Life goes on, and Brother Yu's family is gradually adapting to the environment and climate here.
Yu Yin would bring a chicken to her mother every few days. Thirty yuan could buy six or seven chickens, which was truly a family price, as these were things that were expensive but hard to find.
They continued their interactions casually, no longer bringing up those old, tired topics. Yu Kang led An Ze, while Anna stayed at Yu Yin's house, not returning home until bedtime.
Yu Yin is quite lenient with the children, never stingy with food and drink. The children love coming here to play, and even the troublesome Anna has been influenced, no longer afraid of getting muddy, splashing in the puddles with An'an and laughing heartily. I wonder if Sister-in-law Yu would faint if she saw her daughter like this.
Yu Yin resumed her routine of going up the mountain on her days off, as there was too much stuff to pack in the space.
Baskets of fruit, bundles of grain, baskets of eggs… While others are still calculating how to use their monthly egg coupons to eat as many eggs as possible, Yu Yin already has an abundance of eggs. There's no way around it, that's just how it is.
After several busy days, even after get off work she would make a detour up the mountain to do some work in her spatial dimension, barely managing to finish harvesting the crops. Lu Shurui naturally took on the housework and childcare until Yu Yin stopped going up the mountain every day. The good thing was that Yu Yin could bring back some mushrooms and wild vegetables every day, so the family really didn't lack food.
"Ah, I'm so tired, I need to rest for a while. You've worked so hard, honey, you've been exhausted these past few days too."
"It's alright. The kids are all quite well-behaved and don't cause much trouble, so the rest of the work is manageable."
It's true that only a father's love can make someone as mischievous as Lu Xiangwan not mind.
"We'll have mixed mushroom soup tonight, and tomorrow we'll stew a chicken too."
"You're buying from Ah Xiang and the others again? Isn't it okay to keep buying like this?"
"We'll be careful, everything should be fine."
Sometimes, things can turn out very quickly.
"Sister-in-law, are you home?"
"Wenye, come in. You're home. Have you eaten? Did you come alone?"
"I've finished eating. I came here by myself. They have things to do."
Yu Yin hadn't seen them for a while; she wondered what they were up to. She vaguely heard that the old and new factions within the Revolutionary Committee were vying for power, causing quite a stir.
"Sister-in-law, I have something to tell you."
Is this some kind of underground party rendezvous? Why are you making it so mysterious?
"You two go upstairs to talk, I'll be watching downstairs."
Lu Shurui sensed something big was about to happen and quickly called out to everyone. At this time, caution was paramount, and no carelessness was allowed.
Yu Yin also became serious and led Wang Wenye to the empty room upstairs.
"What's wrong?"
"You know Ah Xiang, the Dai woman from the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps farm, right?"
"Yes, we're classmates and very good friends. What happened to Ah Xiang?"
Yu Yin was getting anxious. Although she had been using A Xiang and the others as an excuse lately, she hadn't seen A Xiang for a while and hadn't been to the Dai village.
"Although Brother Jianguo has taken over the Revolutionary Committee, there are still quite a few old members. They've been looking for opportunities to cause trouble, always trying to sideline or oust Brother Jianguo. Today, I overheard them plotting to cause trouble in a Dai village. Someone wrote a report accusing them of exploiting socialism, raising chickens and selling them privately, and engaging in speculation. They want to find evidence to criticize and denounce them. I remember my sister-in-law seems to know them well; she even exchanged her New Year's goods with them before. We're a conspicuous target, so it's not good to report them. They might not believe us anyway. I was thinking if my sister-in-law could talk to them and tell them to prepare in advance so they don't get any leverage. Brother Jianguo doesn't want to criticize this or that, but the current situation is beyond our control."
Yu Yin understood; the situation was urgent, and she couldn't stand idly by.
"I understand. You can take some fruit back later. I'll go later. It's getting late, and no one will notice me."
"Sister-in-law, it's too dangerous to go now that it's dark. Let's go tomorrow."
Wang Wen also knew that the mountain was dangerous, especially at night.
"It's okay, I have some mosquito repellent kits that Ah Xiang and the others gave me. It's not far, I can hurry. What if they make their move tomorrow, then it will be too late."
"Then be careful, will Brother Lu agree?"
"Don't worry, leave it to me."
After they finished speaking, the two went downstairs, picked some fruit, and Wang Wen didn't stay long. He picked up the fruit and left.
"What brings you here, Wen Yelai?" Lu Shurui asked nervously.
Yu Yin quietly recounted what had happened and mentioned her desire to visit a Dai village.
"I'll go, it's too late, I'm worried about leaving you there."
“I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting you go. I’m always up the mountain, and I know better than you which sections are safe to cross. Besides, I’m faster than you.”
"But……"
"I will be careful. I value my life. You and the children are at home. I will be careful. I am not so great as to sacrifice myself for others."
With things basically settled, Yu Yin began making preparations: a flashlight, insect repellent packets, a machete, a stick... she prepared everything she could think of, and all that was left was to wait.
After putting the two children to sleep, Yu Yin noticed it was getting late, so she got dressed, tucked her trousers in, and put on high-top canvas shoes for quick walking. Actually, rain boots would have been the safest option, but they wouldn't have allowed for fast walking.
Yu Yin pushed open the door and left, leaving Lu Shurui looking worried, muttering after her, "I'll wait for you to come back. Be careful, come back as soon as you're done talking. I'm worried. Don't forget..."
Yu Yin waved her hand and left without looking back; if she kept rambling on, it would get even later.
Not to mention Lu Shurui, who was pacing around in the yard, worried sick about being at home.
Yu Yin mustered her courage and walked along the forest path. The wind rustled the leaves, and she had a constant feeling that someone was following her. If it weren't for Ah Xiang, she would never have walked a mountain path at night.
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