Not long after Yao Ruanqian’s death anniversary, Yao Zhenjiang sent word to Gu Chunhai that Wang Meili’s temporary job was finalized.
The work was quite exhausting and dirty, but it was the highest-paying among the temporary jobs. In a while, she could start working.
Upon hearing this, Wang Meili didn’t care about the dirt or the fatigue; as long as she could get into the factory, she was satisfied. She even started looking more favorably upon Gu Lingling.
"Congratulations, Aunt, you’ve finally achieved your wish." Gu Lingling said with a smile, "From now on, you’ll be a worker."
This was Wang Meili’s favorite line to hear, and she couldn’t help but glance at Gu Lingling, finding her particularly agreeable today.
"Mom, I want to go with you." Gu Juan couldn’t stand anyone treating Gu Lingling well, and stood in front of Gu Lingling, pouting, as she spoke to Wang Meili.
"Once I’ve settled there, I’ll bring you over." Wang Meili replied happily.
Gu Lingling gave a cold smile at the corner of her lips. A temporary job at the transformer factory definitely wouldn’t provide accommodation—was Wang Meili planning to rent a place outside?
She glanced at Old Mrs. Gu, who remained silent in the main room, then swiveled her hips, planning to visit Old Man Zhou later.
With school set to resume in a few days, she planned to take some pickled vegetables to Old Man Zhou.
The vegetables were wild ones dug up by the two old men, and Gu Lingling sneaked into Old Man Zhou’s dilapidated temple under the cover of darkness.
"Grandpa Zhou, you two really need to be more careful in the future." Gu Lingling thought about the fleeting shadow she saw as she entered and decided to remind the two elderly men.
"I’ll be careful." Old Man Zhou said with a smile, surprised at how sharp the little girl’s eyes were.
"I overheard the old village chief chatting with my grandfather and saying that a few educated youths might arrive in the village soon. If there’s no place for them to stay, they might be assigned to your place." Gu Lingling sighed.
If more people came, she wouldn’t dare to come over to help Old Man Zhou anymore.
As for Old Man Qian, she wasn’t sure if he could keep this a secret.
Little did they know their entire conversation was overheard by the shadow outside.
"If you can avoid coming here in the future, do so." Old Man Zhou instructed, "But remember well what Grandpa taught you when you’re alone at night. Never forget these things."
This was his lifelong effort.
He didn’t know if he would be able to leave this place, but in case he couldn’t, he hoped this knowledge could be passed down in the future.
"I understand, Grandpa." Gu Lingling said, offering a Copper Coin treasure-like to Old Man Zhou, "I found this in the canal outside the village a few days ago."
With an air of mystery and a touch of pride, she made Old Man Zhou eager to see what it was.
"This... could it be?" Gu Lingling nodded smugly and whispered, "Jingkang Tongbao. I remember Grandpa that you said this coin was extremely rare due to its limited issuance back then."
Old Man Zhou fondled the Copper Coin excitedly; he never thought he would see such a thing in his lifetime.
"Keep this safe, make sure nobody else sees it." Old Man Zhou gave careful instructions to the little girl, "Perhaps later, later..."
But what would happen later? He truly had no idea.
"Hold on a bit longer, Grandpa. A few days ago, I visited my classmate’s house, and her grandfather said these times won’t last too many more years." Gu Lingling whispered, "Her grandfather is a high-ranking officer at the base."
In the past life, in another two years, this movement would end.
Fearing she lacked persuasive power, Gu Lingling deliberately brought up Liu Yating’s grandfather.
Her sole wish was for Old Man Zhou to maintain his fighting spirit and keep on surviving.
"Grandpa, you must keep on living well."