Chapter 103 Pagoda Candy
"I will follow you with my sister on my back. Please drive the carriage slowly. We are dirty and we don't want to dirty your carriage." said the little beggar.
"Get in the car, we still have a long way to go. If you don't want to get lost, get in the car quickly."
The little beggar hesitated for a moment, but finally got on the carriage with his sister on his back.
Shen Zhi drove the carriage quickly towards Shitou Village.
The little girl in the carriage looked at the carriage with curiosity and looked around.
"Brother, the carriage is so beautiful."
"Yes, when I grow up, I will earn money to buy a carriage for Niu Niu." The little beggar said as he grabbed his sister, afraid that she would bump into the carriage.
Shen Zhen took out two meat buns and gave one to each of them, "Eat quickly."
"Thank you, big sister." The little beggar took the bun and fed it slowly to his sister. The little girl was probably very hungry and ate it quickly, bite by bite.
Shen Zhen handed him the water bag again, "Little sister, drink some water quickly, don't choke."
The little beggar obediently took the water bag and gave it to his sister to drink.
Only after the little girl burped did the little beggar stuff the remaining half of the bun into his mouth.
Seeing this, Shen Zhen hurriedly handed him another bun.
The little boy said nothing, just took it and ate it slowly.
When they returned to the courtyard, Shen saw that they had brought back two little beggars, and asked hurriedly, "What's going on? Why did you bring back two children?"
"Mom, they are two orphans. The little girl is sick, so I brought them back to see her. We'll decide whether they stay or go after the New Year." Shen Zhi said as he led the horse to the small yard outside.
"Okay, I'll take them to take a bath and change clothes first. Come, kids, follow your aunt to wash up." Shen took them to the bathroom.
The little beggar was reluctant to let Shen take a shower, but Shen did not force her. She told him how to use the shower and took the little girl to the women's bathroom next door.
At this time, Shen Zhi quietly went to the space and bought two sets of clothes, shoes and socks for the two children, and also bought modern anthelmintics. This anthelmintic is an old brand of anthelmintic commonly used in modern times. It is like candy and children like to eat it very much.
After buying the clothes, Shen Zhi asked his third uncle to bring the boy's clothes in, and he took the girl's clothes to the other side to help the girl change.
After the little girl washed, her body exuded the scent of shampoo and shower gel, her face was clean, and after changing her clothes, she looked like a little fairy in a modern New Year picture, so soft and beautiful.
Shen helped her dry her hair, and Shen Zhi took the opportunity to check her body. Fortunately, except for the roundworms in her stomach, she was healthy.
The little boy was in a bad condition. The uncle found that the boy was covered with purple bruises. After asking him in detail, the boy said that he was beaten because he was caught stealing money to pay for his sister's medical treatment.
After Shen Zhi found out, he took some ointment and asked his third uncle to help him apply it.
After the two children came out, Shen Zhi took out the anthelmintic medicine and said, "This is anthelmintic medicine, also called pagoda candy, it is sweet, let your sister take it for seven days, it will be excreted from the body two to three days after taking it. Ascaris is caused by not paying attention to it in daily life. In the future, you must wash your hands before meals and after defecation, and never drink raw water directly. You must boil it and let it cool before drinking, understand?"
The little boy nodded, "I see, thank you, sister."
Shen Zhen had already helped the two siblings clean up a room and put two single beds in it. The sheets and quilts inside were all new. The room was very spacious, with a wardrobe, a desk, and a long wooden sofa covered with thick cushions. There was a small round table next to the large window, and the whole room was bright and comfortable.
When Shen brought the two children in, they couldn't believe that they could live in such a clean house. At this time, the sun shone in, and the whole house was warm.
After settling the two children, Shen Zhi prepared to go to Erdan's house to give him some New Year's gifts. Shen packed several pieces of bacon and sausage, and some potatoes from the cellar, and added the rice, flour, candy, etc. that Shen Zhi bought in town, filling up a large basket.
Shen Zhi came to Erdan's home carrying a heavy basket of supplies. Erdan's grandmother was helping Erdan mend his cotton-padded jacket. The jacket was already patched up, and there was no way to not mend it or else he would have to wear torn clothes for the New Year. It was a pity that this child had to support the family at such a young age.
"Grandma Zhou," Shen Zhi walked into the house and put down the basket on his back. "I'm here to give you some New Year gifts. I picked out two new clothes for you and Erdan. Come and try them on."
Erdan's grandmother said awkwardly, "How can that be possible, Erya? You've been very good to our family, how can we let you spend money again?" She refused to accept Shen Zhi's things.
Shen Zhi pretended to be angry and said, "Grandma Zhou, Erdan was the one who informed us and saved my sister. Is my sister's life not as important as this basket of things? Besides, Erdan comes to my house every few days to deliver firewood, can't I thank him for that?"
Erdan's grandmother knew that Shen Zhi's words were sincere, so she had to accept the gift and called Erdan to try on the clothes. Erdan was very happy. This was the first new clothes he had worn since he could remember. The clothes were thick, warm and fit him very well. Under Shen Zhi's persuasion, Erdan's grandmother also tried the new clothes, and they fit him very well.
Shen Zhi took out the things in the basket one by one. There was rice, flour, grain, oil, bacon, vegetables, melon seeds, candies, and even couplets, window decorations, and firecrackers for the New Year. Shen Zhi stuffed a red envelope with a dime of silver inside for Erdan, "This is your New Year's money in advance. If you see anything missing at home, buy it. Don't refuse. If you have any problems, come to my house and find us."
Erdan's nose was sore and he almost cried. Last year during the Spring Festival, he didn't have a penny. He wanted to go to worship his parents, but he didn't have paper money, incense, or candles, let alone offerings. Later, he secretly went into the mountains without telling his grandmother, picked some wild fruits and placed them in front of his parents' graves, and kowtowed a few times as a way of worship. Later, when his grandmother found out, she was heartbroken for a long time. She was afraid that something had happened to him in the mountains.
This year, with the New Year’s money given by my sister Erya, I can finally worship my parents in a decent manner.
"Grandma Zhou, you look much better now. You will have a smoother life in the future. Most people in our village are going to plant potatoes after the New Year. I see there is a lot of open space in front of and behind the house. Why don't you plant some there? Potatoes are lazy crops. You don't need to take care of them after planting. You can harvest them in a few months. The yield is high. Then plant some sweet potato seedlings. The sweet potatoes they produce are big and sweet. They can also be eaten as a staple food. You don't have to worry about going hungry anymore."
Grandma Erdan smiled and nodded, "Okay, I'll listen to Erya. After taking the medicine you gave her, Grandma Zhou is much healthier and farming won't be a problem."