Before greenhouse cultivation became widespread, the vegetables available for winter were mostly common ones like scallions, cabbage, radishes, winter melons, potatoes, pumpkins, and sweet potatoes. In Henan province, for example, people could also harvest garlic sprouts, spinach, and coriander to eat in winter, even if it snowed.
Moreover, two crops can be grown a year: one wheat crop and one corn crop. Sweet potatoes can also be grown on wasteland, making the land utilization rate relatively high.
But it's different in Heilongjiang Province. The whole winter is covered in snow, so what can grow in the ground?
Rice or corn is harvested once a year.
But they have a lot of land, so even if they can only grow crops for one season, their output is still among the top in the country.
So when they went back, they brought a three-wheeled cart full of cabbages and radishes, which had to be displayed openly.
"In winter, when the houses are warm, they all put their vegetables out in the hallway, but what about us...?"
Xiao Jiu waved his hand and said, "Move it back into the house. Don't fight them for space. Just say it was brought by a relative. We'll move it again after a while."
Among the hospital staff, those who are allocated housing are generally well-off, provided both spouses work, unless there is famine or other financial burdens.
Their family has three bedrooms, while the apartment across the hall has two bedrooms. This further filters out some low-level workers, so those who can live in this block are generally much better off in terms of both economic status and personal qualities.
With her mother occasionally sending things to help build good relationships with the neighbors, they got along quite well.
At least since I moved in, I haven't had a single argument with anyone.
"Wow, these cabbages and radishes you bought are so good! They feel so firm to the touch. Where did you buy them? I want to buy some too!"
Indeed, although this was the first time planting vegetables in Guanshan Village, Xiaojiu had his mother apply fertilizer and spray pesticides twice during the process.
Therefore, the vegetables grow very well. Even if they are homegrown vegetables, if you don't spray pesticides, they will have to compete with insects for food and will be riddled with insect holes, making them inedible.
However, not all vegetables need to be sprayed with pesticides; you can decide based on the situation.
Now that the neighbors have come over to look, my mother quickly said...
“This wasn’t bought, we got it by exchanging it with relatives. It wasn’t purchased.”
City dwellers receive a fixed amount of coupons every month, so they don't lack daily necessities, but rural residents don't have coupons, so they are quite rare.
With the two companies swapping positions, the distribution becomes relatively more even.
Of course, this was not allowed in previous years as well.
Only in the last two years have the policies been relaxed a little, which is why I dare to say it so openly.
The smart neighbors will stop asking questions at this point; only the clueless ones will keep asking what was exchanged for and the specific price.
Xiao Jiu smiled but didn't respond, while Zhao Lingli directed Tao Changyi to move the items home.
The family of three remained silent. As the crowd gradually dispersed, various unpleasant remarks began to emerge from the mouths of those who harbored resentment.
At this point, anyone with a modicum of sense would not gossip behind someone's back, but would choose to leave as soon as possible.
Xiao Jiu heard a few words and tried to step forward, but Zhao Lingli grabbed her arm.
"Let them say what they want, it won't hurt you. As long as they don't say it to your face, just pretend you don't know anything in private."
"You're heavily pregnant now, and I don't want to lower myself to their level. Alright, you go upstairs first; we'll be done moving things soon."
Frustrated and unable to vent her anger, Xiao Jiu could only grit her teeth and glare hatefully at the group of gossipy women before stomping upstairs.
After my parents finished moving everything, the party over there also ended. I just got into the house and tidied myself up.
The old lady next door, the head of the urology department's mother, was one of the women downstairs who had been badmouthing their family.
He smiled and banged on their door, openly asking to borrow two cabbages and five radishes.
"You were just talking about us downstairs, and now you're here to borrow vegetables? Grandma, you've got some nerve!"
It was indeed thick. Even after Xiao Jiu said that, he still stood on tiptoe with a grin and peered into their house.
Xiao Jiu was getting impatient with her actions and used the height difference to block her view.
"What did I say to you? You don't say it to my face, but you're dragging me into this behind my back. I won't admit it."
"Given how well-off your family is, you wouldn't be stingy with a few vegetables, would you?"
After witnessing her incredibly shameless behavior, Xiao Jiu sneered.
"I'm sorry, your family is short of vegetables, and so am mine. It's about to snow, and where are we going to find vegetables when the snow falls?"
You said you came to borrow it, but I'm afraid you never intended to return it. Don't think that just because we arrived late, we don't know your reputation.
"When are you going to return the things you borrowed, Grandma Cen? I'm sorry, we need to cook now. Goodbye."
When the old lady saw how assertive Xiao Jiu was, she immediately braced herself against the door with her foot, which startled Zhao Lingli, who quickly pulled Xiao Jiu behind her.
"What are you trying to do, old lady? She's pregnant. If you dare push her, our whole family will fight you to the death."
"I don't want to do anything, I just want to order food,"
"How dare you be so shameless? Do I even know you? You just come to my house asking for food?"
If your son doesn't have money to buy groceries, he should talk to his workplace. Don't let an old woman like you, who loves to take advantage, bother people like this!
When the old woman couldn't get her food, she lay down on the ground, crying and shouting that they were bullying her.
Xiao Jiu was thoroughly fed up with this kind of person. She came out carrying a basin of foot-washing water and threatened him.
"Are you coming or not? If you don't, I'll spill it!"
The old lady was not threatened at all. "Everyone come and see! This pregnant woman doesn't know how to do good deeds for her child. She's bullying an old lady who has no one to back her up!"
Everyone come and see! Why does this kind of person live in a three-bedroom apartment while we, a dozen or so people, live in a fifty-square-meter house?
"This is outrageous! They deserve to have children born without an anus!"
The next second, a basin of smelly water arrived as promised. "You're the one who told me to splash this. Okay, now you can get out of here!"
The old lady was drenched in a basin of water. You have to understand, it's October in Heilongjiang Province. Although it's not yet below zero and snowing, it's still a cold autumn day with temperatures around 10 degrees Celsius. If a basin of water were poured on her, she would be stunned, even if she wasn't stupid.
Taking this opportunity, Xiao Jiu slammed the security door shut outside, and the woman standing inside looked at her with extreme disgust.
"You old hag, you deserve to never eat four dishes in your life."
To hurl such a vicious curse at a pregnant woman, I would be doing my unborn child a disservice if I didn't throw it at you!
Look at this, do you even know what a video recorder is?
I have recorded your performance in detail.
"If you don't want me to report this to the higher-ups and cause your son and daughter-in-law to get punished, then get out of here right now!"
After slamming the wooden door shut, Xiao Jiu's face turned ashen. "Pah! That old hag, she's utterly wicked!"
Zhao Lingli quickly helped her sit down. "Look at you, why are you so angry? I can't even stop you. If something happens to you, how will your father and I explain to Zhou Yue? We've already said we're here for you. Sit down, I'll go and chase the people away."
Xiao Jiu grabbed Zhao Lingli's hand instead, saying, "No need, I have evidence. She cursed my child first, that's why I threw water. I'm not afraid. When her son comes to our door, I'll personally confront them and demand an explanation!"
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