60s: I have a store

Chapter 597 Dinner Party
The twilight, like iron filings melted by molten steel, slowly seeped into the crisscrossing pipes of the steel plant.

In the steelmaking workshop, molten steel surged in the converter, reflecting the faces of everyone as if they were dancing flames. The pungent smell of sulfur and the rising heat, along with the roar of the machines, wove together the usual tense work environment.

Workshop foreman Lao Wu climbed the wooden ladder covered in iron slag onto the operating table, the wrench at his waist clanging with each movement.

He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Stop! There's some amazing news!"

The ear-piercing roar of the overhead crane came to an abrupt halt. The casting machine emitted its last string of sparks before falling silent. Hundreds of eyes, covered in machine oil and iron filings, turned to look at Old Wu.

An old-fashioned ceiling fan spun overhead, stirring up the stale air and raising dust from the ground, which formed tiny beams of light under the dim lamplight.

"This year, the factory will give everyone half a chicken for the Spring Festival!" Old Wu's voice was torn into pieces by the blower, but it was like a steel knife that had been tempered, precisely cutting through the dullness in everyone's heart.

Old Li, who was demolding a steel ingot, suddenly straightened up, and his safety helmet hit the steel frame with a loud clang.

Xiao Zhang, who was in charge of adding the ingredients, slammed his shovel onto the iron plate with a "clang," and the sparks that flew up fell onto the oil-stained cement floor and were extinguished in an instant.

The exhaust fan in the corner hummed, carrying the excited chatter of several female workers into the air.

"Really?" Questions mingled with heavy breathing.

Old Wu said earnestly, "The chicken farm that Section Chief Zhou contacted is absolutely reliable!"

Before he finished speaking, the incandescent light above his head suddenly flickered twice, as if startled by the joy.

Immediately afterwards, thunderous applause erupted in the workshop, resonating with the distant sound of steel rolling, causing the "Safety Production" slogan on the wall to sway slightly, and fine dust to fall from the gaps in the refractory bricks piled up in the corner.

The news spread throughout the entire steel plant in less than an afternoon.

After learning about this, the workers became even more motivated to work.

Outside the heat treatment workshop, withered poplar branches swayed in the cold wind, but they couldn't block out the laughter coming from inside the window.

Master Wang took off his heat-resistant gloves, which were covered in slag, and excitedly patted his colleague on the shoulder, shaking off the iron filings: "Half a chicken! Enough to make a big pot of soup!"

Old Zhao from the mechanics team threw a wrench onto the greasy workbench, the clanging of metal startling the sparrows dozing on the windowsill: "My daughter keeps talking about eating meat, now I can show her my spicy chicken!"

Time passed day by day, and before we knew it, winter had arrived. The north wind, carrying fine snow, lashed against the glass windows of the steel factory, turning the streets of Beijing gray and white.

Icicles hanging from the eaves formed sharp sword-like clusters, and even the roaring machines in the workshop seemed to be frozen into a deep silence.

That morning, there was a loud knock on the door of the research lab. Xiao Zhao, who was adjusting the heat collector tubes, looked up abruptly, nearly dropping the wrench: "Director Hu has ordered everyone to assemble in the office immediately!"

Although the group didn't quite understand what was going on, Director Hu had already informed them that they had no choice but to go, whether it was good or bad.

Even Zhou Yimin was notified.

In Director Hu's office, the coal stove was burning brightly, and the iron chimney meandered in the corner, but it couldn't stop the cold air from seeping in through the cracks in the door.

As the twenty-odd people filed into the research lab, the old-fashioned radiators made a muffled "clanging" sound, as if cheering on this special gathering.

The office, already piled high with production reports and equipment models, was now crammed full.

"Ouch, Li, you stepped on my shoe!"

"Excuse me, excuse me, let me stand by the window for a bit, it's suffocating in this room!"

Amidst the noise, Zhou Yimin was pushed to the side of the filing cabinet, his lower back pressed against the protruding iron handle.

"Everyone's here?" Director Hu took off his glasses and wiped them, the white fog on the lenses lingering for a long time.

The slogan "Technological Innovation" on the wall behind him was glowing red from the firelight, creating a stark contrast with the snow-covered landscape outside the window.

Old Zhang from the finance department couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "The factory manager called so many people here, could it be that he's going to..."

Before he could finish speaking, someone next to him nudged his waist.

"The feedback on the solar water heaters has been excellent, so today is a celebration for you all." Director Hu raised his voice, his cloudy eyes sweeping over the faces of the crowd, which were red from the cold.

When everyone heard it was a celebration, their hearts finally settled down; at least it wasn't criticism.

"Really?!" Xiao Wu jumped up excitedly, bumping his head against the chandelier, causing the light bulb to sway and flicker.

"Quiet down, quiet down!" Director Hu tapped on the enamel mug.

The coal stove crackled and popped in the corner, and flying sparks landed on the tips of Director Hu's shiny leather shoes. He raised his hand to suppress the boiling sound, and the fountain pen in the pocket of his Zhongshan suit clinked gently with the movement.

