Siheyuan: Relieve stress and relieve worries

Chapter 1075 The Jia Family Mother-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law
Autumn of 1959 arrived.

At this time, the black market and pigeon market did sell some coarse grains and miscellaneous grains, but they were very scarce, and it was considered lucky to come across them.

But generally speaking, as long as people tighten their belts and travel more, they can still meet their basic needs.

Nanluoguxiang is also changing. The hustle and bustle of the past is gone, and there are fewer idle people walking around outside. At this time, people either go fishing at Houhai and Shichahai, or go out of the city to stroll around the pigeon market. If they happen to come across someone selling grain, they consider it a good deal.

The staff of the subdistrict office were also busy. They had to ensure the lives of the families of martyrs and the elderly living alone, as well as maintain the stability of the entire Nanluoguxiang. Their work was busy and arduous. The managers of each courtyard were always being visited by the staff who were running around, reminding them to be careful of those who were trying to escape and to report them immediately if they were found.

Wang Zhan started school again, and Wang Li was in the second semester of fifth grade. Grandpa Liu sent word that he wasn't coming back and that Wang Zhan should deal with the house himself, as there weren't any important items left inside.

After returning to her hometown, Grandma Sun disappeared without a trace. By then, it was difficult to buy anything on the market, and food and grain were very expensive on the black market. Wang Zhan had been there before and returned empty-handed.

The autumn wind in September is like a knife, making people's faces sting.

The most talked-about topic among neighbors now is food. Grain stores are barely able to supply enough, but not enough to feed everyone. Residents are complaining, but there's nothing they can do. The neighborhood committee said the country is facing difficulties and asked everyone to persevere.

The residents of No. 95 Courtyard were the same. The third uncle, Yan Bugui, no longer guarded the gate. Whenever he had time, he would take his two sons to the countryside, supposedly to exchange grain for Yang Ruihua's maternal home, Zuojiazhuang.

The life of Sha Zhu in the middle court has not changed much. After all, he is a cook and has no pressure to eat or drink. In addition, his sister will never come back, so he is now truly a one-man show and has no family to worry about. He is now focusing all his attention on the Jia family.

Yi Zhonghai is no ordinary person. No matter how things change outside, he can always find meat to eat secretly with his wife. Occasionally, he will send some to the old lady, but only once a week, not every day.

The Jia family across the street was in a worse situation. Although Qin Huairu had been registered and had a ration, Jia Zhangshi didn't have one. She could only eat Qin Huairu and her children. Suddenly, they were short of food and money. If it weren't for the food that Sha Zhu brought them, they would probably have to eat cornbread and corn porridge every day. Even so, they had to be very careful with their money to make ends meet, otherwise they would run out of food.

Why is it so difficult? It's all because of Jia Zhangshi's greedy nature. The money that comes into her hands only goes in and never comes out. She doesn't contribute any money and relies entirely on the fifteen yuan subsidy from the factory to make ends meet. How can she possibly live a good life?

This Jia Zhangshi was a glutton. She ate and drank as she pleased every day, and sometimes she would go out alone to eat, buying high-end meats to satisfy her appetite.

Xu Damao saw her enter Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant twice. At that time, roast duck was very expensive. Originally priced at six yuan, it rose to eight yuan due to the market price. You also had to wait in line. What puzzled Xu Damao was where Jia Zhangshi got the duck tickets. Of course, Jia Zhangshi bought them at a high price.

When Xu Damao returned home, he brought up the matter of Jia Zhangshi eating duck. Xu Wude scolded Xu Damao, saying that he shouldn't talk about such things in the yard, as it would offend people and bring no benefit. He told Xu Damao to just pretend he didn't see it. Although Xu Damao was still resentful, he didn't say anything. Later, after thinking about it carefully, he felt that his father had a point. Sometimes, rumors could turn two families into mortal enemies.

In courtyard number 95, the Jia family's west wing of the central courtyard.
After Qin Huairu finished taking care of the two children, she went to the outer room to talk to her mother-in-law, wondering if she could ask Jia Zhangshi to contribute some money to help with living expenses.

As soon as Jia Zhangshi saw Qin Huairu's expression, she guessed why her usually quiet daughter-in-law had taken the initiative to chat with her.

Before Qin Huairu could even open her mouth, Jia Zhangshi said directly, "I've been thinking about it. You're due to give birth soon, so you should just stay home and prepare for the delivery. I'll go to the factory."

Qin Huairu was startled when she heard this, wondering what kind of trouble Jia Zhangshi was up to now. She became a little anxious and said, "Mom, that money is for living expenses. Don't hide your salary again. Besides, if you take over the business, how am I supposed to take over?"

Jia Zhangshi said impatiently, "Alright, alright, listen to me. I know what you're saying. I have my own ideas, just listen to me. I didn't know that grain prices are rising and it's hard to buy. By the way, don't go hanging around across the street lately. I guess they don't have much money left. Plus, with the house repairs, they probably won't be able to squeeze any grain or oil out of them."

Qin Huairu was unsure what Jia Zhangshi was up to, but she didn't say anything.

“However, you could try looking for that idiot in the main house; he makes a lot of money in the canteen,” said Madam Jia.

Qin Huairu nodded helplessly, which was considered an agreement. Qin Huairu also felt that there was nothing worth going to the apartment across the hall, and besides, Yi Zhonghai's gaze towards her was becoming more and more strange, so she was somewhat wary.

Qin Huairu's due date is next month, and Sha Zhu, for some reason, has been constantly looking for nutritious dishes, cooking them, and then delivering them directly to the Jia family. This has left Jia Zhangshi and Qin Huairu completely baffled. In the end, the two of them guessed that Sha Zhu felt indebted to Jia Dongxu.

Xiao Wu spent two years in high school, and then his grades started to drop. He could barely keep up in Chinese and math, but his other subjects were terrible. He didn't know what to do. At first, he wanted Xiao Si to help him, and Xiao Si was very helpful, tutoring Xiao Wu during breaks and evenings. But Xiao Wu just couldn't learn, and this delay meant a whole semester was wasted.

Xiao Si was furious, while Xiao Wu was completely bewildered. Wang Zhan didn't say anything after hearing this, only saying that perhaps Xiao Wu had other strengths.

Every day when Xiao Wu came home, his mother would wield a feather duster, leaving afterimages everywhere, followed by Xiao Wu's shouts. The final scene was Xiao Wu running out of the courtyard and strolling to Wang Zhan's house.

(End of this chapter)