Chapter 16: Male and Female Dormitories

As soon as Huo Jianguo spoke, everyone turned to look at him.

Tang Chunlan was the first to react, tugging on his sleeve.

“What are you doing? Miaomiao worked so hard at home to prepare all this delicious food for us, and you’re blaming her?”

“Yeah, Dad, have you gone senile?” Huo Xinyuan chimed in.

“What do you mean by that?” Even Grandpa Huo put down his bowl and stared sharply at Huo Jianguo.

The look in his eyes made it clear—if Huo Jianguo couldn’t give a good explanation, there would be consequences.

Facing their accusing expressions, Huo Jianguo quickly explained:

“I’m not blaming Miaomiao. I’m just saying that white rice and meat are valuable—better to save them for her and the elders. We can just eat corn gruel.”

“Oh, so that’s what you meant. You scared me with how serious you looked,” Tang Chunlan let out a breath of relief.

Huo Jianguo gave a helpless smile. “We’ve been married for so many years—you still don’t know what kind of person I am?”

“Well, I was a little worried this sudden change in life might’ve affected your mindset,” Tang Chunlan muttered, sounding unsure.

Huo Jianguo shook his head and turned to Su Miaomiao, his tone softening.

“Miaomiao, we don’t know how long we’ll have to stay here. From now on, let the meat and white rice be for you and Grandpa and Grandma.”

“It’s alright. The village chief found me an easy job. I’ll be able to earn work points too,” Su Miaomiao said.

“Didn’t I tell you to rest at home? Why did you agree to go work? There’s no such thing as an easy job in a place like this—they’re just tricking you. Come on, I’m taking you to turn it down right now.” Huo Jianguo stood up, ready to drag her to see Wang Hongjie.

“It really is easy! He asked me to help out the village’s only barefoot doctor. I don’t need to work in the fields, and I get full work points,” Su Miaomiao explained quickly.

“Barefoot doctor?” Huo Jianguo was taken aback.

“Yes,” Su Miaomiao nodded. “This place is remote and poor. When villagers get sick, they can’t afford to go to the county hospital, so most of them rely on local barefoot doctors. I saved the village chief’s grandson earlier, and he thinks I’m good at medicine, so he invited me to help out Old Zhao. Whether there are patients or not, as long as I show up every day, I’ll get full work points.”

“If that’s the case, then yeah, it’s definitely easier than working the fields,” Huo Xinyuan nodded.

“But treating patients can be risky. Everyone in this village is like one big family—if anything goes wrong, it could upset the whole village,” Tang Chunlan worried. She had never seen Su Miaomiao treat anyone before and assumed she only knew a bit of first aid.

“Exactly. This isn’t like Beijing—you don’t have to force yourself. Your dad and brothers can support you,” Huo Jianguo added.

Su Miaomiao was a little helpless.

She really wanted to know just how fragile the Huo family thought she was.

Still, they meant well, so she patiently continued:

“It’s fine. I’ll only handle simple illnesses. If it’s something more serious, I’ll tell them to go to the county hospital. Besides, staying home all day is boring—having something to do will make the time pass faster.”

Since she had explained things so clearly, the Huo family had no more objections.

“Just make sure to be careful. If you’re unsure about anything, send them to the county hospital,” Tang Chunlan reminded her.

“Got it,” Su Miaomiao nodded. “Now hurry and eat before the food gets cold.”

Only then did everyone continue eating.

After the meal, Huo Xinyuan took the initiative to wash the dishes.

Huo Zhenbo tidied up the empty cowshed they had cleared out—he and Huo Jianguo would be staying there.

The roof of the cowshed was half-rotten, and a few wooden planks were nailed around the sides, making it drafty and leaky when it rained.

Worse still, a skinny, bony cow was kept right next to it, and the smell was truly overwhelming.

Su Miaomiao thought for a moment and turned to find Tang Chunlan.

“Miaomiao, cooking must’ve worn you out today. Mama already made the bed for you—go get some rest,” Tang Chunlan said happily, patting the spot beside her as soon as she saw Su Miaomiao enter the room.

“Mom, it’s not convenient for Dad and my brothers to keep staying in the cowshed. They’re doing hard labor during the day, so they need proper rest at night,” Su Miaomiao said.

A hint of worry appeared in Tang Chunlan’s eyes. “But we don’t have any spare rooms.”

She didn’t want her husband and sons to suffer either.

“We can just split the rooms—girls in one, boys in the other,” Su Miaomiao suggested.

Tang Chunlan was stunned for a moment, then realized: “That’s right! Why didn’t I think of that earlier? Wait here, I’ll go talk to your dad.”

Joyfully, she rushed out.

Su Miaomiao smiled. Tang Chunlan had grown up pampered, always used to private rooms—it was natural she hadn’t thought of something like dorm-style arrangements.

But Huo Jianguo and Grandpa Huo probably had thought of it. They just hadn’t brought it up out of concern for her, afraid she wouldn’t adapt.

Sure enough, after Tang Chunlan spoke to Huo Jianguo, he came to find Su Miaomiao.

“Miaomiao, are you really okay with this? Your grandma has some health issues and might get up during the night. She could disturb your sleep,” he said gently.

“It’s fine. I’m a heavy sleeper—once I fall asleep, not even thunder can wake me,” Su Miaomiao reassured him.

That was a deliberate white lie to put him at ease.

Years of training had conditioned her to stay on high alert—thunder wouldn’t wake her? Even the faintest footsteps outside could jolt her awake.

“You…” Looking at such a thoughtful and considerate Su Miaomiao, Huo Jianguo didn’t know what to say. He just silently vowed that no matter what, he would give his daughter the best life possible.

In the end, the Huo family accepted Su Miaomiao’s suggestion and divided the two rooms into male and female dormitories.

It was a bit cramped, but at least they had shelter over their heads.

At night, just as Huo Jianguo had said, Grandma Huo coughed from time to time. But the sound was clearly muffled, as if she was trying hard not to disturb Su Miaomiao.

Su Miaomiao turned over and eventually drifted off to sleep, accompanied by the soft coughing.

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The next morning, when she woke up, there was no one beside her.

She got out of bed and went outside. Tang Chunlan had already prepared breakfast.

It was still cornmeal porridge, but Tang Chunlan had added a bit of white rice, making it thicker and smoother, not as scratchy on the throat.

As soon as the Huo family finished eating, the whistle for work sounded.

“Miaomiao, be careful when you go to Old Zhao’s place. I’ll come back to make lunch,” Tang Chunlan said after glancing at her.

“Okay,” Su Miaomiao nodded.

After the Huo family left, she packed her things and headed to Old Zhao’s house.

Wang Hongjie had already informed Old Zhao in advance and was waiting at the door early in the morning. Seeing Su Miaomiao arrive, he breathed a sigh of relief.

“Girl, you’re finally here. I’ve been waiting all morning,” Old Zhao greeted warmly.

After all, she had managed to save someone the county hospital doctors couldn’t—even he held her in high regard.