Courtyard House: He Daqing Forces Qin Huairu into Marrying at the Beginning

Since we're already here, we have no choice but to wait.

Fortunately, He Daqing was well-prepared and dressed warmly enough to avoid getting cold.

Other neighbors weren't so lucky.

After enduring the long wait, when everyone was almost frozen stiff, Director Zhang from the neighborhood office finally came to open the door.

Following behind Director Zhang were several police officers from the local police station.

"Listen up, everyone, from now on, flour will be subject to a purchase restriction policy."

You need a receipt to buy flour.

Every resident with a registered household in the city of Sijiu can receive a monthly flour purchase certificate for eight jin (approximately 4 kg).

I go to the local police station every month to pick up my certificate.

In addition, depending on the type of work, each unit will also issue flour purchase certificates with varying quotas.

Now, please line up and collect your tickets.

Director Zhang finished his solemn announcement.

Police officers nearby began checking documents and distributing flour purchase certificates to the public.

"Eight catties of flour a month isn't enough to feed the kids."

"I don't know how many kilograms the company will issue."

"Flour will be hard to buy in the future."

The neighbors behind He Daqing began to discuss among themselves.

"Everyone, please don't argue. The higher-ups will definitely resolve the people's livelihood issues. We must fully cooperate and not panic."

He Daqing gestured for the neighbors to quiet down, saying they could talk about it when they got home.

After all the commotion, everyone received their flour purchase certificates and returned to the courtyard in a grand procession.

"The Qing Dynasty rationed a full forty catties, that's quite a lot."

Yan Bugui moved closer to He Daqing, staring intently at the five brightly colored tickets.

He Daqing had previously transferred Qin Huairu's household registration to the capital city.

Therefore, the two newborn sons also have urban household registration.

The whole family has a food ration.

"Old Yan, you have quite a lot too."

Yan Bugui's family has seven members, and their ration is even higher than He Daqing's.

My dear, there is more to come after this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. There will be more exciting chapters later!

"There are many people, so there's a lot to eat."

When the children grow up, these quotas will not be enough.

I'm just hoping the school will give us more.

Yan Bugui shook his head and smiled bitterly.

To save Yan Jiecheng, Yan Bugui spent most of his savings.

He is now extremely vulnerable to risks, and he would be devastated if another accident were to occur.

"Where there's a will, there's a way; where there's a bridge, things will naturally straighten."

A living person can't be killed by holding their pee, can they?

We've been through tough times before.

The world is at peace now, and society is stable; things are much better than before.

Don't worry too much.

He Daqing comforted her.

Actually, Yan Bugui was just venting his frustrations.

If we survived the days of war, how could we not survive the days of peace?

"It's cold, go back inside and rest early."

When He Daqing returned home, Qin Huairu had already prepared breakfast.

Steamed white flour buns paired with some appetizers are simple yet comforting to eat.

"Brother Daqing, how's the flour situation going?"

At the dinner table, Qin Huairu asked softly.

"Those with urban household registration are all subject to a ration of eight jin (4 catties) per person, including children."

I work at a steel rolling mill, and I also have another job.

There's enough for our family to eat, no need to worry.

Hearing this, Qin Huairu breathed a sigh of relief.

"Brother Daqing, you're so smart; you let me transfer my household registration ahead of time."

Otherwise, our family would be short over twenty kilograms of rations.

With the advent of the planned economy era, the gap between urban and rural household registration began to emerge.

We're in a transitional phase right now, so it's not very obvious yet.

Once the era of paper money fully arrives, there will be many benefits for those with urban household registration.

They could enjoy a large number of goods under the planned economy.

Unlike in rural areas, there is a shortage of various supplies.

They couldn't get the rationed food, and often went hungry throughout the year.

Chapter 107 New Year’s Eve Dinner

The policy of restricting the purchase of flour did not have a significant impact on the residents of Beijing.

Stable flour prices and supply have actually reassured many people.

The government-mandated flour ration is sufficient for each household's living needs.

Moreover, with the government providing a safety net, there's no need to worry about food shortages or soaring prices like before.

After much commotion, the neighbors in the courtyard finally felt relieved and resumed their peaceful daily lives.

Days passed by, and before we knew it, the year was coming to an end.

He Daqing hummed a little tune as he rode his bicycle home with the portioned pork.

The kitchen in the courtyard was already fully stocked with chicken, duck, fish, and meat; they weren't short of a few pounds of pork.

He Daqing was happy because he was finally on vacation.

Paid leave is the true source of happiness.

Back in the courtyard, He Yuzhu and his sister hurriedly came out to greet them.

"Dad, you're back."

Tonight is Lunar New Year's Eve, a time for family reunion. Everyone else is here except for He Daqing.

"Yes, I'm back."

"Zhu Zi, is the chicken ready?"

He Daqing parked his bicycle, turned around, and asked.

Both chickens have been cleaned.

One is reserved for soup, and the other has already been marinated.

The brazier is already lit, and we're just waiting for you to start cooking.

He Yuzhu took the pork and pastries from his father and chuckled.

Before the Lunar New Year, Qin's father brought several chickens from the village.

After being raised in the courtyard for a while, the succulents are now plump and delicious.

He Daqing decided to make a roast chicken for his family this year.

"Okay, you guys just wait and eat."

He Daqing went to the kitchen and first put a chicken in the soup pot.

Next, skewer the marinated whole chicken with iron skewers and roast it over a charcoal brazier where the open flame has been extinguished.

Soon, the moisture on the surface of the chicken dried out, and oil seeped out under the high temperature cooking.

Oil drips onto the charcoal, igniting wisps of white smoke and releasing an enticing aroma.

In times of food scarcity, the smell of oil is the most tempting.

He Daqing used a small brush to coat the chicken with a layer of oil to lock in the juices.

Then continue to roast over low heat until the chicken is cooked through.

When the chicken is almost done roasting, He Daqing brushes on the sauce and sprinkles on the dry seasoning to let the flavors penetrate the chicken.

The unique aroma of the seasonings blends with the meat's fragrance, elevating the overall aroma to a whole new level.

Qin Huairu and He Yuzhu, siblings, unconsciously ran to the kitchen and stood quietly waiting for the delicious food to be ready.

Once roasted, He Daqing placed the roast chicken on a large plate that had been prepared beforehand.

Remove the skewers and cut the whole chicken into several pieces.

"Come and try my cooking."

He Daqing greeted his family members who had been waiting for a long time.