"Although Xiao Le is also a boy, he is not a biological child, so there is a barrier between them."
Bi Qiaoan declined to comment, only asking, "Then, Sister Qin, why did you call?"
"Oh, I just wanted to ask if you could help me get some baby formula."
Before Bi Qiaoan could speak, Hu Xiaoqin continued, "I know that your family traded food with the guards for milk powder. My family also traded food. Could you help me ask if it would work?"
Bi Qiaoan blinked, recalling the words she had used to deceive Hu Xiaoqin in the hospital.
Then he looked at Shen Yanming and thought to himself, "Is this the backlash? Do I have to take responsibility for my words and deeds?"
Shen Yanming smiled and patted her head silently to comfort her: "It's alright!"
Bi Qiao calmed herself down before saying, "Sister Qin, how many months pregnant are you? Why are you in such a hurry to prepare formula? Besides, if you have enough breast milk, you don't need formula!"
"I know, but I'm worried! You don't know, my fellow villagers have no food and are clamoring for the capital to send grain to help them."
I'm lucky; I married Xie Guimin and got a Shanghai residency permit. Now I can eat and dress warmly, but the food is still limited.
The harvest this year was so-so. I'm worried that when I give birth, I won't have much to eat, and I won't have enough milk.
Bi Qiaoan was both amused and exasperated. "Sister, this isn't even a thing yet, and you're already thinking so much. You know, exchanging food for milk powder in the guard unit is very expensive."
You've taken all the grain in your house to exchange for better things; aren't you afraid of going hungry later? Wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse?
No sooner had Bi Qiaoan finished speaking than Hu Xiaoqin shrieked, "How could that be? My Guimin has several acres of land! Plus mine and Xiaole's, don't worry, we won't have to worry about food. Sister was just trying to play the victim!"
Bi Qiaoan didn't know what to say.
To be honest, I really have no right to interfere in other people's affairs.
But I just feel that she's not very rational.
But then again, everyone has their own difficulties. How can you know they haven't thought things through if you haven't experienced it yourself?
Bi Qiaoan wanted to nod, but she still glanced at Shen Yanming.
Seeing him nod slightly, he said to Hu Xiaoqin, "Sister Qin, how about this, I'll go ask around about how the guard team is going to change. You should also discuss it with Brother Guimin. After all, food is a big deal, and if we really switch to milk powder, I'm afraid the yield of one or two acres of land won't be enough."
Hu Xiaoqin said "Ah, ah" twice and then hung up the phone.
Bi Qiaoan could hear the joy in her tone, but her own mood was not so good.
Shen Yanming put his arm around her and said, "Don't worry, since they dared to change, they must have been prepared."
Bi Qiaoan shook her head: "I'm afraid next year's harvest won't be as good as this year's. If we run out of food reserves, even if the baby is fed well after birth, he still won't survive."
Shen Yanming also fell silent.
They have grain, but would they openly and honestly give it away to help others? Of course not!
What's more, this is Hu Xiaoqin, whom I've only met a few times, and who almost had a conflict with Qiao An, and who moved from Beiha City to Hai City.
"Alright, I'll go ask the guards later how to switch the formula. If all else fails, we can give them some money privately," Shen Yanming said, ruffling Bi Qiaoan's hair.
Bi Qiaoan nodded, knowing that such was the way of the world and that no one could change it.
All she and Shen Yanming could do was offer reminders and kind assistance.
Although the audience is small, and those who can be helped are all related to the couple, they have a clear conscience.
Seeing that Bi Qiaoan's mood had improved considerably, Shen Yanming put on a sun-protective shirt and a mask and went out.
He first went to the parking lot to get his car, and then drove to the agricultural area to find Ye Wengui.
Shen Yanming said bluntly, "Captain Ye, I have something to trouble you with again today!"
Ye Wengui smiled, completely unconcerned.
But in his heart he was thinking, "The fat sheep is here, let's slaughter them!"
Shen Yanming briefly explained Hu Xiaoqin's situation, and then said, "Neither she nor her family are members of the guard team, so I don't know if we can exchange some milk powder. I just came to ask on her behalf. If you're having trouble, just pretend I wasn't here, don't be shy about saying so."
The guard team has its own rules, and Shen Yanming didn't expect the other party to make an exception for him.
Ye Wengui pondered for a moment before saying, "It's possible to exchange, but it's not very cost-effective. Why don't you wait until your friend has given birth and see if she has enough breast milk?"
Shen Yanming nodded, "Then please tell me a rough number first, so that the other party can be mentally prepared."
"Twenty catties of grain can be exchanged for a can of milk powder."
Shen Yanming thought about it and felt that the number was acceptable.
“One mu of land, based on the yield of ordinary land, is about 500 jin of wheat, which can be exchanged for 25 cans of milk powder, enough to feed a baby for more than half a year, and it’s about time to wean the baby.”
Ye Wengui nodded, "That's right. We lowered the exchange rate because of the poor harvest this year. Normally, we wouldn't be able to get twenty catties of grain."
Shen Yanming declined to comment, but the guard team considered the overall situation and took into account all factors when setting prices.
As for Ye Wengui, he was actually quite heartbroken.
Well, I originally thought it was Shen Yanming coming to ask me for help, and I was planning to rip him off. But it turns out he was asking on behalf of someone else.
Then I can't ask for an exorbitant amount. Otherwise, it's not just a matter of scaring people away, but it's a real problem of ruining the reputation of the guard team.
Actually, the guard team raises many dairy cows, so milk and milk powder are not really rare items.
However, since milk powder is stored as a reserve material, the quantity released each month is limited, which is why a relatively high price is set.
Of course, this price was nothing before the apocalypse; after all, the money for twenty kilograms of flour couldn't buy a can of good milk powder.
But things are different now; food is hard currency. As for money, it feels more like a supplement.
Shen Yanming seemed to remember something and asked, "Captain Ye, what do you think about buying or renting a dairy cow that is currently producing milk from the guard team?"
Ye Wengui looked at Shen Yanming with a half-smile: "What do you think?"
Okay, so this is a no-go!
Ye Wengui patted Shen Yanming on the shoulder: "You know, dairy cows produce a lot of milk. Your friend probably can't afford to rent one."
It's like buying two calves and raising them. Regardless of how long it takes, the price isn't much cheaper than buying formula, and it might even be more expensive.
Shen Yanming nodded, indicating that he understood. Having received a definite answer, he prepared to leave.
But Ye Wengui stopped him: "The wheat you sent over before has been milled. Take it back with you."
Shen Yanming was taken aback, only then realizing that he had forgotten about this matter.
He pretended to be calm, got some noodles from Ye Wengui, and then drove back to the dormitory area.
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