The old woman was overjoyed by Chen Lan's words, immediately exclaiming, "That's truly wonderful! It's a blessing from Buddha! I've met good people." She then clasped her hands together and bowed silently to the heavens! Afterward, she looked expectantly towards Xi.
Xi took the corn bun from his mouth and was about to speak when he saw the old woman looking at him expectantly, her hands clasped in supplication. "Little master, please, please help us. Over a hundred people in our village depend on this well for survival! I beg you!" The inscription "Sudan Novel Network" was visible.
Xi swallowed back the words of refusal he was about to utter. He shot Chen Lan another glance, then turned back with a smile and said, "Auntie, please don't worry. When we reach the village, I'll take a good look at what's going on with the well for you."
Hearing Xi's words, the old woman became even happier, showering him with unsolicited praise. "Thank you! Thank you so much, little master! You are truly a kind soul!"
Xi, overwhelmed by the barrage of compliments, felt his spirits soar and his head begin to spin. He felt a sense of elation.
He then puffed out his chest and declared, "Auntie, you don't need to call me master anymore. My surname is Chen, and my name is Xi. Just call me Xi. To be honest with you, auntie, I'm not bragging. The wells for drinking water and irrigation in our valley were basically dug by my father and Uncle De. I just helped out by their side. Honestly, my well-digging skills are no worse than my father's. You just wait and see!"
With that, he opened his mouth wide and took a bite of the corn bun in his hand.
Chen Lan, standing nearby, tried her best to stifle her laughter. Xu Mingxuan, at this moment, finally understood Chen Lan's intentions. He reached out and gently squeezed Chen Lan's palm, and the couple shared a knowing smile.
Chen Lan reached into the pocket of her thick cotton jacket and took out five more corn buns. She gave two to the old woman and one to everyone else on the cart.
The old woman no longer refused. She took the corn buns Chen Lan handed her, but instead of eating them, she carefully prepared to tuck them into her embrace. Chen Lan saw this and quickly said, "Auntie, please eat them yourself! I have plenty more. When we get to the village, everyone in the village will have food."
The old woman quickly replied, "Daughter, two corn buns are enough for me. I know you mean well, but we've been in drought all year. The crops everywhere are failing, and we don't know when it will end. How precious is grain now! Please save them for your family to eat slowly!"
Chen Lan was speechless after hearing the old woman's words! It was impossible not to be moved and impressed. She thought to herself, no wonder the Anti-Japanese soldiers could endure fourteen years of fierce fighting in the harsh environment of Honghuoling – it was all because of these selfless people of Honghuoling.
She lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Auntie, to be honest with you, this grain was exchanged with the Russians at the border market just now! They said that their corn and other grains had a bumper harvest this year. After they fulfilled the state's quota, each farm had a surplus. If only we could go over there and exchange some grain with them, but alas, I have no connections."
Both Xu Mingxuan and Xi looked at her with surprise. Just as they were about to ask, Chen Lan winked at them, and they immediately fell silent.
Upon hearing Chen Lan's words, the old woman immediately pressed, "Is that true? If they have extra grain over there, that would be wonderful! But we're all dirt poor, what do we have to exchange with them?"
After saying this, she sighed heavily and lowered her head in silence.
When Chen Lan heard the old woman's words, she felt she had found an opening. She immediately asked softly, "Auntie, do people in the village know the way to get there?"
The old woman nodded blankly and replied, "Most of the elders in the village know. Many places on the other side originally belonged to our country, and many people have relatives over there. It's a shame it was ceded by the Qing emperor in the end."
Chen Lan's heart was filled with joy upon hearing the old woman's words. It was as if Lu You's ancient poem came true: "When mountains and rivers seem to block the path, a village appears amid dark blossoms." Truly, good deeds are rewarded!
She then smiled and said to the old woman, "Auntie, can I discuss something with you?"
The old woman immediately replied, "Daughter, tell me what it is, no need to discuss. If it's something I can do, I will do it without hesitation."
Hearing the old woman's prompt agreement, Chen Lan became bolder. She immediately said, "Auntie, how about this! You return to the village and discuss with the village elders. We can cooperate. The village will be responsible for providing the route to the other side, and we will provide people and goods to exchange for grain. Once the grain is brought back, we'll split it fifty-fifty. No matter how much grain we exchange, we guarantee to leave enough food for two years for everyone in the village. We will also help to deepen the village's well and dig another new well for irrigation. What do you think of this proposal?"
The old woman listened to Chen Lan's words, her face filled with disbelief. Her lips trembled, and she stammered, "Daughter, are you telling the truth? Am I dreaming? I must be dreaming, how can there be such good fortune? I must be starving and seeing things, my hearing must be failing too."
Chen Lan grabbed the old woman's hand and said, "Auntie, you heard correctly, it's true! Please eat your corn bun first, and listen to me slowly."
The old woman came to her senses, took a bite of the corn bun, chewed it slowly, and swallowed. She still looked disbelieving. After composing herself, she said, "Daughter, speak, I'm listening! But, daughter, I don't understand, we have no relations, why are you helping our entire village?"
Chen Lan replied very solemnly, "Auntie, there is no other reason than that you have selflessly supported the Anti-Japanese soldiers of Honghuoling Village for fourteen years. Whether you believe the reason I've stated or not, our promise will be fulfilled! Of course, we do have a request!"
The old woman also said with a serious expression, "Daughter, feel free to state any request. However, we will not engage in murder, arson, or treason. We can agree to any other terms."
Chen Lan almost burst out laughing at the old woman's words. She quickly explained, "Auntie, it's not as serious as you think. Our only request is that everyone in the village keep this matter confidential. We don't want too many people to know about it."
After hearing Chen Lan's request, the old woman visibly relaxed and immediately agreed, "Daughter, there's no need to discuss this with the village. I can agree to it right now. And I can also guarantee to you that only a few of the village leaders will know about this matter. No one else in the village will be aware of it."
Chen Lan said happily, "Auntie, that would be wonderful!"