Chapter 29.1

Returning the unwanted gift lifted a weight off Luo Lan’s shoulders. She pedaled fast on the way back, making Junfang cling tightly to her waist. As they got off the bike, Junfang sighed deeply, looking at her sister-in-law with wide eyes.

“Sister-in-law, are you really happy?”

“Yes, very happy.”

At noon, Zhou Qingshan didn’t come home, and Luo Lan didn’t tell her mother-in-law to avoid unnecessary worry. That evening, as soon as Zhou Qingshan got home, Luo Lan pulled him into their room to recount the day’s events.

“Was it really him?”

“Yes. Xu Hongbing, he changed his name from something else. He said he’s twenty-four, and though he looks decent, his eyes are unsettling.”

“Junfang must never marry him.”

“You think so too. Marrying him would be like sending a little white rabbit into a wolf’s den. When he likes her, he’ll pamper her; when he doesn’t, he might starve her.”

Zhou Qingshan shared her concern. At nearly nineteen, Junfang was of marriageable age by local standards. But this man was far from a good match, his whip-wielding malice unfit for their family.

“Do you think he’ll try other tactics?” Luo Lan guessed. He didn’t seem like someone easily dissuaded. “What if he persists? It’s said a persistent suitor can win a woman’s heart. I’m afraid Junfang won’t be able to resist.”

“His tactics might be different.”

“What could they be?”

“Let’s visit your family this weekend. Isn’t the autumn harvest nearly over?”

Suddenly changing the topic, Luo Lan guessed his intent. He wanted to move Junfang away from the city, out of Xu Hongbing’s reach.

“Alright.” She agreed but reminded him, “Shouldn’t we discuss this with Junfang and Mom first?”

“I’ll handle it. Just inform them once it’s arranged.”

Knowing Mother Zhou typically deferred to her son, Luo Lan didn’t argue. Since Junfang would have to go to the countryside after graduation anyway, a few months sooner wouldn’t make much difference.

Unaware of Xu Hongbing’s interest in her sweet daughter, Mother Zhou was preoccupied with her elder daughter’s affairs. She had visited the street committee several times without finding anyone in charge. Venting to Luo Lan in the evening, she said, “It’s chaos over there. I can’t find anyone in charge. Someone suggested I go to the Revolutionary Committee. Maybe I’ll try tomorrow.”

Even as she said it, she felt uncertain. The place and the people there made her uneasy. So, before Luo Lan could respond, she had already second-guessed herself.

“Forget it, I’ll go ask at the neighborhood office again tomorrow.”

“Mom, don’t worry. If Qingshan can apply for housing from his work unit, we’ll move out. If not, we’ll just squeeze in for now.”

This was the only solution. As the children grew up, the parents couldn’t force their wishes on them. Zhou Mama didn’t want her daughter to think she favored her son over her, so for now, they’d just have to manage. Of course, this was just a temporary measure.

“Actually, we can manage to squeeze in at home.”

“Exactly, so there’s no need to worry. Just focus on preparing her wedding items. By the way, I have some fabric, and I’ll make new clothes for Junhui for her wedding. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Really? You still have fabric?” Mother Zhou was surprised but didn’t ask too many questions.

“Yes, I do. Do you want me to bring it to you, and you can make it?”

“Sure. You’re busy with work, so I can handle it.”

A pair of blue pants and a shirt—very standard. At the time, military green was the most popular. The fabric was very scarce, and the city’s supply and marketing cooperatives had been out of stock for a long time. So Luo Lan didn’t prepare for that.

“Mom, can you find a way to get 1.2 yards of military green fabric?” As they were talking, Zhou Junhui came in, and this was the first thing she said.

“You want to wear that?”

“No, I want to make a set for him. He’s tall, and it would look good on him.”

Luo Lan was a bit unhappy with her sister-in-law’s request but, as her sister-in-law, she said nothing. She had already prepared a wedding outfit as a gift; the rest was up to them to discuss among themselves.

Putting aside her urge to help, Luo Lan respected others’ decisions. The marriage was Junhui’s choice, so everything else was her decision. As for the wedding details, Luo Lan didn’t mind; if her mother-in-law could manage to get the fabric, Luo Lan wouldn’t object.

While Mother Zhou was worried about her elder daughter’s wedding, Luo Lan and Zhou Qingshan rode their bikes to their brigade over the weekend. Riding behind him, she didn’t need to exert herself or worry about the road, so she had the leisure to observe the crops in the fields.

The once upright corn, sorghum, and millet were now cut down, leaving only the stalks. Some fields were completely empty. Sweet potatoes, potatoes, and carrots had been harvested, with various squashes piled up in the courtyards. Pumpkins, spaghetti squash, and butternut squash—all ready for winter storage in the cellar.

“Auntie, haven’t you stored these in the cellar yet?” Luo Lan greeted the brigade leader’s wife, whom she knew well.

“Oh, Luo Lan, it’s been a while. Come in and sit,” the woman said, lifting the curtain for her. “We just brought them in. We’ll store them in the cellar this afternoon. This year’s sweet potato harvest was good. Take some home when you leave; they’re really sweet.”

“Really? Our brigade’s sweet potatoes are famous for being delicious. I’ve been craving them.”

