Chapter 27 Dream Again

Around noon, people from Song Lubai's aunt's house who had gone to work gradually returned, and Song Lubai got a free meal there.

There are many people in my family, so I added three eggs to the wild vegetable soup.

The scattered egg drop soup creates the illusion that a lot of eggs have been added, making the wild vegetables look even more vibrant and tender.

The meal consisted of rice, cornmeal, and sorghum rice with some husks still attached. Although it was a bit harsh on the throat, it was still manageable, since there was some dry rice to fill the stomach.

They divided the food into bowls, one by one, and after finishing the last bowl, they even scraped the bottom of the pot clean.

Although Song Lubai ate plain rice, she would voluntarily wash the dishes and pots after finishing her meal.

It's fine for her to come over for a free meal once in a while; her aunt's family doesn't mind. But if someone like Lin Jinyao comes over and stays at her house every day, eating and drinking for free, no matter how close the relationship is, the host family will feel uncomfortable.

Knowing that Song Lubai had a job, Zhang Lan instructed her, "Don't quit easily this time. Jobs in the city aren't easy to come by, so you have to persevere no matter what. Giving up at the slightest disagreement is just making way for others, who are more than happy to do so. Be sweet-talking in the office and work diligently, that's always a good thing..."

After her aunt rattled off a series of instructions, Song Lubai naturally complied.

During her time without work, she felt ashamed to be eating for free at home. She wouldn't give up this job easily, no matter what. Last time, she was disgusted by someone and acted impulsively…

She preferred to talk to her aunt about her little troubles in life rather than her mother.

After telling her about Shen Lingyu, she asked, "Auntie, do you think she can get a divorce?"

Zhang Lan shook her head. "I think it's difficult. According to what you said, the Hu family doesn't dare to leave because of the courtyard. If Shen Lingyu can't have children, she won't be able to find a good family in the future. Considering the future, as long as the Hu family is willing to change their attitude, adopting someone is the best solution."

Song Lubai was annoyed by what she heard. "I just don't understand why the neighborhood committee is stopping us from issuing the certificates. People are struggling to make ends meet."

Zhang Lan snorted, "Divorce isn't as simple as you think. Even if the neighborhood committee issues a certificate, the Women's Federation still has to come to your door to persuade you. Divorce isn't that easy, and it's not encouraged these days."

Song Lubai thought to herself, given the precedent of Shen Lingyu, who lived a life that was neither human nor ghost and still couldn't get a divorce, she couldn't get married so easily.

"Auntie, Zhenzhen wants to go to XJ. You have to keep a close eye on her and prevent her from secretly registering behind your backs."

Zhang Lan turned around and glared at Chang Zhenzhen, raising her voice, "She dares! If she dares, I'll break her legs, and if she leaves, she can forget about ever coming back."

Zhang Lan was tall and strong among the women comrades.

How tall and strong was she? She was half a head taller than her uncle, and her build looked about one and a half times that of her uncle.

My aunt is straightforward, quick-witted, strong, and clear-headed. At home, she is the undisputed head of the household, in charge of distributing meals. In the Women's Federation, she is a well-known and respected "Iron Lady."

Zhang Lan glanced at Chang Zhenzhen, who shuddered and gave Song Lubai a reproachful look.

"How could you betray me! I'm never talking to you again!"

Zhang Lan, hands on her hips, said, "Do I need to expose you? What songs do you sing every day? Do you think your old mother doesn't know what you're up to? You stay home and behave yourself. I'll find a way to send you to a vocational school in the provincial capital for night school, to study accounting. There's no room for negotiation!"

Chang Zhenzhen dared not speak her anger, and glared at Song Lubai with resentment.

After packing the wild vegetables, Song Lubai rode her bicycle back to the city.

It takes about fifty minutes to ride a bicycle from the county town to the city. Because there are no side roads, it is a straight road, so Song Lubai will not get lost by herself.

When I got home that evening and didn't see Lin Jinyao, I knew without asking that Liu Mei had been discharged from the hospital and the family of four should have already returned to the county town.

Song Lubai always felt awkward when Lin Jinyao was at home.

Looking at her adorable little face, she always thought that no matter how much she liked this girl, she shouldn't give all her possessions to someone who wasn't related to her by blood.

In her dream, she had her own children, or at the very least, her aunt's descendants. There was no way Lin Jinyao, an outsider, could have a chance.

These past few days she deliberately ignored Lin Jinyao, and then she found that if she didn't take care of Lin Jinyao, she would feel a little awkward.

Song Lubai felt even more awkward when she realized this.

It was as if there were two voices inside her, one saying, "Lin Jinyao is so well-behaved and cute, I have to treat her better."

Another person said, "This is Liu Mei's child with ill intentions, and she has nothing to do with me. Why should I take special care of her?"

She felt less awkward when Lin Jinyao wasn't around, but when she was, she could never completely ignore her.

Fortunately, she's been working lately and doesn't come home for lunch. She goes to sleep shortly after dinner.

Now that the person is gone, she can finally find peace of mind.

However, she had another dream that night.

The dream I had before was like a fleeting glimpse, but this time it was much more specific and clear, although the dream was still very short.

In her dream, Li Guangming's face was clear, as was the face of Aunt Li, whom she had only met a few times.

Li Guangming's face was pale, and his head was covered in blood.

Aunt Li and the others were sobbing uncontrollably.

She seemed to float in mid-air, observing the sorrow below.

Song Lubai woke up panting, her whole body covered in sweat.

The sky was already turning a pale white, and on the other side of the curtain, Lin Heping was still mumbling incoherently in his sleep.

Song Lubai recalled the scene in her dream, feeling an indescribable sadness in her heart.

How did Li Guangming get into a car accident?

Was this dream destined to happen? If it was, why didn't the dream tell her where he had the car accident?

She tried hard to recall, but couldn't think of any information about the car accident.

She was feeling very anxious, and looked listless as she ate cold wild vegetables and drank corn porridge.

Zhang Cui glanced at her and said, "What's wrong with you looking so listless? Take the basket to the department store and buy some eggs. You'd better hurry, or they'll be sold out."

Remembering that she was going to buy a shirt today, Song Lubai finally perked up.

Lin Jianshe and Lin Heping insisted on going to the department store instead of going to class, but Lin Dahai scolded them and they finally gave up.

Every day, before the department store even opens, it's already packed with people queuing up to buy things.

Many people lined up before dawn.

If you arrive early, you can buy what you want; if you arrive late, you might not be able to.

Song Lubai and her mother rushed over after finishing their meal. They waited in line at the entrance for more than an hour before they could get into the store.

Holding her food ration book, Zhang Cui ordered three jin of wheat flour, two jin of rice, one jin of vermicelli, and one jin of peanut oil.

The price of top-quality white flour is 26 cents per pound. Although it is expensive, there are still many people buying it, and the stores are already out of stock.

Zhang Cui bought ordinary flour for 17 cents a pound.

Vermicelli costs 26 cents a pound, which isn't cheap. Peanut oil costs 60 cents a pound, and this pound of oil will last the family for a month.

Unfortunately, the eggs were out of stock.