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

Zhao Qingsong carried the basket into the house.

Looking at the mushy food in the pot, he didn't say anything, and carried the things into the inner room.

The younger sister followed behind her furtively.

I kept staring at the cloth bag he was carrying.

"Go, bring the thermos and a spoon."

"Okay!"

As soon as the little girl heard that there was something delicious, she quickly ran away.

A moment later, he came in with a spoon.

He was also carrying a thermos.

Seeing this, Zhao Qingsong opened the basket and took out the malted milk powder inside, placing it on the table.

I watched my mother come in carrying a bowl of rice.

He handed her the basket directly: "Mom, there are some vegetables, pork, rabbit, and pheasant here. Remember to eat them!"

"Oh? Where did you get these fresh vegetables? Did you buy them at the market? I went today, and they didn't sell any of these!"

"Didn't I tell you not to ask about the things I brought?"

Seeing his expression, his mother quickly nodded, "Okay, I won't ask anymore. Is this malted milk powder?"

Zhao Qingsong nodded, "Yes! Malted milk powder, I got it from a friend."

Pry open the jar of malted milk powder.

The contents inside were revealed.

Pick it up and smell it.

Hmm, not bad, it has a sweet malty aroma.

He took a spoon and scooped in several large spoonfuls before putting the lid on.

Pour in boiling water and stir.

"Mmm, it smells so good! Is this malted milk powder?"

The little girl's mouth watered at the smell.

Zhao Qingsong tapped her head and laughed, "It's not like you haven't drunk it before. Your uncle gave you a bottle when you were little, and you drank the most."

"Huh? I don't remember that?"

The younger sister scratched her head.

The mother chuckled and said, "It's been so many years, I bet you don't even remember."

"Oh, I don't remember."

Zhao Qingsong held the enamel mug, blew on it, and took a sip.

"Mmm, delicious! Little sister, bring a few clean bowls and pour some in. This stuff is a bit hot, so pouring it into the bowls will cool it down."

"Okay, sure!"

The little sister happily ran to get the bowl.

Four empty bowls.

Zhao Qingsong divided the malted milk powder into four portions.

The little girl couldn't wait any longer. She blew on the bowl and started slurping.

"Mmm, it smells so good, it tastes so sweet!"

The little girl's eyes lit up.

Zhao Qingsong smiled upon hearing this. This stuff isn't actually that sweet, but he put in a lot of it!

"Dad, Mom, one bowl each."

He smiled and said as he watched his father come in.

Li Jianguo had already come in. He brushed the dust off his clothes at the door and walked in after hearing the voice.

He licked his lips as he looked at the malted milk powder: "Malted milk powder! It's been so many years since I've had this stuff. The last time was thanks to your uncle, when you were 12 and had your braid cut off."

As he spoke, he picked up a bowl and began to drink.

"Sizzle~"

"Delicious!"

The father blew on it and then drank it down in big gulps.

The mother didn't rush to drink it, saying, "Eldest son, take this home and drink it. You're tired from work, so nourish yourself. When you find a wife, give your mother a big, healthy grandson."

Zhao Qingsong smiled and said, "Wife, it's still early. I left a jar over there; this is for you to drink. Look how thin my little sister is; she's practically skin and bones."

Upon hearing this, the mother agreed.

"Okay, I'll keep it!"

I quickly put the things into the cabinet.

After putting the things away, he came over and said, "Alright, time to eat. It's cold, don't let it get cold."

"good!"

Upon hearing this, the group quickly finished the malted milk powder in their bowls and went to eat.

…………

Zhao Qingsong stood on the kang (a heated brick bed), looking at the half-eaten corn and vegetable porridge in his mother's and younger sister's bowls, and still frowned and asked a question.

"Mom, are you worried about the food supply at home? Or is it because I came and ate your food?"

His mother followed his gaze and looked at the food in her bowl.

She laughed and said, "Hey, kid, what nonsense are you talking about? I already made food for you, I just didn't know if you were coming today. Your mother and sister don't do any work, why would we eat so much?"

