"Illegitimate child?" Zhou Guizhi laughed when she heard the rumor, "How old is Huanhuan, and how old is that child?"
Jiang Xingi bit into the mixed flour bun, which had too much cornal, making her throat stretch long before swallowing, "The child my brother brought back is about four or five years old. I don’t know who’s gossiping. If I find out, I’ll tear her mouth apart."
"Oh, alright, alright, say less of these things. You’re grown up now, soon to be soone else’s wife, still you can’t control your mouth." Zhou Guizhi glared at her.
Jiang Xingi had just taken a sip of wild vegetable soup and nearly choked herself. She wanted to ntion that Zhao Jianjun was still waiting to call off the engagent, but the news hadn’t co through yet, so she could only pretend not to know.
With harvest season approaching, even the greatest matters must take a backseat, as this concerns the year’s food supply and survival.
Jiang Xingbing went to the city for work, and Tian Jinhua reveled in it for a few days, later realizing it’s good for the Jiang Family but not necessarily for her personally.
She only had two daughters, and although Jiang Xingbing never said anything, anyone could guess that he wanted a son.
Now Jiang Xingbing only cos ho once a week, and they do "that thing" even less than before.
Moreover, living in the city, over ti, he might develop other intentions.
If he were to divorce her, what would she do then?
The night news of He Yuzhen being sold reached them, Tian Jinhua dreamt the entire night that Jiang Xingbing said she couldn’t give birth to a son anyway, so she might as well be sold for thirty bucks.
She woke up frightened and couldn’t fall back asleep.
Now, she speaks less at ho, not responding unless soone directly addresses her.
She works quietly all day, so silent as if she doesn’t exist in the household.
Zhou Guizhi noticed her silence and frowned.
Jiang Xingye ca over with Qin Baifan, and Zhou Guizhi hurried to greet them at the door, "You’re back, where’s Huanhuan? I was just saying to your uncle that we should go see you. izi, go tell grandma and grandpa that Little Five is back."
"No need, Auntie, I’ll go see grandma and grandpa myself." He introduced Qin Baifan to the family, "He’s from the Qin Family in Yan City, saved by Huanhuan on the train. His family can’t fetch him right now, so we’re keeping him for now. Big Egg and Little Egg, play with him."
Big Egg and Little Egg sized up Qin Baifan, tentatively reached out their hand, "Co, let’s take you to catch cicadas."
Qin Baifan, feeling shy, leaned against Jiang Xingye’s leg, holding onto his leg without moving but staring at Big Egg and Little Egg.
Jiang Xingye tousled his head, "Go ahead, don’t be afraid!"
Zhou Guizhi looked at the child’s ragged haircut, cursed the human traffickers, "Such a sin, whose child isn’t precious? If they aren’t found, how can the parents live?"
Jiang Baohua asked, "Where did you find Xu the educated youth?"
After reaching Yan City, Jiang Xingye called the commune to let the Jiang Family know. The production team didn’t have a phone and communication was inconvenient, so Jiang Baohua only knew he found Xu Qinghuan, without knowing the situation there, staying concerned.
"Found her at the airport," Jiang Xingye replied, "She didn’t say she wouldn’t co back. The Huo Family in Yan City brought her over for surgery on Huo Zui. She’s planning to co back after the operation, so I went with her to Yan City."
"So you went to Yan City with her and stayed there for these days before returning?" Jiang Baohua thought, Xu the educated youth is indeed a loyal person.
"Yes, after the surgery, we had to observe for a few days and handle so matters, that’s why it took so long." Jiang Xingye said, "I’ll speed up the production of the threshing machine."
Producing parts also takes ti, he’ll start getting busy tomorrow.
"You certainly need to observe for a few days. This year the production team has a harvester, so it’s not as busy. Once the threshing machine is done, it will be quick." Jiang Baohua said, "The power bureau helped get electricity connected a few days ago. I’ve installed electricity in your room."
"Okay."
Jiang Baohua got up to accompany Jiang Xingye to the back room, where the elderly grandparents were sitting in the courtyard twisting grass ropes.
Jiang Xingye was greatly shocked, hurried over to grab the grass ropes, "Grandpa, Grandma, why are you working?"
He imdiately took out money for them, Jiang Chengfa pushed him away, "I have money, don’t need yours. If you don’t let work, just eating and waiting to die every day, is there any aning to life then?"
Grandma worriedly asked, "Did Huanhuan co back with you?"
"Yes, she was planning to return." Jiang Xingye squatted down, "Grandpa, I need to tell you sothing, don’t get upset."
"What is it? Tell , why would I get upset?"
"The one who invited Huanhuan for surgery is Grandpa Huo Fuhai. This ti when we went to Yan City, Grandpa Huo recognized right away. I told them both you and Grandma are doing well."
The elderly couple was instantly stunned, their eyes fixed on a distant void as if travelled through the ti tunnel, seeing the past battles fought with comrades, unable to shake off the daze for a long ti.
"Grandpa, Grandpa!" Jiang Xingye called several tis before the old man regained composure, "Is your Grandpa Huo and... Grandma Fang doing well?"
Jiang Xingye said, "Wasn’t doing well initially. I heard Huanhuan say Grandpa Huo’s health is worse than yours. Luckily with Huanhuan, he’s doing better now. Two days before we returned, he even went back to work."
"That’s good, that’s good!" Jiang Chengfa burst into tears.
Grandma wiped her tears continuously, "Thanks to Huanhuan, otherwise we might have joined the journey one after another."
Zhou Guizhi lanted, "Who would’ve thought, Huanhuan’s dical skills are really remarkable."
Jiang Xingye gave a soft "Mm," his consistently indifferent face now lifted into a smile difficult to suppress.
"Which of their family mbers was sick or injured for your wife to perform surgery?" Jiang Chengfa worried, like caring for his own children with his old comrades.
"It’s Huo Zui, Grandpa Huo’s eldest grandson. He was injured in battle but after the surgery, there’s no serious issue, just needs so recovery ti."
Jiang Xingye didn’t want the old man to worry, hence explained lightly.
"Good, good, that’s good!" Jiang Chengfa advised the third and fourth sons, "When you join the military, make sure to train hard. More sweat on the training grounds ans more ways to save your life on the battlefield."
This talk made Zhou Guizhi’s face pale with regret, thinking maybe she shouldn’t have allowed the two sons to join the army.
Back then hearing about joining the army was a dream co true.
But, it couldn’t be opposed now, seeing the eagerness of the third and fourth sons, they were excited to rush onto the battlefield to slay enemies.
Qin Baifan was shy for a while, then got dragged to play by Big Egg and Little Egg. Before leaving, Xu Qinghuan put two handfuls of candy in his pocket. He gave each to Big Egg and Little Egg, and then to Big Sister and Little Sister, soon calling them brother and sister, with a much brighter smile.
After returning, Xu Qinghuan had a al with Jiang Xingye, greeted Qiao Xinyu and the others, then went into her room, entered the space to take a bath, and fell asleep right away.
She slept until the afternoon was almost over, waking up to cook.
The space had so previous wild boar at; she took out so to make braised pork. She soaked dried mushrooms for soup and stead a pot of buns, with ample portions.
Jiang Xingye and Qin Baifan ca over to eat together, waiting for Qiao Xinyu and the others in the room.
Qiao Xinyu and Yu Xiaomin returned, with their hair disheveled, clothes covered in dirt and grass, and scratches on their faces. Xu Qinghuan’s eyes turned cold, "What happened? Who hit you?"
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