Educated Youth in the Countryside: She is the Village's Embroidery Queen!-Chapter 383: Wouldn’t Dare to Lend It to You
Then—
"Hasn’t Xiao Wen sent any telegrams or letters?"
Mentioning this topic made Yi Chichi worried too, "No, not yet."
In early October, she could still comfort herself thinking that Wen Shi might be busy, possibly out at sea training or on a mission, and would reply once he saw her letters, or at least send a telegram when he returned.
Yet now it’s the end of November, nearly December, and still no word from him.
Considering the naval battle in January 1984, worry started to gnaw at her.
"Grandpa, I’m a bit worried."
"Worried about what?"
Yi Chichi didn’t dare to speak too candidly, besides, it wouldn’t help. In their current situation, knowing wouldn’t bring any benefit other than added anxiety.
So, she chose a more indirect approach.
"Grandpa, what’s your impression of the people down south?"
"Which south?"
Several pairs of eyes looked at her inquiringly.
Yi Chichi dipped her finger in water and wrote two characters on the kang table, which immediately drew looks of disdain from them.
Just about to say they didn’t have a good impression, recalling her words, they swallowed them back and instead said—
"Are you worried about something happening on Xiao Wen’s side?"
Not worried—it’s more certain that something will happen.
In fact, there’s not much time left before it does.
But she couldn’t say that, so she just sighed, "In September, XXX Island was incorporated into their territory, you remember that news, right?!"
"Remember!"
How could they not? When that news hit, they nearly exploded with anger upon hearing it through newspapers and broadcasts.
"Are they causing trouble again?" 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂
Old Mrs. Song asked furiously.
Yi Chichi shook her head, "Haven’t seen any related info in newspapers or broadcasts, but since they incorporated the island, I think this matter can’t just pass like this."
"It absolutely can’t. The island’s ours; not an inch can be conceded."
The old man roughly guessed what she was worried about and could only reassure her after expressing his stance, "You shouldn’t worry too much; what’s meant to happen will happen. Just wait patiently for news from Wen Shi."
Yi Chichi’s forehead was lined with frustration, "Grandpa, you’re not good at comforting people."
The old man smiled wryly, "I’m just a simple old man, never learned how to comfort people."
Made sense.
Mrs. Song and the others laughed, and Uncle Ye added boldly, "If you’re really not reassured, you could ask your squad leader uncle for a family visit pass to go check things out yourself."
See what’s going on and tell us when you get back.
Yi Chichi shamefully felt moved by the idea, being a person of action, and got off the kang, putting on her shoes, saying, "I’ll head to the commune."
"??? Why go to the commune?"
"To send a telegram to my sister-in-law next door and inquire about the situation."
Otherwise, I’ll have to go myself.
The old man and the others paused, thinking it was a good idea.
"Take it slow on the way; be careful not to fall."
"I’ll take the sled."
Riding a bicycle is out of the question; with this weather, she’d fall all over and freeze before reaching the commune.
"Remember to tell your mother-in-law first."
To prevent her from worrying.
Yi Chichi acknowledged, saying she understood.
When she got home and explained, Wen’s mother’s first reaction was to reach out and feel her forehead, making Yi Chichi laugh and cry, "Mom, I’m not talking nonsense."
Speaking clearly, eyes bright and clear, it didn’t look at all like someone with a fever.
Wen’s mother relaxed, withdrawing her hand, "Then you should go, go and come back quickly."
"Okay."
Yi Chichi geared up, took money and tickets, grabbed a small mat, and bounced over to borrow a sled from Grandpa Liu.
Finding out her intention, Grandpa Liu tapped his tobacco pouch, "I’d dare not lend it to you; you don’t even know how to handle it."
"I can learn."
Hearing the commotion, Liu Lan came out, wearing a child on her back and holding one on her chest just in time to catch her words, forehead lined with frustration, "It’s not something you can learn quickly."
Speaking, she turned to Grandpa Liu, "Grandpa, how about you take the trouble to give Chichi a lift?"
Grandpa Liu took a puff of his smoking pipe, "I never said I wouldn’t take her."
Just didn’t get the chance to, before the two little girls rambled on about it.
Yi Chichi beamed, "Thanks, Grandpa Liu. When we get to the commune, I’ll treat you to filtered cigarettes."
"Alright, the old man will wait for your smoke."
Grandpa Liu got up to harness Gouzi to the sled, while Yi Chichi leaned into Liu Lan to check on the kids, finding them both asleep, puzzled, "They’re asleep, why not lay them on the kang instead of holding them?"
Liu Lan looked utterly helpless, "Used to being held by my mom and the rest, they cry if laid on the kang, I’ll wait for them to sleep soundly before putting them down."
Before the words were out, both kids opened their eyes and started making noise.
Yi Chichi, "... They’re awake."
"Yeah."
Liu Lan, resigning to fate, swayed side to side, the two children hummed and closed their eyes.
Yi Chichi, "!!!"
My goodness, Liu Lan turned herself into a human rocking chair.
"You..."
"Chichi, let’s go."
Just starting to speak, Grandpa Liu drove the sled over, priority calling, leaving the kid talk for next time.
"Lanlan, I’m off, let’s chat at my place when you visit."
"I’ll come tomorrow."
Carrying kids is not for her, she’d better finish those two embroidery pieces and exchange them for money, then pay her mom and the others.
"Sure."
Responding, Yi Chichi climbed onto the sled with her mat.
Grandpa Liu called out, and the four hunting dogs immediately sprang to action, pulling the sled into motion.
In the afternoon, just past two, the old man and the young lady reached the post office entrance.
Five minutes later, Yi Chichi stepped out, free from burden.
"Grandpa, let’s stop by the supply and marketing co-op."
Grandpa Liu, "... You really going to buy me cigarettes?"
"Mainly, I’m getting other stuff."
"Alright then."
So, the duo headed to the supply and marketing cooperative.
Yi Chichi invited the old man in, but he wouldn’t, insisting on watching his sled and dogs.
It’s hard to raise some good hunting dogs; can’t have them stolen for dog meat.
No choice, Yi Chichi went in alone, swiftly gathered what she needed, then headed to the tobacco and alcohol counter, buying Da Qianmen cigarettes and alcohol, handing the old man a pack upon exiting.
"These are yours."
"Just a stick to try would do."
The old man opened the Da Qianmen, pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and tossed the rest back to her.
Of course, Yi Chichi didn’t take it back, pushing it back, "You keep it, or else, I wouldn’t dare trouble you next time."
With those words, the old man retracted his hand, accepting the cigarettes.
"Call me next time you head to the commune."
"Definitely will."
Until spring arrives at least, riding a bike is out of the question.
Spring’s still far, got to keep the old man pleased, otherwise it’s embarrassing to ask for favors.
"Get settled, wrap the mat tight, and we’re heading home."
The old man handed her the mat, and Yi Chichi murmured an acknowledgment, wrapped up, signaling the old man to set out.
Then the sled retraced its way back.
To return, they had to pass by the post office, and Yi Chichi calculated the time, figuring if Ji Jian received the telegram, nearly an hour should be enough for a reply to come.
Thus, she decided to drop by and check.
