When the entire world had fallen into a predicament, almost everyone cursed this damned doomsday. Because of the arrival of the doomsday, countless families were torn apart, and those who remained could only survive precariously in this world. Many, unable to bear the pressure of living in this world, chose to commit suicide, needing only to jump from a high place to end their lives.
With the arrival of the Spring Festival, very few places set off fireworks and firecrackers. This was because many places considered setting off fireworks and firecrackers to be an unnecessary act, which was also very normal. When people had more money in their hands, they liked to use some actions to prove their affluence, so buying fireworks to set off became a reasonable means, especially in rural areas where fireworks and firecrackers were set off everywhere.
However, when the Spring Festival arrived this year, very few people could set off fireworks and firecrackers because it was an unnecessary waste of money. Everyone's hands were not loose, so why waste it? Instead of setting off fireworks and firecrackers themselves and letting others watch, while they themselves only heard the sound, it was better to stand far away and watch the fireworks in the city, so that they could appreciate them.
In previous years, many people would watch the city set off fireworks and firecrackers along the Yangtze River. Because this was a mountain city, as long as fireworks were set off, the entire mountain would be illuminated by these firecrackers and fireworks, making the entire city very lively. The poor loved watching fireworks the most because by appreciating the beautiful scenery, their moods would improve. It was a pity that this activity was canceled this year.
Because Yuzhou was currently facing immense economic pressure, if it were still necessary to set off fireworks and firecrackers to show off its wealth at this time, it would be too unnecessary. Instead, it would give people the illusion that the frontline battle was not important at all.
Therefore, to support the frontline battle for an earlier victory, Chang Jianyi required everyone in Yuzhou to be thrifty. As for trivial matters like setting off fireworks and firecrackers, there was no problem even if they were canceled. At most, there would be no fireworks show to watch this year. If there were better development opportunities in the future, then setting off fireworks and firecrackers every year would be no big deal.
"I wonder how the frontline battle is going. It's been more than half a year, and I didn't expect that only my brother and I would be having a reunion dinner now. This meal doesn't even feel like a reunion anymore," Yu Zhiling said helplessly.
Their home was actually quite spacious, and they lived in a luxurious building. The entire floor here belonged to their family, but unfortunately, when it came to New Year's Eve dinner, only the brother and sister could sit down and eat.
Yu Zhijing slowly said, "As far as I know, the frontline battle will be decided soon, and our current difficult life will come to an end. I didn't expect to still be eating cornmeal porridge on New Year's Eve. It's truly laughable."
As the brother and sister ate, there were only four or five small dishes on the table in front of them, and only a bowl of cornmeal porridge in their bowls. This was already quite a remarkable meal because there was at least a plate of meat on the table. After all, a large number of people in Yuzhou were living frugally, and countless materials were sent to the front lines to support the fighting. Therefore, the emptiness of the rear led to a shortage of their food.
"It's good enough to eat cornmeal porridge. At least there's a bowl of meat in front of us. Many people can't even get meat and have to go to the slaughterhouse to find discarded scraps from others, buy them cheaply, and then the family can only look at pig intestines during the New Year. Isn't that even more tragic?" Yu Zhiling comforted her brother, telling him not to be too pessimistic. She cared more about the family being reunited around the table.
It was a pity that their father had gone to the southern front lines to fight, and there was still no news from him. After all, information from the front lines was too important to be casually disclosed to others.
Yu Muhe had been incorporated earlier. Because he had done something very annoying before, he was retaliated against, and his home was almost raided. It was Yu Zhijing who saved him, and then he joined the mercenary guild, which could be considered a blessing in disguise, as he had a decent job with a substantial income.
Unfortunately, when faced with a large-scale war, he was also dispatched to the front lines to participate in the battle. Although there was no danger to his life, things on the battlefield were always unpredictable. Once danger occurred, it would lead to the breakdown of a family.
The food in the Fengshen Palace also became much simpler. Everyone ate in the cafeteria, but many of the dishes in front of them had become simple, a world of difference from the rich variety of dishes in the past.
"These dishes don't taste good at all. Why is it that it's already the New Year, and we still can't eat meat and fish, but have to eat these simple foods?" Shen Yishi asked Chang Jianyi.
