Chapter 98 Can I really go?

Afterwards, He Daqing found some sturdy logs in the east and west courtyards and secretly transported them back to his main house.

During the day, Chen Shuxiang led He Yuzhu to dig, and at night, He Daqing would continue digging after he got off work.

They dug until the Japanese officially surrendered, and finally unearthed a secret room that was four feet square and about two feet deep.

The soil from digging the cellar was all secretly transported to the backyard and mixed into the garden soil, leaving no trace.

Next, they started digging under the old lady's house, on a smaller scale than their own.

They dug only a small cellar, about two meters square, to store some supplies.

After both secret chambers were dug, He Yuzhu inquired about the amount of money currently in the house and then went out to "inquire" about it.

After returning, he told Chen Shuxiang that he was still short about 100 silver dollars for the batch of supplies he had his eye on.

After hesitating for a long time, Chen Shuxiang finally made up her mind and went to the old lady to get three more small yellow croakers.

The old lady didn't ask any further questions. After all, she was her own niece, and she wouldn't harm her.

When Chen Shuxiang returned home, she asked He Yuzhu if they could discuss exchanging money for goods.

However, all these supplies were directly extracted by He Yuzhu from the system space, and there was no so-called seller.

He Yuzhu had no choice but to lie and say that the other party would not deliver the goods without cash, and that the transaction location had to be very secluded.

Looking at the fact that she had almost given up all her savings, Chen Shuxiang felt a pang of reluctance and was also worried about potential mishaps during the transaction.

In the end, it was an elderly lady who happened to come by and inquire about the situation who made the decision.

"Take them out and exchange them! Exchange them all back! At worst, I'll support your whole family from now on."

"In the Qing Dynasty, people could still earn money through their skills, so their families wouldn't go hungry."

After listening to the old lady's words, Chen Shuxiang handed over all her money to He Yuzhu.

I repeatedly told him to be very careful and not to lose the money.

He Yuzhu pretended to go out for a walk again, and when he came back he said that the supplies would be delivered that night.

When He Daqing got home from get off work, he was shocked to find out that he had spent so much money at once, and he was heartbroken.

He kept asking He Yuzhu about the people and location of the transaction, but he didn't get a definite answer.

The look in her eyes as she gazed at her son carried a hint of anger, and her face turned somewhat green.

That was all his hard-earned money, saved up bit by bit. That brat is such a spendthrift.

He spent all of his family's savings overnight, which was heartbreaking.

That evening, the family of three saw the corner of the east courtyard piled high with all kinds of supplies.

Chen Shuxiang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

That money was almost all the family's possessions, and she was too ashamed to let the old lady continue to support her family.

From around 10 p.m. when all the lights in the hospital were turned off, the family of three was busy almost all night.

Only then did they sort all the supplies and carefully and securely hide them in the two secret rooms, one old and one new.

They first brought over several large porcelain jars and a few thick, sturdy wooden crates, intending to use them to store scattered supplies.

He Daqing and Chen Shuxiang stood aside watching, their doubts growing stronger, their faces full of confusion.

How did these heavy and large objects get into the east courtyard so quietly?

You should know that there isn't even a main gate in the east courtyard.

Following that, supplies such as rice flour, cooking oil, fresh meat and eggs, various canned goods, milk powder, fine cotton cloth, and kerosene were delivered.

They were brought out from the shadows one after another, in all kinds and in large quantities, piled up all over the ground.

The secret room used by the He family to store supplies was packed tightly with all kinds of items, leaving no gaps at all.

Even the secret room where the old lady stored her valuables was completely filled, leaving no room to put anything else.

Many items that had nowhere else to go had to be moved directly into the main room where the old lady lived and arranged neatly.

The old lady slowly looked around at the neatly arranged items in the room, gave He Yuzhu a meaningful glance, but didn't say anything more.

He Daqing was overjoyed, feeling that this deal was incredibly worthwhile.

He knew that at market price, that amount of money couldn't buy so many things at all. He secretly guessed that after the Japanese surrendered, some merchants were eager to clear out their inventory and get rid of their goods, which is why he got such a great deal.

These mountains of supplies, if used sparingly, are enough to keep the whole family living comfortably for several years.

In this day and age, food that can fill your stomach is far more precious than cold, hard money.

Of course, if you don't have a single penny in your hand, you can't move an inch and can't do anything.

Just as He Yuzhu had settled everything at home, He Daqing began to feel increasingly depressed.

He had cooked for the Japanese commander. Although the manager of Fengzeyuan Restaurant still remembered their past relationship and paid him all his wages, he ultimately lost this respectable job.

The situation in Beijing remains turbulent, with chaos and unrest everywhere, causing widespread anxiety and unease.

The old lady and Chen Shuxiang gently comforted He Daqing, saying that with his solid cooking skills, he would never have to worry about food wherever he went.

