After receiving the gifts, Yuan Guoqing sat on his small stool and chatted with the group.
Meanwhile, Yuan Mama was busy in the kitchen.
"Sanggong, you mentioned earlier that you were in this area yesterday?"
Remembering what Su Sanggong had said earlier, Yuan Guoqing, out of curiosity, asked for more details.
"It wasn't just me; it was my teacher and I. We went to Nanhe Village, not far from here."
Yuan Guoqing was quite surprised to hear they had gone to Nanhe Village.
If they went to Nanhe Village, it was indeed not far from their own village.
However, he couldn't figure out what connection the teacher and Sanggong had with Nanhe Village.
"Why did you go to Nanhe Village?"
"There's a child in Nanhe Village whose parents have both passed away, named Xiaoshu. We happened to encounter him yesterday and came to check on his situation."
Su Sanggong briefly explained Xiaoshu's situation.
Upon hearing this, Yuan Guoqing knew who they were talking about.
"I know about Xiaoshu. He lives in Nanhe Village, and both his parents are gone. He's very pitiful. But a while ago, I heard that Xiaoshu was sick and hadn't been out for a long time. How did he suddenly end up so far away?"
He had always felt pitiful himself, but after hearing Xiaoshu's story, he felt that he wasn't that pitiful after all.
Shen Zizhen hadn't expected Yuan Guoqing to know about it, so he recounted Xiaoshu's story.
Yuan Guoqing was shocked.
He had heard before that Xiaoshu's life was pitiful, but he never imagined it would be so tragic.
What kind of abuse could make a child run away overnight, and run so far, yet not even think of returning when starving and freezing?
This meant that in Xiaoshu's heart, even wandering outside was better than staying with his uncle.
"This child Xiaoshu is too pitiful. If his parents were still alive, it wouldn't have come to this. Sometimes, when you think about it, being alive is the most important thing in this world."
"Yes, as long as parents are present, children are always children. If parents are gone..." Su Xiaotian couldn't bear to finish.
"I have an appointment tonight. I want to help this poor child."
"Teacher Shen, are you going to Mayor Liang's place?"
Yuan Guoqing, being a smart person, understood what Shen Zizhen meant after hearing his words.
He thought that the person Teacher Shen would meet was likely Mayor Liang.
Mayor Liang was actually a very good person. Although he was a leader in the town, he was approachable and had solved many problems for the people in the surrounding villages.
Mayor Liang had even helped him when he went to college.
"Even Mayor Liang probably can't manage matters in Nanhe Village. Teacher Shen, our area belongs to Tongliang Town, but after crossing that bridge ahead, it's no longer Tongliang's jurisdiction."
Yuan Guoqing, thinking that Shen Zizhen was unaware of the local situation, took the initiative to explain.
A person in one position should not meddle in affairs outside their purview. Although Mayor Liang was the mayor, he couldn't manage affairs in other towns.
"Indeed, he can't. That's why I need to visit someone else," Shen Zizhen said with a smile. "Whether it can be resolved or not, since we've encountered it, we must think of a solution."
While they were talking, Yuan Mama brought out the dishes.
"Our family is humble and doesn't have much to offer you. These are just home-style dishes. Please don't mind," Yuan Mama said very politely.
The dishes prepared by the Yuan family were actually quite good, but due to their lack of confidence, the mother and son always felt that they hadn't prepared enough.
Shen Zizhen smiled, "You are too kind. Even an emperor's feast is four dishes and one soup. Your dishes are of a high standard."
Shen Zizhen's words were amiable, and the Yuan mother and son felt much more at ease.
The Yuan mother and son were so attentive in their hospitality that Shen Zizhen and the others felt a bit uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Yuan Guoqing noticed this and changed the topic in time, which made everyone feel more at ease.
After the meal, Yuan Mama cleared the dishes, and Yuan Guoqing voluntarily went to wash them.
Yuan Mama then accompanied Shen Zizhen and the others, chatting with them.
For Yuan Mama, there seemed to be no other topics except her son.
She talked about how sensible Yuan Guoqing was in his early years, and how he had given up a good job he was about to secure for her this time.
These were all trivial matters, but Yuan Mama spoke them with such sincerity that Shen Zizhen felt immersed in her story.
Yuan Guoqing had not had an easy life over the years, but at least he had a strong mother.
Shen Zizhen couldn't help but think of Xiaoshu, the child whose parents had both passed away.
He then asked Yuan Mama if she knew Xiaoshu.
Yuan Mama indeed knew him.
Being a woman, Yuan Mama had more insight into neighborhood gossip. Although they were not from the same village, this was a small place, and she had heard a lot about Xiaoshu's family.
After reminiscing, she added, "Xiaoshu's father was a good man, but unfortunately, he passed away too early! If he were still alive, the family wouldn't be in this situation."
When Shen Zizhen and the others heard Yuan Mama's words, they didn't think much of it, assuming she was just speaking casually.
"Sister-in-law, thank you so much!" Shen Zizhen said politely. "Because of your strength, this child Yuan has become so outstanding!"
"It's nothing, just some everyday gossip. I'm glad you don't find me long-winded. To be honest, if it weren't for Guoqing, I might not have persevered until today," Yuan Mama replied with a smile.
However, there was a hint of desolation and sadness in her smile.
Su Xiaotian could clearly sense it.
Life was not easy!
After Yuan Guoqing finished washing the dishes, he came out and saw his mother chatting warmly with Shen Zizhen and the others. He then came over to pour them tea.
Leisurely moments always passed quickly. Before they knew it, it was past three o'clock. The weather was no longer very hot, so Yuan Guoqing said,
"Teacher, the weather isn't too hot now. Shall we go outside for a look?"
"Alright!" Shen Zizhen had come with the intention of walking around.
Yuan Mama said she had other things to do at home and instructed Yuan Guoqing to take good care of the guests.
The four of them then went outside.
The village where the Yuan family lived had beautiful surrounding scenery.
It was nestled by mountains and water, with lush trees, a place where nature's essence converged.
Behind the Yuan family's house was a small river.
The river water flowed gently, as peaceful as this small village.
Su Xiaotian and the others, being from the north, rarely saw such landscapes and were very fond of them.
In the northwest, they had only seen vast expanses of yellow sand; they had never seen such beautiful scenery.
"Guoqing, your village has beautiful scenery!" Shen Zizhen said with a smile.
"Although the scenery is nice, natural disasters are frequent, and the villagers do not have an easy life," Yuan Guoqing suddenly said with a sigh.