Chapter 25

The next morning, Gu Qinghuan woke up and cooked a large pot of corn porridge, which was actually made with cornmeal, and also added some purple beans. 

Although it was a coarse grain dish, it was very delicious. In her previous life, Gu Qinghuan had enjoyed this kind of food. The porridge was soft, sticky, and sweet, with the fragrance of corn in every bite. 

She also steamed a pot of two-part flour buns, each one fluffy and soft. 

The family gathered around the new heated table in the east room to have breakfast. Each person had a bowl of corn porridge and a big bun, enough to fill them up. 

Da Bao and Bei Bei finished a full bowl of corn porridge and ate a bun each. They couldn’t eat any more and stopped, at which point Gu Qinghuan quickly suggested they go outside to walk off the food. 

The two little ones volunteered to wash the dishes, and Gu Qinghuan was happy to relax. 

Xu Huai’an, as usual, had a good appetite. He ate two bowls of corn porridge and three big buns. 

After the meal, Gu Qinghuan drank a bowl of spiritual spring water mixed with medicine, as usual. 

Xu Huai’an seemed to have stabilized emotionally over the past couple of days. He wasn’t as emotionally charged as when they had first met. 

It seemed that the spiritual spring water and the medicine were helpful to him. 

Once everything was cleaned up, Gu Qinghuan quietly slipped into the space and simmered a pot of lean meat porridge on a small fire. This was for her mother and Grandma’s lunch. 

She received Xu Huai’an’s discharge and identification certificates from Da Bao and packed up a bundle of things, preparing to go to the county. 

“I’m going to the county today to buy supplies for the winter and to pick someone up. I might not be back until evening. I cooked extra corn porridge and buns for you this morning. You can heat them up and eat them for lunch. I’ll make you something delicious when I get back tonight. 

While I’m gone, don’t open the door for anyone. We don’t need to worry about food right now, so no need to be concerned. Also, talk more to your Dad.”

For the first time in her life, Gu Qinghuan experienced the feeling of worry and concern. 

She left the two little ones at home, afraid something might happen to them, but she couldn’t take them with her. 

The two little ones nodded eagerly and reluctantly saw her off. 

“Mom, come back early.” Bei Bei looked longingly through the crack in the door, watching until Gu Qinghuan had walked far away.

Gu Qinghuan, as usual, went to the educated youth spot first to borrow a bicycle from Chen Jianghe.

Her approach was simple—if she didn’t feel awkward, then the awkwardness belonged to someone else.  

Why walk when spending just two yuan could solve the problem?  

Chen Jianghe was inside the house today. Upon hearing that she wanted to borrow the bike, he appeared quite generous. “If you need it, just take it. No need to pay me.”  

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xue cursed Gu Qinghuan from head to toe in her heart.

Vixen! Already married, yet still coming to seduce Brother Jianghe.  

Gu Qinghuan quickly waved her hand. “Oh, don’t say that. What’s our relationship, after all? I can’t accept that.”  

She placed the money down. “I’ll leave the money here. I’m taking the bike now and will return it tonight.”  

With practice, riding the bicycle had become smoother each time.  

Her first stop was the Civil Affairs Department at the county government, where she sought out the veterans’ affairs office.  

The staff there seemed quite relaxed, even having time for tea.  

She stated her purpose directly and handed over the necessary documents. The officials did not make things difficult for her. After verifying the paperwork, they swiftly approved her request and gave her a note to collect the funds from the finance office.  

As she was about to leave, one of the staff members asked: “Comrade, if your family is really struggling, remember to report it to the government. If your situation is severe, we can consider increasing the subsidy.”  

This official had family members in the military, so he sympathized with soldiers.

After reviewing Xu Huai’an’s file and learning about his illness, he understood that this household had likely lost its primary labor force.  

Perhaps Gu Qinghuan’s attire also contributed to the misunderstanding. Her clothes were patched upon patched, making her appear particularly impoverished.  

