Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

The aroma of rice being cooked in a large iron pot over a wood fire wafted into the west room through the crack in the door.

Xu Bei rubbed his face to refresh himself before getting out of the still-warm bed.

It's already December, and the houses are cold when you have a fire in them. Even if you get up early to light the stove, the temperature won't be too high for a while.

So, Xu Bei, feeling the coldness on her nose, quickly put on the cotton-padded jacket and trousers that were under the mattress on the kang (heated brick bed), then put on her shoes, got out of bed, and opened the door.

In the kitchen.

Zhao Fengying was standing next to the water vat, using a wooden lid to cut fritters on a round cutting board placed on top.

"You're awake, son. Hurry up and wash up and get ready. We'll be able to eat rice with lard in a little while."

Xu Bei yawned and laughed, "Okay. Mom, what time did you get up?"

"Around three o'clock, I was thinking about your grandma and the others arriving, and I couldn't sleep either." Zhao Fengying said, her hands still working.

Xu Bei frowned slightly, then quickly relaxed, and began another round of brainwashing and indoctrination.

"Let them do what they want. Mom, just remember one thing: you're the boss in this family. My dad, my sister, my younger sister, and I all take your orders. If they want to be in charge, they can go back to their own homes!"

Zhao Fengying couldn't help but laugh. "Alright, son, Mom isn't as weak and easy to bully as you think. Last time it was your sister's wedding, and I tolerated Xiaoxiao's silence. You think you can act tough this time? Dream on!"

Xu Bei was completely relieved and chuckled.

Then I quickly went outside to use the restroom, and when I came back, I scooped up water to brush my teeth and wash my face.

Seeing that her son was almost finished washing up, Zhao Fengying quickly took a large bowl of steaming rice, scooped out a large chunk of solidified white lard from a small jar on the windowsill, and placed it on top of the rice.

The lard melts slowly like snow when heated, seeping into the rice grains and making the white rice glossy.

She sprinkled some salt on top, drizzled some soy sauce over it, and then quickly mixed it with chopsticks.

"Eat up, son. It's cold today, eat more to keep warm."

"Oh my god, Mom, it looks so delicious, it makes my mouth water."

Xu Bei found the rice mixed with soy sauce and oil particularly appetizing. After praising it, he took the bowl and, ignoring that it was still a bit hot, began to shovel the rice into his mouth.

The rice is glistening and fragrant, with the rich flavor of lard mixed with the salty umami of soy sauce, making every bite satisfying.

It was so delicious that he wanted to shake his head and sway as he ate.

Seeing her son eating so heartily, Zhao Fengying's face was filled with a loving and satisfied smile.

Then, they filled the insulated lunchbox they had found earlier with steaming hot rice.

"Your dad must be starving after working a night shift. Pack it in a cotton bag and wrap it in several layers for him to take with him. It probably can't be too cold when he eats it at the station. If it gets too cold, you can have him buy some steamed buns or something to tide him over."

Xu Bei swallowed the greasy rice in his mouth and replied, "Okay, Mom."

Since it was still early and his appetite hadn't fully whetted his appetite, Xu Bei felt quite full after finishing the large bowl of food.

He waved his hand, declining his mother's offer to serve him more rice. He poured some hot water into the bowl, drank it, and then let out a satisfied burp.

Instantly, I felt warm all over, and even my breath smelled of lard.

Many people, no matter how many delicacies they eat in the future, still fondly remember the lard-mixed rice from their childhood.

Now I am fortunate enough to go back to the past, my mother is still alive, and I can still eat the delicious food I used to miss anytime, anywhere.

He thought, this is probably the most real and beautiful happiness...

Near the main gate of the timber processing plant.

Xu Dashan sat astride his bicycle, feet on the ground, a lit cigarette dangling from his mouth, waiting for his son to come and join him.

Some colleagues who were off the night shift saw him; some greeted him, some asked questions, but he brushed them off.

Finally, Xu Dashan spotted his son riding his bike in the distance and let out a snort.

He then took two quick puffs, threw the cigarette butt on the snow, and stubbed it out with his foot.

Xu Bei rode all the way from home, and perhaps because he was wearing thick clothes and eating oily food, he didn't really feel too cold.

He also saw his father and asked before he even rode up to him, "Dad, have you been waiting for a long time?"

Xu Dashan gave a contradictory answer, "No. I just came out a little while ago too."

Xu Bei didn't care whether his father was telling the truth or not. Anyway, he wasn't late. He said, "Oh, let's hurry to the station. My mom brought you some rice with lard in a thermal lunchbox."

When Xu Dashan heard that he had been given such cold and tempting food, he felt a warm glow inside, but he complained, "What's wrong with your mother? Why bring this stuff in this freezing weather? She would have been better off with some dry food and pickled vegetables."

Xu Bei knew his father better than his son, so he didn't slow down his pedaling and deliberately said, "My mom also told me that if it gets cold and I can't eat it, I should go buy you some steamed buns to tide me over."

Xu Dashan also started pedaling, hurriedly trying to salvage the situation, "We've already brought it, so why bother? Let's hurry and ride to the station."

Wearing a scarf, Xu Bei suppressed a laugh and hummed in agreement, riding alongside his father on the main road.

The distance from the timber processing plant to the station wasn't far, but the two of them pedaled hard for a while and didn't talk much.

Although it was just before dawn, many people were already heading there.

When they arrived at the station, the father and son parked and locked their bicycles, then quickly walked into the waiting room together.

As soon as I entered, I felt that the environment was a bit noisy, but it was much warmer than outside because of the heating.

Xu Bei looked around and found a spot with an empty seat.

The two quickly went over to the bench and sat down.

Xu Dashan took off his gloves and pulled off his scarf, staring longingly at the thing in his son's hand, and even subconsciously swallowed.

Xu Bei unwrapped the cotton cloth bag wrapped in a small quilt and took out the insulated lunch box.

After unscrewing it, I found it was still a little warm.

However, it's definitely not the same as the freshly cooked kind he eats at home.

Xu Dashan couldn't care less about any of that right now.

After taking it, he stirred it a couple of times with the spoon that came with it and then wolfed it down.

There were other people eating in the waiting room.

However, at most it's steamed buns, pancakes, and eggs; rice mixed with lard is absolutely unique.

Therefore, Xu Dashan and Xu Bei have become a scenic spot.

And because the aroma of rice mixed with lard is so tempting, many people find it incredibly delicious.

Even while eating, the food in my mouth no longer tastes good.

This not only made Xu Dashan extremely satisfied with his food, but also greatly satisfied his vanity, as evidenced by his wide grin.

Next, after boarding the little train, he was very friendly with his son Xu Bei, saying that he was looking forward to picking him up later. He only quieted down when he fell asleep with his arms wrapped around his chest.

Xu Bei gazed at the snow-covered scenery rushing past the frosty car window, but he couldn't fall asleep.

I have absolutely no expectations for the old lady with bound feet and Xu Dahong that I'm about to meet...