Chapter 406 Ye Dad is Really Tight on Funds
The bustling activity of Bai Rong Brigade had already made many refugees who had been enduring for days green with envy, as they didn't have wooden houses to live in, nor the luxury of having hot porridge for everyone.
Ji Songlin returned with a gut full of frustration. There was no relief grain, but there was still grain available – you just had to pay with money and coupons.
"How was it, Brother Songlin?"
"Alas, don't even mention it. Cornmeal that usually costs twelve cents a pound now costs thirty cents. Without coupons, it's thirty-five cents, almost the price of the black market."
Gong Aidang was so angry upon hearing this that he glared fiercely at the person in charge of Biancheng. Wasn't this trying to kill people?
"What about coarse grains?"
"Coarse grains with coupons are eighteen cents, without coupons it's twenty-four cents."
Many people had already heard this news, and the scene immediately erupted into chaos, a headache-inducing uproar.
"Fine, if we don't buy it, we won't have anything to eat. We can't starve, can we?"
The moment money was mentioned for buying grain, it escalated into family wars. Many families hadn't split up, and whether to buy more or less, or eat more or less, could lead to arguments.
Gong Wenxing and Gong Wenliang were now eating together as two families. The number of people in both families was similar, and the amount of grain left was also similar, so Fan Wenli had nothing to complain about.
"How much should we buy? We don't know how long we'll be here. If we buy too little, will the price increase later?"
After Gong Wenliang split from his family, with Zhang Yuan being such a troublemaker, the family could barely save any money. What little was left was secretly given to him by his mother after Zhang Yuan was driven away.
"Sister-in-law, I only have twenty-seven yuan right now. Let's buy coarse grains with it all."
Fan Wenli didn't stand on ceremony. She took her second brother's money and took out twenty-seven yuan herself.
"We'll buy coarse grains too. We'll talk about it if it's not enough. There will be many more expenses in the future, so let's be frugal."
Gong Suier and He Weimin saw them taking out money, and as a married daughter, she couldn't take advantage of her maiden family.
"Our family will buy one hundred and twelve and a half catties, which should be enough for two months."
Fan Wenli was quite content. With her brother-in-law's support, their family was much better off than many others.
"Let's split up. Why should I pay for this woman? Just look at the kind of person my brother-in-law found. It would be a disgrace to become a family with her."
Fan Wenli glanced at a family arguing not far away and awkwardly peeked at Gong Wenliang.
After Zhang Yuan left the Gong family, at some point she got involved with Ji Dashu, the younger brother of Ji Mingliang, who was widowed and hadn't remarried for many years.
Who was Ji Mingliang? He was a notorious scoundrel in Bai Rong Brigade. At that time, he was heavily involved with Zhizhi Zhao Ling, and even now, the two were still involved in a vaguely defined relationship, drawing gossip.
Ji Dashu was no better. Although he wasn't as notorious as his nephew, he was a troublemaker at home. The children were left to the care of others, while he idled around at home and didn't work properly in the fields.
If it weren't for Ji Dashu's parents doting on their younger son, and no one in the family daring to say anything, they would have kicked him out long ago.
After her divorce, Zhang Yuan moved to a cave dwelling, which happened to be near Ji Dashu's cave. The two of them must have hit it off, because within a few days, Ji Dashu brought her to his home.
They lived in the same village, and she was the former daughter-in-law of the village chief. Everyone knew Zhang Yuan and knew what kind of person she was. Ji Dashu's family didn't welcome Zhang Yuan at all.
But Zhang Yuan managed to charm Ji Dashu, who insisted he couldn't live without her.
At that time, the news was eagerly spread to Gong Wenliang by well-meaning busybodies. At first, Gong Wenliang only felt ashamed. Over time, when he was worried about finding food every day, who cared about such things anymore.
So, when Gong Wenliang noticed this scene, he didn't care at all. He only felt sorry for his two sons who were being disgraced along with it and were ridiculed by other children.
Perhaps it was due to the recent hardships, but Ermao and Sanmao followed the adults to gather firewood and work every day. Both of them had become much quieter, at least no longer only demanding food and drink as before.
Ermao and Sanmao also saw the farce happening next door and saw their mother. It was unclear if they didn't care about anyone or for what reason, but after a glance, they paid no further attention, as if Zhang Yuan were a complete stranger.
"Sister-in-law, don't pay them any mind. We just need to live our own lives well."
Fan Wenli gave an embarrassed smile and handed the money in her hand to Gong Wenliang.
"Let's buy all the grain first. In this day and age, nothing is more important than filling one's stomach."
Gong Wenliang left with He Weimin, and they happened to pass by Ji Dashu's house. Zhang Yuan deliberately straightened her back proudly.
