"Xinyu, I talked to my dad, and he said he’ll load the firewood tomorrow morning to send it to you."
"That’s great, there’s enough firewood at home to fill a cart."
"Do you want to come to my place for lunch?"
"No, I have to go to the village head’s house in the afternoon. He specifically came to find me this morning."
"Nothing good can come from that."
"Haha, let’s see. I’ll know if there’s something good or not, won’t I?"
Jiang Xinyu started a fire. She hadn’t bathed yesterday because it was too cold, and she was sweaty after coming back. The weather was the same today, so she decided not to bathe.
"Sis, I’m going to give my aunt a key tomorrow, and let her plant in my yard. I probably won’t be coming back anyway."
"Alright, plant all the vegetables, and they’ll all be yours. You won’t need to buy any then."
"Isn’t that too embarrassing?"
"Why should we stand on ceremony?"
"Thank you to my aunt too. Why don’t you stay for lunch?"
"No, I want to spend time with my parents. I’m leaving now, my brother and dad will come to load the cart tomorrow morning."
"Alright, I need to tidy up the house too."
Jiang Xinyu tended the fire; the water in the pot was from yesterday, but it’s no big deal if she didn’t drink it.
For lunch, she had a bun, a piece of sausage, and a bowl of malted milk.
After finishing, she got up and went out, deciding to take a walk to the village head’s house.
Jiang Xinyu suddenly saw a familiar back. Was that Zhou Lihong? How did she get so thin? Her cheekbones protruded, and her eyes were sunken. Her cotton clothes seemed empty.
Jiang Xinyu saw an expression she’d never forget. That kind of hopelessness, helplessness, and lifelessness.
"What are you going to do?"
"There’s no food at home, so I’m going to the mountains."
"Sis. Wait for us." Suddenly, two children’s voices sounded.
Jiang Xinyu looked over and felt a pang in her heart. They were skinnier than the scrawny kids she read about in textbooks, barely human-looking. They could be called skeletons.
"Zhou Lihong, there’s nothing to eat in the mountains now."
"But otherwise, we really have no way to survive."
"You better save your strength. Come to my house tonight; I have two bags of yams at home. Take them back to eat. It’s not for you, but for the two kids."
"Jiang Xinyu, I have no pride now; I only want to feed my younger siblings."
Jiang Xinyu’s eyes reddened. It was just too hard.
"Wait for me at home. I’ll bring it to you tonight. I’m afraid if people see you now, you may not be able to keep them."
"Thank you. You’re the only one who can help."
"Go back home. I’ll definitely come tonight. Zhou Lihong, you must stay alive. You must raise the two kids."
Zhou Lihong nodded with tears in her eyes and said, "Let’s go back." She left holding her siblings’ hands.
Jiang Xinyu was in a very low mood; it was too difficult. Life was so hard. Although the area wasn’t yet completely developed, the village seemed lifeless. She hadn’t seen anyone on her way. Everyone was likely lying at home, conserving energy.
What should she do? She wasn’t capable enough to help much.
Arriving at the village head’s house, it was Kong Menglin who opened the door. "Jiang Xinyu?"
"Yes, it’s me. Is the director looking for me?"
"Come in! Mom, Jiang Xinyu is here."
"Xinyu, come in and sit."
"Auntie, why did you call me over?"
"Nothing much, just wanted to chat."
"Xinyu, what’s wrong? The dead can’t come back to life, and you’re grown up now. Your parents have passed, and you should move on."
"Yeah, I know, auntie. But how did Zhou Lihong and her siblings become so thin? I just saw them on the road, it gave me a shock."
"It’s tragic. When her dad got arrested, her mom took all the money and food with her. They’ve been barely scraping by since."
"Yes, have a seat. How’s it at the textile factory?"
"It’s quite good; I don’t have to work and I can eat enough."
"That’s great, having a job is good."
"Uncle, can’t the village do something to help Zhou Lihong and her siblings? Even though Zhou Jiaxing is a menace, those three are innocent."
Kong Zhongyou shook his head, "There’s nothing we can do. Every household is . Look at Menglin; she’s only slightly better off than Lihong, and even then."
Jiang Xinyu criticized in her heart, speaking nonsense with her eyes wide open. Although Kong Menglin isn’t fat, she alone could probably top Zhou Lihong and her siblings.
"Xinyu, you and Mengjie work in the same factory, so help her out if you can." Tian Shulan said earnestly.
She knew there was no good in their meeting.
"Auntie, I’m still not capable enough. But Kong Mengjie’s partner is her team leader and takes good care of her."
"Just help as much as you can."
"As long as I’m able, being from the same village, I’ll do what I can."
"Good, that’s good. Xinyu, you’re not getting any younger. Shall I introduce you to someone?"
"No need, I plan to mourn my parents for three years."
"That’s feudal thinking; don’t say that."
"Auntie, I understand. I have no intention of finding someone right now. I’m still young, and if I do in the future, it’ll likely be a coworker."
Tian Shulan felt frustrated seeing Jiang Xinyu so unabashed.
"Xinyu, even though you have a job now, you won’t come back?"
Was that a threat? Her family was never good.
"Auntie, I’ll have few opportunities to return."
"Hmph! Your family’s house, your parents are still here."
"Yes, but if anyone dares mess with my house or my parents, I’ll sue. I specifically checked; the house is mine for life."
Kong Zhongyou coughed on the side, "Xinyu, no one dares touch your house, not while I’m here."
"Thank you, village head. If there’s nothing else, I’ll go back. My home is a mess; I need to take this opportunity to tidy it up thoroughly."
With that, she left without greeting Tian Shulan.
After Jiang Xinyu left the courtyard, Tian Shulan was so angry that her chest heaved. "She’s really grown wings."
"Letting her transfer her residency was the biggest mistake. Alright, we’ll talk when the second son is discharged next year. Let him handle it himself."
Kong Mengjie stayed in her room, overhearing the conversation. She was envious of Jiang Xinyu.
Her parents were just interested in Xinyu’s job, weren’t they?
She thought for a moment and decided not to get involved. It was Mengjie who persuaded her dad to let Jiang Xinyu transfer out after all; better not stir up trouble.
Once Jiang Xinyu was home, she went to the cellar. There were still two bags of yams, which she put aside to take to Zhou Lihong and her siblings that night.
Coming up, she pulled out three large yams from the ground and called over the wall to her neighbor Liu Manquan.
"Auntie, are you home?"
"Auntie, this is for you." Jiang Xinyu passed the three yams over the wall.