She had deliberately dressed this way, figuring that it wouldn’t be appropriate to wear anything too flashy while coming to collect money. So, she had simply put on the old clothes left by the original owner of her body.  

From Xu Huai’an’s few words, it was clear that he didn’t want to trouble the government. Otherwise, after being discharged for so long, he would have come to claim the pension earlier.  

For that reason, Gu Qinghuan knew she shouldn’t take it upon herself to apply for additional assistance on his behalf.  

She said sincerely: “Thank you, comrade. The child’s dad doesn’t want to burden the government, which is why we haven’t come to collect the pension in the past two years since his discharge.  

“But now, there’s no other choice. His condition is worsening—he’s already losing his clarity. I want to take him to a major hospital for treatment, so I made the decision to come and withdraw this money.  As for the additional subsidy, I won’t apply for it. Leave it for comrades who need it more. Thank you.”  

When out in the world, one’s identity was self-defined. Gu Qinghuan now fully embodied the image of a simple rural woman.

Everyone in the office, upon hearing her “story.” was filled with respect. People of this era already had a deep reverence for the military, and even more so for a soldier like Xu Huai’an, who was worthy of such admiration.  

“That comrade named Xu Huai’an, right? I remember him. When I was organizing the files earlier, I wondered why he had never come to claim his pension. So this is the reason.”  

“Comrade, will this money be enough for his treatment? Here, these two yuan are a small token from me.”  

“I’ll contribute one yuan.”  

“I didn’t bring any money today, but here are a few food coupons…”  

…  

One after another, the office workers stood up, reaching into their pockets and pooling together their money—one yuan from one, two from another.  

Gu Qinghuan was startled.  

She had only ever seen this kind of scene on television. This was the first time she truly felt the sincerity and kindness of the people in this era.  

Those who worked in government offices were, unsurprisingly, people with deep-rooted, unwavering beliefs.  

She waved her hands in a flustered manner. “No, no, there’s no need. Life isn’t easy for you all either. How could I possibly accept your money?”  

After saying that, she turned and fled as if escaping.  

The staff member who had just processed her request even ran after her, holding the money they had collected.  

Gu Qinghuan firmly refused to take it. After much back-and-forth, the staff member finally relented and took the money back, reminding her to report any difficulties she might face in the future.  

Her heart felt full—an indescribable feeling swelling inside her.  

This world was worn and tattered, but there were always people working to stitch it back together.  

There were those like Liu Guifang, who wouldn’t even care for their own son, but there were also those who would give generously to a stranger.

At that moment, she suddenly felt that the world she lived in had become incredibly real.

Every person around her was flesh and blood, truly existing.  

Xu Huai’an had been discharged from the military for exactly two years and three months.  

Fifteen yuan per month, totaling four hundred and five yuan.  

It was more than Gu Qinghuan had expected.  

With these four hundred yuan, she could finally cover the gaps in her previous expenses.  

And from now on, she could receive fifteen yuan every month—how delightful.  

After collecting the money, Gu Qinghuan planned to send out the package for her eldest uncle first.  

She arrived at the county post office and found the address of her uncle’s relocated household from the old owner’s notebook.  

She quickly wrote a short letter and placed it inside the package before mailing it.  

In reality, the letter contained only a few words:  

“If you can help receive refined grain, please reply to my letter.”  

At the bottom, she signed it: Even Numbers.  

At first glance, the letter seemed cryptic, but her eldest uncle was an educated man—he would surely understand at a glance.  

When read using only the even-numbered characters, the meaning of the letter changed to: “Can receive grain, reply.”  

She was worried that her uncle might be under surveillance and that even his letters could be scrutinized. This way, she could confirm his situation and whether the food could actually reach him.  

After all, when their family was sent away, Grandpa, Grandma, and her mother had suffered relatively less during the struggle sessions, but her uncle and his wife had faced the worst of it. The authorities had specifically named them for relocation to one of the harshest areas for re-education.  

Once the letter and package were sent, it was almost noon.