Once the situation outside stabilizes a bit, we can always take on some banquet hosting jobs and still manage to support the family.

He Daqing wasn't really worried about not finding work; what he was truly afraid of was that the Bald Gang would come knocking on his door and investigate his past as a cook for the Japanese.

However, he was not able to stay idle at home for more than a few days. As soon as Xu Wangcai heard that he had lost his job, he immediately came to his door to ask if he would like to work in the steel rolling mill.

The steel rolling mill has now been returned to its original owner, Mr. Lou.

This property originally belonged to the Lou family, but it was forcibly occupied by the Japanese for a long time. Now it has finally been returned to its rightful owner.

Without a second thought, He Daqing immediately agreed.

In his view, working in a factory and having a company to rely on was much safer than being out in the public eye.

Afterwards, He Daqing went to the steel mill canteen to sample the dishes as agreed.

His superb culinary skills were naturally impeccable, and he passed the assessment on the spot and officially joined the company.

However, the wages paid by the steel rolling mill were ultimately much less than those paid at Fengzeyuan.

After working at the factory for a while, He Daqing's mind started to wander again.

The factory canteen never lacked fresh ingredients. Although he didn't know the supply channels, he could always sneak some out by spending a little money to ask someone to help him out.

In order to make up for the difference in wages, He Daqing set his sights on his son, He Yuzhu.

What was he planning? He wanted to make steamed buns at home and have He Yuzhu take them to the street to sell, so they could earn some extra money to supplement the family income.

He Daqing had just mentioned this idea at home when it was immediately suppressed by the old lady and Chen Shuxiang.

How much hard-earned money can one make selling steamed buns? Right now, there's chaos and unrest outside; the world is far from peaceful.

The reputation of the Bald Party was no better than that of the Japanese back then, with one case after another of them ransacking homes and robbing property in the streets.

How could a mother and daughter feel comfortable letting their young child go out alone to sell steamed buns in public?

He Daqing couldn't persuade his family otherwise, so he had to suppress his thoughts for the time being and not bring it up again.

Before they knew it, it was late August. One morning, Xu Damao rushed over to find He Yuzhu.

As soon as they met, he eagerly asked, "Brother Zhu, my dad is sending me to school. Has Master found a school for you yet?"

He Yuzhu shook his head slightly, indicating that he had not yet found a job.

"No way? Am I the only one in the whole neighborhood going to school? That won't do. What if I get bullied at school?"

"If you don't bully others, they should be grateful!" He Yuzhu retorted irritably.

Xu Damao has now mastered most of the basic cooking skills and has even practiced a few self-defense moves with He Yuzhu.

Most people his age, unless they are trained martial arts practitioners from a young age, would be no match for him.

"Hehe, I just wanted Brother Zhu to come with me!" Xu Damao scratched his head and chuckled somewhat sheepishly.

"Come on, you're just planning to get into trouble someday so I can back you up."

"Let me tell you, even if I do go to school, I won't be in the same class as you—I'm two years older than you."

"You've never been to school, so why can't you be in the same class as me?" Xu Damao asked, his face full of confusion.

"You'll find out when the time comes," He Yuzhu replied mysteriously.

"But Master hasn't registered you yet! No, I have to talk to Master's wife. I don't want to go to school all alone."

Xu Damao took two short strides and dashed into the He family's house.

"Master's wife, Master's wife, why isn't Brother Zhuzi going to school? I'm about to start school myself!"

"Da Mao, slow down, don't wake your little sister Yu Shui." Chen Shuxiang was holding young He Yu Shui and gently coaxing her in the house.

"Oh!" Xu Damao immediately slowed down and obediently responded.

"By the way, what were you yelling about outside just now? Going to school? What school?" Chen Shuxiang asked in confusion.

"Teacher's wife, my father has enrolled me in Jiaodaokou Elementary School. I'll be able to start school officially next month."

"Didn't my master register Brother Zhuzi too?" Xu Damao asked, his eyes wide.

"The school has already started recruiting students?" Chen Shuxiang was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, my dad has already taken care of all the paperwork for me," Xu Damao said proudly.

"Pillar, Pillar!" Chen Shuxiang immediately called out loudly towards the outside.

Now she has changed how she addresses her son, no longer treating him as a little baby who doesn't understand anything.

"Coming, coming!" He Yuzhu spat out the water from his mouth, rinsed his mouth thoroughly, wiped his face with a towel, and ran quickly into the house.

"Zhuzi, do you want to go to school and study?" Chen Shuxiang asked her son.

"Can I really go?" He Yuzhu immediately put on an expectant and longing look, her eyes sparkling.

"Look at the question you're asking. Da Mao can go, so why can't you? Does the family need your tuition fees?" Chen Shuxiang was slightly displeased with her son's question.