Zhang had not expected her grandson to return with a sack of flour not long after going out.
"Xiao Cong, what is this you've brought back?"
"It's ten catties of cornmeal, from Meng Er Ye."
"From Meng Er Ye?" Madam Huang asked, reaching out to take the sack.
"Yes, I didn't want it just now." Dan Xiaocong glanced at their own rice bin, and Madam Zhang and Madam Huang understood everything.
"Alas, poverty makes one bow their head."
His grandfather's words made Dan Xiaocong completely resigned.
Their family was too poor. The entire Yingzuiya garrison, except for Meng Er Ye's household, was impoverished.
Their family was perhaps only slightly better off than Grandpa Han next door. He was a man, and to make his family's life a little better, he would have to follow Meng Er Ye's family diligently in the future.
Thinking of a better life, he particularly missed the days he spent on guard duty at the mountain pass a few days ago.
Although those days were a bit tough, the good food they ate daily was what their family only got to eat during Chinese New Year.
Oh, he couldn't think about it anymore, or he'd be drooling a foot long.
Outside the Dan family's courtyard gate, Qi He and Fu Xinci were waiting for Dan Xiaocong to come out. They saw the door of the small courtyard next door open a crack, and a small head peeked out from behind it.
The boy was not old, his frame was thin and slight, clearly showing the signs of long-term malnutrition.
Especially the clothes, patched all over, though washed clean, made his small face look pale and devoid of color.
When he saw Qi He and Fu Xinci standing by the donkey cart, he showed no surprise. His large eyes, like those of a wounded fawn, glanced at them before he lowered his head, no longer daring to look at them.
The boy's every move reminded Fu Xinci of Yu'er on the road of exile, and it made her heart ache.
Without further thought, she slowly walked over. Hearing footsteps, the boy looked up at their picket fence gate. He saw the young sister, dressed in a light purple padded jacket, looking at him and smiling.
He wanted to return her smile, but as he smiled, a blush spread across his small face.
So he was also a shy little fellow.
"Woof woof woof." A large yellow dog squeezed out from behind the boy and, seeing the strangers at the gate, barked twice more.
Perhaps it felt no danger, or perhaps it was too cold outside, it barked perfunctorily twice more and then went back.
The boy thought the big yellow dog might scare them and a nervous look appeared on his small face. He then stammered an apology for the dog.
"Sister, the big yellow dog, it doesn't bite, you don't need to be afraid."
"Mhm, I'm not afraid."
The boy had not expected this pretty young sister to respond to him, and his small face immediately turned as red as if rouged.
Fu Xinci had also not expected that a simple sentence from her would mean so much to the little boy.
Fortunately, Dan Xiaocong soon came out. When he saw the boy, he smiled and asked, "Xiao Zhi, are Grandpa Han and Grandma Han home?"
Before the boy could answer, an old voice came from inside the house, "Xiao Cong is here, yes, we are all here." With that, an old woman with graying hair walked out of the house with a hobbling gait.
The elder had a kind face, and her padded jacket seemed to have been worn for many years, with patches layered upon patches, making it impossible to discern its original style or color.
She knew guests had arrived at her door, the young master from the chief's family and the granddaughter from Meng Er Ye's family.
However, when she saw the young girl standing in front of their picket gate, her eyes as bright as mountain springs, she couldn't help but look at her a few more times.
Just as she was about to greet them, a violent coughing fit came from inside the house: "Cough, cough cough."
"Old man." Hearing the cough, the old woman's eyes were filled with worry. She no longer cared about her stiff legs and wanted to hurry back into the house.
Because she walked too quickly, her foot caught on something, and she almost fell.
The boy standing at the door reached out to help his grandmother. However, the old woman knew how heavy she was and dared not put her weight on her grandson.
Fortunately, she was able to reach the doorframe and support herself.
Fu Xinci looked at this family, the old and the young. Although they hadn't said anything, she could sense that their lives were very difficult.
She didn't want to say anything more and turned to lift the sack of rice and flour.
Qi He saw this and moved faster than her. "Sister Fu, let me do it."
Dan Xiaocong followed behind, also picking up a sack.
Fu Xinci disliked the somber atmosphere and glanced at the sky, saying, "Take the rice and flour inside for them, and then we should head back. I'm afraid it might snow later."
"Alright."
Qi He always followed Sister Fu's lead. Whatever Sister Fu said, he agreed with. Since Sister Fu said they should leave, he certainly wouldn't linger.
With Dan Xiaocong leading the way, he and Qi He carried the sacks of rice and flour inside.
The boy saw the sacks in their hands and looked confused. When he heard Brother Xiaocong and the young master from the chief's family say that these grains were for them, his large eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you, both brothers." After the boy spoke, he seemed to remember that he had forgotten someone and shyly added, "And thank you, sister."
The boy's appearance reminded Qi He of Yu'er, and he habitually patted his head. Then he squatted down and asked him, "Little brother, what's your name?"
"Brother, my name is Han Zhi." Although the boy had always been a bit shy, he spoke clearly.
"Good, Xiao Zhi, goodbye. When you have free time, you can come with Xiao Cong to find me to play."
"Thank you, brother."
"You're welcome, you're welcome. Just take good care of the puppy, Xiao Zhi. We'll come back in a few days." Qi He finished speaking and prepared to leave.
The old couple inside, knowing they were leaving, hurried out to see them off.
However, the person coughing inside had a worse fit.
Hearing the person almost choking for breath, Fu Xinci let out a barely perceptible sigh, then resignedly took a small oil-paper packet from her pocket.
She quickened her steps, placed the oil-paper packet in Xiao Zhi's hand, and instructed, "Xiao Zhi, this is a pill for treating coughs from my master. Take it to your grandfather and have him take two pills at a time, three times a day. If he gets better after three days, come to my home, and I'll give you more pills to consolidate the treatment."
"Thank you, sister." Although Xiao Zhi was young, he knew his sister was helping them.