The office incandescent light suddenly flickered twice, casting a halo of light on everyone's upturned faces.

At this moment, Director Hu said, "The reward for Yimin this time is a solar water heater!"

This statement is like a red-hot steel ingot thrown into an icy lake.

Xiao Wu's notebook fell to the ground with a "thud." She stared at Zhou Yimin, her eyes wide like searchlights in the workshop.

Old Zhao tilted the enamel mug in his hand, oblivious to the scalding tea dripping through his fingers.

The whispers of a few young people in the back row broke through the noise: "A water heater? That would save so many honeycomb briquettes!"

Zhou Yimin hadn't expected the reward to be so generous, considering that a solar water heater was far superior to an air fryer.

He gazed at the brand-new water heater model behind Director Hu, its nickel-plated tubes gleaming coldly under the lights.

Li Chongguang squeezed through the crowd and patted him hard on the shoulder: "You're something else! From now on, you'll have to call me to use your hot water when you take a shower!"

A burst of laughter erupted around him, but no one noticed that Old Chen had quietly pushed his glasses up, revealing an astonishingly bright eye behind the lenses.

Director Hu cleared his throat, and the conference room fell silent. He opened the manila folder, the edges of the pages still stained with tea: "Section Chief Li received two jin of meat coupons and twenty jin of grain coupons."

"Whoa!" A gasp came from the front row.

Those present were also shocked by the generous reward; although they knew the reward would be substantial, they did not expect it to be this high.

"Old Chen, one jin of meat coupons and ten jin of grain coupons."

When his name was called, Old Chen straightened up abruptly, the patch peeking out from the cuff of his work clothes swaying slightly with the movement.

Snowflakes pattered against the glass outside the window, while the air inside was thick with the heat of the room.

When the last name was read out, Xiao Wu suddenly clapped. The crisp applause was like lighting a fuse, instantly igniting a roar throughout the room.

Amid cheers, the coal stove leaped up even higher, illuminating the "Technological Innovation" slogan on the wall in a fiery red, as if to melt away all the ice and snow of this cold winter.

When the wooden door to Director Hu's office was pushed open, the biting north wind, carrying snowflakes, rushed in, but it did nothing to dispel the smiles on everyone's faces.

Section Chief Li carefully folded the meat coupons and grain coupons and stuffed them into his inner bag. He patted his chest and said, "Goodness, two jin of meat coupons are enough to make a meal of pure meat dumplings for my wife and kids!" Old Chen held his reward between his fingers and rubbed it repeatedly. His eyes behind his glasses narrowed into slits as he muttered that he was going to exchange them for some soybeans to nourish his hospitalized wife.

The incandescent lights in the corridor swayed in the cold wind, stretching and shortening the shadows of everyone present.

Xiao Wu skipped over to Zhou Yimin, the calculator in his work pocket jingling: "Section Chief Zhou, your water heater is so tempting! Can I use it to shower with it from now on?"

Before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by laughter. Xiao Zhao rubbed his arms exaggeratedly, imitating Xiao Wu: "Alright, alright, let's think about what to eat tonight!"

These words were like a fuse. The crowd slowed down unconsciously, and they began to discuss the matter amongst themselves.

"I'll trade half a jin of grain coupons for some peanuts!"

"It would be wonderful if we could get some bulk liquor!"

Amidst the clamor of voices, someone suddenly suggested loudly, "How about we all get together tonight?"

As soon as he finished speaking, the snow-covered factory roads suddenly fell silent.

The north wind swept through the rusty pipes, making a wailing sound, but it couldn't drown out the echoing sounds.

"Okay!"

"It's about time we had a proper drink!" Li Chongguang pushed through the crowd and walked up to Zhou Yimin, his work clothes cuffs still stained with machine oil from adjusting instruments. "Section Chief Zhou, do you have a moment?"

Zhou Yimin looked at the shining eyes of the crowd.
Wu's knuckles were white as he gripped the reward slip, while Old Zhao wiped his eyes with his sleeve, whether from the cold wind or from being too excited, it was hard to tell.

He recalled the days when everyone huddled in the research lab eating cold steamed buns and drinking cold water, and suddenly felt a tightness in his throat: "Of course I have time!"

"Then everyone come to my house for a gathering tonight!" Li Chongguang slapped his thigh, his voice echoing in the empty factory area.

Some cheered and reached out to put their arms around his shoulders, while others were already planning what snacks to bring to go with their drinks.

As Zhou Yimin watched the crowd surround Li Chongguang's departing figure, the water heater collection slip in his work uniform pocket was warmed by his body heat.

The lights in the distant workshop flickered in the snow, and at this moment, their warm gathering was just beginning.

As the end-of-get off work bell shattered the twilight, a thin layer of ice covered the asphalt roads in the factory area, making a crunching sound when stepped on.

The researchers in the lab wrapped themselves tightly in their cotton-padded coats, and their breath condensed into tiny wisps of mist under the streetlights.

Zhou Yimin pushed the motorcycle, which was neither new nor old, with a bulging canvas bag tied to the back seat, which swayed gently with the bumps of the wheels.

Li Chongguang practically jogged home, the meat ration coupons in his work pants pocket softened from his body heat.

When I opened the door, the heat from the coal stove, mixed with the aroma of cabbage stalks, wafted towards me. My wife was squatting in front of the stove, poking at it, and sparks crackled and popped onto the blue brick floor.

"My colleagues from the research lab are coming over for dinner tonight!" he said, pulling out a meat ration coupon. "Let's also bring out the vermicelli we've been saving at home, and borrow an aluminum pot from the neighbor."

As Li Chongguang stepped out of his house clutching the meat ticket, the old locust tree at the alley entrance was shaking off its accumulated snow.

Just as I turned the corner, I bumped into Zhou Yimin pushing his motorcycle.

The headlights cast shimmering spots of light on the snow, stretching the two figures into long shadows.

"Section Chief Li, where are you going?" Zhou Yimin took off his earmuffs, his eyelashes covered in tiny ice crystals.

"Go to the grocery store and exchange them for meat!" Li Chongguang waved the coupons in his hand. "We have to make sure everyone has a good meal!"

Before he finished speaking, Zhou Yimin had already bent down and untied the canvas strap on the back of the motorcycle, and a cold breeze carrying the rich aroma of meat wafted out.

"Section Chief Li, there's no need for that trouble, I brought some meat with me!"

Li Chongguang's fingers trembled slightly as he took the heavy cloth bag.

Dark red oil stains seeped through the coarse linen, and you could feel the firm chunks of meat even through the fabric.

He weighed it in his hand; it was at least ten pounds, almost the entire annual meat ration for an average family.

"Section Chief Zhou, this... this is too much meat for you!" He hurriedly took a half step back, but Zhou Yimin steadily held the bag.

"Don't worry about such a small thing, as long as everyone enjoys the meal!" Zhou Yimin's palm covered the back of his hand, still warm from the motorcycle handlebar grip.

Unable to resist Zhou Yimin's insistence, Li Chongguang had no choice but to step aside and lead the way.

As I pushed open the weathered wooden door, the warmth of the room carried out my wife's delighted voice: "So much meat? Quickly, put the aluminum pot on the stove!"

The flames of the coal stove leaped high, reflecting the unmelted snow on their shoulders, turning this unexpected abundance into the warmest sentiment of the winter night.

As dusk completely swallowed the last rays of light, Li Chongguang's courtyard was as lively as boiling molten steel.

The chimney of the coal stove spewed out billowing white smoke, tracing a winding path in the cold night. The frozen iron door was pushed open and closed again, its creaking sound mingling with the calls of people coming and going.

"Sister Li, this is homemade pickled cabbage!" Xiao Wu lifted the enamel jar covered with a cotton cover, and the tangy aroma instantly filled the air.

Old Zhao carried half a bag of cornmeal across the threshold, his work pants still covered in slush from the road: "I know my sister-in-law is going to steam cornbread, so this coarse grain is enough for her!"

The shyest apprentice, Xiao Zhang, blushed and took out an oil paper package containing two pieces of fruit candy he had exchanged for three months' worth of sugar coupons. He insisted on giving them to the youngest daughter of the Li family, who was helping out at the stove.

Zhou Yimin placed ten pounds of fresh meat on the cutting board, and the sound of the knife cutting through the skin startled the tabby cat crouching in the corner, making it prick up its ears.

Li Chongguang's wife, wearing an apron patched upon patched, busily cut the meat into large chunks. Amidst the sizzling sound of oil being poured into the wok, she turned her head and laughed, "Brother Yimin, this stewed meat with potatoes is so delicious it'll make your teeth ache!"

As time went by, a small mountain gradually piled up on the Eight Immortals table.

The braised pork in the enamel basin gleamed with oil, the marbled pieces of meat soaking in the thick broth.

The aluminum pot was bubbling away, and the aroma of sauerkraut stewed with vermicelli was so enticing that it made one's mouth water. The moment the steamer basket was lifted, the sweet fragrance of cornmeal wafted out, and the golden cornbread gleamed temptingly under the incandescent light.

"Come on, try my fried peanuts!" Old Chen shook the enamel mug, and the unique aroma of fried food mixed with the smell of liquor spread out.

Someone pulled a crumpled oil paper package from their pocket, containing loose biscuits exchanged with grain coupons, and distributed them to the children present.

When the last plate of stir-fried green peppers and pork was served, Li Chongguang raised an enamel mug as a wine glass, the rim of the mug gleaming faintly under the light: "Everyone, no need to wait, let's eat!"

Before he finished speaking, the room was immediately filled with the sounds of chopsticks clattering, soup being ladled from enamel bowls, and exclamations of praise.

Xiao Wu picked up the trembling braised pork, blowing on it because it was so hot, but he couldn't bear to put it down. Old Zhao broke off half a cornbread, dipped it in the broth, and ate it with a satisfied look on his face.

Several children gathered around the corner of the table, their eyes crinkling with laughter as they stared at the fruit candies and cookies in the bowl.

No one stood on ceremony; meat was everyone's main target.

(End of this chapter)