“That kid insisted on bringing things over. I said no, no—but she just took off running.”
“If she gives it to you, take it. That kid doesn’t like owing favors—if you don’t take it, she’ll feel even worse.”
Lin Deshan set down his enamel mug. “Third Brother’s black market connections are really something—he can even get cotton.”
“I wonder if we could trade for some through him. Daxiong and Erxiong really need proper padded jackets for winter. Their current ones are as thin as paper—their noses run all season long.”
“After we finish this job, I’ll ask him. Or we could take apart our own padded jackets and add the cotton to theirs—we still have one spare each, right? Enough to wear.”
Wu Xiang had gotten a padded jacket when she married, and another when she had Daxiong—two to rotate between.
It was a last resort. This year, they’d normally have gotten some cotton to either make new jackets or pad the old ones for another winter.
But the famine had ruined that—there was no cotton to be had; it had all dried up in the fields.
They’d have to rob Peter to pay Paul and get through this winter first.
“That works. We probably won’t be working the fields this winter anyway—one padded jacket each should be enough.”
If only Lin Xiaohe had known what they were discussing—she would’ve said: Cotton? We’ve got it! As much as you want!
“Xiaohe!”
Lin Xiaohe had just reached her doorstep when someone called out—she recognized Er Ya Jie’s voice.
“Er Ya Jie, is everything settled at home?”
“Yeah, all sorted. My mom and sister went to dig for roots. I thought I’d bring something over to see if you wanted it—and if you do, could we trade it for some grain?”
With that, Er Ya pulled a bracelet and a ring from her inner pocket.
The bracelet was pure white, not looking cheap at all.
The gold ring was a bit worn and misshapen.
“Where did you get these?”
“Those two old bastards gave them to us when we left.” Er Ya refused to call them grandpa and grandma anymore.
“Alright, wait here—I’ll go get you some grain.”
Lin Xiaohe took both items.
She brought out some nearly-expired rice she’d bought from Uncle Yuan’s shop.
About 10 jin or so, plus a piece of meat—maybe half a jin.
“That’s all I have for now. When you run out, come back for more.”
Er Ya’s eyes went wide. She stared in disbelief. “That much??”
“Yep. Take the back path home—don’t let anyone see you. Be careful!”
“Hehe, don’t worry—I’m the best at sneaky stuff like this.”
Lin Xiaohe: “…”
Who says that about themselves?
“Go on, get back.”
“Okay, I’ll head off then.”
After she left, Lin Xiaohe remembered that Xiaogu was still waiting for her to help carry firewood.
She hurried toward the east grove—but halfway there, she saw three people walking toward her.
Xiaogu was empty-handed.
Auntie and Da Ya Jie each carried a bundle of firewood.
“You two are so small—how much firewood could you possibly carry? Next time you’re running low, come get me. I’ll bring you a big load that’ll last for days.”
Huang Hong saw her and gave her some advice.
“Thank you, Auntie!”
“Don’t mention it—it’s nothing. Xiaogu picked all this firewood herself.”
They walked a bit further before parting ways—the educated youth compound and the ancestral hall were in different directions.
“Sis, I feel like Auntie’s changed so much! Her voice is so much louder now.”
Lin Xiaohe nodded. “Of course. Just like our mom—once you leave that place that eats people alive, everything gets better.”
Xiaogu agreed. That was true—their mom used to be just like Auntie, too scared to speak up.
Now, she could yell right in those old monsters’ faces.
At lunch, Lin Xiaohe was generous—she cracked five eggs into a big pot of dough drop soup. There were almost more eggs than dough drops.
Xiaogu’s eyes curved into happy crescents, barely able to open them. “Sis, life is so good now. I want every day to be like this forever!”
“That won’t do—this is nothing. Our lives will only get better from here.”
Lin Xiaohe was full of confidence—the future would always be brighter.
“Exactly—Xiaohe’s right. Every day things get a little better.”
Liu Yuexiu chimed in.
“Hehe—even better, then!”
“Mom, Dad—how are you feeling? Any pain anywhere?”
After the meal, Lin Xiaohe fed her parents and Xiaoman.
Xiaoman could actually feed herself, but her hands weren’t steady yet.
She’d make a mess everywhere.
Better to keep feeding her for now. Next spring, when the weather warmed up and clothes were easier to wash, she could eat on her own.
By then, she’d be older and steadier.
“No, no—we’re doing great.”
“Exactly—lying around with good food every day, I feel like I’m getting fat.”
“Good. Now that life’s better, if anything hurts, just tell me—I’ll go buy some medicine over there.
The newspapers posted at the brigade office say health is the foundation of revolution. You two must take good care of yourselves.”
Hehe, she barely knew how to read—she’d only learned that when Sister Wu Zhiqing showed her at the brigade office last time.
“Alright, alright—we’ll listen to Xiaohe. Don’t worry—your dad and I aren’t the stubborn type. We’ll make sure to get well.”
Lin Xiaohe pursed her lips—no way, they were both stubborn as mules.
Seeing their daughter’s expression, the couple exchanged helpless glances. Why didn’t she believe them when they told the truth?
“Aren’t you two going over to trade with those people this afternoon? You’d better go—don’t keep them waiting.”
“I’ve got it timed—it’s still early. I can go in a bit.”
After the last bite, Lin Xiaohe gathered the bowls and washed them in no time.
There was a little oil residue in the bowls from eating well lately—not easy to wash.
She’d look for something to wash dishes with tomorrow.
She should also get something for washing hair and bathing.
She’d heard city folks used shampoo—she’d buy some tomorrow.
Soap nuts were awful—left hair like dry straw.
She packed a full basket of goods from the cellar and slung it on her back. “Mom, Dad—we’re heading over.”
The cellar was pretty full now. The village folks had given them a whole sack of stuff last time, and they still hadn’t sorted it all out—mostly because there was nowhere else to hide it, so it all stayed in the cellar.
Luckily, it was all dried goods and wouldn’t spoil.
“Go ahead, go ahead.”
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