“Tomorrow, when we have time, let's find a place to enclose and raise chickens. I’ll also go find some vegetable seeds tomorrow and plant them first.”
Qiao Jiuru discussed with her husband while digging, wishing that time in this space could be used like two days in one.
However, she had to go to work tomorrow.
She truly didn't want to go to this job, nor did she have the mind to go. She only wanted to quickly hoard supplies, lots and lots of things, otherwise she still wouldn't feel secure.
“Aru, when we go to the black market tomorrow morning, we can pay someone to bring us vegetable seeds and grain seeds. Aru, don’t panic, we’ve already prepared so many things. Even if we eat sparingly, not to mention a year, seven or eight months will still be no problem.”
“What's more, we are also growing grain and vegetables here, raising chickens, fish, and shrimp. As long as this place exists, we will definitely not starve to death.”
“I found that it doesn't seem cold here at all, it feels like it’s around twenty degrees. You also prepared so many cotton quilts, padded clothes, cotton fabric, and even hid some clothes in here. We will definitely get through this difficult time.”
Su Huaiyuan sensed his wife's anxiety and unease, and could only try his best to share her burden and give her enough security.
“I know, I’m just afraid I haven’t prepared enough, and most importantly, I’m worried about not being able to protect Dabao, Xiaobao, and Hua Zhu.”
In fact, how could Qiao Jiuru not know that her state was off?! It's just that she couldn't calm herself down.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid, we are already prepared. This time, those things in your dream will definitely not happen again, Aru, trust me.”
Su Huaiyuan threw down his hoe and stepped forward to tightly embrace his wife, who was constantly shedding tears. It was his fault for letting her bear it all alone.
“Tomorrow for work, we’ll first take Dabao and Xiaobao to Lu Dajie’s house. At noon, we’ll go to Zhang Dage’s house to ask about Xiao Feng’s employment notice and whether Hua Zhu can go to the countryside there. After dinner in the evening, we’ll quietly go to the houses in Nanluoguxiang and Dongjiaominxiang to collect the things.”
If it weren't for the worry of being monitored, forcing them to avoid people, why would they need to put in so much effort?!
“Okay, let’s quickly prepare the land. The sooner we prepare it, the sooner we can plant.”
Qiao Jiuru's emotions came and went quickly. Time was too pressing, leaving her no room for overthinking.
Soon, the two of them cleared another thirty square meters of land and immediately planted potatoes, which Qiao Jiuru had suddenly thought of; these potatoes were already available at home.
Fourth to last day before being sent down.
At just past three in the morning, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan quietly went to the black market again. One hundred jin each of flour and rice, then eggs and live chickens, and they also managed to get five jin of pork and three jin of lard.
What surprised them most was that this time the black market actually had live fish and live shrimp for sale. The couple naturally didn't want to miss out, so they bought several fish and several jin of shrimp respectively.
In addition, Qiao Jiuru also exchanged for seven or eight overseas Chinese tickets. When she saw them, she suddenly remembered that she and her daughter-in-law still lacked sanitary pads and hadn't prepared them.
In the past, when she went to exchange for overseas Chinese tickets, she would also buy some imported sanitary pads for herself and her daughter-in-law, and then use menstrual belts and toilet paper alternately.
Qiao Jiuru suddenly realized that she hadn't prepared menstrual belts and toilet paper before. She had to hurry and purchase these things after lunch.
The couple bought from one black market and then went to another. Fortunately, they had the space; if they sensed anything amiss, they could hide in the space together.
Fortunately, their luck was good these past few days. Although they bought a lot of things, there were also many wealthy people in Beijing, and it was common for some families with large populations to buy half a month's worth of supplies.
When they returned to Jingda Family Compound, the sky was just beginning to lighten, and Su Ze and Zhou Wanwan were already up making breakfast and washing up.
Zhou Wanwan was already used to her in-laws not being home early in the morning. Just as she finished making breakfast, her in-laws returned together.
“Xiao Wan, call the children for breakfast in a bit. I have to go to work today. Dabao and Xiaobao will be at Lu Dajie’s house; I’ll take them there.”
Their entire family worked at Jingda, starting at eight o'clock, so they had to wake the two little ones before work and take them to the home of the person helping to watch the children.
Dabao and Xiaobao were entrusted to Lu Dajie, a retiree from the family compound, who was paid twenty yuan a month. She didn't need to provide meals, only watch them in the morning and afternoon.
“Mom, I understand.”
Luckily, the two little ones went to bed at nine o’clock at night, so sleeping until seven o’clock was just about right.
Soon, the two little ones were called up. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law quickly drew water for them, helped them wash their faces, gave them water to drink, and then had breakfast together.
Although Dabao and Xiaobao were young, their grandparents and parents had to go to work, and they were going to Grandma Lu's house today, so they didn't cry or fuss.
“Lu Dajie, Dabao and Xiaobao are troubling you again.”
Qiao Jiuru held one child in each hand, leading them to a courtyard not far from their home, where a middle-aged woman, two or three years older than herself, was standing at the entrance.
“Teacher Qiao, you’re too polite. It’s no trouble at all. I should be thanking you. Anyway, I’m not watching your children for free.”
Lu Meiling said calmly as she took the two little ones from Qiao Jiuru's hands.
Fortunately, she had this income from watching the Su family's children, otherwise she would have to glue matchboxes. Watching the Su family's children was easy and paid well, even better than temporary work, so Lu Meiling was very dedicated to watching the Su family's children.
Besides, when she watched their children, the Su family was not stingy at all. They often gave her some fruit candies or half a jin of biscuits. There was even one day off every week. Where could she find such a good deal?!
“Dabao, Xiaobao, you must be obedient and listen to Grandma Lu. Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, and Dad will pick you up after work.”
Qiao Jiuru reluctantly stroked the little heads of her two grandsons, gently and softly instructing them.
Dabao and Xiaobao immediately nodded obediently, without fussing or crying, and even actively waved their little hands to their grandma, reassuring her.
At noon, after picking up the children and having lunch, Zhou Wanwan took them for a nap, and Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan left the house together.
The couple headed straight for the Hospital without a word, but halfway there, they met Zhang Hong, who was also cycling over.
“I was just about to go to your house. I didn't expect to run into you here. Xiao Feng's general notice has arrived.”
Zhang Hong had also just finished lunch and rushed over. The employment notice was already in hand, and he wasn't in a hurry for this mealtime, so he didn't go to the Su family immediately.
Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan were immediately excited. After taking it from Zhang Hong's hand and confirming it, the couple both breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, their youngest son's destination was arranged; now they could truly rest assured.
“We're going to buy Xiao Feng's train ticket for tomorrow now. He'll depart tomorrow.”
Without further ado, it was best to send their youngest son away quickly, otherwise, if he knew what was about to happen to the family, he might not be willing to leave.
At this moment, Qiao Jiuru couldn't wait another second and immediately wanted to pull Su Huaiyuan to the train station.
“Wait, Xiao Ru, Huaiyuan, let's go find Old Lu and ask him to buy Xiao Feng a sleeper ticket, and also ask about the situation with Hua Zhu going to the countryside?!”
Right, right, right.
The matter of the Su family being reported and arranging for Hua Zhu to go to the countryside was handled by Lu Baoguo for investigation, and he was also the one who found the connections.