Da Bao and Xiao Bao sat obediently on small stools, sucking on milk candies.
Behind them were two large bamboo sieves propped up with wooden sticks to block the wind.

Right now, they felt very warm and cozy.

Qiao Jiuru, Su Huaiyuan, Su Ze, and Zhou Wanwan were all working hard in the fields.

After several days of labor, they had gradually gotten used to it.

By now, their work skills were on par with some of the female commune members.

Next to them were Cai Qingwen and Zhou Meihua, whose assigned task was to tend one and a half mu of land.

Since Zhou Meihua hadn’t fully recovered, Bai Lianshan and the others didn’t assign her too much work.

With the two families working together, their moods had noticeably improved.

Especially Cai Qingwen and Zhou Meihua—after being here for so long, they finally saw a glimmer of hope and had gained a little confidence in the days to come.

They worked hard all morning, and just before it was time to stop for lunch, Bai Lianshan approached them with a slip of paper in his hand.

“Sister Qiao, your parcel receipt has arrived. Do you want to pick it up yourself, or should I get it for you?”

Earlier, Qiao Jiuru had mentioned the parcel to him.

After another two-day wait, the receipt finally arrived today.

So, Bai Lianshan brought it over and asked what she wanted to do.

“Captain, better if you pick it up for us when you go to the commune.”

Of course, Qiao Jiuru would have liked to go to the commune herself—that way she could buy some things and put them in her space. But with her status, it wasn’t appropriate for her to go.

“Alright. I’ll be heading to the commune soon to collect seeds. I’ll bring it back for you then.”

Bai Lianshan nodded, not surprised at all by her response.

Given their identities, it was indeed better not to show up at the commune.

But over time, the occasional quiet visit wouldn’t be a big deal.

Qiao Jiuru let out a sigh of relief—the parcel she’d sent from the capital had finally arrived.

The contents were quite valuable and would give her a proper excuse to start taking things out from her hidden space.

“Uncle Jiu said you wanted to buy wooden chests, bamboo baskets, back carriers, small produce baskets, tables, chairs, and stools from the production team. After work this afternoon, I’ll have Qiangzi and the others bring them over.”

Just a while ago, Uncle Jiu had pulled Bai Lianshan aside and told him that Qiao Jiuru wanted to buy those items from the production team and asked him to help arrange it.

These were small things—not for free, of course. But it was considered extra income for the team, so no one would object.

“Thank you, Captain,” Qiao Jiuru said repeatedly.

Having these things at home would make life so much more convenient.

Bai Lianshan waved it off—it really wasn’t a big deal and didn’t need so much thanks.

“Captain, can we also buy a water bucket and a small table?”

At that moment, Zhou Meihua, who had been listening nearby, quickly stepped forward and cautiously asked.

“Sure! What size small table do you need? The kind for kang beds?”

Of course, Bai Lianshan agreed.

Though Baigou Village had always kept a bit of distance from people like Cai Qingwen, they had never made things hard for them. In fact, they had secretly helped now and then.

Each year, the rations given to Cai Qingwen’s group weren’t enough to eat, but the production team would quietly subsidize them.

As long as they mixed wild greens into their meals, they could still fill their bellies.

As for meat and eggs, the team only had eggs; meat was scarce. You could only really eat your fill after slaughtering a pig at the end of the year.

Cai Qingwen and the others could also use money to exchange eggs with commune members, and the team would just turn a blind eye—it was one of those unspoken agreements.

“Yes, yes!” Zhou Meihua nodded happily. A kang-style table could also be used on the floor—it was just as useful.

“Then we’ll have it sent over to you at the same time.”

After Bai Lianshan said this, he clasped his hands behind his back and left. In less than twenty days, it would be planting season again—there was still a lot of work to do.

Qiao Jiuru took Xiao Bao by the hand, and Zhou Meihua pulled Da Bao along. The two adults and two kids hurried home to make lunch.

“Old Qiao, if you have the money, try exchanging some eggs for Da Bao and Xiao Bao to help build their strength. Sister Tao, Sister Fan, and Granny Ling from the production team are all good people—you can trade with them.”

Zhou Meihua had been here longer and knew the locals well.

She had her regular exchange partners, so she took the chance to recommend them to Qiao Jiuru while the area was quiet.

“Alright, I’ll trade with them in a few days. Da Bao and Xiao Bao still have some eggs left. When we first arrived, they both got sick, so Uncle Jiu and the Captain gave us eggs to help them recover.”

Qiao Jiuru sincerely thanked her for the suggestion and explained that the kids already had eggs.

Zhou Meihua had known about their illness when they arrived and had felt sorry for the boys ever since.

“Old Qiao, whether it’s eggs or chickens, just trade a small amount. Don’t draw attention or make others jealous.”

Zhou Meihua couldn’t help but warn her. She could tell Qiao Jiuru’s family wasn’t as poor as the rest of them and didn’t want her to get into trouble.

Qiao Jiuru nodded with a smile, taking her words to heart.

She figured twice a year at most for chicken, and ten eggs a month should be safe and unnoticed.

That morning, Qiao Jiuru had already kneaded the sweet potato dough and flour. Now, all she had to do was steam the sweet potato buns.

She also quickly pulled out a big bowl of chicken soup and egg noodles from her space. While watching the fire, she fed the two little ones.

The kids had a great appetite—they finished the noodles in five minutes, down to the last drop of chicken soup.

Not long after they were done eating, Su Huaiyuan, Su Ze, and Zhou Wanwan returned as well.

Lunch consisted of sweet potato buns, egg drop soup, corn porridge with pickled vegetables, and two boiled eggs per person.

That evening, Qiao Jiuru and the kids left work early. Just as they arrived home, a young man showed up pushing a wheelbarrow full of supplies.

Such a large pile of items had only cost Qiao Jiuru five yuan and twenty cents, and they had even thrown in a few extra baskets and bamboo containers.