What's in here--"
"Rice. Not much. I have a big appetite." Lin Qi said, and took out a large oil paper package from the sack. "This is smoked pork."
"How many pounds does it weigh?" Grandma Li was a little speechless. Which big family did this girl come from? How could she be so loose? However, since this girl was the younger generation of that person, she must come from a good family.
"Ten pounds." Lin Qi replied and continued to take things out of the bag.
"That's enough. You're here to see someone. The gentleman's condition isn't very good. You should keep these things to nourish his body." Grandma Li said.
Lin Qi didn't listen and took out another bag of shelled chestnuts. "I brought a lot of things, so I don't need these."
"No matter how many things there are, they won't be enough for you to spend like this. Okay, just these three." Grandma Li said firmly.
Lin Qi temporarily settled down at Grandma Li's house. Grandma Li told Lin Qi about the situation of Mr. Lu.
Lin Qi frowned, "Cold, has it been going on for more than a month?"
Grandma Li nodded with a serious face. "The farm sent out several letters and reported the old man's condition to the higher-ups several times. The doctor came several times and prescribed medicine. He got a slight improvement after taking the medicine, but after taking the medicine, his condition did not improve. Later, the doctor stopped coming and the medicine was gone, so his condition dragged on. People in the same room moved out for fear of being infected by him. It's convenient for you to visit him now."
Lin Qi frowned. She had been ill on and off for more than a month. The situation was not optimistic.
"Have a meal here first, and prepare a portion for the old gentleman. I'll take you to see the old gentleman when it gets dark." said Grandma Li.
Lin Qi hummed, "I'll make some porridge for Grandpa Lu."
"Okay, I'll take you to the kitchen. You cook the porridge and I'll prepare dinner." said Grandma Li.
"Today is a festival, let's add this meat dish." Lin Qi took out a smoked rabbit from his head and said, "Please stir-fry some rabbit meat."
Grandma Li: “…” This child looks very well behaved, but deep down he doesn’t listen to any advice at all!
Uncle Li at the side chuckled, "Mom, didn't you see that Qiqi took out so many things, but the bag was only a little empty, which shows that Qiqi must have brought a lot of things. Just accept them. If you feel bad, make the dishes more substantial later."
Lin Qi nodded in agreement, "I did bring a lot of stuff. Two bags weighing four or five hundred kilograms."
"It's so heavy!" Uncle Li exclaimed. He didn't believe it and tried to lift the bag, but found that he couldn't lift it. He used both hands, but still couldn't lift it.
"It took me a lot of effort to stuff so many things in there." Lin Qi's tone contained a hint of pride.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
