Year 1983: I was a carpenter in Northeast China

Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan laughed along with them.

But the two people, who were used to being frugal, were still a little unaccustomed to and felt sorry for Xu Bei buying so many things.

I just didn't feel comfortable mentioning it immediately in front of outsiders.

Xu Bei was well aware of his mother and sister's ulterior motives.

While delivering the items inside, he whispered that he had ordered another eighty stools and received an eight-yuan commission.

Zhao Fengying instinctively clutched her chest and whispered, "Son, you have to keep a close eye on this guy who deals in wooden products. He makes money really fast!"

Xu Juan looked at Xu Bei with admiration, her eyebrows dancing with excitement as she whispered, "Yeah, brother, you can earn five or eight yuan every day or two. If you do that for a month, wouldn't you make a hundred yuan?"

Xu Bei smiled confidently, "Definitely more, if not more. That person actually wanted more, but he's not the only one selling, and our boss can't make it either. However, he said he's willing to wait if we can't make it in the future."

The mother and daughter were both astonished. "I wish we could make more." "Yes, but we're willing to wait."

Xu Bei then took out the paper bag containing the pants and opened it.

"Everything's ready. You two can try them on now."

Seeing the navy blue polyester trousers with their crisp sheen, Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan had completely different feelings.

The latter carefully reached out her small hand and stroked it, "Well done. It should fit."

When Zhao Fengying saw one of the two pairs of men's trousers, a complex and sad emotion flashed in her eyes. "My dear girl, why don't you try it on? You're wearing cotton trousers anyway, so it won't hurt to just slip it on."

Xu Bei closely observed the two's every move, and naturally also noticed his mother's fleeting reaction.

But since some things have already happened, there's no point in running away or covering them up; we have to face everything head-on.

"Let's put this one away for now. It was cut to his size, and I can't wear it anyway."

"Okay, then let's put it away for now, out of sight, out of mind." As Zhao Fengying spoke, she folded the pants and stuffed them into the closet.

Xu Bei and Xu Juan, who was about to put on her new pants, exchanged a glance and tacitly changed the subject.

Zhao Fengying's mood improved considerably afterward.

After all, his two good buddies were still working hard in the yard, so Xu Bei didn't stay in the house for long. He quickly put on his work clothes and gloves and joined them.

After chopping out a large pile of firewood, which almost formed a high row of stove pits and firewood in the dilapidated woodshed, Dahei and Song Guodong finally accepted Xu Bei's persuasion and went inside to drink tea, chat, and rest.

Meanwhile, Zhao Fengying and Xu Juan had already started stewing the ribs and meat with potatoes in a large pot next to the east room.

The kitchen was steaming and filled with the aroma of food.

The pig lungs were rinsed with water five or six times until they turned white, and then boiled for some time after being put into a pot of cold water.

After Dahei and Song Guodong warmed up, they both paid back the money they had earned from selling the stools.

After Xu Bei paid them their commissions, he made a net profit of over thirty yuan.

All three of them felt very satisfied from their respective perspectives.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Dahei glanced at the closed door, listened to the sounds from the kitchen, and finally couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Dabei, are your parents really getting a divorce? I was quite surprised when Guodong came to my house."

I used to think your aunt and uncle had a pretty good relationship. Even if they bickered, isn't that how it is in every family? Couples always have their disagreements. My parents argue all the time, sometimes even over how much oil to use when cooking.

Xu Bei took a sip of tea before answering softly, "I don't know if they'll really divorce. They used to argue a lot, and this time it was probably the last straw. My mom is really heartbroken and devastated, and she's made up her mind about it."

Dahei and Song Guodong both sighed in unison. "That's hard to say." "Yeah, once it's like that, it won't be so easy to change your mind."

Then, they all looked at Xu Bei with some sympathy.

Xu Bei immediately retorted, unable to bear it any longer, "Stop your sympathy. I don't care whether my parents get divorced or not."

Unfortunately, the two of them still held traditional views and old ideas, and did not believe that Xu Bei was telling the truth.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the family started dinner early.

On the square kang table, there was a large enamel plate of pork ribs and potatoes stewed together. The potatoes, in particular, looked so soft and fluffy, and they would definitely taste delicious after soaking up the broth.

The stir-fried pig lungs were piled up like a small mountain on a rough porcelain plate. The bright red chilies paired with the golden-brown lung slices created an aroma that whetted the appetite.

There was also a plate of freshly fried peanuts and scrambled eggs with scallions.

Four dishes of this caliber would have been considered a very substantial accompaniment to alcohol in the 1980s.

Xu Bei took out the liquor that was available in the new house and poured some for everyone except his sister, who doesn't drink.

Zhao Fengying was also a drinker, so she didn't stop him when she saw this.

She even raised her glass to say, "Dahei, Guodong, your auntie has to say it again, thank you for coming to help chop firewood."

Dahei and Song Guodong quickly lowered their cups and clinked them together.

"Auntie, it's too formal for you to keep saying thank you. With our long-standing relationship with Da Bei, this little bit of work is nothing to us."

"Yes, especially Da Bei, who not only set up a good job selling stools for himself, but also let us work with him. The commissions we've earned recently have really put a lot of money in our pockets. If we're going to express our gratitude, we should all thank him."

Xu Bei didn't want the polite formalities between his close friends to spoil the drinking atmosphere. "Alright, let's skip the formalities. Everything is in the wine. Come on, let's drink and start eating quickly, especially since the pig lungs will get cold soon."

Zhao Fengying quickly chimed in, "Yes, yes, it's best to eat it while it's hot. You all need to use your chopsticks properly, don't pretend here."

Dahei and Song Guodong said they couldn't possibly be faking it, but when they ate, they were incredibly skilled, and they truly lived up to their word.

Xu Juan, who doesn't drink alcohol, finished eating first and left the table, followed closely by Zhao Fengying.

The remaining three people toasted and chatted.

Around 5 PM, Xu Li and Zhu Wenliang also came over after get off work.

The couple were also very familiar with Xu Bei's two good friends.

Upon hearing that he had also helped chop so much firewood, he was very grateful and expressed his thanks in person.

Xu Bei was still thinking about pretending to pull out a stool, so he took the opportunity to let his brother-in-law continue drinking with him.

The two men, Dahei and Dahei, naturally had no objections.

After pulling the empty sled out of his new home, Xu Bei headed towards the Second Primary School in the pitch-black night.

I plan to wander around the neighborhood, and then when I estimate it's about time, I'll retrieve a few dozen wooden stools from the game system space and take them home.

As a result, when he got to the vicinity of the public toilet outside the No. 2 Primary School, he saw two men harassing a woman pushing a bicycle and blocking her from leaving.

Xu Bei didn't consider himself a great person, but he certainly couldn't stand idly by when he encountered such a situation.

"What are you doing!"

Because of this loud shout, not only the two men looked over, but the woman also exclaimed his name in surprise.

Upon hearing the voice, Xu Bei realized it was Zhou Qingwan, and quickened his pace, secretly thinking that the two were truly destined to meet...