The two daughters‑in‑law handed her three letters, each with an address.
Meng Yue had two: one for her parents in the Northwest, and another for her sister, also a sent‑down youth, in the South.
Su Xiao, being an only child, had just one letter for her parents in the Northwest.
Two days later, Li Shulan rode her bicycle to the town again.
This time, the supply store had no pork, so she only bought some snacks, then went to the grain station to get rice and wheat flour, and finally went to mail the letters and make some phone calls.
First, she called her eldest son to inform him about the letters and remind him again about the flush toilet.
“Oldest, you’re way too slow. It’s been over a week and your flush toilet still hasn’t appeared! What good are you?”
On the other end, Qin Zihuai only remembered the toilet issue when he got another call from his mother.
“Mom, sorry, I forgot because I was working overtime. I’ll find someone immediately. The construction crew should be able to come in a couple of days.”
“I’m talking about why there’s been no news for so many days. And this time, remember—your wife and younger brother’s wife sent letters. I just mailed them. They should arrive in three to five days. Keep an eye out, and don’t forget this time!”
After finishing the call, Li Shulan called her younger son’s unit.
Before she could speak, Qin Zixuan bombarded her with questions:
“Mom? Why are you calling? Did something happen to my wife? Is she there? Mom, let her take the phone!”
“Shut up!” Li Shulan frowned. “Your wife is fine!”
“Really? Fine? Mom, why are you calling then? It’s lucky you called in time. I was going on a mission this afternoon…”
“Shut up! Listen carefully! I plan to get your wife a teaching position in the team. I need to talk to the brigade captain and secretary. I want to see if we can get two military enlistment slots.”
“Ahem.” Qin Zixuan cleared his throat, speaking earnestly. “Mom, I can’t decide that. At the end of the year, the state recruits soldiers uniformly. Just let them sign up. Once they pass the medical exam, they can join the army. Mom, just make sure they register and take the exam.”
He repeated the point. Li Shulan was no fool; she understood this meant he agreed.
Having finished the calls and reminded her younger son to stay safe, she hung up and pedaled home.
Not having found fresh pork, she was a bit disappointed.
Her current stock was plentiful: meat coupons, 500 yuan in her space, plenty of vouchers, two extra packs of sanitary pads, six extra bars of soap, and eight more pounds of cotton, now totaling fourteen pounds. Just two more pounds and she could make two 8‑pound thick quilts!
For lunch, Li Shulan had to cook preserved pork again—garlic stalks with preserved pork, a chili‑fried egg, and an eggplant.
Su Xiao ran into the yard, laughing. “Mom, lunch is preserved pork again. Are we living too well? During the wheat harvest, I’ve even gained a little weight.” She reached for the bowl of pork.
“Wash your hands first! Your hands are full of wheat chaff!” Li Shulan blocked her with a spatula, glaring at her in a way that was fierce yet somehow adorable.
“Okay, mom!” Su Xiao laughed.
Meng Yue washed her hands and came in to get the bowls and chopsticks.
During the meal, Li Shulan said, “I brought you some snacks again. Take them from my room after lunch.”
Su Xiao smiled. “Thanks, mom, you’re the best! By the way, did you come across the sanitary pads today? The ones you bought last time were so good, like using nothing at all. Are they suitable for me too?”
Meng Yue shook her head. “Not yet, maybe in a few days. My cycle isn’t regular.”
Even though Li Shulan had two more packs in her space, she shook her head.
“Don’t think that stuff is easy to get. No pads today, but I did get two more bars of soap. I put them with the snacks. Each of you will get one.”
In these times, with supplies scarce, it was best to keep some things hidden.
“Really! Mom, you’re amazing! I’ve been using that soap for a few days, and my skin feels so much better. Mom, I really love you!”
Meng Yue smiled. “Thank you, mom.”
After lunch, Li Shulan took the brown sugar she had bought in the morning to the secretary and brigade captain, regarding the arithmetic teacher position.
At the year-end, joining the army was as prestigious as becoming a top scholar in ancient times—a family honor.
Li Shulan promised each family a military slot. She didn’t even have to give out the brown sugar; the deal was done.
Both families had daughters who wanted the teaching position. Instead of arguing, it was better to offer the position and trade for a child to join the army. A win-win for the three families.
Why not assign a male child as teacher? The boys were already the team leader or the record keeper, earning at least ten work points a day, sometimes twelve—more profitable than teaching.
With that settled, the younger daughter‑in‑law’s teaching position just awaited the handover from the current arithmetic teacher. In about a week, after the autumn harvest, Su Xiao could start teaching.
At dinner, Li Shulan mentioned it to her daughters‑in‑law.
“Don’t worry about the eldest. I’ll handle your assignment to the sewing group as soon as possible.”
Her obedient daughter‑in‑law was not alone. If she stayed longer in the fields, Li Shulan would worry more.
Meng Yue wasn’t anxious. “Mom, it’s fine. After the harvest, the work won’t be so hard. I’m okay.”
Li Shulan didn’t make unnecessary promises. Better to get things done quickly.
Soon, construction began: three people came with cement, a toilet, and the tank. Li Shulan planned the flush toilet in the corner of the right wall of the yard. Just as she marked the spot, four people appeared with four carts of red bricks.
Seven people built the toilet in a single day.
Lunch was generous: cured fish, cured pork, chive‑fried eggs, and vegetables.
The flush toilet finished, both daughters‑in‑law were thrilled. Since arriving in the countryside, they had been uneasy about the old dry toilets—smelly and unsafe. Two planks over a pit was nerve‑wracking.
The wheat harvest was nearly over. That afternoon, Li Shulan was sewing in the west room when Zhou Wanxiang suddenly ran in, panicked.
“Shulan! Something terrible happened! Your eldest daughter‑in‑law was caught in the little woods with Yang the educated youth!”