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

王莉

The original owner's partner, or rather, her blind date, had almost finalized their relationship.

If all goes well, I'm getting married at the end of the year.

This is……

break off an engagement?

pretty close.

Wang Li was one of the most beautiful girls in the nearby villages, so there was no chance for him!

Unfortunately, he was about to become the senior worker.

Although life in the city isn't easy either, it's still much, much better than in the countryside.

With the help of a matchmaker, the two families reached an agreement.

There's no bride price!

During difficult times, rural families did not need to give bride prices for weddings. As long as the family was willing to accept the bride, they would just give her some food. This way, the food saved after the bride left could be used to feed the family.

This money is very important.

The grain station's listed price: flour 18 cents per pound, which requires a ration coupon.

However, on the black market, flour has reached a terrifying price of two or three yuan per kilogram, and even then, it depends on luck; there's no guarantee you'll have the chance to buy it.

The grain has just been harvested and distributed.

If we get married at the end of the year, we can secure several months' worth of food, which is much more important than money.

Food is life itself.

really.

As he approached, the purpose of their conversation became clear.

……

The mother said with difficulty, "Sister-in-law, everything was agreed upon regarding the child! Why are you changing your mind now?"

Wang Li's mother curled her lip: "What do you mean we changed our minds? We didn't take any dowry or anything. We only took Qingsong because he could get a stable job in the factory. Now that you've lost your jobs, how could I let my child suffer with you?"

After saying that, he waved his hand impatiently: "Alright, here's five yuan, the money you gave me before, here it is, that's it!"

As they were talking, Zhao Qingsong walked in.

It has to be said, this woman is quite well-endowed.

She was about sixteen or seventeen years old, and even in the countryside, her pretty face couldn't be hidden.

"The pine tree!"

When she saw him return, his mother looked up at him with some difficulty, finding it hard to speak.

My son's wedding fell through.

Zhao Qingsong pressed down lightly: "Mom, I know, it's okay."

She then looked at Wang Li, her eyes darting away.

There were no humiliating words as I had imagined.

But thinking about it, it makes sense. People care about their reputation, and even in later generations, they rarely break off relations.

No matter how wicked one's heart may be, one must maintain a glamorous facade.

He shifted his gaze to Wang Li's mother: "Aunt Wang, I know what you've said. Let's just call off this engagement!"

He has no intention of getting married right now.

Upon hearing this, Wang Li's mother smiled and said, "Oh, Qingsong is so sensible. Well then, that's settled. Lili, let's go."

After saying that, he left with his men.

Wang Li followed carefully behind.

……

After everyone left.

Looking at his resentful mother, Zhao Qingsong laughed and said, "Mom, if Wang Li's matter is off, it's off. We'll find someone better in the future."

The mother sighed, "It's not that easy to find someone like that! You know our family's situation."

"There's nothing we can do about it! Okay, Mom, don't think about these things anymore. I'll go to the factory tomorrow."

He doesn't really care much about work these days.

But we can't let this guy get away with it.

However, it might cause some trouble.

The spot was originally meant for Grandpa, but now that he's passed away, Grandma is the head of the household, which is causing some trouble.

It would be great if we could get the employment certificate back.

Unfortunately, his fists weren't as big as the others', so he probably treasured that proof and hid it away like a precious gem.

But it's okay.

It doesn't matter if Zhao Qingshan goes to work.

He remembers.

Next year, or more precisely, starting from New Year's Day this year, the city will begin to streamline its workforce, and the vast majority of workers who came from rural areas will be laid off and sent back to the countryside.

All told, there's only about a month left.

Even if Zhao Qingshan can stay, I have to ruin it for him.

"Don't go. Forget about the job."

The mother was there, trying to persuade her.

In the countryside, no one cares when brothers fight. He only has one son; what if something happens to him?

Zhao Qingsong opened his mouth, but in the end, he didn't say anything.

"Okay, I understand."

There was no argument.

Back in his room, he took out the bread, wrapped it in old newspapers, and tucked it into his cotton coat.

