A few days later, Shao Shengan returned from vacation. He was also very angry when he learned that Shao's father was injured. After knowing that Qiao Qingqing had reported the matter, he looked at her worriedly: "No one is making things difficult for you, right?"

"No, I just happened to meet Mayor Luo's secretary, and then Ye Changtian came too. By the way, do you know what Ye Changtian is doing now? He is working for Mayor Luo now."

After listening to Qiao Qingqing, Shao Shengan sighed: "He has a fighting spirit and happened to meet an opportunity. Both are indispensable."

Since arriving in Qiuye Village, he has participated in the construction of the survivor base. Although he is an ordinary worker at the bottom, he has also come into contact with many middle and low-level leaders. In his opinion, natural disasters have destroyed everything. While Yeshan is working hard to rebuild human society, buildings and order, some bad things are also grabbing public interests and growing.

Corruption can happen at any time and anywhere.

While working, he and the team leader had handled some materials of poor quality. After reporting them, sometimes they would be replaced with new ones, and sometimes the person in charge would tell them to "forget it, as long as it can be used."

It is worse now than before. There is absolutely no channel for anonymous reporting of complaints.

When he was working on the new community construction site, Shao Shengan had disguised himself and reported the situation to the upper-level leader. As a result, someone came to the electrician team the next day to identify him. The person in charge was accompanying him and bowed and nodded. Fortunately, Shao Shengan disguised himself well and was not recognized, but his heart was chilled.

The arm cannot twist the thigh. Who knows how powerful the background is behind such an ordinary material quality issue?

Shao Sheng'an was unwilling to get involved in muddy water and could only obey. He tried his best to dismantle and patch up the unqualified materials and use them again, trying to make up for the situation just to make his conscience feel better.

He chose to remain silent, Ye Changtian chose to move forward. Different choices created different life opportunities. Shao Shengan sighed, but he knew that if he had to do it again, he would still make the same choice.

"Yes, everyone's choices are different, and life is different. Do you regret it?" Qiao Qingqing looked at him with a smile.

"No." Shao Shengan tapped her forehead gently. "What's there to regret? This is my own choice. My current job is pretty good. It doesn't matter what I do. It's enough to make money to support my family."

"It's time to eat!" Qiao Songzhi shouted in the kitchen.

"Coming!" Qiao Qingqing responded.

"Let's go downstairs and eat." Shao Shengan hung up the last piece of clothes, holding the bucket in one hand and pulling Qiao Qingqing with the other, with brisk steps, "I'm really looking forward to this meal."

The meal did not disappoint Shao Shengan. Qiao Songzhi stewed winter melon and shrimp soup, and made a new dish of stir-fried spinach and spicy stir-fried pork slices. Qiao Qingqing took out French fries, Kung Pao chicken and blanched prawns from the space, and the drinks were freshly squeezed orange and pear juice.

When his son came back, Shao's father also came out to eat with them.

"How about I bring it in and feed you?" Shao's mother was worried.

Father Shao waved his hand: "I'm much better now, just a little dizzy occasionally, and I don't feel nauseous or want to vomit now, it's okay."

Everyone had a reunion dinner.

After dinner, Shao Shengan cleared the table, washed the dishes, and then went into the room to chat with his family.

"The reconstruction work in the town is going smoothly. I heard from a colleague that several factories in the town have resumed production. The future will definitely get better and better. Oh, and I also met Wang Jiale!"

Qiao Songzhi was quite excited to finally hear the news from her acquaintances in Huacheng. This was probably what it meant to meet an old friend in a foreign land. She hurriedly asked, "Are they all right?"

"They said they were living OK. Their family came with the army and the leaders of Huacheng. There were tens of thousands of people on the road. I asked about the time. It was when we lived in Qiuye Village. Ye Changtian and his friends went out to chop firewood. Didn't they say they met a super team on the road? That was Wang Jiale and his friends. Now they all live in the town, receive relief supplies, and their families have found jobs. They are living OK. They were very curious about how we could live in the new community. I suggested that they buy a house and settle down. Otherwise, Pingshan Town might end up like Qiuye Village in the future."

