Rebirth in Famine: She Thrives by Lucky Space

Chapter 949: Chapter 949: Arriving in the City

”I’m really scared,” Er Hong said with a wry smile.

Zhang Qiu’e glanced at the time, realizing it was about right, set down her task of cutting meat and hurriedly started preparing dinner.

They had already decided at noon to have corn porridge for dinner, so Zhang Qiu’e directly began boiling water.

With the other stoves, Du Fengying boiled water since the whole family needed hot water for washing.

It was getting dark when Jiang Xinyu returned from school.

Knowing that Shuanzi and the others were going home tomorrow, she decided to make steamed bread tonight.

Initially, Jiang Xinyu wanted to make fried dough twists, but Chengzi said it wasn’t necessary and would be too wasteful. In the end, they decided on steamed bread.

This time they made a special effort to steam a lot more, with each person taking ten pieces back, and the rest would be for those at home.

Made with white flour, eggs, and milk powder, the bread smelled particularly fragrant. When Wei Kaiyun delivered them, the others were reluctant to take them away.

The next day, they got up at four. They had all agreed to eat bread along the way and take back whatever was left.

Although the bread looked fluffy, there wasn’t much of it, but because it was sweet, they felt full.

The journey was tough, the snow was so heavy it almost got into their shoes. Luckily, they had a thermos, and when they got too tired, they would stop to make some hot water to drink.

”It’s really not easy. This big snow is a stumbling block for us.”

”Isn’t it just? We’ve timed it pretty well.”

Amidst this vast whiteness, without buildings around, they could easily get lost.

They finally reached the city at four in the afternoon. It was much better here than in the countryside, at least the snow on the main roads had been cleared.

The group parted ways, each returning to their own homes. On the way, they had already figured out what they would say.

Being regarded as unimportant, their families were quite surprised they came back in this weather. But seeing they brought food, there were no complaints.

In this era, families had many children, and it was impossible to regard them all as important. They had grown up like this and were used to it, so there were no grievances.

In the evening, Shuanzi and his family sat together for dinner. The sisters-in-law did not look pleased. No one in the family was idle; his two brothers were workers, and the two sisters-in-law had temporary jobs. Only the younger brother was without work.

Shuanzi ate his meal in peace; even if they rolled their eyes at him, he paid no mind. But was their life really this hard? The porridge was this thin?

Shuanzi’s mother had already retired but was now doing temporary work at a box factory.

Seeing her daughters-in-law’s attitude towards her third son, she really had no solution.

”Shuanzi, how many days are you staying home?”

”What’s up, Mom?”

”I was just asking.”

”I haven’t decided yet, I’ll decide after the spring starts.”

”Uncle, you say it’s easy enough, but you, a grown man, are expecting us to support you?”

”Second sister-in-law, I’m eating my own rations. During the months I wasn’t home, weren’t you eating my food too?”

”Third, how can you say that?”

”Oh? Second brother, your wife just said something absurd and you kept silent, but when I speak the truth, you can’t take it?” Shuanzi didn’t care about them at all.

”You?”

”Am I wrong? I’m using my own rations and vouchers. How am I living off you? Rather, you’re the ones taking advantage of me.”

”Third, stop it.”

”Dad, is there no place in this home for me?”

Now everyone fell silent. Previously, the three nephews all slept with their parents. Since Shuanzi left, the boys moved in with their uncle. Now that Shuanzi has returned, there really is no room for him.

After asking, Shuanzi continued to finish his bowl of porridge and then put down his bowl and chopsticks.

”Dad, is there still a place for me in this home? If not, just split the family and let me fend for myself.” Shuanzi’s parents just sat there with their bowls, unsure of what to say.

This son had always been the most troublesome; he refused to do temporary work, always fooling around outside.

There were four sons in the family, and they never gave much attention to the third. Since he was so rebellious, in the elders’ eyes, he naturally wasn’t valued.

”Third brother, you make it sound easy. Want to split the family? What will you split?”

”I’m part of this family, so I have a claim.”

”Enough, stop making a fuss. Shuanzi, stay home for a few days, then leave. Go back to where you were living.”

”Alright, Dad, are you not concerned about my life anymore? If that’s the case, just act like you don’t have this son.” In truth, he had expected this result, but he needed to hear it to finally decide.

”Aren’t you living just fine?”

”I’m not taking anything from you, but you’re continuously taking advantage of me. Now you want to kick me out to keep profiting? It’s not going to be that easy. Tomorrow, I’ll go to the neighborhood committee and give up my ration.”

”Third, we’re your family. You’re willing to give it up rather than help us?” Surprised, Shuanzi’s eldest brother asked.

”Only I see you as family, but you don’t see me as one.”

Now the table was silent. Shuanzi dropped his chopsticks.

”Hurry up and eat, so we can split the family later.”

The eldest and the second had no objections. Their families, with both kids and jobs, were definitely doing okay.

They just couldn’t stand Shuanzi not working.

Shuanzi left the table and sat aside, waiting for them to finish.

Shuanzi’s mother finished her dinner. The porridge was too thin, and the night would be tough. She felt a bit resentful that Shuanzi came back. His presence or absence at home didn’t make a difference.

She forgot the joy earlier when he brought the bread. To her, the third son was always like this; the eldest was the firstborn, the second was sociable, and the youngest was precious, but the third was often overlooked.

After the family finished dinner, it was the eldest’s turn to do the dishes. Though reluctant, she had no choice.

”Third, are you planning to split the family?”

”Dad, why are you asking me this? You’re the ones who don’t want me, not me who wants to leave. I’m also your son; if you don’t see value in me, there’s nothing I can do. But don’t brand me as unfilial in the end.”

Now nobody spoke; this was what the old couple disliked most about the third son—he was too blunt.

”And what is filial?”

”Mom, in what way am I unfilial? I was gone for months, and as my mother, you didn’t even show a bit of concern. You’ve been eating my food and using my things. Yet, you still blame me?”

”What’s yours? It’s all mine.”

”Then if I give up the low-income subsidy, I hope you won’t be upset,” Shuanzi said calmly.