Chapter 26 - 26 0026 Timely Assistance in the Snow 2_1

Chapter 26: Chapter 0026: Timely Assistance in the Snow 2_1 Chapter 26: Chapter 0026: Timely Assistance in the Snow 2_1 Feng Qingxue wiped the sweat off her brow, laughing, “It’s not about what’s enough or not, I’m not only after your belongings. If I was after money, all I’d have to do is go to the black market. There’s no shortage of people willing to buy or exchange with jewelry. Instead, I worry that you won’t be able to manage this much grain. We’d better take this flatbed cart and send the grain to your house before daylight.” “We are truly grateful, my girl.” How could Mrs. Xu possibly refuse? If there were ill intentions involved, they wouldn’t have arranged so much grain for them. Their social status led many people to shun them. Everyone usually had two meals a day and got up rather late, so Feng Qingxue and Gangzi encountered very few people while making their furtive journey. Upon reaching Mr. and Mrs. Xu’s home, all three of them exhaled with relief. Mr. and Mrs. Xu lived in a small wooden hut located beside the public toilet behind the department store building. The solitary wooden house had no courtyard, was quite low and small, making it chilly in winter and roasting hot in summer. Mrs. Xu, however, seemed quite comfortable about it, saying, “The state has given us jobs. One of us sweeps the streets, and the other cleans the toilet. It’s perfect. Living here is very convenient.” Her tone was full of self-mockery. Feng Qingxue sighed, holding her hand, “Mrs. Xu, all these difficulties will eventually pass.” “Indeed, they will pass. But we don’t know if we can live to see that day,” she added. While they were talking, Mr. Xu carried the bags of grain into the house first. He then moved a bed in the house, opened the entrance to the cellar beneath the bed, and poured the grain into the barrels in the cellar. All of these actions were done without concealing anything from Feng Qingxue. Feng Qingxue did not inquire further and took the goods out of the basket. “Mr. Xu, Mrs. Xu, please take this and replenish yourselves.” In addition to a small bag of rice and millet, Feng Qingxue had also prepared for them thirty to forty eggs, two pieces of cured meat, and more than ten sausages, for their convenience. Something about Mrs. Xu’s appearance and demeanor made Feng Qingxue want to be kind to them. Mrs. Xu covered her mouth, her face wet with tears. “My dear girl, I don’t know what to say to express my gratitude,” she said. Mr. Xu also felt that the items he had initially prepared to exchange for the grains didn’t seem sufficient now. He covered the entrance to the underground cellar, moved the wooden bed back to its original place, and informed his wife before stepping out of the door. “My dear girl, please sit.” Mrs. Xu pulled Feng Qingxue’s hand, inviting her to sit on the edge of the bed. Their home had no table or chairs, only a coal stove and a small bed. Upon the stove sat a small iron pot, next to which a few pieces of honeycomb briquettes were placed. At the head of the bed was a wooden box, on the lid of which were two sets of bowls and chopsticks, two enamel jars, and a thermos wrapped in a woven bamboo shell. Mrs. Xu filled one of the enamel jars with hot water for Feng Qingxue. “My dear girl, our hospitality is poor – please don’t mind.” “How could I, Mrs. Xu? Times are hard for everyone,” said Feng Qingxue, accepting the enamel jar. The thermos might not have very good thermal insulation properties; the water in the enamel jar was warm, not scalding hot, but it was just right for drinking. Feng Qingxue, having come a long way, was quite thirsty. She drained the jar in one gulp, showing no signs of discomfort. Noticing that their quilts were rather thin and the cotton inside had hardened, Feng Qingxue put the jar she was holding onto the lid of the box and whispered, “Mrs. Xu, I will bring some raw cotton over in a few days. It will be good for making winter clothes and quilts.” Mrs. Xu it on the edge of the bed, holding Feng Qingxue’s hand. “My dear girl...” Feng Qingxue noticed Mrs. Xu’s hand trembling slightly – she was touched and emotional.