The two boxes contained new, warm cotton clothes, various cured meats, sausages, a 20-jin jar of salt, a crock of pickled vegetables, and a 10-jin jar of brown sugar.
These were the most valuable supplies on the road to famine.
During the flight from famine, any of these supplies could save a life.
Gu Buxu felt it was well worth it this time. For just a bit of information, he received so many benefits from the Gu family.
Without delay, and fearing that word might spread and lead to retaliation from Old Man Gu's family, Gu Buxu got a travel permit from the village chief, stating his intention to travel south.
The village chief had no reason to refuse. He issued the permit, and the next morning, Gu Buxu and his family left in a hurry.
Only after walking far from Pukou Village did Gu Buxu open the boxes given by Qingcheng and distribute the cotton clothes to his family.
The cotton clothes were thick, and he didn't know what material they were made of, but they were incredibly warm. Gu Buxu's family had never worn such cotton clothes before. They had been shivering from the cold, but after putting on the clothes, they felt no chill. Gu Buxu's family marveled at them.
Furthermore, Gu Buxu showed everyone the box containing at least 100 jin of cured meat, sausages, salt, and brown sugar. While they were grateful and relieved, they felt a sense of security. With these supplies, their journey south was assured.
After seeing Gu Buxu off, Hu Lanfang and her daughter prepared to return to Yashen.
For Mr. Zhang and Mr. Sun, who had helped them, Hu Lanfang made preparations. While money couldn't repay their life-saving kindness, proper etiquette was essential.
Besides giving them silver, Hu Lanfang also planned to discuss with Gu Chaobei how to repay everyone else upon his return.
Mr. Sun had his carriage take Hu Lanfang and her daughter home.
Before leaving, Migguo stood hesitantly in Mr. Sun's hall, not following them.
Gu Qingcheng looked back and saw his demeanor, knowing Migguo likely didn't believe they would take him in.
So Gu Qingcheng went back, took his hand, and said,
"Let's go, home together!"
Home?
What a warm word.
Migguo's tense little face instantly brightened.
Seeing his shy yet excited flushed face, Gu Qingcheng couldn't help but smile. This child was so quick to cheer up with a little warmth, so amusing!
Migguo hadn't expected that not only the fairy sister was good to him, but her mother was also so kind, making him feel a warmth he had never experienced before.
He longed to approach this warmth but feared rejection.
In his seven years of life, he had only felt malice from his relatives. They disliked him as a burden, someone who only ate and couldn't work or earn money.
These were his aunt's exact words. With such constant indoctrination, Migguo had always considered himself useless and a waste.
He subconsciously worried that the Gu family would think the same of him, making him appear cautious in their presence.
Gu Qingcheng understood his subtle worries and didn't rush to point them out. Too much heat could burn those seeking warmth.
There was plenty of time ahead; they could proceed slowly.
When climbing the hundred-plus steps, Migguo seemed quite at ease. Hu Lanfang asked if he was tired, and Migguo quickly shook his head, saying he wasn't. He had previously carried heavy firewood up long mountain paths while chopping wood, so this was nothing compared to that.
Hu Lanfang's heart ached upon hearing this.
A 7-year-old child should be in kindergarten, clinging to his parents, a beloved treasure of the family. How could he possibly do such heavy work?
Looking at this sensible child, Hu Lanfang felt an urge to treat him even better.
The three finally reached the top of the stairs. Migguo was stunned by the grand, well-maintained mansion that suddenly appeared before him. But then he thought, didn't the fairy sister live in such a fairy-like place? It matched her status.
Gu Qingcheng opened the courtyard gate, and as soon as they stepped inside, a golden retriever pounced on her.
Gu Qingcheng hugged Wangcai and said with a smile,
"Wangcai, are you hungry? Sorry, we were delayed down the mountain for a day and a night. It won't happen again."
Hu Lanfang quickly said, "You wouldn't go hungry. Didn't you refill its food bowl before we left? It can last through the night. It's good you returned so soon, or I would have come up to feed it."
Migguo looked at Wangcai curiously. Little boys liked big dogs, and he was no exception. Seeing how happily Wangcai interacted with the family, Migguo felt a twinge of envy.
Wangcai also noticed the new addition. It was perceptive and saw that its young master's family was friendly towards Migguo. It trotted over, sniffed Migguo from head to toe, recognized his scent, and wagged its tail in greeting.
Migguo bravely patted Wangcai's head.
"Haha, it seems Wangcai likes you too. It wouldn't let strangers pet it. Wangcai was hit by a car not long ago and almost died; we saved it. It's very well-behaved. From now on, we'll have a happy life as four people and one dog."
Gu Qingcheng was happy they got along so well.
Migguo then learned that Wangcai was also taken in. Seeing how much the Gu family doted on a dog, Migguo suddenly gained some confidence.
After locking the courtyard gate, the three people and the dog headed towards the inner courtyard.
The inner courtyard was chilly because the coal in the underfloor heating had burned out, and no fuel had been added.
As soon as Gu Qingcheng entered the hall, she saw that Wangcai had emptied the dog food bowl.
Wangcai went to the food bowl and pawed at it pitifully, making a loud clatter on the floor.
It was hilarious.
Wangcai also knew how to beg for food.
Gu Qingcheng laughed,
"You rascal, you're still quite clever, aren't you? Demanding from me? My apologies. But I went through a near-death experience down the mountain. If I came back intact to feed you, you shouldn't scold me anymore."
Gu Qingcheng filled the food bowl with dog food.
Seeing Wangcai eating with gusto, Migguo was also curious. He wondered what those brown particles were that Wangcai was eating.
He asked Gu Qingcheng.
Gu Qingcheng told him it was dog food, specially made for dogs.
Migguo was greatly impressed. Everything in the fairy sister's home exuded an extraordinary aura, even the food for the dog was specially made.
Although he couldn't fully comprehend it at the moment, he was deeply awestruck.
Hu Lanfang went to the backyard to light the underfloor heating.
Although she had never cooked or done housework when Gu Chaobei was around, she was not pampered without reason.
Hu Lanfang was also a capable woman. Otherwise, how could she have been so successful in the neighborhood committee?
She was like a soft noodle at home, but when she went out, she didn't just help the elderly cross the road; she also helped them carry groceries upstairs and often cooked a few dishes for them.
Indeed, being pampered could spoil people.
Gu Chaobei was still the savior of Prince Xia in the manor. If Hu Lanfang didn't want to freeze, she had to take care of herself.