I was married off to a disabled hero in lieu of marriage; my in-laws doted on me and I aspired to gr

Qiaoqiao slept and vomited, then vomited and slept again, completely unaware that her brother had come.

The next day, they slept in again. Zhou Wenhui was reading in the living room, while Yu Fu was busy making lunch in the kitchen. They had added several dishes that day. Qiaoqiao was still half asleep and had no idea what was going on.

"Qiaoqiao, Yu Fu bought some soy milk at the cafeteria and put it in a thermos. Drink some; I heard that soy milk is good for the baby."

Zhou Wenhui helped Qiaoqiao get the thermos and poured a small bowl of water: "Try it, I added white sugar."

"But I don't want to eat anything, I just want to sleep," Qiaoqiao mumbled.

"Baby needs nutrition, drink some, sweetie."

Unable to refuse their hospitality, Qiaoqiao held the soy milk, but the strong beany smell filled her nose, and she felt like throwing up again.

"Wenhui, Qiaoqiao, Mother's here!" Yang Zheng's earth-shattering shout came from outside.

"Mother? My brother? Wenhui, am I hallucinating?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Zheng and Qiaoqiao's mother pushed open the door and entered.

Qiaoqiao stared blankly, then put down her soy milk and rushed into her mother's arms with a "Wah!": "Mom, why are you here? It's snowing so hard, you must be freezing. Brother, why didn't you tell me you brought Mom here?"

Smiling, yet wanting to cry, Qiaoqiao let down her guard and became like a child.

"Qiaoqiao, be good, don't cry. You're going to be a mother soon, it's not pretty to cry."

Qiaoqiao's mother wiped away Qiaoqiao's tears. "This child, why is she so pale and thin?"

"Qiaomei, your mother has been here to take care of you until you give birth," Yang Zheng said with a simple smile.

Zhou Wenhui called out to Yu Fu, "Yu Fu, the guests have arrived, hurry up and cook the dishes."

"Okay, Director Zhou."

Qiaoqiao's mother looked at Zhou Wenhui and said, "Child, you've worked hard."

"It's not hard work, Qiaoqiao, you've had a hard time, she was throwing up a lot."

Perhaps because her mother was around, Qiaoqiao ate a bowl of rice and two pieces of meat for lunch without vomiting.

After lunch, Qiaoqiao didn't take a nap. Instead, she earnestly inquired about the family situation, and Qiaoqiao's mother started talking non-stop.

"My in-laws pointed out the way to us: after the wheat and corn harvest, we'll contract the land in Dashui Village to the group. There are three to five families in each group. My family has no other brothers, so we'll be in a group of three with Zhao Gui and Zhao Jintao's families."

"It's called a group, but secretly it's each family managing their own land. My family got four mu of wheat fields and seven mu of cornfields. Your dad said we can eat as much as we want next year, and we still won't be able to finish it. Also, every household is raising chickens and pigs. Fenglin even raises ten Angora rabbits. Once she's done that... oh right, once her technique is perfected, she'll teach all the women in the village how to raise Angora rabbits."

Qiaoqiao's mother talked on and on: "My in-laws' words gave hope to Dashui Village, and every household started working like crazy. My family raised a piglet, and we could pay for it on credit until the pig was ready for market. But we didn't buy on credit. I saw the five hundred yuan that Qiaoqiao left behind, you silly child."

"Mother, that money was meant for you anyway. Besides, tell me about the latest happenings in the village."

Qiaoqiao, Yang Zheng, Zhou Wenhui, and Yu Fu all listened with great interest.

"And chickens, ducks and geese are no longer subject to breeding restrictions, but your grandma insisted on raising ten hens because she was worried that you wouldn't get enough nutrition while you were pregnant. Now, they'll start laying eggs next spring, and you'll be able to eat them too."

"Mother, I have plenty of good food and drink here. I'll keep the milk to nourish myself."

"Your home is your home, and your grandmother is your grandmother; I can't refuse your kindness. After raising the chicks, your grandmother's health improved a lot, but she was worried that the chicks would be hungry or cold. When it snowed heavily, your grandmother chased all the chicks inside."

