"Really!" Sun Mei's eyes instantly lit up with excitement she couldn't contain.
The issue with space can be traced back to before the crossing—they had a four-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Zhao Zhitong, who suddenly awakened to a space one afternoon!
As a veteran novel fan, Sun Mei immediately associated it with various plots from online novels, and decisively concluded that the appearance of space was probably leading to the apocalypse.
So, she convinced Zhao Dong to spend a significant portion of the family's savings to stockpile supplies from the supermarket.
"See, what did I tell you? You were so heartbroken at the time. Luckily you listened to me, otherwise I would regret not spending all the money!" Sun Mei said proudly, "Now you dare to say reading novels is useless, humph."
"Hahaha, honey, you're amazing." Zhao Dong placed the rice and eggs on the stove, then cupped his wife's face for a kiss. With the food from the space, they wouldn't have to worry about meals for a long while.
Following Zhao Dong was Zhao Zhitong, who poked her little head in, pouting at her parents, "Tongtong wants a kiss too."
Looking at their daughter, Zhao Dong's smile nearly reached his ears. He bent down and scooped Zhao Zhitong up for a kiss on her cheek, "Of course, my Tongtong is the best."
Zhao Dong's facial hair tickled Zhao Zhitong, who dodged everywhere, laughter echoing in the room.
With the appearance of space, the family's mood became much more relaxed and joyous.
Over there, Sun Mei found a clean pottery jar, poured a bag of rice into it, and then found a basket for the eggs.
The eggs were ordered as they passed by the village's chicken farm during their shopping trip, eighty boxes in total, each containing ninety eggs, enough to last them a long time.
"Tongtong, take out the salt for mom. Tomorrow, I'll make salted eggs for you."
Salt, a necessity, was something Sun Mei, as a seasoned novel reader, wouldn't neglect. She stockpiled two hundred boxes of salt.
No wonder Zhao Dong was heartbroken; each box contained forty bags, two hundred boxes. Their family of three couldn't finish it in two lifetimes.
Then Sun Mei was about to fill the flour jar but was stopped by Zhao Dong, "Honey, don't pour it yet."
"What's wrong?" Sun Mei asked, puzzled.
"Honey, you silly, the mill conditions in ancient times were poor, flour wasn't this white. Better be careful."
Reminded by Zhao Dong, Sun Mei realized this too and nodded repeatedly, "Yes, yes, I almost forgot. I'll take a little out and mix it with the local flour."
Leftover flour, empty rice bags, egg boxes—Zhao Zhitong stored them back in the space.
This kitchen originally had nothing but a pinch of salt, luckily, at the time, Sun Mei was afraid of the apocalypse and wanted something tasty, so she bought thousands of yuan worth of condiments for the space.
Soybean oil, soy sauce, vinegar, and other seasonings; Sun Mei filled them all up.
Once everything was settled, Zhao Dong lit the fire, and Sun Mei borrowed some scallions from the neighbor to make scallion pancakes, cooked a small pot of porridge, and stir-fried some eggs, solving dinner for the three.
Busy all day, once it was dark, the three got ready for bed.
Zhao Dong hung up the mosquito net since it was summer, no need for heavy blankets. But sleeping on a hard bed after being used to a mattress was uncomfortable.
Thus, Sun Mei spread the bedding from the closet on the bed, then lay a straw mat over it, which softened things.
Space had dozens of sets of bedding stockpiled; when winter came, she could bring them out and sew the original duvet covers over them without anyone noticing.
Exhausted from the day's work, they gradually entered dreamland, accompanied by the floral water spray from a certain brand by Sun Mei.
——
In the following days, Sun Mei washed all the mosquito nets, sheets, and clothes from home and hung them out to dry.
The home's plot of land was already revamped by Zhao Dong, sown with vegetables, which by then had sprouted tender green shoots.
Sitting under the tree in the yard, admiring the newly cleaned home, Sun Mei felt the air was much fresher.
But the sole flaw was the outhouse, making the family accustomed to flush toilets question life.
These days of frugal living completely extinguished Sun Mei's remaining bit of joy from crossing.
No computer, smartphone, or entertainment; only greens and plain porridge without any meat, but such meals were already the best for farmers.
Zhao Dong and Sun Mei were both farmers in their past lives; they managed hardship before and could endure this blunt life.
But Zhao Zhitong, she was so young, although nourished by space milk and eggs without the previous anemia, space supplies were after all limited and would eventually run out.
Moreover, what about when the child grew up? Would she just marry a farmhand in the village, living facing the loamy soil for a lifetime?
For this reason, Zhao Dong and Sun Mei lay awake every night, seeking a way for the family to prosper, hoping at least their daughter could marry into the city.
Unlike the worries of her parents, young and naive Zhao Zhitong knew nothing of such concerns, wildly roamed the countryside these days.
Many children of similar age in the village had grown close to her.
Sun Mei had bought heaps of candy for her from the space, and she, never fond of sweets, was extremely generous, making many village children who gained candies love playing with her.
With so many playmates and free to roam, Zhao Zhitong was indeed delighted.
——
"Honey, the water jar is empty!"
At this moment, wearing an apron, Sun Mei held a basin and shouted at Zhao Dong, who was making baskets.
Original Zhao Dong knew how to make baskets and hats; suddenly remembering the market was two days away, he planned to make some baskets for sale and buy some meat.
Upon hearing Sun Mei's words, he laughed and responded, "Hmm, leave it, I'll take care of it after finishing this."
Sitting in the yard, Zhao Zhitong, who was doodling on the ground with a stick, heard their conversation, immediately dropped the stick and ran to Zhao Dong, her eyes glowing, "Wow, daddy, your baskets are so pretty."
Zhao Dong chuckled, continuing his work, "Sweet talker, what mischief are you up to now?"
Zhao Zhitong squatted in front of Zhao Dong, a tiny figure, propping her chin and gazing up at him, "Daddy, I want to go fetch water with you."
"No way." Zhao Dong refused directly, "I need to carry two barrels of water, and if you get tired, I can't hold you."
"I don't want daddy to hold me, I can walk myself." Zhao Zhitong clung to Zhao Dong's arm, twisting and turning, "Daddy, let me go."
Softened by his daughter's coaxing, Zhao Dong's face remained stern, "It's your decision, when your feet are sore later, don't expect dad to carry you."
Seeing Zhao Dong agree, Zhao Zhitong didn't care about being carried and ran off to help carry the yokes.
Village farmers shared a well, only a few wealthy families had wells in their courtyards.