novelraw Chapter 728: The Night Before Departure
Chapter 728: The Night Before Departure
"Fine, fine, fine, Grandma has the final say. I’ll make sure the arrangements for elder aunt’s and second aunt’s families are clear and proper."
Actually, Jing Shu was quite torn about whether elder aunt’s and second aunt’s families should migrate together. If they went together, they could look out for each other on the road, and it would be nice to chat from time to time. Of course, one trusts family more than strangers. However, every family has its black sheep, and second aunt’s husband’s family were just that—mooching off others and greatly frightening Jing Shu.
This was for the best. Even though they weren’t traveling together, they were part of the same migration batch. If any issues or difficulties arose, they could still help each other out in time, just as Grandma Jing had said. Migrating with the factory meant they would at least still be considered on duty and receive a salary on the way. Plus, having a Hulk as transport would make things even easier.
If they followed just behind her, there would be no salaries or anything. Without money, where would one buy synthetic meat?
As for Uncle and his family, after deliberation, they decided it would be better to migrate with the last batch leaving Wu City along with the Insect Cake Factory. This decision was based on two main factors. First, as the factory director, Uncle was familiar with the work processes and could manage the workers effectively, which gave Jing Shu peace of mind. Second, although people from Wu City were expected to migrate back in two years, there were too many uncertainties during that period. If something happened, Jing Shu really would be powerless to help.
Thus, Uncle’s family would still migrate. The people staying behind to look after the Insect Cake Factory had to be trustworthy and capable. Ultimately, Jing Shu decided to leave Liu as the clerk and Wang Dazhao as the security chief. With these two trustworthy people taking care of the old nest and supplies, Jing Shu felt somewhat reassured.
Wang Dazhao wasn’t staying because he couldn’t remain in the army; he was staying because Yang Yang was also staying. This also conveniently helped Jing Shu maintain her authority.
Jing Shu was surprised to hear that Yang Yang would stay behind. "Are you out of your mind? Hasn’t your grandpa beaten you up over this? You’re the sole heir for three generations!"
"Lately, those Old Russians at our border have been stirring up trouble..." Yang Yang said with a mysterious smile. He continued, "We’ve been told to wait for orders. We might be deployed to carry out some special tasks, and afterward, we could hitch a ride to the South Sea."
Jing Shu raised an eyebrow. "Eyeing someone else’s possessions again? If you find anything good, let me know. I’ll buy it at a high price."
The RV Yang Yang had brought back was truly something. Every trip he made, he managed to pull off a big score, hauling back heaps of stuff. It always made her itch with eagerness.
"Don’t worry. If I find anything good, I’ll mention it in the ’Sheep Herding Group’. If the ’cake’ is too big, I’ll call you all for support."
And so, Jing Shu made an agreement with Yang Yang. She figured that during her time in the South Sea, she wouldn’t mind going out for a couple of excursions; she should make good use of the helicopter, after all.
"These things are for your Uncle and Aunt," Mrs. Jing said, carefully placing everything into boxes. "They’re leaving Wu City in a later batch than us, so they’ll be far away on the road, and we might not be able to look after them. That’s why I packed extra Quilts and dried vegetables for them. I also brought some nuts and snacks for Da Long. And about renting that bodyguard Hulk you mentioned—the one with high combat power that can also be used like a taxi—I’ve paid half the cost. They can cover the rest themselves."
Jing Shu nodded. "Don’t worry. The Hulk assigned to Uncle and his family will definitely be powerful. No one will be able to steal anything from it; their safety is absolutely guaranteed."
"Then I’m relieved."
Elder aunt’s family also received some things. Given that there were many mouths to feed and it wasn’t wise to give too much, the most popular and tasty option available was synthetic meat. They also received some stir-fried rice and a couple of cans of milk powder for the children. Although the children were already three, a little extra nutrition was still good. Finally, there were some daily necessities.
Arrangements for relatives on both sides were also completed, and everything seemed to be ready.
That evening, a family meeting was held in the warm and cozy dining area of the RV.
Third Aunt sat in the aisle, still busy drying the last batch of chili peppers.
Wu You’ai leaned against a post, half-asleep and nodding off.
Grandma Jing held the fat chicken, peeling silk, while Mr. Jing sat on a dining chair, weaving a basket from the fur of a long-haired ball.
Jing Shu was hugging a pot, having an extra meal. It was a jumbled stew she had made herself, with a bit of everything in it. She was hungry, so she figured she might as well eat something.
Mrs. Jing announced, "Tomorrow morning at nine, we need to gather at the Wu City Railway Station. We’ll have a roll call with the families from the Ministry of Agriculture’s residential district. Then, according to our assigned group, we will depart through the train station tunnel, officially beginning our migration!"
Mr. Jing added, "Jing Shu’s mom and I have to be there at six in the morning to arrange things. The rest of you just need to get in line and register when you arrive. Even though it’s a designated area for employees’ families, the situation right now is... well, it’s hard to say. After registering, come straight back to the RV. Don’t go outside; it’s still chaotic out there."
Third Aunt said, "I just need to report to the canteen tomorrow at noon. I’ve been assigned to the mobile canteen for this journey. The work will probably be similar to before. I’ll return to the New District Township Government’s canteen once we reach our destination."
The family acknowledged this. As the head of the family, Mr. Jing had a few words to add, "Everyone, check again to see if anything has been left behind. Double-check all your belongings. Go over everything one more time. Once we’ve crossed the ocean and arrived at the new place, anything you’ve forgotten can’t be retrieved."
After five years, it was rare for Mr. Jing not to argue with his father. He also felt a bit sentimental as he said, "I’m going to have another look around the villa to see if we’ve missed anything."
In truth, the villa had been emptied long ago; nothing remained. Yet, the family still felt a pang of sadness at leaving the home they had lived in for five years, bound for an unknown destination. So, late that night, they all trudged, huffing and puffing, back to the villa for one last look around.
They touched the doors and the floors, trying to pry at things one last time to see if there was anything else they could take.
And sure enough, in the end, Mr. Jing and Mr. Jing hauled back a pile of trapping equipment. Mr. Jing then clanged and banged as he installed it on the sides, front, and back of the RV. Right at the very front of the RV, they mounted a row of sharp, spike-like Wolf Fang Clubs. If anyone were careless enough to get in the way, the RV would drive straight into them...
The women weren’t idle either; they reorganized the RV’s supplies once more.
Upon entering the RV and turning right, one first reached the central control area, which had some empty space. Mr. Jing had fitted a cylindrical shoe cabinet there for the family’s shoes. Inside the warm RV, they wore large cotton home slippers. However, when stepping out into the minus sixty-degree Celsius cold, they needed specially made large leather boots.
Entering the RV and turning left led to a small kitchen, its upper and lower cabinets filled with various fixed storage units. Further ahead, the small living room was also stocked full of dried goods and vegetables.