Chapter 189 Eat Meal
Liu Guizhi returned anxiously, unsure whether the matter was resolved or not.
As she entered, Jiang Xiaoxiao came to greet her.
A steamy pot of noodle soup.
The Liu family's kitchen lacked everything; no matter how skilled she was, she couldn't conjure variety from thin air. She could only use some flour and greens from her own supplies to make a meal of noodle soup.
She dared not bring out anything else. The Liu family lived in poverty, lacking even the bare essentials. Even if she claimed the food was theirs, it wouldn't be believable.
Liu Guiqin's fever had subsided, but she was still listless.
Lying on the kang, she looked at her niece.
Liu Shuren helped Jiang Xiaoxiao with chores, showing he was perceptive and considerate.
Seeing them return, Jiang Xiaoxiao quickly invited them in.
"Must be starving, come in and eat first. We can talk about how it went, if the household registration can be transferred. If it's impossible, I'll go to the county to find Mr. Wang. If others can't persuade him, surely Mr. Wang can?"
As Jiang Xiaoxiao was cooking earlier, she pondered that they might ultimately need Mr. Wang's help.
After all, they didn't know many influential people, but Mr. Wang was familiar in every village, regularly visiting them. Which production team leader didn't know him?
If he requested something, which team leader could refuse?
Besides, Mr. Wang was a kind and helpful person.
With the Liu family's situation, surely Mr. Wang wouldn't ignore them.
Even if it meant bending the rules a bit, it wasn't excessive.
Fan Jianguo chuckled, "The matter's long been settled. I didn't expect Song Moting to be so capable. Who do you know in the county that one call could resolve everything? Seeing Captain Liu's respect for you, the person you found must have strong backing."
Song Moting smiled. This uncle of Jiang Xiaoxiao was quite astute.
Keen eyes.
"Uncle Jiang, it's actually an old colleague of my grandfather's from around here, a coincidence. I came to negotiate food supplies for the farm, so I contacted them again. It's like when you owe too much, you don't worry about paying it back. Without Guizhi to protect her younger siblings, they'd face difficulties in the future.
This is what I learned from Uncle. You're kind-hearted, and I'm just lending a hand."
Fan Jianguo liked this young man in front of him, sweet-talking and knowing how to handle things. The key was, he could actually get things done.
Good-looking and methodical in his work.
"Guizhi, you must properly thank Mr. Song. He's been a great help to you."
Liu Guizhi hesitated, "Brother Fan, does your message mean my household registration can be moved into the village? You talked for ages, but I couldn't quite understand."
She guessed, yet couldn't believe it; after all, she couldn't believe she encountered someone with such fortune on her way there.
Someone with backing capable of coaxing the team leader into agreement, that's not something just anyone can achieve.
Is there truly such luck in the world that she stumbled upon it?
She really found it hard to believe.
"You really are a silly girl, of course it worked out. If not, would the production team leader smile and see us off?"
Liu Guizhi's face lit up with an excited smile; she truly hadn't expected it to succeed.
"Thank you, Brother Fan. Thank you, Mr. Song. Thanks to both of you, otherwise I couldn't have done it alone. On behalf of my siblings, thank you. You've saved our family's lives."
Saying this, Liu Guizhi wanted to kneel in gratitude. To them, it truly was a life-saving grace larger than the sky.
Fan Jianguo helped her up, "No need to kneel. What kind of society is this? It's the new society, where such things aren't fashionable. If you truly appreciate us, raise your siblings well, and live a good life—that's stronger than any gratitude.
That way, we'll also be happy. You're too soft-hearted. If you act more decisively, we won't worry as much. I observed for a while, and your brother seems quite capable. It's better to focus on raising your siblings."
Liu Guizhi nodded repeatedly, too grateful to know what to say.
Everyone gathered inside the house.
Liu Guiqin lay on the kang while Liu Guizhi fed her half a bowl of noodles, and the little girl immediately perked up after eating. Since her fever had subsided, recovery was expected.
Jiang Xiaoxiao had great confidence in her peaches. If they weren't effective, then it wouldn't simply be a sickness; it would be life-threatening.
Liu Shuren held a bowl of noodles. Initially, he didn't want to take any; seeing so many people, he worried the household wouldn't have enough food.
They were here to help, and it was only right to treat guests well.
But knowing the food situation, how could cornmeal suffice for everyone, let alone make porridge?
He was surprised to find that they brought their own supplies, stunned by the white flour revealed.
Who could afford it now? Even cornmeal indicated a decent family.
His little bit of cornmeal had been secretly taken out in the night when he noticed his uncle and aunt weren't acting right, or else he and his sister would have had nothing to eat.
In the household, he always ate last, saving the best and most filling for his sister.
Again, he planned to sneak away amidst the chaos and return to clean afterward, but Jiang Xiaoxiao caught him, handing him a full bowl.
"Come eat, sit at the table properly, why run around? Don't worry, there's enough food. We can't let you, the host, go without food while guests are stuffed."
Jiang Xiaoxiao's eyes reddened, seeing how responsible the child was at such a young age.
Liu Shuren felt embarrassed, having no such intention.
"I'm not really hungry now. I'll work a bit and eat later when I am. We just eat once a day."
Offering an excuse.
A twelve-year-old child already had a sense of pride.
"Don't say you're not hungry; I heard your stomach growl earlier. If you're not hungry, why the noises? Hurry and eat; your sister said there's plenty, and we have enough to last until the fall harvest.
If not, we'll bring more from the farm when we return with Mr. Song. Your family can't starve before autumn."
Jiang Xiaoxiao couldn't just reveal all the supplies at once.
On the way, Song Moting carried the supplies, so everyone knew the quantity.
Even if she wanted to increase the amount, it wasn't possible. She could only surreptitiously add a few jins, but more than that would be suspicious.
Holding his bowl, eating the steaming noodles, Liu Shuren's tears fell into the bowl, salty.
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