Chapter 504: Chapter 388: Food Shortage

Is this winter cold?

Very cold, cold to the bone, cold to the heart…

Outside, heavy snow is falling, inside, apart from some warmth on the kang, it’s very cold…

The lumpy cotton quilt covers the body, the hungry stomach, even colder…

At this moment, Zhang Guoqing stands inside the thatched cottage, watching the scene before him, a chill runs from the soles of his feet to the top of his head.

Sometimes, love is very grand…

His mother-in-law Lin Lishan abandoned her own flesh and blood for love, wandering outside for seventeen years…

Mr. Zhang, for his late wife, has guarded a soon-to-collapse home alone for decades…

But reality is in front of him, does Mr. Zhang feel he’s lived enough, or does he simply not want to leave this once love-filled small house?

Zhang Guoqing shook his head at the family uncle behind him, stepped forward, and observed the old man calmly.

“Xiao Wu, you and your uncle go back. I’m not staying at his house, nor at your house…”

“Grandpa Zhang, are you missing Grandma Zhang? She’s definitely waiting for you to chat with her on New Year’s Eve.”

The family uncle adopted by Mr. Zhang, “Xiao Wu…”

“Shh,” Zhang Guoqing gestured to him, then continued, “My grandfather must be missing you to have a drink with him. Did he ever come in a dream saying he wants to eat something? I think, he loves braised pork, especially stewed until tender, melting in the mouth. He most liked pouring the fragrant meat juice over white rice, often saying that no matter what one eats, there’s nothing tastier than fragrant rice.”

You don’t tell Grandma Zhang about the future, don’t tell my grandfather about my future, they’ll definitely be angry. With no news coming through, you tell me why wouldn’t they be angry.”

“Your grandfather’s favorite isn’t braised pork. He most likes cooked peanuts, roast chicken… Oh, you little brat, you’re doing it on purpose.”

Zhang Guoqing heard Mr. Zhang finally speak, and burst out laughing.

“Seventh Uncle, I’ll carry Fifth Master, you shut the door. Grandpa Zhang, don’t worry, this house feels like it won’t collapse.”

Mr. Zhang immediately got up when he heard this, “What are you doing, kid? I’m really not going. If you’re worried, help me chop some firewood.”

“Dad, come home with me, alright? Your grandchildren all want you to come over.”

“No!”

Zhang Guoqing was silent for a while, shook his head, “Stubborn old man. You wait, I’ll be back soon.”

After moving the firewood from his village yard, he thought about it again, worried, and secretly stuffed a bag of cornmeal inside the old quilt to send over.

With outsiders around, Zhang Guoqing didn’t say much, gestured with his hand. Seeing Mr. Zhang understood, he felt at ease. No matter how good an adoption is, it’s not one’s own child.

After settling the old man, he rushed back to the county town. Called back to the village suddenly at noon, he thought something had happened. Now his wife must be worried sick.

In the county town, afraid of drawing attention by burning wood at two places, nowadays Zhou Jiao has given up using the kitchen. Anyway, meat aroma and seafood can’t be cooked for now. She directly started a fire in the living room. With no outsiders, the three in the family had a small stove.

She now not only worries about Zhang Guoqing but also her dad Zhou Xiaozheng. Going to the South for a conference for no good reason, making her anxious.

“Mom, eat dumplings.”

Zhou Jiao was amused by her son’s voice. What a good child! He even knows to leave two for himself.

“Son, when others ask what you eat, what do you say?”

“Wild vegetable steamed buns, that’s it.”

Zhou Jiao teased her son, smelling the dumpling aroma in the air, pondering how to eliminate the smell quickly.

She still remembers the meat aroma from Aunt Wang’s house next door a couple of days ago, attracting many children to gather outside the yard. That pot of bone soup made the children’s eyes shine.

Ping’an heard the sound of the door unlocking, happily jumped up, “Mom, it’s Dad! Dad’s back.”

Zhou Jiao quickly stood up and stopped him, “Don’t jump on the kang, it’s dangerous!”

