The next day, both Ji Kangyong and Qin Yiren overslept. However, work wasn't busy after the New Year, and they had both taken leave in advance.
Ji Kangyong took the time to inform Shen Yanming. While surprised, Shen Yanming suggested, "Why don't you host the dinner at my place? Your place is a bit small."
Ji Kangyong knew that his home was small, but it was his own wedding banquet and it was inappropriate to hold it at someone else's house, so he politely declined.
Shen Yanming didn't mind; as long as the other person was willing, that was fine. He nodded: "Then I'll go over around five o'clock. By the way, do you need me to go over earlier to help?"
Ji Kangyong shook his head: "No need, Yiren is busy at home. You can just go and eat what's ready. Our place is small, and if we go early, there's no place to entertain us."
Shen Yanming smiled, indicating that he understood.
After leaving, Ji Kangyong went to Li Zhaozhao's house. He briefly explained the situation and then went back to help.
At this moment, Shen Yanming and Bi Qiaoan were both happy and troubled.
"What do you think we should give them as gifts? It would be fine if it were anyone else, but these two are a friend and a former colleague. It wasn't easy for them to get back together, so we should at least give them something in return," Bi Qiaoan said, pouting.
Upon hearing this, An'an and Nuannuan remembered the delicious meals they had eaten over the past two days and immediately jumped up and exclaimed, "Mommy, bring some meat!"
Bi Qiaoan patted their heads and said, "Sending meat won't do. Your Uncle Kang Yong went hunting recently, so we don't need any meat at home."
At least not recently.
"What should I give him? Cherries, soda, chocolate, little cakes?" An'an counted his favorite foods on his little hands.
Nuannuan thought of what she had seen in TV dramas and tugged at Bi Qiaoan's sleeve, saying, "Mom, give me flowers, roses!"
Bi Qiaoan was both amused and exasperated, thinking to herself that she wanted to as well, but reality didn't allow it.
So I patiently explained to the two kids that the world today no longer allows them to live a life of luxury. Everyone has to work hard and live frugally, with the ultimate goal of having enough to eat and wear.
Bi Qiaoan was stunned after she finished speaking, thinking to herself that these remarks sounded so much like the code of conduct from the early days of the People's Republic of China. Fortunately, the two children didn't understand, so she didn't dwell on it too much.
Shen Yanming coughed twice, suppressing a laugh, and said, "Send whatever you want. Have you forgotten that we stockpiled supplies in advance?"
Bi Qiaoan then realized what she had said. She slapped her forehead, annoyed, and said, "Oh right, I forgot. Then let's have two bottles of red wine, a quilt, and two sets of toiletries. It's inconvenient to take out the rest, since they all have expiration dates."
As for meat, eggs, and grains, they'll have to rely on their own efforts. Although the base requires credits to exchange for food, their wages aren't low, so they shouldn't have any problem eating their fill.
Shen Yanming nodded: "Sure. We sent grain to Lao Ji and Heping before the New Year, and with what they usually grow and what they exchange at the base, it should be enough for them. Neither of them are stupid, so we don't need to worry about them."
Bi Qiaoan smiled and didn't say anything more.
Shen Yanming took the items out, and the couple repackaged them in a particularly shabby-looking bag. Looking at the final product, they both showed expressions of disgust.
An'an and Nuannuan also stayed far away because the outside of the bag was covered in clumps of mud, which looked like poop.
The two little ones pinched their noses and ran away. Shen Yanming smiled helplessly and put the bag back into his spatial storage.
The family played around at home until it got dark, then they changed their clothes, packed their things, and went to eat.
Wearing thick cotton clothes, An'an and Nuannuan swayed like little penguins under the light.
Since it hadn't snowed recently, the guards had cleared the snow from the base to both sides of the road. So the two children walked hand in hand in front, while Shen Yanming and Bi Qiaoan followed slowly behind them.
Every now and then he would shout, "Slow down, be careful not to fall!"
The two children giggled as if they hadn't heard anything, and even deliberately stepped on the snow on the roadside.
Bi Qiaoan was so angry she really wanted to give them both a good spanking. But considering they rarely caused such a ruckus, she could only suppress her anxiety and tell them to watch themselves.
Fifteen minutes later, the family arrived at Ji Kangyong's house. Zhang Heping and Li Wanwan had already come to help.
The aroma of the food wafted far from the house. Knowing that Lao Ji was having a wedding banquet today, the people around came over to thank him and then left. Given the current situation, none of them felt comfortable staying for the meal.
Shen Yanming put the woven bag in the corner and whispered to Ji Kangyong, "There are gifts inside for you, including two bottles of red wine. Be careful when you pack them, don't break them."
Ji Kangyong's eyes lit up, and he asked with a smile, "Where did you go to get something?"
Shen Yanming raised an eyebrow, knowing he was referring to the warehouse, and nodded: "Yes, there are also some toiletries, all wrapped in blankets. You can unpack them and use them slowly after we leave."
Ji Kangyong punched Shen Yanming in the chest: "Thanks, brother!"
“No need, it’s your own property anyway,” Shen Yanming said with a smile.
Ji Kangyong shook his head, his gaze toward Shen Yanming carrying a somewhat ambiguous meaning.
However, he didn't delve into it further. Instead, he put his arm around Shen Yanming and whispered in his ear, "Next time you go over, could you bring my wife a couple of outfits? They don't need to be fancy, just something ordinary will do. She doesn't have many clothes to change into, and it makes me feel really bad."
Shen Yanming wasn't surprised and nodded, asking, "Sure. Do you want to come along? I'll let you know if you do."
Ji Kangyong was surprised by his words and said after a moment of hesitation, "No, too many people will make you a bigger target. You can go by yourself."
"Besides these, is there anything else you need? I'll bring it back for you."
After thinking for a moment, Ji Kangyong said, "Let's have a baby, Xiaoyusan. It's not convenient to have a child under the current circumstances."
Actually, he was quite envious of Lao Shen, who had a wife and children and lived a comfortable life.
But in this situation, pregnancy and childbirth mean that one of them can't work. The credits they earn won't be enough to support a family of three, and they might face going hungry.
Although he had stockpiled supplies, his family's income was transparent, and he couldn't fool them even if he wanted to. If he didn't dare eat, he would simply go hungry.
I really envy Lao Shen; she had a baby so early. The couple doesn't have to go out to work every day, so they can balance family life.
Most importantly, the house is big enough that the couple can live in one room while leaving another room for the younger child.
I'm just envious, nothing more.
Shen Yanming smiled when he heard his brother's request.
He nodded: "Don't worry, I'll definitely take care of it for you. But, you really haven't thought about having children?"
"Of course I want to. But if I want to now, let alone what we'll eat and drink, the possibility of a disaster breaking out at any moment is enough to make me anxious. I don't have the same courage as you two."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
