The village chief, hearing Wang Xiaohua’s response, was so angry he nearly passed out.
“You’re blaming me now? If it weren’t for you, would I, an old man with brittle bones, have taken such a risk to get that exam paper? After I brought it back, I don’t know who leaked the contents, but relatives kept coming to me! Could I refuse them all? How could our family continue to live peacefully in the village after that?”
Wang Xiaohua wanted to retort, but Old Ji arrived just then.
He gave Luo Yecheng a few acupuncture treatments, and soon Luo regained consciousness.
“Excessive anger harms the body. There’s no major issue, but you should exercise more and avoid getting so worked up in the future,” Old Ji said.
After leaving the village chief’s house, Old Ji followed Song Wei back to the educated youth residence.
“Li Zhiqing specifically asked me to call you over—she’s making a meal for you as thanks,” Song Wei explained.
Previously, Li Juan had caught a severe cold and developed a fever. Old Ji had treated her and helped her recover.
Since he didn’t accept money for his treatments, the medication expenses were managed by the brigade leader. These funds were safeguarded for future medical needs.
Grateful for his help, Li Juan had wanted to show her appreciation by preparing a meal for him.
These gestures were common now; everyone quietly reciprocated his kindness in their own way. Most of those he helped discreetly sent food items like steamed buns, bread, or noodles to the cowshed where Old Ji lived.
However, Old Ji rarely accepted meal invitations, wary of causing unnecessary trouble.
But when Song Wei and Lin Zhen extended an invitation, he agreed.
Having already informed Heidan to notify Li Juan, her meal was ready when Old Ji arrived.
The dishes weren’t particularly lavish, but Li Juan had prepared the best she could with what she had. She was also a good cook, and Song Wei happily joined the meal.
Afterward, Old Ji said to Li Juan, “Let me check your pulse again to ensure everything is fine.”
Li Juan nodded. “Thank you so much.”
Old Ji was a kind and gentle man with an approachable demeanor that put people at ease. Even the village children liked to gather around him.
Anyone who spent time with him could tell he was a skilled and good-hearted person.
Yet it was this very man, falsely accused of baseless charges, who had been sent to live in the village’s cowshed.
After chatting briefly with Song Wei and Li Juan, Old Ji got up to leave.
At the gate of the educated youth residence, he bumped into a male educated youth who was rushing in.
“Are you alright?”
Startled, Xie Tian stumbled and quickly bent down to help Old Ji up.
Old Ji waved his hand. “I’m fine.”
Looking at Xie Tian, he noticed the young man’s nervousness and gently offered a few words of comfort.
After apologizing, Xie Tian watched Old Ji walk away before returning to his room.
As Old Ji continued on his way, he couldn’t help but think of Xie Tian.
There was something familiar and endearing about the young man, though Old Ji couldn’t quite place where he might have seen him before.
“Shuanzi! Shuanzi! My sister Song is here to take a photo of your grandparents!”
Heidan’s voice echoed outside Shuanzi’s house.
Song Wei followed leisurely behind, holding a camera in her hands.
It had started when Shuanzi expressed envy over the photos Song Wei’s group had. He had said, “I wish my grandparents had a photo too. My dad says that when I grow up, I’ll forget many things from my childhood. I don’t want to forget what they look like.”
Shuanzi’s grandmother’s health had been deteriorating. It wasn’t something medicine could fix—she was old and nearing the end of her life.
While Shuanzi didn’t fully understand death, he had seen others in the village pass away and never return. He feared the same would happen to his grandparents and that he wouldn’t be able to remember their faces.
Seeing this, Heidan, Shuanzi’s close friend, wanted to help.
But Lin Zhen and Song Wei had warned him not to reveal the camera’s existence to avoid trouble.
Though Heidan loved to show off, he was tight-lipped about things he was told to keep secret.
Later, he brought up the idea to his brother and Song Wei. They readily agreed, leading to today’s visit.
Lin Zhen wasn’t present; he had gone to the city on some errand.
With the camera in hand, Song Wei was warmly welcomed by Shuanzi’s family.
Shuanzi’s grandparents were dressed in their best outfits, believing them to be their most presentable clothes.
The weather had warmed up, so they weren’t bundled too heavily.
Shuanzi’s grandmother, frail and toothless, was carefully helped outside by the family. Despite her pallor, she smiled.
Seated on a chair, the old woman looked up at Song Wei and asked hesitantly, “Do I look alright?”
Song Wei gave her a thumbs-up.
“Grandma, you look great today!”
Her praise made the old woman’s face light up with joy.
Though thin, her smile was radiant.
Shuanzi’s grandfather sat beside her, his calloused, dark hands clasping her bony fingers.
Side by side, they looked into the camera and beamed their brightest smiles.
With a click, the moment was immortalized.
Song Wei captured not only their couple’s portrait but also individual shots and a family photo.
The family’s gratitude was overwhelming, and they insisted on hosting her for a meal.
The photos would be developed at a photo studio in the city, as their small county didn’t have one. With the day getting late, Song Wei planned to go the next day.
By late afternoon, the educated youth dormitory suddenly came alive with excitement. There were children cheering and the sound of a bell ringing.
“It sounds like a bicycle bell,” someone remarked.
“Song Zhiqing! Come out! Lin Zhen bought a bicycle!”
Song Wei, who was in the middle of bathing her wolves, paused mid-scrub.
“What? A bicycle?”
Everyone in the residence was just as surprised and quickly stepped outside.
At the gate stood Lin Zhen, tall and commanding, astride a brand-new bicycle. His long legs rested firmly on the ground, and despite it being a standard bike, he made it look as sleek as a motorcycle.
The children surrounded him, their eyes wide with admiration.
Before Song Wei could react, Heidan let out an excited shout.
“Brother! Brother! You bought a bicycle? Is it ours? Can I ride it?”
Heidan bounded over, only for Lin Zhen to gently push him aside.
“Comrade Lin Ping’an,” he said, addressing Heidan by his full name. “I’ll test the bike with your Sister Song first. Then I’ll take you for a ride.”
He wasn’t about to let the little rascal ruin his moment of alone time with Song Wei.
Deflated, Heidan could only watch as Lin Zhen turned his gaze to Song Wei, his dark eyes softening.
“Come on. Let’s take it for a spin.”
Song Wei wiped her hands dry and approached. Under the envious stares of everyone around, she climbed onto the rear seat.
Lin Zhen pedaled off with her, leaving a trail of awestruck children in their wake.
“Hold on tight,” he said. “I’m picking up speed.”
Song Wei wrapped her arms around his waist. “Keep it steady. If you can’t manage, let me take over.”
“I’ve got this!” Lin Zhen declared.
With his long legs, he pedaled with ease, soon leaving the others far behind.
The breeze lifted Song Wei’s hair, and she felt a rare sense of joy.
The snow had long melted, and fresh green shoots lined the roads. The trees were budding, and fluffy white clouds dotted the blue sky.
It was a simple yet beautiful moment.
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