The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 42 - Be a Strong Haiyan_1
Chapter 42: 42 Chapter Be a Strong Haiyan_1
Chapter 42: 42 Chapter Be a Strong Haiyan_1
But He Tiantian was no longer afraid, armed with the experiences of her past life, she had become quite adept at dealing with people.
She intended to use these skills to create a better environment and conditions for herself.
Had it not been for showing goodwill to Third Grandma Qi, helping her with chores, He Tiantian would never have received an invitation to live in a clean and spacious room in Qijia Village; nor would Secretary Qi’s family have taken such good care of her if she hadn’t made a point of being friendly to them right from the start at the bus station.
All her efforts were a stark contrast to her passive attitude in the past life, and they were already starting to bring about changes.
This was a good beginning!
With her parents safe for the moment, He Tiantian felt slightly relieved.
It was August 7th now, nearly six months away from New Year’s when she would go home.
She couldn’t afford to be careless with money; she had to save up for the train ticket home for the New Year.
He Tiantian remained unsettled for a long time, then she picked up her pen and began to write a letter.
Under the dim kerosene lamp, He Tiantian held her fountain pen with care, writing her reply with deliberate strokes, sharing her recent experiences and observations in the village to let her parents know how she was doing.
As for Huo Yingjie’s letter, she did not write back, waiting for Huo Yingjie to send her a new letter from his new post with his new address before replying.
She would go to Secretary Qi’s house early the next morning to find Niu Dajun, and ask him to take the letter back to the county town.
Her parents, like her, were missing each other terribly, so sending a letter earlier would bring them comfort sooner.
The next morning, He Tiantian handed the letter to Niu Dajun, saying, “I’ve already attached the stamp, Brother Dajun, could you please mail this for me when you are in the county town?”
“Sure thing!” Niu Dajun said, “If I come to the villages nearby in the future, I’ll make a trip to Secretary Qi’s place and have Xiao Yan call you.
If you have letters, just bring them over so you won’t have to travel all the way to the county town.”
Niu Dajun enthusiastically offered, as he would be visiting the area often and could help He Tiantian out—why wouldn’t she accept?
“Thank you so much, Brother Dajun,” He Tiantian expressed her gratitude.
Today, while she was at Village Chief Qi’s house, it was not the time to give Niu Dajun the preserved rabbit meat, but she would do so privately when he brought her a package later.
After sending off the letter, He Tiantian returned to have breakfast with Third Grandma Qi and then went to work with the livestock team.
Third Grandma Qi’s foot had healed, and she could go to and from work on her own without needing He Tiantian’s assistance.
He Tiantian, having won a small victory, felt joyful as she walked, humming a little tune.
It turned out that change wasn’t so difficult after all, it all depended on whether one could utilize their surroundings to alter their own fate!
In her previous life, she had been like a turtle, hiding away in her shell at the sign of trouble, avoiding fear and distress, waiting for divine intervention; but not in this life—He Tiantian would not do so anymore.
She would be a brave and strong Haiyan, not yielding to any storm, facing its trials head-on to usher in a new life.
When He Tiantian arrived at the livestock team, she noticed several new straw huts around Grandpa Qi’s house that hadn’t been there two days ago, presumably built just yesterday.
These huts were clearly meant for people, not livestock.
As He Tiantian wondered about this, an old man emerged from one of the huts—Professor Gu, whom she recognized.
In her previous life, Professor Gu had tutored many in subjects like Chinese, Math, English, Russian, Physics, and Chemistry; he knew them all.
Professor Gu, upon seeing He Tiantian, smiled ingratiatingly and cautiously, like he was trying to curry favor.
Seeing them like this, He Tiantian felt a bitter pang—such knowledgeable individuals should be wearing clean, decent clothes, elegantly teaching from the lectern, not dressed in rags, struggling to get by, living so meekly amidst such turmoil.
“Hello!” He Tiantian said with a smile, greeting him.
Since there were no outsiders here, she wasn’t afraid of others reporting her for speaking to these reformed people.
Professor Gu was taken aback, but then also smiled and said, “Hello!
I’ll be counting on your help in the future.”
“I am He Tiantian, a young person from the city of Nan City,” He Tiantian introduced herself.
In her past life, it was with the help of Professor Gu that she was able to get into college.
At that time, Qi Fangfang had also been accepted, but the Qi Family had outwardly claimed financial difficulties, when in reality, they simply did not want He Tiantian to go to college.
She was such a fool back then, a pure and naive Madonna, so white that she now felt the urge to slap herself.
When the Qi Family said so, she willingly sacrificed her own opportunity for Qi Fangfang to go to school; she gave up her chance.
Professor Gu had even come to persuade her, but He Tiantian, valuing the so-called “family,” had not agreed, disappointing Professor Gu’s good intentions.
Upon hearing that He Tiantian was an educated youth from Nan City, a look of horror crossed Professor Gu’s face, and, in a panic, he turned and entered the grass house.
Professor Gu had initiated conversation with the locals, actually trying to build good relationships and change his situation.
But he had been terrified by the denunciations he faced outside, especially by those who had been his students, pointing fingers at him and accusing him of crimes that never existed.
Those had been his earnest students, and the lifelong educator, Professor Gu, could not come to terms with such treatment.
This He Tiantian was also from Nan City, and if she had ill-intentions or ulterior motives, writing a letter to expose them back in Nan City, even their remote refuge would not grant them peace.
Seeing how Professor Gu reacted, He Tiantian felt even sadder. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
With her head lowered, He Tiantian greeted Aunt Liu and carried a bamboo basket up the mountain to cut grass.
Now, to store winter fodder, she had to make three trips in the morning; the work was backbreaking.
It’s through a long journey that one learns a horse’s strength, and over time, a person’s heart is revealed.
All these elderly people needed was a peaceful life and food.
He Tiantian had no extra food, but she could take advantage of her trips to the mountain to dig up more wild vegetables and pick more wild fruits, sharing them with the elders little by little, helping them bit by bit.
Strengthened by the Snake King, He Tiantian’s slender body was filled with power, her speed and flexibility had greatly increased.
She now believed that the Snake King’s words were true; although the Snake King had drunk her blood, she had also received immense benefits from him.
A resolute will, a strong body, and a calm and sharp mind—these were the foundations for He Tiantian’s new life.
Although the Snake King had a bad temper and was disgusting in appearance, everything she was now had been granted by him, and He Tiantian was grateful.
If she could change her parents’ fate, change her own and Huo Yingjie’s destiny, then it didn’t matter if the Snake King used her as a lifelong blood bank!
The most pragmatic comfort she had was a self-consoling thought: it was like getting her period twice a month!
Although this thought was somewhat creepy, that was how He Tiantian saw it.
On her third trip back, carrying a large basket of green grass, He Tiantian also carried a basket filled with wild vegetables and sour dates that could be found on the mountain at that time.
She spread the grass outside to dry and, after finishing her work, placed the wild vegetables and wild fruits at the doorstep of Professor Gu.
