Chapter 56: Sending an Introduction Letter to the City

However one might put it, it’s someone’s goodwill. Knowing this young girl doesn’t like owing favors, she also took a share for him. Even right now she’s still struggling to have a better life.

He said, “As for mine, forget about it. I’ve already had meals from you before. It wouldn’t be right to accept more things. I’ll take my comrade’s share for him. I happen to be going to the county today to pick up goods for the commune supply and marketing cooperative. I can handle this matter today.”

Luo Qiao said, “It’s not much trouble. Let’s not make a fuss. It wouldn’t be right to skip giving you something tasty and only send it to your comrade. Don’t worry, I have enough grain to eat. Earlier, I dug some herbs in the mountains and exchanged them for some money.”

Since it had come to this, Lu Yichen could only thank Luo Qiao.

Just now, upon hearing that Lu Yichen was going to the county to pick up goods, she asked, “When are you leaving?”

Lu Yichen replied, “In a moment. Anything up?”

Luo Qiao nodded and said, “I’ll hitch a ride on your tractor to the commune later, so I don’t have to walk.”

She didn’t mention going to the city. The fewer people who knew about it, the better. She didn’t want the whole village to know about it. Going to the city today wasn’t just about buying a sewing machine; she also wanted to see if there was any place to sell fish.

She had to earn some money for herself to feel secure. Although there were valuable things in the space, they were too precious. It would be troublesome if someone with ill intentions targeted such valuable items belonging to a fourteen or fifteen-year-old child.

Those items are not worth just a few hundred or a few thousand; even one of them could be worth tens of thousands. Unless absolutely necessary, those things really cannot be moved. It’s better to proceed cautiously and steadily.

Lu Yichen didn’t press further and said, “Alright, wait by the riverside.”

Luo Qiao slung her own basket on her back and said, “I’ll go to the captain’s place first. If you get there before I do, just wait a bit for me.”

Lu Yichen nodded.

With that, Luo Qiao turned and headed towards the captain’s house.

Coincidentally, just as she crossed the river, Luo Qiao saw the captain heading towards the brigade office. She hurried to catch up and entered the office right after him.

Gao Jiefang heard someone coming in and turned around to see Luo Qiao. “So early, what’s the matter?”

Luo Qiao explained, “Captain, it’s like this. Today, work isn’t happening, and I’ve been in the village for a while now. I want to make a trip back to the city. When I left last time, I had to leave in a hurry without saying goodbye to my friends heading back to Ji City.

Now that I’ve settled down here in Qingshan Village, I want to go back for a visit. There are also some things I need to bring back. I’d like to ask the captain to help me with an introduction letter.

The main reason is that I’m worried that I might not be able to come back at night. In case I need accommodation and they won’t accept me without an introduction letter, it’s just a precaution.”

Gao Jiefang furrowed his brow and said, “Luo Qiao, um, I was thinking, even though our commune is close to the city, can you manage going out alone, being a young girl? Also, don’t spend all your money from selling herbs.”

Luo Qiao understood the captain’s concern was for her own good. Firstly, he was worried about her safety as a young girl going out alone, and secondly, he was concerned she wouldn’t be able to save any money and might have a tough time in the future.

She smiled and said, “Uncle Captain, rest assured, I understand your kindness. However, this trip is necessary. I have some things still left at someone else’s place that I need to bring back this time.”

Afraid that the captain might not believe her, she continued, “You see, when I was at the farm before, those grandpas and grandmas who taught me knowledge left some things for me to take when I returned to the city. I was worried that my older siblings at home might take them, so those grandpas and grandmas let me bring some things back to the Luo family.

There are also some items stored at another family’s home. Coincidentally, that family also returned to the city just like us, and their home is in Ji City as well.”