Chapter 57 Delivering Grain

"Yes, I know what I'm doing. You should just relax and eat your dinner first. After you finish eating, I'll take care of all the housework!" Shen Zishan said as he picked up his rice bowl.

Hearing this, Ma Aning nodded obediently: "Okay, Brother Shan."

"By the way, I have something to discuss with you. Tomorrow is the one-month anniversary of our two children. Should we hold a celebration for them?" Her tone was hesitant.

Shen Zishan frowned, his expression becoming particularly grave: "In my opinion, the current situation is not suitable for a grand celebration of the full moon."

"Think about it, if we really did that, wouldn't that be like openly telling everyone that we still have surplus grain? In this situation, it's better to keep a low profile."

He paused for a moment, then sighed, "Wife, the three years of natural disasters that the children always talk about probably really have come to pass."

These days, everywhere you look in the streets and alleys, you see people who are emaciated and listless from hunger. Fortunately, the situation in our village is relatively better.”

Thanks to our village chief and brigade leader! Long before the crisis hit, they made a decisive decision to distribute the limited food supplies to each household in a reasonable proportion.

Because of this, the villagers were able to barely make ends meet, though they could only eat until they were somewhat full, at least they didn't starve to death.

"Besides, the grain that Father bought before the famine was life-saving grain. What if others find out and steal it? We must not let anyone know."

At this moment, Shen Xiaoxiao's voice rang out softly: "I also think Dad is right. We really shouldn't have held this full moon banquet. If anyone asks, just tell them that we don't have enough food to afford the banquet."

"After all, these days, which family isn't struggling to make ends meet?"

Hearing that his daughter was so sensible, Shen Zishan felt both gratified and guilty.

He reached out and gently patted Chen Xiaoxiao's head, then patted his chest and earnestly assured his daughter, "Daughter, you can rest assured."

"Although Dad can't help you with your one-month celebration this time, every year from now on, no matter how difficult it is, Dad will prepare birthday gifts for you and your brother in advance!"

That very night, the village, shrouded in darkness, appeared exceptionally quiet.

Suddenly, a soft footstep broke the silence.

It turned out that Ma Quan, along with his two sons, was pushing heavy bags and walking unsteadily toward the Shen family.

When they finally arrived, Shen Zishan discovered that the bags contained more than 1,000 kilograms of grain!

This was enough for Shen Zishan to feed the four of them for a long time.

The four of them worked together and exerted tremendous effort to move all the items into the kitchen cellar.

Looking at the abundance of supplies in front of her, Ma Aning said to her father, Ma Quan, with some worry, "Dad, we should still have some food left at home, right? Please don't send all of it to us!"

"I heard from Brother Shan that there is a food shortage everywhere outside right now."

Hearing his daughter's concerned words, Ma Quan smiled and waved his hand, replying easily, "Don't worry, honey, we have plenty of food at home. If the four of us are frugal, this food will definitely last us two years."

He spoke casually, but he was actually well aware of the current food shortage situation.

However, Ma Aning was still worried. She frowned and advised again, "Father, even so, when you have another chance to buy grain, you can keep it at your own home. You don't need to send any more to us. Shan Ge and I have enough grain here."

Ma Quan nodded happily and agreed: "Okay, okay, whatever my daughter says. This is the money you have left over from buying the grain for me."

“Food is hard to buy now, take the money back first,” she said, then looked around impatiently, “Where are my precious grandchildren? Let me hold them and see them.”

Ma Quan seemed completely oblivious to the food shortage, his only thought being to see his adorable grandchildren.

He did not tell Ma Aning the truth that it was now extremely difficult to buy affordable grain on the market, and even if it was available, the price was outrageously high.

“The children are all asleep in their rooms. Let me show you,” Ma Aning said with a smile, then turned around gently and walked slowly toward the rooms with light steps.

Seeing this, the brothers Ma Quan and Ma Alin quickly followed in her footsteps.

When they entered the room, they saw the brother and sister lying quietly on the bed, sleeping adorably with rosy cheeks and even, steady breathing, as if they were immersed in a sweet dream.

Ma Quan gazed at the sleeping children, his heart filled with tenderness, but he couldn't bear to wake them. So he simply stood quietly by the bedside and watched them silently for a long while.

Then, Ma Quan carefully reached into his pocket, rummaged around for a while, and pulled out two bulging red envelopes.

He placed them next to the two children's pillows, and only after doing so did he straighten up with a relieved smile on his face.

Ma Aning, who had been standing to the side, noticed her father's actions. She hurriedly stepped forward, picked up the two red envelopes, and said to Ma Quan, "Dad, what are you doing?" As she spoke, she tried to return the red envelopes to him.

Ma Quan stopped his daughter's hand, stared at her with wide eyes, and said, "This is a small token of my appreciation from his grandmother, his two uncles, and me."

"The baby will be one month old tomorrow, but given the current economic climate, you certainly won't be having a big celebration. But as elders, we still have to give the appropriate red envelopes!"

After saying that, he forcefully snatched the red envelopes back from Ma Aning's hands and placed them again beside the two children's pillows.

Seeing her father's insistence, Ma Aning knew that further refusals would be useless, so she said helplessly, "Dad, you don't need to be so polite. Although Shan and I are not well-off, we can manage. We really don't need you to spend any money."

However, Ma Quan ignored her completely, waving his hand and saying, "Alright, alright, stop talking about those things, this is just our way of showing our appreciation."

“You better behave yourself. This isn’t for you; it’s for my two precious grandsons,” Ma Quan said, glaring at him.

Seeing her father's resolute attitude, Ma Aning stopped insisting and said softly, "Father, Alin, Amu, it's getting late. Why don't you rest in the next room for the night and head back tomorrow morning?"

Ma Quan shook his head without hesitation and refused, saying, "That won't do! If we don't hurry back, your mother won't be able to sleep a wink all night, left to guard the house alone. We must get home as soon as possible so she can have peace of mind."

Before he finished speaking, he resolutely turned around and strode towards the door.

After exchanging a glance, Ma Alin and Ma Amu looked at the two sleeping children and finally left with Ma Quan.

Before leaving, Ma Quan turned back and reminded her, "Daughter, remember to lock the door."

Ma Aning nodded in agreement.

Shen Zishan rushed out of the kitchen and shouted, "Dad, wait! I just made some late-night snacks. You can eat them before you leave."