Zhao Qingsong put down his rice bowl, frowned, and said, "Mom and Dad, I brought you here because I didn't want you to suffer anymore. If you can't even bear to eat, then what are you doing here?"

He paused for a moment and then said, "I don't care how frugal you are, you must make sure you have at least one dry meal every day, and you should also have some porridge in the morning."

Hearing this, the mother sighed.

"But... your sister and I don't have any food rations. The food we brought back from the village, how long will it last? What will we do when it runs out? We don't know how long this famine will last. It's okay if we eat less."

Zhao Qingsong shook his head helplessly.

"I have enough food. I didn't give you any because I knew I still had some at home. I have over 500 jin (250 kg) of food, and I'll have more in the future. Don't worry about eating, just don't let anyone notice."

"This...so many?"

It's only been a short time, and my son has already gotten so much food. That's terrifying.

"Yes! So, you just need to eat, you don't need to worry about the food. Also, you can make your own malted milk powder at home. Don't make me drink that for months."

After saying that, he seemed to remember something and added, "Of course, don't flaunt your wealth or show off to anyone. If anyone asks about the meat you eat, just say it's from hunting, and the factory distributed it to me. Tell them to come to the factory to find me. Just eat it secretly from time to time, understand?"

Upon hearing this, the mother nodded and said, "Okay, I understand. I'll eat it tomorrow, alright?"

"Ah, that's more like it!"

Zhao Qingsong smiled and scooped half of the food into his younger sister's bowl.

"Little sister, you eat this. I have some other food over there. You can have it when you get back."

Seeing this, the mother became anxious: "You child, you're so big, eat more! I'll cook more tomorrow."

Zhao Qingsong ignored her and picked up his chopsticks to eat.

The father picked up his chopsticks, looked at them, and said, "Alright, let's eat!"

……

After finishing his meal, Zhao Qingsong chatted for a while before leaving the compound.

After everyone left, Zhang Xiulan returned to the house.

Li Jianguo, smoking a cigarette, watched her come in and said directly, "From now on, the family will listen to the eldest son. You don't know when he'll come; do you want to see him go hungry?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiulan muttered, "It's just that we two are out of food! Okay, I understand."

Upon hearing this, Li Jianguo didn't say anything more.

It was already past seven o'clock when Zhao Qingsong left the compound.

I rode my bike straight to the bathhouse.

……

"hiss!"

"Taking a bath in the dead of winter is so comfortable!"

It was a bit cold when I first got into the water, but it became much more comfortable after I got used to it.

Zhao Qingsong lay there making comfortable sounds.

"The pine tree!"

Lost in thought, someone called his name.

"Oh, Section Chief Sun, you're here for a bath too!"

Zhao Qingsong looked at the misty corner, and upon closer inspection, he realized it was Sun Guodong.

They slid across it.

Sun Guodong smiled as he watched him approach, "Yeah, come soak in the tub, it'll feel nice. Why are you so late?"

"Oh, I went to my dad's place and had dinner there before coming here."

After Zhao Qingsong finished speaking, he asked, "Um... Section Chief, did you ask about work today? Don't blame me for being anxious, but I heard they're tightening work quotas now, and I'm worried that if I wait any longer, it'll be harder to manage!"

"Hehe, I already asked. I was planning to tell you after you start work the day after tomorrow!"

"Huh? It's done! Where is it? Is it part of the planned quota?"

"It's at the steel plant's guesthouse. Come to the plant tomorrow if you have time, and get the employment certificate from me."

After Sun Guodong finished speaking, he seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, right, once you have the employment certificate, go and complete the formalities as soon as possible. I heard from the personnel and labor department that the policies have changed quite a bit recently, so do it as soon as possible."

Zhao Qingsong's expression hardened.

New Year's Day is just around the corner.

Suspending recruitment is one part; layoffs are expected to begin soon.

"Okay, thank you, section chief. I'll go pick up the certificate tomorrow."

"Um!"

After Sun Guodong finished speaking, he heard someone shouting for a bath, and he stood up with a smile: "You soak for a while, I'll go get a scrub."

"Okay, sure!"

Zhao Qingsong watched the other person leave, then lay back down to soak in the water.