CHAPTER 68: CHAPTER 68: HARVEST

Jiang Lao Shi looked at the kitchen, and when he saw that cupboard full of white flour, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of shock.

Only then did he realize how much his daughter had been doing behind their backs today.

But he also felt sorrow in his heart; why was the child taking such risks, for whom?

Wasn’t it all for the family!

To put it bluntly, the child has no blood relation with this family.

There’s no reason to take such big risks for the family, knowing that if caught in a black market transaction, it could lead to imprisonment and a record that would make future undertakings difficult.

In essence, if the adults were more capable, the child wouldn’t have to find ways to help.

This child is close to her in-laws, so hopes they can live comfortably at home.

Of course, she has to help solve the food supply issue.

The child is forced by the adults’ incapability!

A silent night passed.

In the middle of the night, Jiang Xiaoxiao entered her own space.

The second harvest of wheat was ready.

Looking at the warehouse, another two thousand pounds of wheat had piled up.

Jiang Xiaoxiao was worried too.

Her wheat matures twice a day, while others most meticulously grow once a season.

The pace is too fast.

If all two thousand pounds of wheat were milled into flour, how long would her parents eat it all!

The whole family could probably eat for years.

But without planting wheat, there aren’t many good crops.

Jiang Xiaoxiao’s eyes twinkled, winter was approaching.

Around here, during winters it’s all about cabbage and radish, potatoes are scarce.

It’s rare stuff.

Then there’s green onions, and everyone is now bringing bundles home.

Alright, let’s plant green onions.

Regardless of how easy it is to grow, she just scattered the onion seeds.

As soon as daylight broke, Jiang Xiaoxiao pulled Jiang Lei out the door.

Yesterday, her brother heard from their mom that today he was entrusted with an important task—to protect his sister and follow her discreetly without revealing their presence.

Although he didn’t know what his sister was up to, he knew it must be important.

Otherwise, mom wouldn’t have entrusted him with it!

As soon as Jiang Xiaoxiao stepped outside, she asked her brother to go borrow a tricycle.

She even brought a thin blanket from home on purpose.

Anyway, with her brother as the strong labor today, they could carry more food back home, preparing plenty for a year or two.

After eating that Baozi yesterday, she could feel a difference in the things she grows.

The taste was exceptionally good.

Yesterday, her dad said he felt his throat was uncomfortable when coming home, but after eating the Baozi, his throat inexplicably felt better.

He joked that perhaps his stomach was craving for Baozi so much that his throat started to act up.

Once the stomach was filled, his throat settled instantly.

Yet, Jiang Xiaoxiao knew it was probably related to the flour used for the Baozi and the cabbage filling, which was sourced from her space.

These things may not have any special effects.

But at least they could enhance one’s resistance, and minor illnesses would heal quickly.

Additionally, the taste was even more delicious and sweet.

Jiang Xiaoxiao felt that because of this, she had to get a large quantity of this food for her family.

Grandma and Grandpa are getting older, eating more of this would keep them from getting sick.

The same for her parents, as long as they stayed healthy, it was better than anything.

Jiang Xiaoxiao rode a tricycle to the mill.

Jiang Lei followed from a distance, waiting to arrive.

In front of the mill, there’s an alleyway, a lane; at this time, there were no buildings, and places with buildings were scarce, mostly concentrated around factory areas.

Jiang Xiaoxiao wasn’t really worried about being seen.

This alley was a great cover-up because there was a bend inside.

Only after turning the alleyway was the mill visible.

Yet, her brother stood on the other side of the alley, creating a visual blockade.

As soon as she turned into the alley, she could place her wheat onto the tricycle.

Here, she sent a thousand pounds of wheat in.

The mill owner was delighted.

Though they were part of the collective.

Grinding wheat leaves chaff that they could sell to those feeding livestock, which brought extra income without cost.

They welcomed it warmly.

Seeing Xiaoxiao push the tricycle directly into the mill’s yard.

Jiang Xiaoxiao gestured to him, indicating he’d better stay outside.

So, he obediently waited outside, until she emerged and they pushed his tricycle in too.

It didn’t take long.

A thousand pounds of wheat yielded eight hundred pounds of white flour.

Jiang Xiaoxiao paid three yuan.

Didn’t take the chaff.

The excited mill staff were thrilled.

That was two hundred pounds of chaff, selling it to those feeding livestock could fetch at least five yuan.

They were so enthusiastic, not only did they pack all the flour but also loaded it onto her tricycle.

Finally, Jiang Xiaoxiao called her brother in, and the two rode the tricycle straight home.

Jiang Lei pedaled on the tricycle, "Sister, what is this stuff?"

Jiang Lei was totally clueless.

Jiang Xiaoxiao didn’t answer, pedaling hard on the tricycle.

"Mom will tell you when we get back. Can’t let outsiders hear it now, that’s not good."

The two pedaled the tricycle back home, into their courtyard.

At that time, many people hadn’t gotten up yet.

Fan Xiuying was already anxious, once she saw them come in, she immediately closed the gate.

"You two okay, no issues?"

Fan Xiuying had been worried sick all morning.

Afraid something might happen to her daughter and son.

Jiang Xiaoxiao laughed.

"Really, there’s no problem, mom, you’re worrying for nothing. That man saw us buy so much grain, felt we supported him through a tough time, and look! He even gave me two bundles of green onions, see how fresh and sturdy these scallions are."

While loading the grain earlier, Jiang Xiaoxiao seized the chance to place several bundles of green onions over the flour sack.

Fan Xiuying opened the blanket and saw the green onions.

Oh my, so green and growing with thick, solid stalks.

"That man is such a good person. He even gave us these things, it’s perfect! Our winter supply of onions is sorted. And you, why did you accept so much from him? Look at these green onions, there must be two hundred pounds."

Fan Xiuying and her family weren’t the kind to take advantage of others.

These days, no family’s life was easy.

Getting such a heavy gift, knowing it would cost over four yuan if bought from the vegetable store at the supply and marketing cooperative.

For someone whose monthly salary was just over twenty yuan.

Four yuan surely felt like a big benefit.

Besides, farmers had low income.

Jiang Xiaoxiao smiled and helped move the green onions.

"Mom, stop chastising me; I already gave that man four yuan extra."

Only then did Fan Xiuying laugh.

Slightly tapped her daughter’s forehead with her finger.

"You’ve got some sense."