It was almost nine in the evening when Zhang Hong and Lu Baoguo left the Su family's residence, after an hour and a half of private talks.
The two rode their bicycles out of the family compound, one after the other, and didn't stop until they were far from Jing University.
After propping up their bicycles, they took out cigarettes, lit them, and began to smoke. Both were frowning, their hearts heavy.
"Old Zhang, I'll exchange more grain coupons and meat coupons these two days. If Xiao Ru and her family really are sent down, we need to find connections now."
"I'll also exchange more malted milk extract and White Rabbit candies to see if I can entrust a reliable person to deliver them to Xiao Ru and her family. And prepare more clothes, cotton quilts, and shoes."
"No wonder you brought so many things today. Quickly find connections so Xiao Ru and her family don't have to go to a farm."
"Alright, we'll split up."
"By the way, I have to go on a business trip to Yangcheng in a few days. I probably won't be back for a week."
"You're going on a business trip at a time like this? Xiao Ru and I will be short a helper."
"I have to go. At most, I can delay my departure by one day. The matter there is extremely important, and no one else can go."
Lu Baoguo really didn't expect such a thing to happen right when he was about to go on a business trip. But fortunately, they knew early, so they could prepare and plan early. They would definitely not let the Su Family have an accident.
"What I'm most worried about are Dabao, Xiaobao, and Hua Zhu."
"If worse comes to worst, Dabao, Xiaobao, and Hua Zhu can come to my home. I'll raise them."
"Old Lu, I was thinking the same thing."
"Good. We'll talk to Huaiyuan and Xiao Ru about it in a couple of days."
"Alright, let's first arrange for Hua Zhu as Xiao Ru suggested, and then inquire about who reported them and what their next move is."
The two exchanged information for less than half an hour, then rode their bikes their separate ways into the night.
"Mom, our family was really reported?!"
Su Ze only came to his senses now, looking at his calm parents with immense worry. He still couldn't believe it.
"Yes, Xiao Ze. Don't panic, don't be afraid. Your father and I have already thought of a plan and made all the preparations. Even if something happens to us, we won't let anything happen to Dabao and Xiaobao. They and your sister are the lifeblood of our family."
Fortunately, there was the Qiao family's ink bracelet space; otherwise, Qiao Jiuru wouldn't be so calm and confident in saying such words right now.
At this moment, Su Huaiyuan also thought the same thing. The couple had a telepathic understanding; there was no need to speak, a single glance was enough to know what the other was thinking.
"Eldest son, your mother and I have it all figured out. Just listen to us. Tomorrow, withdraw all the money you and Wanwan have saved. Then, these two days, pack some things for the Zhou family and send some to them first. From now on, sending things to the Zhou family will be handled by Uncle Zhang and Uncle Lu."
Su Huaiyuan patted his eldest son's shoulder, his tone incredibly calm, appearing unhurried as always.
"Dad, Mom, we'll listen to you."
His father and mother might not love him the most, but they definitely loved his two sons very much. His younger brother and sister now had to rank behind his two sons. Su Ze was infected by his parents' composure and immediately felt much more at ease.
"Good. Don't tell Wanwan about this for now. The more people who know, the easier it is for others to discover that we already know about the report. These people haven't acted immediately; they're waiting for the right moment. We need to seize this opportunity to quickly make arrangements."
Regarding whether to tell his daughter-in-law about this, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan ultimately decided not to say anything for now, worried that Zhou Wanwan couldn't keep a secret, and crucially, they weren't fully prepared yet.
Su Ze nodded, indicating he understood. His parents' decision was correct; time was tight, and every person they could send away was one less to worry about.
Zhou Wanwan, who was playing with the two children in the living room, had no idea about the major event that was about to happen at home. Mostly, she hadn't thought much about it. The children, work, and family basically occupied all her attention, so she didn't notice her husband's slight oddness.
Between three and four in the morning, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan quietly got up and left the house.
Without a word, the couple headed straight for the black market. They had secretly inquired over the past two days and roughly knew where these black markets were.
The first black market they went to was the one closest to Jing University, located in an alleyway. Qiao Jiuru had been to this black market once before.
Although it was only four o'clock, there were already people in the black market, though there were more sellers than buyers.
Qiao Jiuru had a clear goal: she directly bought fifty catties of rice, fifty catties of flour, thirty eggs, and one large fat chicken.
Su Huaiyuan was assigned to buy grain coupons, meat coupons, sugar coupons, and industrial coupons. With money, he actually managed to buy dozens of catties of grain coupons, ten catties of meat coupons, and five industrial coupons at a high price. Other coupons were even easier to buy.
After buying these supplies, the couple didn't linger and left immediately. After walking a deserted stretch of road, Qiao Jiuru put all the items into her space.
Subsequently, the couple headed straight for the next black market, repeating the same buying spree.
The couple was practically racing against time, moving to the third black market while popping qi-replenishing pills into their mouths. These qi-replenishing pills were taken from the ink bracelet space.
It was already past six o'clock when they arrived at the third black market; the sky was just beginning to lighten. Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan were both wearing thick cotton clothes, hats, and headscarves, with only their eyes and noses exposed.
Like the first two black markets, the couple didn't dare to buy too much. Besides rice, flour, and eggs, they continued to purchase various coupons and also bought one catty of pork that was mostly lean with little fat.
And as before, they put all the items into the space in a deserted area.
Then, the couple immediately rode their bikes back to the family compound, as Su Huaiyuan still had to go to school for classes.
However, halfway there, Qiao Jiuru and Su Huaiyuan still bought meat buns and steamed buns at the National Restaurant. Su Huaiyuan ate his and went directly to class, while she went home to take care of her grandchildren.