Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
She sighed and began, "Xiao Jin, don’t blame your aunt for speaking harshly. The food at home really isn’t much. Our family has elders and children. The harvest last year wasn’t good, and now we’re facing spring shortages. The coming months at home are going to be tough.
The child you brought back is pitiful, but our family really can’t afford to raise him. Your uncle said he went to the fields, but actually, he secretly went up the mountain behind the village, Qingluan Mountain. If the men in the village weren’t desperate, who would want to go to such a dangerous place?"
At this point, Chen Hong looked up at Gu Jin with pitch-black eyes, seeing her indifferent gaze. She gritted her teeth and said, "Last year, the Du Family’s boy went hunting on the mountain, was attacked by wild boars, got injured, and passed away after being carried home for just a few days.
Our family won’t have anything to eat after this month. For the sake of our family, hurry up and send that kid off. Don’t let him become a burden to our family."
After Chen Hong finished speaking, Gu Jin gently nodded, "I understand."
After responding, she turned and left.
Watching her leave, Chen Hong frowned deeply.
She glanced at her daughter washing the vegetables and asked, "What does she mean by that? Did she agree or not?"
Gu Minmin continued washing the vegetables, ignoring her mother, thinking to herself, How would I know?
"You stubborn girl, I’m asking you something. Are you mute?!"
Not hearing her daughter’s response, Chen Hong got angry.
Gu Minmin paused her work, shook the water off her hands, and turned to walk out of the kitchen.
Chen Hong’s eyes widened, "Where are you going, you stubborn girl?!"
"You know I don’t understand what cousin means. I’m going to ask her and find out, then I’ll come back and tell you."
Chen Hong was left speechless and looked at her daughter with angry eyes, resenting her for not living up to expectations.
The mother and daughter stood off in the kitchen.
After a while, however, Chen Hong gave in, "What are you asking for? Get back to washing your vegetables!"
Gu Minmin didn’t fuss and returned to her previous place, continuing to wash her wild vegetables.
This girl is as stubborn as they come.
Meanwhile, Gu Jin held a yellow cake bun out to An Mingji, watching him eat the dry and difficult-to-swallow bun as she propped her chin up in thought.
She remembered that a couple of years before returning to Beijing, the village suffered from a famine.
That year, the entire northern Hua Country’s crops were ruined, struck by a natural disaster, with continuous rain for a whole month.
The yet-to-mature crops were all destroyed after the rain, and the harvest that year was less than ten percent, making it hard to even feed humans.
If she remembered correctly, it was this year.
Reflecting on her aunt’s words, Gu Jin’s face showed a deep solemn expression.
She wouldn’t send An Mingji away, but if she wanted to keep him, it would be difficult given her current situation.
The family circumstances definitely wouldn’t allow them to support an outsider.
Gu Jin raised her eyes, looking at the child beside her as he nibbled on the yellow bun.
Even if it was to repay past life gratitude, she wouldn’t abandon An Mingji.
Noticing her gaze, An Mingji looked up and offered the half-eaten yellow bun to Gu Jin, "Sister Ajin, do you want some too?"
Gu Jin smiled and shook her head, "I’m not hungry. You eat it."
She stood up, walked to the wooden table, and poured a cup of water.
Touching the cup, it was still warm.
Holding the cup of water, she walked over to An Mingji, who was sitting by the bed.
Gazing at the well-behaved child, a sudden idea struck her—a way to keep An Mingji by her side.
Gu Jin handed the cup of water to An Mingji, "Wait for me in the room. I’ll be right back."