Back to the 60s: The Struggle Career of a Charmed Wife
Chapter 303 - 0303 - To Foster or Not to Foster 1_1

Chapter 303: Chapter 0303 - To Foster or Not to Foster 1_1

The more Old Man Song spoke, the more mortified he felt, his head drooping lower and lower.

Dire poverty dampens will and aspiration. Yet, people have no choice but to carry on.

Song Dazhu was a martyr, honored with a title from the state and buried in the Martyrs’ Cemetery. Who could bear to let the only child of a martyr starve to death? Who in their production brigade, who among the Song clan, could shoulder such a burden? If it weren’t for the famine of these past few years, every family in the brigade could spare a mouthful of food to keep him alive. But now, who is willing to part with even a single grain? They count every grain they use for cooking.

"Gangzi does have a paternal uncle. After Gangzi’s mother died, the money and vouchers you sent were claimed by them. Even up to this month, they got some. They went to the city and exchanged it for food. But when their own daughter was starving to death, they wouldn’t even take a handful of rice to boil a porridge to save her life! When I found Gangzi, he was on the brink of starving to death. In desperation, after discussing with the party secretary, I told their family that I would find a good home for Gangzi. After they agreed, I brought Gangzi out without telling them that I was coming to you. I was afraid they might bother you in the future since you left your address in the letter and told Gangzi’s family to look for you if they were in trouble."

As he was speaking, Old Man Song put down Gangzi, took off the depleted sack from his back, opened it, and took out several letters and all of Song Dazhu’s relics, including the medal of honor. He handed them to Feng Qingxue.

Indeed, the letters were penned by her and Lu Jiang, recognizable from the handwriting.

She did not write the part about looking to them for help when their family was in need. She did not promise anything to the family of the martyr. It was probably written by Lu Jiang before he returned to the military, a correspondence she had not reviewed.

They had a bond as comrades-in-arms, so it made perfect sense to include such content in their letters.

However, facing the task of taking care of Gangzi from Old Man Song, Feng Qingxue was completely unprepared. Looking into Gangzi’s innocent and pure eyes, she did not know what to say; she felt every word was inappropriate.

Just then, she heard a grumble from Old Man Song’s stomach, and Gangzi’s eyes turned to the table.

There were still some cold, uneaten dumplings left in the bowl.

Old Man Song’s face turned crimson with embarrassment, "Actually, I’m not hungry, just thirsty. I brought some steamed maize bread. It was not easy for the party secretary and my wife to scrape it together. I need to eat it on my way home. I’ve had one per day these past few days."

Feng Qingxue sighed, poured him a bowl of hot water, and asked Lu Tianjun to make dumplings for Old Man Song.

They had previously made quite a few trays of dumplings, with two trays left uncooked.

Lu’s father suddenly suggested, "Make some porridge for the child, to nourish his stomach."

Lu Tianjun answered, and started to get busy with Guan Cheng.

Old Man Song had Gangzi sitting on his lap, absentmindedly wavering his empty hand at Feng Qingxue, "No, no, it’s rare to eat dumplings on winter solstice. I still have steamed maize bread! It’s just the matter of Gangzi..."

"Please eat first, we can talk afterwards."

Hearing Feng Qingxue’s words, Old Man Song waved his hand again, "Until the matter with Gangzi is settled, I won’t feel at ease, even if I were to eat meat."

Listening to him, Feng Qingxue looked at Lu’s father, who happened to be looking at her too. Their eyes met, both with a bitter smile

Theoretically, they should adopt Gangzi; it’s not like they couldn’t afford it.

Song Dazhu gave his life for the country and the people, with all his kins dying before him. His only child should not starve to death in this time of natural and man-made disasters, leaving no descendants to his heroic legacy.