The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 227: The Forgotten Stone Statue (1440+) _1

Chapter 227: Chapter 227: The Forgotten Stone Statue (1440+) _1

Because of the Snake King, the cave was as bright as day.

He Tiantian looked around and saw that, just like last year, this place was more lush and vibrant than the outside.

The Snake King swam back and forth contentedly in the water and, after enjoying himself, popped his head up to ask, "How come you thought to come here? It’s the middle of the night; aren’t you scared?"

Sitting on a stone by the water, He Tiantian had taken off her shoes and was soaking her feet, offering a bitter smile, "I remembered that this year there would be a severe drought, and I need to gather more food while there’s still some on the mountain."

"Oh!" replied the Snake King. "Do you need my help with that?"

"No need," said He Tiantian. "During a famine, others get so skinny and yellow-faced. If I look rosy and healthy, I’ll arouse suspicion." "As long as I have enough wild vegetables and occasionally get some meat here, I’ll get by."

He Tiantian didn’t want to be treated specially and become the focus of others’ attention.

Thinking of many people going hungry made her feel uneasy.

Being hungry was an awful feeling, like countless ants gnawing at your stomach.

Seeing He Tiantian’s mood low, the Snake King spoke leisurely, "Actually... there is a way..."

He Tiantian started, hopeful, "A way? Won’t it consume your mana? Won’t Heavenly Dao notice?"

If neither of those would happen, He Tiantian could consider it.

"Heavenly Dao won’t notice, but it will consume a bit of my mana," the Snake King said cheerfully. "Have you forgotten about the stone statue you found in the Taoyuan River last year?"

The stone statue?

He Tiantian paused, then remembered it!

The Divine Beast Statue that protected the river!

Now it was placed in the plaza’s small park, polished smooth by the children riding it!

"Right, last time you mentioned that if the stone statue was moved, Taoyuan County would face unrest, with an imminent drought and later earthquakes and floods," said He Tiantian eagerly. "I think we’ve already sealed the statue, so what do we do now? Do we need to return it to the river?"

The Snake King looked at He Tiantian’s incoherence and was at a loss for words. "You can speak slowly; there’s no need to rush. I don’t know what will happen with that stone statue. We need to unseal it first."

"How can I not worry?" He Tiantian embraced her head with both hands, rubbing it continuously. How could she have forgotten something so important! Indeed, too many good days could dull and corrupt a person.

"What can your worrying do?" the Snake King said disdainfully. "It’s nighttime now, and you can’t go to the county town. Besides, even if you did, how would you bring back the statue? Lastly, I sealed the statue with my mana and without me, irrespective of your worry, you can achieve nothing!"

Upon hearing this, He Tiantian deflated like a punctured balloon, disheartened. Right, her worrying was pointless! Everything depended on the Snake King.

"Then let’s go tomorrow and retrieve that statue," suggested He Tiantian, hoping they could handle it properly so that the statue could continue to ensure Taoyuan County’s tranquility.

"So far away, will you walk there yourself if no one goes to the county town?" the Snake King questioned. "You can’t do this openly. The statue is in the square, there are so many people there; you can’t just move it into my barrier during the day. You can only do it at night. What reasons will you use? You haven’t thought this through; how can you proceed to the next step? You want to help others and wish the disaster to pass quickly, but you must measure your capabilities; recklessly charging ahead will achieve nothing!"

He Tiantian was so chastised by the Snake King that she couldn’t lift her head.

Seeing He Tiantian silent, the Snake King softened his tone, "You don’t have to blame yourself; you didn’t unearth that statue. Even if there is a disaster, it’s not your fault. Think about it, you will surely find the right method."

"Alright, I was too impatient," He Tiantian said softly. There were enough things here to keep her from starving. Only when the Snake King had enjoyed itself thoroughly did she leave with it.

After returning home, He Tiantian didn’t sleep well and woke up in the morning with a big dark circle under her eyes.

Third Grandma Qi, seeing that He Tiantian looked unwell, asked, "Girl Tian, what happened to you last night? Didn’t you sleep well?"

He Tiantian grimaced and said, "I woke up a few times in the night, but it’s nothing. I’ll sleep more when I come back at noon."

Drink less water in the evening to avoid puffy eyes.

"Oh, I see," He Tiantian nodded. "I’m going to prepare breakfast."

For breakfast, there was only a dish of wild vegetables and a bowl of paste for each person as they were saving on food.

Right after breakfast, Qi Xiaoyan came to get He Tiantian to head to the livestock team.

"Sister Tiantian, Brother Dajun brought me news yesterday. In three days, he’ll take me to Huai City to audition for the Workers’ Cultural Group. It will take a total of five days, can you... can you accompany me?" Qi Xiaoyan said softly, explaining that her father was busy with spring farming, her mother was also very busy, and Er Gou was about to get married, so he didn’t have any free time either.

Brother Dajun could take time off, but Qi Xiaoyan didn’t feel comfortable being alone with Niu Dajun.

Besides, it would take several days, and it would affect Niu Dajun’s work if he asked for such a long leave.

He Tiantian’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Ah, she had been worried about not having the opportunity to go to the county town!

Now that Qi Xiaoyan had come to her, indeed, as the Snake King had said, she shouldn’t be impatient; things always have a way of working out.

"Sure, when?" asked He Tiantian, very happy. "I need to ask Aunt Liu for time off in advance."

Qi Xiaoyan was very grateful for He Tiantian’s prompt agreement and said, "Thank you, Sister Tiantian. We’ll leave tomorrow morning. We’ll stay with Sister Lili for the night, then set off early the next day for Huai City and take a bus there."

"Just the two of us? Is Brother Dajun going?" He Tiantian asked with a smiling glance at Qi Xiaoyan.

"Brother Dajun will drop me off and get me settled, then I’ll have him go back since he has work and can’t ask for too much leave," Qi Xiaoyan said shyly. "Besides, he can’t help me with the exam!"

"Alright then, I’ll go to Secretary Qi this afternoon for the certification, and we can go together," He Tiantian said. "Relax, you are very talented; you will definitely pass."

"I hope that proves true!" Qi Xiaoyan giggled; she had been working hard.

If she passed, she would be thrilled!

If not, it didn’t matter. She would honestly stay at home, waiting to get married in a few years.

With Niu Dajun’s family connections, she could still get a job in the county town.

Ever since Qi Xiaoyan got engaged, her mindset changed. She wasn’t as anxious as when she had been having health problems.

In the afternoon, He Tiantian went to get the introduction letter. With it, she could buy bus or train tickets and stay at guesthouses.

Without it, it was difficult to make a move!

Professor Wang had also given Qi Xiaoyan some advice on what to pay attention to during the exam, and she noted them all down.

Professor Wang had always noticed Qi Xiaoyan’s efforts and recognized her talent. If the exams were fair, Qi Xiaoyan would surely pass.