Travel through famine years and awaken a post-apocalyptic survival system.

Zhao Qingsong sat on the edge of the bed and said calmly, "I got the job at the steel mill back. I stole the recruitment certificate. However... Zhao Tiezhu and Qingshan don't know yet, but they'll probably find out in the next day or two."

The father's expression changed upon hearing this.

"real?"

"Yes, the formalities are all done, and I'll start work on Monday. I won't be able to come back then; I'll have to live at the factory."

"Okay, you can live in the factory, they won't dare to do anything to you."

The father nodded gently.

Zhao Qingsong pondered for a moment and said, "I know you're wondering where these things came from. To be honest, they were indeed resold."

Only in this way can doubts be dispelled.

Seeing that his father was about to speak, he simply pressed down lightly.

"Dad, I'm all grown up now. I can tell the difference between things. Reselling is definitely not allowed, but it depends on the situation. We're starving to death, so why should we stick to these rules?"

At least I can guarantee that I will not steal, rob, or do anything against my conscience.

Your illness also needs treatment. We'll go out tomorrow and take you to the city for treatment. It's not that your illness is incurable; it's just that your family didn't have the money before. Now that we have the money, you should go for treatment. Even if there are some aftereffects, it's still better than letting it drag on like this.

The family can't rely on me alone. You have to pull yourself together so that our family has hope.

I'm going to work at a steel factory. It's impossible for my family to be without any able-bodied workers. I can't let my mother, a woman, shoulder the burden alone. No matter how fierce she is, she can't beat a man.

What I'm trying to say today is that if you agree, I will do it; if you disagree, I will still do it.

After saying that, he just stood there watching.

His father looked at him, opened his mouth, as if to say something.

But when the words reached his lips, he swallowed them back down.

After a long silence, he finally sighed and said, "Fine, I know. You've grown up. I won't interfere in your affairs anymore. You know that yourself."

He paused for a moment, then said, "But I don't have any money for treatment. I only have three yuan at home, which was given to me by your uncle. I'm too ashamed to borrow any more."

Hearing this, Zhao Qingsong finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It's finally done.

He has his own space, so he won't be in danger, but his family doesn't know that!

Looking at the half-eaten bread in his hand, she smiled and said, "Don't worry about the money. Just eat the bread. I'll eat in moderation; I won't waste anything. When Mom comes back, you can talk to her about this too. I'll pay the money back to your uncle later."

He'll have money this time when he goes to the city, so he doesn't need to worry too much.

The father held up the bread in his hand.

He hummed in agreement and chuckled, "Okay, I'll talk to your mom. Just... be careful."

"Okay, don't worry."

Zhao Qingsong smiled.

"Then I'll go warm myself by the fire!"

After saying that, he smiled and returned to the main room.

The father watched his departing figure, his heart filled with unease for a long time.

He felt... that the son he had raised for 18 years seemed to have changed, both familiar and unfamiliar.

……

When my mother returned home in the evening after twisting hemp rope, my younger sister had already prepared the porridge.

The family sat on the kang (a heated brick bed) eating their meal.

There was a piece of pork belly at the bottom of everyone's bowl.

Zhao Qingsong didn't take out too much, as his family members hadn't been eating oily or fatty foods for a long time, and eating too much wouldn't be a good thing.

It can kill someone just by pulling.

His mother obviously knew about his situation. She remained silent, handed him the money, and simply told him to be careful.

Zhao Qingsong could sense it.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. In any era and place, the transfer of power always leaves people feeling resentful.

The father felt guilty and useless.

The mother felt a sense of helplessness, a mixture of relief and resignation. In their eyes, their son was taking on household responsibilities at such a young age.

No matter how old he is, he is still a child in their hearts.

……

Seeing the somber atmosphere, Zhao Qingsong laughed and said, "Mom and Dad, what are you doing! I'm not going to the execution ground. Besides, there are people in our brigade who do reselling, and they won't be shot."

"How can you talk like that, child! Pah, pah, pah, don't talk nonsense."

Upon hearing this, the mother began to complain.

