The Sweetness of the Seventies

Village Chief Qi's father and Third Uncle Qi had a good relationship, and Third Aunt Qi often gave him delicious treats when he was young. Now that Third Aunt Qi has aged, it's good to have someone with her, and it also alleviates the housing pressure on the educated youth. Moreover, this new educated youth girl is hardworking, likable, and kind-hearted. Giving her a better living environment is his way of returning the favor.

He Tiantian also didn't want to share a room with Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru. Moving into Third Grandma Qi's house, she could have a large room all to herself. She wouldn't have to worry about being seen by others if she wanted to do anything.

"Thank you, grandma," said He Tiantian crisply. Although Third Grandma Qi's social status wasn't good, she had seniority and held some respect in the village. Living at Third Grandma Qi's house, no one in the village would bully her.

Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru were pleased to hear that He Tiantian would not be sharing a room with them. They were even more polite and friendly toward her.

As for Li Mingkai, he had his own little scheme. With two rooms, Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru could take one, and then he could have one to himself. Not having to share a room with anyone else was just perfect for him.

Third Grandma Qi's house was the third one in the second row at the entrance of the village. The yard was large, the house was not small, and there was also a big vegetable garden at the front.

Er Gou carried Third Grandma Qi on his back into the house, while Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru helped He Tiantian with her luggage.

"Tiantian, if you need anything, just let us know," Huang Jingli said with a smile. He Tiantian was so strong; it would make their work easier now that they could slack off a bit. Now that He Tiantian had taken the initiative to move into a fellow villager's house, they were grateful for the extra space she had freed up for them.

"Thank you, Sister Xiaoru and Sister Jingli," He Tiantian said. "I'll come to you if I need anything."

Village Chief Qi was also tired. After settling Third Grandma Qi, he said to everyone, "You go back, put down your luggage, and then head to the village branch to collect this month's food and Grain Coupon."

Upon hearing that they could collect food and Grain Coupons, everyone's eyes lit up, and they looked forward to a good meal at noon.

"Thank you, Village Chief Qi," they expressed their gratitude to Village Chief Qi, their former arrogance gone. In the future, their sustenance would be in someone else's hands — without leverage, there was no room for pride.

Village Chief Qi went to the village branch, while Er Gou took Huang Jingli and the others to the Land Temple, which had been converted into a lodging spot.

He Tiantian did not start unpacking her things but instead found Third Grandma Qi's wash basin, took a towel over, and helped Third Grandma Qi wash and change into clean clothes.

"Grandma Qi, let's wash your face," He Tiantian said with a smile. The water in the large jar outside had been warmed by the sun and wasn't cold — it could be used for wiping down the body.

Third Grandma Qi was happy. This girl was definitely worth keeping around.

"Thank you," Third Grandma Qi said. "Girl, what's your name?"

"My name is He Tiantian, but grandma, you can just call me Tiantian," He Tiantian replied. "My family is from Nan City, and I will be in your care from now on, Grandma Qi."

Nan City?

If her son hadn't gone to Nan City for school all those years ago, maybe he wouldn't have disappeared, right?

Alive without a trace, dead without a body!

Ah, don't think about it, thinking only makes it more painful.

"Good child, you haven't had lunch yet, have you? There are vegetable pancakes I made at noon in the cupboard next door. Go eat something to fill your stomach," Third Grandma Qi said, urging He Tiantian to have some food. This girl had a good heart and was efficient in her work. She didn't despise this old woman, and Third Grandma Qi was determined to keep this girl, to have her company.

She had been alone for too long, left in an empty house, too lonely and solitary. Her strength had waned over the years, and she too wished for someone to help her out.

He Tiantian's stomach was indeed hungry. After washing her hands, she opened the cupboard and saw two vegetable pancakes inside, probably Grandma Qi's dinner. He Tiantian did not stand on ceremony, she ate the vegetable pancakes, deciding to make something delicious for Grandma Qi after getting the food rations in the evening.

