The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 154 Old Man Qi Also Wants to Go_1

Chapter 154: Chapter 154 Old Man Qi Also Wants to Go_1

He Tiantian’s words once again moved Third Grandma Qi to tears, and for quite some time, she couldn’t speak.

"Grandma Qi, don’t be so agitated. We’re family, how could I go celebrate the New Year in Nan City without you! If you don’t go to Nan City, I simply won’t return there either, and I’ll have my parents come here instead," said He Tiantian finally, to prevent Grandma Qi from feeling too guilty to go.

Third Grandma Qi weighed her decision repeatedly before she finally nodded slowly and said, "Girl Tian, I’ll go to Nan City with you. I know my own body and I’m not afraid of the long journey. I understand that you’re saying this so I can agree without feeling guilty. I’m fully aware of your kindness; this old woman has it all treasured in her heart. Since you regard me as your true grandma, I should also be honest with you; I have some valuable heirlooms from my ancestors. However, they’re all hidden because they were valuable in the past but would only bring trouble if revealed now, so I can’t give them to you at present—unless I’m gone, then I’ll tell you where they are hidden."

"Grandma Qi, I really don’t want those things. I acknowledge you as my grandma, not for your possessions," He Tiantian hastily said. Initially, she had admitted to seeking to reciprocate Grandma Qi’s kindness, and also to secure a stable place to live in Qijia Village by relying on her.

But now, all she wanted was to do something good for this kind but lonely old lady!

Third Grandma Qi laughed and said, "Heh, over the years, there were indeed villagers who had designs on me. But they don’t know about my private stash; they only wanted to take over my house. However, I know how good they’ve been to me, and I appreciate their neighborliness. My affection for you stems from seeing you as if you’re a scene from a dream I once had—my son alive, with his wife, grandsons, and granddaughters, the leaves returning to their roots. You’ve filled the emptiness in my heart, and you care so much for this old woman that I can’t help but want to give you my precious things."

He Tiantian was moved; Third Grandma Qi truly regarded her as family to share such secrets with her.

"Grandma Qi, let’s not talk about this anymore. Now that you’re healthy enough to make the trip, let’s go find Village Chief Qi, get the certification, and buy train tickets," He Tiantian said with a smile. She wasn’t worried about Grandma Qi’s health, and she knew that if there were any emergencies on the way, she had Snake King with her, as well as her own spiritual blood.

"Right, let’s go, I’ll join you. I’ll speak with Dazhu," Third Grandma Qi said, her heart racing with excitement at the thought of fulfilling a long-held wish.

An old woman and a young girl, they went to see Secretary Qi.

Upon hearing Third Grandma Qi’s words, Secretary Qi was momentarily stunned, then said with a bitter smile, "Third Aunt, I’m sorry. Over the years, I never took you to visit Shuliang in Nan City."

"Oh Dazhu, that kind of talk makes you sound like an outsider," said Third Grandma Qi cheerfully. "I remember everything you’ve done for me over the years. Without your care, how could I have managed to live in this village? Even if not maltreated, I wouldn’t have been able to live so comfortably."

Dazhu looked embarrassed and modestly said, "Third Aunt, you give me too much credit; I haven’t been all that great. But since you want to go, I will give you certification and buy your train ticket."

"Thank you, Dazhu," Third Grandma Qi said, grateful. "At my age, just to see Shuliang’s last place and to wander there would make me content."

Dazhu understood Third Grandma Qi’s feelings, nodded his head, and said, "I know. Just wait at home, and I’ll make sure every piece of documentation is ready and personally deliver them to you. We also feel assured with you going with Girl Tian. This afternoon, we will be distributing grains and money; bring some extra for the road."

"Secretary Qi, don’t worry! Grandma Qi is the grandma I recognize. I’ll take care of her as I would my own grandma. If it weren’t for my parents’ work and the very short holiday period, they would have come here to celebrate the New Year with Grandma Qi," He Tiantian explained. She had already written to her parents, and they had agreed to her acknowledging Third Grandma Qi. And although they had planned to visit last time, their short vacation from work meant they likely could not come.

Upon hearing this, Dazhu became even more satisfied, and after seeing off Third Grandma Qi and He Tiantian, he went to the village branch office to prepare the necessary documentation for their journey.

In the evening, Third Grandma Qi and He Tiantian went together to the village to collect grain and money.

The joyous expressions on everyone’s faces clearly indicated that this year was going to be a bountiful one.

He Tiantian didn’t know how much the others received or by what standard it was allocated, but she was pleased with this year’s distribution. She had been given two hundred pounds of rice, two hundred pounds of wheat, a hundred pounds of corn, and sixty dollars. Additionally, she received a bar of soap and a towel for being acknowledged as a model citizen.

Although Grandma Qi received less than Tiantian, she still got a hundred and sixty pounds of rice, one hundred and twenty pounds of wheat, one hundred and eighty pounds of corn, and forty-six dollars.

With this amount of grain, they would have enough to eat until around June or July of the following year.

Money could be carried with them, but the grain couldn’t be taken along, nor could it be left at home. With no one at home, leaving such a large amount of grain there risked it being stolen, and then they would have nothing to eat the next year.

Third Grandma Qi’s upcoming trip to Nan City was then quietly shared with Old Man Qi by Village Chief Qi.

Old Man Qi had more than once provided care for Third Grandma Qi through his intermediation.

At first, Secretary Qi thought of Second Uncle Qi and Third Aunt Qi as close kin, and he took it for granted to look after her. But one day, he witnessed Second Uncle Qi silently watching Third Aunt Qi’s figure, which led him to realize the truth.

Nonetheless, he wasn’t worried about any inappropriate relations between the two.

Secretary Qi felt Third Grandma Qi, even with her bound feet, carried herself with dignity, and was a strong, principled woman.

As for Second Uncle Qi, he was undoubtedly upright and resolute!

There might be things Secretary Qi didn’t know, but he firmly believed the two would never engage in unspeakable acts.

"Second Uncle Qi, Third Aunt wants to go to Nan City with Girl Tian. You already know that Third Aunt has always wanted to go to Nan City. Previously due to poverty, there was no extra money, so she couldn’t make it. But this year the harvest was good, and with He Tiantian, a local there, I agreed," Village Chief Qi said. Second Uncle Qi was also to be pitied; he had left his hometown when he was young and later, his wife and son were killed by the Japanese soldiers, leaving him alone.

Old Man Qi furrowed his brow upon hearing this.

Just when Village Chief Qi thought Old Man Qi might be resentful, he heard Old Man Qi say, "Dazhu, I haven’t seen old friends for a long time either. Get me a letter of introduction as well; I want to go to Nan City."

Ah, he still couldn’t let go of Third Aunt Qi!

He hadn’t thought of visiting Nan City earlier or later, but only after hearing Third Aunt Qi was going to Nan City did he think of it.