Zhang Zhan took out a pack of cigarettes out of habit and was about to take out a cigarette, but when he met Qiao Yu's gaze, he forced himself to hold back and put it back in his pocket.
It was Zhang Zhan who spoke first: "Grandpa misses you."
"oh."
“I didn’t understand it before, but now I do.”
Baoer was the one who had been with them for more than ten years, so why would Grandpa pay attention to Qiao Yu, whom he had only met once? This was what he thought before coming here.
Actually seeing my sister...
It's a very strange feeling.
Probably the bond of blood.
His love for Zhang Baoer since childhood was based on his parents' instructions and his grandfather's orders.
In fact, looking back, when he was young and ignorant, he really disliked Zhang Baoer's crying and snatching personality.
Love is a habit and an emotion that develops over time.
But with just one glance at the girl in front of him, he felt that his comrades were saying, when will his hard heart miraculously soften? He wanted to go back to them——
At this moment.
Unlike parents’ instructions and grandpa’s orders.
The first time he saw Qiao Yu, he wanted to give all the good things he had to this sister.
It seemed that he felt sorry for her experience, and seemed to make up for the love from her brother that she had lacked for many years, but it was more of a voluntary, subconscious impulse and action.
Qiao Yu didn't respond, but looked at his elder brother again.
Qiao Yu: "Grandpa gave me a lot of things, including his savings book and the pension he got from his son and daughter-in-law. What about you? What practical actions can you take to prove what you said?"
Zhang Zhan smiled.
This was the first time someone had openly expressed his desire in front of him without hiding it.
Not like Zhang Baoer.
He was overbearing and unreasonable when he was a child, and when he grew up, he would use roundabout ways to get what he wanted in front of his elders and him.
I don't like his straightforward personality.
He likes to speak directly and doesn't bother to guess other people's hidden meanings.
"My passbook is no less than grandpa's. I'll send it to you later." After saying that, he also told the password.
Qiao Yu blinked, and then smiled like a trembling flower on a branch. She said in a crisp voice: "Brother!"
"Hahahaha! Yeah!" Zhang Zhan laughed heartily this time.
He patted Qiao Yu on the shoulder and said, "This is the real little sister of our Zhang family! Even if she was maliciously switched, her personality is not that bad!"
Qiao Yu: "Big brother, you have to live up to the title. I am a stingy person. I have been tortured by that enemy couple for so many years, and I still remember that their daughter enjoyed a good life. If you knew the truth, you would treat her well like your parents...
Well, I’m sorry, the family affection I bought with the passbook is gone, and I won’t return it either.”
To speak about such cruel topics in such an innocent tone, I'm afraid only my little sister would be so brave.
"Don't worry, my parents are confused, but my grandfather and I won't be."
Zhang Zhan chatted with Qiao Yuduo for a few more sentences.
For example, life in the production team and life on the island.
Finally, Zhang Zhan said, "I will be leaving in a few days. Do you want to go to the capital with me?"
Qiao Yu shook his head, "Let's wait until my old Zhou comes back."
The corner of Zhang Zhan's eye twitched.
Old Zhou?
Only the old ladies in the army call their lovers like this...
His sister is only eighteen, and she has already called Lao Zhou?
However, Zhou Ze'an is indeed older, not only is he married for the second time, but he also has children from three of his comrades.
Zhang Zhan: "It's not easy to get a divorce in a military marriage, but Xiaoyu, if you've been wronged, just tell your family and we'll help you settle it. I'll introduce you to a few young military officers who are getting married for the first time, and you can live together in the capital..."
Qiao Yu waved his hands and said, "Zhou Ze'an has done me a favor. If I really can't make it, you don't have to help me. I can handle it myself. Besides, I am also actively studying. When I have a diploma, I can find a job anywhere."
A young military officer getting married for the first time?
Would he be interested in me, a woman who is married for the third time and has a child? Even if he is interested, would his family be interested? It would be a mess if I married him.
After parting with Zhang Zhan, Qiao Yu was thinking about what to eat for lunch.
The food loss at home was severe, and this was under the condition that food subsidies were produced by replicating space.
Because of the addition of Fuqiang flour, the children's spirits are much better than when they first came, and Xiaoyong can even walk.
She still eats the least openly.
The dishes I usually eat alone include: stir-fried shredded pork, meatballs, rabbit with double peppers, and wild boar dumplings.
If you get up early, you can also eat meat buns, fried dough sticks, crabs, and sweet potato cakes. You can also eat them with milk powder or malted milk.
No wonder the flesh on my face is no longer sunken, it looks fuller, and my body is getting slimmer.
Qiao Yu made cabbage dumpling soup at noon. The dumplings were made from two kinds of flour and had flour in it. It was definitely better than what others had, not to mention that she was used to putting half a spoonful of soybean oil in the cabbage when frying it.
After finishing the meal, Qiao Yu said, "The food at home is almost gone. It just so happens that the food store has transferred food from the capital. I will go and see if I can buy some back this afternoon."
The children are of course meaningless.
When we arrived at the door of the grain store, there were soldiers guarding it with guns. People from the canteen came to get rationed food, and when they saw Qiao Yu, they all politely called her "Hello, sister-in-law."
Zhang Zhan waved to her, "Xiao Yu, this way."
As soon as Qiao Yu arrived, a large amount of money was stuffed into his arms.
"This time we are out in an emergency, how much money should we bring? This is what we got from our comrades, take it. I heard from the director of the Women's Federation that you like to shoot yourself, right? Put the money in your pocket and follow me."
She followed him into the grocery store.
Once the money was paid, the children had a source of food for half a year.
Zhang Zhan: "The whole country is in trouble right now. The food shipped to the islands is brought by military officers from the capital. It's either me or my comrades. If you want to buy food, remember to prepare money early. As long as it's not too much, you can buy food for half a year or a year."
Qiao Yu thought for a moment and asked, "I remember that there was a big incident of food reselling on the island. It must have been difficult to get approval from the capital, right? Is it Grandpa's credit that the food was transported here so quickly?"
Zhang Zhan's facial lines softened. "Not really. The food should have been approved, but the higher-ups kept delaying it in order to teach them a lesson. Grandpa came forward to save face for those old guys and gave it to the lower levels. This is a fortress after all, so the food won't be stuck for too long."
Qiao Yu nodded.
That's what she said, but with Mr. Zhang's help, the island doesn't have to worry about food for the time being. Life on the island is better now. If the news gets out, won't she have some credit for it?
Even if they dare not say it openly, they probably know that it has spread widely among the public. They will give her some face in the future and maybe give her the green light all the way...
Zhang Zhan and his teammates helped carry the food back.
Qiao Yu: "Brother, when I go to the capital, I will bring gifts for you and grandpa!"
The implication is: I won’t keep you for dinner now.
Zhang Zhan smiled, said nothing, and left with his comrades.
A few days later, something happened in the capital, and Zhang Zhan led his team to leave the island.
Qiao Yu did not go to see him off, after all, he left so suddenly and she was still catching up at that time.
She and Wang Zhaodi carried a plastic bucket and a small iron shovel, and after the tide receded, they dug kelp and pried oysters. Occasionally, they took off their shoes and socks to touch some scallops and other marine creatures in the light-colored areas of the beach.