Guo Youning obediently took her seat, thinking that since fate had brought them together as a family, she might as well try to get along with them.
She spoke softly, "I'm sorry for being so immature before and causing you all to worry."
Just then, Tang Xin came in carrying a bowl of steamed egg custard she had specially prepared for her. Setting it down in front of Guo Youning, she said with a smile, "Our Ningning has changed after her illness—her words are sweeter, and she’s become more sensible. This bowl of egg custard is a special reward for you."
Once everyone was seated, a simple yet harmonious dinner began.
This was Guo Youning’s first meal since crossing over. Though it was just humble fare, everyone ate as if it were a lavish feast.
Guo Youning scooped a spoonful of the egg custard for each of her younger siblings. Hoarding food wasn’t in her nature, and since they were still growing, every extra bite counted.
She was about to offer some to her newly acquired parents as well, but Tang Xin gently stopped her with a chiding tone.
Her face full of tenderness, Tang Xin said, "There’s so little here—if you share any more, there’ll be nothing left. You should eat it all yourself. Tomorrow, I’ll go early to queue and see if I can get some meat to nourish you properly. Your little face has grown so thin."
Guo Youning thought of the abundant supplies in her space and wanted to share some with everyone so she could also enjoy a good meal. But she had no excuse to bring them out—until an opportunity presented itself.
She spoke quietly, "You’ll be busy with work tomorrow, and I happen to be free. I’m feeling much better now, so why not leave the meat-buying to me?"
Tang Xin thought it over and realized Guo Youning was indeed the only one with free time. Letting her go out for a walk and clear her mind might be a good idea, so she gladly agreed.
Everyone was hungry, especially since there was a dish like stir-fried pork skin with chili. Dinner was over in just ten minutes, and the last bit of oil on the plate was wiped clean by Guo Youran with a steamed bun.
Although the family loved pork skin, they kept trying to put some in Guo Youning’s bowl during the meal. Fortunately, she was quick-witted and firmly covered her bowl with her hand.
Having already eaten in her space, she wasn’t hungry at all. Besides, she didn’t care for pork skin—being forced to eat it felt like a burden, albeit a sweet one!
Guo Youning only had a bowl of mixed-grain porridge and a few bites of the egg custard, which made everyone worry again. Eating so little surely meant she hadn’t fully recovered from her illness.
After dinner, her eldest sister and younger sister took care of washing the dishes, while Tang Xin took her to the main bedroom.
Closing the door behind them, Tang Xin rummaged through the cabinet and pulled out two sets of new clothes and a handful of money and ration coupons, which she handed to Guo Youning.
With deep concern, she said, "Ningning, your dad and I can’t bear to send you to Heilongjiang, but the country’s policy is what it is. We can’t fight against it, so please don’t blame us. We chose Heilongjiang because it’s cold there, and you only need to farm for one season a year. You’ll have several months of rest, and as long as you bring enough warm clothes and bedding, it should be relatively easier. Farm work is tough and exhausting. When you’re there, be smart about it. If you need to spend some money or give gifts to get lighter tasks, do it. We don’t expect you to earn many work points. From now on, I’ll send you ten yuan every month—that should be enough for your expenses. I’ve been preparing your luggage lately. These two summer outfits are new—I stayed up late to make them. There are hidden pockets sewn into the pants. Here’s a hundred yuan and thirty jin of national grain coupons. Hide them in the secret pockets and keep them safe—don’t let others see your wealth. I’ll give you some pocket money for the journey before you leave."
Guo Youning listened obediently to Tang Xin’s careful instructions. Having a mother felt… not too bad.
She felt a pang of regret for the original owner, who had missed out on such a wonderful family.
In the original owner’s memories, she had loved her family deeply. Her self-destructive behavior had stemmed mainly from her fear of being sent to the countryside.
Now that I've taken over her body, I should fulfill filial duties on her behalf and treat her family as my own.
Guo Youning, deeply moved, nodded repeatedly and smoothly called out "Mom." "Thank you, Mom. I'll be fine, don't worry!"
Tang Xin patted her daughter's head with a loving expression. "Heilongjiang's winters are particularly cold. I've exchanged for cotton ration coupons and will send you a thick quilt and heavy cotton coat once I've prepared them. For now, take some lighter ones with you."
Guo Youning felt warmth in her heart. A mother worries when her child travels far. In her previous life, no one had cared for her for over twenty years, nor had anyone prepared her belongings. Yet here, on her very first day, she experienced profound affection.
After Tang Xin finished her instructions, Guo Youning inquired about incense and candles, but the answer was negative. It seemed she'd have to visit the black market. A promise made must be kept, no matter how difficult.
Before she left, Tang Xin handed her one jin of meat ration coupons, five jin of sugar coupons, ten chi of cloth coupons, two industrial coupons, and twenty yuan.
She said gently, "Tomorrow, buy meat at the farmers' market first, then go to the supply and marketing cooperative to get a thermos flask, some brown sugar, and cloth. These will all be useful when you go to the countryside."
"Your father, brothers, sisters, and I are still trying to exchange coupons with others to buy more things for you to take along. Prepare these for now."
Guo Youning had ample supplies in her space and truly didn't need them to worry like this. Unfortunately, she couldn't explain it openly and could only passively accept their kindness, obediently following their arrangements.
After these instructions, Tang Xin told her to return to her room and rest, hoping she could fully recover in the next two days.
Back in the room, the three sisters took turns washing up before going to bed.
Guo Youning thought that with the change of environment, several people crammed in one room, and the hard bed, she'd surely be unable to sleep. Surprisingly, she slept soundly until dawn.
After a full night's rest, she felt refreshed, clear-headed, and sharp-eyed. She even ate two of the rather unpalatable coarse grain pancakes, putting her family's minds completely at ease.
After breakfast, those who had to work went to work, those who had to study went to school, and everyone left. She also went out to queue for meat.
Following the route from her memory, she strolled along the spacious streets—no skyscrapers, no rows of shops. The crowd of people cycling to work was the most striking scenery here.
Though it lacked the prosperity of her previous life's Beijing, she could see many children playing at the alley entrances, and noisy sounds occasionally came from the compound courtyards, creating a different kind of human vitality.
Soon, she arrived at the Southern City Farmers' Market. It wasn't even seven o'clock yet, but the market was already bustling.
Fish, meat, tofu, vegetables… there was quite a variety, but everything required ration coupons.
Guo Youning first checked the prices before joining the queue at the meat stall. Seeing the long line of several dozen people, her heart sank, and she sighed inwardly—she was too late, and the chances of getting meat were slim.
But it didn't matter. She remembered there was still plenty of meat in the large refrigerator in her space's kitchen. Still, she had to queue—consider it experiencing life, and besides, she should use her space as little as possible.
She had just joined the line when she suddenly heard someone calling, "Guo Youning! Guo Youning!"
Turning to look, she saw a young man in blue work clothes, about her age, tall with long legs, refined and handsome.
She searched her memory, and after a moment of confusion, realized it was Deng Xiaojun, the original host's high school classmate and also her admirer.
The original owner had some feelings for him, but now that the core had changed and she was about to go to the countryside, it was better to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Guo Youning merely gave him a slight nod, not wanting to engage further.