Chapter 84 – Martyr’s Widow, Granny Wang

“Hello, Director!”

As Zhou Yimin and Director Li stepped out, they ran into two other staff members from the subdistrict office. The two greeted her one after another.

“How’s Granny Wang doing?” Director Li asked.

She knew what these two were tasked with—she had assigned them herself.

In Courtyard No. 58 lived an elderly woman whose entire family were nearly all martyrs. The subdistrict office regularly visited her every month to help with her daily needs.

“Her legs aren’t very good, but otherwise she’s fine. It’s just…”

“Just what?” Director Li frowned slightly.

“She raised two martyrs’ children, right? The meat and other food our office sends her mostly goes to feed those two kids.”

Director Li fell silent.

Because Granny Wang had lost all her family members to sacrifice, the subdistrict office had agreed to her adopting two children of martyrs. They had even hand-picked two sensible orphans without family.

“Did the children take the food themselves, or did Granny Wang give it to them?”

This was a key point.

If the kids were snatching food from the old lady, it meant their character was problematic. In that case, the subdistrict would remove them and find better ones to give the elderly woman some comfort.

If it was Granny Wang who voluntarily ate less so the kids could eat more, that was another matter entirely.

“I asked around. Granny Wang deliberately eats less herself.”

Director Li was again silent.

In that case, the best the subdistrict could do was provide her with more food. But recently, even the subdistrict was struggling—where would they get extra food? They were practically tearing steamed buns into crumbs to split among people.

Too many people had fled the famine and poured into the cities.

Not just their office—every subdistrict was in trouble.

“Send her some mixed flour again. Do what we can to make sure she’s provided for,” Director Li finally said.

One of the staff hesitated.

“Spit it out. Say what you want to say.”

“Director, Granny Wang said she doesn’t want to burden the subdistrict. She’s fine eating a little less.”

The mood turned heavy.

Zhou Yimin sighed inwardly. He was reminded of that old deaf lady from some drama who used to boast she made straw shoes for the Red Army and acted like a matriarch in the courtyard.

But Granny Wang—nearly her whole family died for the country. Not only had she adopted two children, easing the burden on the state, but even when food was scarce, she didn’t want to trouble the government.

The difference was stark.

Of course, they couldn’t really be compared.

That deaf old lady was, at best, someone receiving minimal support. But Granny Wang was a true martyr’s family, the kind the subdistrict prioritized for care.

“Li Aunty, is the subdistrict really struggling this much now?” Zhou Yimin couldn’t help but ask.

Director Li sighed. “Is there anywhere in the whole country that isn’t struggling right now?”

She didn’t complain further, instead sending the two staffers back. They would hold a meeting about Granny Wang’s case to figure out a solution.

The old lady had given so much to the country. No matter how hard things got, the country owed her proper care.

Zhou Yimin and Director Li entered Courtyard No. 56. The women who had been gossiping quickly stopped and greeted them one after another.

Inside his home, Director Li looked around and nodded approvingly. “The decoration’s nice. Not flashy.”

There weren’t any extravagant materials. If it had been done up lavishly in gold and silver, she would have had to say something—for his own good. These days, it was hard to know what was still acceptable.

“Li Aunty, I still have a basket of eggs and a sack of corn I just bought yesterday. Why don’t you take them to the subdistrict? Just pay me the purchase price,” Zhou Yimin offered.

“How will you fulfill your quota with the steel plant?” Director Li was tempted but held back, worried this might cut into his official procurement duties.

Zhou Yimin chuckled. “I already finished this month’s quota ages ago. You didn’t know? A while back I had some wild game sent from my village. I already overfulfilled the target back then.”

Director Li was thrilled.

“In that case, great! We won’t hold back then.”

Of course, she wouldn’t really pay him only the cost price. They wouldn’t let him take a loss.

Zhou Yimin brought out a large basket of eggs—if not a thousand, then at least eight hundred.

“Yimin, wait here. I’ll go get someone.”

She rushed off to the subdistrict office.

So many eggs—just right to provide some extra nutrition to the elderly and sick under their care. Granny Wang, especially, deserved more as a martyr’s widow raising two orphans.

Soon, Director Li returned with three staffers and the payment and paperwork.

“Careful with the eggs and corn. Don’t break them,” she instructed.

The staffers got to work immediately, handling the eggs like they were glass. If they broke any, they’d feel ashamed even without being scolded.

Director Li handed the receipt and money to Zhou Yimin. “Take it. You really helped me out this time.”

“Li Aunty, don’t be so formal. Oh right, a friend gave me some bananas the other day. Why don’t you take some too?” Zhou Yimin pulled out a small bunch—about seven or eight.

“You keep them. Eat them yourself.” Director Li waved her hands.

She knew how rare these were—tropical fruit from the south, not something you saw often up north.

Expensive stuff!

“My friend gave me a lot. I can’t finish them. Take them, Li Aunty.”

Seeing that he really had more, Director Li finally accepted. “Come have dinner at my place tomorrow—no excuses!”

“Li Aunty, can I come the day after tomorrow? I already told Grandma I’d go home tomorrow.”

She smiled and nodded. “Sure!”

She liked this kind of young man—one who honored his elders. A little delay was no problem. This way, she’d have more time to prepare some proper dishes. It was his first visit—she’d be ashamed not to serve at least two or three fancy ones!

After seeing her off, Zhou Yimin checked the time, then called up Luo Dapeng and Li Youde. On the way past Courtyard No. 55, he also called out to Dazhong.

“We’re eating out?” Dazhong was dumbfounded.

He was excited but also a bit nervous.

He’d never eaten at a restaurant before and didn’t know what it would taste like. But he also worried it might be expensive and didn’t want his Sixteenth Uncle spending too much. Before leaving the village, his mother had reminded him over and over not to let his uncle pay, to avoid being a burden.

“Just letting you enjoy a good meal. Once you start earning big, you can treat me then.”

Luo Dapeng slung an arm around Zhou Dazhong’s shoulder. “What are you scared of? Your Sixteenth Uncle’s not short on money. Just eat.”

He’d been to Zhoujia Village before and knew Zhou Yimin’s seniority there. It made him a bit envious.

The four of them walked together, discussing which restaurant to go to along the way. Luo Dapeng in particular had no intention of saving Zhou Yimin any money.

(End of Chapter)