Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

”Brother, you must have lit the stove in your room too, right? It’s so warm.”

”I’m not cold, it’s uncomfortable when it’s too hot.” Guodong really couldn’t stand the intense heat from the kang.

Zhao Xiaoli arranged the dishes and nervously went to call Jing Chu for dinner.

”Sister Xiaoli, my siblings and I really should cook for ourselves from now on.”

”Jing Chu, I’m just idle at home, no health issues. I’ll cook in the future, and you don’t need to think too much about it.”

”Sister Xiaoli, if you help with cooking every day, I’ll mentally feel that it’s expected of you, which isn’t good. We should each eat our own meals.”

”Our grain is together, really no need to separate. At most, whoever is free will cook.”

Jing Chu, when the baby comes, I might not have time to cook; then I’ll have to rely on you.”

And there’s no issue of anyone taking advantage here, Jing Chu, really don’t overthink.”

Guodong, having showered and come out, heard Zhao Xiaoli’s words. He pondered, then felt he ought to persuade Jing Chu, this girl’s temperament was too stubborn.

”Jing Chu, you know what kind of person Sister Xiaoli is. Don’t impose your thoughts on her; everyone has their own way of living.”

Seeing her brother saying the same, Jing Chu reluctantly nodded, though unwilling in her heart.

Zhao Xiaoli truly didn’t notice others’ expressions; she genuinely thought Jing Chu had reverted to her former self.

Lunch consisted of steamed white flour buns, with potatoes stewed alongside smoked meat below. Plus a plate of fried cabbage and one bowl of salted red vegetable stir-fried with eggs.

Jing Chu felt there was no soup, so the two girls made a basin of spinach soup.

After the meal, Guodong didn’t want to rest; however, Jing Chu wasn’t having it, so they headed out again at two in the afternoon.

Zhao Xiaoli, very happy that her relationship with Jing Chu had resumed, decided to make dumplings for dinner.

She kneaded dough and prepared with joy since they left. It was a rewarding task.

The smoked meat cabbage filling must be especially fragrant; she alone prepared a meal for four, but with ample time, the dumplings were already made when Guodong and the others returned.

Though tired throughout the day, the good meal was cheering for Guodong and Xiao Qiang,

This day was indeed exhausting for the three of them, yet the harvest was substantial, with half a surface covered with twigs.

Tomorrow, the three still decided to head up the mountain again; after all, no notice had come about distributing any grain.

Zhao Xiaoli, feeling for the three, got up early the next morning to steam buns; this meal was filling.

When the three returned at noon, there was rice, a basin of steamed egg custard, chili-fried carrot shreds, potatoes stewed with smoked meat.

As the four ate, they heard the bell ringing.

”No rush, let’s finish eating before going; otherwise, everything will be cold when we return.”

”I guess it’s about the grain distribution.”

”Yes, it’s about time; many households are out of grain. They’ve all gone to the village chief and captain to request some.”

Zhao Xiaoli was more informed than the rest, people in the village knew Old Yang was skilled, and didn’t treat Zhao Xiaoli and them like other educated youth. Thus, she always knew more.

Knowing this news, the four of them sped up their meal.

When they arrived at the brigade headquarters, almost everyone was there.

The announcement was for everyone: tomorrow would be grain and money distribution.

This is indeed the happiest event for everyone, having worked hard all year for the harvest.

Jing Chu, upon hearing the news, became even happier; this meant she could go to Aunt Jiang’s house the day after tomorrow.

She knew that going to live with someone was a burden for them, but it was her only aspiration and solace now.

Here, she only trusted Jiang Xinyu, feeling safe beside her.

Returning home, Guodong boiled water, all three needed to wash up — they’d sweated too much, clothes wet then dry then wet. Not bathing was unthinkable.

The next day, Jing Chu rose early to cook, feeling sore all over — this was overexertion.

Breakfast was rice porridge, fried cabbage. Each person had one boiled egg.

Honestly, their life had improved greatly, and among Guodong’s gratitude was his thankfulness to Old Yang.

”Jing Chu, I’ll go with Xiao Qiang to queue for grain distribution, you queue with Sister Xiaoli for the money.”

Jin Family Village had many people, hence many captains, enabling simultaneous grain and money distribution.

Old Yang’s household registration might not be in the village, but he was different; having worked there, he received grain and money.

Guodong let Xiao Qiang queue while he waited on the side with a cart.

Five people’s grain was really considerable; the three educated youths got a year’s worth, while Old Yang and Xiao Qiang only got a few months but it was still much.

This year, Jin Family Village also had a lot stored. Even though the village warehouse needed to reserve more than half the grain, everyone was unwilling, so after a few days of discussion, it was decided to distribute according to the stipulated amount, although this was purely in terms of grain without including potatoes, sweet potatoes, and vegetables.

In the end, the amount of storage was still quite large; it was later decided via discussion that everyone could voluntarily purchase according to the price for public grain contribution.

Given all the recent disasters, the common folk were extremely fixated on grain. There wasn’t a single household that didn’t buy grain.

They had already agreed among the four to exchange for wheat; corn and sorghum were enough to eat, originally preferring fine grain. Although expensive, it calculated as much cheaper than outside purchases.

People in the village envied them, but knew they had the means to eat fine grain.

In the end, Guodong exchanged for a thousand pounds of wheat, five hundred pounds of corn.

They would certainly bring some grain when visiting Aunt Jiang’s house; they hadn’t last year due to lack, but now there’s a bountiful harvest, so naturally, they’d bring some over.

Chen Hui and Ding Xiaojuan also exchanged for fine grain; Chen Hui thought his wife should eat fine grain, and the child once born, will need nourishment.

The other educated youth observed but did not follow; being mostly young men with big appetites, although supplemented by the state and family, they still exchanged half fine grain and half coarse grain. This is how they felt secure.

Not until three in the afternoon did Guodong manage to transport all the grain home.

Looking at the grain in the storeroom, all four faces wore smiles.

All the sweet potatoes, potatoes, turban squash, cabbage, and radish were placed in the cellar.

”Tomorrow, let’s put the grain into barrels to prevent the mice from stealing it away.”

”Brother, should we take three bags of wheat to Aunt Jiang’s house; will that be enough?”

”It should be insufficient. I eat a lot; doesn’t matter, I’ll first bike over with a bag to Aunt Jiang’s. She’ll drive over to load a few more bags.”