At this time, certificates of merit held substantial value, and there was no reason to turn down such honors. She readily complied, "I live in the residential compound of Weiye Steel Plant in the southern district. My name is Guo Youning, and my father is Guo Aiguo. Anyone can confirm this with a simple inquiry. However, I'll be leaving for the countryside in Heilongjiang Province tomorrow."
After providing this information and receiving Commander Yan's permission, Guo Youning took her leave.
Just as she opened the door, a person in a white lab coat rushed in, frowning deeply as they reported, "Commander, Regiment Leader Qi's surgery is over, but the situation isn't promising. Our equipment here is inadequate—he must be transferred to the military general hospital immediately."
These matters were none of her concern. Although she possessed the life-saving Immortal Dew, she couldn't use it recklessly. She quickly made her way downstairs.
Behind her, Commander Yan's stern command echoed: "Then what are you waiting for? Act swiftly! If his life can't be saved, you can forget about remaining as hospital director…"
With one major task accomplished, Guo Youning returned to the lobby feeling lighthearted and reunited with Tang Xin, who had collected the medicine.
On their way home from the hospital, they passed by the Meatpacking Plant. During the walk, Tang Xin handed Guo Youning the fifty yuan compensation from the Wan family.
Though she was already a "ten-thousand-yuan household," she couldn't openly refuse the money—her outward identity was merely a recent graduate with nothing to her name. Reluctantly, she accepted it. It was already past six o'clock; they had been delayed by too many matters. She could only hope the meat was still available.
Tang Xin waited outside with their belongings while Guo Youning entered alone.
Master Li was truly reliable—he had indeed reserved ten jin of meat for her. Grateful, she reciprocated his kindness by giving him a bottle of erguotou liquor, which delighted him immensely.
Master Li even gifted her a Snakeskin Bag to carry the meat.
When Tang Xin saw the ten jin of premium pork belly, her face lit up with joy. These past two days had truly been a windfall of meat—they hadn't bought this much even during New Year celebrations.
By the time they returned home, everyone was just heading out, each munching on a piece of fruit.
The family crowded around, expressing concern and checking on her. Seeing that she looked well and showed no signs of discomfort, they finally relaxed. After urging her to rest properly at home, the three working family members hurried off to their jobs.
Her younger siblings clung to her arms like guardian escorts, their eyes sparkling as they gazed at her.
Guo Youting, showing her little white teeth, asked, "Second Sister, where did you get this fruit? It's the most delicious thing I've ever eaten! If you come across it again, we must trade for more."
Guo Youran also looked at her with hopeful anticipation.
Seeing their eager expressions, Guo Youning teased, "Is it really better than meat?"
The two hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Yes, it's better than meat."
Guo Youning chuckled and opened the meat bag she was carrying, showing it to them. "Alright then, you two can feast on fruit for dinner while the rest of us enjoy this meat! Braised pork, stewed meat, stir-fried slices… Mmm, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Let's see if someone doesn't end up drooling later!"
The siblings were dumbfounded—had Second Sister just tricked them? At the same time, they were awestruck by the bag of meat.
Guo Youran swallowed hard and asked, "Is all of this for our family?"
Guo Youning nodded. "Yes, all of it. But part of it will be used to make meat sauce. If you two don't leave now, you'll be late for school and might end up tasting Bamboo Paddle Stir-Fried Meat instead."
Guo Youting tugged at her arm, whining, "Second Sister, the fruit is just as good as meat! I love both, like fish and bear paws."
Tang Xin, standing to the side, couldn't bear to watch any longer. "You two little gluttons, hurry up and get to school!"
Guo Youning laughed softly. "Go on, there'll be plenty of delicious food for you tonight."
Then, discreetly avoiding Tang Xin's notice, she pulled out a handful of White Rabbit Milk Candies and gave five to each of them.
She whispered, "Have this when you're hungry."
The two little gluttons, seeing the milk candies in their hands, grinned until their eyes turned into slits. Thinking they'd have meat to eat when they returned in the evening, they felt life was simply wonderful.
Nodding eagerly like pounding garlic, they thanked her and skipped off to school.
Guo Youning looked up at the rising sun in the east, feeling a warm sun rise in her heart as well—how wonderful it was to have a family!
Stepping through the door, Tang Xin asked if she wanted to go to the supply and marketing cooperative with her. The family had managed to obtain some ration coupons and planned to buy her some Malt Extract, canned goods, pastries…
Guo Youning had ample supplies in her space and didn't need them to worry like this, but these were all expressions of her family's love, so she could only accept them obediently.
Still, she advised, "Mom, we've already prepared plenty. Let's buy less—it'll be hard to carry everything on such a long journey. I won't go to the supply and marketing cooperative. I want to go to Xinhua Bookstore to buy some books on planting and animal husbandry. They might come in handy after I go to the countryside, and perhaps I can even use them to land an easier job."
Tang Xin nodded approvingly, pleased to see her daughter had a plan. "I'll handle the supplies. If we can't carry them, we'll mail them. Buying books is a good idea—an educated youth should bring knowledge to the countryside."
After tidying up, mother and daughter went out together.
They headed in different directions. Guo Youning followed the route from her memory, spent five cents to take bus number three, and arrived at her destination half an hour later.
The five-story Xinhua Bookstore was very conspicuous. This was also a place the original owner loved to visit, though she had never paid attention to books on planting and animal husbandry.
As soon as she entered, she asked for the location of those books. They were in a corner on the third floor, sparse and few in number. The books on animal husbandry were nowhere near as comprehensive as those she had found in the feed room.
But to maintain appearances, she picked out a few of each.
Thinking she might as well look at other books since she was already there, her gaze lingered on the shelves until she stumbled and nearly fell.
Looking down, she saw two dusty boxes on the floor. Tripping over them must be fate.
She opened them and found they were full of the 1963 edition of the "Self-Study Series of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry." These were treasures—in her previous life, she had heard of this legendary series while studying.
When the college entrance exam resumed in 1977, these would be impossible to buy.
This was a rare opportunity. The set consisted of 17 volumes, and she took five sets—one for each of the five siblings in her family, just in case.
She considered taking them all but decided against it. She should leave some for others, in case there were people like her.
When she carried the books to checkout, the cashier was stunned and reminded her, "The college entrance exam has long been canceled. Miss, did you pick the wrong books?"
Guo Youning smiled sheepishly. "Someone in my family likes them. Please ring them up."
The cashier had done her duty by reminding her and said no more. Since these were old books from several years ago, they were sold at a 50% discount. The nearly 20-yuan sets were sold for half price.
All the books totaled 78.23 yuan.
Under the stares of everyone who looked at her as if she were a fool, Guo Youning calmly walked out of Xinhua Bookstore.
She ducked into a secluded spot and stored the "Self-Study Series of Mathematics, Physics, and Chemistry" into her space.
By the time she returned home, Tang Xin had already come back with her purchases and was chopping meat to make meat sauce.
Seeing that Tang Xin had taken out all the meat, Guo Youning hurriedly stopped her. "Mom, you're not planning to make all ten pounds of meat into meat sauce, are you?"
"We can't finish all this, and it would be a waste if it spoils. Four jin at most is enough for our cooking. Let's save the rest for meals. You all work hard, and the younger ones are at the age when they're growing—everyone needs proper nourishment."