"I heard from Lu Ping that houses in the town are very expensive now." Shao's father said, "It's not easy to buy one. We are really lucky to have settled in Qiuye Village early, so we don't have to spend a lot of money to buy a house like others."

Mother Shao looked at Qiao Qingqing and said, "It's all because of Qingqing's cleverness. It's all thanks to Qingqing."

Qiao Qingqing smiled faintly and shook her head, changing the subject: "Is Grandma Wang in good health?"

"Grandma Wang is gone. When we left Qinghui Supermarket on the day the community caught fire, weren't the Wang family still resting? Later, after we had rested, we found that Grandma Wang had fallen asleep and passed away in her sleep."

Qiao Qingqing was stunned, then sighed, "He passed away in his sleep... That's good, I'll suffer less."

"The whole family and the Chen family next door later went to the library, where they reunited with Wang Jiale. They told me that the entire Jinyuan community was burned down, and several nearby streets were also engulfed in flames. The fire only stopped when there was nothing left to burn."

Hearing this, everyone felt a little depressed.

Qiao Qingqing turned her head and saw light coming from the gap in the curtains.

"The sun is coming out."

Qiao Songzhi stood up and said, "Then go back to sleep, Qingqing. Sheng An is back, you can go back to the seventh floor with him to sleep."

After returning to the seventh floor, Qiao Qingqing turned on the air conditioner first, and Shao Shengan walked around the seventh floor and checked the windows.

"Did a rat climb up? I just noticed that there is an extra layer of wood nailed to the windows on the sixth floor."

"Yes, how is the sleeping environment over there?"

"It's just so-so. When I sleep, the doors and windows are closed so mice can't get in. But the whole house smells like sweat and stinky feet. It's okay once you get used to it."

The couple lay on the bed, enjoying the rare quiet and leisurely time together.

"I think it's not bad to continue like this. If there's no eternal night like you mentioned, I think we can return to normal life in the future. Qingqing, this may be the cruelest part of nature. Human beings stand up again and again in disasters. For example, the Academy of Agricultural Sciences is now researching heat-resistant crops and digging deep wells to fight the heat. But it always has to hit them hard again. When the eternal night comes, will those crops be useless again?"

"Yes, by then the experts will have to study the no-light crop project, solar generators will be useless, and the base will have to study wind power generation." Qiao Qingqing lay on her side and looked at him, "I'm telling you in advance what will happen in the future, do you feel a little desperate?"

Shao Shengan thought for a moment and shook his head: "It's not that I'm desperate, but sometimes... I want to swear and curse what the thief God wants to do and whether he wants people to live."

Qiao Qingqing's eyes were filled with smiles.

"But no matter how angry you are, life still has to go on." Shao Shengan touched her face, "Let's save some more supplies."

"good."

"Oh, by the way, I heard a piece of news on my way back today that a market is going to open. The location is at the junction of the new community and Pingshan Town. If I'm not at home at that time, if you want to go, ask Dad to accompany you. Don't go alone."

Qiao Qingqing nodded: "I know, I have already told Dad to take good care of his injuries and accompany me to the market when he is well."

Thirteen days later, the market officially opened and the news spread throughout the new community.

As the news of market opening spread, there was also an announcement of suspension of material assistance.

The heated discussion sparked by the former was instantly crushed by the latter. There were curses and protests everywhere, and some people even wanted to march.

"Be careful and go home early." Downstairs of Building 20 of Ping'an Community, Qiao Songzhi told Qiao Qingqing to take good care of Shao's father, "Your father-in-law has only just recovered from his injury."

"Don't worry, mother-in-law! I'm fine now!" Shao's father laughed loudly and motioned Qiao Qingqing to get in the car.

Mother Shao added an extra cushion to the tricycle and frowned, "Will it be too bumpy? I heard the market is quite far away."

Qiao Qingqing said hurriedly: "No, it's very comfortable to sit like this. Then we'll set off and we must come back as soon as possible!"

