Liu'er left Zhangqing Mountain with a group of guards overnight, and returned noisily as dusk fell the next day.
Carts lined up at the entrance of the village, with a dozen workers busily pulling off the tarpaulins covering them.
Hearing the commotion, the villagers gathered in groups of three or two; the adults stood at a distance curiously watching, while the children couldn't help but draw nearer.
"Come, come," Liu'er jumped down from the cart, holding up two large paper packages with a bit of pride, "Have some candied fruit."
The children, frightened by her gesture, all retreated.
"Candied fruit, the most famous from Qingyuan Prefecture," Liu'er said, taking some candied fruit from the package and tossing it into her mouth, then grimacing, "Of course, it's not as good as those from the capital."
The children are still children, watching the candied fruit and unable to stop salivating.
"I've seen it, I've seen it when Second Uncle and I went to the city," one child said, sucking on his finger.
They had only seen it but never eaten it.
They couldn't even afford regular meals, let alone snacks.
It is said that candied fruits are very sweet, even sweeter than the sweet grass roots dug from the ground.
Liu'er, with a bit of pride, walked closer to them, handing over another unopened package.
"Here, eat it," she said.
Like losing control, the child at the very front reached out to take it, still seemingly in a dream even when holding the package.
How did I take it?
Liu'er had already picked one and stuffed it into his mouth.
"Eat," she laughed merrily.
With the first person tasting the candied fruit, the other children could no longer hold back and surged forward.
Children of various sizes grabbed the candied fruit, stuffing it into their mouths and happily holding it as they ran towards their family members.
"Dad, have a taste."
"Mom, it's candied fruit."
"Grandpa, have you had this before?"
The joking of the children and the reserved refusals of the adults made the entrance of the village even livelier.
A package of candied fruit could cause such a stir, Miss Jun watched with a heavy heart.
"These candied fruits are nothing," Liu'er continued boastfully, pointing at the carts behind her, "I bought everything, the best rice, noodles, oil, sugar, salt, vinegar, meat, and vegetables from Qingyuan Prefecture, and I have placed orders so that fresh vegetables and meat will be delivered every seven days from the Prefecture, and ten grocery stores will also deliver groceries here every seven days, anything you want to eat, drink, or play with."
Having received candied fruits earlier, the children were a bit more relaxed and bravely circled the carts to examine the goods, while the adults couldn't help stepping closer to point and discuss.
"What are you all doing?" A voice came from behind.
The adults immediately stepped back, and the children stopped their laughter, all turning to look behind, as Xia Yong and his wife approached.
"Second Uncle Xia," Miss Jun stepped forward, "I've had some food and grain sent over, how do you think we should distribute it to everyone?"
Xia Yong looked sullen, while Sister-in-law Xia gave her a grateful look but said nothing.
"Miss Jun, keep your food and grain for yourself," Xia Yong said, "We cannot accept it."
They really were refusing it.
Hearing his words, the children who were still holding candied fruits suddenly put them back into the packages, and the children holding the packages ran to Liu'er and handed them back to her.
"Hey!" Liu'er barely had time to shout before the child ran off like a rabbit.
All of the village children uniformly retreated and avoided, their actions neat and uniform.
"What are you doing? There's food and you don't want it?" Liu'er said irritably, "Do you have to gnaw on bran cakes?"
No one spoke or stepped forward, their gaze no longer on the goods on the carts.
"Second Uncle Xia, you know I mean no harm," Miss Jun said, "I just want to do something, and I happen to be able to."
Xia Yong nodded as if to speak, but Sister-in-law Xia spoke first.
"Miss Jun, we understand your intentions," she said sincerely, "but we hope you can understand our feelings too."
Her eyes were a little red as she looked at Miss Jun, slowly shaking her head.
"You know why you are doing this, and we know too. We are sorry, but we cannot accept."
The rejection wasn't of her kindness, but of the person behind that kindness.
It shouldn't be this way, but she understood that many things don't need reasons.
Miss Jun remained silent, as Xia Yong and his wife bowed to her and then turned to leave, and the villagers quickly dispersed without hesitation, leaving only them at the entrance of the village.
Though there were many workers and carts, they still seemed very lonely and quite awkward.
"Really ungrateful!" Liu'er said exasperatedly, glaring and stomping her foot.
Miss Jun glanced at her, and Liu'er stuck out her tongue and shrank back, not daring to say more.
"Just put it away for now," Miss Jun told Lei Zhonglian.
Lei Zhonglian acknowledged with a nod.
"Can we eat it tonight?" Liu'er asked hesitantly.
Seeing the pitiable look on Liu'er's face, Miss Jun laughed again.
Some people have never suffered, nor do they need to suffer. There's no shame in that. Yet, others do not wish to suffer but can endure it for the sake of loyalty. There's no shame in that either.
She nodded, and Liu'er raised her hands in joy and cheered.
Night enveloped the mountain village, plunging it into complete darkness. There was barely enough oil for cooking, let alone for lighting lamps. The entire village was dark except for one courtyard, naturally it was where Miss Jun resided. Not only were there lights inside the house, but also torches and lanterns outside.
All these were new additions today, shining like stars in the night sky, making them distinctly visible to anyone standing on the mountain, clearer than during the daytime.
"Niuniu."
A call came through the night, and the figure standing on the mountain path immediately turned around and hummed in acknowledgment.
The house here was also unlit, and a figure can vaguely be seen standing at the door.
"It's time for bed," said the woman softly.
The girl hummed again and approached, stopping in front of the woman.
"What is it?" the woman asked, patting her head.
The girl's eyes sparkled in the night.
"How old was I when dad left?" she suddenly asked.
The woman's hand paused briefly.
"Three years old," she said softly.
The girl made a sound of acknowledgment.
"Too young, I don't remember anything," she said.
She had no idea what the man looked like, nor any cherished memories of fatherly affection.
"It's nothing. There are many things we forget," the woman said softly, embracing her daughter's shoulders, "We must always look forward."
The girl did not speak again and followed her into the house. The door closed, and the mountain was enveloped in deep tranquility.
As the morning light faintly brightened, Miss Jun stopped on the mountain path, looking ahead and then at the handwritten notes in her hand.
What a dilemma.
This really puts these people in a difficult position.
Miss Jun simply sat down on the mountain path, her hand propping her chin, lost in thought.
What should be done?
"Hey!"
A prolonged call came from down the mountain.
Miss Jun looked instinctively below; the villagers were already up and working early. Sitting at a height, she could see scattered figures across the fields and slopes.
There were elderly, women, and children.
The calling stopped, and then the sound of a gong followed.
Why ring the gong? Miss Jun thought, then her eyes widened as she watched the laboring people all suddenly swing their farming tools.
"Ha!"
Voices—old, gentle, young—all simultaneously rose from all directions.
The gong sounded again.
Men raised their hoes high and swung them forcefully, children steadily swung their scythes, and women firmly stepped and pushed the baskets in front of them.
"Ha!"
The voices rose together once more, dispersing and then converging again.
Is this... labor?
This is clearly... combat training.
Miss Jun felt a tingling sensation all over her body.
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Thanks to Bing of the South for the reward of He's Bi ?(°?‵?′??)
Continuing to ask for votes, soliciting monthly votes, have a great weekend everyone.