When he left, Zhang Xiaoyan stood next to Jiang Zhiyue and grabbed her sleeves, with tears covering her face. Jiang Zhiyue gently patted the back of her hand to comfort her.
It's just past noon, and Mr. Jiang and Jiang Yuqing haven't come back yet.
But after learning the news, Zhang and Zhang Xiaoyan couldn't sit still.
After days of worry, they immediately wanted to rush to the Zhang family after learning the news.
Mrs. Jiang looked at the impatient Mr. Zhang and said, "It's not far away. If you want to go, go there first. Didn't that guy Li Wen just tell us that Xiao Ming will only tell us after he confirms it?"
"It's just in time for the Chinese New Year. Don't go empty-handed. Go get something before you go." Mrs. Zhang smiled and responded, "Oh, thank you, mother."
Mrs. Zhang went to the house to find some practical things, including some grain and cloth, which are useful right now. After finding the Zhang family, Zhang Xiaoyan would naturally no longer live here with the Jiang family.
Taking advantage of Zhang's time to get her things, Zhang Xiaoyan also packed up her things in the house. The Jiang family also treated Zhang Xiaoyan as their own child, and they didn't miss anything they bought.
So after a while of packing, Zhang Xiaoyan packed up two packages and even clothes.
The ox cart carrying the carriage was driven away to the county by Jiang Yuqing.
Jiang Dalang casually pulled out an ox cart and put all the things Zhang took out on it.
Jiang Dalang drove the cart, followed by Jiang Zhiyue, Jiang Yuchao, Zhang, Jiang Wulang and Zhang Xiaoyan. Jiang Dalang drove the ox cart out of the yard, and Mrs. Zhang sat on the ox cart and said, "Mother, let's go first."
Old Mrs. Jiang waved her hands and said, "Go ahead, go ahead. If your in-laws are lacking anything, just help them out."
Mrs. Zhang was so moved that just before going out, Mrs. Jiang stuffed ten taels of silver into her arms.
"Oh, I know."
The bullock cart started moving, and Mrs. Zhang's reply drifted away.
The rest of the Jiang family stood in front of the door and watched the bullock cart drive away, with smiles on their faces.
When they heard the news that Zhang's mother-in-law had been found, they were also happy for her.
In the days since they've been here, they've become quite familiar with the nearby villages, and at least they know where to go.
Unexpectedly, the Zhang family was so close to them, in a village not far away from them. Everyone sitting on the bullock cart began to feel worried after the joy just now.
I just forgot to ask Li Wen how the Zhang family is doing now.
They hoped that the Zhang family would be well, but they were afraid that what they saw would not be what they expected.
The only sound left on the road was the rumbling of wheels, as the ox cart headed all the way to Zhangjiacun here.
When we arrived at Zhangjiacun, the ox cart slowly slowed down.
It is already the ninth day of the Lunar New Year, and all the relatives who are supposed to leave have also left. A group of people are sitting under the big banyan tree at the head of Zhangjia Village, eating melon seeds and chatting.
Jiang Zhiyue and the others, who had just entered the village, attracted the attention of these people.
"Who are you looking for?" asked a person sitting in the crowd.
Those people all raised their heads and looked at the bullock cart. Except for a few people, it was full of things.
People in the village were wondering whose relatives were here.
But before Jiang Zhiyue and the others could speak, a middle-aged man sitting in the crowd raised his head and saw their faces.
"Ouch!"
The middle-aged man quickly stood up and walked towards the Jiang family.
"Xiaoyan?!!!"
Zhang Xiaoyan heard someone calling her name and subconsciously looked in that person's direction.
After seeing this man, Zhang Xiaoyan quickly jumped out of the oxcart and was staggered. The middle-aged man quickly gave Zhang Xiaoyan a hand to prevent her from falling to the ground.
Seeing Zhang Xiaoyan, the middle-aged man naturally saw the other people on the bullock cart.
Although he didn't know her very well, Zhang was married from Zhangjia Village, so he must have known her.
"Oh, you men don't know what to say. He pointed at Zhang Xiaoyan and said: "This girl Xiaoyan disappeared. Everyone thought she would never be found again, but Jingran ran into you."
At this time, Mrs. Zhang also recognized this man, and she shouted in surprise.
"Brother Fuzi!"
Mrs. Zhang also jumped off the bullock cart and chatted with the man.
Those people sitting at the entrance of the village saw that this family was acquainted with the residents who had been arranged to live in their village not long ago, so they did not speak and sat aside to watch.
It turned out that the man's name was Zhang Fu, and he was the son of the original head of Zhangjia Village.
After chatting with the villagers for a few words, Zhang Fu patted his head and said, "Look, how did you find out that we are here? Come on, let me take you there."
Jiang Dalang drove the bullock cart and followed Zhang Fu towards the village.
The rest of the people got off the bullock cart and walked.
After a while, Jiang Zhiyue and others were led by Zhang Fu to the front of a courtyard. Zhang Fu stood at the door and shouted toward the courtyard: "Uncle, look who's coming." A woman opened the door from the inside and looked out.
Come.
After the woman opened the door, Zhang Xiaoyan ran over and shouted in a choked voice: "Mother!" There was chaos inside and outside the door, even attracting several households nearby.
Zhang Xiaoyan's mother, Mrs. Lin, calmed down and let them all in.
Zhang Fu did not go in at the door and left after they all went in.
Seeing the Zhang family coming, all the Zhang family members came over, and even those who had gone out were called back.
The Zhang family's main room is not as spacious as the Jiang family's, and everyone is sitting next to each other as soon as they stand in.
There are three Zhang brothers and sisters, with two elder brothers at the top.
Except for Mr. Zhang and Mrs. Zhang, the Zhang family had no children after Mr. Zhang married He and gave birth to Song Dalang.
Song Laoer married his wife Lin, and gave birth to two sons, Song Erlang and Song Sanlang, and Zhang Xiaoyan's three children. However, Zhang scanned around and found that one person was missing.
She asked: "Where is our mother?"
Hearing the sound, everyone in the Zhang family fell silent, and Mrs. Zhang's heart sank.
After a long time, the old-looking Mr. Zhang, who was sitting on the bench, sighed and said, "Your mother is gone on the road."
Zhang covered her face and cried. Jiang Zhiyue could not fully empathize with her, but it was uncomfortable to see Zhang crying like this. He stood beside her and stroked her back, hoping to make her feel better.
Everyone was silent and didn't know what to say. After Zhang's mood felt better, they explained why Mrs. Zhang was missing.
They were driving south all the way, and when they were about to reach the town, they encountered refugees and robbed them.
Zhang Xiaoyan broke up with them. The two elderly Zhang family members were already in poor health, and Mrs. Zhang even injured her back in the process.
The old lady couldn't leave at all, but the Zhang family refused to leave her behind.
Mrs. Zhang felt that she was burdened and went on a hunger strike, and because Zhang Xiaoyan was lost, she was so sad that she died within a few days. Now the old man is not in good health.
Mrs. Zhang calmed down for a while before she figured out that everyone was lucky to survive this natural disaster.
Seeing that her mood had stabilized, everyone started talking and asked where the Jiang family was now.