Mr. Shao started the motorcycle tricycle and Qiao Qingqing waved goodbye to them.

Not all roads in the new community are cement roads. Some dirt roads are very bumpy and dusty. Qiao Qingqing and Shao's father felt more comfortable only after wearing masks. The headlights swayed on the road ahead. Qiao Qingqing sat in the back of the car and suddenly felt like a kid riding a bullock cart into the city on TV. She made herself laugh.

Shao's father was sitting in the front and heard the laughter, and his face under the mask was also laughing. He thought, Qingqing is still a little girl, and she is so happy to go out and play.

"Qingqing, I'll see if there's any food for sale later, and Dad will buy some for you! We can just treat it as a night market."

Qiao Qingqing happily agreed: "Okay!"

There was actually nothing on the tricycle except Qiao Qingqing and two large bamboo baskets.

In the bamboo basket were some worn-out clothes, bleached sheets, worn-out pots and pans, and a few bottles of homemade medicinal wine.

When packing these things, Shao's father and others were puzzled. After Qiao Qingqing explained it, they vaguely understood her intention.

There were many fellow travelers on the road, and as we got closer to our destination, we even started to get stuck in traffic. Mr. Shao found it novel and felt quite happy in the traffic jam, thinking that it was a sign of popularity, and that it was good to be lively. A market is only a market if it is lively.

After arriving at the destination, Qiao Qingqing found that the place was already crowded with people.

It is called a market, but there are no shops or stalls at all. Looking around, it is just a large flat ground. Those who want to set up a stall can just find an empty space and sit down on the ground, which counts as a stall.

This place was also a market in the previous life, and Qiao Qingqing had been here many times, but at that time it had already been planned and was very orderly.

"Qingqing, is this place okay?" Father Shao found a place with fewer people.

"Okay, here it is!"

The tricycle stopped, Shao's father took down the bamboo basket, Qiao Qingqing took out a piece of canvas and spread it on the ground, and the two of them took out the things and placed them one by one.

While displaying the items, Father Shao kept looking around and exclaimed, "Qingqing, I was right to listen to you. Along the way, I saw that everyone was displaying these things, all old things. Few people displayed good things. In the front, there were a dozen young men who looked so strong, and they were actually selling cigarettes, alcohol, and gasoline! We ordinary people still have to sell ordinary things."

Seeing that he completely understood, Qiao Qingqing felt relieved.

Their stalls were very ordinary, like a drop of water melting into the ocean. Most people in the market were like them, exchanging things they no longer needed. Old clothes were considered good. Some stalls just displayed rags. The stall owners were also very eloquent: "Clothes get worn out quickly these days! Look at these rags at home. There are all kinds of colors and patterns. Use them to patch up the torn places on clothes and pants. How beautiful! Look, I have Garfield and frog patterns here. I'm sure the kids will like them..."

There were more and more people, and the noise of hawking and bargaining was everywhere. Being in this world, Qiao Qingqing felt deeply nostalgic.

"How do you sell this medicinal wine? Will it work?"

Someone asked about the price at her stall, and Qiao Qingqing nodded: "Yes, I know a little bit of medical skills. Are you injured somewhere? Buy my medicinal wine and get a free diagnosis."

The man glanced at her and said, "Are you really good at seeing? Take a look. My arm has been hurting for a few days. I think I twisted it when I was moving something."

Qiao Qingqing took a look at him and said, "It's sprained. I'll press it for you. Don't move."

After pressing it a few times, the man shook his hands and said, "Hey, it's really much better."

"You buy the medicinal wine, go home and pour a little on the palm of your hand, rub it to warm it up, and then press it on the uncomfortable part. Rub it two or three times in the morning and evening, and you will see obvious results in two days."

"How do you sell it?"

"Food, anything edible will do, or gold and jade."

The man chuckled again: "You want gold for this bottle of stuff? I'm stupid." He stood up and left, and Qiao Qingqing didn't stop him.

There are more and more people in the market. Although there are street lights, it is still dim. Even if they are not here to buy things, many people are willing to come here to join in the fun just because the street lights are on.

