AYLS – Chapter 74

Xu Yuanzheng bought the train tickets. That evening, he told Mother Xu and Xu Xiaomei to pack their things and get ready to return to their hometown.

He didn’t let them go empty-handed, either. Su Weizhen still packed them a piece of cured meat.

This was the helplessness that came with being family. If they were strangers, something like this could easily turn into a bitter feud. But they were Xu Yuanzheng’s own mother and sister—what could you do?

Sometimes Su Weizhen thought that if Xu Yuanzheng weren’t living far from home and were clear-headed himself, she might not have been able to continue living with him at all.

But precisely because Xu Yuanzheng was sensible, Su Weizhen felt even more pity for this poor little man who had no one to care for or love him.

That evening, after dinner, when she came out to chat with Lin Qiao, she spoke of how Xu Yuanzheng’s life hadn’t been easy.

Lin Qiao pursed her lips. “Actually, maybe it’s not so bad never to have had it. But getting it and losing it—that’s really painful.”

Su Weizhen looked at her, thinking that Xiao Qiao seemed to have grown up without parents, without anyone caring for her.

And then she realized she had been pitying the wrong person. Did Xu Yuanzheng, a grown man, really need pity? No matter how tough his life was, it couldn’t compare to Xiao Qiao’s.

“Xiao Qiao, when all this is over, I’ll make some good food for you.”

Lin Qiao smiled. “Can I have roast duck? I’ve had authentic ones a few times in the capital, and I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“Of course, no problem,” Su Weizhen said.

Lin Qiao asked again, “You really haven’t been to the black market lately, right?”

“No, really haven’t,” Su Weizhen replied. “I know what’s most important.”

Lin Qiao finally felt reassured.

Su Weizhen added, “But if you need anything, I can still bring it for you.”

Lin Qiao felt an itch of desire, especially wanting some feed produced locally, but she shook her head, thinking of the risks it could bring. She had come to a clear decision: relying on a ‘golden finger’ power wasn’t enough—she had to rely on herself.

A golden finger, used cautiously and hidden, was one thing. Her own skills could be used openly and with pride.

“There’s nothing I need. You should take fewer risks. Don’t casually bring things for others. The fewer people know about this kind of thing, the better.”

Hearing this, Su Weizhen felt her heart warm.

In this era of scarce food and clothing, for Xiao Qiao to think of her like this—it really wasn’t easy.

“Xiao Qiao, you’ll definitely be happy,” Su Weizhen promised. She would make sure that the tragedies of the past would not repeat.

Now she was certain that something must have happened to Xiao Qiao back then. Otherwise, Gu Huayuan, with whom she had such a close relationship, would never have failed to mention her on his deathbed.

The train tickets Xu Yuanzheng bought were for Sunday, which was conveniently his day off. In the days leading up to it, Mother Xu and Xu Xiaomei were unusually quiet, not daring to step outside. Sometimes they even wanted to make a few remarks to Su Weizhen as before, but they no longer had the audacity.

Finally, Sunday arrived. The two of them quietly carried the things Su Weizhen had packed for them and followed Xu Yuanzheng to catch the train.

Su Weizhen didn’t go. She genuinely didn’t want to interact with the two of them, and Xu Yuanzheng understood, not forcing her. He let her stay at home.

But Su Weizhen didn’t stay at home either. As soon as they left, she hurried to find Xiao Qiao and Li Ermei, saying they should go together to a state-run restaurant for a meal.

The moment they heard that the old ladies had left, Lin Qiao was thrilled. “Great! Let’s go, let’s go celebrate!”

Li Ermei was a little reserved. “What are we going to eat in the county?”

Su Weizhen pursed her lips. “Anything you want is fine.”

“That’s more like it.” Li Ermei didn’t look particularly pleased, but she also didn’t show any disdain toward Su Weizhen.

Seeing this, Lin Qiao secretly covered her mouth and pulled the complaint letter out of her pocket. “Zhenzhen, don’t mind her tough talk. She already sent over the complaint letter a long time ago.”

Li Ermei’s eyes widened. “That was because you asked for it! I wouldn’t have given it. I was planning to hold it over her.”

“Ermei, don’t be so stubborn. Is it really that hard to admit you have no ill intentions?” Lin Qiao said with a cheerful smile.

