Zhuang Zhimeng returned home and went to the kitchen to see what was left. There wasn't much rice or flour left; her mother had probably been busy packing for her trip to the countryside and hadn't had time to buy any food for the family.

I've drawn the prize now, and I'll go to the supply and marketing cooperative later to see what they have.

I used both of my chances to win the prize today, and I also checked in.

I was so lucky today! I won meat in the draw—10 jin (5 catties) of pork. I even won 500 yuan! I'm incredibly lucky! I gloated to myself for a while.

After tidying up, I grabbed my small shoulder bag, put in my money and coupons, and headed out to the supply and marketing cooperative. It wasn't far; it only took about ten minutes to walk there.

I'm so lucky today! There are still vegetables available. Usually, you have to get up early to queue up and grab them, so I'm quickly buying some.

I saw they were selling fish and tofu, so I bought some of those too. I also bought half a pound of White Rabbit milk candy and a pound of steamed egg custard.

The White Rabbit milk candy and sponge cakes from that era tasted really authentic. After buying some more seasonings, we were ready to head back.

Thankfully, I didn't encounter any sales clerks looking down on me, and the checkout process went smoothly. Even if I did, I wouldn't be afraid; at worst, I'd just have a fight.

I got home, washed my hands, and started making dinner. Since we had meat today, I stir-fried some vegetables with meat, braised fish pieces, made fish head and tofu soup, and steamed some mixed rice (we didn't have much rice at home).

I'll try my luck in the lottery tomorrow and see if I can win rice. I'll add some to the lottery and say I bought it from the grain store.

The family returned quickly and praised Zhuang Zhimeng's cooking. They ate it all up in no time.

Zhuang Zhimeng even bragged to her family about her good luck in buying fish and meat. She couldn't tell her family about the lottery draw, so she could only attribute it to luck.

Zhuang Zhimeng felt a great sense of accomplishment seeing her family enjoy the food she cooked.

The next day, Zhuang Zhimeng woke up to find her mother at home. "Mom, why didn't you go to work today?" Zhuang Zhimeng asked in surprise.

"I took the day off today. Hurry up and wash up. After we eat, I'll take you somewhere," Hao Caiyun said while busy with her work.

After finishing their meal, Zhuang Zhimeng followed her mother out of the apartment building, turning left and right until they reached an alley. They stopped in front of a house, and Hao Caiyun took out her key to open it.

This is a large, three-courtyard siheyuan (traditional courtyard house). Because it has been uninhabited for a long time, it appears somewhat dilapidated.

"Mom, whose house is this? How do you have a key?" Zhuang Zhimeng asked curiously.

As Hao Caiyun walked inside, she said, "This is your maternal grandfather's ancestral home. Back then, they all went abroad. I couldn't bear to leave your father, so I didn't go with them. Your maternal grandfather donated most of his assets to save this house. Your maternal grandfather was a famous tea merchant before, so he still had some wealth. Although he donated most of it, they also took a large portion with them and left some for me."

Arriving at an ordinary-looking stone, he took out a special key.

Hao Caiyun explained, "There are only two keys, one in your maternal grandfather's hands and one in mine. Only members of the Hao family can open this key."

The key was inserted into the bottom of the stone, creating a hole about the width of a person. Hao Caiyun led Zhuang Zhimeng inside, and the hole closed automatically.

The interior was quite large, lit by torches, and contained dozens of boxes.

"These things will be distributed among you siblings. These are all part of my dowry left to me by your maternal grandfather. They are all gold, antiques, diamonds, and jewelry."

Your dad doesn't know. He knows your grandfather left me something, but he doesn't know the specifics, and I haven't told him. Our family can't be too blatant, so we don't come here often.

I brought you here today so you could carry two gold bars, in case you run out of food in the countryside, you can exchange them for money at the bank. I'll sew them into your inner garment to secure them. Carrying too many might attract unwanted attention; it's best not to flaunt your wealth.

"Mom!" Zhuang Zhimeng choked back tears and rushed into her mother's arms.

"Alright, alright! I'm telling you this so that we have confidence and don't be afraid! I mainly want to pass these things on to you. As for your brothers, we'll see how they behave. If they forget their mother after they get married, then we won't give them to them," Hao Caiyun said earnestly.

"Pfft! Mom! How can you talk about your own son like that?" Zhuang Zhimeng laughed out loud.

"Of course we have them! If they're not filial, we won't give them anything. We'll see how they behave!" Hao Caiyun said nonchalantly.

After taking the gold bars, the mother and daughter walked out hand in hand.

Passing by the supply and marketing cooperative, I went in to buy some supplies. I used all the cloth and cotton coupons I had, and also used industrial coupons to buy a thermos, an enamel mug, two enamel basins, and two aluminum lunch boxes.

I also bought face cream, shampoo, and soap.

"When you leave, I'll give you extra money so you can buy whatever you need!" Hao Caiyun wanted to consider everything for her daughter.