Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

The dumplings in the big pot quickly started tumbling and floating up.

Zhao Fengying added cold water several times to make sure it was cooked before using a large strainer to scoop it into a pre-prepared plate.

They were all chubby and round, huddled together like a group of chubby babies who had just taken a bath.

Steam rises from the steaming pot, carrying a white mist of vapor and aroma, making one's mouth water.

As Xu Bei and Xu Juan carried the food into the east room, the latter even subconsciously swallowed.

Xu Bei noticed his younger sister's cute little actions and even took a moment to ruffle her hair. "Little glutton, you're really craving it, aren't you? Eat more later."

Xu Juan wasn't angry at all that her brother's affectionate actions had messed up her hair. She smiled and said, "Then you big glutton should eat more later."

Xu Li, who came to the kitchen to help mix the cold dishes, smiled brightly when she saw her younger siblings being so close and loving.

She nudged Zhao Fengying, who was ladling dumpling soup into her bowl to eat later, and whispered, "Mom, have you noticed that besides my younger brother, Xiao Juan has also changed a lot?"

Zhao Fengying nodded with a smile and said, "How come I didn't notice? My daughter and I have spent the most time together."

"It's good for young girls to be adventurous and capable someday. I was a little worried about you two before, but I'm not anymore."

Plates of dumplings and cold dishes of cabbage, dried tofu, and other vegetables were served on the table set up against the side in the east room, and the Xu family's lunch began earlier than usual.

The glasses in front of everyone contained orange soda, even though they weren't filled with baijiu (Chinese liquor).

As the head of the family, Xu Dashan even picked up a glass of baijiu and offered one himself.

"I'm so happy that Mom and Dahong are here. It feels like just yesterday I saw them. It was when Xiaoli and her husband got married. Visiting my son and brother's house is like coming home. They all eat and drink well."

"Second son, even if you didn't say anything, I wouldn't pretend." The old lady also raised her drink glass. "I, this old lady, won't say anything, but seeing that you grandsons and granddaughters are all doing well makes me happy."

Xu Dahong subconsciously brushed a stray hair from her temple and followed up, "Yeah, wouldn't it be silly for me to act all pretentious at my own brother's house?"

Worried that her youngest daughter might say something unpleasant and make the atmosphere awkward, the old lady quickly added, "The dumplings will get cold soon, so hurry up and start eating. And Fengying, you all have worked hard."

Then I picked up a dumpling and put it in the bowl.

"It's no trouble, Mom." As Zhao Fengying spoke, she then called to her son-in-law, "Wenliang, you two should use your chopsticks more and eat more."

Zhu Wenliang immediately laughed and said, "Don't worry, Mom, I'll definitely eat until I'm stuffed before I stop."

He made a joke unintentionally, which made everyone else at the table laugh.

Xu Bei smiled, but the smile didn't reach his eyes.

He knew his brother-in-law well; he was indeed good-looking and eloquent, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to win his sister's heart so completely.

Unfortunately, he was a completely different person before and after being laid off.

Therefore, while they appeared to be getting along harmoniously, he was also secretly observing and scrutinizing the other person.

Faced with delicious food, Xu Bei quickly shook off his thoughts and picked up a steaming dumpling.

After taking a bite, the hot broth, mixed with the sour aroma of pickled cabbage and the sizzling, caramelized scent of oil, instantly bursts out and fills the mouth.

The pickled cabbage perfectly cuts through the greasiness of the lard and sesame oil.

Every bite is tangy, refreshing, and flavorful, making you want to take a second bite.

After swallowing, he immediately gave his mother a thumbs up, "Mom, it's so delicious, it's even better than the state-run restaurants."

Zhu Wenliang immediately echoed his brother-in-law, "Yes, Mom, my brother wasn't exaggerating, the filling you made is absolutely amazing."

Xu Li and Xu Dashan also joined in the praise.

Even the old lady seemed to sincerely praise him.

Xu Dahong could only reluctantly agree and say "It's delicious."

Zhao Fengying didn't care whether her mother-in-law and sister-in-law were sincere or not; she only cared about the opinions of her own family members. She smiled from ear to ear and kept urging everyone to eat more.

Compared to the recent sharp increase in the standard of food at home, Xu Bei and the others have been eating more oily food.

The old lady and Xu Dahong had eaten little meat in the countryside, and after a long and tiring journey with poor food and sleep, they ate voraciously, as if afraid someone would steal their food.

Xu Dahong, in particular, makes a smacking noise while eating, which draws even more attention.

Xu Bei estimated that among everyone present, only his father truly cared about the old lady and Xu Dahong's behavior.

Then, Xu Li and Xu Juan, who don't drink alcohol, were the first to finish eating.

Zhao Fengying followed suit and put down her chopsticks.

The mother and her two children stayed with her for a while longer before going to the kitchen to tidy up.

Unlike the others who were drinking, Xu Bei didn't stay at the table any longer. He drank half a glass of baijiu and ate more than a plate of dumplings before leaving the table.

Since everyone's here, there's no way to hide it anymore.

Xu Bei simply stopped pretending and made up an excuse to go get a stool while it was still a bit hot at noon. He then pulled his sled and left home.

The old lady turned her gaze from the window and asked Xu Dashan, who was drinking, with curiosity, "Second son, where's your Xiaobei going to get a stool?"

Xu Dahong, who was eating slurred food, stared intently at Xu Dashan. "Is this to sell a stool, or to help someone out?"

Before the old lady and Xu Dahong came, Xu Dashan couldn't bring up the matter of earning commission by selling stools because they were far apart and communication was inconvenient.

Now that we've all met, besides chatting about my older brother's family and other relatives back in our hometown, we'll definitely start revealing things about our own families.

"Yeah, I don't know where this kid got the job, he sells stools for others, he gets a dime for every dollar he sells."

Fengying and Xiaoli have been selling a lot lately, and they're making about a dollar a day..."

The old lady and Xu Dahong's eyes widened instantly, and they looked at each other in disbelief.

"More than a dollar a day? That's almost a worker's monthly wage! That's incredibly lucrative!"

"My goodness, second brother, there's such a lucrative job, why didn't you say a word about it before!"

"I wonder what kind of hard life we ​​had back in our rural hometown? No wonder your family looks so different now. Everyone looks radiant, especially your son, who speaks so rudely and doesn't seem to care about others..."

Faced with his sister's aggressive accusations, Xu Dashan hurriedly explained, "We've only been selling for a few days, and we don't know how long it will last. Besides, even if I told you, would you all, who don't know anyone here, join in selling too?"

Xu Dahong became even more agitated. "Why not? You can earn a dime for each one you sell! How much do we earn in the countryside in a day just for work points? Second brother, you're really disheartening!"

Zhu Wenliang, whose face was flushed from drinking, quickly tried to smooth things over when he saw his father-in-law and the others were about to argue. "Auntie, selling stools isn't that simple. My mom and Xiaoli sold them to acquaintances, otherwise they wouldn't have dared to buy them."

At this moment, Zhao Fengying and Xu Li, who were busy in the outer room, heard the commotion and came into the east room.