Su Weizhen took the complaint letter, feeling relieved.

Even though it had been agreed upon, leaving something like this with someone else was still nerve-wracking.

If Li Ermei had gone back on her word, Su Weizhen’s situation would have been exactly the same as the old lady’s.

Winning this time mainly depended on Li Ermei’s character not being too bad.

She smiled. “Seeing that you’re sincere, I won’t treat you unfairly. In the future, if there’s anything good to eat in the county, I’ll bring it to you. You really need some nourishment; look at your sallow, thin face—you’re obviously lacking nutrition.”

Li Ermei snorted twice. “Who cares? Do you think everyone has as much meat and fish as you?”

“Aiya, why are we arguing again? Hurry up, let’s get ready and head to the county. I’ll go give the chickens some water and food, and you two go change your clothes.”

Li Ermei rolled up her sleeves. “I’ll go with you, that’ll be faster.”

Su Weizhen smiled. “I’ll come too.”

The three of them worked together, and the chores at the chicken coop were done quickly. Su Weizhen, looking at how well the chickens were growing, remarked that they seemed about to start laying eggs.

Lin Qiao said, “Either this month or next month. I’ve been watching them every day.”

Li Ermei was delighted. “Does that mean we get to eat the eggs?”

Lin Qiao shook her head. “Not yet. I still want to hatch another batch.”

She was thinking of expanding the chicken farm and wanted more military wives to join in. Especially with Ermei working so hard, she couldn’t let her efforts go to waste.

“By the way, Ermei, the logistics department notified me—February’s salary, half of it is for you.”

Li Ermei was surprised. “Really?”

“Of course. When I’m not around, you’ve been filling in for me for half a month. You shouldn’t work for nothing.”

Li Ermei was overjoyed. “I thought it was just counted as work points. Do I really get money?”

“Really. You can’t cheat people on this. You’ll even have to sign at the logistics office.”

Li Ermei was thrilled, genuinely happy.

She hadn’t held much money in her hands for years.

After marriage, most of Lao Chen’s allowance went back to their hometown. Very little was left, and Lao Chen himself would take some. She would spend whatever remained on daily necessities, and it was gone.

Earning her own salary—that would be so good.

After tidying up the chicken coop, the three went back to get ready. They left a note at home and headed out together. There were no convenient rides from the logistics office, but Su Weizhen had a bicycle—one person on the front, one on the back. They rushed out.

Su Weizhen was truly working hard; she had never brought so many people along before. If it weren’t for her decent cycling skills, it would have been impossible.

But she was genuinely happy, pedaling with all her strength.

When they arrived in the county, the three headed straight to the state-run restaurant.

Sister Gao immediately recognized Lin Qiao. “Comrade Xiao Qiao, long time no see!”

Lin Qiao smiled. “Yes, work has been too busy.”

“I heard from Captain Gu that you’ve registered your marriage and held a wedding?”

“Yeah, around the New Year.” She felt a little embarrassed. “We were in a hurry today and didn’t bring any candy.”

Sister Gao waved her hand and laughed. “It’s been so long, who cares about candy now?”

Then she asked Lin Qiao what they wanted to eat. Today the supply was plentiful: pork dumpling filling was especially generous, plus pork knuckles, braised pork…

As they watched hungrily, Lin Qiao and Li Ermei glanced at Su Weizhen.

Su Weizhen, brimming with confidence, said, “Order whatever you want. I can pay for anything you eat.”

Li Ermei: “…” Too sour.

Lin Qiao was happy and ordered dumplings and stir-fried pork slices. Li Ermei ordered pork knuckles—she loved gnawing on them.

Su Weizhen thought, eating this much oil, won’t they get fat? “Also, add some braised pork.”

“Alright, just wait a moment.”

Sister Gao smiled and went to the back, greeting the chef and saying that Captain Gu’s wife was here—make the dishes extra good, don’t skimp.

While the food was being prepared, Su Weizhen quietly asked Lin Qiao, “Your old Captain seems familiar with the people here. Have you ever thought about working in the county?”

She felt that it would be good if Xiao Qiao worked in the county; she’d have a companion.

Lin Qiao shook her head. “No, I’d rather raise chickens.”

Although raising chickens could be smelly, she had her own goals, which felt meaningful.

She didn’t like monotonous work; it always felt pointless.

