Upon hearing this voice, Beisitian smiled. It seemed that the mindset here wasn't as open as she imagined. Sure enough, Zhang Lianqiao still came!
Zhang Lianqiao was bringing some things: half a sack of cornmeal, around three or four ounces, and besides that, there was a paper package, contents unknown.
These things were probably something she sneaked out.
Inside, when Mrs. Qin heard Zhang Lianqiao's voice, she instinctively wanted to grab a knife, thinking the Zhang Family was causing trouble again. When she saw Zhang Lianqiao with a smiling face holding these two items, she was stunned on the spot.
What kind of mischief was Zhang Lianqiao up to again?
"Mom, say hello to Sister Lianqiao."
Beisitian's voice came from inside. She had just peered through the window and saw Zhang Lianqiao, fearing that Mrs. Qin might get angry and chase her away.
The person could be driven away, but the goods should be left behind!
"Aunt, I've come to see Little Tian'er."
Zhang Lianqiao was startled when she saw the fierce Mrs. Qin coming out, and hurriedly raised the items in her hands, stating her intentions.
Mrs. Qin was notorious in the village for being fierce; Zhang Lianqiao was afraid of her. If she didn't have to come, she definitely wouldn't have come alone.
Mrs. Qin showed a skeptical expression on her face, her cloudy eyes staring ahead. Though she couldn't see clearly, it seemed like she was glaring at Zhang Lianqiao.
Seeing this, Zhang Lianqiao became even more scared, involuntarily taking a small step to the side, quickly heading toward the west room.
Entering the west room, she saw Beisitian leaning against a pile of quilts, sitting. She pulled her mouth into a forced smile.
"Little Tian'er, I'm here to see you. Judging by your appearance, it seems you're much better, so I can have peace of mind."
Zhang Lianqiao sat on the edge of the kang, not handing over or putting down the items in her hands.
"Not bad, just lacking nutrition." Beisitian's gaze fell on the items in her hands.
It wasn't that she coveted these things, but she sought justice for the original owner. In the mountains, with no witnesses, just because of Zhang Lianqiao's jealousy, the original owner lost her life. Now, she could only squeeze a bit out of Zhang Lianqiao through words, this compensation for the deceased original owner was far too little!
Zhang Lianqiao pursed her lips, tightened her grip, but eventually let go, placing the items on the kang, saying, "I really didn't mean it that day. I intended to pull you up, but who knew I'd slip and bump you, causing you to fall down the mountain. Luckily, you're okay now. You know the situation at my home—so many brothers to marry off in the future—there's really nothing to offer. This is something I've saved for myself, I hope you don't mind!"
Even though there was no one else there, Zhang Lianqiao didn't openly admit, still making it an 'accident', and told Beisitian that this was all she could provide—nothing more!
Beisitian didn't intend to force her to give more. She looked down on these things, just simply seeking justice for the original owner. Moreover, she could tell that these items were taken secretly.
The road ahead was long; she would settle this account with the original owner one day. It was a small way to repay the original owner for living a second life in her body.
Having nothing else to say to Zhang Lianqiao, she kept the items but wouldn't keep the person. Once Zhang Lianqiao was sent away, Mrs. Qin came in from the outer room.
She had been standing outside the curtain, fearing that Beisitian would be bullied again. Now, seeing Beisitian no longer as ineffective as before, her heart was truly at ease.
It seemed the child had truly changed; no wonder the head of the family said this incident might not be a bad thing!
"Let's see what she's brought." Mrs. Qin never thought she could get anything from the Zhang Family.
She could tell from outside that it was cornmeal; there was some flour on the outside, but what was in the paper package was unknown.
This kind of paper usually wrapped snacks, but Zhang Lianqiao couldn't possibly bring a package of snacks. These things were only sold in the market, and even then, they'd only buy a small package during holiday times when the eldest was around.
Opening the paper package, Mrs. Qin's expression turned dazed, her eyesight wasn't great, and this white-looking item probably wasn't what she thought it was, so she dipped her finger, tasted it, and showed a surprised expression, looking up at Beisitian.
Beisitian's curiosity was piqued as she looked over; it turned out to be a few spoonfuls of sugar, apparently taken secretly.
"Little Tian'er, what did you say to her?" Mrs. Qin regained her senses, her face astonished.
White sugar wasn't something anyone could just give away; gifting white sugar meant great respect, especially in a village like theirs, where white sugar was a rarity!
Zhang Lianqiao wasn't the kind of honest girl who pushed someone down the mountain and then gifted white sugar? What kind of reasoning was that! The only explanation was that Beisitian must have said something that forced Zhang Lianqiao to give in and bring good things.
"I didn't say much, maybe her conscience was pricked." Beisitian smiled, "Save this sugar for dad and Ping'an when the time comes, then we'll make boiled eggs."
Mrs. Qin glared at her, "Boiled eggs? Where do you think you'll find eggs!"
The few sheep at home were the livelihood of the household. The two chickens were sold long ago to pay for Beisitian's treatment; there weren't any eggs left!
Beisitian didn't respond further. She had just begun to stand up and couldn't do much, nor did she want to say empty words.
Mrs. Qin cherished the sugar, wrapped it carefully, muttering, "This Zhang Family isn't kind; who knows if the sugar they sent isn't adulterated?"
"Don't worry, we can accept it without concern." Beisitian replied. Zhang Lianqiao didn't have the guts, she intended to use the sugar to silence her, and she could tell at a glance if there was something wrong with it.
This was merely some interest for the original owner.
Beisitian thought to herself.
After Mrs. Qin left, Beisitian got up and moved around a bit, feeling much better. The pain from the injuries subsided.
Looking at the time, Luo Anping should have returned from grazing by now, why hadn't he returned yet?
Mrs. Qin hastily prepared a meal: a pot of cornmeal porridge, four maize buns, and some homemade pickled vegetables, which were the main meals for the family of four.
Previously, they could have stewed cabbage, but after what happened to Beisitian, even stewed cabbage had become a luxury.
Beisitian didn't know how much money was left at home; Mrs. Qin was afraid to let her handle money, fearing she'd be deceived or wouldn't manage properly, so Mrs. Qin always kept hold of it.
But looking at things now, there wasn't much money left in the house.
The food wasn't inedible; the cornmeal porridge, though thin, was tasty, especially with Mrs. Qin's pickled vegetables. She could have three big bowls and an extra maize bun.
The pickled vegetables were Beisitian's favorite, likely made with radish strips. It might not be anything special in the village, as every household would make it, but maybe it could earn some money if sold outside.