CHAPTER 108: 108 ARRIVED.

The whole Ma Changshun family was here, and he was someone who understood flexibility and was wholeheartedly committed to his work.

He really didn’t think much of the Su Daqiang family of three, but his son mentioned that the Su Family had a young woman back home who did all the housework. So, when Su Daqiang expressed the need to find a replacement, he agreed.

He even informed them about the business that could be done here. That’s how with just 300 yuan, Tian Xiaohua could be excused from coming.

Upon hearing Tan Shaoting’s voice outside, Ma Changshun came out.

He saw someone wrapped tightly following beside Tan Shaoting.

"Group Leader Ma, this is the new arrival I brought over."

"Quick, everyone, come inside; it’s warmer in here."

In this place, there’s no room for pretense; everyone lives here as one big family, so when Su Yuanyuan came in, she saw four half-grown children sitting on the kang and a woman beside them.

"Hello, Auntie."

"Xiaoting, quickly come up on the kang," said Ma Changshun’s wife, Fang Xiaomin, warmly.

After entering, Su Yuanyuan took off her hat and mask.

Only then did everyone realize that she was a girl.

"Hello, Group Leader Ma, I’m here to replace Su Daqiang. I hope for your guidance in the future."

"No problem, as long as you work hard. You’re replacing Su Daqiang, so you can directly take over the land he was handling. Do you also want to take on Tian Xiaohua’s land as well?"

Wow, that was quite straightforward, but in a way, that was good. It seemed this person was not the type to shirk work for money; why else would they agree to let Tian Xiaohua not come for just 300 yuan?

"Group Leader Ma, I don’t have the capability to manage one hundred acres by myself."

Ma Changshun nodded. For even him, one hundred acres required the help of his children, not to mention a young woman.

Without any formality, Su Yuanyuan took out her documents and handed them to Ma Changshun.

There, they took out a notebook and registered it.

Seeing her name appear in the notebook, Su Yuanyuan knew she would be living here for many years to come. In truth, being a farmer wasn’t bad; as long as you’re diligent, it’s fine.

"Group Leader Ma, please also help with the transfer documents for Su Daqiang’s family of three, and here is the 300 yuan for Tian Xiaohua."

Ma Changshun said nothing, counted the money, added it to the notebook, and began filling out the transfer proof.

Sitting on the edge of the kang, Tan Shaoting was being pulled into conversation by Fang Xiaomin.

Su Yuanyuan took a transfer proof and finally felt relieved; once sent out, she’d have no ties with them anymore.

"Thank you, Group Leader Ma. I need to go mail this out."

"OK, little girl, you’re free now; you can do as you please."

This wasn’t a re-education farm, and they were all workers, so during free time, they could do whatever they wanted.

Tan Shaoting also stood up idly, "Aunt, I’ll take Su Yuanyuan to the township post office."

"Come to our house for lunch when you return, both of you."

Su Yuanyuan smiled, "Thank you, Aunt. I’ll go quickly and come back, so I won’t trouble you. I’ll come over another time when there’s a chance."

That was just a courteous thing to say, and everyone could tell.

Ma Changshun saw them to the door. Inside, he went back to the kang. It was cold outside, but sitting on the kang was more comfortable.

"Can this little girl be more capable than Su Daqiang?" Fang Xiaomin asked her husband.

"I’m not concerned with capability, but attitude. We’ll see in the future."

Ma Changshun had already thought about it. He knew Su Daqiang’s age and could guess that the girl wasn’t too old either.

After seeing her just now, he indeed felt some regret. He wasn’t sure if she was as capable as Su Liangliang had claimed. Oh well, what’s done is done. Surely, she’d be better than Su Daqiang and his wife’s doomsayer demeanor.

"Ugh, this little girl is quite pitiful, having to replace her parents at such a young age. It’s rare to see a pair like Su Daqiang and his wife, who would actually let a little girl come here alone," sighed Fang Xiaomin.

"Mom, I know about that. Su Liangliang said that Su Yuanyuan was considered a jinx, born on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. It seems their whole family didn’t like her," Ma He Ping quickly added.

"Is that so," Fang Xiaomin still believed in this stuff.

"You four shouldn’t get too close to her," still worried about her own children.

Ma Changshun snorted, "What era is it now? And you still believe that? The little girl has an honest look about her."

Fang Xiaomin didn’t say anything. Anyway, she didn’t want her children to associate with Su Yuanyuan.

Moving on, as Tan Shaoting and Su Yuanyuan left the Ma family house, they got into a donkey cart.

Even getting to the nearest township with the donkey cart took over two hours.

Stopping right at the post office door, it was just an ordinary entrance, not very big at all.

She bought an envelope, wrote the address, and sent it by registered mail. That way, it was safer.

Tan Shaoting looked at her handwriting, and it was truly beautiful.

After paying, Su Yuanyuan finally felt completely at ease, as her last errand was done.

Then, she bought some stationery, envelopes, and wrote a letter to Hu Chunhua, simply saying she was safe. It was a registered mail too.

Once everything was done, the two of them left the post office.

"Mr. Tan, I want to buy a bigger wooden box and a bucket; of course, if there’s a water vat, even better."

"Everything you want to buy is available in the township. Since you came by cart today, you can buy more. Shall we go buy the box first?"

Su Yuanyuan had no objections; having a guide saved her a lot of trouble.

She bought two water vats, directly bought ten wooden buckets, and got two carrying poles as freebies. She also bought two extra-large wooden basins, two medium-sized ones, and four small ones.

There were boxes available here too. Although they were just made of poplar wood, they were quite expensive. In the end, she still bought two to place at the end of the kang, which would be convenient for storing things.

The general store was quite well-stocked, so she bought two small locks for the boxes and two large locks for the courtyard in the future.

Tan Shaoting just watched this little girl spending money. Wow. She really dared to spend!

She bought three enamel basins with lids, and then salt, lye, kerosene lamps, matches, and several batteries for the flashlight.

It was already noon. There was only one restaurant in the township, so they went there by cart.

A commune hadn’t been established here yet, so meal times were quite simple, with no need for food tickets.

But all there was to eat was sauerkraut stew and steamed corn buns.

However, being able to eat warm food felt extremely fortunate, and they were each given a bowl of soup. Even though it was just the leftover soup from the sauerkraut stew boiled with water, it was still soup, right?