Chapter 20

“Probably went looking for meat to eat!”

Wang Zishan shook her head, collected the sickles from Lin Shulan and the others, and also finished work for the day.

Up ahead, Qi Zhilan was walking so fast it looked like the fire in her chest was about to shoot out of her head.

She thought: If there were better people available, would I be stuck with these two useless troublemakers?

“Comrade Qi, wait up! We’ve been working all day, and you’re still walking so fast!”

Sun Lili and Xia Ye were nearly out of breath trying to keep up.

“You two, go back and get the sack. I’ll wait for you at the foot of the mountain.”

Qi Zhilan stood with her hands on her hips, giving orders.

“What? Why should we? It’s still a good distance back to the educated youth compound—why don’t you go back and get it yourself?”

Xia Ye, drenched in sweat, plopped down on the ground.

“Because I’m the one who can get you meat to eat and make you money.”

Qi Zhilan hadn’t actually wanted to treat them this harshly, but the thought of the stupid things they’d said earlier that afternoon made her angry again.

“Fine, we’ll go back. But you have to let us each have a bowl of that malted milk powder you bought—every day.”

Sun Lili’s eyes rolled with calculation.

“Heh~ fine! Go!”

Qi Zhilan curled her lip and agreed without hesitation.

She figured—with brains like theirs—they’d get eaten by a bear the moment they went into the mountains.

Malted milk powder? Hah!

They should take a look at themselves first before asking if they’re worthy!

Hearing that they could get malted milk powder just for fetching a sack, Sun Lili and Xia Ye both decided it was a good deal and trotted back without hesitation.

Qi Zhilan thought short-sighted was the perfect word for people like them.

In the future she’d be the wife of a commander, and these two dared to ask her for malted milk powder?

Utterly overestimating themselves!

Once they were far enough away, Qi Zhilan slowed her pace heading down the mountain.

She kept glancing behind her, afraid someone might see her.

After all, it was nearly dark—if word got out in the brigade that a young woman had gone into the mountains alone, who knew what rumors would spread by morning?

She couldn’t risk losing her good reputation. She needed it intact to marry Shen Yan and live a good life.

When Gu Keqing woke up, the sky was already darkening.

Shen Yan hadn’t returned yet, so she quickly got up and slipped into her space.

She picked out two watches that looked as plain as possible—carefully selected.

They were a couple’s set, one for each of them.

Before she’d ended up in this book, Gu Keqing had never been in a relationship. Now that she was married, she actually felt like she was experiencing sweet first love, her whole being radiating happiness.

Just as she was lost in that warm daydream, there was a knock at the door.

“Sister-in-law, come and see the dress I made!”

It was Qi Zhiyun’s excited voice.

Gu Keqing smiled inwardly—this sister-in-law was really something.

She hurried down from the kang bed and opened the door.

“Wow, sister-in-law, you’re so talented.”

Qi Zhiyun had used leftover fabric from making clothes for Shen Long—flawed scraps—to practice making a dress.

When Gu Keqing took a look, she saw that apart from being a darker color and different material, the design was almost identical to the original.

“Amazing! Even in this color, it could still sell!”

While she inwardly admired Qi Zhiyun’s skill, she also thought—if only they could set up a small clothing workshop in the brigade.

In Caohua Brigade, the whole year’s income came from earning work points.

After the harvest, the entire winter brought no income at all.

If she could gather some aunts and older women with sewing skills, pay them wages, and produce clothes in batches, it would create extra income for the brigade and earn profit—a win-win situation.

Gu Keqing made plans in her head, but she knew she’d have to discuss the details with Shen Yan first.

After all, it wasn’t a small matter.

“Sister-in-law, I’m going into town early tomorrow morning. I’ll bring back a lot of floral fabric—you can sew to your heart’s content!”

She also planned to ask Liu Mangzi for more fabric ration tickets and buy one of each bright-colored floral print from the supply store.

“Sister-in-law, I’ll give you the money for the fabric.”

Qi Zhiyun handed her 10 yuan.

“Alright, I’ll take it. Between sisters, accounts are still accounts. This time I’ll just buy 10 yuan’s worth of fabric—when it runs out, we’ll buy more.”

Gu Keqing knew that if she didn’t accept the money, Qi Zhiyun probably wouldn’t be able to sleep all night.

Since it was going to be long-term work, the money had to be kept clear.

“Let’s go help Mother make dinner.”

After putting the clothes aside, the two sisters-in-law headed to the kitchen to help Mother Shen.

Cooking for seven people every day was no small task.

Once in the kitchen, Gu Keqing opened the tin of malted milk powder, took out a bowl, and directly made seven servings.

“Second daughter-in-law, don’t make any for me. This is expensive stuff—let you young people drink it.”

Mother Shen said with concern.

“Mother, don’t say that. Without you and Father, where would we be?”

Gu Keqing smiled as she handed her a bowl. “If you don’t drink, then I and sister-in-law won’t drink either.”

“Ah… child, you’re always so thoughtful. What can I say about you?”

Mother Shen put down the vegetables she was cutting, eyes glistening as she began to drink.

“Sister-in-law, you should also have a bowl every day—it’s good for your health. There’s also milk powder here, you can alternate between the two. When it’s finished, I’ll buy more.”

Gu Keqing handed another bowl to Qi Zhiyun.

“Sister-in-law, I keep eating and using your things—I really feel bad about it.”

Qi Zhiyun bit her lip in embarrassment.

“We’re family, don’t talk like outsiders. If you do, I’ll get angry!”

Gu Keqing pretended to be annoyed, then picked up a bowl herself and began to drink.

The kitchen quickly filled with the rich aroma of milk.

At that moment, the four Shen men came back from work.

“Sister-in-law, let’s take the malted milk powder out for Father and the others to drink.”

“Mm, alright!”

After finishing her own bowl, Gu Keqing savored the taste.

She had to admit—things made in this era were truly fragrant.

“Wife, I’ll do it.”

Shen Yan, having washed his hands, took the bowl from her.

“Second sister-in-law, this malted milk powder is so good—I want to drink it every day!”

Shen Ming grinned as he drank.

“Tomorrow you can have milk powder instead. I’ll make sure to regularly buy things like this to keep everyone healthy—you won’t go without.”

Gu Keqing smiled and ruffled Shen Ming’s short hair.

“Ahem!”

Shen Yan immediately coughed twice and shot Shen Ming a cold glare.

Shen Ming looked startled: What did I even say?

Shen Yan kicked him lightly. “With a smelly head like that, you still want your sister-in-law to touch you? Get lost!”

Gu Keqing: “…..” Is he… jealous?

Even jealous of his own little brother?

She shook her head in amusement, reached out and brushed Shen Yan’s cheek. “There, happy now?”

Shen Yan cleared his throat awkwardly. “Mm.”

After finishing his malted milk powder, Shen Ming put the bowl down and sighed like an adult. “Got a wife, forgot your brother—tsk!”

Just then, Mother Shen lifted the curtain, having finished cooking, and happened to see the scene. She laughed so hard her eyes crinkled.

A son and daughter-in-law getting along well—that was exactly what she liked to see. A harmonious home meant prosperity.

“Time to eat!”

Qi Zhiyun collected the empty malted milk bowls and brought out a basin of cornmeal buns and a pot of wild vegetable dumpling soup.

“Mother, I’ll stir-fry a meat dish too.”