Chapter 54: A Shocked He Daixing

After spending some time with Fang Mingxi, Zhou Yulan and Ou Wenrui successfully earned her trust.

At first, they were amazed at how smoothly she walked. Then, they were stunned by her ability to express herself. Finally, after hearing about her trips up the mountain, they were utterly impressed.

Ou Wenrui exclaimed in surprise, “Old Fang, I knew our family’s genes were good! Little Ruo back then could walk incredibly fast, and now our Xixi walks just as quickly.”

Fang Bo Song frowned. “Our family’s genes are excellent too, you know! Xiao Jing could practice martial arts at two or three years old. Clearly, the genes favor me and my wife.”

“No way, it’s ours.”

“It’s ours!!!”

The two of them bickered over whose family contributed to Fang Mingxi’s outstanding genes, while Zhou Yulan and Tong Lingxian quietly discussed how to make clothes for her using the only fabric they had at home.

Tong Lingxian’s earlier words to Wu Meixia weren’t false. Zhou Yulan’s sewing skills were truly exceptional. She took a scrap of cloth, cut and stitched it, and before long had made a pair of pants.

Fang Mingxi measured them against herself. They reached exactly to her ankles, neither too long nor too short. The seams inside were perfectly tight; when turned over, not a single thread was visible.

Fang Mingxi was shocked. Could her grandmother really have this skill? Was she a tailor back in the day?

She was overjoyed. If her grandmother’s craftsmanship was really this good, there would be no need to worry about fabrics going to waste in the future. With such a skilled hand around, clothing could always be made properly.

Besides, it was winter now. Wearing these clothes under other layers meant no one would even notice. And in summer, it would be even easier: buy a few more yards of the same fabric, cut identical clothes, and even if worn every day, no one would notice they were the same outfit.

Just as the clothes were finished, He Daixing returned.

He brought a slightly worn wooden bed, a tattered quilt, and a bag of grain, handing them over to Ou Wenrui.

Ou Wenrui expressed his gratitude again, accepted the provisions, and pulled out a few banknotes from his pocket.

“Brigade Leader, could I trouble you to go to the supply cooperative tomorrow to get some essentials: food, clothing, and daily necessities? And if possible, could you bring a few snacks for the children?”

He Daixing readily accepted the banknotes. He was already happy to help carry supplies.

Everyone here liked to have a little backup plan. He usually turned a blind eye as long as things weren’t excessive.

But as He Daixing glanced at Fang Mingxi clinging to Zhou Yulan’s leg and at Fang Bo Song interacting so familiarly with them, his pupils suddenly constricted.

“You know each other?”

Ou Wenrui looked over and said, “To be honest, Brigade Leader, that’s my in-laws and my granddaughter. I never expected to meet them here. This must be a blessing from our ancestors.”

He Daixing was even more shocked. What incredible luck!

He felt dizzy. He knew the former leaders and the people in front of him had all been sent down from Jing City, but he never imagined their connections would be so extraordinary.

Not only were they in-laws, but they also ended up in the same brigade. And Hongqi Commune was so large, how did they end up specifically in the Maple Leaf Brigade and, by chance, get brought back by him?

Was this a coincidence, or was it deliberate?

If it was a coincidence, it was astonishingly lucky. If it was deliberate, it meant the people around the former leaders were exceptionally capable. They could handle money, arrange people deliberately, and ensure their leaders weren’t in as dire a situation as he had thought.

At the very least, in the current situation, having relatives with money and banknotes nearby meant any missing supplies could be procured.

This was good news. The shadow over He Daixing’s mind in recent months could finally lift a bit. Someone still cared for the former leaders. It was a good sign, and they seemed fairly friendly.

He pocketed the banknotes and, as usual, asked if anyone else in the cattle shed needed him to bring supplies. That way, he could buy everything in one trip tomorrow.

Of course, there was someone. Wu Meixia went back to her room, retrieved some cash and fabric vouchers, and handed them to him.

“Brigade Leader, could you please bring back some defective fabric? I have a use for it.”

“Sure, defective fabric, got it!” He Daixing didn’t ask what she wanted it for and turned to see if anyone else needed anything.

No one else did. They either had nothing to buy or no vouchers, so they likely couldn’t get anything anyway.

Seeing this, He Daixing didn’t ask further and turned to head back with his team.

When Tong Lingxian heard Wu Meixia wanted defective fabric, she quietly approached and asked, “Sister Xia, why do you want defective fabric? I still have some. I can give you some.”

Wu Meixia’s face turned red. She glanced at Tang Yao, who was playing with Fang Mingxi inside the room, feeling embarrassed and unable to explain.

Tong Lingxian immediately understood, patting Wu Meixia on the shoulder. “I get it. I’ll fetch it for you. Girls need to be extra careful.”

Wu Meixia hurriedly refused. “No, no, defective fabric is expensive. I’ll just borrow your needle and thread later.”

“That’s fine. We only have these two little girls, so as adults, we really need to pay attention. Besides, I need some for Xixi too.”

Tong Lingxian made the decision, pulling five yuan from her pocket. “If the Brigade Leader buys the defective fabric, I’ll pay for it. Keep this money safe; you probably don’t have much on you, and you’ll need money for plenty of things later.”

They had brought 100 yuan when they came and, over time, had accumulated a few more vouchers, probably totaling around 130 to 140 yuan on them. Tong Lingxian didn’t know how much Wu Meixia had, but it was certainly less. This five yuan would seem trivial to her, but significant to Wu Meixia.

Moreover, they couldn’t ask the Brigade Leader for the remaining money. He was already helping, and it wouldn’t be right not to give him a token of thanks.

Wu Meixia clutched the five yuan, still warm from Tong Lingxian’s hand, tears welling up. She was so moved that she didn’t know how to express it.

She choked out, “Lingxian, thank you. I really don’t know how to ever repay you all. It’s always you and Old Fang taking care of us, and now this too. Tang Yao and I truly have no way to repay you.”

Wu Meixia had only brought about forty yuan here. After the initial request to the Brigade Leader for supplies, she now only had twenty yuan on her. These five yuan were indeed a fortune to her.

Seeing Tong Lingxian go out of her way to help, she felt completely unable to repay the favor and could only pray every day for their safety.

Tong Lingxian comforted her earnestly. “Sister Xia, it’s nothing. As I said before, Xixi and Yaoyao are good sisters, and our two families must help each other through difficult times together.”

Wu Meixia wiped her tears. “Yes! We’ll remember. We must get through this.”