Song Luoyun and Song Luonian closely followed behind Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan.

They wound their way through several alleys, turning here and there, until they quickly arrived at a black market.

“Luoyun, Luonian, don’t buy too much—just ten jin of rice and flour each, and one jin of brown sugar is enough. Luonian, remember: it’s best to come around five in the morning—don’t come too early or too late.”

Qiao Jiuru led Luonian while Su Huaiyuan led Luoyun.

The four of them swiftly purchased rice, flour, and brown sugar at the black market, then quickly left.

Only when they were a good distance away from the black market did Qiao Jiuru begin instructing Song Luonian on how to make purchases there.

“Don’t go too often—no more than twice a month. I’ve given you the name and location of a contact; you must remember it. You can secretly ask him to buy things for you.”

“Auntie Qiao, don’t worry, I’ve memorized everything.”

Song Luonian listened carefully, committing everything to memory, full of gratitude.

The kindness of Auntie Qiao and Uncle Su—he would remember it for the rest of his life.

If he ever had the chance, he would surely repay them.

“Luoyun, Luonian, hurry home now. Uncle and I have to head back too.”

It was almost seven o’clock, and the sky was already light.

They’d spent quite a bit of time at the Song household.

Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan had to rush back, and the two children needed to get home with the goods.

Song Luoyun and Song Luonian nodded obediently.

After seeing Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan ride off on their bicycles, they immediately dashed off toward home.

The two brothers ran for over twenty minutes before finally reaching home, panting.

Thankfully, following their aunt’s advice, they only brought back five jin of rice and flour and one jin of brown sugar, so they didn’t attract attention or stir up jealousy.

The remaining fifteen jin of rice and flour and one jin of brown sugar—Auntie Qiao and Uncle Su said they would deliver them later that evening.

“Grandpa, Grandma, we’re back!”

Song Luonian was the first to rush into the house, his voice low but full of excitement as he called to the two elderly folks.

He then quickly handed the goods to Grandma Song.

Because he had stayed behind to close the courtyard gate, Song Luoyun entered a step later, also beaming with joy.

Seeing the happiness on everyone’s faces, the gloom in his heart cleared away.

“Grandpa, Grandma, Auntie Qiao was worried that we’d get noticed and reported if we brought back too much at once, so she told us to just take these. She said she’ll bring the rest over tonight.”

Luoyun explained with a smile.

Ever since the family’s troubles began, it had been a long time since their home had felt so cheerful.

“Your Auntie Qiao and Uncle Su are truly good people. The Qiao family has always been kindhearted and trustworthy.”

Old Master Song tightly held the money and note in his hands, unable to suppress his emotion.

They had truly met their benefactors today.

Granny Song nodded in agreement.

She was holding a few bottles of medicine that Qiao Jiuru had given her just before leaving.

There was cold medicine, pain relievers, fever reducers, and anti-inflammatories. With these, they no longer had to worry about falling ill with no medicine to take.

Best of all, the two sick children had completely recovered from their fevers and were now sleeping soundly.

“Grandpa, I’ll go register at the educated youth point later. I just don’t know if I can get assigned to the same village as Sister Su.”

“Luoyun, I’ll go with you later. Then we’ll get a certificate from the neighborhood office for Xiaoshu to go to the countryside. You must go together with your Sister Su.”

Luoyun’s concern was not unfounded, so Old Master Song decided to handle it personally.

No matter what, he had to get both things done.

“Xiaoshu, cook the rice into porridge. After you serve a bowl to each of your siblings, add some sweet potatoes and cook a bit more. Then we’ll each have a bowl of brown sugar water. You’re leaving tomorrow, so I’ll go pack your and your brother’s things.”

Granny Song handed the rice, flour, and sugar to her granddaughter to cook and quickly went to prepare for the children’s departure to the countryside.

…

Meanwhile, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan hurried back and finally made it home around 7:30.

In the basket on their bicycle were two large cabbages and about ten potatoes.

Qiao Jiuru sat on the backseat, holding over a dozen eggs.

“Teacher Qiao and Teacher Su, you’re back early. Off to line up for groceries again?”

“You two are so diligent. Not like my husband—he only knows how to eat and drink, never lifts a finger.”

“Exactly! Not many men help with buying groceries. Only Professor Su does that.”

“Don’t even mention it—Professor Su is never idle after work. If he’s not sweeping or starting the fire, he’s helping wash vegetables. He can’t do the complicated stuff, but he pitches in where he can.”

“Comparison really is the thief of joy.”

“Professor Su even helps take care of the kids. How many men actually do that?!”

“Stop, the more we talk about it, the angrier I get.”

…

They had returned late, and coming back empty-handed would arouse suspicion.

So Qiao Jiuru simply took out commonly sold goods from her space and carried them home openly.

Sure enough, the other residents in the compound all assumed they had been out early grabbing groceries.

At noon, when school let out, Su Huazhu didn’t return.

Qiao Jiuru figured the teachers must be administering graduation exams to her daughter.

After lunch, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan left the house with Dabao and Xiaobao, as well as the luggage prepared for them and Su Feng.

They told others they were going to visit their youngest son to deliver his things—he had just been assigned to a new job and needed to report soon.

In truth, they were also going to be upfront with Su Feng, to let him know the truth and prevent him from acting rashly later.

From the university housing to Su Feng’s medical school was just a 20-minute bike ride.

They went straight to the boys’ dormitory and asked one of the students to call Su Feng down.

“Mom? Dad? What are you doing here?!”

“Dabao! Xiaobao! You came too?!”

Su Feng was completely surprised to see his parents at this time—and even more delighted to see his two little nephews.

He happily scooped them up and gave each of them a kiss on their chubby cheeks.

Dabao and Xiaobao giggled with joy.

They’d been eating and sleeping well these days, their cheeks round and rosy with health.

“Xiaofeng, your job notice arrived. You’ve been assigned to a military hospital on a southern island. Uncle Lu bought you a hard sleeper train ticket for tonight. He’s also going south for a business trip, so you’ll have company on the journey.”