Chapter 410: Chapter 406: Only a Crowd Can Awaken
"Woke up?"
Mrs. Xiao looked at the whole family, extremely delighted, "Just in time, the dishes are almost ready. Clean up and wash your hands, we can eat soon."
"Alright."
Ever since Xiao Chenye swapped locations and could make money, Mrs. Xiao started to spend more generously.
Every meal had meat and eggs, enough to fill the stomachs with some flavor to enjoy.
"Ranran, eat more," Mrs. Xiao selected a piece of meat with both fat and lean for Wen Ran, "It’s hard studying at school."
"Thank you, Madam," Wen Ran smiled sweetly, "Please, have some too."
"Mm, I’m eating!"
Mrs. Xiao, knowing the family’s well-being, wouldn’t allow the children to eat while she just watched.
Everyone shares in the good fortune.
Hehe, even though she’s an adult, so what?
Who says adults can’t enjoy blessings?
Mrs. Xiao ate, and with even distribution, picked food for the children at the table, "Eat heartily, until you’re full.
As long as you like, we can make this again next time."
Then Mrs. Xiao went on babbling, "The weather, it’s getting warmer, soon the meat won’t keep.
Best to eat it up quickly."
The saying goes, eating won’t hurt, wasting hurts.
Nutritious meat fills the belly, whereas wasting it only leads to heartache and tossing it away.
Otherwise, eating spoiled meat isn’t just unpleasant, you’ll end up going to the clinic for medicine, risking health loss altogether.
Entirely a losing scenario.
Unbeknownst, Wen Ran sitting opposite, spun her eyes, already calculating a little scheme.
A refrigerator, definitely a refrigerator, modernization is inevitable.
If memory serves right, by the late ’70s, refrigerators, washing machines, and large color TVs started trending.
Phew!
No, house purchase is still necessary.
Buying a house opens the door for her to fuss over her own place.
Tiles, flush toilets, all arranged.
...
Hongguo has fully settled in, no need for urging, she starts devouring briskly.
Long time no see Xiao Chenxing, Hongguo used to be with her constantly, suddenly not seeing her for so long, makes one miss her dearly.
"Sis," Hongguo raised her head amid busyness, "Later, let’s go see Star."
Wen Ran nodded, "Sure."
Having stayed in the Capital City for some time, she only strolled around the nearby alleys.
Other places, haven’t been visited at all.
Initially, it was too cold here, going out would freeze you solid, followed by being confined by school for military training, darn it, going out?
More like dreaming.
Seeing those military trainers leave, Wen Ran felt no tears bidding farewell, only a relief, goodness, these tormentors are finally gone.
She almost wanted to celebrate with fireworks.
Seizing the chance to finally go out, she set firm to wander around.
No need to mention, must visit the museum for a tour, and the Great Wall must be measured with feet, regardless of if she ends up stranded midway.
Wen Ran felt, she’s climbed up and down the hill often enough herself.
If even she succumbs climbing, others might as well concede and surrender.
"Okay," Wen Ran nodded, agreeing, "Later we’ll go see Star."
Meanwhile, scout the area for a washing machine, refrigerator...
Unchanging theme, stirring trouble!
Kids couldn’t go out, Mr. Xiao had woodwork at home, Mrs. Xiao thought it was too cold outside and decided to stay home with the old man, supervising the kids.
Bai Zhenzhu, truly fond of the kids at home, volunteered to help.
Wen Ran swayed her with compliments, leaving the old lady faint.
Helping with the kids, all fired up with passion.
Even Minmin got recruited.
Mrs. Xiao asserted, rare for young ones to have private time, kids tagging along would ruin the atmosphere.
Better they’re left at home, under old folks’ unified management.
With assistance in child-caring, Xiao Chenyue joyously couldn’t help but grin wide.
Arm in arm with Gula, Xiao Chenyue happily hopped outside.
But Gula, eyed his little daughter still somewhat clueless, felt unsettled.
On their way leaving the courtyard, continuously glanced back.
Earnestly seeking Xiao Chenyue’s confirmation, whether it’s really feasible.
Xiao Chenyue repeatedly assured, indeed no problem.
He remained uneasy, repetitively and nervously asking.
Fed up, Xiao Chenyue copied Wen Ran’s tactic, slapped the back of his head.
Instantly quieted the man, compliant.
Xiao Chenyue astounded, my goodness, turns out this tactic is so effective.
Had she known, she wouldn’t have wasted so much talking, one slap would’ve saved heaps of trouble.
Xiao Chenyue silently learned.
Compared to the conscientious couple, Wen Ran and Xiao Chenye were entirely the carefree pair.
The young couple, happily leaving the kids to the elders, were already out miles away.
On the street, idle people were everywhere.
"Are you also peddling like this?"
Eyeing the crowd, Xiao Chenye laughed in response, "Yes, hidden within, not easily discovered."
Among them, mostly returning educated youths, some rightfully home-bearing.
Others sneakily returned themselves.
After settling down, found an excuse to visit home, then didn’t return, stuck around permanently.
Sneaking about, living off aid, and self-endeavor, earning a small living.
Some quick-minded, rounded up several folks, started venturing opportunistic trades, eventually expanding gradually.
Wen Ran rubbed her chin, "Suddenly recalled something."
"What?"
"Mm, money-making."
Xiao Chenye’s eyes brightened, "What money-making? Tell me carefully."
"Just this venture requires many people, relying solely on our family wouldn’t work."
Xiao Chenye puzzled momentarily, reminded, "Ranran, although the policies above indeed have loosened quite a bit.
But, we can’t just openly act like this. Too many people, if accidents happen, escaping would be difficult.
Like Gula and I, who venture boldly, largely due to our decent skills and alertness.
If spotting anything suspicious, we’d flee over the wall."
Impossible to catch.
We’ve already researched the surrounding grounds thoroughly.
Just the escape routes outlined over ten.
Sure to return home safely.
With more people, prone to congestion.
Moreover, once caught, one could expose the whole string, not unlike a game.
Such behavior, akin to courting disaster.
Xiao Chenye tactfully refused, "How about we just forget about it."
