Chapter 58

The Gu family old house in the countryside was also built with good bricks and tiles. When Grandpa Gu returned from the battlefield wounded, he brought back a box of medals from the army.

Despite being a war hero, when he returned home, the house was in such poor condition that only one room remained, resembling a straw hut with a large hole in the roof. Grandma Gu and the children were in rags, their faces gaunt. They looked like beggars, and it would be a laughingstock if this got out.

At that time, Gujiaao Village was in a liberated area. The town leaders acted quickly. The day after Grandpa Gu returned, a new house was quickly built for the Gu family. The town government funded half of the construction costs, and Grandpa Gu covered the other half. The stone materials were hauled from the back mountain by ox carts. The yard had a fence, a straw shed, and complete animal pens for chickens, ducks, pigs, and sheep.

Grandpa Gu’s family lived steadily in the old house for a few years. Later, the county arranged for Grandpa Gu to work at the steel mill and allocated a house in the courtyard area. The old Gu family upgraded their living situation and moved to Yunshui County city.

The old countryside house was left empty for over ten years.

After more than ten years of wind and rain, the house had not been lived in for a long time, and it was not suitable for living.

On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, Gu Mancang went back to the Gujiaao Village, bringing a pack of cigarettes for the village chief and asking the villagers to tidy up the old house. The collapsed fence was repaired with thorny branches, the animal pens were patched with yellow clay, the stove was rebuilt, and three earthen kang beds were installed in the house. All the materials and labor cost a total of twenty-five yuan.

Dongzi, the little rascal, was so excited about spending the New Year back home that he couldn’t sleep.

At night, he played with the bamboo frog his sister bought him. The frog had a switch on its backside, and pressing it made the frog jump around the room. Dongzi even gave the frog a voice, saying, “Ribbit, ribbit, I’m a happy little frog. When it rains, I catch bugs, hopping and jumping.”

Lin Yao, comfortably soaking her feet, listened for a while and smiled at Gu Shi’an, saying, “Dongzi’s little rhymes are quite catchy.”

Gu Shi’an also listened and smiled. Dongzi was full of energy, bouncing around the house, and Lin Yao made the right choice buying him the frog.

After Lin Yao finished soaking her feet, Deputy Director Gu made the bed and put a hot water bottle in the blankets to warm the little girl’s feet.

Lin Yao snuggled into the bed, her tender feet warming against the hot water bottle, feeling cozy and only wanting to sleep.

As Lin Yao’s long eyelashes fluttered, trying to stay awake, she asked Gu Shi’an, “Is Sister Chunmei coming back to our hometown for the New Year too?”

“Chunmei is celebrating the New Year in the county.”

“Oh.”

Lin Yao realized that since Gu Chunmei was married, she would be spending the New Year with her in-laws, as married daughters usually don’t return to their parents’ home for the New Year.

Even in the 21st century, it’s quite unusual.

Lin Yao’s sleepiness overcame her, and she nestled into bed.

Gu Shi’an returned from washing the foot bath water, carrying Lin Yao’s sweater and other clothes to the courtyard to rinse.

Dongzi glanced curiously but didn’t see anything and continued playing with the bamboo frog.

At this time, Zhang Cuilan and her husband were also awake. With the county’s grain shortage, they were both anxious.

Their youngest son was still jumping around outside, making Zhang Cuilan’s eyelids twitch. She gave a loud scolding to send the little rascal back to his own room.

Gu Mancang was too preoccupied with the plight of the Yunshui County people to focus on his son. Although they had stored grain in the cellar back home, who knew when the grain crisis would end?

If it turned out to be like the great famine of the 1930s, lasting three to four years, how would people survive?

However, on second thought, the 1930s was still under the warlord era with constant conflict. The current government was different, and Gu Mancang still had faith in the government and the party, given his experience from the old society.

Zhang Cuilan had washed her feet, put on her cotton slippers, and climbed into bed, “Old man, what are you doing? It’s ten o’clock. Hurry up and blow out the lamp and go to sleep.”

Gu Mancang responded and turned off the lights in the room.

The next morning, the sky outside was gray and hazy. Eldest Uncle Zhang arrived with a donkey cart to take the family back to the countryside.

In the chill of the twelfth lunar month, the courtyard was freezing, and people’s breath turned into white mist when they spoke.

Lin Yao, wrapped in a fluffy military coat with only her bright almond eyes visible, was carrying a small cage with a rabbit to the donkey cart.

Zhang Cuilan, carrying bedding, said, “Yao Yao, be careful, don’t overexert yourself.”

Although the Gu family was going to celebrate the New Year in their old hometown, it felt more like fleeing to safety. The grain stored in the old house’s cellar couldn’t be taken out into the open, and with no grain available in the city and all major factories closed, workers couldn’t work without food.

As factory efficiency decreased, so did profitability. The factory leaders weren’t fools. They knew this principle well. Returning to the countryside was the best option.

