Rebirth: She is Ready for a Counterattack! Chapter 8: Early Morning

At five in the morning, Gu Xiaoying woke up, her biological clock more punctual than an alarm.

Farrs typically rise early; once they’ve tidied and eaten breakfast, they head out to the fields.

So take a walk in the fields first and then return ho for breakfast.

Gu Xiaoying got up quietly, not wanting to wake Gu Xiaoqing, hoping her sister could sleep a little longer.

However, Gu Xiaoqing rolled right out of bed, swiftly dressed, and tidied up the bedding.

"What are you doing? There’s nothing urgent, sleep a bit more!"

Gu Xiaoying was startled by Gu Xiaoqing’s efficient movents; her sister wasn’t usually this motivated, what was going on today?

"Sis, you fetch water, I’ll make breakfast, and at the sa ti feed the chickens and pigs. If we work together, we’ll be quicker, sparing Mom and Dad from getting up, letting them sleep a little more." Gu Xiaoqing had already left the bedroom and entered the kitchen.

She picked up a bundle of corn stalks from the corner. This was the most common kindling used at this ti, and every house had plenty since the corn had just been harvested.

She lit the fire, broke a few stalks into the best lengths for burning, stuffed them into the hearth, and poked them with the fire stick.

She put so water into the large pot, scrubbed it with a loofah, poured it out, and scooped a few ladles of water back in. Breakfast was usually porridge, with two black bread buns ward and garlic eggplant and spicy cabbage freshly pickled from the jar by the wall.

She placed them on a plate as the morning’s side dishes.

Thankfully, the pickling skill was learned from Li Xuei’s family. Li Xuei’s roots were originally from Northeast China, and these pickling thods were brought over. Though not rare, their house had a bit of flair compared to local families who didn’t often prepare these dishes.

Gu Xiaoying had already washed her face, grabbed a bucket, and went out.

Water had to be drawn from the village well. There were three collective wells, but the one near the village entrance was closest to ho, also a gathering place for village won to wash clothes and chat about family matters.

Gu Xiaoqing efficiently prepared the porridge, ward it in the pot, and smothered the fire.

Then she carried a bucket of cooked pig feed to the back courtyard to feed the pigs.

They only raised one pig, waiting to slaughter it during the New Year for so at.

It was only ’84, a few years into the household responsibility system, and people were still cautious about taking big steps, with those capable raising more pigs and chickens to supplent their inco.

Blatant business ventures were rare, with people watching closely. The bolder ones quietly brought chickens, ducks, and ho-grown fruits and vegetables to the market to exchange for money, relaxing only after seeing others doing the sa.

The timid wouldn’t dare do this, and would still deliver their produce to state-owned shops for governnt purchase.

After all, people weren’t sure what the future held, fearing a sudden political movent imposing severe punishnts no one could withstand.

No one could yet foresee the dramatic societal changes ahead.

Gu Xiaoqing also knew that relying solely on her parents’ limited harvest, even without supporting her uncle’s family, was just enough to cover her own family’s expenses, still tight requiring frugal planning.

At least they wouldn’t wear patched clothes.

But expecting major improvents in living standards was unrealistic.

Dreams of extravagant feasts were even farther off.

Yet Gu Xiaoqing thought about starting a small business now, to spare her parents from laboring endlessly. She and Xiao Jie needed money for future schooling, perhaps university, which was costly, and borrowing wasn’t guaranteed.

Hence, preparing in advance was crucial.

Thinking of ways to save money early was key.

At least it would provide so independence, having a little sothing in hand.

In her previous life, Gu Xiaoqing had worked for decades, trying many jobs.

She’d done almost everything, learned so skills, like cooking and selling food, which was fairly easy.

A small business to save so money and improve life should be enough.

Gu Xiaoqing wasn’t worried about these things.

Though she lacked academic qualifications in her past life, hard work ensured employers appreciated her. She had so cooking talent, learning quickly, hence her confidence.

Pouring the pig feed into the trough, looking at their skinny, upright pig, Gu Xiaoqing couldn’t help but sigh.

The New Year wasn’t far away, and with such feed, how much would the pig grow?

It likely wouldn’t be fat by then.

Pigs’ worth was judged by their fat content, and lean at sold for less, as annual pocket money majorly depended on the pig.

It seed she needed to gather so greens to fatten it and et her family’s expectations.

The pig was her tuition fee.

Returning to the front yard, Gu Ruhai and Li Xuei were already up, washing their faces—there was no brushing teeth, as the family couldn’t afford toothpaste.

Everyone had yellow teeth.

Never mind whether their breath was pleasant.

Gu Xiaoqing thought they must get toothpaste and brushes by year’s end, as going out like this would be embarrassing.

Seeing Gu Xiaoqing, Gu Ruhai felt uneasy about what he did last night, feeling guilty towards his daughter, yet this honest rural man deeply cared for her.

Stamring, he said to Gu Xiaoqing, "Xiaoqing, why up so early?"

It was just idle chit-chat.

Gu Xiaoqing chuckled, "Dad, I thought I’d join you in the fields today; with more people, work’s faster. Saves from Grandma’s complaints, saying I’m spoiled. I’ve not started school yet. Once school starts, I can’t help much around here."

Seeing her smile, and her father, Gu Ruhai, feeling embarrassed, Gu Xiaoqing knew she was being mischievous.

Upon hearing this, Gu Ruhai sighed imdiately.

Yes, going to school required tuition, and that ant two yuan.

The family couldn’t even muster two yuan, having less than five jiao left now.

What could they do?

Seeing Gu Ruhai’s furrowed brow, Li Xuei knew her children’s father was worried about tuition, and she comforted, "It’s fine. If worst cos to worst, I’ll turn to my brother and sister-in-law for a loan. The grain sells by year-end, and we can repay imdiately, not a big problem."

Gu Ruhai knew this was the only way, aware that Li Xuei’s sister-in-law wasn’t easy-going, but compared to their own siblings, that side seed more reliable.

Gu Xiaoqing also knew her words had stirred her parents’ financial worries, yet without pushing them, it wouldn’t work.

To make money, she needed ti, and with just a few days before school started, even with her rebirth advantages, she couldn’t quickly gather funds.

Her parents had to worry.