With a week to prepare, Li Long was in no hurry. After lunch, he took Gu Xiaoxia to work, then returned to the Big Courtyard and continued cleaning.
He had more or less finished clearing the snow in the front yard. He did not intend to do much with the back yard beyond sweeping a few paths; clearing any more would serve little purpose. Next, he pushed the wheelbarrow to the market and bought more coal, potatoes, and other supplies to stock up the Big Courtyard. At least Gu Xiaoxia would have supplies there if he was away for a while.
After all, although she ate lunch at Yang Xiulan's place, she still generally had to take care of breakfast and dinner herself.
He also left the Small-Caliber Rifle with Gu Xiaoxia. The place was actually quite safe, with the Police Station right next door. It was mainly an extra safeguard. Gu Xiaoxia had been in the women's militia, too, and was no poor shot. As some anecdotes on Zhihu put it, a few years earlier, female militia members could earn extra work points for shooting well. Who wouldn't want that? Wasn't it much better than cutting wheat in the fields?
He spent an entire day putting the courtyard in order, repairing what needed repairing and buying what needed buying. In particular, he went straight to the Department Store to stock up on canned food, dried noodles, and other supplies. There was still honey and such at home, but Li Long bought some more at the Supply and Marketing Cooperative.
Originally, he had been thinking that teaching strained Gu Xiaoxia's voice. He had not expected her to be transferred to the Education Bureau, but drinking this stuff could only do her good, so he laid in some more.
After all,