"Go and have a look around. Buy whatever you want. I'll just watch the stalls." Father Shao said as he stuffed a bag of rice into Qiao Qingqing's hand. "Take it and buy what you like."

"Okay, I'll go check it out. Dad, call me if you need anything."

Qiao Qingqing looked around, passed by many stalls, and came to the stall selling cigarettes and alcohol.

There were eighteen men guarding the stall, and they all looked tough. There were people who asked about the price, but they would back off when they heard that those men only accepted gold.

Qiao Qingqing followed the crowd and watched for a while. She didn't go forward, but turned to look at other stalls. Qiao Qingqing inspected several large stalls in the market. She memorized the information silently in her heart, hoping it would be useful in the future.

Back at the stall, Shao's father asked her, "Why didn't you buy anything? I saw someone buying cotton candy in front of me, why don't you buy one?"

"I don't like cotton candy, Dad, let me watch the stall with you."

"Oh, don't save it. We don't come out to play for the first time in a long time. We should have some fun."

Qiao Qingqing smiled and said, "I know, Dad. Next time I see something I like, I will definitely buy it."

The market was very busy. The street lights went out at 4:30 in the morning, and the sky was already slightly bright.

The broadcast reminded people to close their stalls early and go home to avoid being exposed to the direct sunlight.

That night, Qiao Qingqing's stall didn't sell anything, but both of them were in a good mood. When they got home, Shao's father and mother described the lively scene at the market in vivid detail, which made the three of them yearn for it.

"Dad, you take them out to play tonight and I'll just stay at home to look after the house." Qiao Qingqing said with a smile.

So that night, Shao's father and his party went there again. Qiao Songzhi also brought her hairpins. In order to highlight the beauty of the hairpins, Qiao Songzhi cut a piece of wood and wrapped it with pink wool. She said, "When we get there, I will put the hairpins on the board one by one. Do you think it will look good?"

Qiao Qingqing nodded without hesitation: "It will definitely look good. We have a lamp at home. When the time comes, we can put the lamp next to this board and let the light make the hairpin look better."

After coming back, Qiao Songzhi looked very happy and said that they were all sold!

Qiao Qingqing was a little surprised. She knew her mother's craftsmanship very well. The hairpins she made were indeed exquisite and beautiful. It was not surprising that they could be sold. But how could they be sold all at once? Unless -

Shao's mother explained excitedly: "I came across a big order. A young girl who looked like she was from a wealthy family came. She looked about 17 or 18 years old. She was dressed very beautifully and smelled very good. She wanted to buy everything when she opened her mouth. There was a bodyguard beside her! There was no bargaining. The girl left after looking at the clothes. The bodyguard stayed to pay. Look, this is the money paid, where is the rice!"

Qiao Qingqing looked at the 20-kilogram bag of rice on the ground and smiled as she was touched by their comments: "This is a great harvest tonight, Mom. I told you your idea will work!"

"I am also lucky to have met such a distinguished guest. I will try my best to weave more and then save them together to sell at the market."

Shao's mother hurriedly said, "I'll help you separate the threads. Oh, and I can also help cut the clips. I saw Qingqing doing it before and it didn't seem difficult. I'll learn."

"That's great. I can be lazy now." Qiao Qingqing smiled.

"It's tiring to deal with the cockroach powder. Fortunately, your father is well now, so I can free up my hands. Feifei's father, why don't you stop being a sanitation worker? I'm really worried that something will happen to you again. You are stronger. Why don't you cut wood to make clamps, and I will learn to crochet bows from my mother-in-law."

Shao's father disagreed: "My job has a stable salary, I can't bear to give it up. Don't worry, I will be careful in the future. I will not step on anything except the ground, and I will never step on a pit in the future."

He insisted on going to work, and Qiao Qingqing had no choice.

A day later, Shao's father's sick leave ended. After two days of work, he brought back his work injury compensation, including a bag of rice, a bucket of oil, and a piece of pork belly.