After a while, Zhang Guoqing came in, a small meaty bundle rushed towards him, he reached out to hold him up high, “Son, what did you eat today?”

“Dumplings.”

Zhou Jiao served a plate of dumplings on the table, smilingly watching the father and son play around.

“Jiao Jiao, I left too hurriedly at noon, forgot to tell you that godfather called. He said dad will return to Beijing in a couple of days, now he’s in Hai City, don’t worry.”

The stone in Zhou Jiao’s heart finally settled down, she asked about the situation in the village.

Zhang Guoqing glanced at the child in his arms, he started to briefly narrate in simple language. His son can now understand, knowing the outside situation earlier is better.

In the afternoon at work time, Zhang Guoqing just left the house when he met Old Chen from next door.

Old Chen looked around, waved at him.

Seeing this, Zhang Guoqing’s heart raced. Every time Old Chen shows this expression, it’s no good news. He quickly quickened his pace towards him.

“Uncle, are you heading to work now?”

“Yes. Do you have money at home? Remember to take Jiao Jiao to buy some snacks and stash them at home to supplement the child’s nutrition. For us adults, it doesn’t matter, but don’t save on the kids.”

Zhang Guoqing said with a cheerful smile, “Uncle, thanks.” After saying this, they chatted briefly in understanding, dispersed to go to work.

Looks like the grain bureau is going to have some troubles again. Last time was a reduction, what’s next this time?

At this moment, Zhang Guoqing felt even more fortunate to have a good neighbor. But he also treated the neighbor well, reciprocation is the way to last.

Entering the office without even sitting down, several colleagues all stared at Zhang Guoqing.

He sniffed the air around him—no smell of dumplings.

He looked around in confusion, “What’s up? Why is everyone staring at me?”

A colleague approached and laughed, “Xiao Wu, you have a wide network and clever mind. Help all of us think where can we get some food. Anything edible will do.”

Upon hearing this, Zhang Guoqing frowned, “Where to find it? Our cafeteria is considered okay enough. I just came back from the village, and the porridge there is just clear soup.”

A colleague rubbed his stomach, “What’s good about that. I ate something brief at noon and it’s gone already. Eating pastries every day is not the solution. The salary doesn’t cover the expenses.”

Zhang Guoqing silently thought: Can’t take it anymore, and it’s not even to the worst yet.

“You’re single; it’s easier for you. We’re two parents with five kids; that’s the real suffering. Sigh… I haven’t eaten anything dry for five whole days.”

Looking at the crowd before him feverishly discussing, Zhang Guoqing realized it always boils down to food scarcity.

“Sigh…”

“Why are you sighing? Your wife is famous for her small appetite, the saved food is enough for you to eat. Not to mention your father-in-law compensates, and your uncles in the provincial city won’t just watch.”

Zhang Guoqing chuckled bitterly and shook his head, “Everyone’s pretty much the same now. My father-in-law eats in the cafeteria, how much extra grain can they have? Every uncle’s family has several kids. I’ve worried for several days about where to get rice for porridge for the kids. Finally, they’ve grown healthy and plump; they’re thinning again during this period.”

“What does your son eat nowadays? My youngest son cried yesterday wanting to eat an egg. Sigh… It’s fine for adults; the kids are suffering.”

Thinking about it, Zhang Guoqing said, “We crush the pastries to porridge or chop cabbage finely for corn porridge. Eggs haven’t been available since last month.”

After speaking, he glanced at everyone’s expressions. Thinking about his own son’s meatiness, he really couldn’t exaggerate how much nutritional deficit they were facing at home.

“My wife feeds the child the same way. Apart from the pastries, she processes the cornmeal brought home each time, sieving out the finest layer to keep for the child.”

“Last time I broke the ice and caught a few fish, just saw my wife scraping the fish meat out, forming into balls. These southern fish balls are suitable for infants.”

Listening to everyone being happy discussing ways to raise children, looking ahead, Zhang Guoqing didn’t know how many more days like this they could enjoy such laughter.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep