Chapter Buying New Year's Goods

“It must be something delicious from the Zhao family. Qin Huairu, go take a look and get a plate of meat for our grandson!” Old Lady Jia, who was just picking up some pickles and swallowing her saliva, said to Qin Huairu.

“Mom, why would they just give us a plate of meat for no reason? They’re not idiots!” Qin Huairu replied weakly.

“I want meat, I want meat…” The eldest son, Xiaogengzi, hearing his grandmother talk about meat, also started crying and demanding meat.

The other two little kids also started crying along, and Qin Huairu could only rub her head helplessly at the sight.

“Alright, I can go, but we have to send something over first. That way, they’ll give us something. It only makes sense if there’s a give and take!”

“Uh… this… you handle it, but you have to get a plate of meat!” Old Lady Jia was a bit reluctant, but for the sake of eating meat, she still agreed!

Afterward, Qin Huairu lightly scooped a small dish of her family’s stir-fried potato shreds with oil dregs, tidied her appearance in front of the mirror, and then carried the dish to Zhao Zhengguo’s house, knocking on the door.

“Who is it?” Zhao Zhengguo asked, getting up when he heard the knock.

“Uncle Zhao, it’s me, Xiaoru!”

Zhao Zhengguo, Guo Ping, and Zhao Dongchuan exchanged glances, all a bit puzzled.

Zhao Dongchuan’s heart stirred, and he guessed a few things, feeling both annoyed and amused.

“Coming!”

With a creak, the door opened.

Zhao Zhengguo was very surprised to see Qin Huairu standing at his doorstep, carrying a dish!

What was going on?

“Uncle Zhao, Dongchuan is back today. Logically, we should be holding a welcoming dinner for him, but our family isn’t well-off. So, I brought you a small dish to let you taste our family’s cooking!” Qin Huairu smiled gently.

“This really isn’t necessary. Your family isn’t easy either; there’s really no need. Please take it back!” Zhao Zhengguo politely refused.

But Qin Huairu was not one to give up without achieving her goal. She naturally engaged in a back-and-forth of polite refusals. Seeing this, Guo Ping also came out.

She understood the situation. Although she felt a bit indignant, since the person had shown goodwill and they were all neighbors in the same courtyard, it wouldn't be good to directly reject her kindness.

“Old Zhao, since she’s being so thoughtful, just take it. And you all, please try my cooking, don’t be shy!” Saying this, Guo Ping took a plate, put some of each dish on it, and handed it to Qin Huairu.

“How can I accept this? Our dish is too simple! It can’t compare to your big fish and meat!” Qin Huairu was quite articulate, directly pointing out the difference in a way that left no room for criticism.

While saying this, her hands didn’t refuse, and she directly took the plate with a smile.

“Here, take it back for the children to taste. We also rarely eat such luxuries; it’s all for the children, you know!” Guo Ping said with a hint of meaning.

A complex expression flashed across Qin Huairu’s face. She clearly understood the meaning behind Guo Ping’s words.

“Then I won’t be polite! Thank you, Aunt Ping!” Qin Huairu said a polite phrase with a cheerful smile and quickly left.

Watching Qin Huairu’s retreating figure, Zhao Zhengguo and Guo Ping exchanged glances, both seeing a trace of helplessness in each other’s eyes.

“Sigh!!!!”

“…”

Zhao Dongchuan didn’t come out. He watched from the side and understood very clearly that this was an excuse to beg for food under the guise of sending something. However, the fact that she dared to do this and made her intentions clear showed she was quite cunning.

The family of three finished their meal happily, and Zhao Dongchuan washed the dishes.

With nothing much to do and no sleepiness, the three of them brewed some tea at the table and started chatting.

Zhao Zhengguo talked about some recent events in Beijing and various rumors circulating among the people. He mentioned a group of students who held some activities in front of the Forbidden City under the guise of mourning, writing many inspiring poems. Many of those students were later arrested.

Zhao Dongchuan also talked about the hardships of rural life, how many families couldn’t survive and went out begging for food, and so on.

He also talked about the “net-poking” incident that happened in Pengcheng.

All in all, it was quite thought-provoking!

Family affairs, national affairs, world affairs, everything was of concern!

It wasn’t that no one understood, but most people were powerless and insignificant.

Most common folk exhausted their energy for daily necessities like firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, and tea, and couldn’t participate in those big events.

………

The next day, January 30th, 1976, was New Year’s Eve!

After a day of rest, Zhao Dongchuan woke up refreshed. Yesterday, his family of three had a “tea party” that lasted until late into the night.

Guo Ping, being physically weak, couldn’t hold on and went to sleep first, but the two father and son continued chatting.

Men preferred to discuss these current political situations.

The factory did not have a holiday on New Year’s Eve, but they would finish work early. Zhao Zhengguo had already gone to work.

Guo Ping did not have a job, partly due to poor health and partly because without connections, it was hard to find work.

So, Guo Ping planned to take Zhao Dongchuan to the street to buy New Year’s goods in the morning.

The three of them ate breakfast together, then left the house together. Zhao Zhengguo rode his bicycle, while Guo Ping and Zhao Dongchuan walked.

Zhao Dongchuan’s bicycle in his space had no reasonable excuse to be taken out, so he temporarily left it.

Guo Ping took him to many shops all morning. With the money and tickets Zhao Dongchuan gave, they were definitely going to have a prosperous New Year this year.

Zhao Dongchuan was carrying large and small bags, all filled with New Year’s goods Guo Ping had purchased: rice, flour, oil, eggs, milk, Spring Festival couplets, pastries, candied fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, pork, and new clothes.

It was a good thing his physique was exceptional and he had great strength, otherwise, carrying so many things would have been unbearable.

While shopping for New Year’s goods, they would occasionally run into acquaintances. Guo Ping would always stop to chat with them, and inevitably, Zhao Dongchuan would be mentioned, leading to compliments from everyone.

He just stood quietly to the side, acting as a qualified smiling prop.

Of course, they didn’t mention Zhao Dongchuan’s published articles, only saying that he was recruited to work at the Cultural Center in Huangyuan.

Thus, it didn’t attract excessive attention, which was what their family had discussed. This was sufficient; being too outstanding would invite jealousy.

“Your Dongchuan is getting handsomer and handsomer. Does he have a girlfriend yet?” an acquaintance at the market asked with a cheerful smile.

“Oh, young people have many ideas. We can’t control his affairs, and there’s no rush for now. He should focus on his career!”

“He’s not young anymore, is he? He’s twenty. It’s time to start thinking about it!”

Zhao Dongchuan smiled wryly to the side. This was the nth time he had heard such a conversation.

During the New Year, the most common questions relatives and friends asked the younger generation were: How much did your child score? What job did your child get assigned? Does your child have a partner yet?

Zhao Dongchuan had been urged many times! He was naturally immune by now, his expression unchanged, his heart unwavering, just smiling without speaking.

Before long, they returned to Nanluoguxiang with their large and small bags.