A Girl Traveling Through Troubled Times

Gui'er was unhappy because she thought that once Yulan was getting married, she would have to consider her set of jade jewelry as a dowry and that she would be targeted again.

Sha Yanxiao saw her pouting and said, "What? Are you still unhappy?"

Gui'er thought for a moment and then told Sha Yanxiao about the jade jewelry.

After hearing this, Sha Yanxiao shook his head and said, "This lady is really... Forget it. Yulan is getting married to Director Wang and will be the wife of a high-ranking official in the future. Even if this set of jewelry is a gift to her, it's also a favor. Who knows, we might even have to rely on Yulan to influence Director Wang in the future? I'll buy you a better necklace later."

Gui'er didn't feel bad about the jewelry. She just thought the jade jewelry was too valuable and it was gone for no reason, and she had no way to explain to Sha Yanxiao. Now that Sha Yanxiao had no intention of blaming her, she finally felt relieved.

Afterwards, when Gui'er went to the main courtyard to pay her respects to the lady, she told Yulan about the set of jade jewelry that Sha Yanxiao said he would give her as a wedding gift.

Yulan was naturally delighted. She took Gui'er's hand and thanked her repeatedly, saying happily, "Everyone says that my second brother is generous, and it turns out he is right."

Director Wang next to him also nodded happily, and Sha Yanxiao had gained a lot of favor in front of the two of them.

Song Tingting, who was sitting in a corner of the living room, curled her lips slightly. Gui'er also caught this subtle movement. She was really speechless about Song Tingting. It was obviously she who felt guilty towards Taohua, but somehow, she turned her guilt into hatred and even implicated Gui'er.

However, Guier took into consideration that she would have to go to school in Nanjing and live under the same roof with her for several years, so she tried her best to maintain superficial politeness.

When Gui'er left the main courtyard, Sha Yanyao followed her out from behind. He said to Gui'er, "Sister, I'm sorry. I know you must have been forced to go along with it. It's all because of Mother's suggestion to give Yulan jade jewelry as a dowry. When I save up enough money, I will definitely buy you a set."

Gui'er looked at Sha Yanyao, wondering how parents like the Marshal and his wife could give birth to such an upright person like Sha Yanyao. However, his salary was not high, and he had used all his savings to compensate his ex-wife Miss Shen. How could she have the nerve to let him buy jewelry?

So she smiled and said, "Brother, don't worry. This was Second Brother's suggestion. He said we should have prepared a wedding present for Sister Yulan anyway. Since she likes it and has worn it for so long, we might as well give it to her. As a student, I should focus on my studies and not pursue extravagance, so there's no need to buy any more jewelry."

After hearing this, Sha Yanyao patted Gui'er's head with satisfaction and said, "Good child."

Gui'er smiled and suddenly felt a gaze. She turned around and saw Song Tingting, who was leaning against the door of the hall with her hands on her hips, looking over here.

Gui'er didn't want to cause any more trouble, so she quickly said goodbye.

After resting for a few days in the Marshal's Mansion, Gui'er told Sha Yanxiao that she still wanted to study medicine, otherwise she would be bored staying at home. Sha Yanxiao agreed.

Guier happily came to Zhenxiufang with the souvenirs she bought in Nanjing.

Shopkeepers Zhang and Liu were very happy to see her and said, "You've grown taller again. Are you back from vacation?"

Guier gave them some Nanjing specialties, and when she looked carefully, she found that Shopkeepers Zhang and Liu looked very haggard, with a lot more white hair on their heads. She hurriedly asked what was going on and whether it was very hard working in the store.

Shopkeeper Zhang smiled and said, "That's not the case. It's just that in recent months, we've been instructed to be more careful. Many comrades in other places have lost contact, so we're under a lot of psychological pressure."

The words "white terror" flashed through Gui'er's mind, and she quickly asked, "Are you all right now? Are you safe?"

Shopkeeper Zhang patted Gui'er's head and said, "Of course, otherwise you wouldn't be able to see us, right? But we can't go directly to Director Song right now, in case the enemy discovers us."

Gui'er said, "I see. I also brought his souvenir with me."

Shopkeeper Liu said, "That's not difficult. I'll notify him to come over right away." Then he walked to the door of the pharmacy and hung up a sign that read: Special Price on Fetal Restoring Medicine.

Gui'er realized that this was the secret code, and sure enough, Song Xichen came over soon. There were other customers in the store when he came. Gui'er poked her head out from the inner room and smiled at him.

After the guests left, Song Xichen looked around and went into the inner room.

Gui'er asked Song Xichen, "Is the situation here so dangerous?"

Song Xichen sighed and said, "We have to be very careful about keeping secrets when we do this. Plus, the incident with Xu Wenjie last time served as a wake-up call for everyone, so we're all much more cautious now."

Gui'er felt it necessary to tell Song Xichen about what happened between Xu Wenjie and Miss Shen last time, so she told him the situation.

Song Xichen smiled and said, "This is a good thing. Our comrades are old enough to get married, and Miss Shen is someone who sympathizes with the revolution. Perhaps we can bring her in and make her our comrade."

Shopkeeper Zhang said, "Director Song, you're already old enough, why haven't you gotten married yet?"

Song Xichen sighed and said, "It's hard to find a lover who shares the same ideals as you."

Song Xichen asked about Guier's study and chatted for a long time. Finally, Manager Liu disguised the souvenirs that Guier brought as medicine and asked Song Xichen to take it back.

Guier said to the shopkeeper Zhang, "I don't have anything to do during this winter vacation anyway, so I'll come here every day to be your apprentice." She also talked about her experience as a medical practitioner in Nanjing.

Shopkeeper Liu said happily, "That's great. Now you can treat minor illnesses. If a female customer comes in, you can feel their pulse first. I'll be watching and guiding you, which will be considered practical training for you."

Guier was very happy, as she felt she had taken another step towards becoming a doctor.

Because it was her first day, Shopkeepers Zhang and Liu told her not to stay so late and to go back early. Seeing that Dali had not arrived on time and no one had called to inform him, Guier hired a rickshaw to go back to the Marshal's Mansion.

She sat in a rickshaw and looked at the streets of Jiangcheng that she hadn't seen for several months. It was just past four in the afternoon. Although it was winter, there was still not very bright sunlight shining on the streets. It was almost the New Year, and the streets finally had some lively atmosphere.

Some families, young and old, came out to buy items for the New Year. Business in food stores, daily necessities stores, and tailor shops also started to pick up, but it always felt a little depressed compared to the past. Guier didn't know if it was because she had grown up.

At this time, a farmer in thin clothes came towards them, carrying two baskets on a shoulder pole. In each basket sat a boy and a girl, two children of three or four years old. Although they were also dressed thinly, they smiled innocently. The little girl waved to Gui'er, and Gui'er smiled knowingly. When she looked closely, she found that both children had dry grass stuck on their heads. These were the children who were to be sold.