Traveling back to 1952, starting a comeback from a relief station

While the two were busy, Yan Bugui stood by watching the commotion. Seeing Wang Anping get to work, he jokingly remarked:

"Anping, didn't the doctor say you were too weak to do heavy work?"

"Why are you so busy now?"

"Make sure you get some rest and don't overwork yourself."

Upon hearing this, Qin Huairu immediately stopped what she was doing and turned to look at Wang Anping in surprise.

With a face full of concern, he asked:

"real?"

"Brother, why didn't you tell me you weren't feeling well?"

Wang Anping scratched his head.

This is outrageous!

Seeing Qin Huairu's concerned expression, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and explain:

"Um...that did happen before."

"Back then, I had just come from the countryside and was used to doing heavy work at home. I was always hungry, so my health suffered."

"After arriving in Beijing, I was able to eat my fill every meal, and I gradually recovered."

"Nothing's wrong right now!"

However, Qin Huairu took it very seriously.

She quickly pulled him to his feet, moved a stool from inside the house to the doorway, and pressed him down onto it.

"Brother, stop fighting, sit down and rest."

"I'll do this little bit of work. It's just that I'm clumsy, so you can teach me."

"You've just recovered, you can't overexert yourself."

Qin Huairu also came from the countryside and knew how hard life was there.

During the busy farming season, her father and older brother worked with all their might, and even her younger brother, who was only a teenager, was so tired that he couldn't straighten his back. Wang Anping was the only child in his family, and he must have suffered a lot in the past.

There was nothing she could do before, but now he's her man.

She needs to be very careful with her!

Qin Huairu settled Wang Anping down to sit beside her.

He picked up the straw and continued building the fence, showing no reluctance whatsoever; on the contrary, he worked quite efficiently.

This scene left Yan Bugui, who was standing nearby, dumbfounded.

He was just joking!

Wang Anping is a very sturdy guy, and he knows exactly what's going on.

I wanted to see how this bad boy would explain himself, but to my surprise, the problem wasn't with Wang Anping at all.

He watched Wang Anping sitting at the door, holding a teacup, like a landlord from the old society, occasionally giving Qin Huairu a few pointers. Yan Bugui was incredibly sour about it.

The worst part is that Qin Huairu did it willingly, isn't that infuriating!

Yan Bugui's resolve deepened:

When we find a wife for Yan Jiecheng in the future, she must be from the countryside!

Even the King of Heaven himself couldn't stop it!

Before long, the fence was built, and a few chickens were put inside. The front yard immediately became more lively, with the clucking of the chickens making it quite lively.

Qin Huairu examined her masterpiece and felt quite satisfied.

Turning my head, I caught sight of the two pots of red plum blossoms by the door, my eyes lit up, and I exclaimed in surprise:

"Brother Anping, you can even grow flowers?"

"These two potted plants are growing so well, blooming so beautifully! You're really amazing, bro!"

Wang Anping waved his hand:

"I didn't plant this; Teacher Yan raised it and gave it to me."

"When I first moved into the courtyard, the entrance was bare. Teacher Yan saw that I was lonely, so she gave me these two pots of red plum blossoms to add some life to the entrance."

Qin Huairu immediately turned to look at Yan Bugui, her face full of gratitude, and said:

"Thank you, Teacher Yan, you're such a kind person!"

Yan Bugui: ...

Inside the house, Qin Huairu was busy tidying up.

Her fingertips traced the surfaces of every object in the room, and the thought of settling down and living here filled her with sweet satisfaction.

Although it was just two simple brick houses with a reverse-facing facade, it was worlds apart from the conditions back home.

Back in her hometown, she didn't even have a proper bed.

She built a two-brick-high platform on the ground, laid a layer of dry grass, and covered it with a tattered cotton quilt; that became her bed.

Not only her, but her younger brother Qin Youcai also made do with sleeping in the same way.

At that time.

Her biggest wish is to have her own bed so she can get a good night's sleep.

Now, there is a bed with brand new, soft bedding; there is also a stove in the room, making it warm and cozy, with a kettle on it so that hot water is always available.

What more could I ask for in a life like this?

Qin Huairu was overjoyed and quickly cleaned the house inside and out until it was spotless.

He then turned and went to the outer room to prepare a meal.

Wang Anping found two cloth bags.

One person carried several bowls of wheat flour, another carried some cornmeal, and then picked out a palm-sized piece of cured meat from their belongings.

"Huai Ru, you stay home and cook, I'm going to the backyard."

"Take these things to the old lady."

With that, he pushed open the door and left the room.

Yan Bugui was standing at his doorstep when he saw Wang Anping come out, carrying two bulging bags and a piece of cured meat. Curious, he asked:

"Anping, where are you going? What are you doing carrying all this?"

Wang Anping waved what he was holding and replied with a smile:

"Bring some food to the old lady."

Although he had criticized Yi Zhonghai, dealt with Jia Dongxu, and occasionally taken advantage of Yan Bugui, he would never take advantage of a lonely old lady.

He couldn't refuse the money offered by the person who gave him a dollar, and the reason was very sincere.

Then let's send some food to the old lady.

Yan Bugui paused, watching Wang Anping's retreating figure as he strode towards the Intermediate People's Court, and couldn't help but mutter:

"This kid..."

Wang Anping encountered many neighbors from the courtyard along the way.

Although no one approached him to speak, their eyes were fixed on the bag in his hand, watching him intently until he entered the backyard before looking away.

backyard.

The lights were dim in the deaf old woman's room.

When Wang Anping pushed open the door, the old lady was preparing to eat.

On the small table sat a rough porcelain plate containing a steamed bun made from two kinds of flour, a small handful of pickled vegetables, and a bowl of boiled water cooling beside it—it couldn't be simpler.

Wang Anping glanced around and found that the old lady's room was quite simple, but upon closer inspection, it seemed that it was not so simple.

Take, for example, the inconspicuous little wooden box placed by the bedside.

Adorned with silver decorations, it has a rustic feel. The main material is jet black with subtle red veins, and the whole piece has an oily sheen, almost like the texture of jade. It is clearly made of high-quality wood.

And it's just something that's out in the open.

Seeing Wang Anping enter, the deaf old woman looked up, her face full of surprise:

"Grandson, what brings you here?"

Wang Anping walked forward with a smile, glanced at the food on the table, and joked:

"Grandma, you're eating this already?"

"Oh, just some noodles and a little pickled vegetables? Next time, I'll have Sha Zhu make you something better."

"Shazhu's cooking is pretty good, I'll tell him next time."

"Let Master Yi pay for it."

"Everyone in the hospital knows that you dote on Master Yi the most."

"It's only right that he gives you some money as a token of his respect."

"At your age, it's a blessing to be able to eat. You're in good health, and the courtyard is lively. You can't always eat such bland food."

As he spoke, he placed the bag and cured meat he was carrying on the table:

"Alright, I'll bring you some wheat flour and cornmeal."

"There's also a small piece of cured meat."

"Please don't be so polite."

"We appreciate your kind gesture; it's just a small token of our affection."

"Please eat, and tell me when you're done."

He didn't lower his voice intentionally; at least the households in the backyard could hear him.

Wang Anping knew perfectly well that not only the Liu and Xu families lived in the backyard, but there were also people secretly lurking at the door, listening to what he was doing in the backyard.

It would be good if they heard this, and even better if it reached Yi Zhonghai's ears, causing him some minor trouble.

After Wang Anping left, the deaf old woman watched his retreating figure.

Looking at the two bags on the table, especially the piece of cured meat, a thoughtful look appeared in his eyes.