The Sweetness of the Seventies-Chapter 43 - Initially Knowing_1
Chapter 43: Chapter 43 Initially Knowing_1
Chapter 43 -43 Initially Knowing_1
Professor Gu came out of the house and was surprised to see a basket at the doorstep.
Was it the girl who had just left it there?
Did she really want to help them?
He had stopped believing in the goodness of people!
“Why aren’t you going, blocking the doorway?” His wife, Professor Wang, urged from behind.
It was already noon, and they needed to hurry and prepare something to eat; they still had a criticism session to attend in the afternoon!
Without a full stomach, how could their bodies withstand it!
Despite all the hardships she had faced, Professor Wang still wanted to live, to return to her previous job with dignity, and to leave this world gracefully rather than dying ignominiously.
Professor Gu picked up the basket and whispered, “Look, someone put this basket of grass at our door.
Could it be suggesting that we go cut grass?”
Professor Wang also frowned, equally puzzled by the situation.
“Ha ha!” Old Man Qi, who had just finished his meal, laughed loudly.
“That’s not grass, that’s wild vegetables!
It was Girl Tian who went up the mountain to gather these for you folks.
After all, so many of you arrived all at once.
Though you’ve been allotted some food, it’s hardly enough.
You must forage for wild vegetables to supplement your diet.
I have a vegetable garden over there; whatever you’re lacking, feel free to pick.”
Professor Gu thought of the girl he had seen in the morning, with her fair skin and large eyes.
Girl Tian – that was He Tiantian.
Indeed, it was that girl, and he hadn’t guessed wrong.
Ah, he felt embarrassed thinking about how he hastily hid this morning.
Ah, but he really couldn’t be blamed; those people had truly frightened him.
“That girl is kind-hearted,” Professor Gu remarked, never having expected to receive anyone’s help since they had been criticized.
Professor Wang took the basket and smiled, “Elder Brother Qi, later, please introduce me to Girl Tian.
It’s rare for someone to be so considerate towards us.
I want to thank He Tiantian in person.”
“Sure thing!
Now go and start cooking.
You’re welcome to use anything in my kitchen,” Old Man Qi offered generously.
“Once you’re settled in, you can slowly acquire what you need.”
Professor Gu rubbed his hands together and said dryly, “Thank you very much, Elder Brother Qi.”
“No need to thank me,” Old Man Qi responded.
“This place is two miles from the village.
Aside from working, try to avoid going into the village often, and nobody will give you trouble.
Our area is remote, and we just go through the motions with all that chaotic stuff.
If you act pitiful enough, no one in the village will intentionally make things hard for you.”
“Ah!” Professor Gu nodded and felt a bit more at ease.
Last night, Village Chief Qi brought over half a sack of corn mush, which Professor Wang cooked into a thick porridge, adding wild vegetables and a pinch of salt to make a hearty porridge.
Of those in the house, Professors Gu and Wang were in relatively good health and could take care of themselves.
But a few others were bed-ridden, and it seemed one had a broken leg.
Secretary Qi, ever the Good Samaritan, sent Wang Shuilian to set the bone and wrap it in splints and provided a few doses of medicine, all paid in advance by Secretary Qi, to be docked from their work points later on.
Having eaten the corn mush, everyone’s bellies were filled, and they regained some strength.
Professor Wang found two sour dates in the basket and secretly hid them away for sharing with everyone later in the evening.
Their bodies ached, their hearts were heavy, and their mouths tasted bitterness; they had forgotten what sweetness tasted like!
After lunch, He Tiantian rested at home for a while before heading to the livestock team at the foot of the mountain.
Professor Gu saw He Tiantian and said with slight embarrassment, “I misunderstood you this morning, thank you for bringing wild vegetables and dates at noon.”
He Tiantian smiled and said indifferently, “It’s no trouble at all, I just did it along the way.
If you need it, I can cut some more for you.”
“Isn’t it too much trouble?” Professor Gu rubbed his hands nervously, his face tense.
He wanted the wild vegetables, for with those and the food provided by the village, they could basically avoid going hungry.
“It’s not a bother,” He Tiantian said.
She knew that Professor Gu was scared by the criticism, understanding why he was still so cautious, “Seeing you, I am reminded of my grandfather, who was also a professor in Nan City.”
The families were not very closely related, but after her grandfather’s death, their relationship had become even more distant.
However, in a completely unfamiliar place, re-encountering someone you know felt extremely precious!
“Ah?” Professor Gu was taken aback and quickly asked, “Who was your grandfather?”
He Tiantian’s grandfather had passed away when she was eight years old, but by that time, He Tiantian had already been old enough to remember how much her grandfather had loved her.
“My grandfather, He Jinming, taught astronomy at Southern University,” said He Tiantian proudly and with a tone of loss, “However, he has been dead for seven years now.”
“Professor He?” Professor Gu was startled and looked closely at He Tiantian, then quickly turned to call his wife inside the house, “Yun Xi, come here, this is the granddaughter of Old He!”
Wang Yun Xi, that is, Professor Wang, was Professor Gu’s wife, taught mathematics at Southern University, and also taught some elective courses.
“Which Old He?” Professor Wang came out from inside the house, her brow furrowed slightly as she looked at He Tiantian.
“It’s Old He from the Astronomy Department, your schoolmate and senior from America!” Professor Gu said, “Look, doesn’t this girl resemble her grandma Bai Qiongyu?”
Professor Wang was astonished, examining He Tiantian carefully from head to toe, and then nodded, “She does resemble her, very much so!
Are you really Senior He’s granddaughter?”
“My grandfather He Jinming, my grandma Bai Qiongyu, my dad He Jingyu, my mom Wang Shuping,” said He Tiantian.
“We live at No.
23, Dayu Tree Alley.
That was the house my grandfather bought.
If you knew my grandfather, you should also know our address.”
Professor Wang said joyfully, “So you really are Senior He’s granddaughter!
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how come you are so young and already down in the countryside?”
“My dad heard that having overseas connections would lead to an investigation, and it could have severe consequences, so he put me on the train to the countryside to hide away here,” He Tiantian replied truthfully, the shared experience of adversity creating a bond between them.
Professor Gu nodded and said, “Your dad did the right thing.
Those who left late suffered along with the adults.
By the way, your mom and dad are alright now, aren’t they?”
“I received a letter from them a couple of days ago,” He Tiantian replied truthfully.
“They have already volunteered to write self-criticisms, accepted inspections, and since nothing was found in the house, they haven’t been too badly affected for now.”
“That’s good, that’s good,” Professor Gu’s expression darkened.
Professor Wang now dropped her guard and said, “Tiantian, your mom and dad are smart, willing to part with material possessions, they will surely get through this tough time.
The difficulties on the outside are nothing for them.
As long as you are doing well, they can rest easy.”
“I know,” said He Tiantian crisply, “So I’ve been working hard here, making friends, and have adapted to life here.
When all this is over, our family will be reunited.”
