Capítulo 1371: Chapter 1372: The Little Widow of the Courtyard 99 Shortly after New Year’s Day, Xiao Min didn’t look very good after work. Zhang Yu’s first reaction was, could someone insensitive be bullying her? Before she could ask, Xiao Min said with a deep sense of guilt, “Mom, I might have to leave early.” Leaving early? Zhang Yu felt a pang in her heart, was it because they were short-handed over in the Western Region and needed Xiao Min to go back to work? Or did she sense something off here, prompting her early departure? “The situation hasn’t been great lately.” Xiao Min whispered, “Recently, some people from the institute were taken away due to certain issues.” “They never returned.” “Even their families either divorced them, cut ties, or those who didn’t cut ties lost track of where they went.” Zhang Yu gasped, “No way, not now.” “What happened to them?” Zhang Yu didn’t realize things had already escalated, but now the commotion seemed small. “I’m not exactly sure, they shouldn’t be spies.” Xiao Min didn’t dare to inquire further, and certainly couldn’t find out any information. “Don’t try to find out.” Zhang Yu thought it better not to probe, “It’s better to go to the Western Region.” “In the Capital City, all kinds of people are here.” “The Western Region is relatively safe.” Those people just battle for power, while people in the Western Region are involved in research and don’t care about authority. Xiao Min nodded, “Grandpa and Grandma also think , they are going with me this time.” Xiao Min took out a thick envelope from her pocket and handed it to Zhang Yu. “As for the salary, I’ve settled it with the institute, Xiao Lei’s salary is for you.” “When I go back this time, I don’t know how the contact situation will be.” Xiao Min couldn’t help but feel grateful that after she had Xiao Xi, Zhang Yu had Zhao Lei take a solo photo. “If possible, even if we can’t write letters, taking a picture every year is fine.” Taking photos would show how they were doing. In a time without beauty filters, even black and white photos could reveal their condition. “Okay.” Zhang Yu didn’t hesitate and took the envelope directly, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of Xiao Xi and Xiao Yi.” “Thank you.” Xiao Min was unsure how her family would fare, but seeing her grandparents’ anxious looks made her think perhaps the matter would escalate greatly this time. “When will you leave?” Zhang Yu thought about how much to prepare for Xiao Min, since she was leaving with a large group, bringing more items should be manageable. “Tomorrow morning.” Xiao Min knew that the timing was tight. Google seaʀᴄh NoveI(F)ire.net Tomorrow morning? “So soon.” Zhang Yu paused, “There’s no way to prepare food for the journey.” “We originally wanted to leave tonight, but there were no train tickets.” “Besides, it was too rushed.” It’s too easy to attract suspicion. “A group was already planning to go to the Western Region these days, along with some equipment.” “Now there are more people leaving, and more equipment.” Xiao Min whispered. Zhang Yu sighed, see, even if not reborn, those who lived through that era had some things engraved in their bones. “I’ll prepare some things for you.” Zhang Yu remembered there was fish, “I’ll make some fish floss for you.” “Xiao Min, you know how to make fish floss, meat floss is made similarly. When you get there, if possible, make some.” “Xiao Lei knows how to make it too.” Zhang Yu guessed Zhao Lei wasn’t unwilling, but busy with research, not thinking about it. “He knows how to make it?” Xiao Min knew Zhao Lei was good at cooking, just hadn’t expected he could make meat floss too, truly a surprise. “Of course he does, when I made it before, the siblings helped out.” Xiao Min understood, “Okay, thank you, Mom.” The place where they were going had a river, occasionally they walked by it, but whether there were fish, they hadn’t tried fishing. “I wonder if Xiao Lei knows how to fish.” Xiao Min knew Zhang Yu was great at fishing, and Zhao Hong wasn’t bad either. “Fishing, besides luck, depends on bait too. Xiao Lei can make bait.” While his bait wasn’t as good as hers, it wasn’t too bad. Xiao Yi raised his hand, “Yes, yes, sis, Aunt Zhang’s bait is really good, let my brother-in-law make bait, and then sis, you can eat fish.” Xiao Yi thought eating more fish was good for health, and this time Grandpa and Grandma were also going, taking care of them was his sister and brother-in-law’s responsibility. Initially, Xiao Min worried about how to care for Grandpa and Grandma once they arrived, which really troubled her, but now it’s fine, no need to worry. Even if they didn’t match Zhang Yu’s haul, with two or three fish caught weekly, she’d be satisfied. “Let Xiao Lei fish.” Zhang Yu didn’t hesitate to push Zhao Lei to this task. Anyway, the lad was usually engrossed in research, this could be a good way to relax. “It’s not that I don’t know you’re busy, but I think, the body shouldn’t be neglected.” “Walking helps the neck, shoulders, and waist. Even with hospitals, there’s only treatment, no prevention.” Zhang Yu had consulted several old Chinese doctors, plus some knowledge from later years, to create an exercise routine, “Ten minutes in the morning, noon, and evening, in total.” Zhang Yu taught Xiao Min first, letting her experience it well, so she’d care about it. Xiao Min persisted during those days and truly felt much improvement, “When I go back, I’ll certainly tell everyone.” Everyone works similarly for long periods, and more or less have discomforts here and there. “Sure, if everyone starts doing it, health improves, plus clearing the mind during exercise might lead to surprises.” If only one or two people practiced, Zhang Yu worried they might not persist once busy, but if everyone did, she thought they’d keep it up. When Xiao Min woke up next day, she saw the kitchen light on, thinking it was Zhang Yu making breakfast. Unexpectedly, Zhang Yu was making fish floss—and looked at the aquarium, my goodness, the fish were all gone. She realized Zhang Yu must have stayed up all night making it, as it took considerable time. “Mom, didn’t you sleep all night?” Xiao Min felt a bit regretful for not mentioning it in the morning. But then thinking about packing, she knew it couldn’t be avoided. “You said it’s a large group leaving; I made some flatbreads and fish floss for you.” “I also prepared some pickles and kimchi.” “You know how to make them too; when you get there, you can make them yourself.” These days, Zhang Yu had been continuously teaching. “I didn’t expect Xiao Lei would be assigned so far away.” Zhang Yu thought his good grades meant a higher chance of staying in the Capital City. Thought it was good for a boy to cook, but didn’t expect him to be assigned to the Capital City, yet work so far away.