Reborn before the famine, kicking away the scumbag's family and living a carefree life.

34. Food shortage (2)

Su Jinru repeatedly instructed her parents and sister not to flaunt their wealth, and the same goes for food; they should not let anyone know that they still had some food to eat.

Su Jinru told her parents that food was hard to buy now, not only was it ridiculously expensive, but it was also not guaranteed that they could buy it at all.

Su Jinru told her parents that the grain she had was bought and stored at home two months ago, before the locust plague.

Liu Yulan patted her chest and said, "Thank goodness you bought some grain and stored it away back then, otherwise we would be starving to death now."

"I don't know if this food will last until the relief food arrives."

Su Ke sighed, "Oh well, let's just live one day at a time!"

"Mom, I heard that in some places, people have already starved to death."

“We’ve only been without food for three days, and the village is already deathly quiet. Many people don’t even have the strength to speak. Other places have been without food for more than ten days. It’s no wonder they’re starving!”

“Some people from our village went up the mountain to find food, and some of them died from eating poisonous wild fruits and vegetables. Now the team leader and others are busy dealing with these matters.”

"When people are hungry, they won't care if something is poisonous, as long as they can put a little bit in their mouths."

Su Jinru: "Mom, there are even more terrifying things! I heard that in some places, people kill and eat children."

Liu Yulan and Su Jinyu were both startled.

"Is this true? How dare you?"

Su Jin frowned.

"I'm starving to death, why wouldn't I dare? Some people will do anything to survive."

Su Jinru: "Yes! When people are hungry, they are almost like wolves. So we should try not to go out now, especially women and children. If they walk on the street, they will be seen as walking pieces of fresh meat by those hungry and vicious people."

Su Jinyu felt a chill run down her spine after hearing this.

"Big sister, really? That's terrifying."

"Of course it's true. Children and women have delicious flesh and are vulnerable groups, so they become targets for some heartless and ruthless predators who are starving."

Su Ke said seriously, "Aru is right, it's true. I heard that in ancient times, during famines, some people not only stole other people's children and women to eat, but also exchanged their own children for others to eat. It's tragic to think about. People will do anything terrible to survive."

Su Jinru: "Mom, from now on you should stay at home with your younger brother and sister. If you have to go out sometimes, leave it to Dad to handle."

Everyone nodded, still shaken.

In ancient times, cannibalism would occur during famines. This is rare now, but the possibility cannot be ruled out. So Su Jinru said this on purpose to remind her mother to take good care of her two young children and not let them run around outside.

After all, at that time, many people were starving, pale and emaciated, and weak, but the Su family did not show any signs of hunger, which would inevitably arouse suspicion.

In her previous life, Su Jinru heard of a family who, when handing over their grain to the collective canteen, was careful not to hand over all of their grain. They only handed over a small portion and hid a bag of rice at home. Later, during a famine, the family relied on that bag of rice to survive.

While the neighbors were already dizzy from hunger, their child was still jumping around, looking like he had eaten a lot and was full of energy.

This unusual state aroused suspicion among those around him.

So one night, a large group of people rushed into their house, ransacked it, and took away the little food they had.

All the valuables in the house were also taken along the way.

The mother of this family was pushed over while fighting for the bag of rice, and her head hit the water vat, killing her instantly.

A four-year-old girl in the family was trampled to death in a panic as a crowd surged in.

The aftermath of this incident was far from over. Those who had taken the rice fought tooth and nail over the bag of rice, and two people, who were already starving, even died in the fight.

In any case, they'll do anything crazy or terrifying just to get a bite to eat or to stay alive.

However, the famine has only just begun, and all the crazy things haven't happened yet, but it's still necessary to take precautions.

After leaving her parents' home, Su Jinru went to Dingxiang's house.

Now everyone is staying indoors because they are so hungry that they are just lying in bed resting.

A few days ago, some people went up the mountain to find something to eat, but everything edible on the mountain was uprooted.

Previously, locusts had eaten up all the green plants, and now, less than two months later, the newly sprouted green shoots have also been plucked and eaten.

Su Jinru knocked on Dingxiang's door.

Previously a little chubby and plump, Dingxiang has now lost a lot of weight.

She was somewhat surprised to see Su Jinru.

"Aru, what's wrong?"

Su Jinru said in a low voice, "Let's go inside and talk!"

Dingxiang ushered Su Jinru into the house.

"Aru, do you want to borrow some food? We've been out of food for a long time. We've been starving all day."

"Sister-in-law Dingxiang, I'm not here to borrow grain, I'm here to deliver grain."

As Su Jinru spoke, she opened a cloth bag she carried with her.

"Sweet potatoes? Aru, you have so many sweet potatoes?"

“This morning I went to the county town and ran into a guy who was secretly selling sweet potatoes, so I bought all the sweet potatoes he had. Now I was thinking that you’re out of food, so I brought you some.”

Dingxiang was so excited she couldn't speak.

At this time, food was life itself! Everyone was starving, and the sight of food was like a wolf seeing its prey.

Because of the severe food shortage, even if you had money, you couldn't buy food. There might be a little on the black market, but it wouldn't be much, and it would be ridiculously expensive.

If we manage to get a little food, shouldn't we hold onto it as if it were our life?

Su Jinru actually took the initiative to come to their door.

Dingxiang couldn't believe her ears.

"Aru, these sweet potatoes must be very expensive! How much did you spend? I'll pay you back."

"Sister-in-law, I'm really lucky today. I not only found a sweet potato seller, but the price is also very reasonable, only three cents a pound, just one cent more than usual."

"Really? These must weigh over thirty pounds! I'll give you ten yuan, no, twenty yuan."

"Sister-in-law, can I still make money off you? Just ten yuan will do."

Dingxiang nodded and quickly went into the inner room. Soon she came out with ten yuan and handed it to Su Jinru.

“Aru, thank you. I heard from Jingui that the price of grain has increased almost tenfold, and even so, it is still impossible to buy it.”