Under the starry night sky, a group of people sat on the grass. A wild goat was roasting on a campfire not far away. A large pot on the campfire made a gurgling sound, emitting the aroma of meat.
A smile flickered across the face of the honest and sincere student Mu. "...There's a farmers' market in town. I can buy a lot of good things there before dawn..."
"...With the opening of the market, more people are raising sheep. My family has a lot more this year...It's hot in the summer, so I'll wait until winter and send them to you..."
"... Watermelons, there are so many... Wild fruits are worthless and no one buys them..."
Not far away, Zhou Jiao listened absentmindedly to the other party's words, feeling a little dazed. Was this the era she was in, or the future?
"...People from the county commune came to persuade them to return home... Habit becomes second nature, this is their hometown... They have relatives and friends who have come to seek refuge here..."
"...It's different now than it was before. With the military camp, it's safer here... The population has increased several times... When I was a kid, I could still hear wolves howling..."
Pregnant woman Yi Shumin stretched out her body, and Zhou Jiao lay down behind her. "It's so nice here. If Xiaofei couldn't leave, I would have wanted to transfer to work here."
Zhou Jiao smiled but didn't answer. Staying here for a few days now and then was fine, but living the life of a herder for the long term was a whole other experience.
Putting aside other things, without Zhang Guoqing's skills, it would be impossible to eat meat every day.
The bleating lambs in the sheepfold are the family's hope for the coming year. Who would be willing to eat them unless they were distinguished guests? And the harsh winter weather is a real test for herders.
It's not easy for anyone to live in this world. It's just that some people hide their wounds deep in their hearts, while others are used to receiving sympathy and support.
"When are you planning on sending the two brothers Liuyi to nursery?"
Zhou Jiao laughed, "You've taken a really long turn on the subject."
"Hahaha... If I wasn't pregnant this time, I would definitely bring Yueyaer with me. It's better for children to stay with you. I think Liuyi and his brother are so smart and they can't do without your guidance."
"You're just thinking that other people's food smells especially good. Isn't your Yueya very smart? I heard from Grandma Fang that she knows not to play with runny-nosed children even at her age."
"I wonder who this girl takes after? She's quite domineering, but now she's really fun. She clap her hands and sing every day, and she even knows to wear a handkerchief..."
Zhou Jiao listened to her talk about the child's advantages and smiled knowingly. As expected, a happy mood can make people relax. No longer worrying about whether the baby in her belly is a boy? No more...
Early the next morning, the group followed the production team's ox cart into the county town.
As soon as they stopped, Zhang Guoqing took out a baby carrier from his backpack and, with Zhou Jiao's help, held the twins in his arms. He looked at his eldest son apologetically and asked, "Can Daddy carry you?"
Aunt Sun on the side was so anxious that she turned around and said, "I will take care of the child. Give me one."
Ping An shook his head and chuckled happily, "Grandma Sun, my dad just wants you to have fun in peace."
This emotional intelligence is really high! Old Mrs. Cheng and Zhou Jiao looked at each other and smiled, and advised: "Okay, you usually suffer for the children. This time, listen to Xiaowu. Come, follow us."
Fang Fei carefully helped his wife down and said, "Do you really want to go in? There are a lot of people coming and going in the market."
Old Mrs. Cheng waved her hand and said, "Leave it to me. I'll look after her. You guys just take care of the children."
With the two aunts, Old Lady Cheng, and Zhou Jiao around, Fang Fei felt reassured, especially since he saw his wife being protected by several people.
Over there, Zhang Guoqing looked at the wild boys who were jumping and skipping with their sons, winked at Ping'an, and only breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him cleverly run to find his mother.
To be honest, he was not happy about taking so many people on a trip. He had originally planned that with the old lady and two aunts, they could all have a relaxing vacation.
Who knew a pregnant woman would come over too? No wonder his wife doesn't like him. How tactless and inconsiderate! Even if she's only four months pregnant, she's still pregnant. Why is she joining in the fun?
Zhang Guoqing glanced at Fang Fei sympathetically. This guy had originally vowed to marry a woman of steel. Young people are truly unreliable! If it were him, he'd definitely give her a few slaps to keep her in line.
Fortunately, Fang Fei didn't know what he was thinking, otherwise he would really ask him where his face was. How shameless! You don't need to slap your wife, why don't you try slapping her hand?
Fang Fei has been feeling quite resentful lately, isn't he? It's because this silly buddy is so famous for doting on his wife that this woman in his family always asks him to learn more.
At this moment, he also looked at the silly Yi Jiefang and the other two with sympathy. Laugh, laugh happily, there is such a model there, you will understand when you get married.
Aside from the stall owners, there weren't many customers in the farmers' market. It was almost time for work, so who would have time for them?
No matter where they went, no matter how big the radishes were, as soon as they saw the sorghum and corn, they all stopped and looked at the adults.
Although they were young, they had long understood the meaning of the unified marketing and purchase system. So what did rations and meat represent? Compared to ordinary people in the outside world, they were much happier, but they could only eat enough and, at most, go to a restaurant occasionally.
What's more, they haven't forgotten how their parents and elders took care of them during those years, and they can often hear their stomachs rumbling.
Zhang Guoqing walked around and found that there were indeed more goods in stock here than in the suburbs of Beijing, but there were only a few more stalls, which made them noticeable because of the accumulation of small amounts.
It seems that no matter how good the harvest is, farmers still have a hard time living with only a yield of two or three hundred kilograms per acre.
Zhou Jiao hugged her son and squatted in front of a dark-faced old man. She asked in local dialect, "Uncle, how much is it?"
When the old man saw her asking the price, his wrinkles immediately relaxed. "Look, this corn is all grown in my family's private plot. There's not a single bad one. It's not expensive, only 1.2 cents."
The fruits were bright yellow and plump, and the quality was indeed very good. Zhou Jiao smiled and nodded, "Will it be enough for the family after we sell it?"
I don't know if he wanted Zhou Jiao to buy more, or if the old man was just good at talking, but he said cheerfully: "Leaving half is fine to make do with wild vegetables."
"You want it? I don't need food coupons. If you buy them all, it'll be 1.1 cents. Go ahead, you won't lose out. If it weren't for my child getting married, I really wouldn't be willing to sell it."
Zhou Jiao looked at the thick calluses on the old man's hands and didn't bargain with him. She just walked along, occasionally stopping to ask a few questions and buy some.
Unlike them, Zhou Jiao always winked at Ping An first, then asked a question or two after leaving. Mother and son worked in perfect harmony, understanding each other with a single glance.
While Aunt Sun and the others were more focused on the prices, Old Lady Cheng, who was strolling around, gradually noticed something fishy. The old lady, still childlike at heart, even went out of her way to follow them.
The old lady patted Zhou Jiao with satisfaction. Life is full of learning, and the truth is revealed in the details. With a mother like this, why worry about her three children not being outstanding?
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