Chapter 169: Chapter 169: The Situation at He Qiang’s Home

As soon as Gu Qinghuan got into the tricycle, she told the driver she wanted to go to the old city’s communal courtyard.

The driver perked up immediately.

“Which family are you looking for in the courtyard? I live in that area too. Most of us tricycle drivers live there. Maybe I even know the person you’re looking for!” He was quite enthusiastic.

“I’m looking for He Qiang. Do you know where his family lives?” She only had a rough address and planned to ask around when she got there. In these old courtyards, everyone knew each other—just ask and you’d find out.

She hadn’t held out much hope, but the driver really did know He Qiang. “Are you talking about He Qiang, the tricycle driver?”

“That’s right! I’m looking for that He Qiang.” She hadn’t expected him to be so well-known.

“Then you’ve found the right person. We live in the same courtyard. We see each other every day. That guy’s a real hard worker—works all year round, barely takes a day off. He hurt his hand a while ago, but he’s already back at it. But if you go now, I think only his younger siblings will be home.” The driver seemed to know the family well.

Gu Qinghuan calculated that his injury should have healed by now.

There was no turning back—so long as someone was home, it was fine. She was just delivering some New Year’s gifts today.

“All right then, please take us there.” She turned to the driver of Zhong Luoning’s tricycle and called out, “Sir, please follow us.”

“Sure thing!”

“What are you looking for He Qiang for?” The driver was curious. After all, Gu Qinghuan lived in a fancy Western-style house—she shouldn’t have any connection to a young man from the old city’s communal courtyard.

“Well, the New Year’s coming up. I’m bringing his family some gifts.”

The driver had already noticed the pile of gifts in the tricycle—they looked like good stuff. His eyes were full of envy. He wondered what kind of luck He Qiang had run into to meet such a benefactor.

Soon, the tricycle wove through the old city and arrived at the communal courtyard, home to people struggling to get by.

The driver skillfully maneuvered through the alleys, making Gu Qinghuan’s heart race, until they finally arrived.

“Here we are. Go in through this gate—the third house on the left is He Qiang’s.”

The driver helped unload the gifts. Gu Qinghuan paid them, and the two drivers went off to look for more passengers.

Gu Qinghuan and Zhong Luoning, arms full of gifts, entered the courtyard.

A few children were playing with snowballs. When they saw two well-dressed women walk in, they froze.

They whispered among themselves. A little girl, not paying attention, bumped right into Gu Qinghuan.

The girl was startled and almost burst into tears.

“S-sorry, I didn’t mean to!”

Gu Qinghuan put down her things, took some fruit candies from her pocket, and handed them over.

“It’s all right. Little one, do you know where He Qiang’s family lives?”

The girl, seeing she really got candy, wiped her tears and carefully took it. “You’re looking for Brother He Qiang? He’s out, but Sister He Lin and the others are home. I’ll show you the way!”

She broke into a smile, happily pocketed the candy, and ran ahead to lead them.

The other kids were green with envy.

A whole handful of fruit candy!

Gu Qinghuan and Zhong Luoning hurried after her. The little girl shouted from afar, “Sister He Lin, you have visitors!”

A teenage girl came out of a doorway and said gently, “Xiao Yingzi? What’s up?”

“Sister He Lin, I brought your guests!” The little girl ran off after speaking.

Only Gu Qinghuan and He Lin were left, staring at each other.

“And you are...?” He Lin had never imagined guests like this would come to her home. The phrase “bringing honor to a humble house” suddenly became real.

It was just a shabby little courtyard, but with these two visitors, it seemed transformed. Even the annoying snow on the ground looked beautiful.

“My name’s Gu Qinghuan. This is my cousin, Zhong Luoning. We’re both friends of your brother,” Gu Qinghuan introduced herself.

He Lin immediately understood—she’d heard this name from her brother more than once. This was the benefactor who’d helped the He family, allowing them to live more comfortably these days.

“So it’s an honored guest! Please, come in!” He Lin quickly stepped aside to let them in.

