I became the Counterpart of the Winner in a Period Novel-Chapter 123 - 120: The Trucks Have Arrived

As the first crow of dawn rang out...

"Hey, Dad, make sure to grab five burlap sacks for the sweet potatoes. They probably won’t provide any bags over there."

"Should we also bring a sack for the rice, as you suggested?"

"Forget it, you and Da Lin carry baskets instead. Our baskets are wide and deep; two people should be able to finish the job. I’ll take care of the rice, salt, and sugar. We haven’t had sugar in years. Thanks to Jian Guo, we might finally have some, and I plan to share some brown sugar with my sister."

"Whatever you say goes in our house. If you want to share, go ahead. But, wife, it’s barely dawn yet. Did you hear anything? When Jian Guo brings things back, it should make some noise, right?"

"That’s true! Xiao Lin, quickly go to your brother Jian Guo’s house and ask around."

"Don’t bother them. We shouldn’t be like that. Xiao Lin, just head to the village entrance and take a look. If you see anything being delivered, come back and let us know."

"Alright!"

Even though the couple hadn’t slept all night, they were still full of energy. Their eldest son had grown and was more sensible, keeping them company by the fire in the yard last night. The youngest son stayed up too, though he almost fell into the fire pit several times. They asked him to go sleep inside, but he stubbornly refused.

Xiao Lin, like an early bird searching for food, flapped his wings and flew along the village’s main road, surprised to see the usually silent road filled with many "birds" like him out looking for food early in the morning.

"Xiao Cheng, did you hear the sound of the grain cart?"

"No, I didn’t hear any clippity-clop of hooves."

"What if it’s not a horse cart bringing the grain? It could be an ox cart. The old ox moves slowly and quietly. Let’s just run a bit further to check."

"Let’s go together."

"Gouwa, why are you running here too? Did your stepmother send you to watch over the grain?"

"I’m not watching for her. I’m here to support Ms. Yue’s family."

"Support? Gouwa, what do you mean by that?"

"Support means siding with Ms. Yue. Don’t you get it?"

"Wow! Gouwa is becoming cultured. But what’s the use of supporting? What if Jiang Jian Guo is bluffing? My dad says he can’t buy at that price, and even if he could, he wouldn’t be able to bring it back. He’s just giving us empty promises."

"Hey! Why are you pushing people?"

"Da Hai, like Jian Guo said, you’ll know when the time comes. It’s not even fully light yet, and the city folks aren’t even at work. Why are you in such a rush?"

"Oh, so you know when city folks start working now."

"I just know. My cousin Ming’an works in the city. How could I not know?"

"Alright, even if... listen, what’s that sound?"

"Do you see? There are lights over there, getting closer."

"Those are lamps, one, two... six lamps in total. Must be the grain delivery. They must have worked overnight to deliver it at dawn. It’s got to be it."

"Let’s go inform the adults."

"Dad, Mom, come quickly, the grain is here."

"Old man, the grain has really arrived! Did I hear wrong?"

"Wife, you didn’t hear wrong. Quickly, I’ll go first with the carrying pole."

"Why are you in such a hurry? Wait for me. We’ll have to lift it together anyway."

"Oh dear! Old man, let’s have a good meal before working once we get it. I want to taste the feeling of happiness."

"You, wife, always thinking of happiness."

"Why wouldn’t I? I’m a woman with aspirations after all."

"Everyone, the grain has been delivered. Gather at the drying ground. The drying ground, right? Line up properly, absolutely no cutting, and if anyone is seen pushing or cutting in line, they will be moved to the back once verified."

Jiao Can’s booming voice was heard throughout the village, and the once scattered villagers now swam like a school of fish all in one direction.

"Don’t push, don’t push. We only have a few households here; it’ll be our turn soon."

"Aunt Ma, it’s clearly you who is pushing. If you keep doing that, I’ll report you."

"Please don’t, I won’t push anymore, alright?"

Seeing the chaos, some people spontaneously stood up to maintain order.

"You, go to the back of the line. Everyone else, no cutting—relatives aren’t allowed either. I’ll move anyone I catch to the end."

"Who are you to be so strict?"

"I’m serving the people. If you’d like, you can help too."

The man looked at his position; he couldn’t afford to step away since he was the only one from his family in line, so he suddenly had nothing more to say.

Soon, three military-green trucks slowly drove into the drying ground, parked, and stopped the engines. Several young men, fit and sturdy, got out. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

And indeed, the trucks were full of grain, and the villagers were thrilled—Jiang Guo hadn’t lied to them.

Seeing the grain, the villagers’ anxiety from the night dissipated, and they relaxed. Some approached to chat with the well-dressed young men.

"Young brother, do you know our Jian Guo?"

Huo Ming thought to himself: someone’s future brother-in-law, how could I not know?

"Yes, I know Jian Guo. He’s honorable and a worthy friend."

This was high praise.

The villagers wanted to ask more but found themselves at a loss for words, possibly feeling a bit pressured despite the young men’s friendliness.

Forget it; better to ask Jian Guo directly.

Jiang Jian Country, having gathered enough manpower, went to fetch a scale from the warehouse, while Shu Wenquan headed to the village committee to get a ledger. However, he brought a new one per their morning decision. This was his suggestion to avoid mingling it with old accounts.

When Jiang Jian Country arrived, he first thanked Huo Ming and his companions, then called for the young and strong to help unload the truck.

Some of the older men quickly pulled him aside once he was off the truck, whispering that he should hand out a pack of cigarettes to the brothers helping with transportation and unloading. Charge it to the public account—no need to be so stingy. Can’t treat brothers like that.

Jiang Jian Country thanked the men but waved his hand: "Uncle, they follow strict discipline and take nothing from the masses, not even a needle or thread. Do you want them to commit a mistake?"

The old man: "...Okay, forget I said anything."

"Alright, let’s begin. Name?"

"Li Wu."

Shu Wenquan immediately registered it. He had already reviewed the previous list to ensure accuracy.

Jiao Can and Jiang Jian Jun weighed the grain: "Alright, precisely two hundred pounds of sweet potatoes, ten pounds of rice, two pounds of salt, one packet of brown sugar, and one packet of white sugar. Check, sign, and leave. Those who can’t write, leave a fingerprint. Next..."

After unloading, Huo Ming and his team departed first, only to find Jiang Mingyue already waiting at the junction.

"Big brother Huo, I made some food and hoped you could take it to Yan Jinzhi."

Huo Ming immediately flashed a bright smile: See how clever she is? Clearly meant to reward them, but she pulls in the boss to take the blame. Clever, clever!

"Sure, I’ll definitely deliver it for you."

"Thanks, Brother Huo, and also, thank all of you for your efforts today."

"No trouble at all. It was our duty." Supporting a sister-in-law? No, serving the people is no trouble at all.