Chapter 14 Grandma Qi 3_1

Others were looking at the surroundings of Qijia Village, which boasted clear mountains and waters, but the houses were low and small, not as tall as those in the city; the roads narrow and uneven.

Having lived in Qijia Village for so many years in her previous life, He Tiantian was very familiar with everything here and had no desire to look around anymore. Instead, she turned her head to look elsewhere. But as she did, it just so happened that she saw Third Grandma Qi, who had been kind to her before, had fallen over.

Third Grandma Qi was nearly seventy years old and had been the daughter of a landlord with bound feet. On the eve of liberation, her son went to study at a university in Nan City and never returned.

Over the years, with no news from her son, everyone in Qijia Village assumed that Third Grandma Qi's son was already dead. Only she stubbornly believed that as long as she did not see her son's corpse, she would believe he was still alive in this world.

After liberation, her husband died, and Third Grandma Qi served her in-laws. Once her in-laws had passed away, she lived alone, quietly waiting for her son to return home, hoping she could see him again in her lifetime.

However, He Tiantian knew that Third Grandma Qi was destined for good fortune; her son, who went away to study, did return, and from Country M no less. In her old age, Third Grandma Qi had a house full of children and grandchildren and enjoyed a few years of peace and happiness.

It wasn't just the son from the United States that made Third Grandma Qi memorable to He Tiantian. What was more important was that while she often helped Third Grandma Qi with sewing and mending, Third Grandma Qi had told her that the Qi family were not good people and to be careful. But at that time, she was completely deceived by Grandma Qi's family and did not heed Third Grandma Qi's words, thinking it was just an old village lady who liked to gossip.

At that time, she was not married to Qi Jianguo yet. If she had thought carefully and observed, maybe she would have seen the truth.

Having returned, He Tiantian decided to listen more to Third Grandma Qi, for she was someone willing to speak the truth to her. In a time where everything was a lie, one true word was invaluable.

"Village Chief Qi, look, someone has fallen," He Tiantian pointed towards the small path not far off, "Second Brother Qi, hurry up, stop the… "

Village Chief Qi, following He Tiantian's pointed finger, also saw the fallen person and quickly told Qi Ergou to stop the oxcart.

He Tiantian moved swiftly, immediately jumping off the oxcart and running over quickly. Even she herself did not realize how fast she was moving, astonishing the people behind her.

Village Chief Qi and Qi Ergou also followed quickly, but the two strong men couldn't catch up with He Tiantian.

"That girl He Tiantian sure runs fast," Huang Jingli said, as she too got off the oxcart.

"Yes," Lin Xiaoru agreed, "Li Mingkai, Jingli, let's go take a look too. We will be working here in the future, and as Chairman M said, we need to integrate with the working people and engage in large-scale production together."

Huang Jingli also felt the same way and quickly nodded in agreement: "Yeah, Li Mingkai, let's go take a look together."

"Hmm," Li Mingkai nodded and went over to take a look; if he wanted to leave here quickly in the future, he couldn't avoid needing various certificates issued by the village chief. Performing well now would make things easier later on.

Third Grandma Qi, sweating profusely from the pain, kept moaning, "My foot…"

"Grandma Qi, how are you?" He Tiantian asked as she approached, moving the pole and water bucket to the side.

Third Grandma Qi opened her eyes to see a girl with fair skin, and large almond-shaped eyes filled with tears, stated with difficulty, "I was carrying water… and I twisted my ankle."

Village Chief Qi and Qi Ergou had caught up by then.

"Third Grandma, how did you fall?" Qi Ergou asked, helping her up. They were neighbors and usually had good relations.

Er Gouzi, carry Third Grandma Qi to the ox cart," Village Chief Qi said, supporting her from behind as they lifted Third Grandma Qi onto the ox cart twenty or so meters away.

With others helping out, there was no need for He Tiantian, so she picked up the shoulder pole and two wooden buckets and went to the nearby watering hole to fetch water.

This watering hole had a spring, and it was located higher up and clean; generation after generation of Qijia Village residents had fetched their drinking water from here.

When Village Chief Qi and Qi Ergou had helped Third Grandma Qi onto the ox cart and turned to look for He Tiantian, they saw her carrying water. From the trembling amplitude of the shoulder pole, it was obvious that the two large buckets were full.

Ah, what a kind-hearted, considerate girl He Tiantian is!

And to top it off, the girl is pretty strong!

"Here, let me carry it," Village Chief Qi approached, offering help. They couldn't afford to wear out the girl.

He Tiantian smiled and said, "It's okay, Village Chief Qi, I'm pretty strong."

He Tiantian didn't know why, but her strength had become so great. Initially, she thought to pick up just half buckets, but found she could easily lift the half-filled ones. Curious, she filled both buckets and found she could easily lift them as well, not struggling at all with the full load.

Seeing that He Tiantian genuinely didn't appear to be struggling, Village Chief Qi chuckled and said, "I had no idea you were this strong!"

"Hehe, I do a lot of work at home," lied He Tiantian, who at home, with her parents around, had never done such heavy work!

Huang Jingli and Lin Xiaoru had to admit that He Tiantian was a fine young woman.

This time, Qi Dazhu was driving the ox cart, Qi Ergou sat with Third Grandma Qi, and everyone else walked alongside.

Although Third Grandma Qi's ankle was in pain, she had caught her breath and her eyes rested on the young girl carrying water with big, beautiful eyes, finding her very likable. If her son hadn't gone missing, she imagined she'd have a daughter about as old as this girl by now.

"There are already four people at the educated youth spot occupying two rooms; there are still two rooms left. Li Mingkai will take one, and it'll be a bit cramped for you three girls in one room. Stay there for now, and I'll think of something tomorrow," Village Chief Qi said, having not had proper rest yesterday and today. He would think more on it after a good rest.

Upon hearing this, Third Grandma Qi had an idea. She had several rooms in her house, and she was just a lone old woman living there. She used to disdain the proud young people from the city and wouldn't let them stay, but this water-fetching girl seemed alright.

"Dazhu," Third Grandma Qi said, "the rooms for the young people from the city are perfect for two, but it's too crowded for three girls to live together. It's so hot, and I don't want the city girls to suffer. Why don't we let that girl stay at my place?"

As soon as Village Chief Qi heard this, a light bulb went off. Other households had no space, but Third Aunt Qi's house did. Besides, Third Aunt Qi had injured her foot, and having a young girl nearby would mean someone to help look after her.

He Tiantian's eyes brightened, revealing a brilliant smile. Naturally, she was more than willing to stay with Third Grandma Qi and said, "Grandma Qi, won't I be intruding?"

The word "grandma" made Third Grandma Qi's heart feel tender. If only this could be her own granddaughter!

"Not at all, it's just me, an old woman, at home," Third Grandma Qi said. "You won't be staying for free either. Think of it as keeping this lonely old woman company, and maybe help out with some sweeping and chores." Now that she had twisted her foot, having the young girl stay with her would also be a help.