She explained her plans for the chicken farm to the other two, intending to expand it, raise more high-quality breeds, and possibly promote them later so more people could raise these healthy chickens.

Li Ermei munched on sunflower seeds. “Can that work? Aren’t they all just chickens? How different can they be?”

“They are. These chicks are really good,” Lin Qiao said, smiling at Su Weizhen. “I just feel they’re easier to raise than other chickens; at least they’re healthier.”

Su Weizhen felt complicated.

She had a “golden hand” ability, but she had never thought of using it to benefit others.

She had only thought about secretly making money and getting rich in the future.

She had assumed her golden hand’s abilities were limited—just a personal advantage.

Now, hearing Lin Qiao talk, she realized her golden hand could actually be quite useful.

The grain inside the space had high yields, but they hadn’t tried the good seeds yet—who knew if they would also be high-yielding? And if they were?

The chickens and ducks she raised also seemed to be of excellent breeds. So far, Xiao Qiao had successfully raised the chicks. Next, they just needed to verify whether the next generation would inherit such good traits.

If these verifications succeeded, then her space could potentially achieve something very significant.

In this country, overall grain production was low, and meat was even scarcer.

The only thing to consider was the risk. Of course, going to the black market previously also carried risks.

Su Weizhen’s feelings were complicated. She wanted to do something, yet she still lacked a bit of courage.

After all, she knew all too well what would happen in a few years.

She thought that even if she couldn’t openly do anything, she could at least contribute by helping Xiao Qiao and being part of these efforts.

When the meal was served, all three of them ate with lips shiny from the oil.

Li Ermei was the happiest—she hadn’t eaten this well even during New Year.

For someone used to plain, watery meals, being able to eat such food now was truly rare.

After finishing, everyone was stuffed to the point of bloating, yet their hearts were immensely satisfied.

Su Weizhen decided to take them out for a walk.

When passing the alley that used to lead to the black market, the three of them were still cautious, glancing around before feeling safe enough to head toward the department store.

Since the New Year had just passed, most pre-New Year purchases were done, so there weren’t as many buyers now. Supply was still abundant.

Lin Qiao wasn’t particularly interested in the clothes inside. Although her wardrobe couldn’t match the variety of the past, what she had now was all classic pieces, completely sufficient.

Gu Huayuan needed nothing either; the clothes issued by the military were more than enough.

She only bought clam oil for Gu Huayuan.

Su Weizhen asked, “Aren’t you using Snow Cream? Why switch to clam oil?”

“Hehe, not telling you,” Lin Qiao said with a small smile. This was all for Gu Huayuan. Recently, she made him use it every day, and his skin felt much better.

Eventually, he would still go back to using Snow Cream.

Li Ermei glanced over, somewhat interested, but couldn’t bring herself to buy anything. Mainly, her pockets had very little money.

Su Weizhen picked up a piece of fabric, examined it, and compared it with Li Ermei.

Li Ermei asked, “What are you doing?”

Su Weizhen didn’t respond. Seeing that the color suited her complexion, she decided to buy it.

After buying the items and stepping outside, Su Weizhen handed the fabric to Li Ermei. “The season is about to change. Take this home and make some clothes for yourself.”

Li Ermei: “…”

“Take it,” Lin Qiao urged. “This is Zhenzhen’s gift to thank you. You might as well take it. If you don’t, I’ll take it myself. I even gave the idea.”

Li Ermei immediately accepted it. “At least you have some conscience.”

Su Weizhen didn’t argue with her anymore. Although she still didn’t particularly enjoy being around Li Ermei, she considered her someone tested and trustworthy… something she never thought she’d feel one day.

Even she found it somewhat surreal and couldn’t help but smile.

Li Ermei also awkwardly pinched the fabric, feeling conflicted.

In the past, she would say, “Marry a Han man, marry a Han man” when it came to clothes and food. Now, the rice she ate was made from the grain she worked for herself. Making new clothes was even more of a distant memory.

Now, eating meat was thanks to Xiao Qiao and Su Weizhen taking her, and the new clothes, shoes, and Snow Cream she used were bought by Xiao Qiao before. Now Su Weizhen was also taking her to eat meat and wear new clothes.

The more she thought about it, the more she felt that old Chen really didn’t matter at all.