Sotis ignoring is the most hurtful action.
The two returned to the Gu Family ho, saw the open door, and walked into the small courtyard.
In the courtyard, cousin Gu Jiajie was sitting on grandfather’s recliner, and Gu Minmin was squatting in front of a boy even smaller and frailer than herself, saying sothing unknown.
A woman’s voice ca from inside the house, crying and pleading, unfamiliar yet sowhat familiar.
"Dad, we really can’t go on anymore. The child’s dad and I used to at least have enough to eat when we worked at the factory, but now there’s not even work, and the porridge is so thin we can see our reflections in it. Xia Jinlei has beco so thin these days that it’s hard to recognize him, and with prices so high this year, we can’t afford anything..."
Listening to the voice crying inside, Gu Jin paused, and the little kid behind her also stopped in their tracks.
"Little Jin!"
Gu Jiajie, with sharp eyes, was the first to spot her.
He quickly stood up from the recliner and ran straight towards Gu Jin and An Mingji.
Looking at the approaching cousin, Gu Jin smiled at him and nodded in the direction where Gu Minmin was, asking, "Who is this little boy? He looks sowhat familiar."
Gu Jiajie followed her gaze, sighed softly, "This is Aunt’s child, Xia Jinlei, our cousin. This little guy rarely cos back."
Aunt Gu Qiuzhen is the youngest daughter of Old Master Gu; she married Xia Hongguo from the county, and the couple both worked at the toy factory, busy on most days and only returning during festive periods.
Even when they did co back, they couldn’t stay long before leaving in a hurry.
Gu Jin had rarely seen this aunt, but deep down she knew she was a cheerful woman.
Gu Minmin, not knowing when, brought Xia Jinlei to stand by Gu Jin’s side.
The little boy looked about the sa age as An Mingji, but obviously more frail, clearly malnourished.
Seeing his bright black eyes, Gu Jin took out a bottle of calcium milk from her suitcase and stuffed a whole pack of biscuits into his arms.
"Eat up."
From what she’d overheard earlier and the current situation, Gu Jin understood that her aunt’s family was struggling.
Prices were still uncontrolled at the mont, and it was a ti of famine and disaster, with all foodstuffs sold at exorbitant prices.
Looking down at the calcium milk and biscuits stuffed into his arms, Xia Jinlei swallowed his saliva but didn’t move a muscle.
He looked up at Gu Jin and called out crisply, "Cousin Jin."
"What a good boy."
Gu Jin smiled and patted his head.
This scene was very striking to An Mingji.
He looked at Xia Jinlei with eyes full of caution and rejection.
Gu Jin quickly withdrew her hand and said to Gu Jiajie while holding the suitcase, "I’ll put the things in the house first and then go see Grandpa."
"Should I tell them first?"
"Sure."
Gu Jin and An Mingji returned to the east wing, opened the suitcase, and took out two packs of Panda brand cigarettes, several bottles of alcohol, candies and biscuits, White Rabbit candies, the fabric they bought, two cans of malted milk, etc.
These were bought for the family.
Gu Jin put all the unbreakables into a bag and handed it to An Mingji: "You take these to the front hall first, I’ll be there shortly."
An Mingji nodded, turned around with the things, and left.
After he left the room, Gu Jin took out so of the white flour, rice, and fruits and vegetables remaining in the space, piling them up on the floor of the room.
Before leaving, she made sure the family had enough food supplies but forgot about her aunt’s family in the county.
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