Chapter 303 - 0303 - To Foster or Not to Foster 1_1
The more Old Man Song spoke, the more mortified he felt, his head drooping lower and lower.
Dire poverty dampens will and aspiration. Yet, people have no choice but to carry on.
Song Dazhu was a martyr, honored with a title from the state and buried in the Martyrs’ Cemetery. Who could bear to let the only child of a martyr starve to death? Who in their production brigade, who among the Song clan, could shoulder such a burden? If it weren’t for the famine of these past few years, every family in the brigade could spare a mouthful of food to keep him alive. But now, who is willing to part with even a single grain? They count every grain they use for cooking.
"Gangzi does have a paternal uncle. After Gangzi’s mother died, the money and vouchers you sent were claimed by them. Even up to this month, they got some. They went to the city and exchanged it for food. But when their own daughter was starving to death, they wouldn’t even take a handful of rice to boil a porridge to save her life! When I found Gangzi, he was on the brink of starving to death. In desperation, after discussing with the party secretary, I told their family that I would find a good home for Gangzi. After they agreed, I brought Gangzi out without telling them that I was coming to you. I was afraid they might bother you in the future since you left your address in the letter and told Gangzi’s family to look for you if they were in trouble."
As he was speaking, Old Man Song put down Gangzi, took off the depleted sack from his back, opened it, and took out several letters and all of Song Dazhu’s relics, including the medal of honor. He handed them to Feng Qingxue.
Indeed, the letters were penned by her and Lu Jiang, recognizable from the handwriting.
She did not write the part about looking to them for help when their family was in need. She did not promise anything to the family of the martyr. It was probably written by Lu Jiang before he returned to the military, a correspondence she had not reviewed.
They had a bond as comrades-in-arms, so it made perfect sense to include such content in their letters.
However, facing the task of taking care of Gangzi from Old Man Song, Feng Qingxue was completely unprepared. Looking into Gangzi’s innocent and pure eyes, she did not know what to say; she felt every word was inappropriate.
Just then, she heard a grumble from Old Man Song’s stomach, and Gangzi’s eyes turned to the table.