Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable

Chapter 1083: Chapter 993: Those Years (Part 3)

Qi Juan initially didn’t dare to accept it, the little child timidly looked towards Aunt Qi. Aunt Qi felt a bit embarrassed to let her child accept it, fruit candies were precious and couldn’t be taken for free.

But seeing her daughter’s longing expression, Aunt Qi felt deeply pained. Her family didn’t have a man, so she earned few work points, barely enough to feed them. Her daughter never got to taste any good food.

Other children could eat good things throughout the year, but Juan had grown up without ever tasting candy. Juan was sensible, never pleading for treats like others; her maturity made Aunt Qi’s heart ache.

So when faced with the fruit candy Wen Shuangshuang offered, Aunt Qi felt awkward but eventually nodded hesitantly to the girl.

Seeing Aunt Qi nod, Juan’s eyes lit up and accepted the candy Wen Shuangshuang had given her, whispering a thank you to Wen Shuangshuang, a shy smile appearing on her face, making her even more adorable.

Wen Shuangshuang smiled, patting her head, then took out four or five more pieces of fruit candy and put them in Qi Juan’s tiny pocket. The child’s face instantly lit up with happiness, making Aunt Qi’s eyes sting with emotion.

She peeled the candy wrapper in her hand, didn’t eat it herself, but held it up for Aunt Qi to eat, ”Mom, have some candy.”

Aunt Qi affectionately patted her daughter’s head, ”Mom doesn’t like candy, Juan can eat it herself.”

But Qi Juan was determined, insisting Aunt Qi take a taste. Aunt Qi, unable to refuse her daughter, licked the candy in Qi Juan’s hand, tasting the sweet, tangy orange flavor, delicious.

Qi Juan, still young, seeing her mom had tasted the candy, believed her mom had eaten it, happily popped the candy into her mouth, her little cheeks puffing up.

Receiving Wen Shuangshuang’s candy, Aunt Qi’s glance towards her carried a sense of closeness, knowing candy was precious, particularly fruit candies.

In these times, everything required a ration ticket, yet items like fruit hard candy, a luxury not often consumed, didn’t need one. If you had money, you could buy them, but even without needing tickets, families willing to spend on such luxuries were scarce.

The fruit candy Wen Shuangshuang gave to Qi Juan wasn’t much, not because Wen Shuangshuang was stingy. In these times of scarcity, a single fruit candy was a rare treat, one many kids couldn’t enjoy all year round. Giving too much wouldn’t be wise.

Watching her daughter’s puffed cheeks savoring the candy, Aunt Qi’s smile grew increasingly genuine, ”After walking so long, you two lady comrades must be tired. Let me heat some water for you to soak your feet and relax; after soaking, you can have your meal.

If you need anything, let me know. After dinner, I’ll boil two kettles of hot water for your room, so you don’t have to drink cold water if thirsty at night; the weather is still chilly, best to have some warm water.”

”That would be much appreciated, Aunt. I’ve been feeling under the weather lately, the hot water will really help.”

Just as Aunt Qi mentioned fetching hot water, before Wen Shuangshuang could speak, Zhou Meijuan enthusiastically interrupted. Her relatives were visiting, she had traveled, walked quite a bit today, and her stomach was upset.

Aunt Qi, being kind-hearted, hearing Zhou Meijuan wasn’t feeling well, promptly went out to light the fire and boil water, preparing to fill two thermoses first, and also bring some foot-soaking hot water over.

Due to Aunt Qi’s house being small, Wen Shuangshuang and Zhou Meijuan shared a room. In the middle hung a curtain for privacy, effectively creating two separate spaces. Once drawn, Wen Shuangshuang and Zhou Meijuan could have their own independent areas.

After Aunt Qi left, Wen Shuangshuang, not interested in chatting with the picky Zhou Meijuan, pulled the curtain close and started packing the things she brought along.

Zhou Meijuan, seeing Wen Shuangshuang giving Qi Juan candy so generously, thought of getting close to Wen Shuangshuang to score some too. Alas, Wen Shuangshuang showed no intention of indulging her, leaving Zhou Meijuan visibly displeased.

Looking at the curtain Wen Shuangshuang had drawn between them, she grumbled, ”What’s there to boast about having a bit of money? Who knows what the family’s background is, might be descendants of rich landlords.”

”No need for Comrade Zhou’s concern. My family has been impoverished workers for three generations, pure and loyal. As for myself, I wholeheartedly seek to serve the party, willingly registering to join the program for cultural reeducation by peasants, unlike you who can’t walk a few steps.”

Wen Shuangshuang was straightforward with Zhou Meijuan, her words making Zhou Meijuan’s face flush with embarrassment, leaving her speechless.

Initially, Wen Shuangshuang didn’t want to fuss over someone like Zhou Meijuan, but in this unique era, she couldn’t afford indifference.

In such times, a single wrong word could invite trouble, rumors could even land someone in prison. If Wen Shuangshuang didn’t mind Zhou Meijuan’s careless talk, disaster might just come knocking.

Seeing Zhou Meijuan calm down, Wen Shuangshuang continued organizing her luggage. Her luggage included two large lockable suitcases, filled with clothes and some personal valuable items.

Firstly, there was money, a total of three hundred and twenty yuan, all the family’s liquid savings, unknowingly placed in the suitcase by her family.

Apart from that, there were various ration tickets, fabric tickets, meat tickets, and more, all sneakily packed by her family.

Just like Wen Shuangshuang had said, the Wen Family had steadfast roots, making it relatively easier for them to find work in town. Life wasn’t excessively affluent but they had some wealth; this rural volunteer program was initially meant for her brother.

Wen Shuangshuang had a job, hence could avoid the volunteer program, but her brother was unwell, relying on medication since childhood, delaying his schooling by two years.

She feared her brother’s health wouldn’t withstand the tough conditions if he volunteered in the countryside, so she secretly signed up herself, giving her job to her brother.

Wen Shuangshuang handled everything discreetly, knowing her family would protest; by the time they discovered, it was too late to oppose, and they were helplessly unsure of a countermeasure.

Though pained by their daughter facing hardships, as Wen Shuangshuang feared, health-wise she was capable of enduring volunteer work’s demands since she was fit and hardworking.

Had it been her brother, the toil might have taken a grave toll; they couldn’t bear losing their son nor wished their daughter to suffer, yet sending their daughter offered hope of a safer outcome.

In remorse over their daughter bearing hardships and touched by her maturity, Wen Shuangshuang’s parents and brother, covertly packed virtually all possible money and tickets for Wen Shuangshuang’s journey.