Chen Lan's words made Big Sister's heart pound. Worried and afraid that her grandson might suffer any harm, she slowly opened the door from the inside.
As soon as the door opened, Big Sister saw Chen Lan's current appearance. Since they hadn't had time to change, Chen Lan was still dressed as a young girl. Big Sister didn't recognize her immediately and thought she was a stranger. Moreover, her daughter Jiahui and Xu Mingxuan were standing beside Chen Lan. Seeing the situation was not right, Big Sister was about to close the door again.
Chen Lan realized this wouldn't do. The door had just opened with difficulty, and she couldn't let it be closed again. So, Chen Lan quickly used her hand to push the door, preventing it from closing, and explained, "Big Sister, it's really me. Listen to my voice. I'm dressed like this now because I'm afraid of being recognized."
As Chen Lan explained, she checked the system time with her mind. It was almost midnight, and the moon was about to rise. It would be very unsafe to leave then. If they were inadvertently targeted, it would cause great trouble for her family!
Chen Lan's patience was almost gone. She didn't have time to waste with her any longer. So, she put some strength into her hand and pushed the door open.
Just as Big Sister was about to call for help, a commotion started inside the house. Chen Lan immediately interrupted her cries for help and said, "Big Sister, everyone, don't make a sound. I saw ghost shadows upstairs. If you make a sound, you might attract the ghosts from the haunted house upstairs!"
Chen Lan's words scared Big Sister and the people inside into silence. They immediately shut up! Even Chen Lan hadn't expected her words to be so effective. She thought she would have to argue extensively to persuade them to leave with her.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Chen Lan finished speaking and asked them to follow her, they stood up without a word, grabbed their belongings, and left the gatehouse as if they were afraid of being left behind!
Chen Lan then took a closer look at the remaining people in Big Sister's house. Besides her daughter-in-law and grandson, there was a young daughter who looked about the same age as triplets, and a younger boy.
Chen Lan didn't see her eldest son here. She wondered if he had also been arrested by the Revolutionary Committee. Chen Lan dared not ask, fearing it might make the family cry in the middle of the night! Su Dan Novel Network
Chen Lan reached out and took the child from the young woman's arms. It was very late, and the child was fast asleep.
Chen Lan casually handed the child to Xu Mingxuan to hold for a moment, then said to Jiahui, "Jiahui, ride the bicycle and take the younger brother and sister to the house we borrowed earlier. After you settle them in, you can make another trip to pick up your aunt and her daughter-in-law."
Jiahui happily agreed. Hearing Jiahui's voice, Big Sister realized that Jiahui was not a boy but a girl, and she finally felt relieved, allowing the two children to leave on Jiahui's bicycle.
After bringing Big Sister's family to the borrowed house, while they were busy settling in, Chen Lan took out the clothes she had bought for them from the department store.
She hadn't bought clothes for the young boy, bedding, or toiletries at the time. Chen Lan placed another order from the system and prepared everything.
She also prepared two months' worth of rice, flour, noodles, and cornmeal, as well as oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, and any other ingredients that could be stored.
Seeing the new items in the room, Big Sister's family finally believed that Chen Lan and her companions sincerely wanted to help them, not just talk.
The family's expressions of gratitude were endless. Chen Lan waved her hand and said, "Big Sister, there's no need for thanks. If you really feel indebted, then when my children have any difficulties with their studies, I'll have them come to your house to ask for help."
Big Sister quickly agreed, "My dear sister, don't worry. I, Tian Ximei, keep my word. As long as my husband returns safely, our family will always welcome your children to ask questions."
Chen Lan continued to instruct, "Big Sister, it's best for you and the children not to go out for now. Wait until things settle down. As for the vegetables and other food you eat every day, it's hot now, and things won't keep. Big Sister, don't worry, I'll have the children deliver them to you every day! Oh, right, what grade are your two children in now? I'll bring their textbooks to you tomorrow."
Chen Lan and her husband left with Jiahui amidst the family's gratitude.
Sitting on the bicycle, Chen Lan sighed and said, "Alas! Such undeserved misfortune. A good family has been reduced to this state! They were almost completely destroyed. Fortunately, with two more years of perseverance, the country will be peaceful."
Xu Mingxuan heard Chen Lan say this and asked, "Lan'er, is that true? Will our country be truly peaceful in two more years?"
Chen Lan sighed again and replied, "Brother Mingxuan, this is absolutely true. It's almost time. It's already July of seventy-six. My father-in-law told me that as soon as the country began to rectify its course, we would see the resumption of the college entrance examination at the end of seventy-seven; then came the rehabilitation and exoneration, and the reinstatement of Wei Dang's parents' work; then came the country's reform and opening up, and our country entered a fast track of high-speed development, and the living standards of the people also continuously improved. Only then could it truly be called a prosperous and strong nation."
Xu Mingxuan and Jiahui, father and daughter, were filled with infinite yearning and longing for the future prospects of the country described by Chen Lan. Both of them were eager to achieve great things.
Jiahui said that she would study hard at home starting tomorrow to prepare in advance, and she was determined to get into the best university.
Xu Mingxuan said that he must travel further to procure more of the best and cheapest supplies for his subordinate units.