Next to the departnt store just one stop away from school is a huge communal cafeteria, crowded every day. Especially on weekends, it’s unimaginably packed.
Zhou Jiao had heard Fang Dayong ntion it many tis. This legendary high-priced place offers dishes like stir-fried shredded pork, twice-cooked pork, and bulk spirits.
The school’s professors often go to the city on weekends for a good al. It’s common to see old professors dining at places like Old Mo or Qishilin, savoring Western food at a leisurely pace, accompanied by their elegant, dignified wives and three or four children.
Different classes live different lives. So people cry out of hunger, others weep from waiting, and so even cry for not finding good food. There’s just so much unfairness in the world.
The girl with swollen eyes from crying is a mber of class with 52 students.
Zhou Jiao recalled seeing the girl eat many tis, her face full of reverence, biting little by little into her rice, closing her eyes to swallow, and the satisfied smile often moved her.
This is a girl who understands gratitude. Even though she only ever had a patched-up coarse cloth jacket, the smile on her face covered all the gloom.
Now she was crying, a heart-wrenching cry, not just because she lost four ounces of al tickets, but because her siblings wrote. Her mother, lacking nutrition, had collapsed, and half of her sky was gone.
Zhou Jiao believed that a girl who had managed to make it from a remote mountain gully to this prestigious university wouldn’t give up easily on the campus life she dreamt of.
After so many days and nights, crossing mountain ridges, mustering up the courage, step by step from the Southern Country to the North, who would want to give up on their persistent dream when things were going well?
Zhou Jiao closed her eyes tightly, feeling drained and powerless inside. The state had already taken on the students’ full burden, involving their families; no one from school to class dares to stand up because such situations are too many to provide support.
The students with extra responsibilities have parents and children to feed, and without inco, who dares to reach out? What is lacking in nutrition? It’s a long-term burden, not a temporary one; who has extra rations to share?
Back in the dormitory, Zhou Jiao lay on the bed in a daze. She had no right to bla the world, nor the qualifications to condemn people’s hearts. Undoubtedly, she was selfish, capable yet afraid to extend a hand.
Zhang Guoqing lay down beside her, holding her softly and patting her back. He didn’t want to console his wife. Human nature is inherently selfish, and he absolutely wouldn’t allow his wife to show vulnerability inviting outsiders’ suspicion.
The presence of the Gu Family always lood. With her father Zhou Xiaozheng standing firm, they managed to stay safe. But once his wife showed a flaw, it wouldn’t be as easy to let two families topple; waves of trouble would co crashing.
For soone entirely unrelated, Zhang Guoqing wasn’t noble enough to take such a risk. Moreover, human or ghost, only ti will tell.
"The atmosphere here isn’t right. As soon as we finish school this afternoon, we should go ho. I miss our son and I’m not sure how he’s doing at the daycare. We haven’t been back for a couple of days and I don’t know if there’s enough food at ho."
Zhou Jiao’s thoughts shifted to her father and son at Zhang Guoqing’s words. Everything has pros and cons; having a nanny at ho freed her mother and herself, but it’s also inconvenient to always retrieve supplies.
"Why are there only small hills around here? I can’t even pick wild fruits or stroll up the mountains. Sigh... I miss the Northeast. Apart from having my dad around, nothing compares to our hotown."
Zhang Guoqing smiled, "Forgot how the ancient emperors went hunting at Mulan Hunting Ground? Too bad it’s too far; otherwise, we could go sight-seeing."
Zhou Jiao sighed. The Northeast is indeed better; she could drive back and forth in a day. In Beijing, nothing feels satisfying.
"Alright, let’s get up and clean a bit. We still need to attend school later," Zhou Jiao said, getting up to take a tea canister out of the cupboard, finding it nearly empty.
She glanced sideways at Zhang Guoqing, playfully scolded, "The tea leaves have been swept away by Yi Jiefang and the others again."
Zhang Guoqing chuckled. Ever since new ration tickets appeared in the second half of the year, even tea leaves had beco precious. It would be odd if they didn’t snatch it up. But it’s only because their relationships are good that they do so freely.
"No loss; I’ve extorted quite a few private assets from them too. Our son will have enough chocolate by the end of the year."
Zhou Jiao laughed heartily, seeing these people catch fish from the river or steal vegetables every day. This life certainly was interesting.
"The weather’s getting colder; we should set up a small stove too."
Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile. They couldn’t just go downstairs to steal als every day. But with those guys’ big appetites, he couldn’t afford to feed them either.
Thinking of this, Zhang Guoqing’s eyes lit up, "Wait here, I’ll be right back."
Before Zhou Jiao could respond, seeing him rush out, she stood by the door listening briefly, indeed he went to find Wan Dayong and the others—not knowing what it was about.
anwhile, Zhang Guoqing ran and called out loudly for Wan Dayong and Yi Jiefang.
"Heard you, why are you howling? What good thing did you find your brother?" Wan Dayong ca out with a bowl, followed by three or four boys.
Zhang Guoqing shot him a glance, "Brother? Brother, I have good news for you. Want to eat so at?"
Yi Jiefang happened to stumble out from the nearby dormitory, imdiately straightening up upon hearing the words, "Xiao Wu, where’s the at? Tell us quickly. Damn, finally sothing to do."
"The great grasslands. As much at as you want, how about it?"
"You’ll be the main force! The few of us will carry the stuff."
Zhang Guoqing nodded with a smile, leaning close to Yi Jiefang and whispered, "Arrange the vehicle. Bring along anyone’s family mber in the auto class."
Yi Jiefang nodded knowingly, looked at Wan Dayong and others, "How about we go next door to the university and notify a few others? The more people, the rrier, and bringing more tools ans a bigger harvest."
Wan Dayong, bored to death, imdiately ordered, "You, you, and you three go notify those guys at the next university, let them co over tonight."
Zhang Guoqing quickly grabbed the three of them, quietly instructing them, "Keep it quiet, don’t let everyone know. Pass the ssage to a few girls in our courtyard too."
One of them smirked, "Do I need to be told? As soon as I go over, those guys will know with just a look."
Zhang Guoqing kicked him lightly, laughing, "Quickly go and co back."
Yi Jiefang nudged Zhang Guoqing and Wan Dayong, "With this much fuss, if the other courtyards find out, won’t there be too many people?"
The three exchanged looks and then burst out laughing. The more courtyards that join, the better; they can’t punish everyone. Then, they could also request an extra truck from the auto class.
Returning to the large classroom in the afternoon, Zhou Jiao subconsciously searched for Wang’s presence, noticing he already wore a smile. It seed he had found the money stealthily tucked inside his desk.
In life, whether the future is thorns or flowers is hard to predict. Never give up on yourself easily; there’s always a way through. Especially soone like him with education; returning to work could also be an option.
Zhou Jiao sincerely hoped her small amount of money could help him a bit. As long as one’s conscience is clear and it’s not unsafe for oneself, help a little if you can.
As for whether he chooses to continue his studies or return ho, that’s not her matter to decide. Everyone has their own path to walk.
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