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After dinner, worrying that He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie might be tired, they were encouraged to rest early.
The next day, just past four in the morning when the sky was still dimly lit, they got up.
It was the hottest time of the year, and only in the morning was it a bit cooler. They rose just past four, got ready, had some food, and set off after five to take the oxcart ride which would take over two hours, arriving at their home around eight.
The oxcart had been arranged the day before; Old Man Liu came directly to Qi Xiaoyan's doorstep to pick them up.
As soon as he saw that it was He Tiantian and Huo Yingjie, Old Man Liu recognized them!
The two young people were generous, always paying more than just the fare each time they took the ride, and even offering some candy and pastries.
"Hehe, are you coming to visit Third Grandma Qi?" Old Man Liu asked with a chuckle, almost aware of the goings-on of every household in the village.