But Gong Wenliang, as he passed by, didn't even spare Zhang Yuan a glance.
"Oh, oh, oh, did you see that, little brother-in-law? He still has feelings for his former man. Look, his eyes are all on Gong Wenliang."
Ji Dashu glanced at Zhang Yuan. Zhang Yuan used to be fearless of Gong Wenliang, even acting up at home. But now, she was truly afraid of Ji Dashu. The way he looked at people always made her feel scared.
"Sister-in-law, Zhang Yuan is now my Ji Dashu's woman. As long as I have a mouthful of food, she'll have hers. And this family is not something you can just decide to split."
Ji Dashu's parents desperately wanted their youngest son to have a family. Although they didn't think highly of Zhang Yuan, she had been brought home in front of the whole village, so even if they wanted to disown her, they couldn't.
"Alright, you have a say in everything. As long as I'm alive, this family will never split."
Zhang Yuan was secretly overjoyed upon hearing this. She was very satisfied with her current life. She understood clearly that as long as she kept Ji Dashu happy, she would have food in this house.
If they didn't buy grain, they wouldn't have anything to eat. Even Zhizhi and the others had taken out all the money they had to buy grain.
Just as the people of Bai Rong Brigade had settled down, they became the fat prey in everyone's eyes.
The peace and comfort of Mi Province had brought joy to those who had arrived there. After Qi Lu had dealt with the people on Mist Ice Mountain, he was truly free. Mi Province couldn't stop his progress.
Every day, he took Qi Xuan through streets and alleys, wishing he could go into people's homes to teach them in person.
Meanwhile, Elder Fan and Elder Dang spent their days in the medicinal materials market, acquiring any new medicinal materials that came in. Being eyed with envy, they had to travel with two bodyguards.
The most leisurely were the two elderly people of the Bai family. They rarely went out in Bai Rong Brigade, but in Mi Province, they went for walks every day, claiming they wanted to walk every street in Mi Province.
Only Ye Shengge was truly busy, and with her own strength, she entered the laboratory of the pharmacology department for the first time.
Previously, when Ye Shengge studied Chinese medicinal materials, she could only memorize their properties and uses from books.
But in the laboratory, she could use instruments and equipment to analyze every medicinal material. Although most of them were Western medicines, the principles were the same. This would help her analyze unfamiliar Chinese medicinal materials in the future.
Zi Yisheng couldn't enter the laboratory due to "power" issues and could only wait outside. Through the glass window, he could clearly see the little girl's yearning for these instruments.
In the laboratory, Ye Shengge also met a very capable senior student who, for any medicine she handled, could maximize its medicinal properties.
Moreover, the senior student was very knowledgeable about Chinese medicinal materials and could offer considerable help with Ye Shengge's questions.
"Junior Sister Ye, have you really only been exposed to Chinese medicine for a little over a year?"
Ye Shengge, who was looking at the experimental data, was interrupted by Lei Ai's question. She looked at the disbelief in her senior's eyes and nodded solemnly.
"Then you are truly a genius. Are you interested in meeting my master? He is a very famous Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner in Mi Province, and all my knowledge comes from him."
Ye Shengge naturally accepted, as this was a rare opportunity.
"Thank you, Senior Sister. I'm free anytime."
"Hahahaha, good, then let's schedule it for this Sunday. I'll contact you then."
Lei Ai was a cheerful and generous girl. You could see her smiling happily every day, but when it came to research, she was meticulous.
Zi Yisheng watched from outside as the little girl chatted happily and felt that bringing her to Mi Province University to attend classes was the right decision. Here, she could finally see the genuine joy in her heart.
"Alright, it's time for today. It wouldn't be good to keep your boyfriend waiting any longer."
Ye Shengge smiled and looked out the window, waving.
"To save my boyfriend's leg, I'll be leaving now. Senior Sister, remember to call me if you have any good projects!"
"Such a little sly girl, so greedy! Do you think projects are that easy to apply for!"
Ye Shengge smiled playfully. She felt that any opportunity to join a project was a gain, and it was worthwhile to come. Mainly, she could shamelessly tag along and observe.
"Bye-bye, Senior Sister!"
"Bye-bye!"
Lei Ai watched as the girl, like a graceful butterfly, flew towards the handsome man outside the door, her eyes filled with envy. Thinking of herself, she felt a pang of sadness.
"Are you tired? I saw you didn't sit down once in the lab."
Zi Yisheng habitually took the little girl's bag and handed her a cup of water.
"Not tired, just that the time for each experimental class is too short."
"I see you like the experimental equipment inside. I'll find someone to get you a set later, and then you can research whatever you want at home."
Ye Shengge's eyes widened. Her boyfriend was so considerate!
