Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 945: 945 Hard Work

"Alright, Mom and Dad are indeed getting older.

I’ve got water ready for you, go take a bath and sleep early."

Zhao Qingxiang was truly exhausted. After a hot shower, he felt completely relaxed, and as soon as his head touched the pillow, he fell asleep in less than a minute.

The next morning, Sun Yun couldn’t bring herself to wake up her husband. He was too tired, so she let him sleep a bit longer.

This time, Zhao Qingxiang slept until past nine. He was really worn out.

When he got up, he felt sore all over. His head was buzzing, and he felt weak.

He called out, but there was no response from his wife. Feeling very hungry, he headed straight to the big pot, where he found some egg custard and pancakes.

He devoured the food voraciously, and only after he was full did he feel much better.

He no longer felt lightheaded as he walked. It was already half-past six, and he went out of the courtyard, seeing his wife peeling corn cobs outside.

"You’re awake, dear? I didn’t wake you up early."

Zhao Qingxiang sat down and began peeling corn with her. "Xiao Yun, it’s hard on you."

"You’re the one working hard. Are you going to Mom and Dad’s place?"

"Yes, but I’ll first go to the camp to ask Director Feng if we can hand over the peeled corn now."

"I hate to see us hand over our corn like this. In winter, even though you can earn some money by husking corn at the camp, it’s still not as much as the loss we have at home.

There’s no rush, you can just go help Mom and Dad."

Zhao Qingxiang sighed, realizing that his wife had accepted the idea of prioritizing sons over daughters, but everything else about her was good.

"Xiao Yun, I’m thinking of going with Xiao Bing to see the three kids, to see how they’re doing over there."

"Alright, you can go. I’ll manage things at home. I’m handling the cotton in the afternoon, so take some cotton over. I guess the kids’ cotton clothes need some mending."

Zhao Qingxiang nodded with a smile, "Sure. Then I’ll be off to Mom and Dad’s. They’ll be coming back in December."

Sun Yun had no objections. "Okay, am I cooking at Mom’s for lunch, or is it you?"

"Mom’s at home. You don’t need to rush there."

Zhao Qingxiang took the cart to his parents’ house. Even with their entire grain supply at hand, Zhao Tian had hired fifteen people this year, handling the corn husking and drying themselves as the old couple really couldn’t manage anymore.

"You don’t need to be here, eldest. Have you finished your work?"

"Xiao Yun is at home peeling corn. Dad, what are you planning to do with the husked corn?"

"Keep two people and still use maize cobs to pound, it’s faster this way. This year, we’ll leave enough for your mom and me, and sell the rest, otherwise we’ll have to move it all to yours."

"I see. I’ll be heading back then."

"Go ahead. We don’t need you here, just a bit more money to spend." Zhao Tian had come to terms with it.

At Zhao Xiaoling’s place, the four siblings would pick up some grain from the village after school. Although each trip didn’t yield much, they felt it helped save something for the family.

Radishes, radish greens, and imperfect cabbages; every day brought in some harvest, and they had collected over a hundred pounds of grain this way.

The two sisters already started pickling cabbage and vegetables. Even though they were not in perfect condition, they were well-cleaned, so it was still alright.

Zhao Yanli and Zhao Yanping would go home to praise how sensible and capable their nieces and nephews were.

"Xiao Li, your big brother’s two daughters are really great." The Zhou couple sighed.

"Yeah, both sisters always get first place in exams. Even Little Hong at home can write her name on the ground now.

Look at our family, don’t you think the kids from poorer families learn to take charge earlier? My two nieces are really considerate of their parents."

The Zhou couple didn’t appreciate the comparison, but watching their eldest grandson eat and then run outside to play, they thought the kid was a bit wild. They really couldn’t compare him with other’s children.

"Xiao Li, are the kids coming back this year?"

"It depends, but my brother-in-law and Xiao Bing haven’t had exams yet, so who knows? I’ll go ask what the kids think today."

"Alright, bring them some tofu. Tell the kids not to hesitate to eat it."

"Of course, last time Xiao Ling even asked me to take home the soybeans they gathered, but I was too embarrassed to take them."

Both she and her elder sister looked after them a lot, yet the kids were still so frugal. In the past, one of the nephews and a niece didn’t know how to save, but since being here, they’ve become much more sensible.

Their grades had improved significantly, although not as outstanding as the two girls, but they were still among the top in their class.

"But don’t take away the small things the kids have. Just getting to the village takes over an hour, and gathering the grain isn’t easy. Our family doesn’t lack this much."

While they were talking, Zhao Yanping came over, greeted the Zhou couple, "Xiao Li, let’s go."

The two sisters went to their nieces’ house and found the door locked. They took out a key and opened the door, seeing the little girl at home by herself making a fire.

Although she was already taller than the stove, it was remarkable such a young child already knew housework.

"Big Aunt, Second Aunt, you’re just in time. I’ve washed the clothes, but I can’t reach the clothesline to hang them."

Zhao Yanping hurried over, seeing quite a few clothes in the basin. "Little Hong, did you wash all these?"

"Yes, Big Sister said she’d wash them when she gets back, but she was too tired. So I tried it today, it wasn’t so hard."

With teary eyes, Zhao Yanping quickly checked the clothes. For those not well cleaned, she washed them again, wrung them out, and hung them on the clothesline.

Zhao Yanli had already taken the basin into the kitchen and picked out the tofu. "Little Hong, what are you planning to cook for dinner?"

"Second Aunt, I’ve already soaked the sorghum rice for porridge, and Big Sis and Second Sis steamed some steamed buns in the morning."

Zhao Yanli nodded, "Alright, Second Aunt will cook, you go play."

"Second Aunt, let me stoke the fire for you, I’m good at it now. Every time Big Sister and Second Sister praise me."

Seeing the adorable smiling little girl made Zhao Yanli feel uneasy. One pot was for porridge, and the other cooked vegetables with steamed buns on top.

"Little Hong, haven’t you been using oil?" The oil in the can hadn’t reduced much.

"We have, Second Sis puts a little in every day."

Zhao Yanli thought to herself, how can their children compare to others? She decided to render lard for the kids today; they’re really tired and need to eat well, especially during their growth period.

Today, Big Sis brought over two pounds of pork fat, which was just perfect.

They kept cooking until the meal was ready, but the kids hadn’t returned, and the two sisters grew anxious.

"Little Hong, when are your Big Sisters coming back?"

"I don’t know either, but it’ll be a while still."

Half an hour later, there was a knock on the door.

Zhao Yanli opened it and saw the four figures outside.