In the courtyard, only Grandpa and Grandma Sun were unwilling to move. Everyone else had packed up and was heading back to their hometowns.

The next-door Aunt Dafu had left the day before. Zheng Dacheng and his wife had a fight because Zheng Dacheng wanted Liu Laidi to stay behind as a caretaker. Liu Laidi, not willing to stay, ended up scratching Zheng Dacheng’s face in a fit of rage and threatened to report him to Director Ge.

Forced by Liu Laidi’s fury, Zheng Dacheng begrudgingly took her and their two children with him to the countryside.

Now, the whole courtyard was silent except for Wang Shengcai’s family, who seemed unhurried.

Returning to their old hometown felt like moving house for the Gu family. They had to bring all their clothes, bedding, cooking utensils, coal, and grain.

Dongzi, not knowing where he had found a small orange cat, insisted on bringing it along.

Zhang Cuilan, sweeping up rabbit droppings in the yard, shooed him away without thinking, “Where did this kitten come from? People can’t even eat enough, how can we feed a cat?”

“The orange cat can find food on its own!” Dongzi argued confidently.

Lin Yao, examining the chubby belly of the kitten, smiled and said, “The kitten is so plump, it looks quite capable.”

The kitten meowed, as if understanding, and looked adorably cute.

Zhang Cuilan considered that the countryside had many mice, snakes, and pests. Having a kitten to catch mice and prevent them from eating the stored grain in the cellar seemed useful, so she agreed.

Dongzi grinned widely and ran off with the little orange cat.

After more than an hour of busy work, all the Gu family’s miscellaneous items were loaded onto the cart. Even the Eight Immortals table and chairs were packed onto the donkey cart and tied down with ropes. Eldest Uncle Zhang drove the donkey cart, jingling with bells, ahead to Gujiaao Village.

The Gu family took a jeep back to their hometown. The first faint morning light of winter hit the stone lions of the courtyard as Gu Shi’an drove up in the jeep.

With the public security bureau getting busier as the New Year approached, Gu Shi’an had been working tirelessly all morning, running back and forth. He hadn’t had time to change clothes and only hastily changed into his uniform just before getting into the car. His uniform was a white coat with a black sweater inside, meticulously buttoned up, highlighting his broad shoulders and narrow waist.

Lin Yao swallowed hard, her face flushed as she quickly stepped aside.

It was just six-thirty in the morning, and most neighbors were still asleep, with only the cheap son-in-law getting up early to send his father-in-law’s family off.

As for Gu Chunmei, she had taken after Lin Yao and slept in. Last night, she helped her family pack up, sending off her younger brother and mother.

With the public security bureau increasing workload around the New Year, Xu Xiangqian brought ten pounds of cornmeal and one pound of bacon, saying it was a gift from Mother Xu to his mother-in-law.

Given the tough times, Xu’s parents had also secretly hoarded grain at home. Father Xu was well-connected in the county, and their grain reserves exceeded those of the Gu family.

Zhang Cuilan accepted the gift graciously. Just before getting in the car, Dongzi ran over, handing Xu Xiangqian ten yuan.

“Da Tou Brother, this money is from Mom. You and Second Sister can buy whatever you need. If it’s not enough, ask her for more.”

Xu Xiangqian hadn’t reacted yet when Dongzi ran off at full speed.

Xu Xiangqian thought, if this money was taken home, his mother would definitely scold him.

So, Da Tou Brother chased after Dongzi on his bicycle, but the speed of the bicycle couldn’t match the jeep.

Xu Xiangqian, covered in dust and grime, reluctantly returned home.

The jeep bounced along the mountain road, catching up with Eldest Uncle Zhang, who was driving the donkey cart.

Dongzi, leaning against the window, shouted, “Uncle, why are you going so slowly?”

Eldest Uncle Zhang, wearing a fur hat, turned his dark face with a smile, “The old donkey cart is slow, and I’m getting old. Dongzi, do you want to help drive?”

Dongzi was instantly excited and tried to jump out of the car.

Lin Yao grabbed him and told him to behave.

Zhang Cuilan, having scolded her son, glared at Eldest Uncle Zhang.

“Big Brother, what did you just say? I didn’t hear it.”

Eldest Uncle Zhang, intimidated by his sister’s temper, was careful with his words. It was true that his nephew was as unruly as he had been. Zhang Cuilan, relieved that her youngest son wasn’t as troublesome as his uncle, felt thankful.

Eldest Uncle Zhang quickly closed his mouth and focused on driving.

On the way, they passed Linjia Village, now known as Dongfanghong Production Team.

Unable to resist chatting, Eldest Uncle Zhang opened his mouth again, revealing a big scoop of news.

“Yao Yao, do you still keep in touch with your cousin named Honghong? Oh, that girl is something else. She’s pregnant!”

Cousin? What’s her name, Honghong?

Pregnant?

Wait, Lin Hongna is pregnant?

Eldest Uncle Zhang’s words were like a thunderclap, leaving the Gu family stunned.