"By the way, I brought back the coarse linen and needles, so from now on, Xiao Yun and Xiao Xia can sew bags at home! Xiao Shan and Xiao Feng will collect firewood in the morning and study in the afternoon!" Bai Xue arranged the tasks for her younger siblings.
"Got it, everyone!" Bai Rushan was the first to agree. He loved studying the most, and being able to go back to school had already made him happy for several days. Now that his eldest sister arranged for them to read in the afternoon, he couldn't be happier.
"Big sis, can we start earning money now?" Bai Ruxia limped along behind her eldest sister, eagerly asking.
"Yes! But you can only sew during the day. Although we have candles at home, the light is too dim, and it's not good for your eyes!" Bai Xue knew that once her two younger sisters learned they could earn money, they would definitely work around the clock.
She was reluctant to sell the grain in the supermarket, so the need for bags was minimal, and they were used for packing other things. However, since the sales channels were small, they couldn't sell that many items.
"Okay! We'll listen to big sis!" Bai Ruxia was excited.
She noticed that her eldest sister had become even more capable since taking a fall. Not only did she have a job in Pingyang Town, but she could also find work for them.
Bai Xue hurried the four siblings home as dusk fell. She quickly got to making dinner with them. They had bought quite a bit today, and fearing the bike wouldn't manage the load, they didn't buy any grain or food. So for dinner, they had to settle for sorghum porridge with pickled vegetables.
Zhang Yuan didn't come home for dinner in the evening either. Maybe he ate something delicious in town and wasn't hungry tonight? Or perhaps he had something else to do?
Bai Xue wasn't too concerned and didn't send anyone to look for him. If he didn't come, she'd just assume he wasn't hungry.
She watched her family eat heartily.
Though it seemed that besides her, everyone else was enjoying their meal.
After all, for those used to barely having enough water to fill their stomachs, drinking thick porridge now would be fulfilling enough.
Early the next morning, Bai Xue went to find her second uncle and followed him to borrow an ox cart. When she returned, Bai Ruyun and Bai Ruxia had already prepared breakfast. They hurriedly ate a few bites before setting off.
Zhang Yuan didn't come for breakfast either, which left Bai Xue a bit puzzled, but she didn't have time to worry about it.
At the health center, they successfully removed the stitches, and just as they reached the door, Chen Qiyue called out to them.
"Xiao Xue... wait a minute!"
"Dad, wait for me here for a moment! I'll be right back!" Bai Xue told her father as she ran over.
"Sister Qiyue! What's up?"
"Xiao Xue, thank you for saving my grandmother yesterday. I haven't properly thanked you yet. Grandma and I agreed that when you come to remove the stitches, we'll invite you to a meal! Don't rush off! Come to my house for a casual meal!" Chen Qiyue said, holding Bai Ruxue's hand.
"I can't stay for lunch this time, Sister Qiyue! We still have to hit the road! We borrowed the team's ox cart, and we can't waste time!" Bai Xue said with a chuckle. "But Sister Qiyue, please don't let your grandmother go out alone anymore! It's too dangerous!"
"I know! But Grandmother can't stay at home. Grandpa passed away early, and my two brothers are working in Chenxi Town. They seldom come back, and my sister is married, leaving her with no one. This time, I had an argument with my parents and moved out, so Grandma felt even more alone and came out looking for me." Chen Qiyue said with a guilty face.
"Aren't your parents at home?" Bai Ruxue asked puzzled. Kids working out of town was normal, but since they lived in Pingyang Town, her parents should be there.
"My dad is the director of a milk powder factory, always busy. My mom and grandmother don't see eye to eye. They argue before speaking two sentences… Let's not talk about it anymore, Xiao Xue, come for a meal at my house! Or Grandma will worry every day!" Chen Qiyue paused to talk about her family's troubles.
When Bai Ruxue heard that Chen Qiyue's father was the director of a milk powder factory, her heart skipped a beat. This was an important person! In Pingyang Town, besides the mayor, there were only the directors of the milk powder factory and the textile factory.
"Sister Qiyue! How about this, we'll skip today. I'll be back in town tomorrow, and I promise to visit and see Grandma then! My dad's not fully recovered yet, and we need to get him home to rest!"
"Alright then! Be sure to find me tomorrow!" Chen Qiyue didn't insist further, knowing that the injured were most important.
"Okay! I'm off now! My dad must be waiting for me!" Bai Ruxue waved and was about to leave.
"Xiao Xue..." Chen Qiyue called after her.
"Yes?" Bai Xue turned back, puzzled.
"Um... do you still have that fragrance?" Chen Qiyue asked, somewhat embarrassed.
Bai Ruxue didn't immediately respond, looking at Chen Qiyue.
"It's just that my eldest sister saw my fragrance and insisted on knowing where I bought it. I wouldn't say, so she snatched it. I promised her I'd find a way to get another box!" Chen Qiyue explained apologetically.
"I'll write to my relatives to see if they can figure something out! If I can get it, I'll send it to you!" Bai Ruxue said, not immediately agreeing. "But even if I can get it, it would be after the new year."
"Sure, sure! Thanks, Xiao Xue! Oh, by the way, if you can get two boxes, I'd like two. It's okay if it's more expensive!" Chen Qiyue repeatedly said.
"Alright! I'll let you know once I have news! Bye-bye!"
"Okay! Hurry up! Uncle is probably getting anxious!" Chen Qiyue waved her hand.
Bai Xue bid farewell to Chen Qiyue and ran quickly to Bai Daliang. Second Uncle must have been waiting outside impatiently, so she had to hurry.
"Xiao Xue, you seem to know that little nurse quite well?" Bai Daliang observed as his eldest daughter ran toward him.
"Dad, the old lady I rescued was her grandmother. I only found out yesterday, and she wanted to invite us for a meal at their place, but I refused. If we don't head back soon, it'll get dark!" Bai Xue had been thinking about an excuse, but now it all worked out. Her made-up excuse had become true.
The old lady they saved really did have a son who was a director, just as she said. Now she didn't need to make up excuses.
"Is that so? What a coincidence!" Bai Daliang replied, genuinely surprised.
"Let's get moving, Dad. Second Uncle's been waiting outside for ages!" Bai Xue supported her father as they headed out.
Even though Bai Xue wore thermal pants and a thermal sweater, she was still freezing along the way. Bai Daliang even draped a blanket over her, but the cold air still seeped in, causing her to shiver uncontrollably.
The three of them reached the village without saying much along the way. Entering the village, they sensed something off. Along the narrow village path, the occasional villagers who passed by gave Bai Ruxue strange looks, shook their heads, and walked away without greeting them.
"Dad, do you feel that everyone is looking at me a bit oddly?" Bai Xue asked Bai Daliang, who was sitting beside her.
"What's odd about it? Don't overthink it!" Bai Daliang, being a straightforward man, didn't pay much heed. Whenever he went out, he focused on his work and rarely chatted with others, so he thought it was normal for people not to greet him.
"Xiao Xue, I feel their gazes on you are somewhat unusual!" admitted Bai Dajiang, who was driving the ox cart.
"Right! Their stares creep me out, as if I did something to wrong them... We need to hurry, Second Uncle! Let the ox go faster! I have to get home to see what's going on!" Bai Xue folded her arms, baffled by what could have happened to make these warm and simple villagers look at her this way.