The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law seemed not to hear at all and did not care.
No matter how capable she was, she had also come to this remote countryside just like them.
Gu Yunsheng did not know that the two families across the way were discussing her.
She checked the time and then looked at the Huo family still busy inside, and went to the kitchen to cook.
Of course, having just arrived, she could not prepare anything complicated, so she made simple noodles.
Before coming to the countryside, Gu Yunsheng had bought dried noodles, which were just right to use now.
She boiled them in clear water and mixed them with her beef and mushroom sauce. It was extremely delicious.
By the time Gu Yunsheng finished, the Huo family had already tidied up the room.
The youth had just returned from work, some coming back in small groups.
It was the height of the autumn harvest. The youth were busy cutting wheat in the fields and were not accustomed to this kind of labor.
After a whole day of work, their backs were stiff. Coming back, they had to wash up and cook their own meals.
Though curious about the new families, the youth, exhausted from a full day, had no energy to look.
Among the three families, only Wang Huijuan wanted to integrate. When the youth started making fire for cooking, she also took some items to the kitchen.
The Huo family ate their meal simply, and shortly after, the brigade leader arrived with Du Shaojie carrying food supplies.
“This is the subsidy from the brigade: sixty jin of cornmeal, sixty jin of sorghum flour, ten jin of white flour, and also sixty jin of sweet potatoes.”
“It is currently the autumn harvest. After the harvest, there will be more grain distributed. Starting tomorrow, you will work alongside everyone and receive your rations according to headcount and quota.”
Gu Yunsheng looked at the ten jin of white flour and could not help but feel that the Qianjin Brigade’s conditions were still good.
In her free time, she read novels and knew how scarce white flour was. Cornmeal was rare as well. A bit of potatoes, sweet potatoes, or beans would have sufficed.
Even with these supplies, following the harvest work, there would not be much quota.
Moreover, as outsiders, even if they received full quota, it would not be as much as what the villagers got.
For the five of them, no matter how tightly they budgeted, surviving until the summer harvest would be difficult.
Fortunately, she was here, otherwise, how could this family have managed?
Huo Chengxuan thought much the same as Gu Yunsheng, though his worry was that his picky wife would struggle to adapt to such a harsh life.
Huo Zhenguo and Huo’s mother also worried silently. Their daughter-in-law was just pregnant; how could this be good?
Still, they accepted the supplies and politely said,
“Comrade, thank you for your trouble.”
“You are welcome,” the brigade leader replied.
He did not stay long, as he had to deliver food to the other two families.
As soon as the brigade leader left, Huo Zhenguo took a package from his luggage. Inside were two bottles of wine and a pack of cigarettes. He even took off his watch.
“Chengxuan, take these to the brigade leader and explain that Yunsheng will not work.”
Huo Zhenguo had originally intended to include the white flour as well, but considering his wife’s picky tastes, he decided to remove his watch instead.
Huo’s mother took out the dried meat from the package and said,
“Chengxuan, take these too. The four of us will go to work. Yunsheng will not go.”
Wan’er pitifully said,
“Father, Mother, I also do not want to work.”
She had never done physical labor, let alone work in the fields.
“Wan’er, how can you be so thoughtless? Don’t you know your sister-in-law’s current situation?”
Huo’s mother’s face darkened as she scolded.
Gu Yunsheng could see that Wan’er was feeling a bit resentful.
It was understandable, as the little girl had been pampered her whole life.
“Mother, do not be angry. Let Wan’er stay at home then.”
“No, Wan’er is not like before. If there is one person at home not going to work, it is already a difficulty for the brigade leader.”
Huo Zhenguo said firmly.
Hearing this, Gu Yunsheng did not argue. Though she felt for the little girl, she could not let her work in the fields.
Night fell. The youth returned to their rooms to rest, and Huo Chengxuan took the items to the brigade leader’s house.
The brigade leader frowned upon hearing Huo Chengxuan’s explanation.
“There are five of you. If your wife does not work, there will be no quota. Not only will you not get grain, but you also will not receive headcount rations.”
City people were still sensitive. Being pregnant, what could prevent her from working? Even if it was not obvious now, working in the fields before delivery was normal.
Huo Chengxuan explained,
“We know. Her health is poor. The doctor said there is a risk of miscarriage, so our family is very worried.”
Seeing their determination, the brigade leader did not insist further and nodded.
“Alright, it is possible. But you know, you still have labor quotas to meet.”
Huo Chengxuan nodded.
“Don’t worry, brigade leader. We understand.”
The Huo family’s stance made it clear that, though they had connections, they did not want to create difficulties. One person not working was acceptable as long as the labor quota was met.
Furthermore, the items the Huo family brought were things ordinary villagers could not obtain.
After a few polite words, Huo Chengxuan left the brigade leader’s house.
Back at the room, Gu Yunsheng was making the bed.
The large room had been partitioned into two rooms. Without a kang yet, Wan’er slept on a wooden bed.
It was the middle of the autumn harvest, so making a kang was not possible, but it was not yet very cold.
Seeing her son return, Huo’s mother asked quickly,
“How did it go with the brigade leader?”
Huo Chengxuan nodded.
“That is good, that is good.”
Huo’s mother breathed a sigh of relief, thinking of the exhausting journey.
“Shengsheng, do not mind what Wan’er said. This journey must have tired you. Rest well.”
“Alright, Mother.”
After Huo’s mother left, Huo Chengxuan fetched water for Gu Yunsheng to wash up simply.
He knew Gu Yunsheng valued cleanliness. After several days on the train, she must have been uncomfortable. Bathing was impossible today, but a simple wash was feasible.
After washing, they rested on the kang.
Although it was early, Gu Yunsheng thought the change of environment might keep her awake, yet she fell asleep quickly.
In a drowsy state, she seemed to hear Huo Chengxuan say thank you. The voice was very soft, and she was unsure.
Huo Chengxuan, hearing her steady breathing, turned to her and pulled the blanket over her.
Gu Yunsheng slept soundly, so much so that the commotion outside in the yard did not wake her.
When Huo Chengxuan got up, looking at her sleeping peacefully beside him, his lips involuntarily curved slightly.