Pork belly! After they arrived in Qiuye Village, there has been no fresh meat among the supplies they received!

"Work injury compensation was distributed today. My superiors specially picked me up to go to the Urban Construction Bureau to collect it. We even took a photo. The mayor shook hands with us and was very polite!" Shao's father's face was beaming. The last time he was so happy was when his youngest son got married.

“Is the pork cooked?”

"Yes! It was freshly cooked. They said they were worried that it might spoil on the way back. Oh, the mayor is so thoughtful and kind. My compensation is still a small amount. One person was seriously injured and still can't stand. The compensation is a pig's front leg!"

Mother Shao screamed.

"But I'm not envious. The injury was so severe that it can't be repaired with a pig's front leg. I can meet the mayor today and shake hands with him, which makes me even happier!"

Qiao Qingqing asked: "Which mayor is it?"

"Mayor Luo! By the way, I also saw Village Chief Ye's son, the one you said was very strong. He smiled at me. Oh, I'm so happy. I'm so happy."

Qiao Qingqing was also happy for him. In life, happiness is the most important thing.

It was like Chinese New Year at home. Shao's father asked Qiao Qingqing to put away the meat: "Wait until Sheng An comes back, then we can eat the meat again."

"Okay." Qiao Qingqing agreed.

Eight kilometers away, Pingshan Town.

Shao Shengan grabbed the towel hanging around his neck and wiped his sweat. His companions outside were shouting, "Are you done? Come out when you are done. It's time to get off work! Let's eat!"

He responded loudly, hurriedly finished the remaining work, wiped his hands and went out to meet his companions. The two went to the cafeteria to eat together. Today they had eight-treasure rice, steamed buns and a portion of meat and vegetables.

"How come the food these days is so good!" Qi Ming exclaimed, happily taking his portion, urging Shao Shengan to hurry up, and even taught him, "That steamed bun is bigger, take that one!"

The two of them happily found a corner to sit down, and a familiar electrician came over, and everyone ate together happily.

It is natural to chat while eating, talk about work, and then talk about the food.

An electrician said, "Do you know why the food has become better recently?"

"From what you said, you know?"

"Tell me, I'm so curious, did the logistics department change its leader?"

Shao Shengan took big bites of the steamed bun and listened attentively while refusing.

"That's not something I know. I know something else. I have a relative who works in the administrative district. He said something happened before. There was a problem with the manhole cover in the newly built new community! Several people were injured."

"Hiss, is this true?"

"I've heard of this. Someone fell next to my house. Then what happened?"

"Then, the higher-ups started checking! I heard that they found that many manhole covers did not meet the quality standards. The outer layer was cement, but it was only a thin layer. There was not even a thin steel bar inside, it was all wood! In such hot weather, how could the manhole covers be made like that? Look, the new community was built only a short time ago, and the manhole covers were already damaged by the sun. When people stepped on them, it was like stepping on a biscuit. The manhole covers collapsed and the people who stepped on them would fall in without a splash, right?"

The electricians all showed surprised expressions. The electrician who broke the news felt very accomplished and continued, "When there is a problem with the manhole cover, the higher-ups have to investigate. After investigating, they found several corrupt officials who enriched themselves. I heard that the mayor was very angry and has been conducting strict investigations recently. We have also benefited from it. The food has also improved."

"So that's how it is. You are really well-informed."

"I'm annoyed by this. This is called profiting from a national disaster! It's totally unscrupulous! They must be severely punished!"

After listening to this, Shao Shengan seemed to be thinking about something, and then asked casually: "I heard that there are two mayors in our base now. Which mayor are you talking about?"

"Ah? Ah, then I don't know. Anyway, this is what I heard."

"I know about the two mayors. I heard that one is from Xicheng and the other is from Huacheng. Do you think the two mayors will compete with each other?"

"Hehe, let's not talk about this. Haha, let's eat meat and vegetables! The meat today is really good. It feels particularly fresh to me. Come on, come on, let's eat!" Qi Ming greeted them hurriedly.

Everyone reacted and started laughing to change the subject.