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As Zhang Yan meticulously recounted the situation in Kaoshan Village to Lin Fan,
a strange shift occurred in her gaze towards him.
A flicker of pity mingled with a hint of unspoken words.
Noticing the change in Zhang Yan's expression, that hesitant look, Lin Fan couldn't help but ask, "Sister Yan, feel free to speak your mind..."
Without further delay, Zhang Yan sighed and said, "This batch of educated youths who came down to the countryside arrived at a very inopportune time, just dodging the busy farming season..."
Initially, Lin Fan was puzzled, thinking that avoiding the busy farming season would allow them to have a proper rest.
However, after just a few breaths, he understood the meaning behind Zhang Yan's words.
For the people of Kaoshan Village, having work meant earning work points.
Lin Fan knew all too well what work points signified.
It meant that for the next few months, until the spring planting season, these educated youths would have no work points.
They would have to rely on themselves for everything except the initial ration they received.
With the limited rations they had, it was nearly impossible to sustain themselves until they could earn work points in the spring.
While the village wouldn't let them starve, life wouldn't be easy.
Yet, Zhang Yan likely wouldn't have imagined that for most of the other educated youths who came down to the countryside during this period, the following months would be challenging.
But for Lin Fan, these problems weren't a concern.
Even if the "garbage" from the myriad realms no longer contained food,
the beast blood from the first harvest alone would be enough for Lin Fan to worry about food for a short time.
"After Sister Yan reminded me, I remember that newly arrived educated youths are supposed to receive a ration of grain..."
"I'll go get it now..."
As he spoke, Lin Fan finished the sweet potato in his hands in two bites.
Without waiting for Zhang Yan to say anything further, he rose from his seat and left the courtyard, heading straight for the educated youth point.
After explaining his purpose to the person in charge of the educated youth point, Lin Fan didn't have to wait long before several bags of grain were placed before him.
"To give you educated youths time to adapt, we've specially prepared some refined grain..."
"Thank you, comrade..."
Lin Fan didn't waste words. After a polite thank you, he took the grain and left the educated youth point.
On his way back, Lin Fan examined the grain. Besides ten catties of white flour and twenty catties of corn flour,
the rest of the grain, totaling less than a hundred catties, was split evenly between potatoes and sweet potatoes.
"This is our food supply for the next few months..."
Looking at the meager rations, Lin Fan first opened his mouth, then sighed involuntarily.
It didn't take long for Lin Fan to return to the courtyard with the dozens of catties of grain.
During his absence, Zhang Yan had already finished her meal and even tidied the courtyard.
"You're back..."
Seeing Lin Fan return, Zhang Yan immediately greeted him and instinctively reached out to help.
Just as Zhang Yan was about to take some of the grain and head towards Lin Fan's room,
Lin Fan interrupted, "Sister Yan, where do we store the grain in this house..."
Hearing Lin Fan's question, Zhang Yan, who was about to enter Lin Fan's room, couldn't help but freeze for a moment.
"From now on, I'll leave the daily meals to you, Sister Yan..."
"As for the grain, I'll take care of it. What do you think, Sister Yan?"
While Zhang Yan was still stunned, Lin Fan asked casually.
"Speaking of grain, Sister Yan, wait a moment. I also brought some things with me when I came to the countryside..."
Without waiting for Zhang Yan to respond, Lin Fan placed the grain he was carrying on the ground and, with a single sentence, went straight to his room.
When he emerged from the room, he was carrying a bag in one hand and a piece of braised beast meat in the other.
"Sister Yan, this is fifty catties of white flour, and this is the braised beef I bought in Si Jiu City..."
As he spoke, Lin Fan placed the bag of white flour on the ground and put the braised meat in Zhang Yan's hands.
Then, he took out a wad of large bills and several grain coupons from his pocket.
"Here's a hundred yuan and fifty catties of nationwide grain coupons. Please keep these, Sister Yan..."
"This is our food supply for the next few months. Don't refuse if you consider me your own, Sister Yan..."
Looking at the large amount of goods Lin Fan had brought, Zhang Yan was speechless and stood there in shock.
Then, without giving Zhang Yan a chance to speak, Lin Fan quickly changed the subject:
"Don't just stand there, Sister Yan. Show me where the grain is stored. I'll put these things away first..."
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