After eating, He Tiantian poured a cup of boiled water in front of Grandma Qi's bed and said, "Grandma, I ate those two vegetable pancakes. I'm going now to the village branch to collect the food rations, and I'll make you something nice to eat tonight."

"Go ahead, I won't be polite with you," Grandma Qi smiled, feeling comfortable as she drank the water He Tiantian had poured.

He Tiantian left the house and, following her memory, arrived at the old village branch.

The old village branch was next to the threshing ground, with six large rooms, four of which were generally used for storing grain. The other two large rooms, containing two tables and several chairs, served as the village branch.

When He Tiantian arrived, Huang Jingli, Lin Xiaoru, and Li Mingkai were already there.

"Alright, you've all come, now we're distributing the food rations. According to the county's notice, for educated youths, each person gets ten jin of coarse grain flour, ten jin of rice, another ten jin of corn, and two jin of soybeans per month, along with two Grain Coupons, two feet of Cloth Coupons, two liang of Salt Coupons, and two liang of Oil Coupons," Village Chief Qi organized the items and placed them on the table.

This amount of goods was just enough to scrape by—not enough to fill their bellies but sufficient to keep them from starving to death.

"Thank you, Village Chief Qi," Huang Jingli said. She didn't have a job back in her county city and could only get fifteen jin of rations per month, which wasn't enough to satisfy her hunger. Now, having more than thirty jin, she could improve her quality of life considerably.

After packing up the coupons, they were about to leave when Village Chief Qi said, "Since you've just arrived, you probably aren't familiar with our village yet. Take a day to rest and acquaint yourselves with the village, and the day after tomorrow, you'll start working. The educated youths who came before you will show you the ropes. By working, you'll earn work points, and in the future, all the food and various coupons are distributed based on those points. The more you work, the more you get; the less you work, the less you get; if you don't work, you get nothing."

"Village Chief Qi, don't worry. We're here to support the rural construction, and we're not afraid of hardship or tiredness," Huang Jingli stated, affirming her position that one shouldn't eat without working, since it is only natural to eat after working.

"We understand, Village Chief Qi," Lin Xiaoru said, implying that if others could do it, so could she.

Li Mingkai also nodded; there were many different types of work available, and if he offended the village secretary, he might end up with the dirtiest and most tiring tasks as punishment.

Village Chief Qi was somewhat contemptuous in his heart. These educated youths always spoke nicely, but when it came time to work, they would complain endlessly. However, their complaining wouldn't last long; without work, there would be no work points and no food rations, and without food rations, they would go hungry. Once these educated youths experienced the discomfort of hunger, they would buckle down and work honestly.

Because hunger is even more frightening than fatigue!

Having gathered their items, He Tiantian walked back to the village with the three of them.

He Tiantian wasn't hungry, but Huang Jingli, Lin Xiaoru, and Li Mingkai hadn't had lunch yet, so they hurried back to the educated youth spot.

He Tiantian stored the food in her storage room. She then picked up a broom and swept the front of the house, the back room, and the yard until it was spotlessly clean. At the vegetable garden by the door, with cucumbers, tomatoes, and green beans growing, she picked some and then thoroughly weeded the garden bed.

As He Tiantian noticed it getting cooler outside, she carried Grandma Qi out of the house.

Yes, she carried her out. By now, He Tiantian was strong and could easily lift an eighty jin elderly lady.

"Grandma Qi, it's stuffy inside, and it's cooler outside," He Tiantian said as she settled Grandma Qi on a chair outside. It was already past three in the afternoon, and the yard had more shade, with a gentle breeze bringing a comfortable coolness.

"Hehe, I'm lucky to have you here. Otherwise, this old woman would have no one to look after her," Grandma Qi said with emotion, her heart full of melancholy.

This is the sadness of someone with no children!

No one knows whether her son is alive or dead!