Chapter 15: Going to the County Town 1

Zhao Xiulan glanced at Ma Yumei, who was sitting at the table eating with her head down, and thought to herself, "This woman is up to no good again! Other than whispering in front of Dad, it seems like she doesn't do anything else!"

With a smirk, Zhao Xiulan turned to Zhao Weiguo and said, "Dad, you told me before... isn't it about not expecting anything in return and being willing to help others? Our family is struggling to have enough food to eat, but that doesn't mean we should covet what others have! Otherwise, our revolutionary ideals will be tainted and become impure!"

By using this kind of rhetoric, if Zhao Weiguo were to say anything more, it would make him appear morally deficient. In this era of pure ideology, it would definitely lead to criticism and condemnation if it were to spread. Even Zhao Weiguo wouldn't be able to refute Zhao Xiulan's words.

Afraid that Zhao Weiguo might have objections in his heart, Zhao Xiulan continued, "Dad, our family is running out of food, and it requires the effort of our whole family. So, I'll go to the county town tomorrow and see if I can beg for some food. I heard that there are kind-hearted people in the county town who will give food to the poor. I can try my luck. If I can get some food, I can bring it back to share with Aunt Mei!"

Zhao Weiguo looked at Zhao Xiulan, surprised by her initiative.

Thinking about what he had just said, which carried a hint of reproach towards Zhao Xiulan, Zhao Weiguo felt guilty. Moreover, he felt that Ma Yumei was being unreasonable. She always spoke ill of Zhao Xiulan, but Zhao Xiulan was always considerate of her. Not accepting the food was not intentional to deprive her of food, but rather to uphold good morals.

In comparison, Zhao Weiguo's heart naturally leaned towards Zhao Xiulan.

Unaware of Zhao Weiguo's thoughts, Zhao Xiulan suggested going to the county town not only to avoid Zhao Weiguo siding with Ma Yumei, but also to find an excuse to go to the county town.

Zhao Weiguo nodded, "Alright, Xiulan, you can go to the county town and give it a try! If you can beg for some food, it will at least provide some extra food for our family. Tomorrow, I'll go to the brigade leader to ask for a day off for you!"

"Okay, Dad!" Zhao Xiulan happily agreed. The thought of going to the county town made her a bit excited. She had so many resources in her space, but they could only be utilized in the county town.

Furthermore, Zhao Xiulan also wanted to see what the county town was like, as she had never been to a county town in this era.

Because she had never been to the county town, Zhao Xiulan asked about some details, such as the route and how long it would take to walk there.

The county town was quite far from the brigade, but fortunately, the route was not complicated. It was straight to the south, following the main road, and it would take about two hours to walk there.

Walking such a long distance on foot was quite challenging, but in this era with underdeveloped transportation, there was no public transportation available for the people from the brigade to go to the county town, so they could only walk.

Li Lijuan tapped her chopsticks a few times and sneered, "In this day and age, no one has enough to eat. How much can you beg for? I think some people just want to be lazy and avoid working for work points, deliberately finding excuses to go out and play! They talk a good game!"

Zhao Xiulan narrowed her eyes and stared at Li Lijuan, coldly saying, "Li Lijuan, what you said is heartless! Who's lazier than you? Have you earned any work points these days? I'm just thinking of ways to provide for the family since we have little food at home and Aunt Mei can't go hungry. What have you done for this family? Do you have the nerve to come here and criticize me?

We are a family and should work together. Li Lijuan, if Aunt Mei can't get enough from you, it's more important for you to go out and earn more work points to exchange for food for her! Don't be lazy at home. Like us, go to the brigade and work for work points!"