Chapter 56: Cousin, I admire you.

“Grandaunt, work is just a small matter. Going to the countryside was my own decision.”

“If anything were to happen to you, we couldn’t just sit idly by. Among the grandchildren of the Tong family, I am the most suitable one. My elder brothers and sisters have been working for many years and have stable careers. Besides me, there is no one else fit for this.”

Tong Xueyan’s voice was calm, showing no hint of disappointment about going to the countryside.

She was not lying. She was the youngest of her generation in the Tong family. Only the next generation was younger, and a few-year-old child would not be of any help at all.

She could not ask her elder siblings to quit their jobs and go to the countryside, nor could she let outsiders come. After considering all options, she was indeed the most suitable.

Tong Lingxian said, full of anguish, “Child, you are being foolish. Do you think I don’t know what is on your brother’s mind? Translation work is your dream, and now you are going to the countryside. Do you really think it is worth it for Grandaunt?”

Fang Bo Song agreed, “Exactly. Xueyan, call your father tomorrow. Tell him you want to go back so he does not worry about us. Everything here is fine, and your little sister is doing well too.”

Although there was nothing wrong with the Tong family, that did not mean everything would remain safe afterward.

Every day Tong Xueyan stayed here increased the risk. At a critical moment, the only thing they could do was distance themselves, not get involved and complicate matters.

Tong Lingxian had thought the same. When the accident happened, she deliberately did not inform her eldest brother for this reason.

Once he knew, he would have done everything possible to save her, but she did not want to involve anyone else, so she severed all contact.

Yet, in just over half a year, her eldest brother sent his youngest granddaughter here. Tong Lingxian could not understand what he was thinking at all.

Tong Xueyan said, “Grandaunt, do not worry. This was not just Grandpa’s decision. After he learned something had happened to you, he consulted us grandchildren. I volunteered to come here myself.”

Even so, Fang Bo Song and Tong Lingxian still did not understand. “Young people sent to the countryside do not know how long they will have to stay. You were pampered growing up. How could you possibly endure this?”

“Even if I cannot endure it, so what? Haven’t Grandaunt and Granduncle managed just fine? Besides…”

Xueyan lowered her gaze to the pair of eyes that bore a striking resemblance to her own, Fang Mingxi. “I am here so that you can take it easy. At least with my status, I can get money and tickets from home. The adults do not need it, but we cannot let Xixi go hungry.”

“Grandaunt often says that children of the Tong family deserve to be pampered. I never suffered such hardships, so Xixi should not either.”

She had come voluntarily, not just for Grandaunt and Granduncle, but for her blood-related little sister.

The Tong and Fang families had always had a good relationship. Tong Lingxian had watched Xueyan grow up and had cared for her all her life.

All the Tong children were close to Lingxian. There was no question of cutting ties when she faced trouble.

Moreover, everyone in the family now had stable jobs. Only by following the path of the educated youth could Xueyan provide help for Tong Lingxian and the others.

If they did not have someone who could move freely and bring supplies, how could Xixi grow up like a normal child?

Tong Lingxian still wanted to persuade her, but Xueyan spoke again: “Grandaunt, do not worry about me. Before coming here, I underwent six months of special training. I do have a few skills.”

“Children should not be forced to grow up prematurely. Brother Jing and sister-in-law have only one child. If something happens to Xixi, how would you face them?”

At the mention of this, Fang Bo Song and Tong Lingxian finally fell silent.

Adults could endure almost anything. A bit of illness could be endured. But children could not.

The sudden high fever earlier had almost left them frantic. If it were not for the timely help of the Brigade Leader, Xixi might have been gone.

Xueyan’s words struck straight to their hearts. Even though they knew the mysterious person was the Brigade Leader, they could not just wait for help indefinitely.

After all, the Brigade Leader was merely a somewhat familiar stranger. Having someone from their own family here made things much more convenient.

At the very least, they would not be restrained at every turn, constantly fearing being reported.

In the end, Tong Lingxian and Fang Bo Song finally understood.

Tong Lingxian looked at Xueyan with gratitude, tears welling up. “Xueyan, it is Grandaunt who owes you. I thank you on behalf of your Brother Jing and sister-in-law. Thank you for still caring about this family.”

Xueyan smiled. “Grandaunt, our family does not talk about two households. I rented a place just around the corner. Xixi will sleep with me when the time comes.”

“Alright, then,” Tong Lingxian immediately agreed. “Xixi, this is your cousin Xueyan. From now on, you have to behave.”

“I will! I will!” Fang Mingxi replied quickly.

She stared intently at the gentle Xueyan, cheering her silently, her heart smashing into a wall of admiration.

My sister, my cousin, you are my hero!

In these extraordinary times, you went to the countryside for Grandpa and Grandma without hesitation. Needless to say, you are my sworn cousin.

From now on, I am sticking with you, and my confidence grows.

Afterward, the group discussed in detail how the Tong family had searched for Tong Lingxian and the others.

Tong Xueyan explained that on the third day after Tong Lingxian and her companion were sent away, her grandfather received news and immediately sent people to track their location.

Although they had been misled several times along the way, luck struck when they headed toward Chuan Province. They encountered a technician who had traveled with Lingxian on the same train.

The technician had been drinking and boasted a lot on the train, inadvertently revealing what had happened that day.

The Tong family realized something was off and suspected that Lingxian and the others had been sent to Yun Province.

They followed this lead and eventually traced them all the way to Hongqi Commune.

At that time, the family did not know which brigade they were in, so they sent people to check each brigade.

When they investigated the first Maple Leaf Brigade and found the cattle shed, they were just trying their luck. To their surprise, they came across Fang Bo Song and Tong Lingxian cutting firewood on the mountain.

Once the Tong family confirmed which room Lingxian was in and her current situation, they immediately returned to report back.

They then held a meeting to decide how to secretly help Fang Bo Song and Tong Lingxian.

After much consideration, they concluded that sending educated youth to the countryside was still the most reliable option.

Everyone at home argued about volunteering, but in the end, just-graduated high school student Tong Xueyan, who was about to start her career, went first to register.

After some coordination, Xueyan successfully arrived at the Maple Leaf Brigade and finally met Tong Lingxian and the others.