The Sweetness of the Seventies
Chapter 228 "A Tiger in Trouble is Bullied by Dogs"_1

Chapter 228: Chapter 228 "A Tiger in Trouble is Bullied by Dogs"_1

Having to leave home for five days, I couldn’t go without informing Third Grandma Qi.

When He Tiantian spoke with Third Grandma Qi that evening, Third Grandma Qi took out some money and grain coupons, saying, "One must be well-prepared financially for a journey. Take this money, just in case."

"I have money with me. I don’t need it," He Tiantian declined, not wanting to take Third Grandma Qi’s savings.

"You child, when you’re leaving home, it’s only right for grandma to give you some money. Just take it," said Third Grandma Qi. "If it’s convenient for you, please buy some grain to bring back. It’s best to purchase it early to avoid situations where you have money and grain coupons but can’t buy any grain, rendering them useless."

Seeing Third Grandma Qi say this, He Tiantian then accepted the money and grain coupons.

She didn’t have time to shop, but she could ask Niu Lili for help!

Ever since last time, Niu Lili considered He Tiantian to be her good friend and benefactor!

Moreover, Niu Lili worked at the hotel and could speak to the people at the supply and marketing cooperative, so she could easily buy grain.

If it were just Third Grandma Qi’s money and grain coupons, He Tiantian could line up and buy the grain herself, but in her barrier space, she had a lot of her parents’ and Huo Yingjie’s money and coupons, as well as her own, which was a substantial amount. Trying to exchange it all for grain would be quite a hassle.

"Fine, I’ll take it and buy more grain to bring back," He Tiantian said, not wanting to upset Third Grandma Qi.

"Be careful on the road, and stay safe," Third Grandma Qi advised. "When you’re out and about, it’s best to do things during the day. Don’t go out at night. It’s not safe. As long as you stay in the hostel, generally there won’t be any problems."

"I know, grandma," responded He Tiantian.

She packed a few clothes, then took out the grain coupons and money from the barrier space. She planned to give some to Niu Lili once she reached the county town the next day, asking for her help in buying grain. The rest, she intended to take to Huai City to buy grain, which she would then store in the barrier space, just in case.

"Tian girl, it’s late. You should go to sleep," Third Grandma Qi said as she got up in the middle of the night and noticed a light in He Tiantian’s room, urging her gently.

"Okay, I’m going to sleep right away," He Tiantian assured her as she helped Third Grandma Qi back to her room before going out.

He Tiantian felt sleepy too, but just before dozing off, her mind was still preoccupied with the River Guardian Beast Statue at the square!

Once she reached the county town, she was determined to find a way to bring back the River Guardian Beast Statue, hoping that the Snake King’s barrier space would be able to carry it!

Early the next day, Third Grandma Qi cooked breakfast, and after eating, He Tiantian got onto the ox cart that Village Chief Qi personally drove.

Although Secretary Qi was very busy and couldn’t accompany his daughter, he insisted on personally seeing her to the county town.

Upon reaching the county town, he took He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan to the Taoyuan Hotel and treated them to a meal.

"Dajun, I’m entrusting Xiaoyan and Tian girl to you. You must make proper arrangements for them and ensure nothing goes wrong," Secretary Qi instructed Niu Dajun, as he would have personally escorted his daughter if it weren’t for the spring farming season.

"Yes, Uncle Qi," Niu Dajun hastily promised. "I have a friend, you know him too, Second Brother, he’s at the Huai City Police Station. Don’t worry, I assure you the task will be completed successfully."

"That’s good to hear," said Secretary Qi. "By the way, how will your work be affected?"

"Heh heh!" Niu Dajun chuckled. "I’ve already been transferred. I don’t need to deliver mail every day anymore. The official order hasn’t come through yet, but my boss told me to take a few days off."

His elder uncle at home had told him that he couldn’t be a postman forever! He had been moved to a clerical job, which would facilitate future work arrangements.

Considering the prospect of Qi Xiaoyan getting into the performance troupe, Niu Dajun, still a postman, felt he wouldn’t match up to her and thus followed his elder uncle’s plan.

"Then I feel relieved. I was worried it might affect your job," Village Chief Qi said with a smile, confident in this potential son-in-law who had a promising future. But then again, his daughter wasn’t any less qualified. If she could get into the performance troupe this time, she would also be an employee.

Having two workers in the same family was quite rare throughout Taoyuan County.

Secretary Qi went home reassured! They agreed to return to the county town in five days to pick up his daughter, He Tiantian.

It was now past three in the afternoon, and there were no buses left to Huai City, so they had to wait until the next morning.

He Tiantian and Qi Xiaoyan stayed in Niu Lili’s dormitory, which saved the money for staying at a guesthouse and was also very safe.

Qi Xiaoyan wanted to go out and talk with Niu Dajun, but He Tiantian sneakily said, "No, you two shouldn’t go out. What if Xiao Yan catches a cold, and her throat gets sore? That would affect her upcoming exams. Let me go out instead!"

Although it wasn’t raining outside, it was a bit gloomy.

"Sister Tiantian, you shouldn’t go out either. What if you get caught in the rain?" Qi Xiaoyan’s face turned red with embarrassment.

"It’s okay, I’ll take an umbrella with me. It’s a good chance to go for a walk." After saying this, He Tiantian walked out. As she was leaving, she winked ambiguously at Qi Xiaoyan.

Qi Xiaoyan was mortified yet again!

But to have a chance to talk with her crush, she could only impose on her good sister.

When her sister’s crush came, she’d just automatically stay away to avoid disturbing Sister Tiantian.

He Tiantian came out not only to give Qi Xiaoyan and Niu Dajun space to talk but also to visit the square!

To visit the River Guardian Beast Statue that she had forgotten about!

The Taoyuan Hotel wasn’t far from the square, and it took He Tiantian just over ten minutes to get there.

The majority of the people on the square were children. They didn’t go to school nor could they work. The adults were busy with their jobs and had no time to mind these youngsters. The square, being spacious, was an excellent place for the children to play games.

He Tiantian caught sight of the black, polished-shiny River Guardian Beast Statue as soon as she lifted her gaze!

Poor thing!

The voice of the Snake King drifted out from within the barrier space, musing, "Would this count as ’a tiger, fallen flat to the plains, bullied by dogs’?

"Uh... I suppose so," He Tiantian hesitated and walked towards the statue.

"It’s difficult to proceed with so many people around!" the Snake King complained, "You can’t possibly bring that statue into the barrier in front of all these people!"

He Tiantian chuckled awkwardly, "If people are around, of course not. Do you think I’m stupid?"

"You’re not stupid, but you’re not clever either," the Snake King grumbled, "Go check if the seal has loosened at all. Logically, even with disasters happening, it shouldn’t be this severe."

The Snake King was worried that if the seal had loosened, the River Guardian Beast Statue might start taking revenge on humans!

In reality, this statue was also innocent!

It lived peacefully at the bottom of the river, and even without the reverence and offerings from the people, it could cultivate on its own. Even if it wanted to trouble humans, it would not exterminate them all. But now, the sentient statue not only resented humans but also harbored hate!

This made things difficult!

If its mana had been fully restored, the Snake King could easily subdue this ancient statue.

But now!

Alas, it’s a long story!