"Don't look at these dishes as not tasting good, but they are all pure, natural, and pollution-free dishes, and they have not been contaminated by radioactive elements. Eating them will allow you to grow healthily. Look at your sister beside you, she is eating very happily. Haven't you always been playing with your sister? She is already so happy, why can't you be like her?" Chang Jianyi said with a smile.
When Shen Yishi looked at the person beside her, she indeed saw Shen Hongxiu looking happy. Therefore, although the dishes on the table were very simple, she was also eating with relish, without any reservations.
In fact, this was also very normal. After all, Shen Hongxiu had always lived outside. If she could have decent food, she would be satisfied. Although the dishes here were very simple, if they were placed outside the Fengshen Palace, they would already be rare delicacies. It was just that Shen Yishi's palate had been spoiled, so she had unhappy thoughts when looking at the ordinary dishes in front of her.
"When will Mom and Dad come back? I miss them!" Shen Yishi asked another question.
"They will be back in a while. The war is coming to an end. As long as we continue, they will be back soon. Perhaps they will complete their mission in another month!" Chang Jianyi comforted her.
After the meal, Chang Jianyi said to Qian Mingya, "Aunt Qian, there's something I need to ask you to do. If these children have any disputes, you must mediate between them and make sure they don't have any conflicts. If any of them miss their parents, you must also comfort them."
Chang Jianyi felt mentally exhausted. After all, Shen Feng went to fight, Chu Chaoyan went out, Li Keyi also went out, and Yu Renshu did not return. Almost everything needed to be handled by her alone. In this situation, she naturally felt weary.
However, about ten days after the Spring Festival, good news came from the south. Shen Feng had led his tens of thousands of troops to victory.
This news was extremely exhilarating because after achieving victory in the war, it meant that they would have endless resources in the future, especially oil and natural gas. They would no longer have to spend a high price to purchase them. Another aspect was that the south had very fertile soil, which could be planted three times a year. With this vast plain, their food prices would definitely continue to decrease in the future. It seemed that peaceful times were already arriving.
However, in the direction of the front line, Shen Feng was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan and could not put his mind at ease. For him, the current situation was not a pleasant surprise, but a double blessing. He was currently waiting outside a simple delivery room for his wife to give birth.
"If I had known, I would have sent him to a city in the rear a couple of days in advance. At least we could have found a hospital and experienced doctors, and it wouldn't be so rushed. It's all my fault. My mind was entirely on the battle, and I forgot something as important as the due date," Shen Feng blamed himself as he walked.
"You've had enough. It's not a dangerous situation now, is it? Isn't everything going smoothly? And although the doctors here are young, Chaoyan is an ability user, so she can definitely overcome this difficulty safely!" Li Keyi couldn't help but say as she saw Shen Feng pacing back and forth.
Shen Feng was still unable to feel at ease. He said, "This is her first child. I don't know if it will go smoothly. It's precisely at such a critical moment that I haven't been able to accompany her often. Even if I rushed back now, I can't do anything waiting outside the delivery room. How can this make me feel at ease?"
Li Keyi shook her head helplessly. "Then you can keep pacing around here. Perhaps there will be some surprising news soon."
This was Chu Chaoyan's first child, so she really had no experience. Moreover, considering her age, she was already over 30 years old this year, and her age was also on the older side. During childbirth, she kept moaning.
Shen Feng heard the moans from outside, and his heart became even more anxious because these moans were like blows, constantly tormenting his heart.
"To let the woman you love give birth on the battlefield, Shen Feng, oh Shen Feng, you are truly not like a man!" Shen Feng blamed himself immensely.
As a result, at this moment, there was a sudden violent tremor in the distance. The entire ground shook. The tremor was very strong, but it came and went quickly. Soon, the tremor disappeared, and in its place, dark clouds appeared in the distance. The dark clouds brought a heavy rain, and the rain kept falling.
"What is this place? Was there an earthquake? Why was there such a strong tremor? Did something happen in Chuan Province again? I clearly told them not to extract groundwater. Did they deliberately disobey?" Shen Feng had many guesses in his mind after feeling the violent tremor.
But at this moment, news of joy came from the delivery room. The loud cry of an infant finally appeared: "Wa..."