Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Since the ribs wouldn't cook quickly and time was tight, Xu Bei and Xu Juan both pitched in to help.

One person squatted beside the stove, using pine needles and firewood to start a fire in the stove pit, while another sat on a small stool, using a potato peeler to peel potatoes.

Zhao Fengying rolled up her cotton-padded jacket sleeves and took out a few sauerkraut leaves that were still covered with white floating matter from the sauerkraut jar.

Place the washed and squeezed whole sauerkraut on a round, thick cutting board, cut off the root, and then pound each piece with the back of a knife before slicing it.

With each stroke of the knife, a rhythmic thud echoed on the cutting board as the pickled cabbage was chopped into even, thin strips.

Xu Bei, who was blanching pork ribs in a large pot of cold water, deliberately said to distract his mother, who seemed lost in memories, "Mom, don't cut the pickled cabbage hearts, I want to eat them."

Xu Juan, who was cutting the peeled and washed potatoes into chunks with a knife, chimed in, "Yes, Mom, I want to eat pickled cabbage hearts too."

Zhao Fengying snapped out of her daze and looked at her two children, who were staring at her expectantly. A smile returned to her somewhat red and swollen eyes.

"You two little gluttons. This pickled cabbage heart is so sour, it's not good for you. Here, each of you have a piece, there's more if you finish it, plenty for everyone."

Xu Bei took it with a smile, took a bite and it crunched crisply, but at the same time he grimaced from the sourness. "It tastes even better with some sugar or sauce."

Xu Juan was also quite taken aback by the sour taste, and upon hearing this, she immediately praised, "Brother, you really know how to eat! But dipping it in white sugar is such a luxury."

Xu Bei was well aware that the sugar available now was different from what he would be able to buy and eat freely in the future; it would be rationed.

The small amount of white sugar that each household can buy each month is an extremely precious resource.

It's usually reserved for guests to make tea, to supplement nutrition for the elderly and children, or only used during holidays like Chinese New Year.

Saccharin is usually used at home when making bean buns or bean fillings.

The price is about 70 cents per pound, which is roughly enough to buy a pound of pork.

"What's so luxurious about that? With the way Mom and I are making money right now, the commission we earn from selling a few stools is enough to buy a pound of sugar. Forget about dipping pickled cabbage hearts in it, we could even drink sugar water every day."

Upon hearing this, not only did Xu Juan's eyes light up, but Zhao Fengying also took it to heart and immediately went to the dish rack to take out the white sugar in a canned jar.

"My dear daughter, your brother is right. Use a small spoon or bowl to take some out and dip it in."

Xu Bei and his sister exchanged a glance, and then, instead of focusing on their own eating, they worked together to feed their mother a bite each.

As Zhao Fengying ate the sweet, sour, and crunchy pickled cabbage hearts, she was not only warmed by the filial piety and thoughtfulness of her two children, but also filled with hope for the future.

"From now on, I'll work even harder to sell more stools and earn more money, aiming to surpass your dad's monthly salary. Let's see how he'll have the nerve to say that this family depends on him for support then!"

Seeing that his mother had recovered so quickly, was no longer sad or upset, and even set ambitious goals, Xu Bei was very pleased.

"That's right! Mom, economic foundation determines family status. Only when you earn money do you have more confidence and a voice. Otherwise, people can turn their backs on you at any time and wipe out all your contributions."

Zhao Fengying stared intently at Xu Bei, "Son, you've changed so much lately. If you didn't look the same, I'd suspect you'd been switched at birth."

Xu Bei chuckled without a hint of guilt, "I am definitely your genuine son. Besides, why would anyone switch me out? I'm not the child of any important person. What's the point of me?"

Zhao Fengying couldn't help but laugh, "That's true."

Xu Juan looked at her brother with admiration, "Brother, you've been talking so eloquently lately, and it all makes so much sense. You don't seem like someone who only finished junior high school."

Xu Bei laughed shamelessly, "That's right. Even though I only studied for seven years, five years of primary school and two years of middle school, I never gave up on learning. I stayed up late reading books."

Thanks to Xu Bei's intervention and his deliberate efforts to lighten the mood, the atmosphere at home returned to a relaxed state.

As the broth of the sauerkraut stew with pork ribs and potatoes in the pot gradually thickened and its color changed from clear to an enticing dark red, Xu Li and Zhu Wenliang pushed their bicycles into the yard.

Having already washed her face and applied eye cream, Zhao Fengying, who showed no outward signs of illness, was the first to come out of the room upon hearing the commotion, and greeted everyone warmly.

Xu Bei and Xu Juan followed behind, intending to put on a show.

Upon seeing the liquor and soda in the net bag hanging on her son-in-law's handlebars, Zhao Fengying immediately began to grumble, "...You two are back, so why did you buy things again? Don't you consider this your own home?"

Zhu Wenliang quickly smiled and said, "Mom, I didn't buy much, just some bulk liquor and two bottles of orange soda. Wait, where's Dad's bicycle?"

Zhao Fengying's expression changed slightly, and she was about to tell a little lie when Xu Bei, calm and composed, beat her to it.

"Brother-in-law, Dad had to leave early because of work, but Mom left some food for us. Let's eat ours."

Xu Juan also greeted them, "Yes, brother-in-law, sister, it's quite cold outside, come inside quickly."

Zhao Fengying immediately chimed in, "That's right, what's the point of chatting in the courtyard? Let's go inside, sit on the kang (heated brick bed), and chat while we eat and drink. Xiaoli, you should hurry up too."

As a woman, Xu Li was much more meticulous than her husband, especially when it came to her own family.

There was definitely something going on here, but she wisely didn't rush to pry into the matter on the spot.

After a few people rushed into the house, they quickly set up a table in the east room, arranged the bowls, chopsticks, and cups, and chatted while waiting.

In no time, the water in another large iron pot on the west side was boiling vigorously.

Xu Bei quickly went out of the house and brought in a tray of frozen dumplings.

After Xu Li took it, she quickly put it into the pot.

Because it was cold outside, the dumplings were frozen solid, and they made a slight crackling sound when they were put into the pot, instantly spraying white steam all over people's faces.

Once the water in the pot started boiling again, the dumplings began to tumble and swirl. The originally stiff dumpling wrappers gradually became soft and translucent under the embrace of the hot water.

Meanwhile, the soup in the large pot on the east side was almost gone.

Zhao Fengying used a small strainer to scoop the pork ribs, pickled cabbage, and potatoes into an enamel plate.

The ribs were piled up like a small mountain on a large round plate, the dark brown sauce glistening with tempting oil and sheen.

The pickled cabbage, having absorbed the meat broth, became even more translucent, lying softly between the ribs.

The edges of the potato chunks were cooked until they were smooth and crumbly, looking very soft and fluffy, and they would definitely melt in your mouth.

As the enamel basin containing the ribs was placed in the center of the table, plates of dumplings were served and placed around it.

Several people sat around the table, and the incredibly sumptuous dinner at home officially began...