Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

Zhou Zhaodong noticed Shen Jian Country’s expression, still very awkward and unnatural.

This guy really is something, Director Jiang hasn’t even spoken to him, how did he end up like this? It’s as if he feels abandoned.

The four of them finished their meal and thanked Hao Shichao again before leaving.

They parted ways in the city, each heading to their own appointments.

Shen Jian Country drove Pan Xiulan home. Upon arrival, Mrs. Shen didn’t look pleased, but she didn’t cause a scene.

”Auntie, we ordered the furniture today.” Pan Xiulan smiled at Mrs. Shen as she spoke.

”Went to the furniture factory?”

”Yes, I know Secretary Hao at the furniture factory. Although he didn’t give us a discount, it was much cheaper than buying outside, and we even got a small stool as a gift.”

”How much did it cost?”

”I spent one hundred and eighty, same as Secretary Song.”

Mrs. Shen didn’t say anything more. She wasn’t a stingy person, nor did she intend to make things difficult for her daughter-in-law; it was just that now that her son was married, she was a bit uncomfortable, hence her reaction.

She stood up and handed a wad of cash to Pan Xiulan, ”Here’s two hundred, take it. I’m not sure if the leftover money is enough for curtains or other things?”

”Thank you, Auntie, it should be enough. We plan to buy cloth at the textile factory, which is at an internal price. Just not sure how much we can buy, I’ll ask tomorrow at work.”

”Okay, you handle it. I’ve saved up some tickets for cotton, but not many. Enough for buying four mattress covers.”

”Auntie, I also have cotton tickets. I haven’t used them all these years, enough for four mattress covers too.”

”Great. Prepare two covers, I’ll find someone to make them. Since your home is far, let’s just prepare them here. Keep the leftover cotton tickets for future use when you have kids; they’ll need more cotton.”

Pan Xiulan blushed deeply but still nodded with a smile, naturally agreeing.

”Auntie, I’ll check with Secretary She at the supply and marketing agency about bedding tomorrow at noon.”

”Alright, I’ll give you the cloth tickets and cotton tickets later.”

Shen Jian Country watched on and finally felt at ease, a bit surprised at how well they were getting along.

Next, the two discussed what else was needed, and Pan Xiulan noted everything down, which pleased Mrs. Shen greatly, thinking this daughter-in-law was really obedient.

”Get the plates and bowls at the supply and marketing agency.”

”Auntie, I heard from Director Jiang at our textile factory that you can contact Secretary Hou at the ceramics factory, where many of the selected defective products are actually usable. I plan to call Secretary Hou on Monday to inquire about it. If possible, it should save us a lot of money.”

Mrs. Shen now smiled. It’s good for a woman to know how to manage household affairs.

So, the dinner reflected it. Although it was just two kinds of cold noodles, they were well prepared with diced meat and beans, which was rare.

Father and son of the Shen family observed the mother and daughter-in-law getting along so well, and they both felt relieved inside. No one wanted a chaotic household.

”Xiulan, stay for the night. You can go directly to work tomorrow.”

”Auntie, I won’t. I’ve sweated a lot today, and don’t have a change of clothes, so I’d better go back.”

”Okay, next Friday let Jian Country pick you up, you bring clothes to stay for a couple of days.”

Pan Xiulan nodded with a smile, not arguing.

Shen Jian Country rode his bike to take Pan Xiulan home. ”I’m relieved you can get along with my mom.”

”She’s your mom, an elder. Even if she says something wrong, I’d just listen.”

Shen Jian Country was very satisfied. It was the reason he agreed to start a relationship with Pan Xiulan when he originally had feelings for someone else.

At the door, Shen Jian Country suddenly grabbed his girlfriend’s hand. ”Xiulan, don’t go to work tomorrow, let’s go out and have fun?”

Pan Xiulan blushed and whispered, ”Next week, I plan to work overtime this week. With the wedding, I can take more days off.”

She returned to the dormitory, where Song Qingqing hadn’t come back yet, and she took her clothes to the bathhouse, feeling uncomfortable after a tiring day.

She slept alone for the night; Song Qingqing never came back. Even though they’re engaged now and could live together, Pan Xiulan didn’t want to.

On Sunday evening, Shen Jian Country still came to pick her up, ”Xiulan, why don’t you stay at my place?”

Pan Xiulan hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

”Wait for me, I’ll take a shower now, saving time from doing it at home.”

”Okay.”

At home in the morning, they had sorghum porridge with pancakes, potato slices, minced garlic and bok choy, egg, salted red radish, and each person had a salty boiled egg.

While eating the salty boiled egg, Pan Xiulan gave the dripping yolk to Shen Jian Country, making Mrs. Shen even more satisfied.

She slept with Shen Jian Country’s sister at night, which pleased Pan Xiulan greatly. Since they hadn’t gotten the marriage certificate yet, it was better not to sleep together.

In the morning, they had egg pancakes and porridge, made by the mother and daughter-in-law together.

At the entrance of the textile factory: ”Should I pick you up tonight again?”

”It’s too troublesome.”

”No trouble at all, that’s settled.” Shen Jian Country finished speaking and grabbed Pan Xiulan’s hand.

”Okay, just don’t come too early. I’ll still be at the bathhouse.”

After the meeting, Pan Xiulan called Hou Wenquan, who told her to visit on Saturday to pick up things. Then she called She Xiaoyun, borrowed Vice Factory Director Yao’s bicycle at noon, and went to the supply and marketing agency to buy six bedspreads and bed mats.

”Congratulations, Secretary Pan.”

”Thank you, Secretary She.”

”No need for formalities. I’ve reserved the candies for you in advance.”

”I appreciate it. I’ll definitely continue to rely on Secretary She in the future.”

”Sure, don’t be formal.”

In the afternoon, Pan Xiulan also bought a bolt of white cotton cloth to use as inside lining, then went to the small warehouse and picked quite a few floral fabrics to use as curtains and door curtains.

When Shen Jian Country came to pick her up in the evening, they walked home since there were too many items.

”Xiulan, these floral fabrics are nice.”

”I liked them too. Our factory had some issues during the dyeing process. If you don’t look closely, you can hardly tell.”

”Make the curtains with openings; they’ll look better.”

”Auntie, you take care of it.”

”Xiulan, are you good at making clothes?”

”I am, just not very good at cutting.”

”Okay, your uncle has a ticket for a sewing machine. We’ll buy a sewing machine for you.”

”Great, great, just leave it here; I’ll come over when I need it.”

”No need. Just keep it at your place.”

”Auntie, it’s my home, it’s also your home, this is my home too.”

Mrs. Shen nodded happily, this daughter-in-law was indeed very sensible.

After dinner, Shen Jian Country took Pan Xiulan for a walk. In the dark night, they embraced for the first time, shared their first shy kiss.

Both felt a bit embarrassed, but the man took more initiative than the woman, so their relationship progressed rapidly.

They walked back holding hands; it was already past ten at night, but neither felt it was late. Time seemed to fly by.