"So, Dad, after we hide the box well, we'll pack up the bedding and stuff and go to Grandma's house to escape."

The father and daughter smiled at each other.

Although Tang Shengkai felt a pang of bitterness in his heart, he had to take this step. Otherwise, when would this kind of life ever end?

He hadn't forgotten what his second brother had said when he came to steal his family's grain: "Third brother, you're about to die. You might as well hurry up and save the food from being wasted. We don't have enough to eat at home anyway."

"Second brother, I am your own brother."

"Heh, third brother, what kind of times are these? What good is it to take care of your own brother? Having enough to eat is the most important thing. Since you're family, you should have some pity on your nephews. If there's no more food, they'll starve to death."

"Second brother, aren't all your children stronger and healthier than mine?"

"Hey, third son, my son is strong and healthy because he ate our own grain. If your son is sickly and can't survive, who will you blame? Tell me, have you ever been filial to your mother all these years?"

"Isn't it mostly my older brother and I who are taking care of them?"

"Second brother, how could you say such a thing? Mother asked me to give her five yuan a year. Second brother, how much money can our family earn in a year? Apart from buying some medicine for Yueyue, the rest all goes to Mother."

Tang Shengli kicked Tang Shengkai, "Go to hell! If you dare to talk nonsense again, I'll smash your head in. You have to give us the grain whether you want to or not. If you don't let go, I'll smash it in your face."

Thinking back to that day, Tang Shengkai couldn't calm down, but he was used to being heartbroken and could accept it now. These days would soon be over.

Lin Cuicui patted the dirt off her hands as she entered the house, asking, "What are you two talking about?"

"Cui Cui, pack up all the bedding and other household items. We'll take them to the old house later."

"What? Are you out of your mind?"

As she spoke, she patted Tang Shengkai's forehead. "What kind of sweet dreams are you having in broad daylight? Given our current situation, do you even think we can get in the door?"

As Lin Cuicui spoke, she seemed to understand, and her eyes lit up immediately. "Great idea!"

"Wait here, I'll get right back to it. Da Bei, Er Nan, Dong Zi, come help me out."

The children had just overheard their parents' conversation at the door. Tang Bei and Tang Dong seemed to understand a little, but they weren't that cunning. Tang Nan, on the other hand, did whatever his mother told him to do, no matter what she said.

There wasn't much in the house to begin with. There was no need to remove the pot, and there weren't even two basins. They put the bowls, chopsticks, and two earthenware bowls for serving food into the basin. There was a single-wheeled cart in the house, so Lin Cuicui put the things on the cart, turned around and looked at Tang Shengkai, her eyes full of smiles, "Husband, let's go."

Tang Shengkai was stunned by the smile on Lin Cuicui's face. He recalled how long it had been since he had seen his wife smile so brightly.

He coughed lightly. "Well, when we go over there later, we should be a little pitiful."

"clear."

Lin Cuicui answered readily, then looked at the children and asked, "Do you all understand?"

"I understand, Mom."

The four spoke in unison.

The old house was located in the middle of the village, and the group arrived in no time.