Judging by Gu Juan’s reaction just now, this little brat must be secretly monitoring her.
Gu Lingling felt a bit anxious; she planned to make a trip to the ruined temple during the heavy rain when nobody was around. She had accumulated too many questions recently and was eager for Old Man Zhou’s guidance.
"Is Juanzi home?" a girl’s voice came from the doorway. Gu Lingling recognized it as Zhou Cuiling, Widow Wang’s daughter, a girl who, like Liu Miao, was always trailing behind Gu Juan.
But in her impression, Zhou Cuiling seemed to be more perceptive and cunning than Liu Miao.
"Yes, I’m here." Gu Juan climbed off the kang. "Is that Cuiling? What brings you here?"
"It’s raining, isn’t it? I heard the educated youth group is holding a class teaching people how to read. I came to ask if you want to go," Zhou Cuiling said with a smile.
Her life wasn’t as fortunate as Gu Juan’s; although both their mothers were widows, Gu Juan was living a much better life, relaxing on the kang on a rainy day.
If she hadn’t found an excuse to get out, she would surely be working at home right now.
Moreover, Gu Juan could attend school, but as for her, she had dropped out after only a few years of primary school because her family had no money, and besides, they felt a girl didn’t need to know so many words, as she’d end up belonging to another family eventually.
"Sure, wait for me a moment." Hearing about the educated youth group, Gu Juan perked up and quickly jumped off the kang to find her clothes.
The two walked out together, chatting and laughing.
"Do you want to go and have a look too?" Old Man Gu assumed Gu Lingling wanted to go since she kept glancing outside.
After all, they’re all girls.
"But let me remind you, going is fine, but don’t get any ideas. Those people aren’t the same as us." Though he spoke vaguely, Gu Lingling understood his meaning.
"I know, Grandpa. I’m not going; I can already read." Gu Lingling said with a hint of pride.
"But Grandpa," the little girl rolled her eyes like a sly little fox and said with a grin, "I actually do need to go out for a bit. If Grandma or Gu Juan asks, you have to cover for me."
She was just worrying that Gu Juan wouldn’t leave, making it hard for her to go to the ruined temple, but now that Gu Juan was gone, she had to hurry.
"Go on." Old Man Gu lifted his head with a smile. "Wear the raincoat and rubber boots since it’s raining."
Gu Juan took the only umbrella at home to avoid affecting her image.
After speaking, Old Man Gu went back to studying his sand table. Ever since Gu Lingling got him this thing, he felt his mind wasn’t like before, just lying on the kang waiting for food.
Sometimes, while drawing the machine designs, he felt as though he had those old gadgets back in his hands, and the needed improvements came to mind.
Indeed, the more you use your brain, the sharper it becomes.
The rain outside grew heavier, and there wasn’t a soul in sight on the street. Everyone who could go to the educated youth point likely went, or they were snug at home sleeping.
After a knock at the door, it took a while before Old Man Zhou opened it.
"Oh, it’s you, little girl." Old Man Zhou led her inside. "Why did you come here in such heavy rain?"
"I don’t understand some things." Gu Lingling followed him inside.
"Old Man Qian, it’s Lingling." Old Man Zhou nodded at Old Man Qian.
With nothing to do on a rainy day, they folded paper into squares for playing chess, but the knock on the door startled them from their intense game.
"The little girl is here." Old Man Qian said with a cheerful smile.
"Yes, hello, Grandpa Qian." Gu Lingling greeted with a smile.
Understanding there was business, Old Man Qian found an excuse to leave.
It’s not that Old Man Zhou didn’t trust him, but since this matter involved Gu Lingling, Old Man Zhou was still very cautious.