Rebirth in 1986: Unforgettable Regrets

Chapter 1129: Chapter 1129: Who Are You to Her?

"Girl, this is something children shouldn’t know," Fat Aunt said dismissively, as she led the girl to the kitchen to cook.

The girl still wanted to ask, but Fat Aunt had already changed the subject.

Fat Aunt looked toward the room, thinking the girl is pretty and Tang Jun is a good lad, so she might as well play matchmaker.

Inside the room.

After confirming no one was watching him, Tang Jun took the medicine bowl and said, "Yuan Yu, you won’t despise me, right?"

Tang Jun mumbled to himself, willing to take responsibility for a lifetime.

He took a big gulp of the bitter herbal medicine but didn’t notice the taste. He put the bowl on the stool next to him and pressed his lips to Yuan Yu’s, slowly transferring the medicine into her mouth.

Mouthful after mouthful, he soon finished feeding her the medicine. He wiped around her lips to ensure nothing had spilled, finally exhaling in relief as he held her hand and murmured, "Get well soon."

"Yuan Yu, how could you be so foolish?"

"How could you risk your life just to find me?"

Tang Jun held her bandaged hand gently, afraid of causing more pain. He didn’t know how Yuan Yu ended up here, but surely she had suffered a lot.

Though unable to see Yuan Yu, Tang Jun still looked toward her direction, listening to her shallow breathing as if knowing she was okay. He stayed in the room for a long time before finding his way out.

The girl asked, "Brother Tang, how did you give sister the medicine?"

The girl looked at Tang Jun with admiration as he brought out the empty bowl.

"Just like this," Tang Jun bashfully changed the subject, saying, "Fat Aunt, could I buy a chicken from you to nourish Yuan Yu?"

"No need to buy. I’ve already butchered a chicken; I’ll stew it for you and Miss Yuan later to nourish you both," Fat Aunt said with a smile. "If you talk to me about money, I won’t be happy."

The family had many chickens, and the eggs hatched into several chicks, usually saved for the holidays or to nourish someone who needs it.

Here, they raise a lot of chickens and ducks. Sometimes, if there’s an excess, the village chief takes them to town to sell for some goods in return.

"Thank you, Fat Aunt," Tang Jun said sincerely appreciative, hoping to repay the villagers’ kindness in the future.

Besides Fat Aunt, the rest of the village is also incredibly kind, friendly, and hospitable. Some brought a duck, others brought some eggs, and others a chicken, saying it’s to nourish them.

Tang Jun didn’t know how to thank these warm and hospitable villagers enough.

At lunch, Tang Jun ate until he was full. He deliberately went to ’see’ Yuan Yu. The girl said, "Sister hasn’t woken up yet, but her fever has gone down a bit."

Tang Jun followed the morning routine, giving herbal medicine to Yuan Yu before leaving with the girl.

Though unable to see the village firsthand, listening to the girl’s lively descriptions, a beautiful picture formed in his mind.

Tang Jun accompanied the girl on a walk, and she introduced places like Aunt Hu’s house, Uncle Miao’s house, and Uncle Miao’s house. Tang Jun greeted many people, surrounded by several kids.

Upon hearing about Tang Jun’s medicinal company, the kids clung to him, asking about company affairs. Although he couldn’t see their eager expressions, their words betrayed their wonder and longing for the outside world.

Tang Jun spoke of many things about the company, which only increased their admiration.

The girl pouted unhappily, regretting bringing Brother Tang, as Gou Dan and others were fighting over him.

The girl, feeling closer to Tang Jun, tugged at his sleeve and said, "Brother Tang, I want to be like sister and become a doctor."

Tang Jun smiled, holding the girl’s hand, and said, "You and Grandpa study well and go to school properly. You will definitely become a doctor like your sister."

"I want to be a teacher too."

Right after Tang Jun finished speaking, the once lively scene seemed to dampen like cold water being poured over it.

Tang Jun asked, puzzled, "Why did you all go silent?"

"Brother Tang, we can’t go to school," the girl said, lowering her head, her voice softening.

"Why?" Tang Jun thought about the places the girl introduced earlier but noticed no mention of a school. He asked, "Is there no school here?"

"Yes," the girl nodded. "The words we learn are all taught by Grandpa."

In the village, Grandpa Miao was the most literate, so if the children wanted to learn words, he was their teacher.

However, Grandpa Miao was old. Gathering herbs and teaching them was already his limit, leaving him unable to impart more knowledge.

In the village, if someone wanted to read, the village chief uncle would buy some books for them to self-study.

A teacher was hired before, but after a year or two, they found the conditions too harsh here, and due to a lack of funds, everyone’s education was delayed.

Going to town for schooling is unrealistic, with a single trip taking seven to eight hours on foot daily.

"Don’t worry, I’ll find a teacher for you when I return," Tang Jun reassured them.

The girl, doubtful, said, "Teachers find this place too tough and don’t want to come."

"Exactly, didn’t Teacher Zhou and Teacher Xu also think so?"

Gou Dan added.

"Don’t worry. If you want to learn, you can find a teacher," Tang Jun said, feeling like he’d found a way to repay the village’s kindness.

The children didn’t fully trust Tang Jun’s words, yet were still inclined to believe him because the liberation army wouldn’t lie.

At Fat Aunt’s house.

Fat Aunt had just started preparing chicken soup, intending to check if Yuan Yu had woken when she saw her eyes open, looking around.

"Girl, you’re awake?" Fat Aunt reached out to feel Yuan Yu’s forehead, then her own, and said, "The fever has subsided a lot, but it’s still warm."

"Where is this?" Yuan Yu blinked at the chubby yet kind woman. On waking, she had studied the room, an old setup with wooden beams, plank walls, and an old wardrobe. The furniture gave her a sense of stepping back into the seventies or eighties.

"This is Changshui Village," Fat Aunt replied with a smile. "Do you feel discomfort anywhere?"

"Auntie," Yuan Yu shook her head. "I’m fine. Auntie, have you seen a tall man? He’s very..."

"Are you talking about Tang Jun?"

Fat Aunt, watching her anxious gestures, smiled and asked, "Girl, what is he to you?"