Chen Lan smiled and replied, "Jiahui, you've only answered half of it. First, the houses will indeed appreciate in value in the future. Second, when you all graduate from college and start working, you'll need to establish your own families. Where will you live if you don't have a house? Will you and your spouse live in the staff dormitory?"
Jiahui shyly hugged Chen Lan's arm and replied, "Mom, I'm about to leave Harbin for the capital to attend university. I don't know where I'll be assigned after graduation. I think it's highly unlikely I'll be assigned back to Harbin to work. So, Mom, please don't save a house for me!"
After speaking, Jiahui paused for a moment and continued, "Mom, only Eldest Sister is married and has a house. Second Sister and Third Sister are also not young! The remaining houses should be left for Second Sister, Third Sister, and Younger Sister, one for each. Mom, don't worry too much about it. Let the boys work hard for themselves."
Upon hearing Jiahui's words, Chen Lan was immensely relieved and patted Jiahui's hand. Although Jiahui and Jiayao had known since childhood that their three elder sisters and two younger brothers were not their biological mother's children, they had never complained to Chen Lan. They also bore no resentment for the fact that their three elder sisters and two younger brothers shared their mother's attention and affection.
Chen Lan often felt immensely proud that the ten children in the family got along harmoniously, were united and friendly, and often showed consideration for each other. This showed that she had raised the children very well, didn't it?
The boys in the family were broad-minded and generous like their father, while the girls were kind and magnanimous like herself.
As the saying goes, "A man with a broad mind attracts wealth, and a kind-hearted woman brings good fortune!"
Chen Lan mused that her life had been so smooth sailing precisely because of her kind heart and the good luck it brought. Thinking this way, she suspected she might be a bit too flattering to herself.
However, the prosperity of a family is inseparable from the principle of "Harmony in the family brings prosperity to all." The children all understood their roles in this large family and were working towards their goals. Even the youngest, Little Tenth Sister, was making unremitting efforts. Everyone knew their place and fulfilled their responsibilities, so why wouldn't the entire family prosper?
This time, the mother and daughter did not ride bicycles to the Northern Building. It was a rare occasion that they walked side-by-side, chatting softly, creating a very warm and harmonious scene.
Although it was early spring in March, it was still quite cold in Harbin, especially at night. However, the mother and daughter's hearts were warm! They were completely unfazed by the cold.
Despite walking, the mother and daughter, having lived in the mountains for years, walked at a brisk pace and soon arrived at the Northern Building.
Jiahui acted as a lookout while Chen Lan was in charge of distributing goods from the warehouse. Chen Lan quickly packed the items to be moved into the warehouse, then swiftly locked the warehouse door and hurried back with Jiahui. The mother and daughter planned to visit Xiang Xi and the others again at the black market.
Each of them paid a two-mao entrance fee and stepped into the black market. Chen Lan noticed that there were quite a few people doing business in the black market, selling all sorts of things, and many people were also buying.
Now, when trading, people were no longer covering themselves up so tightly, only showing their eyes and speaking in hushed tones or using hand gestures. Although there was no loud shouting, people were quietly bargaining with stall owners at their stalls.
All these signs indicated that the black market was not as strictly managed as before!
The mother and daughter browsed, observing the various stalls around them, looking for Xiang Xi and the others, and also for anything they liked.
Jiahui spotted a stall selling puppies and ran over curiously. The seller was a scruffy old man. In his worn basket, several fluffy puppies were huddled together. Because the weather was still quite cold at night, the puppies were snuggled together for warmth. Chen Lan estimated their size and guessed they were just over a month old.
Chen Lan went forward and asked. Her guess was correct. The man said the puppies were just over a month old. The mother dog at home wasn't getting enough nutrition, so her milk was insufficient. No one wanted to take them as gifts.
Since people were struggling to feed themselves, who would want to raise a dog? The man couldn't bear to abandon the puppies, so he decided to try his luck at the black market to find them good homes.
Seeing Jiahui squatting there, constantly stroking the puppies' soft fur without moving for a long time, the dog seller knew Jiahui must like them.
He then said, "Young lady, look how well-behaved these puppies are! They are our special Northeast wolfhounds. They are very gentle and intelligent, especially loyal to their owners. When they grow up, they can even guard the house. Would you like to take one home?"
Chen Lan also squatted down to look at the puppies in the basket. There were five of them, all fluffy and undeniably cute. It was no wonder Jiahui liked them. What little girl didn't like fluffy little animals? She believed the children at home would definitely like them too.
Chen Lan thought that if they raised them from puppies at home, letting them grow up around the children, and trained them properly from a young age, instilling in them friendly habits towards the family, they would be perfect for guarding the house when they grew up.
With this thought, Chen Lan asked, "Brother, how much are these dogs? How much do you plan to sell one for?"
The dog seller replied shyly, "Sister, to be honest, I've never sold dogs before and don't know the market price. Just give me whatever you think is fair."
Chen Lan heard this and thought this brother was indeed honest, which increased her liking for him.
She then asked, "Brother, we'll take all these puppies. Do you want money and ration coupons in exchange, or would you prefer grain?"
The brother was very surprised by Chen Lan's words, but he didn't try to take advantage of her. He just scratched his head and said, "Sister, just give me some grain. We're poor at home, and people can barely eat. Not to mention Huzizi, who just gave birth. This time, I need to properly nourish my Huzizi."
Chen Lan thought, so the mother dog's name was Huzizi!
Chen Lan nodded and said nothing more. She stood up, asked Jiahui to wait for her at the stall and not wander off, and then said to the dog seller, "Brother, please wait a moment. I'll go back and get some grain for you."