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

Having connections in the central government makes things easier.

With all the necessary documents in place, the processing was quick, and the paperwork was completed in no time.

Zhao Qingsong put out his cigarette and left with his father.

I also need to register at the subdistrict office and neighborhood committee, and pick up all the various receipts for the next two weeks.

"Qingsong, am I going to have a secure job from now on too?"

It was already dark when they got home. The father looked at all the watches and could hardly believe it.

The mother was also anxious and took the things over to check.

Unfortunately, I can't read.

Looking at the two excited people, Zhao Qingsong smiled and instructed, "You must keep these things safe, especially the ration book. If you lose it, even if you go to get a replacement, you won't be able to collect your rations for this month. And getting a replacement will be a lot of trouble."

This kind of thing happens frequently in the city.

Food is a matter of life and death for a family, and it's not something to be taken lightly.

Seeing this, the mother quickly said, "Okay, I'll put it in a metal box. It must not be taken with it when not in use, and you must be careful when you do use it."

Zhao Qingsong watched his mother carefully packing her things and just smiled.

Then he looked at the house.

After I left, my mother tidied up the house, making it at least habitable.

The mother packed up the things and said with a smile, "Today is a big day for our family, so we should at least eat some fine grains. I rolled out some noodles, and your sister is downstairs; she'll be able to eat in a little while."

He then said, "Qingsong, where do you live? Show us around when the time comes."

Zhao Qingsong smiled and agreed: "Okay, my home is about four or five miles away, which is a bit far. It won't work these two days, as I have a mission. I'll take you there on Saturday or Sunday."

"good!"

That's settled then.

Looking at the oil lamp on the table, he scratched his head and said, "Mom, from now on, electricity will be charged monthly. I've already paid for this month's electricity and water in advance, so it's a waste if you don't use it."

"Huh? You still have to pay even if you don't use it!"

The mother looked distressed.

Zhao Qingsong turned on the light and said, "Yeah! You still have to pay even if you don't use it. We have two light bulbs, and the electricity bill is about 6 cents a month. It depends on the main meter reading. But I heard that the higher-ups are making some changes, and I guess they'll install meters here too. Then you won't have to pay if you don't use it."

Upon hearing this, the mother sighed, "Alright then, we'll use electricity. But these lights are really bright; only the brigade headquarters in our village has one."

My mood has improved a lot.

"Yeah! You'll have to get used to it."

"Okay, don't worry, I understand. We'll be more careful in the future and won't embarrass you."

Hearing his mother's words, Zhao Qingsong was speechless for a moment.

However, I didn't say anything. After all, it's normal to feel a little uncomfortable when you first arrive.

"Brother, dinner's ready! Let's eat!"

The younger sister brought in a bowl of rice.

The group began to clear the kang table and started eating.

……

Looking at the happy faces of his family, Zhao Qingsong felt a surge of joy in his heart.

I can say that I have done right by the original owner.

Thinking of something, he said, "Oh right, Dad, we need coal briquettes for cooking at home. Go buy a coal stove tomorrow. We have a ration of coal, and since you're at the coal station, it'll be convenient for you to haul coal. Here's 10 yuan; I'll give you the rest after I get paid. I'll get you whatever else you need when we get it."

He only had a dozen or so yuan left.

I was planning to go to the black market tomorrow morning to exchange some money; 10 yuan should be enough for them for a while.

The mother didn't take the money: "Take it, we have enough. The grain was brought from the village, so it won't cost much. When we bring the firewood back, we won't need to buy coal."

"Alright, listen to me. It's convenient to have a coal stove to boil water. We can't keep using an iron pot to boil water all the time. Besides, we can't do without any money."

They just shoved it in.

Seeing this, the mother looked at her husband.

I've gotten used to not having money, so suddenly having money feels a bit strange.

The father, who was eating, looked up upon hearing this and said, "Alright, the child has made up his mind, so you can take it!"

"Alright, I'll keep it for now."

Only then did the mother put the money away.

Zhao Qingsong looked at his younger sister and said, "Little sister, I'll take care of your schooling. It should be ready by the time school starts next year. You'll have been attending for more than half a year by then, so you should be able to keep up."

The issue of my younger sister going to school definitely needs to be resolved.

Even if I can't get into university in a special time later, I can't be illiterate.

My younger sister was in elementary school when we had to eat in the cafeteria. She attended school for half a year, but then there was a food shortage at the end of the year, so she had to stop going to school. She'll be starting first grade again next year.

"Okay, sure!"

The younger sister naturally agreed.

The family ate and chatted, enjoying their meal together in a harmonious atmosphere.

……

After dinner, the group chatted for a while, mainly Zhao Qingsong explaining some things about the place.

Feeling that it was about time, he left home and rushed back.

They can take care of the house.

It was already quite late when I got home.

I went down to the basement and looked at the livestock.

The chicks and ducklings were still quietly wandering around there.

Chicks need to sleep too.

He turned off the lights in the animal shed before heading to the adjacent planting area.

His eyes lit up when he saw what was inside.

The plants have mostly sprouted.

Lettuce, in particular, has a very short growth cycle, and it's already ten centimeters tall, so it's still good enough to make soup.

They're too young now.

The fastest-growing vegetables are not lettuce, but amaranth, bok choy, and cilantro. These vegetables have a growth cycle of only about one month, and they already have two or three leaves. If you want to eat them tender, you can start eating them now.

I estimate that by tomorrow morning, the bok choy seedlings will be thinned out, and the larger ones can be selected for soup.

Zhao Qingsong was quite satisfied with the vegetables. Although the quantity was small, it was enough for him to eat alone, and even enough to take care of his parents.

He didn't turn off the lights here; they were left on.

Once he was certain that the plants were growing well, he closed the door and came out.

After I finished, I took a shower and then went back to lie down.

……

The next day, in the early morning, Zhao Qingsong was woken up by his alarm clock.

Today he was going to the black market to exchange some money, but he was very anxious because he had no money in his hand.

After getting up, I went to the livestock area, turned on the light,

The chicks and ducklings are huddled together, sleeping.

I turned off the lights and went next door.

After one night, those with a fast growth cycle were already edible.

I took out a basket and started thinning out the bok choy seedlings. I also picked some amaranth and cilantro, otherwise they wouldn't get enough nutrition.

After this, we need to prepare some compost, otherwise the nutrients will not be sufficient.

They prepared enough food for one meal before stopping.

These things grow fast; if you don't eat them, they'll get old in just a few days.

……

After getting everything ready and putting it away, I washed my hands, locked the door, and left home.

He rode his bike in the dark back to the black market.

Coming here again, it's just as lively as ever.

"Hehe, this time I'll definitely get a few live rabbits. Rabbits are a good thing! They'll be considered game, and they can refresh my mission. These things reproduce almost as fast as mice."

He carried the cloth bag directly into the black market.

With his face covered by a black cloth, he wasn't worried about being seen.

"Huh!"

Seeing people trading and selling tickets there, I quickly walked past.

……

Chen Ergou was selling tickets when he saw someone coming over. He laughed and said, "Brother, what kind of tickets do you want? I have all kinds of tickets here."

Zhao Qingsong looked at him and said in a low voice, "Er Gouzi, it's me. Come with me."

Chen Ergou was startled when he heard someone call his name.

"you……"

"It's me!"

After saying that, he left immediately.

Chen Ergou's eyes lit up. He quickly packed his things and left to follow.