After the spring sowing ended, the weather grew hotter and hotter. The people in the valley, apart from watering the fields three times a day—morning, noon, and night—tried to avoid going out unnecessarily to conserve energy and reduce consumption. With the oppressive heat, if there was no work to be done in the fields, they stayed indoors as much as possible. After all, they had air conditioning at home, and with solar power, there was no shortage of electricity.
One day, Uncle De and Uncle Fu returned from the fields, their heads dripping with sweat. They saw Chen Lan sitting in the living room reading. Uncle Fu wiped the sweat from his face and said, "Xiao Lan, the weather has been dry for so long, and it hasn't rained. It's only July, and it's not even the hottest part of the year yet, but it's already this hot. As soon as we water the fields, the water evaporates instantly. Tell me, how long is this dry spell going to last?"
Before Chen Lan could answer, Uncle De added, "Xiao Lan! A few of us old fellows went to the reservoir today and looked at the water. We discussed it. The crops are consuming a lot of water now, and drip irrigation is completely ineffective in this heat. If we continue watering like this every day, by the autumn harvest, there won't be much water left in the reservoir, and it will be difficult for next year's spring planting."
Chen Lan listened to Uncle De and Uncle Fu, and with a determined expression, replied, "Uncle De, Uncle Fu, let's not worry about next year for now. We must first ensure a bumper harvest this year, and it must be a great one. I've decided that after the autumn harvest, I'm going to Suifenhe to deliver a batch of grain and supplies to Mingxuan ge and Er Zhuang's teams."
This was overheard by the mother-in-law, who had just returned from outside. Wiping the sweat from her face, she said, "Deshun, Chen Fu, Xiao Lan is right. The crops are almost ready to be harvested, and the vegetables in the garden are also grown. This is precisely when they need water. We've come this far. No matter what, we must first ensure a bumper harvest this year. The vegetables are grown and edible. As for next year, we'll figure out another way then."
She then turned to Chen Lan and said, "Xiao Lan! You should have gone to see Mingxuan long ago. Although Suifenhe isn't that far from our valley, that brat hasn't been home for several years. The weather is so dry now, I don't know how he's doing, or if he can eat his fill every day. Alas! Children grow up and don't belong to their mothers anymore!" The mother-in-law sighed heavily.
Chen Lan immediately agreed, "Mother-in-law, I understand. I'll prepare everything in advance. I'll leave as soon as the autumn harvest is over." She then tried to comfort her, "Mother-in-law, please don't worry too much. A few years ago, when Mingxuan ge came back, didn't he take a lot of corn and potato seeds from home? I think even if they don't have white rice, they shouldn't go hungry, right?"
The mother-in-law sighed again, "Let's hope so. With the weather this dry, there aren't so many formalities to worry about. As long as they don't go hungry, that's good!"
To save water, Chen Lan decided to slaughter all the wild chickens and rabbits in the valley in advance, as well as most of the cashmere goats, leaving only a small number of breeding goats and young ones. Of the pigs, only a few pairs of piglets were kept; the rest were all slaughtered, preserved, and dried.
So, while the weather outside was scorching hot, the people in the valley were also working feverishly. Everyone in the valley, except for the children in the kindergarten and those attending school, was mobilized. The men slaughtered pigs and sheep, killed chickens and rabbits, while the women worked in coordinated teams: one group for washing, another for preservation. They were all busy, drenched in sweat, and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Although 1959 was a nationwide drought, thanks to Chen Lan's foresight and the valley's preparations, including digging the reservoir to store water, this year's crops were considered a great success.
The autumn harvest soon ended. Chen Lan spent the past two days at home packing and preparing. She needed to set aside enough milk powder and diapers for the kindergarten children in the valley to last for several months.
There were also milk powder and milk candies for the group of children at home, along with some essential medicines. Additionally, she prepared tonics for her mother, mother-in-law, Mother Liu, and Mother Cui.
She then went to the food warehouse in the main kitchen and left enough oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar to last for nearly half a year before locking the warehouse door and heading home.
Chen Lan prepared so many supplies for her home and the valley for two reasons. Firstly, she didn't know how long the journey to Suifenhe would take or how long she would stay there. Secondly, Chen Lan wanted to take advantage of the current situation before relations with the "big Russians" across the border soured, and decided to try her luck over there, planning to conduct some major business deals.
Chen Lan walked home under the scorching sun, lost in thought. Later that evening, she still had to find Zheng Sanpao and ask him to go to the border defense camp. This was to deliver a message about sending grain this year and to get an introduction letter from the border defense camp for her visit to Suifenhe to see relatives.
Lost in her thoughts, Chen Lan walked quickly. In no time, she arrived home. As soon as she entered the living room, she sensed that the atmosphere was not right. Mother Liu was sitting on the sofa, wiping away tears, while her mother was trying to comfort her.
Chen Lan was puzzled. Everything seemed fine when she was home earlier. How could it be so gloomy after just a short trip outside?
Her mother saw Chen Lan enter and quickly signaled to her. Chen Lan immediately understood and went to hug Mother Liu, saying, "Mother Liu, don't be angry anymore. Did Xiao Xigua upset you again? I'll go deal with him." As she spoke, she clenched her fist.
Mother Liu couldn't help but say, "You child, he's not a child anymore. He's over thirty now. Alas!" She sighed heavily again, and tears welled up. Chen Lan realized that Xiao Xigua was indeed already thirty this year, and still unmarried, no wonder Mother Liu was anxious. The mother and son often argued about this matter.
Chen Lan thought for a moment and then said, "Mother Liu, please don't worry. I'll take Xiao Xigua with me to Suifenhe this time to find him a wife. I'll make sure he brings back a daughter-in-law this time, otherwise, I'll abandon him and come back alone."
Upon hearing Chen Lan's words, Mother Liu immediately grabbed her hand and said, "Xiao Lan, can Xiao Xigua really bring a wife home this time?"
Chen Lan was about to say, "That's not certain," but seeing Mother Liu's graying hair and her hopeful eyes, she couldn't help but nod.
To her surprise, Mother Liu's face immediately lit up with joy as Chen Lan nodded. "Xiao Lan, if you say he can get married, he definitely can. Good! Good! That's wonderful! Blessings from our ancestors!" She even bowed to the sky.
Chen Lan instantly felt immense pressure! Oh! How could this be!