Chapter 293: Having Something on One

For a while, the shelter where the old Lu family was staying was extremely lively.

Everyone was still as before; Lu Feng hurriedly stood up, greeted each person, and then opened the bundle he had brought.

"Uncle and Big Aunt, I brought some mountain goods from over there; everyone can have a share."

People craned their heads to look: "It's mountain mushrooms, that's quite rare; they're hard to buy normally."

"Fengzi, keep it for your own family; no need to share with everyone."

Lu Feng insisted on sharing; since he wasn't at home, any usual household matters inevitably rely on neighbors' help.

"It's fine, this isn't worth much; it's dried by my wife Baoyue from the mountain, originally meant for the big household, so each family gets a bit, just to try it."

"Ha, your country wife is quite capable, then I won't be polite."

Chen Xianglan heard that it was Big Aunt Wang from the front yard and couldn't help muttering inside.

At this gathering, it was advantageous to know that the daughter‑in‑law Baoyue was fine; she usually spreads rumors, always telling others that the son of the old Lu family is practically blind, having married a village wife, and now has no chance of returning to the city.

Both explicitly and implicitly, they looked down on the old Lu family for marrying a village daughter‑in‑law.

Chen Xianglan straightened her back: "I say, Big Aunt Wang, hold back a bit; this is my daughter‑in‑law's goodwill shared with the neighborhood, everyone should get an equal share."

Hearing Chen Xianglan's words, and in front of so many people, Big Aunt Wang, who had originally grabbed a big handful of dried mushrooms, awkwardly let them go.

"Hey, hey, I know, I'll just take two to try."

Now many supplies in the Capital City are being sent to the disaster zone, forcing everyone to tighten their belts and live frugally; therefore, Lu Feng brought so many dried mushrooms, and everyone wants some.

"Ying Ying, help distribute to everyone; I'll go check on our dad."

Lu Feng came out this time without planning to stay long, and Lu Cheng was busy transporting supplies, likely not to be seen, so he had to meet his father first.

"Alright, go ahead; our dad is with Sun Dage."

Sun Dage is still the family that Lu Ying swapped gloves for a bicycle with last time.

Lu Feng quickly found Sun Dage's house; originally the earthquake shelter was in Hu Tong Li, but seeing nothing happened these past two days, the bold Sun Dage decided to set up a shelter in the courtyard.

He immediately saw Lu Beitang holding a tiger‑pincers, twisting wire around a wooden stake.

Lu Feng called out, "Dad."

Sun Dage was the first to hear, turned his head, and instantly shouted in surprise.

"Ah, it's Fengzi, huh? Why did you come back?"

"Sun Dage, I'm back home to check on dad and mom."

Seeing Lu Feng, Sun Dage was very excited, quickly inviting, "Come in quickly, have some tea…"

While speaking, Sun Dage suddenly realized, "Ah, look, I forgot, it's best not to go inside now; the Street Office blares on the loudspeakers every day, saying we must guard against aftershocks."

"It's fine, Sun Dage, you don't need to be formal."

Lu Beitang got down from the bench, and Lu Feng hurried up to support him: "Dad."

"I'm back."

Unlike Chen Xianglan, who was so emotional she cried, Lu Beitang appeared calm, yet Lu Feng clearly sensed his father's arm trembling slightly.

He said apologetically, "Dad, let me help you."

Sun Dage hurriedly stepped forward to take the tiger‑pincers: "No, no, it'll be fine right away; I'll take care of it alone. Uncle Beitang, Fengzi barely managed to come back this time, you all should hurry home."

"Hey, that works too; if anything comes up, call me."

Seeing the neighbors helping each other, Lu Feng felt reassured about this trip.

In the evening, the family sat around a table under the shelter, eating together.

Lu Beitang asked calmly, "How many days do you plan to stay this time?"

Lu Feng set down his chopsticks: "Dad, I might not stay two days; Baoyue is pregnant, and it's currently the busy farming season…"

Although Lu Feng didn't finish speaking, Lu Beitang understood; although he is his son, Lu Feng is more accurately an Educated Youth, and some matters are beyond his control.

The household, having an Educated Youth, is a family that rarely meets once a year, and it's not just his family.

Lu Beitang nodded: "Hmm, there's not much here; you don't need to worry, just take good care of Baoyue and Qing'er."

"I know, Dad."

Chen Xianglan picked up vegetables: "Fengzi, don't set down your chopsticks, hurry and eat."

Lu Feng picked up his chopsticks again; dinner was stir‑fried greens with dried mushrooms. The eldest son had returned, and Chen Xianglan had initially thought they should cut some meat to eat, but the shortage of supplies was severe, and they hadn't been able to buy pork these days.

"By the way, Fengzi, now that you're working at the Commune, you're basically in an administrative unit; will there be any chance of being transferred back later?"

Chen Xianglan asked concernedly, she really hoped her son could return.

Lu Feng thought for a moment: "Hmm? Right now there's definitely no chance of a transfer; we'll have to see in the future."

Chen Xianglan nodded: "Hmm, if there's a chance of a transfer, it's still better to be transferred back, because later Qing'er's schooling, medical care, etc., the conditions here are also good."

Lu Feng had also thought about this; he had previously discussed the topic with his wife Baoyue, and Yan Baoyue had no objections.

The only one he feared might object was his father‑in‑law, but when Lu Feng tried bringing it up in conversation, his father‑in‑law was actually very supportive.

If the daughter could truly come along to the big city, the Capital City, his father‑in‑law just thought there wouldn't even be time for a glow on her face.

"Brother, I won't say more, the dried mushrooms you brought, stir‑fried with greens, are really tasty." Lu Ying chewed, and the flavor grew more fragrant with each bite.

Lu Feng passed another piece to his sister: "If you like it, have more; we have plenty of such mountain goods over there; next time I'll have your sister‑in‑law send some over."

Lu Ying lifted a mushroom, didn't eat it this time, but stared at it intently.

"Is that so? If there's plenty, you could have your sister‑in‑law gather more, and I'll help you sell it, then you can exchange some money."

"Sell it? Exchange money?" Lu Feng was skeptical: "That won't work; that's speculative profiteering."

"Ah, never mind, if anyone asks, just say it was sent home to eat; no one can stop that."

Lu Feng frowned: "But, can it really sell well?"

"Of course it sells well; you don't know that state‑run restaurants now secretly purchase mountain goods from countryside folks; a dish like this usually sells for a high price, and it's sold every day."

"Moreover, I'm now the manager of the department store near Beijing Station; I decide what goods are sold and what are bought."

Lu Feng laughed, "My second sister has become so powerful now."

"Exactly! So as I said, you could consider it—sell it, and the money can further supplement sister-in-law and Qing'er's health."

Lu Feng nodded, "That works too; I'll go back and tell your sister-in-law."

Relying on the mountain for food, the mountain indeed has many of those mushrooms; when the household runs out of grain, they go to the mountain to dig up wild vegetables and mushrooms to eat.

Seeing big brother agree, Lu Ying added, "You don't even have to spend money to send it separately; Lu Cheng works in the Railway system, he can just give a shout, and it'll be brought over on a train directly—very convenient."

Lu Feng felt a surge of emotion; his younger brother and sister had truly grown up, now they no longer needed him, the big brother, to worry about them. Many things that even he thought impossible, the younger siblings had all sorts of ways to accomplish.

That night, Lu Feng spent a night making do in a shed with an old friend.

Lu Ying, however, could not fall asleep; the image of that little girl filled her mind—she wondered whether the girl was still crying, whether she could adapt, since everyone at home was gone…

The next day, Lu Ying still decided to go to the Welfare Institute to pay a visit.