CHAPTER 79: CHAPTER 79: ANOTHER FAMILY?

Yi Chichi stared at him for a while, confirming he meant no harm before returning inside to give the two elders acupuncture.

While she was performing acupuncture, Qin Jiu stood by and watched, his eyes bright.

Then, perhaps he confirmed her identity, the child became lively.

He transformed into a live embodiment of ’a hundred thousand whys’ and asked her why the acupuncture points varied each time, why she had to insert the needle there, and so on.

Yi Chichi answered every question, soaking her feet in hot water, while Song Yanshan, with silver needles all over his knees, glanced at Yi Chichi and then at Qin Jiu sticking by her, sensing something was off.

The Xiao Jiu he remembered was a smart child, but not one naturally sociable.

Before the incident, he had a fixed circle of companions and would not easily make friends with other kids.

This was the case with adults too; he might greet them out of politeness and upbringing, but it would just be a greeting, and closeness was out of the question.

But his posture and expression next to Yi Chichi were those of trust, not seen with someone he didn’t trust.

He almost seemed to want to cling entirely onto her.

The key was that comrade Yi Chichi didn’t seem to mind and even adjusted her posture to make it more comfortable for Xiao Jiu.

While answering his questions, her tone became much gentler and softer.

She would also occasionally observe Xiao Jiu’s expression, and if his face showed deep confusion, she would softly and thoroughly explain.

Song Yanshan was full of doubts but said nothing.

When Yi Chichi finished their acupuncture and watched them drink the medicine brought by Liu Chengqi before bidding farewell and leaving, he turned to look at Qin Huai Shan.

"Is Yi Zhiqing an acquaintance?"

With this statement, the whole room looked over.

The elder hadn’t had time to speak when Qin Jiu cheerfully said, "She’s my aunt."

"Aunt?"

Everyone spoke in unison, full of questioning thoughts.

The Qin Family doesn’t have a daughter!

Ye Yuntang’s imagination ran wild, and not knowing what he was thinking, he exclaimed, "Uncle, you didn’t have another family behind Grandma’s back, did you?!"

An aunt should be from the same generation as that Chuan Bai kid.

"Pfft..."

Qin Huai Shan was drinking water, and at Wen Sheng’s words, he sprayed it out, coincidentally onto Song Yanshan’s face opposite him.

"Xiao Tang got it right?"

Song Yanshan glared at him with dead fish eyes, not bothering about the tea on his face.

Whoever sprayed it should clean it up.

"Don’t listen to his nonsense!"

The old man, a bit annoyed, grabbed a sleeve to wipe his face, "Chichi’s mother was surnamed Zi Shu."

"Zi Shuting and Li Changqiu’s granddaughter?"

The surname Zi Shu was too rare, he’d only met one person with that surname in decades.

In an instant, Song Yanshan realized, and incredulously confirmed.

Old Mrs. Song’s eyes brightened, her gaze burning, "Are they well?"

They were war comrades, standing shoulder to shoulder several times, even if they didn’t survive from the same pile of dead bodies.

Later, they received their ranks in Beijing and worked together for a while; their friendship was forged there.

Having not received any news for years, the sudden news about old comrades was difficult for the Song couple to contain their excitement.

Ye Yuntang and Mr. Ma Baoshan, not knowing them, remained calm.

Qin Huai Shan shook his head, "They’re all gone."

He didn’t elaborate on how they were gone, and Song Yanshan and his wife looked gloomy, wondering how many of the old guys still survived.

"We don’t even know if we will live to see the day the dark clouds break, alas!"

A sigh that lamented the present darkness and despair.

Everyone hung their heads in silence, the atmosphere turning somber.

Qin Jiu looked around and silently nestled himself into his great-grandfather’s arms, half asleep.

His great aunt said he was still a child, and a child’s task was to grow up well.

If the sky falls, the grown-ups will hold it up.

But he was so hungry.

"Great-grandpa, I’m hungry."

Too hungry to sleep, and feeling awake from hunger.

He opened his eyes and pitifully looked at Qin Huai Shan.

"Great-grandma will make you food."

Old Mrs. Song got off the kang, put on her shoes, and went to the kitchen; inside and outside were two different worlds.

The biting cold wind made the old lady shiver, as she was about to gather her clothes, a warm, dry little hand slipped in.

"Grandma Song, I’ll keep you company!"

"We’ll help!"

She looked down at Qin Jiu smiling up at her, then at her old companions, and Old Mrs. Song smiled and agreed.

The secretary had prepared grains; after all, they couldn’t let people die at the Kao Shantun Team.

Moreover, these people had connections, so everything that needed to be provided was provided.

But the grains weren’t good; they were all sweet potatoes that had been dug up and broken in half.

Knowing that the elders’ food was all sweet potatoes, Yi Chichi pursed her lips and pretended to be calm, "Why are there still sweet potatoes given out?"

The team leader, face wrapped tightly, replied in a muffled voice, "No choice, the good stuff in the warehouse like soybeans and corn cobs have to be kept as seed, can’t touch them; the bad stuff has to be left for livestock. Only the sweet potatoes are extra and can be shared."

Yi Chichi, ... well, seeds are indeed the most important.

"Doesn’t the commune care anymore?"

She pointed southeast and lowered her voice to ask.

The team leader rolled his eyes at her, "Shows what you know, you’re just a kid. The old men have been here a short while; if Old Tang dared manage at this time, he’d truly be stupid."

Worried she didn’t understand, he elaborated patiently.

"Safest to hide or lie low for a while, do anything only when there are fewer eyes watching."

Yi Chichi feigned enlightenment and buttered up the team leader, "Uncle, you really know a lot."

"Thank you for being willing to teach me."

"Oh, you’re the educated youth here now, you being sensible makes it easier for me to manage."

At that, he reminded again, "Remember, don’t act like the troublemaking educated youth in the neighboring team, we can be pretty fierce."

Yi Chichi nodded eagerly in understanding and then casually asked, "Uncle, should I call you again tomorrow?"

"Call me for what?"

The team leader didn’t catch on, so Yi Chichi said, "Same as today, their joint effusion won’t heal quickly."

"Go by yourself, I’m going to the commune to pick up Xiao Wen and the others tomorrow."

"Mr. Wen and the others are returning?"

Yi Chichi seemed to understand.

"Yes, his mother is recovering well."

She responded with an ’oh’, "Then I’ll call the secretary uncle tomorrow?"

The team leader found it peculiar, "Why do you have to call someone along? Can’t you go alone?"

That was a good question, she could certainly go by herself.

But—

"Don’t forget, they’re classified as undesirable elements."

Dear great-uncle Xiao Jiu, please forgive me for calling you undesirable elements. To help others, one must ensure their safety first.

Otherwise, everyone might get in trouble.

She felt aggrieved, "I’m afraid if I go alone, people in the village will gossip..."

"They won’t!"

"Huh?"

Startled by the abrupt interruption, Yi Chichi was baffled, "Have you talked to the villagers?"