Chapter 256: A Heart of Respect for the Veteran

When leaving the Secretary's home, six small tender gourds had been added to the back basket.

Come to think of it, Chuxue really missed that particular dish: stir-fried gourd slices mixed with hand-torn noodles; unfortunately, the tomatoes in the fields hadn't ripened these past few days, otherwise the stir-fried gourd slices would have been even more mouth-watering.

The father and daughter wandered all around the village, finally managing to visit every single one of those households; by the time they returned, the back basket held quite a few additional items: the tender gourds from the Secretary's family, the pickled vegetables from Uncle Liangzi's home, and the brooms made of broomcorn millet returned by Old Yu's family.

By the time they arrived home, Mother Liu had already started stewing the fish: "Xue, your footsteps are fast; run over to the Commune Health Clinic in a bit and deliver a portion of this stewed fish to your Seventh Grandpa to add a dish for his lunch."

Chuxue smiled and agreed: "Alright."

Then she took the items out of the back basket: "Mom, tonight let's stir-fry gourd slices and serve them with hand-torn noodles made from dough."

Thinking of something, she deliberately added: "Without tomatoes, the flavor of these stir-fried gourd slices will definitely be lacking."

After finishing organizing the goods, while her parents weren't paying attention, she went straight to the private plot at the back, found several tomato seedlings planted near the center, watered them generously with water from the spatial pool, then turned and returned to the front courtyard.

Knowing her mother's nature, she was certain to wander around the private plot at the back before preparing dinner.

As soon as the stewed fish was ready, Mother Liu filled a lunchbox to the brim: "Chuxue, make a trip; deliver this and hurry back."

Chuxue took the lunchbox, nodded, and said: "Understood."

She went back inside, grabbed a towel to wrap the lunchbox, then turned and ran out.

The village was not far from the commune; when she arrived, Seventh Grandpa Liu had just come out of the Health Clinic cafeteria with his meal.

Seeing him, Chuxue called out: "Seventh Grandpa!"

Seventh Uncle Liu was quite surprised to see Chuxue: "Chuxue, what are you doing here?"

Chuxue held up the lunchbox in her hand: "My mother stewed fish today and sent a portion over for you to add a dish."

Because of this single sentence, Seventh Uncle Liu felt a warmth in his heart; his children were no longer by his side, and although they had wanted to take him in to live with them, he didn't want to become a nuisance just yet, so he basically made the Health Clinic his home, eating and sleeping entirely there, and rarely even returned to the village nowadays.

He had only lent a helping hand once before, yet this family had kept it in their hearts: "I have plenty to eat and drink here; your father and mother really shouldn't have made you make a trip on such a hot day."

Though he spoke those words, he was deeply moved in his heart.

Chuxue smiled and walked a few steps toward him: "Seventh Grandpa, my mother's stewed fish is unparalleled; once you taste it, you won't say that anymore."

The grandfather and granddaughter chatted and laughed as they entered the gatehouse where he lived.

Chuxue opened the lunchbox and set it down: "Seventh Grandpa, this fish is still warm; eat it quickly. I'll be leaving now; I'll come back another day to retrieve the lunchbox."

Before Seventh Grandpa Liu could urge her to stay, Chuxue had already run out.

She feared Seventh Grandpa would try to give her something else, so she grabbed the towel used to wrap the lunchbox and ran off directly with it.

For veterans like him who had been to the battlefield, Chuxue harbored a natural sense of respect; thus, her gratitude toward him stemmed not only from the kindness of his previous loan of twenty yuan to them but also from a deep sentiment of love for family and country.

Returning from the Health Clinic, she took a small path upon entering the village, hoping to find a shortcut; unexpectedly, ahead someone was looking around cautiously while heading toward the mountain, and that back view seemed somewhat familiar; releasing her spiritual sense to look, she realized it was Ding Surong from the Educated Youth Courtyard.

Being so busy lately, she had actually forgotten about the original female protagonist.

Yet at this time, acting so furtively, what could this woman be intending to do?

Unconsciously, her interest was piqued.