Zhao Qingsong smiled and said, "Okay, I won't talk nonsense. I'm being serious. We'll go to the city together tomorrow."

The carefree younger sister asked expectantly, "Brother, are we really going to the city? I've never been before!"

Zhao Qingsong patted her head and smiled, "Yes! We're going to the city tomorrow. To get Dad medical treatment. You're coming too."

Hearing this, the mother frowned, thought for a moment, and said, "You and your father can go, your sister and I won't go. It would cost several cents for the two of us to travel back and forth."

"Go, everyone go. I have things to do tomorrow. Dad needs you to take care of him. I'm worried about my little sister being home alone."

Zhao Qingshan's job application has been ruined, and he'll probably cause trouble at his home.

It's too dangerous for my little sister to be home alone.

Seeing their hesitant expressions, she laughed and said, "Alright, I've never been to the city before. This is a rare opportunity, so let's go. I'm not afraid of getting itchy from lice, and I don't care about the little bit of travel expenses."

The mother hesitated for a moment, looking at the little girl's expectant eyes.

He glanced at his son again, and finally agreed: "Alright then, it's your decision. I'll go get the certificate in a bit."

"Okay, sure!"

Zhao Qingsong agreed.

Now, you need a certificate to go out; otherwise, you can't even stay in a guesthouse in the city.

The mother hummed in agreement, and the group resumed their usual way of speaking.

That evening, his mother went to the brigade to get him a certificate.

……

The next day, it was just beginning to get light.

Zhao Qingsong and his family of four packed up and left with the money.

"I'll carry you on my back!"

Seeing his father panting heavily after every step, Zhao Qingsong suggested carrying him on his back.

Otherwise, who knows when we'll arrive!

"No need, Mom will carry you. You're not fully recovered yet, and you're not as strong as me."

Seeing this, the mother immediately carried the father on her back and walked forward with difficulty, her steps uneven.

Zhao Qingsong watched his mother's retreating figure.

These days, women do a lot of physical labor, so they are indeed very strong.

He quickly grabbed his younger sister and followed.

"We'll take turns carrying each other in a bit."

"good!"

This time, however, her mother did not refuse.

It took the group more than two hours to finally reach the main road of the commune, a journey that should have taken more than an hour.

There are buses going to the city center from here.

"The car hasn't arrived yet, let's grab something to eat first."

He took out a loaf of bread and gave one to each person.

This time, the parents did not refuse.

He took the food and started eating it heartily.

After eating and drinking to our hearts' content, we waited by the roadside for more than half an hour, almost freezing, before finally getting on the bus to Beijing.

The journey took 15 kilometers to reach Fuchengmen.

"Wow, this is Beijing in the 1960s! It's so run-down!"

Zhao Qingsong stood below the Fuchengmen city gate, looking around.

A scene I've only ever seen on TV.

It's even more dilapidated than it appears on TV.

The flow of people here is on a completely different level compared to the steel mill, and it's currently rush hour.

The road was packed with people, some riding bicycles, others walking.

There were too many people; the sidewalk was completely blocked.

They were all crowded on the main road.

There's no roar of the subway, no traffic jams, only the sounds of bicycle bells, neighborly greetings, and wisps of smoke from cooking fires—a faded collective memory.

Fortunately, he arrived at the destination just as the rush hour was ending.

Pedestrians on the road dispersed into various units and factories at a visible speed.

……

In the early morning, long lines of people emptied chamber pots formed, and manure carts rattled and clanged through the alleyways.

The roadside breakfast stalls, state-run breakfast shops, serve soy milk, fried dough sticks, and sugar-coated sesame cakes, and the people queuing up hold enamel mugs in their hands.

At the bus stop, the conductor, holding a ticket holder, called out, "Please buy a ticket before boarding; monthly pass holders, please show your pass!"

Farmers from the suburbs would drive horse-drawn carts and handcarts into the city to deliver vegetables, and handcarts carrying coal could still be seen in the alleys.

The shouts from the alleyway: "Sharpening scissors! Sharpening kitchen knives!" "Scrap metal for money!"

It's all so full of the warmth and vibrancy of everyday life.