I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 165 - 162: Come Save Me

Of course, the happiest are the families with members working at the brick factory.

The Li Cuilan family was also one of the impoverished large families in Qingshan Village. They had elderly parents to care for and three half-grown daughters to feed. Yet, the family was so poor that they barely had enough to eat. The children went to the mountains every day to dig for wild vegetables, and even the elderly parents dragged their less mobile bodies up the mountain to collect firewood. The couple worked tirelessly, never daring to take a day off, earning full work points each day, yet life continued to be difficult.

Once, the elderly parents even took a rope to hang themselves, fearing they were a burden to their son and daughter-in-law. Fortunately, Li Cuilan returned just in time; otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

They originally thought that life was just like this, and not starving to death was already good enough. Then, surprisingly, her husband got a job at the brick factory. The first month’s wage handed to Li Cuilan made her hands tremble with excitement.

"His dad, why is there so much? Wasn’t it supposed to be fifteen a month?" What was handed to her was clearly twenty-seven.

The man smiled honestly: "The basic salary is fifteen, but we have a bonus. I heard it was proposed by Jiang Family’s Xiao Mingyue. Workers get a bonus of three dollars for every kiln they work on. This month the brick kiln produced four kilns, so the bonus turned into twelve."

Li Cuilan was moved to tears: "His dad, am I dreaming? Our family just got twenty, and now we have twenty-seven more. Why does it feel so unreal?" As if both she and her husband were workers.

The man also surnamed Li, named Li Daqiu, was not a man of many words, a simple man who only knew how to work hard. At this moment, he was at a loss due to his wife’s emotions.

Li Cuilan: "Daqiu, you have to work hard. From now on, our family’s income will be more than others. We won’t go hungry anymore. Life will definitely get better and better."

"Yeah."

Li Cuilan: "Thanks to Jiang Family’s Xiao Mingyue! If I hear those gossipers next time, I’ll hit them every time I hear it. Who says Xiao Mingyue is lazy? She’s using her brain to work. Without her friend Mr. Yan, the brick factory wouldn’t have been built. I also heard that the food obtained last time by Jian Guo was also thanks to Xiao Mingyue finding that great philanthropist Shi Wu. He only charged us at cost and didn’t even ask for any tickets.

Ask the young girls in the whole village, who else has this ability? In my opinion, those who say bad things about Xiao Mingyue are just jealous of the good life of the third household. Seeing them build a brick house in such a short time, they gossip nonsense, saying that the original Zhenzhu was better, always sweet-mouthed to others. If I find out who is spreading these rumors, I’ll tear that person’s mouth apart. It’s useless to have eyes if they’re blind.

When Zhenzhu was here, I couldn’t stand her. That child smiled at you sweetly, but there was not much sincerity. Didn’t you notice? The good days of Qingshan Village only started after Zhenzhu left and Ming Yue returned."

Li Dahai didn’t understand these things, but grandma Li, who had been listening while sunbathing outside the door, chimed in.

She felt deeply the same way: "I believe what Cuilan said. Some people bring bad luck to whoever they get close to, while some people bring blessings wherever they go. Isn’t Xiao Mingyue the latter? Look, ever since she came back, the third household has been getting better and better, and now the whole village is benefiting.

The whole third household has new clothes, everyone wears wristwatches, and they even built a new brick house. Even Jian Guo, that big fool, turned over a new leaf and became a secretary, appointed directly by the higher-ups. He’s doing well in office too. If there isn’t Xiao Mingyue’s guidance behind this, I won’t believe it.

And Jian Jun, who used to just earn work points and wander around, now manages the entire brick factory. I heard he’s seriously learning the trade, and now, if you let him build one himself, as long as there’s money, he can finish it immediately. Look, everyone’s become amazing. I hear Xiao Mingyue is also teaching the whole family to learn to read." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Li Cuilan interjected: "I heard, too, that Zhenzhu was originally a high school student supported by the third household, but she never taught the family. When it comes down to it, she just didn’t have the heart. Mom, Xiao Mingyue even said ’knowledge is power.’ I’m beginning to understand this now. Should we send Daye, Er Ye, and San Ye to the third household to learn?"

Grandma Li waved her hand without thinking.

"Mom?"

Grandma Li: "We usually don’t have much interaction with them; at most, we just greet each other in passing. It’s not good to bother them abruptly. Besides, Jian Guo said this morning, after the brick factory makes more profit, they’ll build a school. It’s not too late to send them then."

Li Daqiu finally found his words: "Mom, can the school really be built?"

Grandma Li nodded with utmost confidence: "Definitely. Look at everything Jian Guo has promised since he took office. Hasn’t he accomplished each one? Dividing the food worked out, and the brick factory is set up beautifully. With a person like this, what are you worried about? I guess this school is also Xiao Mingyue’s idea. I’m afraid Mr. Yan has already designed the blueprint. Cuilan, go to the village to exchange some cloth coupons, food tickets, and meat tickets. Then take a trip to the city.

Buy some cloth to make clothes for the whole family. When Daqiu goes to work at the brick factory, he should dress better, no more patched clothes. Even if he takes off his coat most of the time, prepare school clothes and bags for the three children. You must buy meat. Daqiu can’t go to work without nutrition, or his body will break down. Hurry up."

"Okay!" responded Li Cuilan, happily running toward the village committee.

******

Time rewinded to half a month ago at Jing County Farm.

Every day there, Jiang Zhenzhu hoped for a letter back from Mr. Jiang, so she came to ask the gate guard uncle daily.

Uncle Lin, the gatekeeper, had become very familiar with her, and every time he saw her, he was annoyed and chased her away, but today was different.

"Jiang Zhenzhu, you have a parcel and a letter."

Jiang Zhenzhu was filled with joy: "Thank you, Uncle Lin." She was quite polite.

Jiang Zhenzhu carried the parcel and the letter as if she were in a hundred-meter sprint back to the dormitory, which housed dozens of people together in a shared space, and it was quite troublesome. She had taken a leave citing menstrual cramps.

At this moment, the dorm was empty. Only then did Jiang Zhenzhu sit on the bed’s edge to see from whom the parcels and letters came. When she realized none were from Mr. Jiang, she was very disappointed. She had clearly written several letters asking for her father’s help, but he had not responded at all. Did the letters not reach him? What about Xu Ya? Did she know she was sent to the countryside? Surely she must know, right? Even if she didn’t know initially, she should have received the letter she sent to the hospital afterward. Why didn’t she come to save her?

Jiang Zhenzhu’s nose was sour to the point of pain. Only heaven knows how hard the days here were. She was called up every day before dawn, and the food was so terrible it was nearly inedible. She had endless work to do every day, yet she didn’t want to work. Back in the third household, Shen Fanghua didn’t make her work either. She dressed cleanly every day, helped with meals, and read books. Life there was much better than here.

Undoubtedly, the parcel was from Xue Zongsheng again, having sent it several times. Every time it was things to eat, wear, and use, very considerate, but she wanted more to get out of here. Couldn’t that person plead with the Xue Family? Or did he suspect she was really having an unclear relationship with Ning Yan?

Then she looked at the letter, signed: Kind Neighbor.