Chapter 1343: Chapter 1344: The Little Widow of the Courtyard 71 Zhang Yu watched Qin Pandi bustling in and out, and despite the neighbors’ doubts about her, Zhang Yu felt that Qin Pandi, living so positively, might not have a miserable future. Qin Pandi knew everyone was talking about her, but she didn’t care; she knew she was getting married and would become Zhao Qi’s wife, part of the Zhao Family. Getting married wasn’t easy for her, and it wasn’t easy for Zhao Qi either, marrying her. They wanted her to have children, so, at the very least, they wouldn’t leave her without food. Just as she imagined, though Zhao Fu wasn’t generous, Qin Pandi had a residence permit and worked diligently, so he wasn’t too harsh. What satisfied Zhao Fu and his spouse even more was Qin Pandi’s readiness to take on street jobs, and whenever there was no work, she would go to the nearby mountains and always return with some harvest. Sometimes it was wild vegetables, and occasionally some mushrooms, which pleased Zhao Fu greatly. Even Zhao Lin, who had previously called her unlucky, would occasionally call her sister-in-law upon seeing the ingredients Qin Pandi brought back. Looking at the harmonious Zhao Fu family, Zhang Yu didn’t think they would remain peaceful. With scarce food, even if they wanted to make trouble, they had no energy for it. Once this period passes, Zhao Fu’s family will likely have conflicts. Zhao Qi had long disapproved of his brother Zhao Lin, just lacking an opportunity to chase him away. Zhang Yu stood by the window, waiting for the rice in the pot to finish steaming, ensuring the kitchen window was shut to prevent the aroma from escaping. Though it’s only just past seven, in the past everyone would gather in the yard, kids causing a ruckus, adults chatting about various trivial matters and any neighborhood excitement they could witness. Now, though, everyone retires early to bed, preserving their strength. Seeing no one outside, Zhang Yu swiftly lifted the pot from the stove, and Zhao Lei promptly took it to the room behind Zhang Yu’s room. Because this room had no windows, Zhang Yu designated it for storing miscellaneous items, but now it’s become the family’s secret dining area. Only here is it hard for the smell to escape. Zhao Hong was already waiting inside; upon seeing Zhao Lei come in with the pot, she happily jabbed the spoon into the rice. “It’s been so long since we’ve had pork fat rice.” Zhao Hong was thrilled just thinking about the meal. Zhao Lei glared at Zhao Hong a few times, and the latter covered her mouth, “I won’t say anything.” Zhao Lei estimated the time and thought the pork fat should have melted, then stirred the rice briskly with a spoon. “Add the seaweed flakes,” Zhang Yu gently entered the small room and sprinkled prepared seaweed flakes and dried fish bits into the rice. She had heated the dried fish bits in the small room at the recycling station. With no other choice—it’s fish meat, and processed food aromas are hard to suppress. “There’s fish meat as well?” Zhao Hong was overjoyed. Originally, she thought today’s pork fat was a treat enough. But now there’s fish meat too, “Mom, this?” Zhao Lei didn’t understand why they didn’t eat it separately. “Consume it; it’s good to have a meal improvement once a week,” Zhang Yu whispered. “Don’t worry, there’s plenty of dried seafood.” Zhang Yu knew that Old Man Wang was a former soldier. His comrades scattered in various locations, although she had never asked and never seen anyone visiting him. Unexpectedly, his comrade had mailed a large package of seafood recently, including dried kelp, seaweed, and dried scallop snacks. Old Man Wang gave Zhang Yu more than half, which delighted her. Even though she wasn’t sure when such a good opportunity might come again, having received it meant she shouldn’t be shy. “It was seafood from Grandpa Wang?” Zhao Lei knew Old Man Wang had given a large package but hadn’t asked what it contained. He was surprised it was seafood. Discover more novels at NoveI-Fire.ɴet “Mom, why didn’t I see you bring it back?” Zhao Lei was curious. “Yes, Mom, where did you hide it?” Zhao Hong found it strange—they had never found Zhang Yu’s stash. “It’s a secret; I won’t tell you,” Zhang Yu boasted. “I’m a master at hiding things.” Hahaha, they would never know she hadn’t hidden the goods at all—they were kept in her space. She wouldn’t trust storing them anywhere, fearing discovery; only in her space could she be sure. “If I blatantly took them out, do you think the neighbors would leave us be?” “Several times, I’ve awakened at night to find someone lurking by the window, watching our house.” The situation wouldn’t improve until next year; now was the hardest time for everyone. Although households had stocks, after exhausting them over more than a year, there was nothing left. Zhao Lei and Zhao Hong couldn’t gather much information about what they consumed daily. “Are they doing this?” Zhao Lei was enraged. Daily inquiries were one thing; they knew Zhang Yu fished every day and went to the mountain on weekends. Unfortunately, the harvest wasn’t much, enough to slightly improve meals for the four of them weekly. “They think we have supplies,” Zhang Yu used to carry a bag to and from work; now it was more straightforward—going empty-handed, letting neighbors know she had nothing. Zhao Lei and Zhao Hong nodded, “Mom, don’t worry, we know what to say.” “In desperation, people will do anything,” Zhang Yu didn’t inform them that someone had gone to the black market for grain recently, then got ambushed. After leaving the black market, a gang rushed forth to snatch the goods. The matter was initially concealed; sufferers wouldn’t reveal it because nobody wanted others to know they visited the black market. But the one seeking revenge got stabbed by the miscreants. Zhang Yu was convinced this wouldn’t be the first, nor the last occurrence. Zhao Lei suddenly pondered, “Mom, will they try to break in when we’re not home?” Zhao Hong grew tense; she had forgotten about it. Seeing their worried expressions, Zhang Yu was amused, “It’s just like before.” “You both follow me to work daily. The moment you stop going to the recycling station, just stay home. If it’s only a day or two, they’ll wonder but won’t think much.” “But if you stay home daily, what will they think? They’ll assume there’s food at home; otherwise, you wouldn’t stay home.” “Being home means guarding the food.” “Keeping the routine will prevent them from suspecting much. Even if they think we have food, they’ll assume it’s stored at the recycling station.” This was why Zhang Yu could occasionally improve meals at home, never fearing discovery. Apart from having good concealment skills, everyone knew she rarely cooked at home.