Chapter 345: Seeking Help at the Door

After taking a deep breath, Chen Weiping said, "Alright, I'll write it."

There was no choice; to keep his job, he had to bow his head. Who else but them had done wrong and let others hold the leverage?

Chen Weidong, right before their eyes, began writing directly.

Having achieved their goal, Ding Youwen and his daughter had no intention of staying longer: "In five days, we'll come to collect the money."

With that, he rose first and walked out.

Hu Jiaxiang, who hadn't spoken since entering the house, hurriedly took his leave of the Chen family, then chased after them with his wife, Wang Limei: "Brother-in-law, Miss Surong, it's getting late. Why not find a place to eat first?"

Ding Youwen didn't refuse; it was indeed getting late. Better to have an early lunch and avoid returning to the city on an empty stomach. Since someone was eager to treat, he wouldn't stand on ceremony.

They found the nearest state-run restaurant, ordered dishes, and then heard Hu Jiaxiang chattering away.

Ding Youwen let Hu's words go in one ear and out the other, not taking them to heart at all. After all, the eldest cousin's daughter was gone; this marriage was no different from being severed.

On the other side, Liu Chuxue had just entered the house, preparing to go to the private plot to pick vegetables, when she heard a hoarse voice at the main gate: "Is anyone home?"

Liu Chuxue came out carrying a basket and saw a man standing at the gate: "Who are you?"

The man looked deeply uneasy: "Miss, I am, I am a resident of the cowshed over there."

Hearing this, Liu Chuxue immediately understood: "Is something the matter?"

The man looked somewhat nervous and stammered: "Miss, my, my little grandson has a fever. We've tried everything, but he's still burning up all over. I wanted to ask if your family has any fever-reducing medicine?"

As someone from a later era, she felt some sympathy for those living in the cowshed; after all, not everyone living there was a bad person: "Wait a moment."

Earlier, when her father was hospitalized at the commune clinic, the doctor, fearing her father might develop a high fever due to his injuries, had prescribed some Analgin. When they returned, she had seen it.

After rummaging around in her father and mother's room for a while, she finally found the paper packet in the drawer under the cabinet. She rushed out: "This is all we have at home. If the child needs to take it, half a tablet at a time. Don't give him too much. Although it can reduce fever, it also has side effects. You must be careful."

The man took the paper packet and immediately bowed deeply to Liu Chuxue: "Miss, great kindness needs no thanks. If I get a chance in the future, I will surely repay you twofold."

With that, he turned and ran away.

Liu Chuxue sighed inwardly, picked up her basket, and headed toward the private plot, though her heart remained troubled by the matter.

Just as she finished washing the vegetables on her end, Chunxiao, who had been gathering pig grass, entered the courtyard: "Second Sister, I'm back."

Liu Chuxue glanced outside: "Wash your hands first, then come help with the fire."

Even now, she still couldn't master this earthen stove. Everything else was manageable, but tending the fire was truly a headache for her.

After Chunxiao acknowledged, she went to scoop water from the jar standing in the courtyard.

By the time Chunxiao had washed up and entered the kitchen, Liu Chuxue had already prepared the vegetables.

With Chunxiao helping to tend the fire, the cooking speed increased considerably.

When Liu's father and mother returned, Liu Chuxue had already stir-fried the sauce and rolled out the dough; she was currently cutting it into strips.

They heard Liu's mother ask: "What did the Secretary and the others say? Are they organizing the commune members to smoke out the badgers tonight?"

Liu's father, washing his hands as he spoke, replied: "It hasn't been decided yet, but they probably will go. The field further inside has had quite a bit of damage from badgers digging. If we don't deal with that field, it'll be ruined."

Liu Chuxue stuck her head out and saw that both of them wore worried expressions.

(End of this chapter)