"Then, doesn't the house smell?"

"It stinks! I want to kick it out, but your grandma doesn't want to. She practically sleeps with it all the time. We'll lock it in a side room when spring comes."

Although Qiaoqiao's mother said she was disgusted, her face was beaming.

"Feeding pigs and chickens requires grain, do you have any surplus grain at home?" Zhou Wenhui asked.

"Where is there any surplus grain? We were just assigned to the group, and the grain we received was the same as what the team gave us. However, Zhao Gui said that we can cultivate our own vegetable garden. Your father and grandfather cleared all the weeds in the backyard and dug up more than an acre of vegetable garden, which is much more than the vegetable garden in your yard."

We planted cabbages and radishes; when the snow comes, we cover them with grass, and they won't freeze. There'll be enough for the pigs and chickens to eat.

Qiaoqiao's mother rarely speaks, but she has so much to say today.

Life is still so poor, but there is hope. We look forward to the spring and a good harvest for the year. Some families raise two pigs, but they don't have enough vegetable leaves at home, and the pigs are starving and squealing.

Some say his family is greedy, but it's not greed; they're just afraid of missing a great opportunity. The whole village is grateful to their in-laws—such good people, what a pity…”

Qiaoqiao's mother lowered her head to wipe away her tears, and Yang Zheng quickly said, "Mother, didn't I tell you not to mention it? Uncle Zhou is fine, he'll be back soon."

"Yes, yes, Wenhui, Qiaoqiao, good people are rewarded. Our in-laws are protected by the gods, so it's alright." Qiaoqiao's mother quickly put on a smiling face.

"Auntie, your Dashui Village is so wonderful. I wonder when our village will be able to raise pigs and chickens, and if we can contract them out to the production team." Yu Fu sighed enviously.

"Brother, our village is a model village. If it succeeds, it will be promoted nationwide."

"With Commander Zhou backing up Dashui Village, our village... sigh, my mother wrote that after a year, we still owe the brigade 23 yuan. Ten work points only amount to 18 cents, and the land is very barren, but there are many mountain products. If the villagers could go up the mountain, life wouldn't be so difficult," Yu Fu said worriedly.

"Child, is your home in the south?" Qiaoqiao's mother asked.

"Yes, there's little land and many mountains. In the past, people relied on the mountains for their livelihood, but now anyone who dares to go up the mountain will be arrested. They can't even feed themselves with their few acres of paddy fields and are still in debt. If an elderly person in a family gets sick and can't afford treatment, they're just left to die at home."

Yu Fu, who is usually very cheerful, said with his head drooping.

"Oh dear, brother, your place is even poorer than our Dashui Village. How come you can't get enough to eat?" Qiaoqiao's mother said, puzzled.

"My father said that after the war ends, the country's development focus will be on the economy. I believe that it won't be long before the people can have enough to eat," Zhou Wenhui said somberly.

"Yes, Commander Zhou and his men fought their last battle. The enemy was driven back to their hometowns. Our troops have been returning home one after another. Now that the fighting is over, the economy will recover. I just hope my parents can have enough to eat and wear," Yu Fu said with anticipation.

"The economy needs to develop, and industry needs to develop; how can it be just about having enough to eat?"

Zhou Wenhui looked outside. The people not only need to be fed, but also need to have surplus grain.

"Mom, I have to go back to the factory. The factory manager gave me two days off, but I have to go to work tomorrow." They were so engrossed in their conversation that they forgot the time.

"Hey, Zheng'er, there's tofu in the basket your mother brought. Take two pieces for your master to try."

Qiaoqiao's mother got up and quickly went to get a basket, which contained a dozen or so pieces of tofu neatly arranged inside.

"Your dad ground the soybeans last night. We don't have anything fancy at home, but this tofu is presentable."

Qiaoqiao found a bag, put five pieces in it, and said, "Brother, take this with you. Dad's tofu is the best."

Yang Zheng did not refuse. He took the tofu, hurriedly dressed, and rushed to catch the bus.

"Don't see me off, don't go out, it's cold outside."

As they were being escorted to the door, a gust of cold wind blew in, and Yang Zheng urged them to go inside.