RBI1960 Chapter 28 V2

When the time finally came, Jiang Yiliu set down the enamel basin he’d been holding, stretched his limbs, and collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

“If you’re already wiped out at this level, I don’t think you’ll make it through the rest of the training. Might as well give up now,” Huo Wu said as he came out in his old work clothes. Though his words were discouraging, there was no hiding the approval in his eyes.

Jiang Yiliu panted heavily. At first, he hadn’t been all that enthusiastic about martial arts, but now, Huo Wu’s comment had sparked a stubborn streak in him—he was determined to learn no matter what.

Huo Wu saw the fire light up in the boy’s eyes and smiled faintly. That’s more like it, he thought. For a five-year-old who was usually so calm and collected, this defiance was a welcome show of normalcy.

The adults in the household had all gone to work. Granny Miao was at home folding matchboxes for extra income while watching over the kids.

“Xiaobao, come eat breakfast!” she called from inside the house.

The three children came in from the courtyard. On the table were three bowls of cornmeal porridge and two bowls of steamed egg custard. Usually, only Jiang Yiliu got to eat the custard, but since Ruanruan had come to live with them—and brought with her a generous food stipend from the Ruan family—Granny Miao made sure the little girl wasn’t slighted. She knew how to handle things properly.

“Eat up, and behave yourselves. Sini, keep an eye on your younger siblings. Grandma’s going to feed the chickens in the backyard,” Granny Miao said as she walked out. Every household raised chickens and ducks based on their family size. The number of chicks and ducklings they got each year was strictly allocated—if any died, there were no replacements. Granny Miao was meticulous about her chickens. If one of them laid two eggs a day, she’d practically treat it like royalty.

“Sister Sini, here.” Once Granny Miao was gone, Ruanruan scooped half her custard into Sini’s bowl. The first time she’d seen the older girls not eating egg custard, she’d asked why. Granny Miao had told her, “Girls don’t need to eat fancy stuff like this.”

That puzzled Ruanruan. I’m a girl, too, so why do I get it? She didn’t ask again, but from then on, she always shared some of her portion with Sini.

“Ruanruan, just wait—one day when I’m rich, I’ll make you a whole room full of egg custard!” Sini looked at her bowl with a smile and didn’t act all polite or push it away. She just gave Ruanruan a sweet, heartfelt grin.

The two of them giggled as they ate their porridge and custard, their faces full of joy.

Jiang Yiliu didn’t say anything. Quietly, he scooped a portion of his untouched custard into Ruanruan’s bowl. In a child’s world, sharing food was a gesture of friendship. It helped strengthen bonds. If his fourth sister and Ruanruan became close, that would only be good for her future.

“Hey, Auntie Miao, is Yiliu home?” came a familiar voice from outside. Jiang Yiliu’s eyes lit up. He set down his bowl and rushed out the door.

“Uncle Xia!”

It was Gu Dongmei’s brother, Gu Xiashi. Jiang Yiliu darted straight into his arms with such force that he nearly knocked Gu Xiashi over.

“It hasn’t even been that long, but you’ve grown sturdier!” Gu Xiashi said, surprised as he looked at his nephew.

“Hah, Xiaobao’s been doing all kinds of weird martial arts training with his Uncle Huo Wu lately. Lost a whole ring around his jawline!” Granny Miao had come out from the backyard and was smiling when she saw who it was. She pointed at her precious grandson in Gu Xiashi’s arms.

She had been worried about how hard the boy was pushing himself every morning. If it weren’t for her husband stopping her—and the fact that Xiaobao’s health did seem to be improving—she would’ve put an end to it already.

“Training is good. Build up that body and you can serve in the army someday—live on the state’s rations,” Gu Xiashi said as he gave Jiang Yiliu’s arm a little squeeze, making Granny Miao grin from ear to ear.

“So, Shitou, what brings you here today?” she asked curiously.

“No big reason. Just wanted to take Yiliu to the county for a little outing,” Gu Xiashi said. When he saw the two little girls come out from the house, he called out warmly to Sini, then pointed to the unfamiliar one. “Who’s this?”

“She’s the granddaughter of an old professor from the village labor camp. Her parents died in the Vietnam War. The livestock shed’s not even finished yet, so she’s been staying and eating with us for the time being.”

Granny Miao leaned in and whispered the explanation, making sure Ruanruan couldn’t hear.

Gu Xiashi understood immediately. That professor must have some kind of connection to the Jiang family—otherwise, Granny Miao wouldn’t be treating the girl so kindly. With his sharp eyes, he wasn’t easily fooled.

But that wasn’t the reason he was here today.

“Auntie Miao, I’m taking Yiliu with me. We’ll have lunch out, so don’t wait on us,” Gu Xiashi said, still holding his nephew. Then he smiled at the two little girls. “When I get back, I’ll bring you some candy.”

With that, he turned and walked off with Jiang Yiliu in his arms.

“Hey! How are you getting there?” Granny Miao called out after them. It was freezing, and the trip would take hours on foot.

“I brought a bike!” Gu Xiashi replied proudly, gesturing to the black bicycle behind him. Compared to modern ones, this bike was huge and clunky—almost waist-high on him. The rear seat was wrapped in thick velvet padding. He set Jiang Yiliu on the seat, then straddled the frame, ready to head off.

“Wow, Shitou, you got yourself a bicycle?” Granny Miao exclaimed in surprise. Since when had the Gu family gotten so well-off? Bikes weren’t something you could just buy with money.

“It’s not mine, I borrowed it. Anyway, it’s getting late—we’ll head out now,” Gu Xiashi said quickly, seeing she had more questions. He pedaled off in a flash.

“Slow down! Don’t let my grandson fall!” Granny Miao shouted after him, worried sick.

Gu Xiashi acted like he didn’t hear her and rode off fast, telling his nephew to hold on tight to his waist.

“Uncle Xia, where are we going?” Jiang Yiliu asked curiously from the back seat.

“To show you something cool,” Gu Xiashi said mysteriously, keeping the surprise to himself. Jiang Yiliu’s curiosity was instantly piqued.