Chapter 1067: Chapter 1067: Reality

Bai Xiao went out to buy groceries; with two extra people at home, she and An Zhiyuan usually buy food as needed. The market is close by, so it’s not a hassle, and they don’t stock up on food at home.

An Zhiyuan doesn’t come home for lunch since he’s already reported back to the army; he only returns for dinner.

Bai Xiao came back carrying bags of fruits, vegetables, meat, and eggs. As soon as she entered, Bai Na took the things from her hands, “Doctor Bai! I should have gone with you. I’m strong, let me handle these heavy tasks from now on.”

Seeing how strong Bai Na really was, Bai Xiao took a breath, drank some water, and was surprised.

How much work had Bai Na done while she was gone?

The yard was swept clean, even watered; the window glass was wiped until it shone brightly. Even the furniture at home was polished until it sparkled. Who knows how much water Bai Na used.

The towels on the sofa and the sofa cover were all washed and hung on the clothesline, and the kitchen was spotless. While she was out, Bai Na practically cleaned the whole house.

Even the flowers and plants in the courtyard were neatly arranged, the weeds removed, watered, and the soil loosened.

“Bai Na, wasn’t I telling you to rest? I don’t even know what to say to you!”

This made Bai Xiao feel a bit embarrassed.

She was used to being easygoing, not too particular about the house, preferring her own way. Compared to her past life, she’s much more relaxed now, pampered by An Zhiyuan. Honestly, she’s not as diligent as Bai Na, not tidying up every day, just two or three times a week.

Now, suddenly the house is so clean it’s a bit frightening.

“What’s the big deal! I can’t just eat and stay for free. Besides, the work in the mountains is way more tiring than this. You’ve got nothing to worry about. Tomorrow I’ll wash and change your bedding. I’ve also found out where the labor market is and how to get there. Captain Wu even told me about it, so I’ll go and have a look. I can’t stay at Dr. Bai’s house too long; it’s just not right.”

Bai Xiao sat Bai Na down, sorting fruits and vegetables while talking to her.

“Bai Na! Have you thought about it? Finding a job might not be that easy for you!” She wasn’t trying to discourage Bai Na, but Bai Na hadn’t considered the fact that no one hires a nanny with a child only a few months old.

Are you the nanny for them, or are they the nanny for you?

Bai Na and her child were trying to survive; after all, the child needed milk. Bai Na had no milk left, so she had to switch to formula. The baby was too young.

A normal three-month-old baby could consume 170 to 180 milliliters of milk per feeding, sometimes even more. But this child only drank 120 per feeding, likely because they’ve been rationing on formula, stunting the baby’s stomach, making him so skinny.

At least three packs of formula per month, and as the child grows, it becomes even harder to take care of him. Even if Bai Na works hard, finding a job isn’t easy.

Bai Na stopped, “Doctor Bai, I’m not afraid of hardship, I can endure a lot. I don’t eat much either, as long as there’s enough food for the two of us, I don’t need a high salary; I’m willing to take less.”

She couldn’t abandon her child.

The baby wouldn’t survive without her. Even if her brother was more open-minded compared to other men, not being a typical chauvinist, their circumstances meant the family could only sink deeper into poverty. Her brother had already gotten into trouble for the sake of her and her child, and if it happened again, Bai Na could only atone for it by death.

Bai Xiao gave a bitter smile.

“Bai Na, now that you’re in the city, never mind your Mandarin is poor, even if it was good, you might not even find success here in Modu, let alone with your accent. I find it hard enough to understand you, let alone others. And to be honest, carrying a child around, nobody wants to deal with that hassle.

Trying to work as a nanny might not work out.”

This was the truth, and Bai Na couldn’t escape from it. She would understand better once she went to the labor market.

Bai Na panicked, as her family’s situation couldn’t support her anymore. Her brother might not even be able to get married if she continued to be a burden, and no matter what, she didn’t want to drag her family down. And for the child to survive, he had to eat.

How could she not worry? She thought she could find work once she got to the city, but Doctor Bai’s words poured cold water over her hopes.

“Doctor Bai, what should I do? You’re educated and from the city; please give me some advice. I’m not hiding my situation from you because I’m at my wit’s end. I can starve, but what about the baby? I can’t let him go hungry.

My brother’s already suffered once because of me; if it happens again, we won’t survive in the village. When the child grows up, he’ll be looked down upon, and I’ll owe him a greater debt.

I’m not afraid of my own sins, but I’m terrified of the child’s suffering.”

Bai Na had been criticized plenty, and she even started doubting if by going against tradition, she had brought all these disasters upon herself. Maybe she had been wrong for leaving Weng Jiefang or hadn’t fulfilled her role as a woman, leading to today’s consequences.

Under the long-term influence of feudal, patriarchal ideology, Bai Na always felt she had done something wrong, defying destiny, which brought upon all this.

Bai Xiao gave her a reassuring look. Bai Na was different from her own sister; her sister had received some education, and no matter how hard life was, the Bai Family made sure their children went to school, even if the sisters hadn’t studied much.

Being literate with some common sense, her sister was resourceful and could consider things from the family’s perspective to provide reasonable advice.

Bai Na was different.

In truth, they were strangers.

“Bai Na! Don’t rush; finding a job isn’t something that can be solved immediately. No matter what you want to do, everyone should take some time to think and come up with a solution. Let’s not hurry.”

Bai Na wiped her tears when Bai Xiao wasn’t looking, not wanting to burden Doctor Bai. After all, she owed her nothing.

Bai Xiao could see it; Bai Na was also strong.

With such a character, enduring some hardships might allow her to find a foothold in Modu.

That afternoon, while watching Bai Na alter a couple of clothes for the child from her old garments, Bai Xiao suddenly had an idea.

If Liu Hong could be a tailor, maybe Bai Na could too.

Bai Na was even more hardworking than Liu Hong.

But before she could think more, An Zhiyuan solved the problem when he returned.

For An Zhiyuan, helping Bai Na find a job wasn’t a big issue.