“My brother went out early to work and isn’t home right now. Is there something I can help you with?” He Lin asked gently.

At that moment, a little boy limped out from the inner room, his movements awkward. “Sis, who is it?”

“Xiao Han, we have guests. Go pour two cups of water from the stove, and don’t forget to add some brown sugar from my cabinet.” He Lin made space for the guests to sit as she gave instructions.

Xiao Han glanced at Gu Qinghuan and Zhong Luoning, then obediently went to fetch water.

“Don’t trouble yourself—we’ll just chat for a bit and be on our way,” Gu Qinghuan said quickly.

“No trouble at all. Please, both of you, have a seat. My brother’s mentioned you before—you’re our family’s great benefactors. Sorry the house is a bit cramped and we can’t treat you better,” He Lin said apologetically.

The house was indeed tiny. The small living room had a bed, a table, stools, and cabinets all squeezed together. It was hard to move around. But at least it was clean.

Gu Qinghuan and Zhong Luoning exchanged a glance and sat down.

Gu Qinghuan noticed that the boy, Xiao Han, seemed to have polio. When he left the room, she quietly asked, “What happened to his leg?”

He Lin answered calmly, though with a hint of regret, “He had a fever when he was little. After it broke, his leg was like this.”

Gu Qinghuan understood—this was likely polio, also known as infantile paralysis.

Before the 1960s, the polio vaccine hadn’t been developed, so many children caught the disease. People tended to blame fate or the gods, not taking the illness seriously, and missed the window for treatment.

Zhong Luoning, hearing this, quickly went to help Xiao Han, worried he’d burn himself.

“What about your parents? Are they at work?” Gu Qinghuan asked curiously.

He Lin looked up, saw that Gu Qinghuan really didn’t know, and lowered her voice. “We don’t have parents anymore. During the famine, there was nothing to eat. Our parents starved themselves so the four of us could survive. After that, our eldest brother took care of us. Xiao Han’s illness started that year too—we were too poor to get him treatment.”

Gu Qinghuan suddenly felt her face flush with shame. She didn’t know what to say.

She’d never imagined He Qiang’s family was in such dire straits.

No wonder he was so driven, working himself to the bone for money.

He was barely an adult himself, yet he’d become the head of the family, taking care of three younger siblings.

When he’d injured his hand saving Youran, hadn’t the whole family lost their livelihood?

She’d only given a token amount as compensation, without considering their real situation.

Gu Qinghuan felt a pang of regret—she blamed herself for being careless.

“I’m sorry, I…” I didn’t know your family was in this situation. If I had known…

But what could she have done? Maybe just given more money or food.

She had her own troubles—how could she help others?

“It’s all right, big sister. We’re used to it. My brother’s earning more now, and my second brother and I are doing well in school. Xiao Han’s leg isn’t convenient, but he can still live a normal life. We’ll be fine,” He Lin comforted her instead.

There was a light in her eyes, as if she was full of hope for life.

Gu Qinghuan felt relieved. Yes, so few people are born with a silver spoon. Most just struggle through and grow up. As long as you find joy in life, hardship can’t defeat you.

She hadn’t expected He Qiang to be such a responsible big brother. Despite the family’s struggles, he still supported his siblings’ education.

People who strive for self-improvement will do well wherever they go.

“You have another brother? What grades are you and your brother in?”

As they spoke, Xiao Han and Zhong Luoning came in with two bowls of water.

“Sorry, big sister, we don’t have any cups at home…” Xiao Han explained, embarrassed.

Gu Qinghuan took the bowl and sipped. “It’s sweet! Thank you. How old are you?”

Xiao Han finally smiled shyly. “I’m ten.”

He looked small for his age—likely due to polio and malnutrition.

After drinking, Gu Qinghuan put the gifts she’d brought on the table. “He Lin, we’re heading back to the northeast for New Year’s soon. These are some gifts for your family—please let your brother know.”

Gu Qinghuan felt she hadn’t brought enough. If she’d known, she would have brought more."