"I am the village's cowherd. The younger generation calls me Uncle Niu, and those who are about your age call me Brother Niu or Brother Niu. Where are you from?"
"Brother Niu, we are from Beijing. My last name is Zhao, Zhao Guoliang, and this is my wife, Xiao Aiqin."
"My name is Zhu Qingde, and this is my wife Yuan Mengzhi."
A few people introduced themselves to each other. Uncle Niu looked at the package in Zhao Guoliang's hand and shook his head. How could two people survive the winter with such little stuff
But these people's identities were too sensitive. Although Uncle Niu felt sympathy in his heart, he did not show it on his face. He himself was living a hard life, so there was no need for him to be a nice person and sympathize with others.
Although Zhu Qingde was very tired during the day, he still had to help his companions when they came. These people who came from the capital were probably just like him, and they didn't even know how to heat a kang.
Sure enough, when Zhao Guoliang saw Zhu Qingde coming out with firewood, he quickly said modestly that he was not hungry yet. They didn't have any food at all, so how could they have the nerve to eat other people's food.
"These are for heating the kang at night. You are new here and are not used to the cold here. You need to heat the kang so that you won't get sick."
"Oh, so besides doing farm work, do we also need to collect firewood?"
"It's relatively good here. Because of the weather, we only grow one crop of food every year. During the cold winter, there is basically nothing to do. We just need to prepare enough firewood and food. Otherwise, we will either freeze to death or starve to death."
"I see. Well, it's the same everywhere. Food and fodder are the most important."
Zhao Guoliang nodded, then collected his thoughts and watched how Zhu Qingde operated. He must learn this skill, he couldn't always trouble others.
When it was late at night and everyone was asleep, Zhao Guoliang heard a faint knock on the door and quickly got up. He had spent a lot of effort to get himself and his wife here, so of course he knew who the visitor was.
"Dad, Mom."
Zhao Xiaobao hugged Zhao Guoliang, then hugged Xiao Aiqun, with tears in his eyes. Apart from calling "Dad and Mom", he didn't know what to say for a moment.
"Hello, uncle and aunt."
Qian Longkun stood out from the darkness, holding two large bags in his hands and a backpack on his back.
"Long Kun is here too, come in quickly."
Qian Longkun looked around vigilantly, quickly pushed Zhao Xiaobao into the cowshed, and pushed the door shut with his foot.
Zhao Guoliang hurried forward to help, bolted the door and took them back to their room. Zhao Xiaobao saw that his parents' room was clean and tidy, and his nervous heart finally settled down.
"Dad, Mom, these are beddings that Long Kun asked someone to get. These are the food we bought. There are more coarse grains than fine grains. You can just eat what you have for now."
"Good kids, thank you for your hard work. And Long Kun, your father asked me to tell you and your brother and sister that they are doing well now, so don't worry. They helped us get here this time."
Qian Longkun smiled. The fact that his parents were still able to help the Zhao family under such circumstances was enough to prove that they were fine. Although the money and tickets were getting less and less, as long as they were fine, it was good.
"Xiaobao, let's go. Come back when there's a chance."
Qian Longkun looked at his watch. Half an hour had passed. If he stayed any longer, Jiang Guangrong would become suspicious. Fortunately, Chai Jianmin had not come back yet, otherwise he would definitely be suspected if he took so many things out of the educated youth site.
"Yes, go back quickly. If you have nothing to do, don't come to see us. If you meet us on the road, just pretend you don't know us, okay? And if you see someone bullying us, you must endure it, otherwise don't blame me for not recognizing you as my son."
Zhao Guoliang saw the two out the door, and when he saw them about to leave, his face changed and he spoke in an extremely serious tone.
Of course Zhao Xiaobao understood what his father meant, and tears fell from his eyes. Zhao Guoliang curled his lips in disgust, thinking that this boy was useless and not as strong as his daughter.
"Xiao Bei, are you okay?"
Zhao Guoliang, who was thinking about his daughter, spoke of Zhao Xiaobei in a much gentler tone, and Zhao Xiaobao's tears stopped immediately. Forget it, in his father's eyes and heart, he was just an accessory.
"Zhao Xiaobei and my sister are in Xiangqian Village. They sometimes come to visit us. When they come, I will try to arrange for them to meet you."
"No, it's too dangerous, you guys should leave now."
Zhao Guoliang kicked the man out. Zhu Qingde heard it all clearly from next door. They both had a son and a daughter, but they had severed their relationship, which was no different from being childless.
"Hey, I don't know what the Zhao family does and why they came here. But there's no need to ask. They were probably tricked by someone."
"Well, go to sleep. We have to feed the pigs tomorrow."
"Well, there are not many days left. After we kill the New Year pig and clean the pigsty, we can relax a little. I'm going to the mountains to find some herbs, otherwise you won't be able to survive this winter."
"No, it's too dangerous. If all else fails, go get some medicine from Old Ye. You're all in the same business, so he should be willing to help."
"Shh, don't betray Lao Ye, or I won't forgive you."
"I'm sorry, I'm used to talking so much that I can't stop talking any more. I won't say more in the future."
Yuan Mengzhi quickly covered her mouth with her hands. She really didn't mean it. She was just worried about her man's safety. Why should she go to the mountains to collect medicine when there was ready-made medicine
Zhao Guoliang, who was standing at the door and preparing to enter, suddenly straightened his body. His eyes flickered and he looked back at his wife. She also blinked, nodded slightly, opened the door quietly and walked in.
"Don't say anything in this room from now on. If you have anything to say, go outside and say it."
Zhao Guoliang took out a crumpled piece of white paper and wrote this sentence on it with charcoal. Seeing Xiao Aiqun nod, he crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it into the fire.
Nothing happened that night, and early the next morning, the Li family started to install the gate for the courtyard. As long as the gate was installed, their house would be completely built.
"Wife, are you satisfied with this yard?"
Li asked happily.
"Satisfied. As long as you are there, I am satisfied."
Cheng Qiao stretched lazily, and Li Huan saw it and quickly hugged Cheng Qiao's waist, fearing that she would sprain her waist, and even more afraid that she would lose the baby.
"Let go, how can you be like this? I just stretched myself a little bit, why are you so nervous?"
"It's necessary, it's necessary, wife, have you taken the pregnancy-preserving medicine today?"
"Oh, I'll cook it right away."
Cheng Qiao put down her hands, unconsciously hugged her belly with both hands, and walked to the kitchen. Mother Li had already poured out the prepared pregnancy-preserving medicine and placed it in a bowl to cool.
"Mom, you cooked it for me."
"Yes, I don't know when to eat when you get up to cook. Eat a bun first. It's not good to take medicine on an empty stomach."
Mother Li took a steamed bun from the big pot and stuffed it into Cheng Qiao's hand. Cheng Qiao was indeed hungry and ate the steamed bun in big mouthfuls. Mother Li happily watched Cheng Qiao eat it bite by bite and quickly served her a bowl of porridge.