Almost half of the children in the village got Tao Xiaoxi's crispy meat and went home. They stopped making noise and the whole village returned to peace. It was as vast and solemn as the wheat fields in winter, as still and silent as the rivers in winter, and even more like the winter sky, deep and distant.
Tao Xiaoxi's family had crispy pork and fried tofu that evening. Beibei said this was the real New Year's Eve. Tao Xiaoxi didn't argue. Beibei was right. Tomorrow's New Year's Eve at their house would be just like that.
The next day, Tao Xiaoxi woke up late, thinking she had nothing to do that day, so she just made some food. She'd already eaten everything she had, and it wasn't anything new. At most, she'd steam four more steamed buns. This was considered top-notch in Mantou Village, white flour buns and white rice, the ultimate in hospitality.
Originally, Tao Xiaoxi's condition did not allow her to do this, but she missed the satisfaction that carbohydrates brought her madly. Thinking that she could not let this regret last until next year, she hardened her heart and bought some fine grains.
She was still braiding her hair when Beibei came running over and said there was something at the door.
Tao Xiaoxi went out and saw another pile of firewood, exactly the same as the last time.
"Why does Liang Hengsheng always do things like this?" Tao Xiaoxi was a little angry. She was a little touched when he did this the first time, but when he treated her well again and again without her consent, she just felt embarrassed and annoyed.
This time, Tao Xiaoxi didn't care about his face and went straight to his house to tell him not to send her firewood anymore.
Liang Hengsheng was lighting a fire to prepare the New Year's Eve dinner. After hearing what Tao Xiaoxi said, he was confused and said, "Never before."
"Not you?" Tao Xiaoxi was a little surprised.
"No, I would like to help you, but I can't take care of myself." Liang Hengsheng said embarrassedly.
"Don't lie to me. If it's you, just admit it so I don't have to guess." Tao Xiaoxi said.
"It's really not me. You see, I don't have much firewood at home. I can't afford to help you." Liang Hengsheng said honestly.
Tao Xiaoxi glanced at the ground and knew it was not him, because the firewood of the two families looked different.
"Then I made a mistake. Look what happened. I'm sorry." Tao Xiaoxi apologized quickly.
Liang Hengsheng suddenly remembered something, "So the money hanging on my door last time was yours—"
Tao Xiaoxi nodded.
"Just wait and I'll pay you back." Liang Hengsheng went in to get the money.
Tao Xiaoxi, stunned, couldn't help but wonder, who else could it be but Liang Hengsheng? Throughout Mantou Village, everyone either looked down on her or feared her, afraid she'd reveal their secrets. Who could possibly have such a close relationship with her and secretly help her?
Tao Xiaoxi couldn't figure it out. She racked her brains on the way home, but couldn't figure it out. Even after the New Year, she still couldn't figure it out.
The Mantou Village was the most idle during the first month of the lunar year. Even the women would get together in groups of three or two to play Landlord. On this day, the eldest sister-in-law came to Tao Xiaoxi to play cards. Tao Xiaoxi was a little flattered. She let the eldest sister-in-law into the house and gave her a handful of peanuts to eat.
"I'm not good at playing cards, Sister Lan, how are the clothes going?" Tao Xiaoxi asked tactfully, thinking in her heart, can't she make the clothes if she has time to play cards?
But you can't say this so openly, it will easily make people hate you.
"Don't worry, all that's missing is the sleeves." Zhou Lan obviously didn't understand Tao Xiaoxi's meaning.
"Thank you for the trouble. If you see how well I can do it myself, I won't bother you."
"Stop talking like that. I came here for another thing. I'm almost out of my medicine..."
"Wait, I'll get it for you." Tao Xiaoxi got up and went to get the medicine.
Zhou Lan followed him to the woodshed where the medicine was stored.
"Oh, the firewood in your house is also chopped into such short pieces. I didn't expect you to have such patience." Zhou Lan suddenly shouted.
Tao Xiaoxi's heart skipped a beat. "Sister-in-law, is your firewood like this too?"
"Of course not. They are exactly the same. Nanshan packed them."
The mystery is finally solved!
Tao Xiaoxi didn't show it on her face, but she was secretly happy in her heart because the peach blossoms were already blooming.
"Li Nanshan hasn't returned to the mine yet?" Tao Xiaoxi asked casually.
"Not yet. After the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, I think that's what they said. Why do you need to see him?"
"It's not a big deal. It's just that there are only women in your family now. I know you have a female dog. Last time I asked him if he could give me one when the dog gives birth." Tao Xiaoxi made up the story.
"Well, I can do this for you. Why do you need Nanshan?"
"Really? You've really helped me a lot." Tao Xiaoxi thanked him, handed over the medicine, and gave him some more instructions.
The sister-in-law will give money.
Tao Xiaoxi refused to accept it, saying that she would collect the money after she got pregnant.
Zhou Lan felt very embarrassed and went back after thanking him profusely.
Tao Xiaoxi was completely uneasy after Zhou Lan left. Now she was almost certain that it was Li Nanshan who sent her the firewood. What did this mean, what did it indicate? Anyone with a discerning eye could see it. It seemed that she wasn't just being affectionate; perhaps it was a two-way relationship.
Thinking of this, Tao Xiaoxi wanted to catch Li Nanshan on the spot, tie him up and ask him clearly, but she forced herself to calm down a little. People in this era are conservative, so she had to be reserved as well.
Yes, be reserved.
So she stopped Li Nanshan on the road and asked, "Did you deliver the firewood in front of my house?"
Perhaps Tao Xiaoxi had a misunderstanding about Jin.
Li Nanshan hesitated, and it was obvious that his mind was racing as he thought about how to explain.
"Don't think about it, just tell me the truth, it's you, right?" Tao Xiaoxi asked again.
"I...well, it's me." Li Nanshan gave up struggling.
Tao Xiaoxi smiled like a flower, "Why?"
"I collected too much firewood and had no place to put it, so—"
"Just leave it at our house?" Tao Xiaoxi finished for him.
"That's it!" Li Nanshan did not deny it.
Tao Xiaoxi burst out laughing, "You really aren't suited to lying."
"I didn't lie." Li Nanshan said in a low voice, not daring to look at Tao Xiaoxi.
"Okay, I won't force you today. We have a long way to go. But as a courtesy, you should accept this."
Before Li Nanshan could refuse, Tao Xiaoxi stuffed five yuan into his hand and said, "Buy candy or meat, it's up to you."
Li Nanshan blushed at this, "I'm not a child, why should I eat candy?!"
"Then buy cigarettes and alcohol. I don't mind."
Li Nanshan: "..."
Li Nanshan almost fled in panic. He was sure that this was not the original Tao Xiaoxi. But if it was the original one, would he be unable to control himself?
Tao Xiaoxi was very satisfied with Li Nanshan's reaction today. It wasn't the boat or the sail that moved, it was his heart that moved!
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