"good."
Qin Shuhan, wearing glasses and exuding the air of a highly educated intellectual, suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Has Yan Zheng contacted his family?"
"No. Dad knows that Yanzheng is busy with work and doesn't contact the family much, that's normal for him."
Her tone was relaxed and even a little amused. Clearly, Song Lan was afraid that her father-in-law would overthink things if he heard anything unusual.
"Too."
Qin Shuhan nodded, understanding what Song Lan said. After all, his eldest son's work was highly confidential, and even he, as his father, didn't know much about it. He only knew that once he got busy, he wouldn't contact his family, and sometimes it would take one or two years to receive any news about him.
We walked and talked along the way until we finally entered the gate of the forest farm.
When Song Lan saw Qin Shuhan's residence, it would be a lie to say that she wasn't moved.
Simple and dilapidated!
The mud-brick house had crumbling walls and a thatched roof with wobbly window frames that looked as if a gust of wind could knock them to the ground.
The room contained only a dilapidated rectangular wooden table with only three legs. On either side of the wooden table were two single beds made up of planks about a meter wide.
The toiletries were placed in the washbasin, which was then placed under the table.
Without a thermos, it's manageable in this weather, but once the temperature drops completely, let alone needing hot water for washing up, even just wanting a hot drink will be difficult.
While Song Lan was looking around Qin Shuhan's place, Qin Shuhan had already started to get busy. He took out a cloth bag from under the bed, reached inside, grabbed a handful of black flour into a bowl, and then prepared to cook on the stove built outside the thatched hut.
"Dad, what's wrong...?"
Noticing Qin Shuhan's actions, Song Lan looked at him and couldn't help but ask a question.
"Sit down and rest for a while, Dad will go and cook for you."
Qin Shuhan said with a gentle smile, "I have some wild vegetables left over from what I picked yesterday. I'll cook them in the pot later, and you can try Dad's cooking skills."
"Dad...you don't eat vegetable porridge three times a day, do you?"
Knowing that her father-in-law was probably not doing well at the forest farm, Song Lan did not expect that his life was so difficult that he could not even afford three meals a day, no, he probably could not even afford three meals a day, and he barely survived on two meals a day, eating vegetable porridge.
Most importantly, this vegetable porridge is made with dark flour.
No wonder she lost a lot of weight in just over a month; you could say her face was practically devoid of flesh.
With her eyes slightly sore, Song Lan opened her mouth, wanting to say something more. However, Qin Shuhan seemed to have guessed what she was going to say, smiled and shook his head, and said, "How can we eat vegetable porridge three times a day? Dad occasionally cooks some noodles. Just yesterday, we finished the last of the noodles, and we haven't had time to ask someone to buy some from the town's supply and marketing cooperative down the mountain."
Knowing that these were words of comfort meant to ease her worries, Song Lan felt even worse because of them. She said, "I wasn't well prepared this time. Next time I visit Dad, I'll bring you a thermos and some food."
"No need, no need."
Qin Shuhan waved his hand: "Dad won't go hungry here. Just take care of yourself and the family. Don't worry about Dad, and don't come here too often."
He knew that his wife had passed away. His eldest son was busy with work and rarely home, which meant that the entire burden of the family fell on his daughter-in-law's shoulders. As an elder, he could not help share the burden, so how could he add to her burden?
Furthermore, he didn't want to cause trouble for the little girl and his children at home.
Yes, in his heart, the child in front of him was just a little girl. Even though she was his eldest daughter-in-law and the eldest daughter-in-law in the family, she was only two or three years older than his second son. She hadn't grown up yet!
Since he knew this in his heart, he naturally couldn't add another burden to her already frail shoulders!
Besides... he won't starve to death at the forest farm. As long as he completes his tasks well, he can get the rations he deserves. He doesn't need any help from his family!
"I see."
While she verbally agreed, Song Lan didn't really take Qin Shuhan's words seriously. She had already decided that she would come to the forest farm again on the weekend when she had some free time.
Since she's here, even if the other person is an elder, are they really going to kick her out immediately? Or throw away the things she brought?
"You'd better behave, or Dad will get angry."
Qin Shuhan emphasized that he was afraid Song Lan might not mean what she said.
"Don't worry, I always listen to my elders the most."
Song Lan smiled and took out the things she had brought and placed them on Qin Shuhan's bed: "Dad, these four letters are from my second brother and the others."
Handing the letter to Qin Shuhan, Song Lan continued, "The weather is getting colder, so I brought you two warm coats, thermal underwear, and a wool vest. Also, these commonly used medicines are for you..."
Picking up a series of gourd-shaped porcelain bottles, Song Lan pointed to the names of the medicines labeled on them and introduced them to Qin Shuhan.
"Okay, Dad got it."
Qin Shuhan put away all the medicine bottles, and then Song Lan said, "This is malted milk powder. Remember to make a cup every day. As for White Rabbit milk candy, you can either keep it in your mouth or dissolve it in water to drink. After all, you do physical labor and need to supplement your nutrition. Otherwise, you will easily collapse from exhaustion."
One can of malted milk powder, one pack of White Rabbit milk candy, one pack of white sugar, two jars of canned fruit, and one pack of snacks.
Looking at all these bags and packages, Qin Shuhan was at a loss for words.
"It didn't cost much, Dad doesn't need to worry about it."
Song Lan spoke in a relaxed tone, and said with a smile, "These peaches taste especially good. Dad can share them with the uncle who lives in the same room."
“Lanlan…”
Qin Shuhan looked at Song Lan quietly. When Song Lan met his gaze, he said, "Dad is doing quite well here. Don't take on all the burdens yourself, especially don't buy Dad these things to eat and drink, understand?"
"I don't want anything to happen to you, Dad. You're the head of our family. What would we do if something happened to you? You don't know, Xiao Wu and Xiao Liu are talking about it almost every day at home."
They said they missed their dad. They actually wanted to come with me to the forest farm this time, but I didn't let them. After all, school has officially started, and it wouldn't be good to miss out on their studies.
But I promised them I'd bring them along later. When they finally see you and realize how thin you are now, or even thinner, they'll definitely be heartbroken.
Hearing Song Lan say this, Qin Shuhan's lips twitched, ready to reply, but unexpectedly, Song Lan's voice once again came out of her mouth: "Once they put their minds at ease, I'm afraid they will find it difficult to sit in the classroom and study."
"..."
Qin Shuhan didn't know how to respond.
Song Lan: "Dad, the country needs a lot of talent to develop. I believe you will return to your original position, and I also believe that universities will resume normal enrollment."
Opportunity favors the prepared mind. If, when this opportunity arrives, my second brother and the others are preoccupied with other things and don't study diligently, won't they regret it later?!
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