Li Guihua explained to Su Xiaotian with some embarrassment.
Su Xiaotian understood this perfectly well.
Let alone in this era when everyone was struggling, even decades later, if someone were to inexplicably adopt a child, most people would likely be unwilling.
Although it was said thousands of years ago, "Cherish the elders of others as you cherish your own, and care for the young of others as you care for your own."
In reality, few people could achieve this.
Su Xiaotian never expected Li Guihua to be able to do so.
Meanwhile, Shen Zizhen and An Rongxue had also come to an agreement: Shen Zizhen would send six yuan each month, and their family would temporarily raise Xiao Shu.
Shen Zizhen had intended to send ten yuan a month, but An Rongxue felt it wasn't necessary.
After repeatedly declining, he only agreed to accept six yuan, which would be sent at the beginning of each month.
Shen Zizhen knew that Su Xiaotian would also provide money, so even if An Rongxue only accepted six yuan a month, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage, and only then did he agree.
He was also thinking of sending some useful items to Xiao Shu and the An family to help them out once he returned.
It wouldn't do for the An family to provide both people and effort.
With the matter settled and everyone happy, Su Xiaotian smiled as she watched Xiao Shu playing happily with Xiao Liuzi.
After Xiao Shu's matter was settled, Su Xiaotian then took out the prescription she had prepared for Xiao Liuzi.
"Auntie, please get a few doses of this medicine for Xiao Liuzi to take."
"After I get back, I'll make some pills and send them to you. It will be more convenient for Xiao Liuzi to take."
Xiao Liuzi, being such a young child, would certainly dislike bitter medicinal decoctions.
Su Xiaotian thought about making some pills for the little fellow once she returned, as they should be easier to swallow.
The An family, hearing Su Xiaotian's concern for Xiao Liuzi, thanked her profusely.
Although Su Xiaotian wasn't entirely confident she could cure Xiao Liuzi, seeing her confident demeanor, they all felt that this might be Xiao Liuzi's chance.
If Xiao Liuzi could get better, they, as elders, would finally be at ease.
After the others left, the couple were talking when they realized they had received thirty yuan.
Thirty yuan was not a small sum of money in this era.
For fostering Xiao Shu, who had no relation to them, they had given thirty yuan.
"They're giving us fabric and money, how can I not feel like I'm not a good person?" An Rongxue said.
"Your father, why don't we send some rice to Teacher Shen? I heard Teacher Shen and his wife really like our local rice," Li Guihua suggested.
"But we don't have much rice left ourselves. If we give some to Teacher Shen, we won't have enough to eat this year," An Rongxue replied.
"Let's buy some wheat. Since Teacher Shen likes it, we should send it. At the very least, we can buy rice from the city to eat, it's all the same,"
Grandma An said heartily.
If others were good to their family, they should be doubly good to others and not just wait for others to make contributions.
Although their local rice was indeed tastier, other rice was still edible.
An Rongxue nodded, "Alright, Mother, I'll send it to Teacher Shen later."
When Su Xiaotian and the others returned to the research base, they found that Mayor Liang was already waiting at the research base.
"Mayor Liang, why have you come?"
"I heard you were leaving, so I came to see you off."
"We'll be staying for another day tomorrow, and since we'll be free, we plan to visit Yuan Guoqing's house."
Mayor Liang smiled upon hearing that Shen Zizhen intended to visit Yuan Guoqing's house. "Since you're going to Yuan Guoqing's house, how about you also come to my house as a guest tomorrow evening?"
Shen Zizhen was taken aback. Why were people inviting him over one after another?
Moreover, Yuan Guoqing's house was not close, and it would likely be too late to visit Mayor Liang's house afterward.
Just as Shen Zizhen was about to politely decline Mayor Liang's kind offer, he heard Mayor Liang speak again.
"Although Yuan Guoqing's house and mine are in different villages, it only takes about seven or eight minutes to walk there. His house is at the entrance of the village ahead, and mine is at the village committee of the village behind."
Shen Zizhen clearly hadn't expected this.
"Mayor Liang, I still won't go. You have to work, and I'd feel bad disturbing you."
Mayor Liang smiled and said, "What's there to feel bad about? I originally wanted to invite you as a guest, but you've been busy, and I never had the nerve to ask."
Soon, they had settled this matter, and Mayor Liang remembered the main reason for his visit today.
"I heard you like our local rice. I've had people collect some from various households these past few days. Although it's not much, it should be enough for you to eat for a while."
Mayor Liang was also a person who repaid kindness.
This time, having received such great fortune, it was heard that two villages had saved two people using the method taught by Su Xiaotian, and everyone said that this emergency method was effective.
He couldn't just wait to receive benefits; he had to find a way to reciprocate.
"Mayor Liang, you're too kind. We appreciate your thoughtfulness, but please keep the rice. Everyone's life is not affluent."
Shen Zizhen knew how difficult it was to buy rice here.
After all, the price of rice was the same. If they sold their own rice and didn't have enough to eat, they would have to buy rice, but the rice sold outside was the same price and indeed not as tasty.
He hadn't expected Mayor Liang to personally help. Although Mayor Liang was a leader, he had likely put in a lot of effort.
"Teacher Shen, it's already bought. Please take it back to Beijing. It can also be considered advertising for our local rice."
Hearing Mayor Liang's words, Su Xiaotian couldn't help but look at him more closely.
She hadn't expected this Mayor Liang to have such advanced thinking, even considering advertising.
If this mayor could develop smoothly, Tongliang might truly have some development in the future.
Su Xiaotian decided that she would have to come back here to take a look in the future.
At this moment, Shen Zizhen remembered Xiao Shu's matter and said to Mayor Liang, "Mayor Liang, speaking of which, I have something I'd like to ask for your advice on."
"What is it, Teacher Shen? Please, tell me."
Hearing that he could help, Mayor Liang became even more excited.
Shen Zizhen then explained Xiao Shu's situation.
Although Xiao Shu was not from Tongliang Town, the way to handle such matters should be similar.
It was better to ask Mayor Liang about this matter than anyone else.
"This is easy. Coincidentally, Secretary Du from their town and I are from the same village. When I go back tonight, I'll have a chat with him about this, and perhaps it will work out," Mayor Liang said with a smile.
Then, Mayor Liang added, "I'll discuss it tonight, and you can talk to Secretary Du about it when you come tomorrow."
Shen Zizhen thought that if a township secretary personally made arrangements, it would definitely be better for Xiao Shu's future!
In that case, he would have to visit Mayor Liang's house tomorrow.