"I understand, I’ll listen to you. Xinyu, why do I feel like you’re my older sister?"
"Haha, you’ll feel this way when you stand on your own feet."
Wang Ailing also thought of this, chuckling to move past the topic.
The washed cloth was hung outside, and in less than five minutes, it was all frozen.
"Stay for lunch, we’ll make cornbread with yam and so red and salted vegetables."
"No, you should keep it for yourself. You need to nourish that small fra of yours well.
I have dried radish at ho. My mom asked to bring so for you, but I forgot, let go and get it."
"No need, I have radishes at ho. I can shred them myself."
"Take it when I give it to you."
"Sis, really, no need. Food is so precious right now. You have a large family, while it’s just at ho, definitely enough to eat, I can eat until I’m full."
Wang Ailing sighed after hearing Jiang Xinyu’s words. "Yes, sotis this food is life-saving. Last ti, my brother sent yam to my grandma’s house; their family of ten only ate two roots a day. My grandma and grandpa were just having soup, I felt bad just watching."
"Did Brother Xiaolong and the others find anything in the mountains?"
"They did, they found yam, but not much. My grandma’s family brought back about a dozen bundles overnight, and that’s quite good already. My brother said my cousin and cousin-in-law collected yam beans."
"As long as it’s edible, that’s fine."
"That’s what my dad says too. Right now, my two uncles go to the mountains every day, but everything is frozen now, and even if there are wild vegetables, they’re damaged by the frost.
Who knows when these days will co to an end?"
"Everyone’s hoping for it; it’s nice we have mountains here."
The topic was too heavy, and both felt a bit low. However, when Wang Ailing was about to leave, Jiang Xinyu reminded her not to send radish strips, "Even if you send them, I won’t take them."
Upon returning ho, Wang Ailing told her mom about it.
"That’s a good kid. Fine, if she doesn’t take it, just send it to your grandma’s house."
"Mom, once Xinyu goes to work and lives by herself, she’ll definitely lack firewood. Why don’t we give her so of ours?" Wang Ailing knew this was a way to repay Jiang Xinyu’s kindness.
"Hmm, after you’re gone, the three of us will head to the mountain more often, chop more wood, and send it over when Xinyu leaves.
Lingzi, you’ll leave ho tomorrow, take care of yourself. And don’t get too involved with ngjie, that girl is too crafty. I’m not saying you’re dumb, but you definitely aren’t as quick-witted as her."
"Mom, I’m not stupid, I know this. I hate ngjie the most; how could I associate with her?"
"Just make sure everything’s fine on the surface, don’t get caught up. Also, if she asks for anything, you should refuse."
"Why would she ask anything from ? She’s a regular worker, I’m temporary, it’s different."
"Just rember what I said."
"I know, I’ll just be close with Xinyu."
"Xinyu is quite crafty too, but she’s nice to you." Sun Eri didn’t know how to describe Jiang Xinyu; she too has many thoughts, yet through her actions, one could tell she’s principled.
At night, Wang Ailing ca over specifically, "Xinyu, we’re leaving at 5 AM tomorrow, so I won’t co over."
"Alright, I won’t get up to see you off, it’s too early."
"No need to see us off."
"Who’s driving you tomorrow?"
"My dad, along with Kong Zhongyou and the others. The village chief said he’s going to a eting."
"Sis, it’s very early and definitely cold tomorrow. If it gets too bad, just hurry up and run."
"Hmm, I already told my dad the sa thing, the ox cart is too slow, walking is faster. If it weren’t for ngjie coming, riding a donkey cart would’ve been better."
On Monday, when Jiang Xinyu woke up at 7:30, those who were supposed to leave had already gone, and the protagonist was on a different path than the one in the book.
Though she was also going to a textile factory, it was earlier, and she hadn’t gone crazy. Wang Ailing would work alongside the protagonist; who knows what the storyline was for?
No need to think, just take one step at a ti. She was confident she wouldn’t live like the book’s Jiang Xinyu.
She didn’t step out; unaware that the village had sent off two workers, which had been particularly sensational for a while.
Three days later, Jiang Xinyu wore a cotton coat and hat and headed for the mountains. She still thought about a few dead trees in the woods where the long yam grew; probably no one in the village wanted to bother bringing them back, but she could.
Seems like snow is coming. It’s gloomy; once it snows, going to the mountain is impossible. She walked over an hour on the mountain road without seeing a soul.
Indeed, there’s nothing left to find in the mountains now. In two days, it’ll be the twelfth lunar month; rural people have already prepared for winter with firewood, and the food is dried up, blown away by the wind.
After another hour, she reached a small valley, probably thanks to the valley, the wind wasn’t strong, felt warr than on the mountain path.
She went straight to the woods, looking at the few big trees, Jiang Xinyu couldn’t break the dead trees into sections and store them. She planned to ask for help from the neighbor once at ho.
She collected five trees, ready to leave, feeling a bit eerie.
Near the foot of the mountain, she heard n’s voices.
Jiang Xinyu, initially unconcerned, heard Wang Jianqiang’s na and instinctively hid in the nearby woods.
She was wearing her dad’s old coat. It was gray, blending unnoticed as she entered the woods, slowly seeing the two n talking.
"Kong Zhongyou absolutely wouldn’t agree to give Wang Jianqiang the key to the warehouse."
"Find a way to make him agree, that way when we steal food, it won’t affect us, we’ll just let Wang Jianqiang take the bla."
"That’s not feasible."
Listening to the conversation, Jiang Xinyu kept recalling who these two were.
"Shall we starve?"
"If not, we’d have to take out the grain stored during the autumn harvest to eat."
"Those can’t be used unless absolutely necessary."
"What should we do? I haven’t eaten all day yesterday, those two girls don’t care, but I only have one son."
"Try using the grain in the warehouse first; if Kong Zhongyou won’t give the key, agree to marry off Lihong."
"Why don’t you let Chunxiang marry?"
"Chunxiang looks better than Lihong; I’ll keep her because she has potential. Let tell you, we can’t touch the grain in the cave."
"I can’t starve, can I?"
"Let’s go to my place; I’ll give you so pumpkin slices, survive for two days, tomorrow we’ll go find Kong Zhongyou."
After chatting, one took a bundle of branches and went down the mountain.
Jiang Xinyu didn’t erge; instead, sat leaning against the tree.
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