There was a huge joint cafeteria next to the department store one stop away from the school. It was packed with people every day, especially on weekends, when it was incredibly crowded.

Zhou Jiao had heard Fang Dayong and the others mention this legendary high-priced shop many times. They had everything from stir-fried shredded pork to twice-cooked pork and bulk Erguotou.

On weekends, the old professors from the school would often go to the city to enjoy a meal. Often, an old professor, accompanied by his elegant wife and three or four children, would sit in Lao Mo or Cheeselin, slowly and methodically enjoying Western food.

Different social classes lead different lives. Some cry out of hunger, some cry out of waiting, and some cry out of wanting to eat. This world is filled with so much injustice.

This girl with swollen eyes from crying is one of 52 students in the class.

Zhou Jiao remembered that the girl ate many times with a pious look on her face, eating rice in small mouthfuls and swallowing with her eyes closed. The satisfied smile at that moment often moved her.

This is a girl who knows how to be grateful. Even if she only has a patched coarse cloth coat, the smile on her face covers up all the dark clouds.

Now she wept, weeping heartbreakingly, not just because she had lost her four ounces of meal tickets, but because her younger brothers and sisters had written to her. Her mother had collapsed from lack of nutrition, and her life was half-missing.

Zhou Jiao believed that this girl, who had relied on herself to get into a prestigious university from a remote mountain village, would not give up the campus life she had dreamed of unless she was in dire straits.

How many days and nights have passed, crossing hills and mountains, step by step, under the stars and moon, from the distant south to the north. When life is going well, who would be willing to give up their persistent dream?

Zhou Jiao squeezed her eyes shut, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed. The state already bore the entire burden of the students, and when it came to their families, no one, from the school to the classroom, dared to step forward. There were so many similar cases, so many that it was impossible for anyone to provide financial assistance.

Transfer students have parents, wives, and children to support, and they have no income, so who would dare to ask for help? What is malnutrition? It is a long-term burden, not a temporary one. Who has more food rations?

Back in the dorm, Zhou Jiao lay in bed, lost in thought. She had no right to blame the world, much less condemn people. Undoubtedly, she was selfish, capable but afraid to reach out.

Zhang Guoqing lay down, holding her in his arms and patting her back gently. He didn't want to try to persuade his wife. Human nature was selfish, and he absolutely wouldn't allow his wife to reveal any flaws that would arouse suspicion from outsiders.

The Gu family's problems had always existed. Thanks to his father-in-law, Zhou Xiaozheng, they were safe and sound. But if his wife revealed her true colors, it wouldn't be as easy as last time for both families to fall; there would be waves of devastating consequences.

Zhang Guoqing wasn't that great to risk his life for an unrelated outsider. Furthermore, it would take time to verify whether he was a human or a ghost.

"The atmosphere here is not good. We go home as soon as school is over in the afternoon. I miss my son and wonder how the food is at the nursery. I haven't been home for the past two days and I don't know if there is enough food at home."

Zhou Jiao's thoughts shifted to her father and son after hearing what he said. Everything has its pros and cons. Having a nanny at home freed her and her daughter, but it was also very inconvenient to take out supplies every time.

"Why are there so many small dirt hills around here? I can't even pick wild fruits or go for a stroll in the mountains. Sigh... I want to go back to the Northeast. Apart from having my dad here, nothing here compares to our hometown."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and said, "You've forgotten the ancient emperors went hunting in Mulan Paddock? It's a pity it's too far away and inconvenient, otherwise we could go and see it."

Zhou Jiao sighed. So, it was still better to be in the Northeast. Now I could drive there and back in a day. It was so unpleasant in the old city.

"Okay, let's get up and pack up, we have to go to school soon." After Zhou Jiao finished speaking, she got up and took out the tea can from the cabinet, and found that there was only a little bit of it.

She glanced at Zhang Guoqing and said coquettishly, "Yi Jiefang and his men have taken away the tea leaves again."

Zhang Guoqing smiled. Since the emergence of so many new bills in the second half of the year, tea has become a treasure. It would be strange if they didn't scramble for it. But everyone was so relaxed because they had strong connections.

"It's not a loss. I also extorted a lot of private property from them. My son has enough chocolates until the end of the year."

Zhou Jiao laughed heartily. Every day, she saw these people either fishing in the river or stealing vegetables. Their lives were truly interesting.

"The weather is getting a little colder, so we'll install a small stove."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded. They couldn't just run downstairs and eat for free every day. However, they really had to use a small pot. Those animals had such big appetites that he couldn't afford to feed them.

Thinking of this, Zhang Guoqing's eyes lit up, "Wait for me, I'll be back soon."

Before Zhou Jiao could respond, she saw him rush out. She stood at the door and listened for a while. It turned out that he was going to look for Wan Dayong and the others - no one knew what he was doing.

On this side, Zhang Guoqing ran while shouting the names of Wan Dayong, Yi Jiefang and others.

"I heard you. What are you yelling about? What good news do you want to talk to your brother about?" When Wan Dayong came out with a lunch box, three or four boys followed him.

Zhang Guoqing glanced at him, "Brother? Brother, I have good news for you. Do you want to eat meat?"

Yi Jiefang just happened to stagger out of the dormitory nearby. He stood up immediately after hearing this and said, "Xiaowu, where's the meat? Tell me quickly. Damn, I finally have some work to do."

"The prairie. As much meat as you want. How's that?"

"You're the main force! We brothers carry the things."

Zhang Guoqing smiled and nodded, then leaned over to Yi Jiefang's ear and whispered, "You guys arrange the car. Whoever's parents are in the car class, please bring them along."

Yi Jiefang nodded in understanding and looked at Wan Dayong and the others. "Why don't we go to the university next door to inform the others. More people will make it more lively, and if we bring more equipment, we'll get more."

Wan Dayong was so bored that he was posting mushrooms. He immediately assigned tasks, "You, you, the three of you go to the neighboring universities and inform those guys to come over tonight."

Zhang Guoqing quickly grabbed the three men and whispered to them, "Keep your voices down so no one knows what's going on. And also tell the girls in our courtyard a message."

One of them said smugly, "Do you need my orders? As soon as I go over there, those animals will know with just one look."

Zhang Guoqing kicked him and said with a smile, "Go quickly and come back soon."

Yi Jiefang nudged Zhang Guoqing and Wan Dayong with his shoulders and said, "If we continue to do this, letters from other hospitals will come over. Will there be too many people?"

The three of them looked at each other and burst into laughter. It would be better if all the compounds went over there, so the law wouldn't punish everyone. Then they could take the opportunity to ask the car team for an extra truck.

Back in the classroom for class that afternoon, Zhou Jiao subconsciously looked for Wang and found that he had regained his smile. It seemed that he had noticed the money he had slipped into his desk.

In a person's life, it's hard to predict whether the future will be filled with thorns or flowers. Don't give up easily. There will always be a way out. Especially for someone with his education level, going back to work is also a way out.

Zhou Jiao sincerely hoped that her few dollars could help the other person a little. As long as there was nothing to worry about and it didn't affect her own safety, she would help as much as she could.

As for whether the other person chooses to continue their studies or return home, that is not their own business. Everyone has their own path to take.