บท 18: On the Eve of Going to the Village (6)
บรรณาธิการ: Atlas Studios
"Don't think about it if you can't understand them. Just follow your own heart. Time will give you an answer."
Lu Xiaoxiao suddenly felt enlightened. She was about to tell her grandfather that she understood when she suddenly felt a chill run down her spine. Then, she trembled and woke up.
It turned out that she had been dreaming previously. When Lu Xiaoxiao returned home, she did not light the coal stove because she was in a bad mood. She did not cover herself with a blanket when she fell asleep, so she woke up from the cold.
She thought of what her grandfather had said in her dream. She felt filled with courage and fighting spirit now, as if nothing could break her.
Lu Xiaoxiao looked at the time and saw that it was already past eight in the evening. She lit the coal stove and boiled a pot of water. She took out the oatmeal essence and brewed a cup. After taking a sip, she felt her entire body warm up. Then, she took out a small cream cake from the space and ate it. Sweet food would also improve one's mood.
At the thought that she was going to Uncle Zhang's house the next day, Lu Xiaoxiao wondered what she should bring to his house.
After some thought, she decided to bring a catty of fat streaky meat and the Xifeng Wine and a catty of cake she had bought at the department store that day. She would say that she had gone to the supply store early in the morning.
The next morning, Lu Xiaoxiao woke up early. After eating breakfast and packing her things, she carried her things to Uncle Zhang's house at about nine o'clock.
It was Auntie Zhang who opened the door. When she saw that it was Lu Xiaoxiao, she warmly welcomed her in.
When Auntie Zhang saw the things she had brought, she immediately said unhappily, "Child, it's good enough that you're here. Why did you bring so many things? Auntie is not an outsider, so you don't have to be so polite. If you're like this the next time, don't come to my house anymore."
Lu Xiaoxiao heard Auntie Zhang and replied with a smile, "I understand, Auntie. Since I am here for lunch, just treat it as an extra dish."
When Uncle Zhang returned at noon, he was ready to eat. Auntie Zhang kept putting food into her bowl and said that she was too thin and needed to eat more.
Uncle Zhang drank the wine she had brought and saw that he narrowed his eyes happily with every sip. Lu Xiaoxiao finished her lunch in such a warm atmosphere.
After dinner, Sister Fang went to the kitchen to wash the dishes. Auntie was clearing the table, and Uncle Zhang sat opposite her.
Seeing Lu Xiaoxiao hesitate to speak, Zhang De raised his eyebrows and teased, "Little girl, if you have something to say, say it. Aren't you afraid of holding it in too much?"
Seeing him like this, she made up her mind and said, "I've signed up to go to the countryside. I'll leave tomorrow." The room instantly fell silent. Before Auntie could speak, Uncle Zhang asked calmly, "Tell me why you're doing this."
Seeing him ask this, Lu Xiaoxiao could only answer honestly, "Father told me that their deaths were very likely not an accident, but that someone had targeted our family, so I thought of staying in the countryside for a few years and coming back when I grow up."
As Lu Xiaoxiao spoke, she felt Zhang De staring at her. Seeing that Zhang De was staring at her, Lu Xiaoxiao also stared at Zhang De. After a while, Lu Xiaoxiao saw Zhang De suddenly laugh heartily and say that he was indeed their child.
She waited for Zhang De to finish laughing before she heard him say that even if she didn't sign up for the countryside, he would make arrangements after some time. This was what her father had instructed him a long time ago.
When Lu Xiaoxiao heard Zhang De's words, she admired the original owner's father even more. He was definitely a capable person to be able to arrange such a backup plan for an unknown future.
After that, Zhang De asked her where she was going to go to the countryside. He said that the original owner's father had a sworn brother who happened to be working in the city's Public Security Bureau where she was going. He would call him later and inform him to pick her up and arrange for her to be there.
After Lu Xiaoxiao and Zhang De finished their discussion, Auntie Zhang finally reacted. Hence, she said anxiously, "What a sin. How can you go to the countryside at such a young age? Why are you going there? Why can't you stay in the city? Let's go tell him she's not going anymore."
Seeing Auntie Zhang like this, Lu Xiaoxiao's heart warmed. She hugged her hand and said coquettishly, "Auntie, this matter is set and cannot be changed. The place I am going to is very good. Everyone says that it's a good place to scoop fish and catch chickens, it's much better than in the city. When the time comes, I can even send you meat."
When Auntie Zhang heard this, she was angry and amused. She did not know what to say.
In the end, it was Zhang De who asked if she had packed her things. If she had not packed her things, he would ask Auntie Zhang to help her pack them up. Then, he would send them to the countryside the next day. When she arrived, her belongings would also arrive. Hence, the afternoon was spent packing.
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