It was getting dark.

After washing up, I got onto the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed). By the time I was on the kang, it was already dark outside.

It gets dark early in winter.

……

After finishing her work, her mother also came back.

The father was at the head of the kang (a heated brick bed), he was in the second position, his younger sister was in the middle, and the mother was at the foot of the kang.

In winter, the head of the kang (heated brick bed) is the warmest, while the foot of the kang is the coldest

……

In the darkness, he felt someone tickling his stomach.

It's obvious she's the younger sister.

"Wait a minute!"

Holding his little sister close, he whispered something in his ear, and the little guy finally quieted down.

……

Zhao Qingsong lay there, reflecting on the events of the day.

I feel like I'm dreaming.

I drifted off to sleep in a daze.

That night, he had a nightmare in which he was carried into the emergency room by an ambulance and eventually died.

The person was covered with a white sheet.

Just as he covered himself with the white sheet, he suddenly woke up with a start.

"Huff! Huff!"

He was panting heavily.

There was moonlight outside, but Zhao Qingsong couldn't see anything clearly. This was night blindness caused by long-term malnutrition; he couldn't see anything once it got dark.

Even in bright moonlight, it cannot be seen.

I touched the blanket and found that I was covered in sweat.

I don't even know what time it is.

Even his little sister, that little glutton, was asleep; it must be very late. Thinking of this, he quietly took out the bread.

"Little sister, wake up! Dad, Mom, wake up!"

He nudged the people next to him.

My younger sister is a heavy sleeper. I nudged her a few times, but she just turned over and went back to sleep.

The parents, on the other hand, woke up quickly.

"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

The mother asked worriedly.

"Mom, turn on the light, something's wrong!"

After hearing this, the mother got up and groped her way to the location of the matches.

"wipe!"

I struck a match and lit the kerosene lamp. The flame was faint, but it was enough to illuminate the room.

"Mom, this is for you. Eat it quickly before anyone finds out."

Actually, there's no need to explain. A few years ago, every household had nothing to eat, so when they found something to eat, they ate it secretly.

Therefore, the brigade would sometimes send militiamen to check the manure buckets in people's homes to see if anyone was stealing anything.

"What is this thing? Where did it come from?"

The mother was utterly astonished when she saw the half-eaten bread being handed to her.

It smells so good, it makes my mouth water.

"Never mind that, Dad, this is for you, my little sister and I will share one."

After Zhao Qingsong finished speaking, he took a piece of bread that had been broken in half and held it in front of the little girl's nose.

This guy was born in the Year of the Dog.

With its eyes closed, it could still twitch its nose and drool was coming out.

"Little sister, time to eat."

This time, the little guy woke up.

In a daze, I followed the scent and found my target.

"Mmm, it smells so good!"

He started eating heartily, his eyes clearing from a dazed state to a lucid one.

Once she regained consciousness, she hurriedly asked, "Mmm, it's so delicious, so fragrant, so sweet! Brother, what is this? Is it a pastry?"

Zhao Qingsong smiled upon hearing this.

Actually, bread already existed in this era, and it was sold in Beijing for four or five cents a piece. Only city dwellers could afford to buy it.

Now, you need pastry coupons or grain coupons; a 4-ounce loaf of bread requires a 1-pound grain coupon.

It's definitely not something an ordinary person can afford.

"Yes, pastries! Don't choke."

……

The parents didn't rush to eat it. Instead, they frowned and asked, "Qingsong, tell me honestly, where did this come from? Nobody in our village should be able to afford it. I've seen city people eat it before when I went to the city."

Zhao Qingsong smiled and said, "Mom and Dad, if I give you something, just eat it. I won't hurt you. I'll tell you about this later."

He paused for a moment and then said, "Don't worry, I don't steal, I don't rob. I don't do anything bad."

"Then tell me, where did this thing come from?"

The mother was a little anxious.

If you steal something from someone's house, you're in big trouble when they come knocking on your door.