“Take as many as you want. They’re not rare.”

Holding a cardboard box, Luo Lan exchanged pleasantries with the brigade leader’s wife before getting to the main topic.

“My sister-in-law hasn’t had a hard life, so we’re looking for an easy job for her. I heard our brigade’s school needed a substitute teacher. She’s a high school graduate and can teach primary school. Do you think that’s possible?”

As she spoke, she took out the items from the box and placed them on the kang: malted milk extract and brown sugar—things she had prepared. Zhou Qingshan noticed the box when they left but hadn’t asked about it. Now, seeing her take out the items, his eyes darkened slightly, but he remained silent.

The brigade leader’s wife, in her fifties, was a very kind person. Smiling, she said, “Your sister-in-law, a cultured person from the city, would be welcome here. But for a substitute teacher, I heard from your uncle that the job only offers 22 jin of grain per month and nothing else. What do you think?”

Twenty-two jin of grain was barely enough for an adult for a month. No wonder they hadn’t found anyone suitable in two years.

In a few years, when more educated youths arrive, it might be easier to find someone. Many of them receive support from their families. Substitute teachers don’t have to work in the fields; they just help cultivate the school’s vegetable plots. But for now, finding a cultured person with such harsh conditions was difficult.

“Couldn’t they provide a bit more grain? That’s hardly enough for a woman.”

“They said the commune had a meeting and set these conditions.”

“Alright then. Please call my uncle so we can confirm the details. Where will she stay?”

“Wait a moment.”

The woman went out in a hurry. Zhou Qingshan gave his wife a grateful look. Seeing his attitude made Luo Lan happy. All her planning and exchanging items with the system had paid off. These items didn’t require many points from the system but were highly valuable in this period.

Soon, the brigade leader was brought in by his wife, already briefed on the situation. After some pleasantries, he nodded, “She can come anytime this month. She’ll stay at the school and cook for herself. We’ll provide a month’s grain in advance. At the end of the year, like other members, she’ll receive a 1.2-yard fabric ration. There’s also a monthly subsidy of two yuan.”

“Alright. Uncle, let’s settle it then.”

“Settled.”

No one mentioned the items on the kang. As they left, the brigade leader’s wife handed Luo Lan a bag. “It’s just some sweet potatoes and potatoes for winter.”

“Thank you, Auntie. I was craving these.”

“If you like them, come back for more. We have plenty.”

As they left the brigade leader’s house, Zhou Qingshan asked if she wanted to visit her family. “Eldest Sister-in-law should be home. Let’s drop by.”

Seeing the sweet potatoes, she understood. “Let’s give these to Big Brother. If we want more, we can always get some.”

“Alright, let’s go. I left a bag of brown sugar earlier; we’ll take it to Big Brother and Sister-in-law.”

“Hmm? I didn’t see that.”

“I hid it in my clothes.”

Since her sister-in-law would be coming here frequently in the future, she’d need people to look after her. The couple took the sweet potatoes they had exchanged to her big brother’s house. As they entered, her sister-in-law was alone at home. Her big brother’s family had five children, and the youngest daughter was often sick, which had strained their family’s finances over the years.

“Oh, you two are here! Come in and sit.”

Her sister-in-law welcomed them inside. The others were out working, leaving just her and her daughter at home. The little girl, seven years old, was skinny. She timidly greeted Luo Lan, who took out some candy for her.

“Sister-in-law, there’s sweet potatoes in the bag. You can make dried sweet potatoes for the little one to chew on as a snack. Also, here’s some brown sugar; it’s good for her blood.”

“You should keep it for yourselves. Why think of her?”

Though she said this, her sister-in-law was very happy inside. Brown sugar was a rare and good thing. Women needed it for blood replenishment, and her little girl had a pale complexion. She was deeply attached to this child, who she wasn’t sure would survive. If she couldn’t, she wanted her to live as comfortably as possible.

“Thank you, Auntie,” the little girl said. Luo Lan had given her four pieces of candy, and they were high-quality White Rabbit milk candies.

“Is there something you came for?” her sister-in-law asked.

Luo Lan explained the situation briefly, and her sister-in-law immediately responded, “That’s great! Being a substitute teacher in the brigade is a good job. Don’t worry, if she needs anything, just come over, and your big brother and I will help.”

“Thank you, Sister-in-law,” Zhou Qingshan thanked her, as it was his sister who was coming.

“There’s no need to thank me; it’s what family is for.”

Luo Lan: System, can asthma be cured?

System: It requires points.

Luo Lan: If it can be cured effectively, I can exchange points.

System: I have a very effective spray that works immediately.

Luo Lan: Really? How many points?

System: This medication is very effective for asthma, and the points required aren’t much. However, it can’t cure asthma permanently.

Luo Lan: Immediate relief is good enough. The child takes a lot of medicine, but during acute attacks, it can be life-threatening if she can’t breathe. Her parents have always been afraid she might suddenly suffocate one day.

System: Do you want to exchange for it?

Luo Lan: Yes, exchange it.

Without hesitation, Luo Lan exchanged for the medication. While Zhou Qingshan was chatting with the little girl, she discreetly received it. She was pondering how to give it to her sister-in-law when Zhou Qingshan went out to the bathroom, leaving just the women in the room.