Chapter 44: Emergency Relief (Part 1)

The old lady’s eyes widened suddenly, then she looked at Zhao Xiulan and said in a trembling voice, “Girl… is this… a meat bun?”

In this era, even eating a white flour bun was rare, let alone a meat bun. The preciousness of meat goes without saying. Even if one had money, it was difficult to buy meat.

The old lady couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten meat. As she ate the meat bun, she only felt a burst of freshness and deliciousness, wishing to swallow her tongue along with the food.

But such a precious thing, Zhao Xiulan actually gave it to her for free. The old lady didn’t know how to express her gratitude to Zhao Xiulan for a moment.

Today, she really encountered a good person. In the eyes of ordinary people, how could they care about a dying old lady like her, let alone give her food to eat?

Zhao Xiulan nodded and then made a gesture for silence to the old lady. “Yes, it’s a meat bun. Auntie, please eat it quickly.”

The smell of the meat bun was quite strong. If people passing by smelled it, it would be troublesome. After all, this was the black market, where all sorts of people could be found. The old lady understood Zhao Xiulan’s meaning and quickly finished eating the meat bun.

Her previously empty stomach now felt slightly full after eating a large meat bun, and she felt revitalised, no longer dizzy as before.

With gratitude written all over her face, the old lady grabbed Zhao Xiulan’s hand and said, “Girl, thank you so much today. You saved my life! If it weren’t for you, I would probably have starved to death.”

Seeing the old lady like this, Zhao Xiulan felt a little pity and couldn’t help but sympathise more.

In this era, many people died of starvation due to lack of food. This year and the next, the whole country would be in a state of food shortage, and many more people would probably starve to death.

Zhao Xiulan’s power was limited, and she could only help people within her ability.

Today, she happened to encounter this old lady and helped her out. If she had ignored it, Zhao Xiulan would have felt guilty. Even in the dangerous situation of the apocalypse, she couldn’t persuade herself to abandon rescuing her companions.

Zhao Xiulan smiled and replied to the old lady, “Auntie, don’t be too polite. Don’t worry about it. In this day and age, who doesn’t have difficulties? Today, I helped you, and in the future, when I need help, there will definitely be kind people to help me.”

The old lady nodded. “There are many good people in this world. Girl, you are so kind. You will definitely be rewarded in the future.”

Zhao Xiulan smiled slightly and prepared to help the old lady up. “Auntie, let me take you home?”

Seeing the old lady’s weak appearance, Zhao Xiulan was really worried, so she proposed to send the old lady home.

Facing Zhao Xiulan’s kindness, the old lady thanked her first, and then sighed, “Ah, girl, I won’t hide it from you. I can’t go back temporarily. There is no food at home, and my old man is starving just like me.

“If we don’t get some food back, I’m afraid neither of us can last for one or two days. If it weren’t for your meat bun today, I’m afraid I would have starved to death already.

“So, I have no choice but to go to the black market to try my luck and see if I can exchange some food.”

Hearing the old lady’s words, Zhao Xiulan couldn’t help but be moved.

How many people were facing such helplessness in this era?

“Auntie, do you want to buy grain? That’s good. I have some here. Why don’t I sell it to you? It saves you from asking around again.” Zhao Xiulan had plenty of grain in her space. It was easy to take out some. Seeing the old lady’s pitiful appearance, Zhao Xiulan thought that since she had helped, she should help to the end.

(End of Chapter 44)