As the departure for Fusong, Jilin, drew nearer, the entire family became busy.
Following discussions in a full family meeting, Comrade Chen Lan was tasked with purchasing all the food and snacks needed for the journey to Fusong, Jilin.
Chen Lan estimated the distance from the capital to Fusong, Jilin, to be approximately 1100 kilometers. If they drove around 400 kilometers per day, the journey would take three days. This meant preparing food for three days. She couldn't help but think that she indeed had a deep connection with the number three.
However, it wouldn't do to have them eat only dry convenience foods like toast, bread, and cake for these three days. Young people could endure it for a day or two, but the elderly and children couldn't go for days on end, perhaps managing for one or two meals at most.
Chen Lan's primary focus was now on purchasing items that needed to be prepared fresh in the solar RVs, such as rice for cooking, water and eggs for soup. Green vegetables were out for now, as stir-frying them requires a lot of water, which is not very practical for wilderness survival. If they happened to camp near a water source, they could buy vegetables from the system then.
Chen Lan cheerfully made this decision for herself!
Besides this, Chen Lan decided to purchase other food items from the system, making decisions on what to buy based on the specific situation of their stops.
Oh, and they needed to prepare more milk and yogurt. These dairy products could serve as drinks, quenching thirst while being nutritious, suitable for the elderly, children, and women.
For the men, there would be stimulating black tea and coffee, and Red Bull!
Xiangxi was responsible for teaching Brother Xiang Dong, Brother Er Hu, Xiao Shuan, and Xiao Shan how to drive the solar RVs correctly and skillfully.
They also needed to fully charge the solar RVs with electricity and water.
Based on the total number of people going to Fusong, Jilin, Chen Lan decided to purchase four more solar RVs, so that each person learning to drive would have their own vehicle.
Indeed, this task was somewhat challenging for them now!
But Chen Xiangxi was brimming with confidence.
Besides teaching duties, Uncle De and Uncle Fu were to hire carpenters to board up all the doors and windows of the unused rooms in the house. They would also hire more masons and pay them well, ensuring all roof tiles were meticulously inspected, as they didn't know when they would return and feared water damage to the house.
In addition to teaching duties, Grandma and Gentle Mother were to lead Cui Mama, Liu Mama, Cui Qiao, Zhao Xiaoyue, Hu Yuzhen, and Ming Wei in sewing winter clothes for everyone in the family and those going to Fusong, Jilin.
They were also responsible for the family's three meals a day and cleaning the courtyard.
Chen Lan was responsible for purchasing autumn clothes, thermal underwear, shoes, socks, hats, and scarves.
Ming Zhe, Wen Qi, and Wen Kai were tasked with studying hard and growing up quickly and happily!
Jia Hui and Jia Yao were to eat well, sleep well, and grow up quickly!
When everyone was busy, time seemed to fly by.
During this period, Shopkeeper Tong visited again, bringing with him many good items. Chen Lan inspected them, and after finding them satisfactory, accepted them all.
Chen Lan regretfully informed Shopkeeper Tong that this was the last time she would be purchasing from him, as her entire family would be departing for Fusong, Jilin, in a few days.
Shopkeeper Tong also expressed his deep regret.
After settling the payment and commission with Shopkeeper Tong, Chen Lan asked him to relay a message to Lin Mao and his sister Lin Mai, inviting them to visit the house in the next couple of days, as Chen Lan had something to discuss with them.
Since Lin Mao was still learning from the car repair instructor, as he started later than Xiao Shan and the others, he wasn't learning to drive the solar RVs at home with Xiangxi.
Shopkeeper Tong readily agreed and said he would find Lin Mai to convey the message upon his return.
After seeing Shopkeeper Tong off, Chen Lan stored all the antiques Shopkeeper Tong had brought this time into the system's warehouse.
That afternoon, Teacher Zhou Jicheng visited and brought Chen Lan good news.
Chen Lan was overjoyed and received Teacher Zhou Jicheng with great warmth.
Chen Lan had been wondering these past few days, with their departure date so close, why there had been no news from Teacher Zhou Jicheng.
Zhou Jicheng stated that he had completed his work handover and made arrangements at home.
He would go first, while his wife and children would remain at home for a few months. They would travel to Jilin in October, and whether they would take a vehicle or he would pick them up would be decided based on the situation then.
This time, four male students were willing to accompany him to Fusong, Jilin. Zhou Jicheng assured Chen Lan that he would persuade the four students to stay and work long-term in Fusong, Jilin.
Chen Lan smiled and said to Teacher Zhou, "Thank you, Teacher Zhou, thank you so much."
Zhou Jicheng waved his hand, saying, "No, no, it's nothing, it's what we agreed upon before."
Chen Lan continued, "Teacher Zhou, please don't bring winter clothes for your trip to Fusong, Jilin. We have already prepared them here. Shoes and hats are also ready. You only need to bring clothes and undergarments for current wear."
"You don't even need to prepare bedding or luggage."
Zhou Jicheng quickly declined, "No, no, we have them at home!"
Chen Lan replied with a smile, "Teacher Zhou, this is as it should be, and it's also what we agreed upon before!"
"Oh! Right, Teacher Zhou, I don't know the sizes of your four students who are going to Fusong, Jilin. We haven't prepared their winter clothes. Do you know their clothing sizes?"
"Hmm! One student is half a head taller than me, one is slightly shorter, and the other two are about my height. Their build is also similar to mine."
Chen Lan added, "Teacher, please help me pass on a message to those four students. Tell them they don't need to prepare bedding, luggage, or winter clothes for themselves."
After seeing Teacher Zhou Jicheng off, Chen Lan continued to review the shopping list.
A few days later, through the diligent efforts of everyone in the family, all preparations for the departure to Fusong, Jilin, were nearing completion. One more day of wrapping up would finish the task.
On this day, Uncle Fu also brought good news: the family's proof of origin had been obtained, and they could depart for Fusong, Jilin, at any time!
The family immediately entered the final packing stage.
After dinner, the family held their usual meeting. During the meeting, it was unanimously decided that they would depart at 3:30 AM three days later. This was because the solar RVs were too conspicuous, and it wouldn't be good for too many people to see them.
Chen Lan dispatched Lin Mao to inform Teacher Zhou Jicheng and his four students that they must stay at Chen Lan's house the night before departure, so they could leave punctually with everyone at 3:30 AM the next morning.
Lin Mao happily agreed and dashed out to deliver the message.
Xiao Shan and his mother had moved into Chen Lan's house more than ten days prior when Xiao Shan began learning to drive the solar RVs with Xiangxi.
According to Xiao Shan's mother, their house was not sold but rented out. They only charged a symbolic rent of one silver dollar per year, which was for them to help look after the property.
Lin Mao and his sister Lin Mai had moved in a few days prior after handling their household affairs.
According to Lin Mai, the siblings had only brought some change of clothes, a few pairs of shoes, and some money. They had not brought anything else. Their house was also not sold but lent to a neighbor who had helped her brother when he was young, without any charge.
After dinner the night before departure, all personnel scheduled to go to Fusong, Jilin, the next morning had arrived. Everyone gathered in Chen Lan's living room. Chen Lan reconfirmed the arrangements for the 3:30 AM departure the next day and then announced the meeting was adjourned. They were to get an early rest tonight and depart on time after breakfast tomorrow.