The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 34 - Good Friends_1
Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Good Friends_1
Chapter 34 -34 Good Friends_1
The letter had been sent out half a month ago, yet there was still no reply.
From Huai City in An Province to Nan City in Su Province, the distance wasn’t far.
She was sure that her letter must have reached Huo Yingjie by now.
To be safe, He Tiantian took a day off to mail the letter herself and inquire about the situation.
This time, He Tiantian had written directly to her parents.
As for Yingjie, if he received a letter, he would surely reply to her, so she didn’t feel like writing more.
“Xiao Yan, who usually receives the letters in our village?” He Tiantian asked.
Now that everything was part of a large collective, personal matters weren’t handled directly, and she was worried that her letters, just like in her past life, were being intercepted by Qi Shuli and Qi Jianguo.
“The letters are all delivered to Qi Shuli’s place in the village, who is Qi Fangfang’s second uncle, and then distributed to each individual,” Qi Xiaoyan explained.
“Are you asking about this because you’re thinking about the reply letter from your family?”
He Tiantian nodded: “Yes, I miss my home so much.
Seeing their letters is like seeing my family members.
I had an agreement with my parents that as soon as I arrived here, I would write to them, and they would immediately reply upon receiving my letter.
I haven’t received any letters until now, and I’m very worried.”
Qi Shuli, Qi Jianguo’s second uncle, was no good either.
Without their meddling in her past life, He Tiantian wouldn’t have missed seeing her parents for the last time.
This time, she couldn’t let her letters fall into their hands again, allowing them to do as they please.
Seeing He Tiantian’s downcast spirit, Qi Xiaoyan, linking arms with her, comforted: “Being well is the best news for your family.
The day after tomorrow, my dad is going to the county town, and I’m planning to follow him.
If you want to go, ask for leave in advance, and I’ll take you around the county town.”
After thinking it over, He Tiantian figured it would be good to go to the county town to ask the post office how long it would take for a letter from Nan City to get there.
With her parents’ affection for her, He Tiantian believed that as soon as they got her letter, they would reply immediately.
Even if she couldn’t receive their letter and suspected Qi Shuli and Qi Jianguo, she couldn’t just confront Qi Shuli without any proof.
Without evidence, even if she questioned him, Qi Shuli would never admit to it.
In that case, she would have to start from the post office in the county town.
“All right, I’ll ask for leave,” said He Tiantian, “I’ve run out of soap for bathing and toothpaste for brushing my teeth; I really do need to buy some.”
Qi Xiaoyan was thrilled that He Tiantian agreed to go to the county town with her.
She thought about how Qi Fangfang would surely want to tag along if she knew, but Qi Xiaoyan felt uncomfortable shopping with Qi Fangfang, who wouldn’t buy anything and would just watch enviously as she made purchases.
That’s why Qi Xiaoyan didn’t enjoy going to the county town to shop with Qi Fangfang.
“Sister Tiantian, let’s not tell Fangfang we’re going to the county town, okay?
I don’t want to go shopping there with Fangfang.” Qi Xiaoyan said with a blush, feeling it was somewhat wrong to do so.
But she just didn’t enjoy outings with Qi Fangfang; on the rare occasions she could go out, she wanted to do so happily.
Not understanding the issue, as Qi Fangfang and Qi Xiaoyan usually got along well, He Tiantian asked in confusion, “What happened?
Did you two have a falling out?”
Embarrassed and blushing, Qi Xiaoyan shook her head: “Every time Fangfang goes to the county town with me, she goes home and tells her mother about what I bought.
Fangfang’s mother, who is a gossip, would comment sarcastically when she sees me, saying things like, ‘After all, she’s the daughter of the village chief, able to afford such expensive perfume, while they can’t even bring themselves to buy cheap pomade.’ The way she speaks, it’s as if my father is skimming money from the village.
But the money and Industrial Coupons are all from my second brother.”
Hearing Qi Xiaoyan’s words, He Tiantian expressed understanding; Qi Fangfang did have this issue.
She would talk about people’s possessions when she saw them.
If Mother Qi could satisfy Qi Fangfang, she would then boast out loud about how well she treats her daughter, how noble her daughter is for having such fine things.
But if Mother Qi couldn’t afford it, she would criticize others for being able to afford such things and say they were wasteful and didn’t know how to live properly.
Because Xiaoyan came from a family where her father was the village party secretary, Mother Qi would insinuate that the village chief was corrupt.
A typical case of sour grapes.
“Hehe, since that’s the case, it indeed isn’t good to take Qi Fangfang with us,” He Tiantian said, “Actually, I don’t want Qi Fangfang to follow either.
Lately, I don’t know why, but every time I run into her in the village, I see her brother by her side.
She goes on and on about how great and amazing her brother is.
It’s not like she’s selling something, constantly boasting, and I find it very awkward.”
Qi Xiaoyan was taken aback, then she laughed and said, “Then avoid them a bit.
I’ve heard that Qi Fangfang’s mother used to say in the village that when her son looks for a wife, he definitely won’t choose a girl from the countryside; he must find a literate city girl.
You’re from the city, young, and without your parents nearby; just be careful not to let anyone take advantage of you.”
Although Qi Xiaoyan didn’t talk much normally, it didn’t mean she didn’t understand the human relationships and worldly wisdom of the countryside.
She kept in mind the things her parents talked about concerning village affairs.
“Ah!” He Tiantian exclaimed in surprise, “No wonder!
I’ve noticed her brother staring at me, really annoying.
From now on, I’ll stay away and stop interacting with them.”
These people are truly something else!
He Tiantian felt she had seen through them.
“That’s right,” Qi Xiaoyan said, but then she quickly explained, “I’m not gossiping behind someone’s back here; I’m reminding you to be cautious.”
Qi Xiaoyan, worried that He Tiantian might think of her as a petty person who talks behind others’ backs, quickly clarified.
If they weren’t close friends, with Qi Xiaoyan’s personality, even if she knew something, she wouldn’t have bothered to say anything.
“I know you’re looking out for me,” He Tiantian said with a smile, “We’re good friends, how could I blame you?
When I write to my parents next time, I’ll tell them that I’ve made a good friend here, so they can be happy for me too.”
Hearing He Tiantian’s words, Qi Xiaoyan was even more delighted, and their relationship grew closer than before.
While working, He Tiantian spoke with Aunt Liu and Old Man Qi, and arranged her schedule to work more in the next two days, then take a day off.
“Tiantian, when you go to the county city, could you please bring me back a piece of soap?” Aunt Liu pulled out twenty cents and an Industrial Coupon from her bosom, “The kind you usually use, the fragrant one that smells so nice.
My girl’s thirteen now, and with her dad and me out working, she takes care of the younger kids at home.
She’s grown up and it’s time to take proper care of herself.”
The hearts of parents the world over!
With more children, parents have less time to dedicate to each one.
This doesn’t mean they love their kids any less; they just keep their love in their hearts, doing the best they can to care for them.
He Tiantian agreed, “Sure!
I’m also going to buy one for myself.
I’ll pick the ones that aren’t harsh on the skin, guaranteed to be good quality and affordable.”
Seeing He Tiantian respond this way, Aunt Liu was even more pleased and said, “Go ahead without worries, I’ll take care of your little lambs.”
“Then I’ll be troubling Aunt Liu,” He Tiantian gratefully said, carefully putting away the money and coupon given by Aunt Liu.
Going to the county city wasn’t easy, but while He Tiantian was helping others buy things, Secretary Qi had even more villagers requesting items; he always had to write a long list.