"But they aren't cheap!"
"We'll buy them no matter how expensive they are."
In fact, the experimental equipment used in universities wasn't expensive. At least in her previous life, these instruments could be bought at ordinary medical supply stores. But Ye Shengge particularly appreciated her boyfriend's thoughtfulness.
"Then you have to ask carefully. I want all the equipment inside, and I want a set sent back to Bai Rong Brigade too."
"Guaranteed to complete the mission!"
Many people in the laboratory were watching Ye Shengge and the two of them. As they left affectionately, many sighed with emotion.
"Senior Sister Lei, if Junior Sister Ye were a formal student at Mi Province University, I would definitely be brave enough to try and snatch her away."
"Heh, that's good. If you snatch her away, I'll accept that handsome man."
"You wish! I still want that opportunity."
Lei Ai watched her long-time companions start joking, and she joined in with a laugh. Because those who spent a lot of time in the laboratory became more and more rigorous, and even their personalities became somewhat dull, which made her naturally lively personality always reserved.
"Don't even think about it. Their relationship is too good. Besides, look at your disheveled appearance. Do you think classmate Ye would give up a handsome man to look at you?"
"Hahahaha, Senior Sister Lei always speaks the truth."
"Speaking of Mi Province University, only Senior Bu Teng could compete with Junior Sister Ye's boyfriend."
As soon as the person finished speaking, they were poked by the person next to them, and then they immediately covered their mouths as if they remembered something.
"I'm sorry, Senior Sister, I really didn't mean to."
Lei Ai, who had been laughing heartily, indeed showed a flicker of pain in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a somewhat stiff smile.
"Senior Bu Teng is not my taboo, you don't need to be like this."
Thinking of Bu Teng, this was why Lei Ai envied Ye Shengge and Zi Yisheng.
Lei Ai shook her head and delved back into the research data.
Han Yuyan saw Ye Shengge again across the gate of Mi Province University. Her ponytail swung wildly from side to side, making him feel happy just looking at her.
Han Yuyan lit a cigarette, a smile playing on his lips as he watched Ye Shengge's every move, his eyes filled with longing and greed.
He withdrew his gaze only after seeing Ye Shengge get into a car and drive far away.
"Sir, here are the documents you requested."
Han Yuyan took them and glanced at them casually before walking into the university.
Recently, Ye's mother had become infatuated with the craftsmanship of the old tailors in Mi Province, wishing she could buy out all the fabrics from the specialty tailor shops.
Every few days, she would bring Ye Shengge clothes she designed herself and have her daughter try them on for her.
Ye's father was also very cooperative with his wife, but he genuinely liked seeing his daughter wear beautiful clothes.
Zi Yisheng, playing the role of a dutiful son-in-law, sat beside his father-in-law, responsible for admiring the clothes and not forgetting to pour tea for his father-in-law.
"Uncle Ye, a batch of grain has been prepared."
Ye's father's attention was finally drawn back. He took the teacup that Zi Yisheng handed him.
"What's the situation on the other side now?"
"The rain hasn't stopped, but it's lighter now."
"Have you arranged for people to receive the grain?"
Zi Yisheng shook his head. After the heavy rain, the brothers from other provinces had arranged their own destinations, and it was difficult to contact them immediately.
"We can only transport it ourselves. We'll find our people in Biancheng."
"Wouldn't that be too risky?"
After all, their identities were such that they couldn't go abroad, and it would be difficult to explain if they were discovered.
"We won't be directly involved. This time, let Li Cheng handle it. Li Cheng will also act as a patriotic individual when sending the grain."
Currently, places like Chuncheng and Huicheng were severely lacking in grain. The only places they could flee to were the surrounding cities. Therefore, they would help as much as they could, at least to save more people.
"Yes, since you've prepared everything, send it quickly. Handle all the procedures here, as this time we'll be sending grain openly."
"Alright. Once we reach Biancheng, I won't let anyone else handle this grain. It will be distributed to the disaster victims one by one."
Ye's father's core belief was to put the country first, so he resolutely supported Zi Yisheng's decision.
"If this goes smoothly, the next batch of grain will be from my Ye family."
Zi Yisheng helplessly shook his head.
"Uncle Ye, if you still don't consider me family, it's too hurtful. Besides, the Ye family's money and my money are all in Shengge's hands. What difference does it make who pays?"
This made Ye's father truly embarrassed, not because of Zi Yisheng not being considered Ye family, but because he had forgotten that he was now a poor man with no income.
Every time he was generous, he would use his daughter's money to play the big spender. Thinking about it made him feel sad. How could he, Ye Huaijin, be so useless since coming to this world?
"Yisheng, why don't you find me a job too? Otherwise, I'm really tight on funds."