As 1970 was coming to a close, Xu Ning noticed that her cotton jacket and pants had become too short. All her efforts to eat a variety of foods over the past few months had finally paid off—she had grown taller!

Her appearance had also changed; her oval face framed a pair of sparkling eyes, and her skin was fair and smooth. She couldn’t be considered a stunning beauty, but she was certainly a charming young woman.

By the end of the spring plowing season, she had reached a height of 1.63 meters. Riding her bicycle no longer required her to search for the pedals with both feet.

When Su Hongying saw her, she exclaimed in surprise, “Xiao Ning, I haven’t seen you for just a month, and it seems like you’ve grown taller again!”

The salesperson standing nearby, who was also quite familiar with Xu Ning, laughed and added, “You do look taller, and even more beautiful! Just look at those eyes; they seem to speak for themselves.”

Xu Ning felt a bit embarrassed by their compliments and replied with a blush, “Sister Hongying, Sister Zhang, please don’t tease me! I haven’t grown in years. If I don’t grow any taller soon, I’ll really become a little shorty!”

The two women chuckled at her response.

Xu Ning had come to buy daily necessities. She hadn’t visited the city since the spring planting began, and it had been over a month since her last trip. At home, the salt, candles, and lamp oil were almost used up.

She also bought some notebooks and pens for Xu An, who would be entering fifth grade in the second half of the year. Time flew by so quickly; it had already been two years since she arrived here, and she would turn 16 next month.

After leaving the supply and marketing cooperative, Xu Ning planned to visit Grandpa Wang to bring him and Grandma some supplies. When she arrived, Grandpa Wang had just finished sweeping the yard.

Seeing her, Grandpa Wang happily opened the door and invited Xu Ning to push her bicycle inside. He called out to the house, “Old lady, old lady, Xiao Ning is here!”

Grandma Wang came out from the house, and Xu Ning quickly asked, “Grandma Wang, how have you been? Are you feeling better?”

Grandma Wang beamed as she took Xu Ning’s hand and replied, “I’ve been well for a while now! After taking the medicine you brought me, I felt better the next day.”

Following Grandma Wang into the living room, Xu Ning placed two pieces of cured pork and a chicken from her backpack on the table. She then pulled out a large bag of egg cake and said, “Grandpa Wang, Grandma Wang, I made some egg cake for you. It’s very soft and easy to digest. You can have a piece when you’re hungry, and I’ll bring more next time!”

The elderly couple watched as she took out so many items from her backpack but didn’t say anything. That was just how she was—once she promised something, she always delivered.

Grandma Wang suggested, “Xiao Ning, stay for dinner today! We’re making dumplings!”

Xu Ning thought for a moment; there wasn’t much to do at home, so she decided to stay and have a meal with the elderly couple.

“Grandma Wang, let’s make dumplings together,” she said. Hearing that she would stay for dinner, the couple happily went to the kitchen to prepare.

They made dumplings filled with chives and eggs, along with stir-fried garlic sprouts and cold wood ear mushrooms. Though the seasonings were few, the flavors were quite good.

Xu Ning praised Grandma Wang, saying, “Grandma Wang, your cooking skills are really impressive. Grandpa Wang is so lucky to have married you!” Her words made the elderly couple chuckle.

Grandma Wang served Xu Ning a piece of cured pork and said, “Xiao Ning, eat more! You’re at an age when you’re growing. We don’t need you to keep bringing things; your Grandpa Wang and I can’t eat that much anyway.”

After the meal, Xu Ning helped Grandma Wang wash the dishes and then sat with the elderly couple in the living room, chatting.

“Grandpa Wang, Grandma Wang, I’m going to start planting vegetables soon, so I won’t be coming to the city much. If you need to reach me, just go to the supply and marketing cooperative and find Su Hongying. She’s a relative of mine and will pass on any messages. You can also come to Yushu Village to find me; I’m a sent-down youth there,” Xu Ning instructed the elderly couple.

Grandpa Wang’s eyes turned red as he replied, “Xiao Ning, we’ll remember that. If anything comes up, we’ll send word to you. Don’t worry about us.”

Grandma Wang wiped her eyes with her sleeve, then went to another room and brought out an old-looking box. She said to Xu Ning, “Xiao Ning, you’ll be turning 16 soon, and you’re becoming a young lady. This is a birthday gift from me and your Grandpa Wang.”

As Grandma Wang spoke, she opened the box, revealing a pair of jade bangles. They were of excellent quality, a vibrant green with no blemishes whatsoever.

Xu Ning quickly shook her head and said, “Grandma Wang, I can’t accept this. It’s too precious! Please put it away.”

Grandma Wang took Xu Ning’s hand and placed the box in her palm, saying, “Xiao Ning, don’t refuse. It’s not something overly valuable. Just wear them for fun! This is a small token from me and your Grandpa Wang.”

“Take it, Xiao Ning. Your Grandma Wang has been saving this for you for a long time,” Grandpa Wang chimed in, encouraging her.

Seeing she couldn’t decline any further, Xu Ning accepted the bangles. Since they were such a precious gift, she knew she would need to look after them closely in the future.

After dinner, Xu Ning and Xu An took the daily necessities she had bought, along with the bangles and some large and small yellow croakers, to the cattle shed.

Grandpa Qi and Xu Mo were listening to the radio, while Father Xu and Uncle Lu were playing chess, and Mother Xu and Aunt Lu were busy with their sewing.

Xu Ning gathered everyone into the kitchen, as it was the only room spacious enough for so many people. She placed the jade bangles and the yellow croakers on the table and briefly shared her connection with Grandpa and Grandma Wang. Of course, she omitted details about selling bed linens and simply mentioned that she had encountered them on the road.

Finally, Xu Ning said, “Grandpa and Grandma Wang don’t have many relatives left. Although their child went to serve in the army and hasn’t been reported as having sacrificed, it’s been 20 years, so he’s probably gone. I plan to help them as much as I can in the future.”

Father Xu pondered for a moment and replied, “Daughter, both of them are honorable people, and I admire that, but you need to understand one thing: while helping others, you must also protect yourself first.”

Xu Ning quickly assured him, “Dad, I know. I’m being very careful.”

Grandpa Qi sighed and said, “Before the founding of the country, the Wang family was quite famous in the county. The shoe factory and textile factory were both owned by them. They donated everything later, even their ancestral home, and I heard they only kept a small courtyard.”

Uncle Lu added with a sigh, “They are good people, but also unfortunate ones. However, Xiao Ning, your dad is right. You mustn’t put yourself in danger. Even though we adults are here, we wouldn’t be able to help much in a crisis. Remember, your safety is the most important.”

Xu Ning replied, “I understand, Uncle Lu.”

Mother Xu held her daughter’s hand and said, “Xiao Ning, please be sure to pay attention to your safety. I just want you all to be okay.”

Xu Ning nodded and said, “Don’t worry, Mom! I’m very careful each time I go, and I don’t go often—only once every few months.”

The adults urged Xu Ning to put away the bangles and the yellow croakers, reminding her that it was best not to show these items publicly.